Tag Commencement
2020 Spring Commencement details announced
UW–Madison will confer nearly 8,500 degrees Saturday during a virtual commencement ceremony that will be released beginning at noon CDT. The university plans to hold an in-person event when it is safe to again gather in large numbers.
Seniors to make most of online commencement, celebrating at home
“My mom is going to cook a huge gorgeous meal, we are going to drink champagne, watch the ceremony, and cry."
Notable grads: A few of the outstanding students at spring commencement 2020
The coronavirus outbreak changed a lot of things at UW–Madison this semester, but the excellence of the spring 2020 graduating class was not one of them.
Student forges special bond with commencement speaker James Patterson, her childhood reading hero
Marie Aguirre has become friends with Patterson and his wife Susan. She’s also been a recipient of their generosity — the couple supported her college studies with a generous scholarship.
UW–Madison postpones May commencement ceremonies
Chancellor Rebecca Blank announced today that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the university will not hold in-person commencement ceremonies May 8 and 9, instead offering a virtual ceremony with plans to hold an in-person event at a later date.
Senior class officers announce 2020 class gift dedicated to Green Bandana Project
The senior class office will raise funds dedicated to the Green Bandana Project as part of a gift from the class of 2020.
V. Craig Jordan, Michael G. Moore to receive honorary degrees from UW–Madison
Jordan, a groundbreaking cancer researcher, and Moore, a pioneer in the field of contemporary distance education, will be awarded honorary doctoral degrees during the winter 2020 commencement ceremonies in December.
WATCH: ’69 strike leader to speak at spring commencement
John Felder, a leader of the 1969 Black Student Strike, will be the alumni speaker at UW's 2020 spring commencement.
WATCH: Mystery solved!
The spring 2020 commencement speaker is...
Novelist James Patterson to give commencement keynote; John Felder will be alumni speaker
Author James Patterson will give the spring commencement keynote address; joining him on stage will be alumni speaker John Felder, an organizer of the Black Student Strike of 1969.
Viral video: Student commencement speaker’s address tops 3.5M views
Lisa Kamal, a standout geology major, opened her commencement speech by singing a few lines from the Broadway hit “Hamilton.” She went on to explain that the cast recording had become a coping mechanism for her during some dark times. It struck a chord with viewers online.
Photo gallery: Winter commencement 2019
Family and friends packed the Kohl Center on Dec. 15 to celebrate with 1,200 graduates taking part in winter commencement exercises.
Jason Gay’s 2019 winter commencement address
"I think it’s important to do the homework, to prepare, and take the serious stuff seriously. But I also think it’s useful to always carry some humility, to acknowledge we are not always in control of our stories; how often it's moments of chaos, luck, and strange bends of the universe that conspire to teach us, to push us, challenge us – and bring us to thrilling events like this ceremony today."
At 2019 winter commencement, grads step into the ‘beautiful chaos’ that awaits
More than 7,000 gathered at the Kohl Center Sunday to celebrate, including about 1,200 graduates.
Notable grads: winter commencement 2019
On Sunday, Dec. 15, hundreds of students will complete their UW–Madison studies by walking across the Kohl Center stage at winter commencement. Every graduation ceremony is rich with personal stories. Here are just a few from this year’s winter graduates.
Student commencement speaker: Scholarship opened a rewarding academic path
Lisa Kamal says she auditioned to be the student speaker for winter commencement because she believes she has something to say about keeping an open mind and adapting to one’s circumstances.
Columnist Jason Gay to speak at 2019 winter commencement
In his sports and humor columns, Gay regularly shifts between irreverence and seriousness. Expect something similar at the Kohl Center this December.
Watt to grads: ‘When you figure your dream out, remember it will not be a straight path’
NFL star and philanthropist J.J. Watt's teleprompter-free speech was one of the more freewheeling — and perhaps memorable — commencement addresses in Badger history.
Photo gallery – Commencement 2019
Experience the weekend's celebrations in images.
Friday ceremony inspires with words from honorary degree recipients
Commencement weekend kicked off with a ceremony at the Kohl Center for about 900 doctoral, medical professional, and master of fine arts students.