Congratulations to the UWSP Class of 2024! For more information, visit https://www.uwsp.edu/commencement.
Commencement December 14, 2024 Doctoral Degree Master’s Degree Baccalaureate Degree Associate Degree
10 a.m. College of Letters and Science College of Natural Resources College of Professional Studies College of Fine Arts and Communication
To view the full commencement program scan the QR code or visit uwsp.edu/commencement
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Officers Thomas Gibson, Chancellor La Vonne J. Cornell-Swanson, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Pratima N. Gandhi, Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs Al S. Thompson Jr., Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs William Broussard, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Lana Poole, Chief Marketing and Enrollment Officer University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College Deans Valerie C. Cisler, Dean, College of Fine Arts and Communication Universities of Wisconsin Officers Jay O. Rothman, President Johannes Britz, Interim Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Julie Gordon, Interim Vice President for Finance and Administration Christopher Patton, Vice President for University Relations University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents Amy B. Bogost, Regent President Kyle M. Weatherly, Regent Vice President Angela Adams Desmond Adongo Joshua Hagen, Dean, College of Letters and Science Rebecca Sommer, Dean, College of Professional Studies Brian L. Sloss, Dean, College of Natural Resources Gretel Stock, Dean, University College
Evan Brenkus Héctor Colón Haben Goitom Jim Kreuser Edmund Manydeeds III Timothy Nixon Cris Peterson
Joan Prince Ashok Rai Jack Salzwedel Amy Traynor Mark Tyler Jill Underly Karen Walsh
Winter 2024 Commencement 2
Welcome from the Chancellor
On behalf of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, congratulations to our winter 2024 graduates! These dedicated students have completed years of purpose-driven learning, rigorous work and personal growth. It is my honor to mark the achievements of our graduates and celebrate this milestone with their families and supporters by conferring degrees as UW-Stevens Point’s chancellor. I have enjoyed meeting and working with students around campus and am committed to helping students succeed. Their openness inspires me. As the first in my family to attend college, I understand the transformational power of education. Higher education translates to success both personally and professionally, and its impact continues for generations. Completing a university degree is a major accomplishment, one
Thomas Gibson
achieved with significant sacrifices by the students and by their families. For nearly two years, our graduates had additional challenges brought on by the pandemic. They met these challenges with determination, adaptability and creativity. As our graduates go out to fulfill their purpose in the world, they can look to a bright future with confidence knowing the skills they attained at UW-Stevens Point are highly sought by employers and community organizations. Graduates, we are so proud of you and your accomplishments. Please know UW-Stevens Point will remain your home, and you are welcome back anytime. To our graduates’ family and friends, thank you for your support, sacrifice and encouragement. To our faculty and staff, thank you for your dedication, mentorship and hard work, which have helped transform the lives of our graduates so they can reimagine the world.
Sincerely,
Thomas Gibson Chancellor
Winter 2024 Commencement 3
Keynote Speaker Multifaceted instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and composer, UW-Stevens Point alumnus Danny Mitchell has never met a musical genre he didn’t like—and successfully embrace. Well-versed in pop, jazz, country, and classical, Danny has made a name for himself within the industry as a go-to solo and collaborative performer and writer. Currently he brings his talents to bear as keyboardist, bandleader and vocalist with multiplatinum recording artist Miranda Lambert. Born and raised in Wisconsin, Danny moved to Nashville shortly after earning his bachelor’s degree in jazz piano and composition from UWSP. Since then, he has worked steadily as a freelance musician in and around Nashville, and across the country. Solo career highlights include being a featured
Danny Mitchell
performer at the Bluebird Café and on Home by Dark’s “A Song Can Change Your Life” series broadcast, among others. He has performed at venues such as Chicago’s House of Blues, Hollywood’s Hotel Café, and Nashville’s famed Grand Ole Opry. Danny’s warm baritone and smooth vocal delivery are evocative of crooners such as Harry Connick Jr. and Jamie Cullum. The influence of Bruce Hornsby, Elton John and Marc Cohn can be heard in his songwriting style and piano technique. As a sideman, Danny has performed on records and stages with the likes of Anderson East, Kim Richey, and Mindy Smith among others. As a composer and arranger, Danny’s work runs the gamut from small chamber pieces to full symphonic works. His “Dawning of a Soul” has been performed by the National Wind Ensemble in New York City’s Carnegie Hall under the direction of H. Robert Reynolds. In 2021, Danny was commissioned by the University of Wisconsin to compose a piece of music that reflected the hardship we experienced during the pandemic of 2020 and beyond. “From the Depths We Rise” received its world premiere by the UW-Madison wind ensemble under the direction of Scott Teeple in April 2022. Mitchell is also the creator of Music on a Mission, an annual holiday concert to raise funds for local charities in his hometown of Stevens Point, Wisconsin. The twelfth-annual event was held last night.
