Photos capture memories we don’t want to lose: the milestones, the magic, the meaning. In 2025, the Wisconsin School of Business had a year shaped by countless memorable moments.
It was a year of visible momentum: the reimagining of Grainger Hall through the Badger Blueprint; continued investment in artificial intelligence with the launch of the AI Hub for Business and WSB’s AI Day; an inaugural national consulting case competition, and new corporate partnerships that expanded how our students learn and lead.
It was also a year unlike any other. WSB marked its 125th anniversary with celebrations that spanned campus, cities, and continents. From Dean Vallabh “Samba” Sambamurthy ringing the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange to a Global Toast uniting Business Badgers around the world, the year honored where we’ve been and where we’re headed.
Below are some of our favorite images from this exceptional year, captured by WSB Senior Photographer Paul L. Newby II and the NYSE. Together, they tell the story of a school in motion, celebrating a remarkable chapter and a bright future.
Dean Vallabh “Samba” Sambamurthy’s wife, Rekha, takes a photo of Bucky as he serenades her during WSB’s 125th Anniversary Gala, “A Legacy in Motion,” held at Madison’s Garver Feed Mill.
Board member Linda Philipps enjoys the music and atmosphere during WSB’s 125th Anniversary Gala at Garver Feed Mill.
Gala attendees capture a selfie moment during the 125th Anniversary Gala held at Garver Feed Mill.
Bill Rauwerdink and his wife, Ann, take in the Legacy Wall during WSB’s 125th Anniversary Gala at Madison’s Garver Feed Mill.
Thomas Leske, Dean Vallabh “Samba” Sambamurthy, and Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin share a funny moment during WSB’s 125th Anniversary Gala.
MBA student Daniel Lockett, a Venture Discovery student, presents his project, ARHAT+, during the AI Venture Discovery Salon on Monday, August 18, 2025. ARHAT+ is exploring AR-based assessments for aging-in-place accessibility.
Distinguished Business Alumni awardee, Karen Monfre (BBA ’86), Partner at Wipfli LLC (retired), receives a hug from Dean Vallabh “Samba” Sambamurthy during the WSB Alumni Awards Lunch on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the Concourse Hotel in Downtown Madison.
After receiving the WSB BOLD award, Ousmane Kabré, (BBA ’15 MAcc ’16), founder and CEO of Leading Change Africa and Yam Education, addresses the audience during the WSB Alumni Awards Lunch on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the Concourse Hotel in Downtown Madison. Kabré is recognized for his powerful efforts to transform lives through education, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
Corinne Wright, a 2025 graduate in marketing and management, holds up the “W” during the Spring 2025 Undergraduate Program Graduation Celebration at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Friday, May 9, 2025.
Wisconsin School of Business BEL graduate Prasia Jackson celebrates as she walks across the stage after receiving her degree during the Spring 2025 Undergraduate Program Graduation Celebration at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Dean Samba greets and chats with a host of incoming BBA students during September’s New Student Welcome event at the Wisconsin Institute of Discovery.
Students from 10 universities across the U.S. look over their welcome packets on Friday, April 11, 2025, at Grainger Hall, the first day of the inaugural WSB Invitational Consulting Case Competition.
Bucky and Thomas Burkard, Director of Consulting (far right), pose with UW-Madison’s Team 2— Mitchell Carroll, Olivia Lemanski, Lauren Schulze, and Matthew Howe—during the WSB Invitational Consulting Case Competition’s tailgate party on Saturday, April 12, 2025.
BEL graduate Anajancy Ponce fights back tears as Pahoua Vang, Pre-College Services Manager, comforts her prior to Ponce’s address to the audience during the Spring 2025 BEL Graduation Celebration at held at Grainger Hall on Thursday, May 8, 2025.
Bucky Badger dances with graduate Georgia Hobday at WSB’s graduation event on May 9, 2025. Photo by Joshua K. Prado / Joshua K. Prado Photography LLC 2025.
Blessing Odjedele rejoices with diploma in hand at WSB’s graduation event on May 9, 2025. Photo by Joshua K. Prado / Joshua K. Prado Photography LLC 2025.
Dean Vallabh “Samba” Sambamurthy delivers the “Some Names are Worth Keeping” book to Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin in her office on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The book is an impact report of WSB’s Wisconsin Naming Partnership.
