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Distinguished Alumni Award

The Distinguished Alumni Award is Wisconsin Alumni Association’s highest honor and most high-profile and long-standing award. It celebrates prestigious graduates of UW–Madison for their professional achievements, contributions to society, and support of the university over the course of their career or lifetime. 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’86

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.

Past Recipient Stories

Do you know any UW–Madison graduates who deserve to be honored — maybe even you? Nominations for the 2025 Alumni Awards will be accepted through January 5, 2025. Nominate a Badger today.