MILWAUKEE_The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee will award more than 3,200 degrees at its 134th commencement on Sunday, May 17, at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, 400 W. Kilbourn Ave. Degrees will be awarded at two ceremonies, at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Clayborn Benson, UWM alumnus and renowned Wisconsin historian, will be the featured speaker at both ceremonies. Benson will receive an honorary degree at the morning ceremony.
The university will present 2,336 bachelor’s degrees, 681 master’s degrees, 134 doctoral degrees, 16 graduate specialist degrees, 130 graduate certificates and 37 associate degrees. The oldest bachelor’s degree recipient is 64, while the youngest is 19. The oldest associate degree recipient is 45; the youngest is 19.
Commencement speaker and honorary degree recipient: Clayborn Benson
Clayborn Benson is a photographer, historian and military veteran who has had two remarkable careers in his lifetime.
He spent 39 years as an award-winning broadcast journalist with Milwaukee’s WTMJ‑TV, covering news and sports and earning a reputation for excellence in storytelling.
His documentary “Black Communities” examined Black housing, migration, settlements and trade skills in the United States, Wisconsin and Milwaukee. It aired on public television stations across the state and became a formative project in shaping his future work.
While producing the documentary, he recognized that the history and heritage of Black Americans in Wisconsin were inadequately preserved. In response, he founded the Wisconsin Black Historical Society/Museum in 1987 to collect and share that history while also serving as a neighborhood anchor and resource.
A lifelong learner, Benson earned a bachelor’s degree in film from UWM in 1987, then went back to earn a master’s degree in public history at UWM in 2024 at the age of 75.
Inaugural cohort of Nadella scholars to graduate
The first cohort of full-ride Nadella Scholarship in Tech Education winners will receive their degrees. Started in 2022, the scholarship is funded through a gift from UWM alumnus and Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella (’90 MS) and his wife, Anu Nadella. Each scholarship provides financial and academic support and room and board for up to five years for Milwaukee-area high school students intent on studying computer science, computer engineering, data science or information technology. There are nine graduates from the 2022 cohort; seven will graduate Sunday and two will graduate in December.
Media access
Members of the media wishing to cover the commencement ceremonies should enter through the Panther Arena’s main doors and text 414-232-9582 when they arrive. Media may shoot video or photos from the back or sides of the arena but should stay out of the middle aisles to avoid interfering with students. Media are asked to RSVP via email to media-services-team@uwm.edu.
Seating
Graduates do not need tickets to attend, but all guests over age 3 are required to have a ticket. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. for the Black Ceremony and 12:30 p.m. for the Gold Ceremony. Guests should enter the UWM Panther Arena through the main entrance doors at 400 W. Kilbourn Ave. Seating is general admission, and early arrival is strongly encouraged.
Weapons, laser pointers, large banners, food and other items prohibited by the Wisconsin Center District will not be allowed. The bag policy at UWM Panther Arena will also be enforced.
The ceremonies will be livestreamed. Those streams can be seen on UWM’s website, where they will remain available for viewing afterward.
Schools and colleges
The numbers of degrees awarded by UWM schools and colleges are below. The numbers include bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, associate and flex degrees.
College of Letters & Science: 780
Lubar College of Business: 625
College of Engineering & Applied Science: 273
Peck School of the Arts: 235
School of Nursing: 221
School of Education: 213
Helen Bader School of Social Welfare: 196
School of Information Studies: 183
School of Biomedical Sciences & Health Care Administration: 157
Zilber College of Public Health: 127
School of Architecture & Urban Planning: 126
School of Rehabilitation Sciences & Technology: 76
School of Freshwater Sciences: 13
