Wisconsin taps one of its funniest alumni to address the Class of 2025

By Christina Lorey

April 20, 2025

You might not recognize him by name, but you’ve probably read one of his columns! The University of Wisconsin’s 2025 Spring Commencement speaker is Wall Street Journal humorist Jason Gay.

Gay graduated from UW–Madison in 1992 and started his reporting career covering Little League baseball for the Vineyard Gazette.

He went on to work much bigger jobs as a writer and editor for GQ, Rolling Stone, the New York Observer, the Boston Phoenix, and since 2009, the Wall Street Journal.

Wisconsin still inspires his work — as evidenced by columns like “Badgers Must Beat Michigan to Save the World” and “Dream Team with a Miracle Coach” about UW’s 2025 national champion women’s hockey team.

Gay is also the author of the 2015 bestseller “Little Victories,” which was a finalist for the Thurber Prize for American Humor. He was named Sports Columnist of the Year by the Society of Professional Journalists in 2010, 2016, and 2019, and in 2024 by the National Society of Newspaper Columnists.

“I still ask myself before big decisions: ‘What would Barry Alvarez do?’” Gay joked, referring to UW’s legendary football coach and athletic director.

“Inviting a speaker like alumnus Jason Gay to spring commencement is befitting for the class of 2025,” says Sam Mahlum, senior class president. “He is a demonstratively loyal Badger fan, lives the Wisconsin Idea and helps us all remember to not take ourselves too seriously as we transition to our next phase of life.”

MORE: How the World’s #1 Author Became a Badger Fan

Author

Christina Lorey

Christina is an Edward R. Murrow-winning journalist and former producer, reporter, and anchor for TV stations in Madison and Moline. When she’s not writing or asking questions, you can find her volunteering with Girls on the Run, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and various mental health organizations. Send all story tips to [email protected] and sign up for her newsletter here.

View all posts

CATEGORIES: EDUCATION

Support Our Cause

Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for Wisconsinites and our future.

Since day one, our goal here at UpNorthNews has always been to empower people across the state with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Wisconsin families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.