From creating community, to serving others and bringing home Olympic gold, these soon-to-be-grads define what it means to be a Badger.

Thousands of Badgers will graduate in early May 2026 — and although they reflect a broad range of interests and backgrounds, all have faced challenges, felt joy and experienced emotional and intellectual growth during their years at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Here are the stories of just a few of the outstanding students who will celebrate their college journeys at commencement in the coming weeks.

An animated film on top of two majors

“My time at UW–Madison was defined by expanding my relationship to art,” says Anna Bitonti, who is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in art and English with a focus on creative writing. “What made my experience here unique was the number of art forms I was able to move through: painting, creative writing, animation and design, and how each one opened unexpected opportunities for me.” As a visual artist, Anna participated in many gallery shows on campus and worked with the Wisconsin Union, where she served as a marketing and graphic design intern and designed the visual identity for the Wisconsin Union Directorate’s 2025–26 season.