Faculty Liam Kane-Grade, left, networks with Executive MBA students John Mabry and Wendy Ledesma during the Executive MBA Residency class on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
Construction on Badger Blueprint, a reimagining of Grainger Hall space, kicked off in 2025.
Members of WSB’s Marketing and Communications staff hold their flute glasses in the air at the Pyle Center during December’s Global Toast event.
Grainger Center Executive MBA student Ramesh Panchadhi speaks with Manuel Scavarda of General Mills about his presentation poster during the Grainger Center Executive Advisory Board Meeting on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery.
Greg DeCroix, professor and Academic Director of Operations and Information Management, gave some helpful advice to BBA student Jordan Augustine during the Grainger Center Executive Advisory Board Meeting on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery.
A large crowd lines the hallway in front of the Multicultural Center’s Spotlight Wall to witness the unveiling of the new portraits on Monday, February 10, 2025.
Ayo Kolawole poses with his mother, Beth Ridley, as they stand in front of Ayo’s portrait during the Multicultural Center’s Spotlight Wall unveiling on Monday, February 10, 2025.
MSBA student Kai Buliox was the first student to land the first catch of today while on Monona Bay on Friday, January 31, 2025 during the MSBA Ice Fishing event.
Cody Baldwin, director of the Master of Science-Business: Analytics program, chats with MSBA student Yuechen Yang while she ice fishes on Monona Bay on Friday, January 31, 2025.
Barb Bolens, director of the Nicholas Center, addresses the audience during the Nicholas Advisory Board Meeting on Friday, October 10, 2025, at the Pyle Center.
PhD candidate Suyeon Jung holds back her emotions as she speaks to the audience during the Spring 2025 doctoral hooding ceremony on Friday, May 9, 2025.
Dean Vallabh “Samba” Sambamurthy looks on as PhD candidate Suyeon Jung embraces Professor Joanne Peck during the Spring 2025 PhD hooding ceremony on Friday, May 9, 2025.
Graduates Yongha Kwon and Minah Park pose with their baby girl, Nuri, during the Spring 2025 PhD hooding ceremony.
MBA student Ashleigh King asks guest speaker Heather Wollerman, Vice President, Talent Management & Chief Culture Officer at McGraw, a question on Friday, October 3, 2025, during the SHR Symposium at the Pyle Center.
BBA student Amara Ahmad takes notes on Friday, October 3, 2025, during the SHR Symposium at the Pyle Center.
BBA graduates Kaylie Fan and Jaiden Reaves pose for a photo during the Spring 2025 Commencement on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Camp Randall.
Members of the Wisconsin women’s hockey team and WSB graduates McKayla Zilisch, master’s; Sarah Wozniewicz, BBA; Quinn Kuntz, master’s; and Lacey Eden, BBA, pose for a photo during the Spring 2025 Commencement on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Camp Randall.
Dean Vallabh “Samba” Sambamurthy poses with former President and CEO of the Division of UW Foundation Mike Knetter, left, and Chairman and CEO of Fiduciary Real Estate Development, Inc., Ted Kellner, center. Kellner’s book “Some Names are Worth Keeping” is an impact report of the Wisconsin Naming Partnership.
BBA student Nicolas Vera-Arroyo poses with Bucky during the Thank-A-Donor Event on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
Happi co-founder Sam Rockwell (BBA ‘10) addresses a host of first-year BBA students during the “Idea to Aisle Reverse Pitch” pre-competition on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.
Dean Sambamurthy speaks during a Milwaukee alumni event at the Harley-Davidson Museum on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. The event was part of WSB’s 125th Anniversary celebration.
Matt Seitz, director of the AI Hub for Business, addresses the audience during a Milwaukee alumni event at the Harley-Davidson Museum on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
WSB alum Karen Kakou, right, networks with Dean Sambamurthy during the Milwaukee Alumni Event at the Harley-Davidson Museum on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
Dean Sambamurthy and speakers hold their glasses high as they toast during a Milwaukee alumni event at the Harley-Davidson Museum on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
Dean Vallabh “Samba” Sambamurthy along with WSB staff and faculty members pose with their newly received medallions during November’s Investiture Ceremony at Memorial Union. The ceremony recognized the faculty and staff who hold named chairs, professorships, and directorships, and the donors who make them possible.
previous slide
next slide
Tags: