Letters & Science congratulates the Class of 2025!

A woman with brown skin and chin-length black hair wears a black graduation regalia with a yellow stole. She stands at a podium emblazoned with the UWM logo. Behind her are a row of multicolored flags.
JoAnne Anton, president and CEO of Herb Kohl Philanthropies, gives the commencement address at UWM's morning graduation ceremony. Anton also received an honorary degree. (UWM Photo/Troye Fox)

The UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena was filled with joy, applause, and camera flashes as more than 3,300 students were honored during UWM’s 132nd commencement on Sunday, May 18.

Some graduates are the first in their families to earn a college degree. Most volunteered in the community, completed an internship, or took advantage of research opportunities at UWM. Many left the stage not only with a degree in hand, but with job offers already secured.

JoAnne Anton, president and CEO of Herb Kohl Philanthropies, delivered the keynote address and was awarded an honorary degree in the morning. In the afternoon, Cindy Bentley, executive director of People First Wisconsin and a tireless advocate for the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, was also recognized with an honorary degree.

This commencement also marked a transition for UWM leadership, as Chancellor Mark Mone presided over his final ceremony after 11 years of service. He will return to the Lubar College of Business, leaving a legacy of dedication and impact.

We are especially excited to congratulate the many students from the College of Letters & Science who earned their diplomas this year. Our scholars have shown passion, dedication, and determination over the course of their college careers and we wish them all the best as they continue on their journeys!

Below, view some of the highlights from Commencement and meet some of our graduates as they share their achievements.

To view more about UWM’s graduation ceremony, visit UWM Report.

Watch UWM’s 132nd Commencement

UWM Class of 2025 Makes it Mark

Graduates, including psychology major Tomás Hill, share how UWM empowered them to grow as scholars, leaders, creators and changemakers.

UWM students jump-start careers before graduation

UWM students aren’t waiting for graduation to launch their careers. With full-time job offers already in hand, these soon-to-be grads are making early strides in their professional journeys.

A young man with brown skin and short curly black hair wears a navy blue blazer and a purple tie. The straps of a backpack are visible on his shoulders. His hands are in his pockets as he walks down a city street with stoplights in the background.
Brian Robinson II received his UWM undergraduate degree in economics before pursuing a master’s degree in data science and a graduate certificate in business analytics. After working as an intern for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Robinson was offered a permanent position as a data analyst. (UWM Photo/Andy Manis)
A young Indigenous man wears a gray plaid blazer over a t-shirt. He stands on a plaza in front of a flowering tree and a brick building.
Tomás Hill immersed himself in undergraduate research while pursuing his psychology degree at UWM. Before accepting a senior research clinical specialist position at Duke University, Hill traveled to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research twice and represented UWM at the Research in the Rotunda event at the state capitol in Madison. He plans to apply to graduate programs and ultimately would like to return to the Oneida reservation to help improve mental health outcomes in his community. (UWM Photo/Andy Manis)

The graduating Class of 2025 gathered with family and friends at the UWM Panther Arena to celebrate all their accomplishments and look ahead to what’s next.

A young white woman wearing a black graduation robe and mortarboard with a gold stole and cord raises her diploma above her head as she walks across a stage.
History and music performance double-major Kate Jakubowski shows off her diploma after crossing the stage. (UWM Photo/Troye Fox)
Image shows the top of a black graduation cap printed with the words "Ever look at someone & wonder what is going on inside their head? BA Psychology 2025." Around the cap are characters from the Disney movie "Inside Out."
A psychology major has an apt saying on their cap: “Ever look at someone and wonder what is going on inside their head?” (UWM Photo/Troye Fox)

UWM Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge in Milwaukee that we are on traditional Potawatomi, Ho-Chunk and Menominee homeland along the southwest shores of Michigami, North America’s largest system of freshwater lakes, where the Milwaukee, Menominee and Kinnickinnic rivers meet and the people of Wisconsin’s sovereign Anishinaabe, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Oneida and Mohican nations remain present.   |   To learn more, visit the Electa Quinney Institute website.