Photo credit: John R. Hartman Contemporary Photography
Winter 2024 Commencement 4
Saturday, December 14, 2024
10 a.m. Ceremony Grand Marshal Justin Rueb Professor of Psychology College of Letters and Science
Faculty Marshals Robert Michitsch Professor of Soil and Waste Resources College of Natural Resources Guillermo Peñafiel Professor of Art and Art History College of Fine Arts and Communication Student Marshals Andy Felt Professor of Mathematical Sciences College of Letters and Science Daniel McCarty Professor of Health Science and Wellness College of Professional Studies
Reader Jim O’Connell
Associate Professor of Arts Management College of Fine Arts and Communication
Announcer Sondra Reynolds Director of Clinical Services-Speech and Language Pathology College of Professional Studies
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Order of Exercises 10 a.m. Ceremony
Prelude UW-Stevens Point Symphony Orchestra Andy Moran Director of Orchestras Processional Guests will please be seated during the processional. Presentation of Colors UW-Stevens Point ROTC Color Guard National Anthem Karina Verdette Bachelor of Music Candidate College of Fine Arts and Communication Welcome Thomas Gibson Chancellor
ROTC Commissioning Chancellor Gibson Captain Olivia Logan
Presentation of Candidates for Degrees Doctoral, Master’s, Baccalaureate and Associate Degree Candidates Provost Cornell-Swanson Joshua Hagen Dean, College of Letters and Science Brian Sloss Dean, College of Natural Resources Rebecca Sommer Dean, College of Professional Studies Valerie Cisler Dean, College of Fine Arts and Communication Conferral of Degrees Chancellor Gibson Charge to Graduates Chancellor Gibson Alma Mater – “The Purple and the Gold” Karina Verdette Bachelor of Music Candidate College of Fine Arts and Communication Briannah Wanca Bachelor of Music Candidate College of Fine Arts and Communication Words are printed on the last page of the program. Recessional Guests are asked to remain seated. Join us for a reception at the back of the Skyward Fieldhouse.
Honor Announcements La Vonne Cornell-Swanson Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Speaker Introduction Chancellor Gibson Commencement Address Danny Mitchell Multifaceted instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and composer Introduction of Student Speaker Al Thompson Jr.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Class of 2024 Student Speaker Sequoyah Byas Bachelor of Science Candidate College of Letters and Science Alumni Pinning Ceremony
Greg Regnier Class of 1976 Mari Regnier Class of 1985
Winter 2024 Commencement 6
ROTC Graduates Commissioned as Officers in the United States Army
Ian Niles Jonathan Taylor
Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps at UW-Stevens Point is a two, three or four-year program that ultimately leads to a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army. Students enroll in ROTC’s elective leadership and military courses in addition to their required courses. The program teaches leadership skills to be successful in a college, military and civilian career. Participants are also eligible to earn a minor in military science. ROTC also offers valuable scholarships for scholars and leaders. Scholarship recipients receive full tuition and fees, a monthly stipend and other financial benefits throughout the academic year.
