Category Society & Culture
Meet some of the notable UW–Madison graduates of spring 2025
So many mortarboards, so many impressive students. This weekend, thousands of UW–Madison graduates will become the newest members of the worldwide Badger alumni network. Many have already left a lasting impact — on campus and far beyond. Here are just a few. Consider them a small subset of the excellence of the UW–Madison Class of 2025.
Raines Lucas, Jenna Seidl named winners of 2025 Herfurth-Kubly Awards
The awards, among the oldest and most prestigious on campus, are given annually to two seniors who have made the most effective use of their time at UW–Madison.
44 faculty honored with Vilas professorships and awards
Extraordinary members of the University of Wisconsin–Madison faculty and staff have been honored during the last year with awards supported by the estate of professor, U.S. Senator and UW Regent William F. Vilas (1840-1908).
Exploring the great outdoors with Hoofers
From sailing to hiking to skiing, UW–Madison students explore new passions and find community in outdoor activities.
Percival Everett’s ‘James’ chosen as 2025-26 Go Big Read book
The book reimagines Mark Twain’s 1884 classic, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” from the perspective of Huck’s companion, Jim, as the pair share adventure on the Mississippi River, not long after Jim has escaped slavery.
Four UW–Madison professors elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences
The UW–Madison inductees are political philosopher Harry Brighouse, social psychologist Patricia Devine, political scientist Lisa Martin and cognitive neuroscientist Mark Seidenberg.
Bridging the Divide
A new campus dialogue series invites UW students with different ideologies to discuss challenging topics and understand each other’s points of view.
Meet the 2025 Academic Staff Excellence Award winners
“As the largest employee group on campus, our academic staff members are critical to all that we do,” says Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin. “They are gifted teachers, world-class researchers, impactful mentors, and innovative administrators. We rely on them to bring the Wisconsin Idea to life — in the classroom and throughout the state and the world.”
Alumna Felicity Klingele awarded top scholarship for graduate study at Oxford
Klingele is the first Badger to win the Barry Scholarship, which provides full funding for a minimum of two years of graduate study at the University of Oxford.
Panel: UW to focus on founders in entrepreneurship push
Panelists outlined a new vision for how UW–Madison can better support students, faculty, and alumni in launching businesses — and why that shift is critical for Wisconsin’s economy.
UW–Madison economics professor Kim Ruhl appointed as member of President’s Council of Economic Advisers
Established by Congress in 1946, the CEA comprises three economists who advise the U.S. president on a wide range of economic policy issues based on data, research and evidence.
UW online master’s programs ranked highly
“A top priority for us has been to make programs accessible to people who are busy with jobs or families,” says Jeffrey Russell, UW’s vice provost for lifelong learning.
Dinosaurs roamed the northern hemisphere millions of years earlier than previously thought, according to new analysis of the oldest North American fossils
A newly described dinosaur whose fossils were uncovered by UW paleontologists is challenging the existing narrative with evidence that the reptiles were present in the northern hemisphere millions of years earlier than previously known.
Leopold’s journals that informed ‘A Sand County Almanac’ more accessible than ever before
Thanks to the careful work of passionate volunteers, all 1,100 handwritten pages of Leopold’s Shack journals are now more readable and searchable for public enjoyment and education.
Practical life lessons help provide recipe for success at UW–Madison Winter 2024 Commencement
Commencement speaker — and chef — Dan Jacobs prepared a chicken on stage while offering the new graduates guidance they could apply to their careers and relationships: remain curious and open to new experiences.
Q&A with commencement speaker Dan Jacobs: ‘I feel like if Madison was a dish, it would be macaroni and cheese.’
"I was lucky enough to find something that I loved to do at an early age, and I can't tell you how much that has brought joy to my life as opposed to doing something that I had to do."
15 top-tier colleges wanted her. She chose UW–Madison. Here’s why.
What won her over? A combination of things, including UW–Madison’s world-class reputation, the friendliness of the campus community and a financial aid offer she couldn’t refuse.
What’s in a candidate’s name? Plenty.
Stav Atir's research found that people are more than twice as likely to refer to male professionals by surname than female professionals, which can undermine women's perceived status and accomplishments.
‘Top Chef’ standout will whip up a speech for UW’s winter commencement
Dan Jacobs is the head chef and co-owner of acclaimed Milwaukee restaurants EsterEv, a globally inspired tasting menu concept, and Dandan, a modern Chinese American concept with Midwest sensibility.
‘Go Big Read’ seeking suggestions for 2025-26 book
Go Big Read, UW–Madison’s common reading program is seeking title suggestions of any book relating to contemporary issues of broad interest to the campus community. Book suggestions can be made on the Go Big Read website through Nov. 13.