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�鶹ӰԺ University welcomes new students to campus

Communications — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 17:27:29 +0000

Cheered on by faculty, staff, alumni, and returning students, �鶹ӰԺ University’s Class of 2030 passed through the Welcome Arch and across Main Hall Green on Sept. 8, marking the start of their �鶹ӰԺ journeys.

Families and supporters filled campus throughout Move-In Day as new Lawrentians settled into residence halls and gathered for the President’s Welcome in Memorial Chapel.

The President’s Welcome brought together 391 incoming students, 346 first-year, 29 transfer, and 16 international students, along with their families, faculty, and staff, to celebrate the beginning of their �鶹ӰԺ journeys. The Class of 2030 represents students from more than 37 states and 10 countries. Among U.S. students, the most represented states are Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Florida, Texas, Colorado, and New York. New international students come from 10 countries, with Canada, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Norway, and South Korea as the most represented countries.

Robert Noak, vice president of enrollment and dean of admissions, reminded students that �鶹ӰԺ intentionally selected them for the community they are now joining.

“While you chose �鶹ӰԺ, it is important to remember something else: �鶹ӰԺ chose you,” Noak said. “We saw in you the qualities that will strengthen this community and help you thrive in it. Class of 2030, welcome to �鶹ӰԺ. Your story starts here.”

Throughout the ceremony, speakers emphasized belonging, resilience, and the freedom to pursue multiple passions. Tara Winston-Sage ’00, dean of spiritual and religious life, told students they each have a unique role to play in shaping the campus community.

“May you find that you belong here at �鶹ӰԺ, knowing that you are meant to be here, that you will add to this place in only the way that you can, and that our community will be so much stronger because you walked through the arch,” Winston-Sage shared.

Chris Clarke, vice president for student life, encouraged students to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, reminding them that setbacks are a natural part of the college experience.

“Failure here isn’t a dead end. It’s a chance to get better, to lift yourself up, and learn from that failure,” Clarke said. “For if this experience does not challenge you, it will not change you.”

Peter Blitstein, provost and dean of the faculty, shared the purpose of a liberal arts and sciences education, noting that the word “liberal” stems from the Latin word liber, meaning free. He said a �鶹ӰԺ education is designed to prepare students to pursue meaningful lives and contribute thoughtfully to society.

President Laurie A. Carter welcomes members of the Class of 2030 and their families during the President’s Welcome in Memorial Chapel on Sept. 8.

President Laurie A. Carter welcomed the newest Lawrentians by sharing the significance of the �鶹ӰԺ Arch, a tradition that symbolizes both the beginning and culmination of a student’s �鶹ӰԺ experience. She challenged students to stretch beyond their comfort zones, embrace intellectual curiosity, and develop the ethical leadership skills needed to address real-world challenges. Carter also announced the opening of The Hub, a new downtown facility dedicated to wellness, athletic training, music practice, and holistic student development.

“Higher education is not simply preparation for a job; it is preparation for a meaningful life,” President Carter said. “The arch stands as a reminder that education is both a journey and a transformation.”

�鶹ӰԺ traditions were also highlighted during the Welcome ceremony as LUCC President Brook Schara ’27 inspired students to become active participants in shaping campus life.

“Being a Lawrentian is a privilege, a gift, and a hard-earned opportunity,” Schara said. “It’s an open-door invitation to learning, leading, and belonging. You’re not just going to �鶹ӰԺ; you’re helping define and create it.”

The continuity between generations of Lawrentians was reinforced when Maggie Schmidt ’12, president of the �鶹ӰԺ University Alumni Association, introduced the passing of the Class Colors, a tradition that started at Milwaukee-Downer College, a premier women’s college that consolidated with �鶹ӰԺ in 1964. Faith Onukaogu from the Class of 2026 formally presented the Class of 2030 with its red class banner, symbolizing the newest students’ place within the �鶹ӰԺ community.

“You are joining a community of more than 22,000 alumni across the globe,” Schmidt said. “You are a student for four or five years, but you are forever a Lawrentian.”

First-year students applaud during the President’s Welcome in Memorial Chapel

The sense of belonging celebrated throughout the ceremony was already taking shape for many new students. Classmates, volunteers, and residence hall extraordinaries helped ease the transition to campus, while the Welcome Arch procession offered an early glimpse of the supportive community that defines the �鶹ӰԺ experience.

“I’m really excited. It’s been a really welcoming community,” Aidan Wilbert ’30 said. “Everybody has been very helpful with move-in and everything. The whole campus seems just amazing, and I’m really excited to start classes.”

