Alumni Park
Celebrating Five Years and Honoring More Alumni
On October 6, 2017, the Wisconsin Alumni Association proudly opened Alumni Park, with its artful exhibits, scenic green spaces, and featured alumni who exemplify the Wisconsin Idea.
As part of this year’s fifth anniversary, 11 new alumni will be inducted into Alumni Park. Enjoy a sneak peek at the inductees here. Each month leading up to the park’s anniversary celebration this October, more alumni will be unveiled, highlighting their achievements beyond the borders of the classroom.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield MA’75
The Gumbo Diplomat
In 2021, career foreign service officer Linda Thomas-Greenfield became the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. She promotes American leadership and engagement at a time when democracy is under threat, using what she calls “gumbo diplomacy” — a blend of personal connection and creative thinking.
Jesús Salas MA’85
In It for the Duration
Born into a family of migrant laborers, Jesús Salas has an affinity for workers. In the 1960s, he helped to found the union Obreros Unidos, and then went on to a teaching career at Milwaukee Area Technical College. He helped create UW–Madison’s Chican@ and Latin@ Studies certificate program and served as a member of the UW System Board of Regents.
Geraldine Hines JD’71
On Her Own Judgment
When she was a law student, Geraldine Hines heard a lot of advice about what she should and shouldn’t do if she wanted to be a judge. She ignored most of it, and she ended up the first Black woman to serve on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
William Campbell MS’54, PhD’57
The Role of Chance
By luck, by happenstance, and with a boost from the UW, a kid from rural County Donegal grew into a global leader in parasitology and drug development. His work in helping to discover ivermectin led to a Nobel Prize.
Kiana Beaudin ’10, MPAS’15
From Personal Health to National Health Care
Kiana Beaudin has devoted her career to health, first for her own patients and then for the entire Ho-Chunk Nation. Since 2019, the physician’s assistant has put her private practice on hold to serve as the Ho-Chunk’s executive director of health, helping lead the way through the COVID pandemic.
Elzie Higginbottom ’65
Building a Building Legacy
Elzie Higginbottom sprinted his way to a UW education, and he used what he learned to run a business. Attracted to the UW on a track scholarship, he earned a degree in economics and later founded East Lake Management, one of the largest real estate development firms in Illinois.
André De Shields ’70
Broadway Deity
From his appearance in a campus production of Peter Pan to his Tony-winning role on Broadway, André De Shields BA1970 has always strode the stage like a Colossus.
Allee Willis ’69
Multimedia Raconteur
Allee Willis BA1969 defied classification and celebrated creativity in myriad ways.
Tony Evers ’73, MS’76, PhD’86
A Principal’s Principles
Long before becoming Wisconsin’s governor, Tony Evers BS1973, MS1976, PhD1986 devoted his life to education.
Jim Sensenbrenner JD’68
Father of the House
Elected 21 times, Jim Sensenbrenner JD1968 is Wisconsin’s longest-serving member of Congress.
Marcy Kaptur ’68
Making History
Marcy Kaptur BA1968 continually applies her Wisconsin education to her work in Congress.
About Alumni Park
A gift to the University of Wisconsin–Madison from alumni and friends around the world, Alumni Park tells the story of what it means to be a Badger. With inspiring sculptures, statues, panels, inscriptions, and beloved traditions, you’ll discover Alumni Park to be a place where alumni stories are shared and created. Learn more and take a virtual tour now.