Madison Reporter

As the valedictorian of her high school and the 2025 senior class president, Sam Mahlum from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is set to deliver her second commencement address at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's spring ceremony. This opportunity allows Mahlum to rethink and refine the message she delivered at her previous high school graduation.

Reflecting on her earlier speech, Mahlum recognizes now that she was more confident than necessary about transitioning from childhood to adulthood. She admits, “I made it sound as if we had everything figured out — like we were fully cooked.” Her updated message emphasizes lifelong growth and change: “We are all constantly growing and changing, and that’s a beautiful thing.”

Mahlum’s address highlights the concept of the “Wisconsin idea,” which connects academic learning with real-world problem-solving. She expresses her appreciation for this unofficial curriculum that many students experienced during their time at UW-Madison. Mahlum notes that this approach to learning is “not only engaging but part of the mission of UW-Madison that so many of us shared.”

During her year as senior class president, Mahlum contributed to the selection of Mental Health Services at University Health Services as the senior class gift recipient. This decision acknowledges the importance of mental health for students. The class officers, led in part by vice president Shelby Olson, collaborated on programming aimed at supporting seniors through their transition to post-college life.

Mahlum, a suburban Milwaukee native, transferred to UW-Madison after spending her freshman year at Ball State University in Indiana. This transition played a significant role in her personal development, teaching her the value of support from family and friends. Throughout her time at UW, Mahlum has been involved in various capacities, including work at UW Health and social media research. She is graduating with a degree in biochemistry and plans to pursue a master's degree in anesthesiology assistance.

As she prepares her speech, Mahlum underscores the ongoing journey of growth and is candid about the uncertainties of the future. “It’s a lifelong journey of growth that is far from over, and that’s a wonderful thing,” she states.