Administering the Oath of Office
Captain Olivia R. Logan, an assistant professor of military science at UW-Stevens Point, has served in the U.S. Army for many years, first as combat medic in Vilseck, Germany, then as an officer in various leadership positions. Before her time in the armed services, she was a waiver service provider for foster children in New York. CPT Logan has served as an officer with the Golf Forward Support Company, I-27 Infantry, 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and with the 101 DSB Special Troops Battalion, 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky., where she was the Brigade Deputy SPO before her assignment at UW-Stevens Point.
Captain Olivia Logan
Her military awards and decorations include a Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medals, Army Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Commendation Ribbon, Air Assault Badge and the Expert Field Medic Badge. Born in Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and raised in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., she holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Syracuse University. She and her husband, CPT Daniel Logan, a U.S. Army logistics officer, have two children.
Winter 2024 Commencement 7
Doctoral Degree Programs
College of Professional Studies Doctor of Education in Educational Sustainability Chabi, Deborah Cordaro, Jessica Lloyd, Deanna Olsen, Pauline Schmierbach, Amy
Folkman, Maxwell Kapsa, Stephanie
Doctor of Physical Therapy Benny, Crisma Bromeisl, Eric Fuhs, Emily
Lane, Mitchell Loomans, Devin Martin, Tyler
Nolan, Stephen Patoka, Brandon Pham, Tin Provence, Ian Scaffidi, Abigail Schad, Connor Stranz, Joe Walcott, Morgan Whiting, Bailey
Hartwyk, Ashley Jakusz, Morgan Kelly, Elizabeth Knox, Steven Kolda, Abigail Konopski, Joseph Krasovich, Joseph Krizan, Jordan
Mccoy, Rebecca McLain, Shayla Mecham, Grace Meunier, Cortney Milkowski, Courtney
Mork, Allison Motzko, Leah Nikodem, Jared
Winter 2024 Commencement 8
Master’s Degree Programs
College of Letters and Science Master of Science in Applied Biotechnology Smith, Tori
Master of Science in Data Science Scieszinski, Alan
College of Natural Resources Master of Natural Resources Wilson, Ann Master of Science in Natural Resources Bohen, Ryan Cristan, Erik Griswold, Amanda Krause, Alicia
Lim, Jeffrey Lins, Jason
College of Professional Studies Master of Business Administration in Applied Leadership and Decision-Making
Dexter, Haley Fisher, Emma Forrest, Hilary Kasper, Madeline
Olson, Jonathan Ross, Sarah Tejinder Singh, Xxx Unger, Carter
Von Drasek, Sofiah Young, Marc
Dorshorst, Alexandria Miranda, Randi Monien, Shawn Master of Science in Community and Organizational Leadership
Master of Science in Education
Albertson, Kristen Bauer, Danielle Betro, Bethany Campbell, Allison Dingee, Scott Donahue, Rylyn Dykhuis, Kathryn
Eriksson, Danielle Filimaua, Julienne Fredrickson, Caitlin Harris, Olivia Holland, Kendra Johnson, Hannah Kislow, Jennifer
Koceja, James Kubicki, Michael Leahy, Caitlyn Liebert, Jane Litherland, Melissa Marg, Sheila McCabe, Meghan
Saporito, Jessica Schultz, Mackenzie Steinfadt, Hannah Steinhart, Holli Stricklin, Catherine Zaglifa, Lauren
Winter 2024 Commencement 9
Master of Science in Healthcare Administration
Bernander, Kathleen Cavey, Hannah
Hoffland, Mackenzie Marshall, Ashley
McCarthy, Rachel Wilson, Casey
DePalma, Susanne Master of Science in Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems
College of Fine Arts and Communication Master of Music Education Evans, Alyson
Undergraduate Honors The faculty has established a program of academic honors to recognize undergraduate students for outstanding academic achievement. There are three levels of undergraduate academic honors, which are awarded on the basis of grade point average for all courses attempted.
