Schedule
Note: Please note the July 18 Reunion Picnic has been moved from Vilas Park to indoors at the Center for Healthy Minds building. See more info below.
Thursday, July 16
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On Flourishing: 50 Years of Science & Practice - IMPORTANT NOTICE BELOW*
Thursday, July 16, 2026
7-8:30pm | The Playhouse at Overture Center for the Arts and Livestream
⚠️ *THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT! - Overture Center tickets are required for this event. Please double-check your Overture Center for the Arts Ticket Confirmation email in advance, to ensure you know whether you have in-person vs. livestream tickets, and to ensure you can access your e-ticket or livestream link for entry.
Questions? Contact Overture Center Ticket Office at 608.258.4141 or tickets@overture.org
Join world-renowned neuroscientist Dr. Richard J. Davidson, Founder and Director of the Center for Healthy Minds at UW–Madison and Founder of Humin, for an inspiring discussion about the science and practice of flourishing, its evolution, impact and future. Richie will be joined by author and civil rights activist Roshi Joan Halifax, Founder and abbot of the Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe, NM, as well as Dr. Sona Dimidjian, Director of the Renée Crown Wellness Institute at CU Boulder. These three experts work at the intersection of modern science and ancient contemplative tradition, with decades of groundbreaking, international impact on flourishing. This event is part of honoring Richie's 50 years of service to the science of flourishing. It is presented in partnership by the Center for Healthy Minds and Humin.
Parking for Overture Center for the Arts
201 State Street, Madison, WI 53703
Two City of Madison parking garages are within a short walking distance:
Friday, July 17
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Data Blitz!
Friday, July 17, 2026
1-4:30pm | The DeLuca Forum at the Discovery Building and Livestream
You won’t want to miss this electric afternoon of science “flash talks” by current and former trainees of Richie and the Center for Healthy Minds. There will surely be aha moments, a little zaniness and laughter…as well as breaks and snacks!
Celebration Reception & Dinner
Friday, July 17, 2026
6-6:30pm Reception | Lobby at the Discovery Building
6:30-8:30pm Dinner | The DeLuca Forum at the Discovery Building
The weekend of activities include a special reception and dinner by Steenbock Catering at Wisconsin Institute for Discovery. Connect with peers and meet new friends, with heartwarming remarks and multimedia presentations in honor of Richie.
Parking for the Discovery Building
330 N Orchard St, Madison, WI 53715
Although onsite parking is not available at the Discovery Building, there are three University of Wisconsin-managed lots (17, 20 and 80) nearby. To learn more about parking options, reserving parking passes and more, please work directly with UW–Madison Transportation Services.
Saturday, July 18 - Change of Venue*
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Reunion Picnic
*❗CHANGE OF VENUE: Center for Healthy Minds at 625 W. Washington Ave.❗
Saturday, July 18, 2026
11am-3pm | Center for Healthy Minds building
The weekend wouldn’t be complete without some outdoor Madison summer fun! Due to air quality issues, the picnic venue is changed to the Center for Healthy Minds located at 625 W. Washington Ave in Madison, WI.
Parking Information and Accessibility
Center for Healthy Minds
University of Wisconsin–Madison
625 W. Washington Ave.
Madison, WI 53703-2637
- Two-hour street parking is available in front of the building on West Washington Avenue and surrounding side streets.
- The main entrance is on the south side of the building.
- Bicycle racks are located around the building.
- The center has limited on-site accessible parking spots, a ramp entrance, an elevator and wheelchair accessible bathrooms.
Know Before You Go
Join Our Slack Group!
We’ve created a Slack group for the Celebration, where you can find schedules, FAQs, and connect socially with other attendees! The Slack group will be a great place to connect for rideshares and meetups, share favorite moments from the Celebration and get to know each other.
Submit Your Photos and Videos to Celebrate Richie
We’d love to see photo memories of your time with Richie, whether they are from conferences, work at the Center for Healthy Minds, fun gatherings or even the Celebration.
Submit your photos here to CHM.
A few tips for recording on your phone:
- Mount your phone on a stable surface
- Shoot the video horizontally at eye level
- Record in a quiet, well-lit space
- Look directly into the camera lens
- No more than 2-minute video
- Limit 2GB or 100MB file size
Having Technical Issues? Feel free to reach out to Hannah Sandvold, CHM Multimedia Designer at hsandvold@wisc.edu.
Note: By submitting photos and videos, you grant CHM permission to use them for marketing purposes (digital, print, or ads) at CHM and/or at our affiliated non-profit Humin (formerly Healthy Minds Innovations). Please let us know who the photos should be credited to. If there is no photo credit provided, we will assume it is OK to use without credit.
Visit Our Video Shout-Out Station
Friday, July 17 at the Discovery Building!
We’ll have a videographer stationed in the Discovery Building Lobby on Friday, July 17, to capture your enthusiasm.
Session times:
- 2:10-2:30 PM
- 3:25-3:40 PM
- 5:45-6:30 PM
FAQ’s
- I need to change my RSVP. Who should I contact?
- Please contact Heather Harris, CHM Director of Communications & Marketing, at hharris7@wisc.edu
- How do I access my ticket for On Flourishing: 50 Years of Science & Practice?
- Tickets are required for this event (both for the in-person event and livestream). If you registered for a ticket, look for your ticketing confirmation email from Overture Center for the Arts. Questions? Contact Overture Center Ticket Office at 608.258.4141 or tickets@overture.org.
- Where do I park?
- Parking information for individual venues is linked in the Event Schedule on this page.
Additional Questions?
Contact Heather Harris, CHM Director of Communications & Marketing, at hharris7@wisc.edu