As students begin their first days on campus, Kristi Koshuta, first-year dean, reminded them that Welcome Week is about more than learning where classes are located or finding the quickest path to Andrew Commons. It is an opportunity to build confidence, form meaningful connections, and begin creating a sense of home at �鶹ӰԺ.

“My role is to help you find the people, resources, confidence, and perspective you need to create your own path,” Koshuta said. “I hope you learn to navigate uncertainty. I hope you discover strengths you didn’t know you had. I hope you find your voice and learn to listen to others, too.”

Koshuta pointed to a week filled with opportunities to connect, including �鶹ӰԺ Unlocked sessions, small-group activities led by EPIC leaders, and off-campus adventures ranging from kayaking and rock climbing to cooking experiences. Through those shared experiences, Koshuta said, students will begin building the friendships and sense of community that will shape their �鶹ӰԺ journeys.

“The community you are hoping to find does not happen by accident,” Koshuta told the Class of 2030. “It happens when people are willing to show up, take risks, and be present for one another.”

Fall term classes begin Sept. 14. By then, members of the Class of 2030 will have already begun building the relationships, confidence, and sense of belonging that will shape their �鶹ӰԺ journeys for years to come and position them to make an impact far beyond the �鶹ӰԺ campus. ��

Video length: 46 minute, 53 seconds

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�鶹ӰԺ University named one of The Princeton Review’s Best Colleges for 2027��

Communications — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 14:09:36 +0000

�鶹ӰԺ University has been named one of the nation’s best colleges for undergraduate education, earning a place in The Princeton Review’s Best 392 Colleges: 2027 Edition, which showcases �鶹ӰԺ’s commitment to interdisciplinary learning, academic excellence, and incredible student experiences.��

“For more than 175 years, �鶹ӰԺ University has provided a personalized liberal arts education that combines academic rigor, strong faculty mentorship, and meaningful experiential learning opportunities,” said Robert Nowak, vice president of Enrollment Management. “We’re pleased to see �鶹ӰԺ recognized by The Princeton Review as one of the nation’s best colleges, particularly because the recognition reflects the experiences and perspectives of our students.”��

The Princeton Review features colleges based on the organization’s assessment of their academic quality and student experience.��

�鶹ӰԺ is one of only three universities from Wisconsin to make the list, and it speaks to �鶹ӰԺ’s student-focused approach in preparing tomorrow’s changemakers, one extraordinary journey at a time.��

Student feedback plays a central role in The Princeton Review’s evaluations. The organization’s rankings draw heavily from surveys of students, who share perspectives on academics, campus life, student services, and other aspects of their college experience. More than 172,000 students participated in surveys used to develop this year’s rankings.��

�鶹ӰԺ received strong ratings in several categories important to prospective students and families:����

Professor Accessibility: 96/99��

Financial Aid: 94/99��

Professors Interesting: 93/99��

Academic Programs: 89/99��

Admissions Selectivity: 89/99��

Quality of Life: 85/99��

The ratings reflect many of the qualities that have long defined the �鶹ӰԺ experience: strong relationships with faculty mentors, a collaborative learning environment, incredible academic programs, and a commitment to making a �鶹ӰԺ education accessible with a return on investment.

The Princeton Review’s recognition adds to a growing list of honors highlighting �鶹ӰԺ’s academic excellence, student outcomes, and commitment to providing a transformative undergraduate education.

Learn more about �鶹ӰԺ’s academic programs, campus community, and admission process at �鶹ӰԺ.edu.��

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�鶹ӰԺ University welcomes new faculty as the 2026-27 academic year begins

Communications — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 21:31:20 +0000

�鶹ӰԺ University has announced the hiring of three new tenure-track faculty for the 2026-27 academic year.

The new faculty members bring a wide range of scholarly, artistic, and teaching expertise that will enhance the �鶹ӰԺ community and expand opportunities for student learning and collaboration.

Classes for the Fall Term begin Sept. 14.

Meet the new faculty

Eric Gibson

Eric Gibson, assistant professor of music and director of opera studies:

Gibson joins �鶹ӰԺ from The Ohio State University, where he has served as stage director of opera since 2022. Previously, he led the NAU Lyric Theater program at Northern Arizona University and has directed productions and taught at institutions across the country. Gibson received his bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Michigan. He holds graduate degrees in vocal performance and opera stage direction from the University of Michigan and Indiana University, and he’s currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in voice and theatre at the University of Mobile.

Ben Chan

Ben Chan, associate professor of philosophy:

Chan joins �鶹ӰԺ after serving as a visiting associate professor of philosophy during the 2025-26 academic year. He previously taught at �鶹ӰԺ from 2011 to 2013 and was a professor of philosophy at St. Norbert College. His scholarship and teaching focus on ethics, particularly biomedical ethics, and he teaches courses in areas such as ethics of technology, food ethics, and “the Good Life.” Chan earned a bachelor’s degree from Swarthmore College and a Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles, and completed postdoctoral work in bioethics at the National Institutes of Health. He is also known nationally as a nine-time champion on Jeopardy!, where he won more than $250,000 and later competed in the show’s Tournament of Champions.

