UW Spring Commencement

×

Expand

Bryce Richter/UW-Madison

UW-Madison will host two spring commencement ceremonies, for students only, on May 8.

media release: Master storyteller James Patterson, will help thousands of Badgers close their final chapter at the University of Wisconsin–Madison as the keynote speaker for the Spring 2026 Commencement ceremony. He will offer his remarks for all bachelor’s, law and master’s degree candidates on Saturday, May 9, at Camp Randall Stadium. 

Patterson has published more than 250 novels, more than 100 of which have reached No. 1 New York Times bestseller status; sold more than 475 million books worldwide; and co-authored alongside Academy Award-winning actress Viola Davis, former president Bill Clinton and legendary singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. Patterson has also received 10 Emmy Awards, an Edgar Award, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal. 

But Patterson, who graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in English from Manhattan University and with an M.A. in English from Vanderbilt University, is more than a writer. He’s also a fierce advocate for education. Along with his wife Susan, a UW–Madison alumna, he has donated more than $240 million to literacy-focused programs and endowed some 5,000 college scholarships for teachers. Here at UW–Madison, the Pattersons provide scholarship support for more than 150 students each year. 

“James Patterson has shown what it means to make the most of your education — and what it means to give back. We are thrilled to welcome him as this year’s commencement speaker,” says UW–Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin. “His successes as a writer are unparallelled, and so is the generosity of his time, talent and resources, which have made lasting impacts on higher education and the lives of countless students.” 

To learn more and read a conversation with James Patterson, please visit: https://news.wisc.edu/the-worlds-best-selling-author-james-patterson-will-give-this-years-spring-commencement-keynote/ 

For more information about Spring Commencement, visit the UW–Madison commencement website.

Doctoral, MFA, and Medical Professional Degree Candidate Ceremony: Friday, May 8, 2026 at 5:30 p.m., The Kohl Center, 601 W. Dayton Street

Bachelor’s, Law, and Master’s Degree Candidate Ceremony: Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 12 p.m., Camp Randall Stadium, 1440 Monroe Street