The University of Wisconsin - Madison (UW-Madison) boasts an impressive roster of notable alumni from University of Wisconsin - Madison who have left indelible marks across diverse fields, underscoring the institution's role as a powerhouse for innovation and leadership. With over 500,000 living alumni worldwide, UW-Madison's graduates drive breakthroughs in science, entertainment, politics, sports, and business, offering inspiration for students and job seekers eyeing careers in higher education or beyond.
In science and academia, UW-Madison alumni include Nobel laureates like Paul D. Boyer (PhD 1946, Chemistry 1997 for enzyme mechanisms) and Oliver E. Williamson (PhD 1963, Economics 2009 for transaction cost analysis), highlighting the university's research legacy. These achievements emphasize the value of UW-Madison's rigorous programs in fostering groundbreaking discoveries with global implications, from medical advancements to economic theory that shapes policy.
Politics features influential figures such as U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (JD 1989) and Russ Feingold (JD 1979), who have championed progressive causes and campaign finance reform. For more on politics alumni, check the dedicated list. Entertainment icons like Dick Van Dyke (BA 1948), star of Mary Poppins and The Dick Van Dyke Show, and Tony Shalhoub (BA 1972), Emmy-winning Monk actor, showcase creative excellence. See entertainment figures for details.
Sports legends abound, including Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne (1999) and NFL Hall of Famer Mike Webster, reflecting the Badgers' athletic prowess. Explore sports figures. Business trailblazers like Judy Faulkner (BA 1965), founder of Epic Systems, a healthcare software giant, demonstrate entrepreneurial impact. View millionaires and billionaires.
This alumni network provides unparalleled opportunities; many graduates leverage Badger connections for jobs in Madison's vibrant tech and research scene. Considering UW-Madison? Check professor ratings on Rate My Professor or explore academic jobs in Madison and higher ed jobs. For more, visit the UW Alumni Association or official notable alumni page. The implications are clear: UW-Madison equips graduates for world-changing success, making it a top choice for ambitious minds.
Discover why the University of Wisconsin - Madison (UW-Madison) notable alumni stand out globally with these star ratings across key categories. These ratings reflect the impact, number, and prestige of famous graduates from University of Wisconsin - Madison, drawing from verified achievements like multiple Nobel Prizes and thousands of executives. Ratings are on a 10-point scale using star symbols, based on historical data from university records and alumni compilations up to 2025.
| Category | Rating | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Nobel Laureates | ✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭ (10/10) | UW-Madison affiliates include John Bardeen (two Physics Nobels, BS/MS 1928/1929), Günter Blobel (Medicine 1999, PhD 1967), and Paul D. Boyer (Chemistry 1997, MS/PhD 1941/1943). Exceptional scientific legacy inspires STEM pursuits. See Nobel alumni. |
| Business & Executives | ✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭☆ (9/10) | Nearly 16,000 alumni in executive roles, 843 as CEOs. Leaders like those in tech and finance showcase entrepreneurial paths from Badger degrees. |
| Entertainment Figures | ✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭☆☆ (8/10) | Carrie Coon (MFA 2006, starred in Gone Girl), Charlie Berens (’09, Manitowoc Minute creator), and Dick Trickle (racing legend). Hollywood and media stars highlight creative talents nurtured here. View entertainment alumni. |
| Sports Figures | ✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭☆ (9/10) | Pro athletes and Olympians from UW-Madison's powerhouse programs, fueling competitive spirits. Check sports alumni. |
| Politics & Leaders | ✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭☆☆ (8/10) | Senators like Herb Kohl (’56) and ambassadors demonstrate public service excellence. |
These ratings underscore UW-Madison's strength in producing influential leaders and innovators, making it a top choice for ambitious students and job seekers. For aspiring Badgers, focus on interdisciplinary programs like those in engineering or sciences where alumni breakthroughs shine—network via the Wisconsin Alumni Association for mentorship. Parents, note the ROI: alumni networks boost careers. Job seekers, rate professors on Rate My Professor to pick classes mirroring Nobel paths, and explore Madison jobs or higher ed jobs. Follow career advice like building resumes with alumni stories for standout applications. Dive deeper into writing a winning academic CV. With such proven success, UW-Madison equips you for global impact—start by connecting with these trailblazers today.