Wenhao Dai

Wenhao Dai, assistant professor of psychology:

Dai joins the �鶹ӰԺ tenure track after serving as a visiting assistant professor of psychology since 2023. A social psychologist, his research focuses on goals, motivation, and action in the context of social relationships. Before coming to �鶹ӰԺ, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the Annenberg Public Policy Center and the Department of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Dai earned a Ph.D. and master’s degree in social psychology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and communication from the University of California, Davis.

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�鶹ӰԺ celebrates the Class of 2026 at its 177th Commencement

Communications — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 18:24:34 +0000

As family and friends took their seats on Main Hall Green for �鶹ӰԺ University’s 177th Commencement ceremony, music filled the air, provided by the Graduation Band, conducted by Ceon D. Rumphs, Instructor of Music, and Matthew Arau ’87, Associate Professor of Music Education and Symphonic Band.

As guests waited for the ceremony to begin, they tested their knowledge of �鶹ӰԺ with trivia questions like, “What campus building is named after a Nobel Prize-winning alumnus?” and “What is the English translation of Björklunden, �鶹ӰԺ’s north campus?” that scrolled on the jumbo screens adjacent to the stage.��

Class of 2026 makes their way onto Main Hall Green for the Commencement ceremony.��

As the ceremony got underway, �鶹ӰԺ faculty, attired in traditional regalia, processed across College Avenue and onto Main Hall Green led by Faculty Marshal and Associate Professor of English Celia Barnes and joined President Laurie A. Carter and other members of the platform party. They lined the sidewalk leading to the stage, greeting graduates as they processed to their seats amid the cheers of photo- and video-taking family and friends.��

Class of 2026 on Commencement day

Honor and Respect�� The ceremony opened with Director of Community Values, Engagement and Sustainability Carter Robinson sharing the institutional Land Acknowledgement statement of Appleton and Door County campuses being situated on the ancestral homelands of the Menomonee and Ho-Chunk peoples.��

Terra Winston-Sage ’00 encourages graduates to “Invent themselves, and then, re-invent themselves in the continued pursuit of personal development.��

Terra Winston-Sage ’00, the Julia Esch Hurvis Dean of Spiritual and Religious Life and Chaplain to the University, gave the Invocation. In her remarks, she praised the Class of 2026 for their willingness to speak out on values, justice, and community, while also urging adaptability and humility.��

David R. Shepard ’83, chair of the Board of Trustees

Forever a Lawrentian�� Board of Trustees Chair David R. Shepard ’83 P’13 welcomed guests to what he described as the high point of the academic year.��

“You leave here, not only with a degree, but with a way of thinking, creating, and engaging that is unmistakably Lawrentian,” Shepard said, noting that special relationships, such as faculty mentors, are at the heart of the institution. “They do not simply teach,” he said. “They inspire, challenge, and often walk alongside you.”��

President Laurie A. Carter shares her thoughts on the Class of 2026.��

Defined by Resilience�� As more than 300 students waited for their names to be called for their walk across the stage to receive their diplomas, President Carter addressed the graduates and guests. She noted that the Class of 2026 had overcome unique challenges and described the class as one defined by resilience. They were the class that navigated the aftershocks of a global pandemic, she said, and spent their years rebuilding student life from the ground up and renewing campus traditions.

“You stepped forward and did the work,” Carter said. “Four years later, you have built a community that reflects the very best of �鶹ӰԺ.” She added, “I have had the opportunity to get to know so many of you, and it has been a joy to witness your journeys unfold.”

Carter said the Class of 2026 is the second full class she has seen progress from Welcome Week to Commencement during her time as president, noting that her own journey at �鶹ӰԺ deepened alongside theirs.��

“Your �鶹ӰԺ journey does not end today,” Carter said.��

“Your experiences were shaped by classmates, faculty, staff, mentors, families, and alumni who challenged you, encouraged you, and believed in you.” She noted, “This community will be with you as you leave this campus. Your experiences here have bound you to it and to generations of Lawrentians who came before you.” She concluded, “Now go forth and make your mark.”��

Senior speaker Megan Eisenstein ’26 encouraged the Class of 2026 to make a positive difference in the world.��

Don’t Be Afraid to Light Someone Else’s Candle�� Senior speaker Megan Eisenstein ’26, a Government major with minors in Dance and Statistics, reflected on the memories, relationships, and experiences that shaped her �鶹ӰԺ journey.

