University of Wisconsin–Madison

Honoring the 2026 Distinguished Achievement Award winners

Eight leaders in the fields of computer, data, and information sciences were recognized during the second annual Distinguished Achievement Awards hosted by the College of Computing & Artificial Intelligence.

By CAI Alumni Relations

On April 24, 2026, the School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences — now the College of Computing & Artificial Intelligence — celebrated outstanding alumni who have made significant contributions to the fields of computer science, statistics, data science, and information science.

This second-annual event, held in Morgridge Hall for the first time, was not just about recognizing extraordinary achievements — it was also a chance for alumni to reconnect with old friends, make new connections, and strengthen their bonds within our vibrant network. 

Recognizing the awardees

Alan Agresti MS’70, PhD’72

Distinguished Professor Emeritus, University of Florida

Agresti is best known for authoring Categorical Data Analysis. Cited tens of thousands of times, it codified statistical methods for analyzing categorical data.

Prudence Dalrymple PhD’87

Former Director, Office for Accreditation, American Library Association

In a career spanning library systems, health informatics, and beyond, Dalrymple advanced information science beyond traditional library settings.

Michael Garey, PhD’70

Former Director, Bell Labs Mathematical Sciences Research Center

Best known for co-authoring Computers and Intractability, Garey is a pioneer in the field of theoretical computer science and computational intractability.

Hermann Habermann MS’70, PhD’75

Former Chief Statistician, U.S. Office of Management and Budget

A former senior vice president and chief technology officer at Apple and Dell, Harslem is a leader in early personal computing technologies.

Eric Harslem MS’68

Co-Founder, KLE Foundation

A former senior vice president and chief technology officer at Apple and Dell, Harslem is a leader in early personal computing technologies.

Ellis Horowitz MS’67, PhD’69

Professor Emeritus, University of Southern California

After co-authoring best-selling textbooks on the fundamentals of data structures and computer algorithms, Horowitz was cemented as a leader in the field. 

José Ramírez MS’85, PhD’89

Chief Statistician, Kite Pharma

The recipient of several patents, Ramírez has also authored award-winning works and contributed on projects ranging from semiconductor manufacturing to development of T-cell therapies.

Janice Rice MA’75 

Former President, American Indian Library Association

A tireless advocate for tribal libraries and Indigenous communities, Rice also helped establish the Tribal Libraries, Archives & Museums (TLAM) program at UW.

Photo gallery

Read about our inaugural Distinguished Achievement Award winners.

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