Summa Cum Laude: overall GPA of 3.9 or above *** Magna Cum Laude: overall GPA of 3.75 to 3.89 ** Cum Laude: overall GPA of 3.5 to 3.74 *
Winter 2024 Commencement 10
Baccalaureate Degree Programs
College of Letters and Science
Ambriz-Zermeno, America Anderson, Kendall Carpenter, Madalyn Bachelor of Arts
Hansen, Morgan* Hoks, Nathanual Levanetz, McKenna** Moser, Kailey***
Rivera, Alfredo Spayer, David Steffens, Megan*** Stoddard, Skyler
Verhelst, Chloe Webster, John***
Bachelor of Science Adams, Megan Alvarez, Maura*** Andersen, Kateri*** Antos, Joshua** Backaus, Kimberly Bajda, Benjamin Barton, Matthew*** Behnke, Kendra* Beirne, Quinn Boone, Dominic Borkowicz, Miles Bouzek, Genevieve Bratland, Tori Brehmer, Zachary Buckholt, Bailey Burroughs, Samantha Butkowski, Kailey* Byas, Sequoyah Camarato, Jessica** Capelle, Austin Chang, Nancy Chapman, Wyatt* Christenson, Sophie*** Culli, Madison* Dietlmeier, Jorian*
Ennis, Erica** Francis, Dylan*** Fyksen, Dennis*** Gilbertson, Freya Gray, Zachary Gritt, Peyton Groff, Jacob* Gryzwa, Logan Haddon, Rebecca*** Hansen, Jesse Jornlin, Matthew Kempen, Maggie Kilgas, Noah** Klejwa, Timothy Koenig, Benjamin* Kopplin, Matthew Lang, Krysta*** Lang, Miranda Lazaroff, Sharayah* Luck, Michael Malone, Logan* Marquardt, Ashley Mason, Brendan McIntosh, Alexander Mikkonen, Kallista** Moser, Kailey*** Hitz, Joseph Johnson, Til
Nieuwenhuis, Hannah* Niles, Ian** Peterson, William
Wargolet, Abigail** Widmer, Michael Worzella, Jenna
Reed, Jordan* Sardar, Anika Tarannum*** Scalone, Alyssa
Schaefer, Khailyn* Schmitz, Sawyer*** Schnelle, Jasmine** Schreier, Mya** Schreiner, Alexis*** Schultz, Catherine* Seppelt, Maxwell* Smits, Benjamin Steckbauer, Emma** Stobbe, Emily*** Sturgess, Joshua Tackett, Tristan Taylor, Jonathan Theilman, Gabrielle Thomson, Alexa** Vongphakdy, Brandon Wagoner, Mackaelyn* Wahouske, Morgan Walker, Dylan Ugarte, Javier Vertz, Alyssa
Domka, Adam Drexler, Julie*** Edens, Colton
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College of Natural Resources Bachelor of Science
Allen, Alaina* Austin, Jonathan Bisplinghoff, Zachary*** Blumenthal, Jacob Boigenzahn, Jackson* Borowski, Zander
Foster, Clayton Froemling, Megan Galecki, MaKayla Glovinski, Gregory Gritter, Josiah* Gundrum, Alex Handfelt, Maggie***
Minch, Joshua Mindykowski, Allison* Mursau, Mariah Nusbaumer, Gunter
Sondelski, Riley*** Stolzman, Alison Streeton, Kaylee Strom, Cade Swenson, Rebecca* Tench, Jaime** Wagner, Shayla** Wallace-McKittrick, Maya Wegger, Samantha Winkler, Vincent Wittliff, Kayla* Wolf, Cailey Wysocki, Aidan Yaeger, Sabastian Zapata Hernandez, Samuel
Olson, Vanessa Paulson, Dustyn Peterson, Miah Pleban, Nicholas Rasch, Andrew**
Bowman, Lane Breed, Duncan Cason, Zachary*** Clark, Cody Collins, Cameron Commers, Gavin Conradt, Lane Dickens, Gabriel Dreifuerst, Jacob Drost, Tyler Engelbreth, Lauren Flores, Lucia* Davis, Ethan Desai, Maya* Fogarty, Benjamin Fosso, Dominick