Drawing inspiration from Natasha Trethewey’s poem, “Theory of Time and Space,” which she encountered in her First-Year Studies course, Eisenstein encouraged her classmates to carry �鶹ӰԺ with them as they move into the next chapter of their lives.

“Everywhere you go will be somewhere you’ve never been,” Eisenstein said, quoting Trethewey’s poem. “You are a mosaic of all these moments and the people whom you love.”

Eisenstein spoke about the importance of community, belonging, and creating positive change in the world. She paid tribute to her late classmate Alex Stanger ’25, a close friend whose life and example continue to inspire her.

“I won’t pretend the world we are entering into isn’t gripped with fear and hatred, but we will all play a part in loosening that grip through our lives,” she said. “Build your community, and don’t be afraid to light someone else’s candle; it won’t put yours out.”��

Marjorie Liu ’00, Class of 2026, Commencement speaker��

“What’s Your Secret Story”�� Commencement speaker Marjorie Liu ’00 received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree before delivering a Commencement address centered on the idea of pursuing unspoken goals and embracing dreams that may seem impossible.

“What is your secret story? What is your secret dream?” she asked. “A dream that moves you, a dream that cannot be named because it is so outlandish, so strange, or so fragile that speaking of it might shatter the dream entirely?”

She encouraged graduates to embrace uncertainty rather than fear it. Liu spoke of her own experience at �鶹ӰԺ, describing herself as shy and largely unknown on campus, yet profoundly transformed by her relationships with faculty. She credited late professor Peter Fritzell with helping her discover her calling as a writer and encouraging her to pursue a dream she once believed impossible.

“Remember that you, too, are a language,” Liu told the graduates. “Remember to look deeper within yourself and read yourself with curiosity and deliberation.”��

Recognizing Teaching Excellence�� Provost and Dean of the Faculty Peter Blitstein presented the 2026 faculty awards. Assistant Professor of German Petra Watzke, who joined the faculty in 2023, was honored with the Excellence in Teaching by an Early Career Faculty Member. Associate professor of Biology Alyssa Hakes, who joined the faculty in 2012, was honored with the Excellence in Teaching Award. Associate Professor of Music Esteli Gomez, who came to �鶹ӰԺ in 2019 as a visiting artist with a successful performance career as a soprano soloist, was honored with the Excellence in Scholarship or Creative Activity award.��

Peter Blitstein recognizes Petra Watzke, assistant professor of German Studies, for excellence in teaching.��

Estelí Gomez, associate professor of music: voice

Alyssa Hakes, associate professor of Biology

Copeland Woodruff shares an embrace after being awarded an honorary Master of Arts degree.��

The university also recognized the retirement of Copeland Woodruff, the Mary and Michael Jaharis Director of Opera Studies and Associate Professor of Music, bestowing an honorary Master of Arts degree in recognition of his distinguished service and leadership in building �鶹ӰԺ’s nationally recognized opera program.��

After the highlight of the morning – the conferral of degrees – the graduates prepared for one final �鶹ӰԺ tradition of recessing through the Memorial Hall Arch, signifying their transition from student to alumnus.

“You entered carrying hopes, questions, and ambitions,” Carter told the graduates. “You are leaving carrying knowledge, friendships, and a deeper understanding of who you are.”

For members of the Class of 2026, the walk through the arch marked, not just an ending, but the beginning of a new chapter shaped by the lessons, relationships, and sense of purpose they developed during their time at �鶹ӰԺ University.

Watch the complete ��

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New Era for �鶹ӰԺ Tennis as Whitlinger Named Head Coach

Communications — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 19:58:57 +0000

�鶹ӰԺ University has named Tate Whitlinger as the new Head Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach.

Whitlinger brings nearly three decades of teaching, coaching, and leadership experience to the Vikings program and has built a reputation for developing athletes while fostering a culture of excellence, sportsmanship, and personal growth. “Tate’s passion for the game and his commitment to developing student-athletes make him an outstanding addition to �鶹ӰԺ Athletics,” said James Downer, Assistant Vice President for Athletics.

Whitlinger has held the role of Head Tennis Professional at Fox Cities Racquet Club since 1999, where he has overseen daily tennis operations and instructed players of all ages and skill levels through private lessons, group instruction, clinics, and competitive training.

