MILWAUKEE_The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee will award more than 3,300 degrees at its 132nd commencement on Sunday, May 18, at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, 400 W. Kilbourn Ave.
Degrees will be awarded at two ceremonies, one at 9 a.m. and one at 2 p.m. JoAnne Anton, president and CEO of Herb Kohl Philanthropies, will be the featured speaker at both ceremonies. Anton will receive an honorary degree at the morning ceremony.
Chancellor Mark Mone will preside over his final commencement as chancellor. He will be available for interviews before the 9 a.m. ceremony. Media who would like to interview him should RSVP to media-services-team@uwm.edu by Friday. Mone is stepping down after 11 years as chancellor and returning to UWM’s Lubar College of Business.
The university will present 2,315 bachelor’s degrees, 739 master’s degrees, 124 doctoral degrees, 14 graduate specialist degrees, 120 graduate certificates and 84 associate degrees. The oldest bachelor’s degree recipient is 84, while the youngest is 19. The oldest associate degree recipient is 34; the youngest is 19.
Commencement speaker: JoAnne Anton
JoAnne Anton is president and CEO of Herb Kohl Philanthropies, the private foundation established by former U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl to benefit Milwaukee and Wisconsin. She leads the foundation’s philanthropic vision, directing its investments and community engagement efforts to create lasting impact. Under her leadership, Herb Kohl Philanthropies expanded its reach, deepening its focus on education, civic engagement and collaboration to address community needs. Before that, Anton worked for nearly two decades in Kohl’s office, spearheading initiatives such as Safe & Sound and working with the federal government to bring critical financial resources to support innovative UWM programs such as the WATER Institute, School of Freshwater Sciences and Milwaukee Water Council. Anton holds a bachelor’s degree from Marquette University and a master’s degree from UWM’s School of Social Welfare. Anton will speak at both ceremonies and will receive an honorary degree at the 9 a.m. ceremony.
Honorary degree: Cindy Bentley
Cindy Bentley, executive director of People First Wisconsin, will be awarded an honorary degree at the 2 p.m. commencement ceremony. Bentley has been Wisconsin’s foremost voice for inclusion and civil rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for more than two decades. In 1999, Bentley helped found People First Wisconsin, a statewide disability advocacy organization, with a mission to “provide opportunities for people with disabilities in Wisconsin to speak up and be heard about health care, voting, employment, housing and transportation issues.” Bentley serves on several state and local boards, and has testified to Congress on guardianship and supported decision-making. Bentley, who was born with fetal alcohol syndrome and an intellectual disability, is the only person with an intellectual and developmental disability leading an advocacy organization in Wisconsin.
Media access
Members of the media wishing to cover the commencement ceremonies should enter through the Panther Arena’s main doors on Kilbourn Avenue and ask for assistance from an usher. TV crews can set up on one of the two risers just behind the seats for graduates on the main floor of the arena. Media are asked to RSVP via email to media-services-team@uwm.edu.
Seating
Graduates do not need tickets to attend, but all guests are required to have a ticket. Graduates were allowed up to three guests each. Doors open 90 minutes before the ceremony. Guests should enter the UWM Panther Arena through the main entrance doors at 400 W. Kilbourn Ave.
Weapons, backpacks, 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 strictly enforced. Graduates have been notified that disruption of commencement may violate state law and university policy and could result in arrest.
The ceremony will be livestreamed. That stream can be seen on UWM’s website, where it 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: 760
- Lubar College of Business: 608
- College of Engineering & Applied Science: 301
- School of Education: 244
- School of Nursing: 229
- Peck School of the Arts: 218
- School of Information Studies: 187
- Helen Bader School of Social Welfare: 181
- School of Biomedical Sciences & Health Care Administration: 154
- Zilber College of Public Health: 129
- School of Architecture & Urban Planning: 113
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences & Technology: 87
- College of General Studies: 84
- School of Freshwater Sciences: 22