Human, Skyler* Johnson, Kirk*
Justice, Ryan Klein, Emily
Reed, Sheniah Reichl, Natalie Reid, Sophie* Russell, Reagan Sabers, Clinton* Schaberg, Sylas Schindler, Sierra Seeley, Lydia* Seputis, Elaina* Sexauer, Guenevere*** Shingle, Amelia*** Smith, Morgan Sommerfeld, Eric**
Kloepping, Trent* Koenig, Nicholas
Krage, Taite Kriese, Gage Kuechenmeister, Jacob
Larson, Seth Liedtke, Jay Maier, Logan Mayer, Beck*
Zetino, Aneli* Ziaya, Travis*
McPherson, Cole Millard, Andrew
College of Professional Studies Bachelor of Science
Ackerlund, Helena Adams, Benjamin Ade, Tobias Ambriz-Zermeno, America Anderson, Jared*** Andres, Julia Angove, Mariah** Arbizu, Madison Asplund, Kaitlyn*
Balge, Sara** Baryenbruch, Brett Bass, Kaitlyn Bauer, Jaden*** Bell, Julia Beyer, Tyler* Bird, Michael Borgman, Jhessica Bouwer, Ruth* Brandenburg, Zachary
Breitbach, Austin* Breitrick, Alison* Breneman, Alaynaa Brinkman, Gerrit*** Bruch, Megan Buchanan, Jake*** Buchli, Joselyn Buenning, Victoria
Chang, Vong Clark, Kelcey*
Clement, Catie** Corral, Carolina Crawford, Haley Cross, Kinsey Czaplewski, Charles*
DeAngelis, Julia Dietsche, Wyatt Dinges, Gavin
Burrows, Olivia Casey, Dalton**
Winter 2024 Commencement 12
College of Professional Studies Bachelor of Science continued Ditzler, Evelyn Ellenbecker, Cobie*** Eron, Elliot Fischer, Elise** Klubertanz, Aspen Kohl, Tucker Krolow, Alana Krommenakker, Nathan*
Parker, Karisa Peavey, Emma Petersen, Cierra Peterson, Ryan Peterson, Skyler Peterson, Taylor** Petri, Annalisa* Pflug, Kyle Pickett, Jadyn*
Tadych, Jonathan Tarango, Jocelyn Taylor, Eugene Taylor, Nicholas Tietz, Andrea Trone, Jacob Tuuri, Anna**
Forrest, Natasha* Fortier, Alexander Frank, Noelle** Ganas, Jaydalin** Giese, Haley Giese, Morgan Gillette, Marki*** Goneau, Kyle** Gosse, Cassandra* Graff, Cole*** Griesbach, Logan Grimstad, Gus Guyer, Marissa** Hahner, Tori** Harms, Brian Harms, Kyle Hasenohrl, Victoria** Hatfield, Lexi Hayes, Cheryl** Hayward, Jack*** Heisdorf, Cade Her, Emily* Husnick, Maria** Ivey, Samantha*** Jashinsky, Nadia Johanson, Kallista* Kapp, Julia Kellnhauser, Auston Kesler, Ray Ketterhagen, Grace** Kiley, Katy** Houben, Patrick Houston, Laurel Hulke, Molly*
Krueger, Kally** Krzoska, Kailey** LaFond, Jared Lao, Jaia
Van Beek, Abigail*** Van Schyndel, Quinn* VanOrder, Beth Ann VanRossum, Jordyn Vosters, Landon** Walker, Nicholas* Wallerius, William Ward, Vera Wartzenluft, Dalton Vogel, Rachel** Vogele, Anetha* Wasniak, Shona Webster, John*** Wefel, Elena Wendt, Emma E. Wendt, Emma T.** Wentland, Taylor** Wiskerchen, Madelyn Witherspoon, Conor Witt, Grace Wojchik, Madeline***
