By far, Madison’s greatest asset is the University of Wisconsin. The UW provides well-paid, stable jobs to 16,000 faculty and staff in our city. Ideas hatched at the UW often spin off into successful businesses that create wealth and employ still more people.

But the biggest asset of the UW for our city is the students themselves. Each fall, 6,000 or so of the world’s brightest 18-year-olds come here as freshmen. I am here because I came to Madison to go to college (those who don’t like my policies as mayor can blame the lax Board of Regents admissions in 1979).

It’s these students who will eventually hatch some of those ideas and build some of those businesses, and virtually every one of them will develop a lifelong attachment to our town.

They’ll speak of Madison fondly wherever their lives take them, providing the city better advertising than any marketing campaign could ever create. And from time to time, most of them will return for a weekend, reconnecting with some of their fondest memories of Madison and pumping up our tourism economy while they’re here.

Maybe most importantly, students keep us young and vibrant.

Each new batch of students brings their own music, clothes, ideas and energy to town. The annual influx of new, young blood keeps Madison connected to the latest trends in everything.

So, I hope students will get involved with the community and with city government. We are proud to have such an impressive student alder in Bryon Eagon representing UW students well on the City Council. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with Bryon along with Ald. Bridget Maniaci, a recent UW graduate, and Ald. Mike Verveer, who also represents many students, on issues affecting campus this year.

Last year, much because of Bryon’s leadership and student involvement, we added more student representation on the city’s Alcohol License Review Committee. We had another great year of Freakfest on State Street. We worked with WSUM and other students to add entertainment to the annual Mifflin Street Block Party.

And, after many students had just moved into student housing, we held our third Ride the Drive, this time with Lance Armstrong. About 50,000 people turned out to join Lance to bike the six-mile course through city streets, opened up to bikers for the day.

We worked hard with UW to make this an event that helped residents and students alike see how easy biking in Madison can be. I hope you’ll take advantage of bike trails and routes through the city and campus. In fact, Google Maps has launched a biking application for Madison that gives the best biking routes for paths and city streets.

Overall, I hope even more students will get involved this year on issues that are important to them. Get in touch with your alder.

E-mail me at [email protected]. Tell us what issues are important to you. Because when students get involved, city government listens.

For most of us college is about choosing a career, learning who we are and making lifelong friendships. So, the social aspects of college life are important, and that shouldn’t be undervalued.

UW has long held a deserved reputation as a place of high academic standards and achievement, but also a place where those same hard working scholars know how to have a good time.

That reputation and the kind of young person it attracts have shaped our city for decades.

Smart but not full of ourselves, hard working but fun loving is who we are as a people.

So, welcome back. Study hard. Have some fun

And On Wisconsin!

Dave Cieslewicz has been the mayor of Madison since 2003. He is currently serving his second term and will be up for reelection in April.