On April 5 2025, MAS celebrated its 90th birthday with a grand party we called the Anniversary Gala. The gala was held at the magnificent Usona Institute at Promega Corporation in Fitchburg.

This event, which had been meticulously planned for nearly a year, was a resounding success. The use of the Usona Institute was donated by Bill Linton, CEO of Promega Corporation. Usona is conveniently located just a stone’s throw away from the historic observatory, now officially known as the Bell-Burnell. Originally built in 1880 on Observatory Hill, right beside Washburn, the observatory served as the UW Student Observatory. In 1960, the building was graciously donated to the Madison Astronomical Society and relocated to Fitchburg, where it stands on Promega property to this day. Many gala attendees had the privilege of exploring the observatory and learning about its rich history, as well as the ongoing research that takes place there thanks to Promega’s comprehensive renovation and restoration efforts.

The Gala was a harmonious blend of historical threads: the contemporary incarnation of an observatory and a venerable club, connected through time to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Promega Corporation. The gala’s guest list included a who’s who of current and former members, spanning time from the 1950s to the present day.

The success of the Gala was made possible by the support of the MAS board, the generous donation of the Usona venue by Promega CEO Bill Linton, and the exceptional efforts of the Gala Committee: Jack Fitzmier, Bonnie Tiedt, Rita Hampton, Rob Strabala, and John Rummel. 

(post by John Rummel)