Larson, Haley Lass, Morgan** Lauber, Tyler*** Lee, Lily Liske, Samuel** Lopez Martinez, Jason Ludvigsen, Lauren Madden, Jasmine*** Magar, Sita Mannigel, Zalexis*** Markee, Austin Matos, Ariana McCarthy, Johnna Messman, Lauren Meyer, Ahna* Miller, Tanner Molstad, Abigail*** Moore, Breanna Moskonas, Isabella Mueller, Ariana Mueller, Ben Mullenbach, Kylee Nelson, Alexia Nelson, Emily** Nesovanovic, Christopher Neta, Orin Oestreich, Marisa* Paffel, Emily**
Pieper, Paige Piper, Sarah Politoski, Emma*** Ponshock, Alexander* Potratz, Elizabeth Prochnow, Allison Pupp, Nicholas Rauwald, Anania* Reese, Anna* Retzlaff, Haylen*** Richards, Abby* Rogers, Matthew Rusch, Kaitlyn* Saari, Briana Salettel, Summer** Sand, Kathleen*** Savin, Bailey*** Schauff, Kayleena Scheibe, Reese*** Schnell, Breanna*** Sebesta, Sheryl Shields, Megan*** Sims, Tyriq Smith, Kelsey** Solem, Cole Specht, Nichole*** Steffens, Megan*** Steinman, Olivia** Sweno, Jared
Young, Kyle Zee, Jaime*** Zeledon, Roger Zettler, Alex Zuber, Grace
Winter 2024 Commencement 13
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Bucknell, Abby
Phillips, Caitlyn* Puccio, Alyssa*** Rux, Miranda Schoen, Lianna
Strasser, Sabrina Sweno, Mara*
DeBot, Madison* Mortell, Colleen Mueller, Hannah
College of Fine Arts and Communication Bachelor of Arts
Ballenger, Levi Cooper, Paul Delarwelle, Abbey
Forrest, Natasha* Hansen, Jesse Padilla, Sthefanie
Phillip, Alanna*** Shields, Megan*** Wagoner, Mackaelyn*
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Borchert, Aimee** Burnett, Karisa*** Day, Rebekah* Fields, Lauren Folz, McKenna
Frome, Sienna Houlton, Benjamin Oliva, Isabel** Schmidt, Erica Schmitz, Andrea***
Theobald, Taylor* Thompson, Hannah
Timm, Agatha* Walters, Alyssa
Bachelor of Music
Edwards, Lyssa*** Egle, Logan**
VanderKinter, Ian** Verdette, Karina**
Wanca, Briannah**
Bachelor of Science
Breitenfeldt, Lili*** Cavaness, Max Evans, Jermaine
Jacob, Korah Regovic, Sophie Rosicky, Jackson
Sperl, Chase
Winter 2024 Commencement 14
Associate Degree Programs
College of Letters and Science Associate of Arts and Science
Ellis, Mya*** Hahn, Emily Johnson, Jemini* Kofler, Nancy Pangborn, Jonathan
Rosales, Jacqueline Rucker, Nathan Schueller, Braeden* Sherfinski, Amy Smith, Aidan
Thao, Kimberly Tressler, Vicki Trotter, Gabriel Walker, Elizabeth
Associate of Science Mucha, Jessica
College of Professional Studies Associate of Science Bennington, Blake*
Winter 2024 Commencement 15
Chancellor’s Leadership Award Recipients
The Chancellor’s Leadership Award was established in 1978 at the urging of former Chancellor Lee Sherman Dreyfus. The award recognizes UW-Stevens Point graduates who contribute significant leadership, demonstrate university and/or community service, and display a commitment to personal growth. Each recipient receives a bronze medallion emblazoned with the University Seal and presented with a purple and gold ribbon.