Whittlinger has previously served as an Assistant Coach at �鶹ӰԺ, including this past season. His experience also includes serving as the Head Tennis Coach at St. Mary Catholic High School from 2016 to 2025, guiding student-athletes to sectional and state-level competition while emphasizing discipline, teamwork, and character development. In addition, he is a USTA Tournament Director, USPTA Certified Teaching Professional, USPTA Certified Pickleball Teaching Professional, and Safe Play Certified Coach. A highly accomplished tennis player, Whitlinger was a stand-out at Neenah High School, winning three consecutive state team championships while capturing a state doubles title and a runner-up finish in the state singles championship. He went on to play collegiate tennis at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. As a tennis professional, Whitlinger was awarded the USPTA Midwest Men’s Open Player of the Year and later captured the USPTA International Men’s Open Championship while also being named the USPTA Rookie of the Year for the Midwest.

“Throughout his career, Tate has demonstrated the ability to build meaningful relationships, inspire confidence, and create an environment where student-athletes can thrive both competitively and personally,” Downer said. “We are excited to welcome Tate to the �鶹ӰԺ family and look forward to the future of our men’s and women’s tennis programs under his leadership.” Whitlinger will begin his duties in July and will oversee all aspects of the �鶹ӰԺ men’s and women’s tennis programs.

“I am deeply grateful and honored to serve as the Head Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach at �鶹ӰԺ University,” Whittlinger said. “To represent such an outstanding institution is a privilege I do not take lightly. I accept this opportunity with gratitude and humility, knowing the responsibility and trust that come with leading this program. My heart beats LU, and I am excited to help grow the tennis program into something truly special. I look forward to learning, growing, and serving alongside our student-athletes while building a culture of excellence, character, and purpose. The future is bright, and I am grateful to be part of the journey.”

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Choosing Joy: Student speaker Megan Eisenstein’s journey of self-discovery

Communications — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 20:31:20 +0000

Megan Eisenstein has been selected as the 2026 �鶹ӰԺ University student commencement speaker. A student known for her curiosity, creativity, and commitment to bringing people into civic life, Megan’s academic path was not always clear.��

“I didn’t really know where I was going academically,” Eisenstein said. “I just wanted to try everything.”��

That openness to discovery ultimately led Eisenstein to a major in Government, where she found her passion, while also exploring dance, data science, and statistics along the way, shaping her studies into a blend of logic and creativity.��

“Throughout my time in college I’ve really started to think of my relationship with myself and my surroundings rather than how I relate to other people or what other people think of me,” she said. “Focusing on my own experience actually opened me up to other people further because I really started thinking about my own self.”��

Of course, Eisenstein was not on the journey alone. She had a community of Lawrentians cheering her on. She deeply valued her professors and the opportunities they presented to students, she said, as well as the broader community that has been pivotal in shaping her experience.��

“Being humble and supportive for other people is not only amazing because you’re helping others, but it also helps you be your best self,” she said. “I’ve found that in every space I’ve been,” adding that just being surrounded by authentic, expressive peers has had a lasting impact on her. “I want to take that with me wherever I go because the world needs more of that.”��

Choosing Joy��

Eisenstein’s choir director, Dr. Philip Swan, also made a lasting impact when he told the group that ‘joy is a choice.’��

Eisenstein initially found that proclamation confusing … how could you choose joy? Upon further reflection, however, the statement began to resonate with her.��

“If you notice joy around you and you think about what you’re grateful for, you’re going to be joyous even when circumstances are difficult,” she said.��

If there is one message Eisenstein wants her audience to take away from her remarks at commencement, it is that joy is powerful and can fuel us as we move through our ever-changing world.��

“You just notice it around you, and you find things that make you happy,” she said. “Realizing that helps carry you through difficult things.”��

As Eisenstein reflects on her time at �鶹ӰԺ, she sees more than an academic experience, but a personal journey shaped by community, curiosity, and small moments of joy … lessons she will share from the commencement stage and take with her into her life after �鶹ӰԺ.��

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Acclaimed performer Audra McDonald Explores ‘The Art of Leadership’ at �鶹ӰԺ

Communications — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:55:38 +0000

A sense of anticipation settled over �鶹ӰԺ Memorial Chapel as the audience waited for Audra McDonald to take the stage. The winner of a record-breaking six Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards, and an Emmy Award, McDonald arrived, not as a performer, but as a storyteller, joining President Laurie A. Carter for a conversation dubbed, “The Art of Leadership.”��

Over the course of the evening, McDonald reflected on artistry, resilience, and purpose, frequently returning to a central idea: that leadership begins with recognizing our shared humanity.��

Audra McDonald talks with President Laurie A. Carter on The Art of Leadership.��

The path of leadership is a deeply personal journey. No two people take the same route, but many share a common denominator: the presence of guiding influences.��

“I’ve been guided really by that which moves me… what moves me is being in communion with humanity through the arts,” McDonald said. For her, that connection to humanity does not end at the edge of the stage. It extends into a deep commitment to social justice, a desire to leave the world a better place for her children, and a quiet trust that the universe will present the next right step when the time comes.��

