By UWM News
Noble Wray received an honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee at its May 22 commencement ceremony.
Originally from Milwaukee, Wray graduated from UWM in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He went on to serve on the Madison Police Department for nearly 30 years, rising in the ranks from patrol officer to chief. A nationally recognized consultant for law enforcement organizations, he has lent his expertise to cities like Ferguson, Baltimore and New York. He presents around the country on topics like implicit bias, Blue Courage and procedural justice.
Wray has served in leadership roles at the national, state and local levels. In 2015, Wray was asked by the U.S. Department of Justice to help lead an initiative to implement President Obama’s 21st Century Policing recommendations. In 2019, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers appointed Wray to serve on the Governor’s Pardon Advisory Board, and in 2007, Wisconsin Gov. James Doyle invited him to co-chair the State Commission on Reducing Racial Disparity in the Criminal Justice System. He also served as president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Madison in 2014. Wray has received numerous awards, including the UWM Helen Bader School of Social Welfare’s Alumnus of the Year in 2011.