What Is UW–Madison?
The university has often been featured as a clue in the TV quiz show Jeopardy!
For fans of both Jeopardy! and the UW, it’s a special thrill when the top-rated TV quiz show reveals a clue related to the university. But it also presents a heightened challenge for any Badger in the viewing audience: I’d better get this one right!
Now in its 43rd season of syndication, Jeopardy! has featured more than 40 clues about the UW, according to the show’s research team. In Jeopardy! style, the clues are phrased as answers, and contestants must buzz in with the hope of providing the proper question. For many of those clues, the winning response was simply “What is UW–Madison?” However, others proved trickier.
Here are 10 clues from 10 categories that delved a little deeper into university history, with correct responses in the sidebar. Two are noted as “Triple Stumpers,” meaning none of the three contestants answered correctly. See how you stack up against some of the world’s smartest trivia buffs.
Don’t worry, your diploma is not at stake. Just your pride.
- College Sports Films
Shot at UW–Madison, Back to School features Rodney Dangerfield competing in this aquatic sport. - American Architects
He did some early work on buildings as a student at UW–Madison in the 1880s, assisting the construction supervisor of Science Hall. - Rock Your World
The UW–Madison Geology Museum has the state rock of Wisconsin; not to be confused with the state rock of New Hampshire. It’s the red type of this. - Actresses
Famous folks who attended UW–Madison include this theater and drama student who received a 2004 Distinguished Alumni Award. (TRIPLE STUMPER) - State Songs
John Philip Sousa was an admirer of this college song about the “Grand Old Badger State.” (TRIPLE STUMPER)
- The Clinton Cabinet
This secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services was the first woman to head a Big Ten school, UW–Madison. - On, Wisconsin!
Proceeds from this woman’s calendars went to the University of Wisconsin Medical Center to fight cancer. - They Named the Court for Me!
This TV ratings pioneer once served as a captain at the University of Wisconsin, so the school named a stadium for him. - College Education
Wisconsin has one of the oldest of these programs in which universities “reach out” to non-full-time students. - College Courses
A Wisconsin course on this in Literature and Cinema includes viewing Nosferatu and reading The Historian.
Published in the Fall 2026 issue
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