Photos: UW-Madison's 170th commencement
Over 40,000 people packed Camp Randall stadium to witness the confirmation of 7,826 degrees at UW-Madison 170th commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 13, 2023.
Jumping around
UW-Madison graduates dance and jump to “Jump Around” during the commencement ceremony. The song played, as is tradition at Badgers football games, about three quarters of the way through the ceremony.
Crowding the stadium
According to Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin, the crowd for the 170th University of Wisconsin-Madison commencement ceremony filled Camp Randall with over 40,000 people.
SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
New graduate
A University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate waves to the crowd during the Spring 2023 commencement ceremony at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., Saturday, May 13, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Posing
University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates take a selfie during the 2023 commencement ceremony at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., Saturday, May 13, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Over there
University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates point to their friends during the 2023 commencement ceremony at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., Saturday, May 13, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Family moment
Graduate London Butler visits with her cousin Teri before Saturday's commencement ceremony. More than 40,000 guests packed the Isthmus this weekend to celebrate with the UW-Madison graduates.
The largest commencement
According to Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin, the Spring 2023 commencement ceremony was the largest in UW Madison's history.
SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
A sea of red and black
Ggraduates in their caps and gowns wait for the ceremony to begin. It was UW-Madison's largest commencement yet, according to Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin, with 7,826 degrees conferred.
Graduating goalie
UW-Madison graduate and goaltender for the women’s hockey team Cami Kronish leans against the NCAA Women’s Hockey National Championship trophy. During the ceremony, Kronish flashed her championship ring on camera, with Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin acknowledging the successful season the women's hockey team had.
Eric H. Holder Jr.
Keynote speaker Eric H. Holder Jr., the first African American person to serve as U.S. attorney general, addresses UW-Madison graduates. Holder is a Badger dad himself -- his daughter Brooke graduated from UW-Madison with a bachelor's degree in 2020.
Listening
University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates react during the 170th commencement ceremony at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., Saturday, May 13, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Heading to the ceremony
University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates walk out on to the field before the 170th commencement ceremony at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., Saturday, May 13, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Celebrating
University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate reacts before the 170th commencement ceremony at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., Saturday, May 13, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
New alumni
University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates look for friends and family before the 170th commencement ceremony at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., Saturday, May 13, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Finding friends and family
University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates look for friends and family before the 170th commencement ceremony at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., Saturday, May 13, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
All smiles
University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates participate in the 170th commencement ceremony at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., Saturday, May 13, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
On Wisconsin
New graduates cheer and clap as the commencement ceremony draws closer to its end. After the ceremony, many collected flowers, stuffed bears and hugs from their family members and friends outside Camp Randall.
Throwing one back
University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates take a shot during the 170th commencement ceremony at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., Saturday, May 13, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Standing tall
University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates dance to “Jump Around” during the 170th commencement ceremony at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., Saturday, May 13, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Proud families and happy graduates packed the Isthmus Saturday to celebrate commencement.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos had called for the UW System to cut all DEI positions last month, claiming the offices have contributed to racial divides.
County officials are hoping to merge resources with Moraine Park Technical College to keep the UW-Milwaukee branch campus in West Bend open.
"I don’t think that they deserve to have any more resources until they accomplish the goal,” Vos told WisPolitics.
UW-Madison's overall rank has been climbing in recent years — it ranked 38th last year, 42nd in 2021 and 46th in 2020.
"This is just repugnant behavior and it shouldn't exist," Owens said. "Whatever these people's motives are we can't have a culture that tolerates this kind of stuff."