“Certain roles that I’ve played have led me toward certain things in my life,” McDonald explained. The actress, who has portrayed more than a few rough-around-the-edges characters, likened the preparation process for these roles to a dissertation-level research project.��

Long before the curtain rises, she studies each character intently, gathering minute details to form a rich picture of who that character is and what influences might have informed their experience.��

“I look for the ways I can connect to that character,” McDonald said. By finding common ground, she said she makes space for them in her heart and extends them grace. In doing so, McDonald said she has learned that she, too, is deserving of that same grace.��

Many of the women McDonald has portrayed�� had “a lot of mountains to climb,” she said, and getting close to the opportunities, challenges, in some cases, trauma the character may have experienced, is what helps her bring them so movingly and authentically to life on stage each night. “On stage, you become their protector or defender,” she said.��

Internalizing the struggles of her characters is key to the moving performances that bring her characters to life. She takes care to ensure she isn’t overwhelmed by the emotion she brings to her roles. “Those characters affect you, but you have to be careful to leave them at the theatre.”��

Despite her disciplined practice of separating herself from the role when she leaves the theatre each night, one character lingered … Billie Holiday, whom McDonald portrayed in the musical “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill.” Holiday was the victim of sexual abuse and sex trafficking as a young teen and had nobody in her life who could help her escape that horrible situation.��

While portraying this deeply emotional role, McDonald found herself contemplating what opening night gift she might give the show’s small crew to thank them for their collaboration and support. On her walk back to the theatre, the answer became clear when she came upon Covenant House, a nonprofit organization serving youth and families experiencing homelessness, by providing food, shelter, medical care, and other needs to help them step back into the world with dignity. McDonald decided to stop in to make a donation in the crew’s honor and, while there, witnessed the team helping a new arrival.��

“I watched this intake happen and it moved me so much,” McDonald recalled, describing how a previously jovial security guard sprang into action to help a teen arriving with his belongings in a trash bag. She pondered how Billie’s life might have been different if a resource like Covenant House had been available to her as an abused teen.��

“I was led to that place by Billie … and now I’m on the Board,” said McDonald, who serves on the Covenant House International Board of Directors. For McDonald, this was another example of the guiding influences that have serendipitously led her to the next step, sometimes when she didn’t even know she needed it.��

It was not only the characters she portrayed who helped shape McDonald’s path, but also the mentors who guided her along the way. Actress Zoe Caldwell is someone who transformed the way McDonald viewed her work early in her career.��

Caldwell made a point of knowing the name of every person involved in a production, reinforcing the idea that everyone, from director to usher, brings value to the creative process. Collaboration, McDonald learned, is essential for success. Only with each person’s unique contribution can a performance actually happen.��

“My mentor taught me humility and true collaboration,” McDonald said. “I learned that’s not only good for you as an artist, but good for you just as a human being.”��

During her student years at The Juilliard School, McDonald felt called to musical theatre despite pressure from professors to pursue opera. That is when she first met Laurie Carter, who was then serving as a senior Student Affairs administrator at Juilliard.��

Audra McDonald shared the impact of her mentor.��

Carter took the young performer under her wing and encouraged her to follow her instincts. When the struggle became so overwhelming it led McDonald to a suicide attempt, Carter got the struggling student the help and support she needed. Reaching that dark point in her life, McDonald said, irrevocably changed it for the better.��

“It’s not lost on me that it was the start of my life,” McDonald observed about her attempt to end her life. “Laurie was one of the first people to teach me about empowering myself and fighting for myself.” Now, McDonald delights in the idea of modeling empowerment and self-advocacy not just for her own children, but for performers following in her footsteps.��

“You can stay respectful, you can stay collaborative, but you have to give yourself grace and you have to stand up for yourself as well,” McDonald said. She emphasized that finding – and using – your own voice and following your gut are essential leadership skills.��

Audra McDonald with �鶹ӰԺ students and community members��

Ultimately, how does Audra McDonald define The Art of Leadership? Interacting with others in the true spirit of collaboration, connecting with your authentic self, and trusting your own instincts. The Art of Leadership, McDonald said, is there in all of us.

