Dear UW–Madison Alumni and Friends,
As we turn the calendar to 2025, I hope you are finding a few moments to renew and refresh. Campus is pretty quiet right now, with most of our students away on winter break, so from the top of Bascom Hill, I invite you to join me for a peek at a few of the things we’ve been working on.
Winter Commencement
More than 2,000 students graduated as part of our winter commencement, and the ceremony offered a wonderful chance to celebrate the achievements of our newest alumni.
As something of a “foodie” myself, I was delighted that our commencement speaker was Dan Jacobs, who made it all the way to the finals in last season’s Top Chef (which was based right here in Wisconsin) and who is the creator and driving force behind two top Milwaukee restaurants.
Along with a memorable live, on-stage cooking demo on how to spatchcock and roast a delicious chicken (dry brining is the key!), Dan inspired our graduates with a few of the life lessons he’s learned working in high-pressure kitchens — including how criticism can be a powerful fuel for excellence and the importance of staying authentically curious, both in the kitchen and in life.
Research Ranking
You might have seen the exciting news last month that UW–Madison now ranks sixth in research expenditures among U.S. universities, up from number eight, where we’d been since 2018. You and I both know that this university has been a research powerhouse for many decades, and whether we’re number eight or number six doesn’t change that — and the truth is that there are very small dollar differences separating numbers five through nine. Nonetheless, it was terrific to see us moving up on this ranking (and the two schools we leapfrogged this year were UC–San Diego and my own former institution, UCLA). Far more important than the ranking, however, is the reality that these investments represent $1.7 billion in cutting-edge research investment for the benefit of Wisconsin and the world.
Theranostics
Just one example of that research: have you heard of theranostics? It’s therapeutics plus diagnostics, and UW–Madison is way out front! As a federal reviewer looking at our program recently said, “Wisconsin potentially owns theranostics.”
This technique allows physicians to send a targeted dose of radiation to a precise spot in the body, quickly see what the result is, and adjust as needed. Dean Bob Golden at our School of Medicine and Public Health describes theranostics as a radioactive molecular bullet that locates and attacks cancer cells — even otherwise undetectable ones. This is an incredibly exciting piece of the future of cancer care (and perhaps ultimately neurological disorders as well, like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s).
I’m excited to tell you that UW Health has opened a beautiful new state-of-the-art theranostics center where patients are now receiving these treatments, and the UW Carbone Cancer Center has launched a new Initiative for Theranostics and Particle Therapy to bring together faculty experts from a multitude of specialties to accelerate our work in this arena.
Building Connection across Our Differences
It’s practically a truism, even a cliché, to say that we are living through polarized times, and sometimes our divisions can seem awfully challenging to bridge. That’s part of why the La Follette School of Public Affairs’ Main Street Agenda program is both exciting and downright inspiring. Over the past few months, the school brought together nearly 350 Wisconsinites with diverse viewpoints and perspectives in Pewaukee, Green Bay, Eau Claire, and Madison for small-group dinner conversations aimed at promoting and practicing civil discourse and respect for differences.
The good news? Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. As one participant put it, “It’s okay to have a difference of opinion and still agree on the fact that we want a better Wisconsin.”
I’d say it’s not just okay but necessary for our democracy for citizens to have different opinions and to still be able to engage with one another with respect across those differences. We don’t have to agree with one another in order to learn from each other, to respect one another, and even to work together for a better future. This is the university’s guiding principle of pluralism, something our students are hearing a lot about this year.
Dogs on Call
Speaking of our students, I’ll bet you remember how stressful finals week can be. A couple of weeks ago, Dogs on Call (which also welcomes cats!) helped us give students an opportunity to snuggle some friendly pups for a much-needed mental health break. As a dog person (my 14-year-old rescue dog, Plato, had a cameo in this year’s holiday video), I know how much that can help!
The Year in Photos
Finally, a last look back at 2024.
One of my favorite end-of-year traditions is creating our holiday video — here’s a peek behind the scenes.
We’d just gotten shooting underway when our dog, Plato, decided to begin energetically barking:
“Let’s try that one more time,” director Eric called for the 10th time. Thanks to so many great colleagues and students who were incredibly good sports! Do you recognize some of these folks?
I think Bucky spoke for many of us at the end of a two-hour shoot (that was also lots of fun!).
Our photo team captures thousands of moments in time each year, from grand to granular. Then comes the hard part: sifting and winnowing to create a time capsule of the year’s most compelling images. I hope these bring you back to your time on our beautiful campus. Take a look.
Wishing you a very healthy and happy 2025, and on, Wisconsin!
Jennifer L. Mnookin
Chancellor
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Chancellor’s Choice
- Winter doesn’t slow Badgers down! If you’re in the Madison area, bundle up and visit the Arboretum to learn about our outdoor world on a nature walk (or hear a lecture in the Visitor Center, if you’d prefer a more indoor experience).
- The Badger Talks program brings the incredible depth and breadth of UW–Madison scholarship to you wherever you are, with engaging speakers and timely topics. Watch for events in your part of the state or check out videos and podcasts featuring experts on everything from athletics to zoology.
- I wish I’d had the Teachers, Toddlers, and Tissues podcast when my kids were little. From fevers to rashes to playground injuries, common childhood issues are covered, with informative and often humorous advice from the team (a UW professor of pediatrics and experts from our School of Human Ecology and the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families).