Over 48,000 people packed into sunny Camp Randall Stadium Saturday to celebrate the latest graduates from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
UW-Madison graduation weekend: Blue skies, black caps and red Ws
The Cap Times
Category: Chancellor
One year later: Pro-Palestinian protesters reflect on 2024 campus encampment
WKOW - Channel 27
Library Mall on UW-Madison’s campus looks much different than it did one year ago as pro-Palestinian protests were stationed there for nearly two weeks.
Protesters were demanding that UW disclose its investments and divest from companies that profit from the war in Gaza. They met with university leaders over the span of their encampment to reach an agreement.
Graduation speakers stress bridging political divides, celebrate Women’s Hockey win during spring commencement
The Daily Cardinal
The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s class of 2025 arrived Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium to celebrate the largest commencement in university history as speakers — including graduates, alumni, Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin and Wall Street Journal Sports Columnist Jason Gay — emphasized resilience and learning to bridge political divides.
Photos: UW-Madison 2025 Spring Commencement
Wisconsin State Journal
UW-Madison had its 172nd spring commencement to celebrate graduating students on Saturday at Camp Randall. According to UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin, 8,679 students graduated, making it the largest in the school’s 176-year history.
UW-Madison hosts 2025 Spring Commencement
WKOW - Channel 27
The University of Wisconsin-Madison held its 2025 Spring Commencement Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium.
More than 8,000 students moved their tassel from right to left at the ceremony. Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin said this year’s graduation is the university’s largest ceremony.
UW-Madison faculty joins Big Ten schools in vote for ‘Mutual Defense Compact’
Wisconsin Public Radio
University of Wisconsin-Madison professors have joined their colleagues at Big Ten schools to formally say they’re frustrated by the Trump administration’s cuts to research funding and efforts to dictate policy on campus.
Big Ten plan to take on Trump collectively comes to UW-Madison faculty for a vote
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
University of Wisconsin-Madison professors may join others across the Big Ten in calling for an alliance to counter the Trump administration’s hostility toward higher education.
UW-Madison international students live in fear, court records reveal
The Cap Times
International students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are scared to leave their apartments in case they could be detained by federal immigration agents. They have struggled to sleep. And one student has suffered from headaches and hives due to intense stress.
Three receive 2025 Chancellor’s Entrepreneurial Achievement Award
Channel 3000
Three innovators were awarded the 2025 Chancellor’s Entrepreneurial Achievement Award. Established in 2011, the achievement award recognizes UW-Madison innovators and alumni who have contributed to economic growth and the social good.
Heads of UW system, state agencies defend diversity, inclusion practices to audit committee
Wisconsin Examiner
President of the Dane County NAACP chapter Greg Jones was the only member of the public to testify at a Joint Audit Committee hearing Tuesday on two recent audits into the diversity, equity and inclusion practices of state agencies and the Universities of Wisconsin. His message to lawmakers was simple: listen to individuals’ stories about the impact of diversity, equity and inclusion programs and stay away from politicized attacks on DEI.
Chancellor Mnookin, UW must join Big Ten in fight against Trump
The Badger Herald
As Trump administration withholds research funds, targets international students, faculty, Big Ten should push for united response against unconstitutional actions.
Mnookin joins over 200 academic leaders in condemning Trump administration’s ‘intrusion’ into higher education
The Daily Cardinal
University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin signed an open letter Tuesday condemning the Trump administration’s “unprecedented political interference” in public research funding, joining over 220 other higher education leaders.
UW-Madison chancellor, Beloit College president sign letter opposing Trump’s interference in higher education
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Two college leaders in Wisconsin signed a letter criticizing the Trump administration’s efforts to control universities and punish those that do not bend to his will.
University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin and Beloit College Eric Boynton were among 200 college leaders nationally who signed the April 22 letter condemning government overreach.
Mnookin talks SEVIS terminations at University Committee meeting
The Badger Herald
The University Committee — the elected shared governance body for University of Wisconsin faculty — met with Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin, Graduate School Dean Bill Karpus and other university and student leaders to discuss student SEVIS record terminations.
Visa terminations are ‘deeply troubling,’ seem ‘arbitrary and unjust,’ Mnookin says in newspaper column
The Daily Cardinal
In a column published in the Wisconsin State Journal, Mnookin addressed the recent visa terminations of UW-Madison students and alumni. As of Tuesday, the university is aware of the termination of 27 total records, which includes 15 current students and 12 alumni.
‘Here & Now’ Highlights: Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin
PBS Wisconsin
UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin discussed the many issues facing the university, including concerns over federal investigations, funding cuts, and international student visa revocations, as well as the 2025 state budget cycle.
