Even as a UW–Madison student, the author of “A Raisin in the Sun” spoke up for what she believed in.
Alumni
497 stories. Showing page 5 of 17.
Investigative journalist Scott Carney MA’04 does — in his own way.
Erin Strepy MBA'15 plays with dolls every day because that’s her job.
A recent trip by university leaders strengthens ties in the region.
Jason Tracy
If you’ve been to a wedding, baby shower, funeral, or birthday party in the last 13 years, you’ve probably crossed paths with Melvina Young ’90, MS’92, PhDx’07. She’s a quiet party presence — she usually arrives hidden in an envelope — but Young’s voice…
Renee Meiller
Nancy Spelsberg ’99, MBA’06 will gladly nudge students toward industrial engineering. And it’s not just because she’s a graduate of the UW Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE) and a member of its advisory board.
“You can go into business, you can…
The new event featured 1,848 minutes of pure fun, spirit, and generosity.
Florence Bascom shows off a tool of her trade: a Brunton compass. During her work with the U.S. Geological Survey, she placed benchmarks like the one pictured below, which denoted a site’s exact elevation. Florence Bascom Papers, Smith College
There’s an apocryphal story about what set…
In the spirit of the Summer 2019 special women’s issue, we’re profiling a few of the many Badger alumnae — past and present — whose accomplishments deserve wider recognition.
Hamilton Pier became the first woman in the country to be granted a judicial appointment. Courtesy of Fond Du Lac County Historical Society
Kate Hamilton Pier LLB1887 was a successful real estate saleswoman in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, when she decided to get a law degree.…
Hamerstrom, one of the UW’s pioneering ecologists, exhibits the tail feathers of a broad-winged hawk in Plainfield, Wisconsin, in 1965. UW Archives Neg. 18146
Frances (Fran — pronounced “Fron”) Hamerstrom MS’40 was a pioneering wildlife ecologist. She and her husband, Frederick, came to the UW to study…
Larzette Hale-Wilson, pictured with accountant Milton Wilson, became the first African American woman in the country to earn a PhD in accounting. Courtesy of Theresa A. Hammond
Larzette Hale-Wilson MPh’43, PhD’55 was the first female African American CPA to earn a PhD in accounting. Orphaned…
A champion of Title IX, Saunders-Nordeen became the UW’s first women’s athletic director in 1974. UW Archives dn05052510
As the first UW women’s athletic director (1974 to 1990), Kit Saunders-Nordeen MS’66, PhD’77 helped open the door for women to participate in intercollegiate athletics.
She began her…
Following a stint as a veterinarian, Larsen found her true passion: drug development for animals. Courtesy of UW School of Pharmacy
First a doctor to animals, Diane Larsen ’80, DVM’90, PhD’99 now develops medicines for them. She heads drug development for the animal division of the global…
Estrin introduced computing technology to medical research, leading the way to today’s health-care systems. Wikimedia Commons
Thelma Estrin ’48, MS’49, PhD’52 blazed a trail in the field of medical informatics (the practice of applying computers to medical research and treatment). Although she always had an aptitude…
Dickie, pictured in 1974, played a leading role in treating tuberculosis throughout Wisconsin. Submitted photo
When Helen Dickie ’35, MD’37 joined the UW medical school faculty in 1943, tuberculosis was still a threat. Dickie worked tirelessly to detect and treat the disease until…
Disch has long been an advocate for improving health care in the U.S. “I want to blow up our system,” she said in 2007. Submitted photo
Joanne Disch ’68, a former professor of nursing at the University of Minnesota, is known for improving patient safety and…
As a nun, Keller defied traditional expectations in becoming the first woman to earn a PhD in computer science. Courtesy of Clarke University
In 1965, Sister Mary Kenneth Keller PhD’65 became the nation’s first woman to earn a PhD in computer science. She came close…
After her husband died in 1966, Manchester became a leader in the meat distribution industry, earning several career honors. Submitted photo
When Jean Manchester ’48’s husband died suddenly in 1966 and left her with four children, she took over the management of the family business, Neesvig’s…
As a pharmaceutical leader with many roles, Saleki-Gerhardt encourages other women to “stretch themselves” and get outside their comfort zones. Courtesy of UW School of Pharmacy
Azita Saleki-Gerhardt ’88, MS’91, PhD’93 has gone from working in the lab to the C-suite at one of the world’s 10…
McCoy, pictured in her bacteriology lab in 1953, became one of the first women in science to earn a full professorship at the UW. UW Archives S08175
Bacteriologist Elizabeth McCoy ’25, PhD’29 joined the UW faculty in 1930, and in 1943, she became the second woman at the…
The UW has been celebrating Founders’ Days since 1924.
Bethany Goodrich
Nic Mink ’02, PhD’10 is mad as halibut, and he’s not going to take it anymore. Mink likes fish. But he very much prefers his fish to be good fish. The world has too much bad-tasting seafood, he argues, and it doesn’t have to…
John Curtis, shown here in his lab in 1951, introduced the concept of burning prairie as a means of restoration. The Arb conducted its first burn in the 1940s. UW Archives S04992
Bring up conservation in Wisconsin and you’ll often hear the name John Curtis MS1935,…
Nancy Baym ’86 studies the close connection between musicians and audiences.
Chris Burt ’83 has long been fascinated by weather — of the extreme variety.
Priscilla Priebe
Long before she led the UW women’s hockey team to two NCAA Division I championships, goalie Alannah McCready ’10 was a member of several boys’ youth hockey teams in Blaine, Minnesota.
“When I was growing up, there were no girls’ teams for me to…
Remembering the pioneering UW printmaker and art professor.
