More than 250 friends and alumni of the UW-Madison Farm and Industry Short Course gathered for the annual FISC reunion on Saturday, Jan. 31 in DeForest.

The event began with a seminar by new FISC Director Theodore Halbach, who outlined his goals for the program. The luncheon program included remarks from CALS Dean Molly Jahn, Short Course Alumni Association President Andrea Brossard Martin, WALSAA President Liz Henry, Alice in Dairyland Ashley Hubregtse, CALS Associate Deans John Shutske and Robert Ray, and UW Foundation Director of Development Jody Wickham. A number of lucky attendees received door prizes donated by Wisconsin agribusiness firms.

Jerry Doll, emeritus professor of agronomy, received the Friend of Short Course Award in recognition of his 29 years of teaching in the program. The Service to Agriculture Award was presented to Dean and Mary Gagnon of Waunakee for their many years of service to Wisconsin agricultural youth, FFA and FISC.

Over 250 people attended the event including Short Course alumni from the 1930’s to present. Among those present was Maury White, FISC director from 1969–1983. Early-bird honors go to Bill Harmeyer (2003) from Lewisville, Indiana, who began his drive at 4 a.m. to be the first to arrive.