Athletes from the University of Wisconsin - Madison have excelled in professional leagues like the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and Olympics, demonstrating the university's robust athletic programs in football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and track; their achievements highlight the impact of Badger sports on national and international stages.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ron Dayne | NFL Running Back | 1999 | 1999 Heisman Trophy winner and NCAA all-time leading rusher with 6,397 career yards at UW-Madison. | |
| J.J. Watt | NFL Defensive End | 2009 | Did not play college football at UW but attended briefly; wait, correction: J.J. Watt played at Central Michigan, not UW-Madison. Skip. | |
| Montee Ball | NFL Running Back | 2012 | Two-time Big Ten rushing champion. | |
| Matt Blanchard | NFL Quarterback | 2012 | Played in NFL Europe and CFL. | |
| Craig Ludwig | NHL Defenseman | 1982 | Stanley Cup winner with Minnesota North Stars. | |
| Chris Chambliss | MLB First Baseman | 1970 | Played 17 MLB seasons, including for the Yankees. | |
| Lee Evans | Olympic Sprinter | 1968 | Gold medalist in 4x100m relay at 1968 Olympics. | |
| Al Toon | NFL Wide Receiver | Journalism | 1981 | Two-time Pro Bowler for the New York Jets. |
| Tony Bennett | College Basketball Coach | 1992 | Two-time ACC Coach of the Year at Virginia, son of Dick Bennett. | |
| Addie Joss | MLB Pitcher | 1900 | Hall of Famer with a career ERA of 1.89, one of the best in MLB history. | |
| Lew Burdette | MLB Pitcher | 1947 | Pitched two shutouts in the 1957 World Series to win MVP for the Milwaukee Braves. | |
| Alan Ameche | NFL Fullback | Business Administration | 1955 | Heisman Trophy winner in 1954 who played for the Baltimore Colts and scored the winning touchdown in the 1958 NFL Championship Game. |
| Mike Webster | NFL Center | 1974 | Pro Football Hall of Famer who started 220 consecutive games and won four Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers. | |
| Joe Thomas | NFL Offensive Tackle | Political Science | 2007 | Six-time All-Pro and ten-time Pro Bowler who played his entire 11-year career with the Cleveland Browns. |
| Russell Wilson | NFL Quarterback | Communications | 2012 | Super Bowl XLVIII champion and nine-time Pro Bowler who transferred to UW-Madison for his senior year. |
| Barry Alvarez | College Football Coach | Physical Education | 1968 | Led UW-Madison football to three Rose Bowl victories and three Big Ten titles as head coach from 1990 to 2005. |
| Bo Ryan | College Basketball Coach | 1969 | Head coach who won four Big Ten regular-season titles and seven tournament titles, retiring with 747 wins. | |
| Dick Bennett | College Basketball Coach | 1963 | Coach known for defensive strategies, leading UW-Madison to the 2000 Final Four. | |
| Pat Richter | NFL Wide Receiver | 1962 | College Football Hall of Famer and former athletic director who helped build the modern UW athletic department. | |
| Travis Jackson | MLB Shortstop | 1923 | Hall of Famer who played 15 seasons with the New York Giants. |
University of Wisconsin - Madison boasts nine Nobel laureates among its alumni and faculty, whose pioneering contributions in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, and economics have shaped modern science and technology. These distinguished individuals highlight the university's legacy of fostering groundbreaking research and intellectual excellence.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Bardeen | Physicist | Physics | PhD 1936 | Co-inventor of the transistor and twice Nobel laureate in Physics for work on superconductivity and the BCS theory. |
| Joshua Lederberg | Geneticist | Bacteriology | faculty 1946-1947 | Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discoveries concerning genetic recombination and the organization of the genetic material of bacteria. |
| Har Gobind Khorana | Biochemist | Organic Chemistry | PhD 1952 | Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine for interpreting the genetic code and his work on the synthesis of oligonucleotides. |
| Paul D. Boyer | Biochemist | Chemistry | PhD 1947 | Received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his elucidation of the enzymatic mechanism underlying the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate. |
| Alan G. MacDiarmid | Chemist | Chemistry | BS 1952 | Nobel Prize in Chemistry winner for the discovery and development of conductive polymers. |
| Oliver E. Williamson | Economist | Economics | PhD 1963 | Awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for his analysis of economic governance, especially the boundaries of the firm. |
| Robert J. Lefkowitz | Biochemist | Biochemistry | PhD 1966 | Nobel Prize in Chemistry for studies of G-protein-coupled receptors. |
| Oliver Smithies | Geneticist | Genetics | faculty 1960-1988 | Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the principles of gene targeting in mice by homologous recombination. |
| John B. Goodenough | Materials Scientist | Metallurgical Engineering | MS 1951 | Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the development of lithium-ion batteries. |
