UWM Distinguished Professors have a significant impact on their fields of study. With remarkable productivity, international reputations, and glowing testimonials from peers, UWM Distinguished Professors continue to make significant scholarly contributions to their disciplines. Of the 71 professors who have achieved this status since 1973, 18 remain on the faculty, continuing to serve in their leadership roles at UWM. Academic Affairs also maintains information on the selection, roles, and responsibilities of UWM Distinguished Professors.
Current Distinguished Professors
Updated June 2025
| Photo | Name of Distinguished Professor | Department |
 | Mohsen Bahmani-Oskooee | Economics |
 | Patrick Brady | Physics |
 | Simon Bronner | Social Sciences |
 | Martha Carlin | History |
 | Derek Counts | Art History |
 | Karyn Frick | Psychology |
 | Uk Heo | Political Science |
 | John Heywood | Economics |
 | John Isbell | Geosciences |
 | Rene Izquierdo | Music |
 | Sandra Mclellan | Ecosystem Health |
 | Stuart Moulthrop | English |
 | Deyang Qu | Mechanical Engineering |
 | Belle Rose Ragins | Management |
 | Pradeep Rohatgi | Materials Science and Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering |
 | Mark Schwartz | Geography |
 | Michael Weinert | Physics |
 | Ching-Hong Yang | Biological Sciences |
Historical List of Distinguished Professors
| Rene Izquierdo | Music | 2025 |
| Ching-Hong Yang | Biological Sciences | 2025 |
| Patrick Brady | Physics | 2023 |
| Martha Carlin | History | 2023 |
| Sandra McLellan | Freshwater Sciences | 2023 |
| Derek Counts | Art History | 2022 |
| Deyang Qu | Mechanical Engineering | 2022 |
| Belle Ragins | Organizations & Strategic Management | 2022 |
| Simon Bronner | General Studies | 2021 |
| Karyn Frick | Psychology | 2021 |
| Stuart Moulthrop | English | 2021 |
| Richard Grusin | English | 2018 |
| Richard Stockbridge | Mathematical Sciences | 2018 |
| Trudy Turner | Anthropology | 2018 |
| Kathleen Dolan | Political Science | 2017 |
| Thomas Holbrook | Political Science | 2017 |
| John Isbell | Geosciences | 2017 |
| Christine Kovach | Nursing | 2017 |
| Mark McBride | Biological Sciences | 2017 |
| Peter Dunn | Biological Sciences | 2016 |
| Fatemeh Zahedi | Business | 2016 |
| Junhong Chen | Mechanical Engineering | 2015 |
| Uk Heo | Political Science | 2015 |
| Fred Helmstetter | Psychology | 2014 |
| Margo Anderson | History/Urban Studies | 2013 |
| Fred Eckman | Linguistics | 2013 |
| Dilano Saldin | Physics | 2013 |
| Chukuka Enwemeka | Kinesiology | 2012 |
| Paul Roebber | Mathematical Sciences | 2012 |
| Ehsan Soofi | Management Science and Statistics | 2012 |
| Carolyn Aita | Chemistry/Biochemistry | 2011 |
| Stephen Leeds | Philosophy | 2011 |
| Mohsen Bahmani-Oskooee | Economics | 2010 |
| Erik Christensen | Civil Engineering and Mechanics | 2010 |
| Mark D. Schwartz | Geography | 2010 |
| Nadya Fouad | Educational Psychology | 2008 |
| John Heywood | Economics | 2008 |
| Abbas Ourmazd | Physics | 2008 |
| Margaret Atherton | Philosophy | 2007 |
| John Friedman | Physics | 2007 |
| Arun Garg | Occupational Science & Technology | 2007 |
| David Hoeveler | History | 2007 |
| Pradeep Rohatgi | Materials Engineering | 2007 |
| Robert Schwartz | Philosophy | 2007 |
| Anastasios Tsonis | Mathematical Sciences | 2007 |
| Wilfred Tysoe | Chemistry/Biochemistry | 2007 |
| Michael Weinert | Physics | 2007 |
| Merry Wiesner-Hanks | History | 2007 |
| Leonard Parker | Physics | 2004 |
| Terry Nardin | Political Science | 2003 |
| James Cook | Chemistry | 2002 |
| John Koethe | Philosophy | 2002 |
| David Petering | Chemistry | 2002 |
| William Wainwright | Philosophy | 1998 |
| Patricia Mellencamp | Art History | 1997 |
| Harold Rose | Geography | 1995 |
| Joan Moore | Sociology | 1994 |
| Martin Haberman | Curriculum and Instruction | 1993 |
| Jane Gallop | English | 1992 |
| J. Rudi Strickler | Biological Sciences | 1990 |
| David Tong | physics | 1998 |
| John Downey | Music | 1986 |
| Jose Fripiat | Chemistry | 1986 |
| Herbert Blau | English | 1984 |
| Scott Greer | Sociology | 1983 |
| Harriet Werley | College of Nursing | 1983 |
| David Hull | Philosophy | 1981 |
| Amos Rapoport | School of Architecture & Urban Planning | 1979 |
| Helen Creighton | College of Nursing | 1978 |
| Richard Warren | Psychology | 1975 |
| Reginald Horsman | Department of History | 1973 |