We all know people like JJ Watt and Frank Kamisnky attended our favorite university. Yet, here are some famous names you might not have known were also alums. The UW community is as far reaching as ever!
1. Frank Lloyd Wright
The famous architect actually attended UW-Madison, although he left without receiving a formal degree. However, the University awarded him with an honorary degree as an acknowledgment of his incredible talent and his impact on the architecture world. He may not have gotten his actual degree, but as a member of the Phi Delta Beta fraternity, we suspect that Wright did enjoy the social scene here on campus.
2. Tammy Baldwin
Born and raised in Madtown, Sen. Tammy Baldwin is a graduate of the law school here in Madison. Her grandparents both worked for the University, so it’s safe to say that Tammy Baldwin is a badger through and through.
3. John Muir
Everyone’s favorite naturalist attended school here in the 1860s; he stayed in North Hall during his time here. Despite only having two months of previous formal schooling, Muir made it work and became one of the most brilliant minds in his field.
4. Dick Cheney
Cheney took some graduate studies courses at Madison, but never quite finished his degree here. The former vice president had a very jumpy academic career: before he ended up taking graduate classes her in Madison, he attended — and failed out of — Yale twice. He also studied at the University of Wyoming for a bit.
5. Rita Braver
Rita Braver, a national news correspondent for CBS News on Sunday Morning, has been a fixture in the world of journalism for decades. She has even worked as a White House Correspondent. Braver and her husband, Bob Barnett, met on campus and are both proud Wisconsin alumni.
It’s a great day to be a Badger, especially because you know now you’re in the same category as these amazing individuals. On, Wisconsin!