Academic unions rally against Trump, demand action from UW-Madison leaders
WORT FM
More than 250 people gathered on campus to rally against the Trump administration and demand action from UW-Madison higher-ups. The local unions representing university faculty, academic staff, and graduate students organized the demonstration, joining countless others today across the country as part of the National Day of Action for Higher Ed.
UW-Madison’s chief diversity officer position remains unfilled, but similar job created
Wisconsin Public Radio
With the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s diversity, equity and inclusion programs under fire and its chief diversity officer position vacant, the university has created a new position: special advisor to the chancellor and provost.
What to know about a University of Wisconsin student’s legal fight over visa termination
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
There have been at least 58 visa terminations at Wisconsin colleges and universities as of April 17. The terminations include current students as well as alumni who were legally working on their student visas after graduation through a program called Optional Practical Training.
Officials at UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee said they did not believe the terminations at their schools were related to free speech or protests. Some other students nationally have been targeted for their participation in pro-Palestinian protests last year.
Cardinal view: ICE is already knocking. UW-Madison must protect pro-Palestine students from deportation
The Daily Cardinal
University of Wisconsin-Madison pro-Palestine students have the freedom to speak and they must have the freedom to stay. Will Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin stay silent?
U. Of Southern California, U. Of Wisconsin unveil cost-cutting plans
Forbes
The University of Southern California and the University of Wisconsin-Madison are the latest universities to announce plans to trim their spending as they attempt to cope with increasing financial challenges stemming from the funding cutbacks and policy demands coming from the Trump administration.
Last Friday, University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin, Provost Charles Isbell Jr. and Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Rob Cramer advised academic administrators to exercise several budget controls for the remainder of fiscal year 2025, including reducing non-essential spending on travel, supplies, equipment, and events as well as reviewing all vacancies to determine if filling them is critical. Even more significant, all UW-Madison schools, colleges and administrative divisions were instructed to develop 5% and 10% budget reduction plans for the upcoming fiscal year.
UW-Madison leader stands by removal of diversity director over spending
The Capital Times
Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin this week defended demoting a leader of diversity and inclusion efforts at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
“It’s not something I did, or would do, lightly. … It was my decision, and I own the responsibility for the decision,” Mnookin told a group of faculty leaders Monday in response to questions over the move. The chancellor said her leadership team also unanimously supported demoting LaVar Charleston, who served as UW-Madison’s vice chancellor for inclusive excellence.
University Committee discusses graduate admissions, financial uncertainty amid federal funding cuts
The Badger Herald
The University Committee met Monday with the Dean of the Graduate School Bill Karpus, Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin and other University of Wisconsin leaders to discuss graduate admissions and federal funding cuts.
Eboo Patel, Chancellor Mnookin speak on bridging divides
The Badger Herald
Founder and President of Interfaith America, Eboo Patel, joined University of Wisconsin Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin to discuss building bridges and fostering community at Tripp Commons March 12.
UW System leaders urge Congress to preserve federal research funding
The Daily Cardinal
Leaders from Wisconsin’s top universities, including University of Wisconsin System President Jay Rothman and UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin, urged Congress to reverse federal research funding cuts at a press conference Wednesday at the UW-Madison’s Health Sciences Learning Center.
Democratic lawmakers introduce new bill to address gaps from federal funding freeze
The Daily Cardinal
Wisconsin receives roughly $654 million per year in National Institutes of Health grants, which supports more than 7,700 jobs and $1.4 billion in economic activity, according to United for Medical Research.
Without additional funds from elsewhere, UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin said the capping of indirect costs would have a “ripple effect” on the state’s economy.
Universities of Wisconsin System president talks potential impact of NIH funding cuts
The Badger Herald
Thursday afternoon, University of Wisconsin staff and various members of the scientific community gathered to address concerns of cuts in medical research funding from the National Institutes of Health.
‘It’s gut-wrenching’: life-saving neurological research on line with NIH funding cuts, UW leaders say
Channel 3000
Life-saving work in biomedical research is on the line, University of Wisconsin System and UW-Madison administrators said, if the National Institutes of Health makes cuts to its funding to the system.
“Taking a meat cleaver to this funding is simply wrong,” Universities of Wisconsin System President Jay Rothman said Thursday.
UW leaders, Wisconsin medical researchers defend NIH funds amid uncertainty
Wisconsin Public Radio
Researchers at the Universities of Wisconsin defended their work in medical research on Thursday as they face uncertainty amidst federal funding cuts.
UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin warned of the danger of “indiscriminate reductions in research funding,” and medical and scientific researchers argued that funding from the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, is critical to their work.
‘There aren’t easy answers’: Mnookin fields faculty questions on NIH funding cuts’s impact on junior faculty, graduate students
The Daily Cardinal
University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin indicated during a Faculty Senate meeting Monday the university would walk back hiring and rethink grant-making if a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding cut is implemented.
