Here are the most recent 25 spring commencement speakers and some of our favorite pieces of wisdom that they shared with graduating Badgers.
Class of 2025
Jason Gay ’92, sports and humor columnist for the Wall Street Journal
Before commencement, we talked to Jason about his message, the things that make UW–Madison so special, and his observations on life and sports.
Class of 2024
Meghan Duggan ’11, Olympian and former Badger hockey player
Leading up to the ceremony at Camp Randall, Duggan stopped by La Bahn Arena with her family to answer questions and offer her thoughts about what it means to be a Badger alumna.
Class of 2023
Eric Holder Jr., former United States Attorney General
Class of 2022
Linda Thomas-Greenfield MA’75, United States Ambassador to the United Nations
Class of 2021
André De Shields ’70, actor, singer, dancer, director, and choreographer
“The sky is falling, and it’s falling into your hands. Now what does that mean? It means that you have to make use of your limitless imagination and allow this old world that is yearning to die, let it die. Use your imagination in helping this new world that is eager to be born to come to life.”
Class of 2020
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, James Patterson, author and philanthropist, offered remarks for a virtual commencement ceremony on May 9, 2020.
Pat Connaughton, NBA player for the Milwaukee Bucks, gave remarks at the September 18, 2021, in-person celebration for UW–Madison 2020 graduates.
Class of 2019
J.J. Watt x’12, former UW–Madison and NFL football player
Check out this podcast espisode, where the senior class officers, who chose Watt for this honor, get to ask him questions before graduation day.
Class of 2018
David Muir, journalist and ABC World News Tonight anchor
Class of 2017
Steve Levitan ’84, cocreator and executive producer of Modern Family
Levitan is a 2015 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient.
Class of 2016
Russell Wilson x’14, NFL Quarterback
“From the moment I saw this campus, I knew this was the place I wanted to be. From my coaches to my teammates to the guys in the equipment room and to, of course, the fans – everyone I met was so incredibly welcoming. And even though I only spent about a year here, I got to see how the Wisconsin Idea isn’t just a motto. It’s a commitment to work hard and surround yourself with good people, to never stop improving and to make the world just a little bit better every day.”
Class of 2015
Katie Couric, journalist
“Take the Wisconsin Idea and spread it far and wide wherever you go. There are a world of problems just waiting for you to solve. Many will be around the block in your own neighborhood. And I have so much faith in you because you’ve already shown you’re ready to tackle some big, messy issues.”
Class of 2014
Jon Huntsman, former Utah governor and U.S. ambassador
Class of 2013
Anders Holm ’03, actor, comedian, and writer
Class of 2012
Carol Bartz ’71, former president and CEO of Yahoo!
“Accept failure and learn from it. Failure — especially failure in your 50 years of working — failure is so important to understand. It can progress you forward.”
Class of 2011
John Morgridge ’55, emeritus CEO and chairman, Cisco Systems, and Tashia Morgridge ’55, retired educator and author
John and Tashia Morgridge are 2024 Distinguished Service Awardees.
Class of 2010
Arne Duncan, U.S. secretary of education
James Kass ’91, founder of Youth Speaks
Class of 2009
Allan “Bud” Selig ’56, commissioner emeritus of Major League Baseball
“Take advantage of these difficult times because if you have hope and faith, if you are smart and tenacious and dedicated and willing to sacrifice, you can make a difference and make this a better world.”
Class of 2008
Shirley Schlanger Abrahamson DJS’62, Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice
Kay Smith Koplovitz ’67, founder of the USA Network
Class of 2007
André De Shields ’70, actor
Class of 2006
Florence Chenoweth MS’70, PhD’86, director of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
Odessa Piper, restaurateur and founder of Madison’s L’Etoile
Class of 2005
Tammy Baldwin JD’89, United States congresswoman
“And now that you’re graduating, we’re counting on you. We are counting on you to take risks, dream big dreams, and not let the naysayers rob you of your ambitions. We are counting on you to embody the Wisconsin Idea and use your knowledge for the common good.”
Class of 2004
Bradley Whitford, actor
Class of 2003
Jerry Zucker ’72, producer and director
Class of 2002
Louis Holland Sr. ’65, chief investment officer of Holland Capital Management
Thomas Pyle Jr. MBA’63, chair of the Pyle Group
Class of 2001
Charlene Barshefsky ’72, U.S. trade ambassador to China under the Clinton Administration
Class of 2000
Uta Hagen x’37, actress
