Wisconsin Alumni Association

Wisconsin Alumni Association

Welcome to the “Thank You, 72” podcast, brought to you by the Wisconsin Alumni Association®. We want to share the amazing stories of alumni from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. These Badgers grew up in Wisconsin’s 72 counties, came to Madison, and then went out and changed the world. We’d like to thank you, the people of this state, for sending your best and brightest to UW–Madison.

  • 14 minutes 28 seconds
    Thank You, 72 - Hans Obma
    “It’s kind of my superpower.” That’s the way La Crosse native and UW grad Hans Obma ’02 describes his ability to use languages and accents to play a variety of characters in an acting career that has taken off.
    6 May 2020, 7:50 pm
  • 33 minutes 1 second
    Thank You, 72 - Gaylord Nelson
    Thank you Polk County for Gaylord Nelson LLB’42. Known at the Father of Earth Day, Nelson championed the protection of our environment as Wisconsin’s governor, and later U.S. senator. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, we learn more about the man who changed the way the world looked at planet Earth.
    2 April 2020, 6:48 pm
  • 17 minutes 27 seconds
    Thank You, 72 - Bud Selig
    Fifty years ago, a UW grad brought Major League baseball back to Wisconsin. Bud Selig not only owned the Milwaukee Brewers, he later became the commissioner of Major League Baseball. Selig made historic changes that helped save the game. In this podcast, Selig provides an intriguing look inside professional baseball, focusing on the steroid era and how Selig helped bring the game into the modern age.
    2 March 2020, 10:45 pm
  • 39 minutes 55 seconds
    Badger Bonus - Jason Gay
    Wall Street Journal columnist Jason Gay often wears his Badger pride on his sleeve as he writes articles like “To Save the World, Wisconsin Really Needs to Beat Michigan.” Jason stopped by the Wisconsin Alumni Association® headquarters before his 2019 Winter Commencement speech to talk sports, the futility of being cool, and embracing the chaos of life.
    28 February 2020, 9:23 pm
  • 33 minutes 6 seconds
    Thank You, 72 - Ann McKee
    Ann McKee shares her life story, how she discovered the devastating impact of this disease, and the almost insurmountable odds she faced to warn people of the dangers.
    31 January 2020, 9:10 pm
  • 25 minutes 16 seconds
    Thank You, 72 - Chuck Halverson
    Thank you, Iowa County, for Chuck Halverson. He grew up during the depression, a farm boy who dreamed of playing football on the gridiron at Camp Randall. His dream came true, but not without some hard times, twists and turns, and a world war to fight. He made the varsity football team, got married, raised a family, and started a successful business. Chuck is one of UW Athletics’ oldest surviving letter winners.
    7 January 2020, 12:01 am
  • 33 minutes 35 seconds
    Thank you, 72 - Daniel Speckhard
    Waupaca County native and former ambassador to Greece and Belarus, Daniel Speckhard ’80, MA’82, MS’83, shares his unique perspective on fast-changing events around the world. From the trade war with China to the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Northeastern Syria, where does America stand?
    3 December 2019, 7:11 pm
  • 23 minutes 16 seconds
    Thank you, 72 - Ada Deer
    Blazing trails, it’s what Badgers do. Trailblazers are first, creating pathways for others to follow and succeed. In this podcast we hear from a true trailblazer and champion of Native American rights and social justice.
    30 October 2019, 7:41 pm
  • 36 minutes 35 seconds
    Thank You, 72 - Warren Knowles and Glenn Silber
    Thank you, St. Croix County for Warren Knowles. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1933 and became Wisconsin’s 37th governor.
    26 September 2019, 3:50 pm
  • 29 minutes 15 seconds
    Thank You, 72 - Mildred Fish-Harnack
    Thank you, Milwaukee County for Mildred Fish-Harnack, University of Wisconsin class of 1925.
    27 August 2019, 4:02 pm
  • 18 minutes 12 seconds
    Thank You, 72 - Randall Scoops
    The van, the myth, the legend. A 1957 International Harvester, who goes by the name Randall M. Scoops, is crisscrossing Wisconsin this summer.
    6 August 2019, 8:22 pm
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