L&S News

The University Staff Excellence Awards honor staff members for their excellence in effectiveness, innovation, creativity, originality, leadership, climate, and service to the university.

Research mentorship opportunities are some of the ‘most important learning experiences’ for students in their undergraduate careers. These relationships through Honors in the Major or programs like Undergraduate Research Scholars are beneficial in multifaceted ways for both students early in their careers and for their faculty mentors.

Congratulations to L&S faculty Kathy Cramer, Erika Marín-Spiotta, Jenny Saffran and Dan Vimont for receiving the 2026 Faculty Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Mentoring.

Ilias Diakonikolas Sheldon B. Lubar Professor of Computer Sciences, Randall Goldsmith, Professor of Chemistry and Claire Wendland, Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor of Anthropology were awarded 2026 Guggenheim Fellowships.

Physics Prof. Sau Lan Wu announced her retirement effective January 1, 2026. One of the first two women on the physics faculty when she joined in 1977, her nearly 50-year career stands as one of the most consequential in modern experimental particle physics.

Five L&S academic staff members recognized by UW–Madison for going above and beyond in their campus roles as researchers, instructors, administrators, technicians, and public servants.

Kristin Eschenfelder, academic associate dean and associate director for the School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences, will begin the role in May.

Ona Ambrozaite is tapped as the new executive director of the Wisconsin Quantum Institute. 

The chemistry professor was honored for ushering in a new era of green chemistry.