MADISON, Wis. — Miss America 2023 and Wausau native Grace (Stanke) Vanderhei is returning to the University of Wisconsin-Madison as the keynote speaker at the 2025 winter commencement.

Vanderhei earned her degree in nuclear engineering from UW-Madison while fulfilling her duties as Miss America. That role took her approximately 270,000 miles across the globe that same year.

This year's commencement, slated for Dec. 14, will feature Vanderhei discussing how she embodies Madison wherever she goes.

“[Vanderhei] has represented not only her home state of Wisconsin but also Badgers everywhere with intellect, passion and charm. Though she isn’t so far removed from her own UW–Madison commencement, I know she will have a lot to share with this year’s graduates,” Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin s

See Full Page