UW-Madison leaders prepare for expected federal funding cuts
The Cap Times
Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin and other campus leaders are evaluating different scenarios for how federal funding cuts and policy changes could affect the University of Wisconsin-Madison financially.
Rothman, Mnookin discuss Evers’ budget proposal, the Wisconsin Idea during conference
Daily Cardinal
University of Wisconsin System President Jay Rothman and UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin emphasized the mission of the Wisconsin Idea and the value of higher education during the Wisconsin Counties Association Legislative Conference Tuesday.
Trump Orders Could Drain Millions From Universities, but Few Protest Openly
The New York Times
During a Faculty Senate meeting that was streamed online on Monday, Jennifer L. Mnookin, the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, urged professors to “hold off” on optional expenses so the university could help ensure that “you’re making smart choices.”
“The transition has created for us an enormous amount of uncertainty, combined with fast-moving and changing information,” she said. “It’s generated some potentially quite significant threats to important aspects of our mission, as is true for our peer institutions nationally.”
Trump administration hasn’t defined DEI research it wants to cut, UW-Madison chancellor says
Wisconsin State Journal
There’s a significant problem with the federal government’s efforts to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion in research, UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin said Monday: the federal government has not defined what exactly it means.
Here’s what’s at stake in Madison and Wisconsin if federal grants are blocked
Wisconsin State Journal
The pause in federal funding is “significant and concerning” for UW-Madison, Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin and other leaders said in a statement.
UW-Madison is encouraging most federally funded research to continue, outside of a “small number” of unspecified stop-work orders aimed at a handful of researchers, the statement said.
UW-Madison: Black community concerns still crucial despite turmoil
The Capital Times
Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin said she wanted a plan early this year to implement recommendations to improve the Black community experience at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. That process may take longer, though, after a shakeup in leadership.
How Wisconsin’s chancellor responds to ‘deep concerns’ about Badgers sports
Wisconsin State Journal
Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin acknowledged hearing “deep concerns” about the future of the University of Wisconsin’s nonrevenue sports.
He dropped out of UW in 1999. A new program covering college costs for Native students brought him back
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Schuyler, who is an enrolled Oneida Nation citizen, earned a scholarship to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the 1990s. He dropped out when he was 21 credits short of earning his bachelor’s degree.
The radio broadcast described a new UW-Madison program launching in fall 2024.It would cover not only tuition but room and board, books and other expenses, to enrolled members of Wisconsin Native American tribes.
“That was my sign,” Schuyler said.
Madison changed in 2024, with new leaders, BRT and a shocking tragedy
The Capital Times
UW-Madison started offering six weeks of paid time off to eligible employees in July, after the birth or adoption of a child. Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin celebrated the move. “The truth is that this isn’t going to be terribly expensive to implement,” Mnookin said in April, when the policy was announced.
The university community said farewell to a long-standing fixture on campus when “the Shell” was torn down this fall. UW-Madison’s athletics department plans to build a new indoor football practice facility next to Camp Randall stadium. The $285 million project is needed to remain competitive with peer institutions, especially at a top-tier football program in a northern climate, athletics department officials said.
UW-Madison winter class of 2024 embraces plurality during commencement
Daily Cardinal
Speakers included University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin, Top Chef runner-up Dan Jacobs and student speaker Sawyer Getschman.
UW-Madison ranks sixth nationally for research
WISC — CBS Channel 3
The University of Wisconsin-Madison now ranks sixth nationally for research ranking, according to the National Science Foundation’s annual rankings. Since 2018, it has ranked 8th out of 920 public and private universities.
UW-Madison ranks sixth in national research rankings, rising for the first time since 2016
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The University of Wisconsin-Madison rose in national rankings on federal research activity after slipping for nearly a decade.
UW-Madison’s record-breaking research spending fuels rise in national ranking
Wisconsin State Journal
The university announced the ranking change Monday alongside an announcement that it had spent a record-breaking $1.7 billion on research for fiscal year 2023, a 13.7% increase over the prior year. UW-Madison’s growth outpaced the national increase of 11.2% spent on university research and development, bringing the national amount spent to $108.8 billion.
Former UW-Superior chancellor says diversity of experience is key for successful college presidents
Wisconsin Public Radio
he average tenure of university presidents is on the decline.
Nine of the 13 Universities of Wisconsin chancellors assumed their post over the past four years. That tracks with data from The American Council on Education, showing the average tenure of college presidents is roughly six years, down from 8.5 years in 2022.
A new book by a former UW-Superior chancellor digs into why college leaders are vacating these powerful positions. The book profiles seven presidents who stayed at their institutions and brought them through difficult times.
