Saturday Ceremony
Saturday, May 13, 2023, Noon
Featuring remarks by Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin,
keynote speaker Eric H. Holder Jr. and student speakers, Sydney Bobb, Faith Ocoko and Liam McLean.
Recap: 2023 spring commencement brings the fun and all the feels to Camp Randall
Photo gallery: New graduates make it a day to remember
Friday Ceremony
Friday, May 12, 2023, 5:30 p.m.
Featuring remarks by Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin
Recap: Graduates celebrate achievements, cultural legacies at spring commencement
Photo gallery: Grad students revel in the moment
Speakers
More videos of ceremony speakers will be added here as they are processed. Please check back later.
Opening Remarks, Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin
Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin delivers remarks to bachelor’s, master’s and law degree candidates.
Keynote Speaker, Eric H. Holder Jr.
Former U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. delivers the commencement address
Student Speakers
Sydney Bobb ’23, BA, African Cultural Studies and Faith Ocoko ’23, BS, Neurobiology
Remarks on behalf of the graduates
Liam McLean, ’23, BA, Political Science, Senior Class President
2023 Honorary Degree Recipient, Cecil Garvin
Cecil Garvin is a highly respected Ho-Chunk elder who has devoted much of his professional life to the preservation and promotion of the Ho-Chunk language and culture.
Celebrations
School and college events
Make sure to celebrate with your school, college, unit, department, or organization. Check out the schedule of celebrations for additional information.
Watch from the Unions
The Wisconsin Union team invites you to a livestream of the Camp Randall Stadium graduation ceremony at Union South’s Sett, or Memorial Union’s Rathskeller. Seating is first come, first served, and there are thousands of seats and dining options. Find more information about these and other Union-hosted graduation events, such as free concerts and free professional photos of grads on big Terrace chairs.
Celebrate Your Graduate
Welcome to Alumnihood!
The Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) wants to help you hold onto what you love about the UW by presenting a complimentary, two-year membership — plus bonus Wisconsin felt pennant magnet. Becoming a WAA member is the best way to continue your Wisconsin Experience — wherever your degree takes you. Activate your no-cost, two-year membership today!
Wisconsin Union lifetime memberships
The Wisconsin Union Association celebrates your accomplishment and is pleased to offer you a lifetime Wisconsin Union membership for just $50. This represents a 75% discount in recognition of your achievement, especially during this challenging final year. Your membership provides a lifetime of connection to a place that’s been an important part of your time on campus, and discounts and opportunities that will keep you coming back.
UW–Madison Spring Graduation 2023 Spotify Playlist
Attention Graduates! Listen now to the UW–Madison Spring Graduation 2023 Spotify playlist.
Celebrating the Class of 2023
Mortarboards become billboards
It’s an art form: Graduates wore caps decorated with flowers, beads and messages ranging from the classic — “On, Wisconsin” — to the epic — “Long story short: I survived.”
New graduates make it a day to remember
Badgers work hard and play hard. That was proven once again at the 2023 spring commencement at Camp Randall Stadium, where graduates were awarded diplomas to reward their years of hard work.
2023 spring commencement brings the fun and all the feels to Camp Randall
On an overcast day at Camp Randall, Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin told the crowd, “Today, we confer 7,826 degrees, making this the largest commencement ceremony in the history of this great university.”
Commencement: Grad students revel in the moment
Smiles were plentiful at the commencement ceremony for doctoral, MFA and medical student degree candidates on May 12 at the Kohl Center, at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Graduates celebrate achievements, cultural legacies at spring commencement
Nearly 800 doctoral, MFA and medical professional students received their degrees in front of a crowd of thousands of cheering loved ones.
UW–Madison to celebrate 2023 spring commencement this weekend
UW–Madison will hold its 2023 spring commencement in two ceremonies on Friday, May 12 and Saturday, May 13.
Commencement 2023: A look at some of this spring’s notable graduates
One graduate turned her viral dance videos into a career opportunity. Another co-founded a tech startup that helps Fido and Tabby get better vet care. A third conquered her doubts to forge a path in higher education for herself and her siblings.
Commencement spotlight: From uncertain future to clinical doctorate, a three-time Badger shares her story
Yasmeena Ougayour, who credits her parents for instilling in her the desire and the skills to pursue higher education, will earn her third diploma from the University of Wisconsin–Madison this May.
Unfinished business: Group of PhD students will walk in commencement 50 years after earning degrees
More than a dozen 1970s alumni of the Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics program are expected to attend commencement, and they’ll attend several days of events.
Student commencement speaker once struggled with words. Now he’ll address thousands.
As a student leader, Liam McLean, who overcame a struggle with language and bullying growing up, has sought to be a good listener, empower others and, above all else, model kindness and empathy in his actions.
Holder to address graduates as keynote speaker for UW–Madison spring commencement
Eric Holder, the third-longest serving attorney general in U.S. history and the first African American to hold that office, will address the graduating class of 2023 on May 13.
Cecil Garvin, esteemed teacher of Ho-Chunk language, to receive honorary degree from UW–Madison
Garvin is a supremely fluent speaker of Ho-Chunk — one of only a few remaining. He has instructed learners of all ages and abilities in community settings as well as through dedicated language camps and classes offered through the Ho-Chunk Nation.
#UWGrad
Tag #UWGrad in your tweets and Instagrams for your chance to be featured below.
#UWGrad social media checklist
A social media to-do list for graduating students to submit content for UW–Madison to feature in publications and on a public digital dashboard.
When tagging #UWGrad in your photos and videos, UW–Madison may amplify or repurpose your content for virtual commencement purposes. We’re all in this together, so share your experience with your fellow Class of 2022 Badgers!