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�鶹ӰԺ University names Chelsea Alt head women’s flag football coach

Communications — Fri, 29 May 2026 16:25:59 +0000

�鶹ӰԺ University has named Chelsea Alt as the head coach of its newly established Women’s Flag Football program, marking an important milestone in preparations for the team’s inaugural season of competition in spring 2028.��

“We are pleased to welcome Chelsea as our new head coach for the Vikings,” said James Downer, Assistant Vice President of Athletics. “Chelsea brings tremendous energy, a passion for student-athlete development, and a vision for building a competitive program. We look forward to seeing what she will accomplish as she leads the Women’s Flag Football team into its first season.”��

Alt played 12 seasons in professional women’s football leagues, was a five-time all-star, and earned a National and International Championship with the New York Sharks. She has received numerous awards recognizing her leadership, service, and professional excellence, including the 2022 Honorary ESPY Award recognizing her for outstanding achievement and influence on local women’s sports.��

Along with her playing career, Alt brings a wealth of coaching experience to �鶹ӰԺ along with professional experience in public service administration and brand management. Currently, she serves as Defensive Coordinator and Assistant Coach for Marian University’s women’s flag football program, where she helped build a successful first-year program that achieved a 10–4 record in its inaugural season.��

Alt previously served as assistant coach at Bryant & Stratton College in Wauwatosa, where she was instrumental in the development of the school’s flag football program. While serving as an assistant coach for the College Gridiron Showcase in Fort Worth, Texas, she coordinated a girls flag football event to bring greater visibility to the sport. Similarly, she planned and executed flag football camps for women of all ages and experience levels as an assistant coach for the Women’s Gridiron Foundation in New York.��

In the high school setting, Alt served as assistant coach for boys’ varsity football for the Sun Prairie Area School District and played a pivotal role in establishing a competitive girls’ flag football team from the ground up. And at Stoughton Area School District, she served as head junior varsity soccer coach and assistant varsity football coach.��

“As an Appleton native, stepping into the role of head women’s flag football coach at �鶹ӰԺ University is more than an honor— it is a homecoming with purpose,” said newly appointed head coach Chelsea Alt. “Growing up in Appleton, I could only dream of the day where women would be able to coexist and compete in the game of football, especially at the collegiate level. Not only does this opportunity allow me to live out my dreams, it gives me a platform to help young women build their own, transform themselves as individuals, and show the world what we can accomplish, both on and off the football field.”��

Alt earned her Bachelor of Arts in Public Service degree with a Management of Criminal Justice concentration from Concordia University Wisconsin.��

In addition to her athletic leadership experience, Alt served as a forensic care coordinator for Lutheran Social Services, where she developed individualized care plans and supported successful community transitions for individuals under the supervision of the Department of Health Services.��

She previously served as an assistant program manager for the Department of Defense in West Point, NY, where she managed several aquatic/fitness locations at the U.S. Military Academy, led staff trainings, such as lifeguard and CPR/first aid courses, and planned recreational and athletic events for the West Point community. Additionally, she is the owner of Ctrl Alt Delete1 Creations, LLC, where she designs marketing and communications materials for clients.��

“I look forward to making a positive impact on the �鶹ӰԺ University community, as well as giving back to the Appleton community,” Alt said. “I give thanks to President Carter for spearheading the addition of this amazing sport and providing an opportunity for women everywhere to experience flag football as a �鶹ӰԺ Viking. We’re here to compete with fire, to challenge expectations, and to show that women’s flag football isn’t following anyone’s blueprint, but instead we are creating our own.”��

�鶹ӰԺ University announced the addition of women’s flag football in April 2026 as part of its ongoing commitment to expanding athletic opportunities. Women’s flag football, one of the fastest growing sports in the nation, helps create new pathways for women to compete at the collegiate level while strengthening our athletics profile and supporting institutional goals. The inaugural season will be in the Spring of 2028.��

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�鶹ӰԺ mourns the loss of Alex Stanger ’25

Communications — Tue, 26 May 2026 22:04:10 +0000

Alexander Patrick Stanger ’25, of East Calais, Vermont, died in a tragic hiking accident in the Italian Alps earlier this month. They were 23.��

Alex’s intellectual curiosity, artistic vision, and deep empathy touched countless lives on the �鶹ӰԺ campus and beyond. At the time of their death, Alex was living in Hamburg, Germany, as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant, a role they embraced with characteristic enthusiasm. Read more about Alex’s Fulbright Fellowship.��

At �鶹ӰԺ, Alex pursued a double major in German Studies and Film Studies, where they became known as a gifted artist, passionate scholar, and thoughtful advocate for community and social justice. Professors remember Alex as someone who moved through the world with warmth, sincerity, and a profound commitment to others.��

“Alex embodied the very best of �鶹ӰԺ,” said Alison C. Guenther-Pal, associate professor of German, who also served as Alex’s academic advisor in both programs. “We remember Alex for their limitless kindness, genuine empathy, and the rare openness with which they engaged others. Alex approached life as a process of becoming—of cultivating an authentic self with honesty and courage—and in doing so, was a model for others to do the same.”��

