Fill the Hill 2021: The Flamingos are Back!

After a year of going virtual, the flamingos are back! This year, one of the most beloved Homecoming traditions at UW-Madison, Fill the Hill, will return in person to Bascom Hill.

Fill the Hill is a fundraising effort that brings campus lore to life in support of the university. In 1979, students and other passersby were treated to the sight of 1,008 plastic pink flamingos placed on Bascom Hill by student government pranksters from the Pail and Shovel Party. Ever since, these lawn ornaments have become a treasured tradition of the UW.

Last year, we were able to raise $16,105.84 and place 135 flamingos on (virtual) Bascom Hill. The J-School had the most donors and dollars raised of any unit in the College of Letters and Science and accounted for 5.6% of all gifts throughout the event. While Fill the Hill is shorter this year, we know our J-School community will flock together to support current students.

This year, we will be filling Bascom Hill with special red plastic lawn flamingos, with each flamingo representing one gift to the UW. Fill the Hill is a chance for us to come together as a community, support current students and share our J-School pride.

The impact of gifts made to the School of Journalism and Mass Communication’s Annual Fund during Fill the Hill are far-reaching and make a meaningful difference for students by:

Providing scholarships to our James L. Baughman Senior Achievement Award winners

Updating facilities and technology to ensure high-quality classroom experiences

Launch diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives to make the J-School a place where all students feel welcome

Join us beginning at 5 p.m. Central on Thursday, October 28 through 6:00 p.m. Central on Friday, October 29 for Fill the Hill!

Give a gift to the J-School