Innovative. Driven. Successful. Inspiring.

Those terms apply to all the people featured below. They're extraordinary, even by Badger standards. Our university is famous for its Wisconsin Idea — that principle that the boundaries of the university are the boundaries of the state (and beyond) and the charge that the purpose of a university is to produce practical good in the world. Our alumni have been living examples of the Wisconsin Idea for more than 150 years. And yet, among their fellow grads, these alumni stand out.

This is the fifth year that WAA has honored graduates with Forward under 40 Awards, and yet we're nowhere near running out of worthy young alumni. To come up with the thirteen names you'll find on this site, we had to pore over the nominations of many, many accomplished Badgers. I'm continually inspired by the ideas and ambitions that flow from the young people the UW graduates every semester.

It is thanks to our friends at the UW Foundation that you have a chance to get acquainted with these marvelous young people. The Foundation's generous gift helped make the Forward under 40 award program possible.

On, Wisconsin!

Paula Bonner MS'78
WAA President and CEO