Alex’s education at �鶹ӰԺ was marked by intellectual fearlessness and creative exploration that frequently examined questions of social justice, identity, and inequality. Their German Studies Senior Capstone, which explored the founding of �鶹ӰԺ University within the broader context of the colonization of Wisconsin, earned the Herman Erb Prize for excellence in writing.��

“Alex believed that academic work mattered most when it illuminated structures of inequality and their consequences,” Guenther-Pal said.��

In Film Studies, Alex developed a reputation as an inventive animator and collaborator whose enthusiasm energized those around them.��

“They were a talented animator, and so passionate about making positive change in the world through their art, scholarship, and activism,” said Anne Haydock, associate professor of Film Studies. “For Alex, everyone and everything was connected,” she said, citing as an example the unlikely correlations they drew between topics for their Senior Experience in Film Studies.��

“Their senior capstone film was a stop motion animation exploring the domestication of horses, the evolution of footwear, and the rise of AI in the context of human labor and oppression.”��

“Alex was a beloved member of our Film & Media community and touched so many lives,” Haydock added. “Their energy was infectious. They got so excited every time something clicked, and they were just as passionate about helping their peers as they were about their own projects.”��

Alex also found community and purpose through activism and advocacy. They spoke at campus demonstrations and consistently sought ways to connect scholarship with action. Their openness to people and experiences defined both their personal and academic life.��

Associate professor of English and director of Fellowships Advising Claire Kervin worked closely with Alex in preparing their Fulbright application essays and experienced first-hand the delight they found in connecting with others.��

“When we were brainstorming ideas for Fulbright application essays, they wore a huge grin while reminiscing about forming impromptu friendships during karaoke nights in Berlin and connecting with older people during yoga classes in Colorado,” Kervin said. “Alex cared deeply about inclusion, community, and belonging, not as abstract concepts, but as practices they participated in daily.”��

As a student, Alex’s time studying abroad in Berlin proved transformative and helped inspire their pursuit of the Fulbright opportunity after graduation. When they learned they had received the prestigious fellowship, Alex wrote, “I am over the moon.”��

That joy carried into their work in Hamburg, where they taught English, and spent their time cooking, baking, and crafting, and immersing themselves in creative pursuits like the one they mentioned in a recent email to Kervin.��

“I’m taking part in a community project at the Elbe Philharmonic with the theme Lost and Found,” Alex wrote. “We are putting together a concert with visual and choreographed elements – very much up my alley – that will be performed at the end of May.”��

The Fulbright Commission in Germany also honored Alex’s memory in a public statement, remembering them as a valued member of the Fulbright community and recognizing the impact they made during their time abroad. .��

“They were looking to the future and wanted to help other Lawrentians obtain the same kind of experience that they treasured,” Kervin said.��

At �鶹ӰԺ and beyond, Alex will be remembered for exactly those connections—for the kindness, conviction, curiosity, and humanity they shared with the world.��

“They reveled in the creative process and used their art, not just as a means of communication, but as a way to think through complex ideas and emotions and make human connections,” Haydock said.��

Though their life was tragically brief, those who knew Alex say their influence endures in the communities they strengthened, the art they created, and the compassion they extended so freely to others.��

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Dr. Constance Kassor selected as 2026 Baccalaureate speaker

Communications — Wed, 20 May 2026 14:43:24 +0000

Before the fanfare of commencement there is Baccalaureate – a time to gather with friends and family, to pause and reflect on the milestones achieved and the countless experiences that have made you who you are today.

Join your fellow Lawrentians and family members to attend the 2026 Baccalaureate Service on Saturday, June 13, at 11 a.m., in Memorial Chapel, featuring guest speaker Dr. Constance Kassor. After the service, gather for the cookout for seniors, families, faculty & staff on Main Hall Green, from noon – 1:30 p.m.

This year’s guest speaker, Dr. Constance Kassor, is a former �鶹ӰԺ professor of Religious Studies and current chair of the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Humanities Center at Cuyahoga Community College. A scholar of Buddhist thought and Asian religious traditions, her work often explores the value of slowing down and doing less in a world that constantly asks us to do more.��

Kassor garnered national attention for her immensely popular “Doing Nothing” course that focused on showing students how to disconnect from daily pressures to be fully present mentally, physically, and emotionally. Her forthcoming book, “Awakened Awareness,” examines the nature of knowledge through the work of a 15th-century Tibetan Buddhist philosopher.��

Through music, readings, and an inspiring keynote speech, the Baccalaureate Service offers a rare opportunity in your busy life as a graduating senior for an intentional moment of reflection. As your years of work culminate with graduation, take the time to look back on the growth, discoveries, challenges, and accomplishments that have shaped your journey. Then prepare, mentally and emotionally, for the moment you walk across the Commencement stage and embark on an exciting new chapter in life.��

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