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Distinguished Alumni Award

Since 1936, the Wisconsin Alumni Association has been presenting the award to the most prestigious graduates of UW–Madison for their professional achievements, contributions to society, and support of the university. Past recipients include fashion icon Iris Apfel ’43, former Wisconsin senator Herb Kohl ’56, actor André De Shields ’70, and brain researcher Ann McKee ’75 (see past winners below).

Distinguished Alumni Award 2024 Recipients

Susan Engeleiter ’74, JD’81

Susan Engeleiter ’74, JD’81

UW Majors: English, Communications, Law
President and CEO, Data Recognition Corporation

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Patrick Hanrahan ’77, PhD’86

Patrick Hanrahan ’77, PhD’85

UW Majors: Nuclear Engineering, Biophysics
Professor Emeritus of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, Stanford University
Cofounder, Tableau Software

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Gary Wendt ’65

Gary Wendt ’65

UW Major: Civil and Environmental Engineering
Cofounder, Deerpath Capital Management
Philanthropist

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Past Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients

Please note: the titles listed here represent the positions the honorees held at the time they received their awards. Many later went on to fill other prestigious roles.

Recipient Stories

“I was blessed to have parents who were able to send me to college, and I think everybody ought to have that chance.”

Pat Hanrahan won the prestigious Turing Award, known as the “Nobel Prize of computing,” for his work to create realistic animation in filmmaking as...