Lee Lowenthal, a journalist for the The State Journal wrote an article on the increased success of UW Graduates Welch and Bronstein. This article titled, For Love or Beer (The State Journal, September 9th, 2007) describes how two University of Wisconsin undergraduate’s started a brewing company on the grounds of the campus. This company expanded into New York City after graduation, but it started right here while the two men were attending school. This 'bond' that they developed over beer began while they were students living in Vilas Avenue. Now, these two men sell nearly 3,100 barrels of beer a year. "I never thought I would be doing what I am doing now, " said Welch (UW Graduate). This article discusses how both of the men involved in the beer experiments have been wanting to become breweres since they met in college. They comment how they solely talked about how to make the best beer all throughout their four years at Madison. Once of my questions is, do you think that these men were taking up the space that could be used for a student who fully wants to focus on accademics? We could have admitted a future nobel prize winner or a scientiest who studies how to prevent diseases instead of having two graduated brewers. We already have enough alcohol in the world, but we still have many pertinent issues that still need to be solved. My question would be if UW Madison is now becoming known for its reputation of being a drinking school instead of for its academics? Do you think that parents are going to start pulling their children out of this prestigious university because of all the talk going around about Madison being such a party school? After reading this article, it makes me wonder if Madison is more party oriented or school oriented. I guess that I’m going to have to wait to find out!
4 comments:
I think the two graudates have the right to brew thier own beer. They are just two entrepreneurs who are interested in the beer-making industry. I don't think it's any different than taking an interest making a purfume product to sell to others. As for drinking on campus, I believe that a student here knows where the drinking takes place on campus and has the ability to avoid these areas at all times. We, as students, should be able to live in an environment with alcohol and be able to make our own choices about our engagement with it. Drinking on campus should not be a parent's number one concern. Thier concern should lie in thier child's ability to make the right choices when it does come to alcohol. There is drinking pretty much in every college around the world, Madison just happens to be a very large school, therefore it makes sense for there to be a lot of alcohol consumption. Playboy Magazine makes thier list of the #1 party schools in America. Madison was #1 last year (2006) but who really takes Playboy seriously? It's just a magazine that wants to intrigue younger readers so they make up some lame list of "party" schools. What one should take into consideration are the other lists Madison is on top for, like academics and the Peace Corps. Those lists come from credible sources, not a dirty magazine. The two graduate students found a way to get involved with our free enterprise, so I give them credit for thier success.
I think the two graudates have the right to brew thier own beer. They are just two entrepreneurs who are interested in the beer-making industry. I don't think it's any different than taking an interest making a purfume product to sell to others. As for drinking on campus, I believe that a student here knows where the drinking takes place on campus and has the ability to avoid these areas at all times. We, as students, should be able to live in an environment with alcohol and be able to make our own choices about our engagement with it. Drinking on campus should not be a parent's number one concern. Thier concern should lie in thier child's ability to make the right choices when it does come to alcohol. There is drinking pretty much in every college around the world, Madison just happens to be a very large school, therefore it makes sense for there to be a lot of alcohol consumption. Playboy Magazine makes thier list of the #1 party schools in America. Madison was #1 last year (2006) but who really takes Playboy seriously? It's just a magazine that wants to intrigue younger readers so they make up some lame list of "party" schools. What one should take into consideration are the other lists Madison is on top for, like academics and the Peace Corps. Those lists come from credible sources, not a dirty magazine. The two graduate students found a way to get involved with our free enterprise, so I give them credit for thier success.
There is a lot of science and research behind the making of beer. If anything, this article further shows how important the research aspect of Madison is to it's students. If two guys are willing to put that much time effort into the beer making process then they need to be commended for their actions. Also, most parents will still look past the drinking and look at the research aspect of campus and at the 700+ student-led organizations. These are the things that truly allow Madison stand out.
First off, I really enjoyed reading that post! You're a good writer--if I would have gone first it wouldn't have been nearly as interesting, I am sure. Anyway, about the article!
I think that just because these boys graduated from UW Madison and got into brewery, people will not look at the school as being a party school rather than more of a school to get a good education. I think if somebody wants to go to college, they should be able to go for WHATEVER they want, and if that is brewing beer, than so be it. I don't think that they were taking up space for what could have been students studying other things, but that is a very good thought.
I am not saying this because I think drinking is cool (I don't drink but I don't really care what other people want to do with their time), I say this because I think people should do what they like to do. I don't think somebody should go to school to be a doctor, for example, just because their parents or somebody else wants them to. A person should go to school for what they love to do--this could be anything from finding a cure for cancer to starting one's own brewery.
All in all, Madison will continue to be prestigious and noticed for great education, because most of the people that attend know when it's okay to have a good time but also when it is important to hit the books.
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