James Paterson, the best-selling mystery author of more than 475 million books worldwide, and his wife, Sue, a UW alum, philanthropist, and author in her own right, have been in love with the University of Wisconsin–Madison for decades. That love has turned into dedication and tremendous financial support for the university and its students involved in athletics, nursing, and the arts, along with literacy-focused initiatives, the School of Education’s Teacher Pledge program. The couple has gifted more than $240 million to literacy-focused programs and endowed 5,000 scholarships at various colleges, according to UW–Madison.
On May 9, 2026, James Patterson delivered the keynote commencement address to the University of Wisconsin–Madison Class of 2026 at Camp Randall Stadium — his second time serving in that role, having also spoken at the virtual ceremony in 2020. He opened with humor before shifting to a deeply personal message rooted in his own life and career.
The central theme of his address was self-worth and confidence: he urged every graduate to leave the ceremony feeling a sense of worthiness, which will be enormously important in the wider world. Patterson drew on lessons from his upbringing, crediting his grandmother — a woman who never advanced past sixth grade but who told him he could be anything, even a writer — as the mentor who shaped his outlook. He recalled being advised in college to avoid fiction, a piece of advice he famously ignored on his way to publishing more than 250 novels and selling more than 475 million books worldwide.
He also touched on philanthropy, encouraging students to build the habit of giving back early. He closed with a piece of wisdom passed down from his grandfather: when you head off to work each morning, you ought to be singing.