How does UW chancellor and technical college president pay compare? The answer may surprise you
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
University of Wisconsin chancellors are likely to earn bonuses this school year under a new system that could add more than $40,000 to most of their compensation packages.
Students, faculty say being Black at UW-Madison isn’t easy
Wisconsin Public Radio
Black student enrollment at the state’s flagship university has never surpassed 3 percent of the student body, according to data from the Universities of Wisconsin. In 2023, 1,327 students out of 50,335 identified as Black, about 2.6 percent.
This year, the percentage of underrepresented students of color in the freshman class dropped by 3.7 percentage points from last year to 14.3 percent, according to UW-Madison data.
UW-Madison’s new freshman class is less diverse than previous classes, new data shows
Wisconsin State Journal
The percentage of Black, Latino and Indigenous students in UW-Madison’s Class of 2028 has dropped, despite a record number of applications, following last year’s Supreme Court ruling that barred consideration of race in college applications.
UW System sets ‘viewpoint neutrality’ standard on official statements
Wisconsin Examiner
A new Universities of Wisconsin policy requires statements in the name of UW institutions to avoid expressing a point of view on political or social controversies.
A UW-Madison student’s racist video stirred outrage. Now, new ideas have been offered to improve campus climate
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A racist social media video featuring a University of Wisconsin-Madison student consumed the campus in spring 2023. A Black student advocacy organization formed. Protests staged. A petition signed, to the tune of 67,000 signatures. And an ad-hoc group formed to study the Black experience on campus.
UW-Madison announces $75 million donation for new engineering building
Wisconsin State Journal
The Levy surname will grace a second UW-Madison building, as prolific Madison-area philanthropists Marv and Jeff Levy have pledged $75 million in support of the College of Engineering’s new building.
Chancellor Mnookin talks student expression, approved budget, housing at student media roundtable
The Badger Herald
University of Wisconsin Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Lori Reesor hosted a media roundtable with student journalists Tuesday. Updates on campus initiatives, financial and housing needs and free expression were prominent in the discussion.
Chancellor Mnookin reflects on free speech, student housing, protest violations during media roundtable
The Daily Cardinal
A lot has been on University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin’s plate since the spring.
Between a 12-day pro-Palestine encampment and juggling the university budget process, she’s had to carefully tread an upcoming election with a student body that has divided perspectives. Mnookin and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Lori Reesor sat down with campus media Tuesday to discuss free speech efforts, the affordable housing shortage and protest culture.
Looking To The Future By Reckoning With The Past With UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin
Black Like Me Podcast with Dr. Alex Gee
Dr. Gee has an in-depth conversation with University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin on what the university is doing to improve the sense of belonging for students of color. Their discussion covers Dr. Gee’s participation in a committee working to recognize the universities history with students of color and what can be done moving forward. The committee will be releasing a report soon with their findings and recommendations. Chancellor Mnookin shares about her plans and initiatives in this role at the university and how she sees that they are developing so far.Jennifer L. Mnookin is the 30th leader in the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s 175-year history, and one of the nation’s top legal scholars.
OSAS Staff and Chancellor Mnookin host Be KIND campaign on Bascom Hill
Badger Herald
Office of Student Assistance and Support to offer food access, housing, financial support.
Mnookin talks student protest, housing at ASM meeting
Badger Herald
“We are stronger when we create space to listen to each other across all kinds of differences,” Mnookin said.
New protest rules at UW-Madison: Keep it quiet, and don’t block commencement photos
Wisconsin State Journal
Just days before the start of a new school year — and with it the likely resumption of pro-Palestinian protests on campus — UW-Madison has revised its rules on student protests, including several new restrictions on where and how loud demonstrations can be.
UW-Madison creates freedom of expression videos as part of DEI deal
The Capital Times
As first-year and transfer students start classes this fall at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, they must watch a new presentation about freedom of expression on campus.
‘Absolutely livid’: How pressure from donors, community escalated during campus protests
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Chancellor Mark Mone thought he’d be exhaling.
But the day after reaching a deal with student protesters, the campus crisis that consumed Mone in early May wasn’t over. In fact, it was intensifying.
UW-Madison chancellor pay to top $1 million in 2025
The Daily Cardinal
The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents approved chancellor pay raises and bonuses for student retention in a closed session meeting Monday.
The new compensation plan will see UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin’s current $811,512 annual salary increased to $892,663. She will also receive a philanthropic bonus of $150,000 for staying at UW-Madison through mid-2025 and $50,000 for each year she stays afterward until June 2029.
Mnookin, 7 other Wisconsin chancellors receive more pay raises
The Capital Times
Leaders of Wisconsin’s public universities got another pay raise this week and could receive bonuses worth tens of thousands of dollars in the coming years.