Allen, Alaina Buckholt, Bailey Byas, Sequoyah Camarato, Jessica Christenson, Sophie DeAngelis, Julia Desai, Maya Ditzler, Evelyn Handfelt, Maggie Koenig, Benjamin Koenig, Nicholas Madden, Jasmine Maier, Logan Mikkonen, Kallista Molstad, Abigail Niles, Ian
Phillip, Alanna Rasch, Andrew Reed, Sheniah
Rogers, Matthew Russell, Reagan Sardar, Anika Tarannum Schaefer, Khailyn Seeley, Lydia Tuuri, Anna Wargolet, Abigail Witt, Grace Wojchik, Madeline Zapata Hernandez, Samuel Zetino, Aneli
Winter 2024 Commencement 16
Special Honor Designations Braided navy and gold cords ending in fringed tassels and/or a two-inch cloisonné medallion featuring a rendering of the Phi Kappa Phi emblem suspended from royal blue ribbon represent Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Black and gold cords ending in fringed tassels represent Phi Eta Sigma, the nation’s oldest and largest honor society for first-year college and university students in all disciplines. Teal cords represent Alpha Kappa Delta, the National Sociology Honor Society. Blue, brown and gold cords represent Gamma Theta Upsilon, the International Geographical Honor Society. Green and purple cords represent Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society. Red and white cords represent Lambda Pi Eta, the Communication Honor Society. White, black and blue cords represent Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society. Blue and white cords represent the National Residence Hall Honorary. White, purple and gold cords represent Phi Upsilon Omicron, the National Honor Society in Family and Consumer Sciences. The cloisonné enamel on a brass-finished medallion, suspended from a red grosgrain ribbon, depicts the symbol and Greek letters for Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society. Colored sashes worn by students who have spent one or more semesters abroad represent the host countries of UW-Stevens Point’s semester abroad programs–Australia, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland and Spain. Purple sashes with a gold globe are worn by students who have completed a short-term study abroad program. Purple and gold cords represent the University Honors Program. Scarlet and black cords represent Sigma Tau Delta, the English Honor Society. Green and white stole with an evergreen emblem represent Xi Sigma Pi, the National Natural Resource Management Honor Society. Platinum and black cords and stole represent Sigma Alpha Pi, the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success. Red and white cords represent Phi Alpha Theta, the History Honor Society. White stole with NCFR emblem represents Honor Student recognition from the National Council on Family Relations. White sashes with gold globe and blue insignia represent Lambda Alpha, the National Anthropology Honors Society.
Winter 2024 Commencement 17
Wisconsin Native American Representation
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point exists upon land inhabited by the original indigenous people of this area, including the Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and the many other nations and groups that predate colonial borders. We acknowledge that with colonialization Native American people have been dispossessed of their lands and irreparably changed by the actions of individuals and institutions. We acknowledge our responsibility to understand and respond to those actions. In partnership with the Native American Center, we commit to working together to honor the past, be intentional in the present, and to build our future with truth. UW-Stevens Point is proud to display the flags of the 12 Native American tribes of Wisconsin in the Dreyfus University Center. The following tribal flags are represented on campus: Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Brothertown Nation Forest County Potawatomi Ho-Chunk Nation Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin Oneida Nation Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Sokaogon Chippewa Community - Mole Lake Band of Lake Superior Chippewa St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin Stockbridge-Munsee Community Band of Mohican Indians
For the full Indigenous Land Acknowledgment Statement, please visit: uwsp.edu/indigenous-land-acknowledgment-statement .
