Fill the Hill 2024: The Flock Returns Oct. 24-25

On Oct. 24–25 the flamingos are migrating back to campus and settling on Bascom Hill to celebrate one of UW–Madison’s favorite traditions, Fill the Hill. Beginning at 5 p.m. on Oct. 24, for every donation the J-School receives another pink flamingo will “flock” to Bascom and be added to the hill.

The tradition of flooding Bascom Hill with flamingos began in 1979 not as a fundraiser, but rather, as a prank. The Pail and Shovel Party from the student government planted 1,008 pink plastic flamingos into the ground, starting a beloved annual event.

In 2023 the J-School received 125 gifts and raised $15,276, beating our 2022 numbers by a whopping 26.46%. For the 12th annual Fill the Hill, we hope our J-School flock will come together once again to support our students. Plus, this year, if we reach 126 gifts, Director Katy Culver will don a Founding Father costume while lecturing on the First Amendment during her Law of Mass Communication class.

Show your J-School pride and make a meaningful impact on our students’ educational experience. The gifts made to the School of Journalism and Mass Communication Annual Fund for Fill the Hill make substantial differences in the lives of our students by:

Providing financial support to deserving, passionate students including our James L. Baughman Senior Achievement Awards.

Updating learning spaces and technology to encourage greater faculty-student collaboration.

Supporting real-world projects and experiences that best prepare students for ever-changing media landscapes.

Engaging in inclusive initiatives to make the J-School a place where all students feel they belong.

Fly to the link below starting at 5 p.m. CDT on Thursday, Oct. 24 and for 24 hours, to help us Fill the Hill!

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