Winter 2024 Commencement 18
International Flags As a depiction of the university’s commitment to fostering global citizenship, the international flags represent the home countries of our international students since 1980, and also the countries in which our students have studied through international programs. The current total of 125 nations includes the following:
Angola Anguilla
Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Estonia Ethiopia Fed States of Micronesia Finland France The Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Great Britain Greece
Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya
Portugal Puerto Rico Russia Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Singapore Slovakia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka St. Kitts and Nevis
Argentina Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Belarus Belgium Belize Bermuda Bosnia-Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burma Burundi Cameroon Canada Chile China Colombia Congo Democratic Republic Costa Rica Côte d’Ivoire Croatia Cuba Czech Republic Denmark
North Korea South Korea Kuwait Laos Latvia Libya Luxembourg Malawi Malaysia Mali Mauritania Mexico Mongolian Peoples Republic Morocco Myanmar Namibia Nepal
St. Lucia Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan
Greenland Guatemala Guinea Guyana Haiti Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia
Tanzania Thailand Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia Turkey Uganda Ukraine Venezuela Vietnam Yugoslavia Zambia Zimbabwe
Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua Nigeria North Ireland Norway Oman Pakistan Palestine Peru Philippines Poland
Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Japan
Winter 2024 Commencement 19
Chancellor’s Medallion and the Ceremonial Mace
The Chancellor’s Medallion and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Ceremonial Mace were both handcrafted by Henry M. Runke, former chairman of the UW-Stevens Point Art Department. The medallion was cast in a 14k gold pendant in 1968 and contains a purple amethyst to represent the school colors. The four-sectioned areas beginning near the center symbolize the four colleges of the university and terminate as prongs for the gem. The mace, carried by the grand marshal in academic processions, was completed in 1976 and has a square base on which important dates from the school’s history are recorded. The most prominent feature is the head of the mace, which is a miniature of the cupola on Old Main, the university’s symbol. The inside of the mace also contains a purple amethyst.
Cupola Replica Commissioned by Chancellor Bernie L. Patterson, 2012 Cupola by Joseph Hoover, artisan Weather vane by Boleslaw Kochanowski and sons, artisans Bill McKee, consultant
The cupola replica that resides in Old Main was created from materials significant to the university and surrounding communities: white ash and elm from campus; white pine from Marathon Park in Wausau; lead curtain weights from Jenkins Theatre in the Noel Fine Arts Center; slate from a chalkboard in the Communication Arts Center; and hemlock from the former Lullabye Furniture factory. The original weather vane stood atop Old Main for 118 years and was replaced in 2011. The replica iron weather vane is a one-fifth scale model of the original.
It is a tradition for first-year students to seal their commitment to the university by touching the cupola replica as they depart from Convocation. Faculty and staff renew their commitment in a similar fashion. A bookend tradition is observed upon graduation as students become alumni and receive a pin bearing the iconic symbol. This represents the use of their knowledge to engage responsibly with a diverse and sustainable world. On special nights the cupola atop Old Main shines purple in honor of all those the university has served and our bright future ahead. On Commencement night, the cupola is lit in honor of the graduates.
Winter 2024 Commencement 20
Welcome 2024 graduates to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Alumni Association. Today, you become one of the university’s most important ambassadors—a major force in shaping and cementing the reputation of UW-Stevens Point. Part of the UW-Stevens Point Advancement unit that includes the UWSP Foundation and the development team, the Alumni Association works to strengthen relationships with more than 90,000 Pointer alumni worldwide. The association helps alumni stay in touch with former classmates and friends through a variety of services, including reunions, Homecoming and alumni volunteer opportunities, as well as various communications and social media forums and special events. To learn more about the Alumni Association and its board of directors, contact the Alumni Affairs Office at 715-346-3811 or alumni@uwsp.edu, or visit uwsp.edu/alumni. Congratulations to the Class of 2024! University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Alumni Association
The Purple and the Gold Original song written by Kenneth Pray | Rewritten by James Arrowood
Other schools of valor boast Of victories galore, Of laurels never lost, Of triumphs by the score; Let them tell you of their prowess Of warriors strong and bold, But their colors ever lower To the Purple and the Gold! Alma Mater, our Wisconsin Dear Stevens Point we toast, Recalling former times, Of challenge and repose. On the banks of old Wisconsin, Alumni glories told; We offer our allegiance To the Purple and the Gold!
Winter 2024 Commencement 21
Notice The students in this program have been recommended for the appropriate degrees by their faculty, subject to satisfactorily completing all graduation requirements.
UW-Stevens Point is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution.
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