Values Archives - �鶹ӰԺ University

The Vision for Björklunden Flourishes Through Land Conservation

Communications — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 15:57:32 +0000

For over half a century, The �鶹ӰԺ University and Door County communities have been enriched by the special place called Björklunden, the University’s Northern Campus just south of Bailey’s Harbor. Nestled among 441 acres of forests, and over a mile of Lake Michigan shoreline, Björklunden is a place where solitude, creativity, scholarship and nature intersect. It is where stewardship is both a responsibility and a celebration.

That spirit of care traces back to the generosity of Winifred and Donald Boynton, whose gift of Björklunden to �鶹ӰԺ University was guided by an intention that the property be maintained for retreat and education and that the land be preserved for the enduring beauty of the natural world. Winifred Boynton said of her beloved summer home “far removed from confusion and aggression, it offers a sanctuary for all.” Today, that vision continues to flourish.

Ten years ago, �鶹ӰԺ University took an important step to protect that legacy by establishing a 305-acre conservation easement on the Björklunden property in partnership with the Door County Land Trust (DCLT). To further establish �鶹ӰԺ as a leader in sustainability with Net Zero Bjorklunden as a laboratory for renewable energy, the easement was amended in 2022, and nearly 10 more acres were added to provide for a Solar Energy array within a Renewable Energy Zone.

The DCLT is a local, non-profit organization working to preserve Door County’s open spaces, scenic beauty and ecological integrity. Landowners establish a legally binding conservation easement to protect those values on private land in perpetuity. With over 5,000 acres of land nationally lost to development every day, protecting land via an easement demonstrates a commitment to long-term land conservation and environmental sustainability. More than a legal agreement, the conservation easement represents a shared commitment between �鶹ӰԺ University and the DCLT for the care and preservation of this vital resource. The Björklunden conservation easement is significant for DCLT not only for its size but because it includes over one-half mile of Lake Michigan shoreline, the most waterfront of any of DCLT’s conservation properties.

The Björklunden conservation easement permanently safeguards over seventy percent of the property from future development or subdivision, ensuring that its ecological value and natural beauty will be protected for generations to come. The conservation easement was created to preserve Björklunden’s rich biodiversity of plant and animal life, its unique geological features, and the integrity of surface and groundwater resources. According to Drew Reinke, Conservation Easement Program Manager for the DCLT, the protected property contains important habitat. “A long list of terrestrial species inhabits the property and the over one-half mile of preserved shoreline serves as critical stopover habitat for migratory birds,” said Reinke. “Its forest is unique as one of the most southern extents of boreal forest in Wisconsin with mature to near old growth characteristics.” The partnership between �鶹ӰԺ and the Door County Land Trust demonstrates a commitment to protect Door County’s incredible natural history and unique environmental quality. The conservation easement is a gift to the Door County community and all who visit the area now and into the future.

A decade into the conservation easement, Björklunden remains what the Boyntons envisioned: a place that provides retreat and nurtures thought, creativity, and care for the natural world. �鶹ӰԺ University continues to honor that gift by protecting not just land, but the experiences it makes possible. The property is uniquely situated to support �鶹ӰԺ’s mission and the life-long learning opportunities it provides. Björklunden is host to a vibrant seminar series for adults who wish to delve into multi-day learning and creative experience while immersed in the beauty of nature. During the academic year, over 2,000 �鶹ӰԺ students, faculty, staff and guests typically participate in weekend programs at Björklunden. The get-a-way to the Northern Campus provides students an opportunity to ‘retreat’ and to reflect on their learning, build community in a small and intimate setting and gain inspiration from the solitude of nature. Student research projects conducted at Björklunden are often linked to the ecological values protected by the conservation easement. Dr. Relena Ribbons, �鶹ӰԺ Associate Professor of Geosciences, states “Björklunden has served as a basecamp for students researching a range of topics. From carbon storage and tree ring records of the past climate to shoreline processes and prairie pollinators. Many of these projects provided the foundation for senior capstone research and summer LU research fellowships. Björklunden continues to guide a generation of Lawrentians to blossom as stewards, scientists, and engaged scholars.”

Björklunden’s conserved lands are part of a broad and growing network of private conservation lands across the country. Björklunden stands out as a special place that welcomes the public, inviting education, recreation, and spiritual well-being through connection with nature. This summer, that commitment to public engagement will be on display during the Boynton Festival at Björklunden on August 22, 2026. As part of the celebration, the Door County Land Trust will participate by offering a mini-seminar and �鶹ӰԺ will sponsor a guided tour of the property, focusing on the value of the conservation easement. The program will give festivalgoers an opportunity to learn about Wisconsin’s Land Trust movement, how conservation easements work and why partnerships like this one matter. As �鶹ӰԺ University celebrates a decade of conservation stewardship at Björklunden, the message is one of gratitude and optimism—gratitude for the Boynton’s gift and enduring vision, for a strong conservation partnership with Door County Land Trust, and optimism for a place that continues to nurture and inspire us all.

Plan to attend the Boynton Festival on August 22, where The Door County Land Trust will offer opportunities to experience the easement at Björklunden and learn about how this property is part of important conservation work happening in Door County:

An Ecological Adventure Through Björklunden’s Conservation Easement Lands with Drew Reinke, Jane Whitney, and Paige Witek This 90 minute guided hike will be offered at 9:00 am and 1:30 pm. Discover the natural beauty of Björklunden on a hike along the scenic shores of Lake Michigan. As we explore the wooded trails and shoreline of the �鶹ӰԺ University campus, participants will learn about the area’s diverse forests, unique ecosystems, and fascinating geological history. The hike will also highlight how a conservation easement with the Door County Land Trust is helping protect the property’s natural character and ecological integrity for generations to come. Join us for an inspiring outdoor experience that blends conservation, exploration, and education to celebrate the enduring beauty of Door County.

TITLE: How Land Trusts are Protecting Door County’s Landscapes for Future Generations with Emily Wood This 50 minute presentation will be offered at 11:00 am.. Door County, Wisconsin is home to some of the Midwest’s most unique shorelines, forests, wetlands, and wildlife habitats, making land conservation essential to preserving the region’s natural beauty and ecological health. Learn about conservation and how land trusts like the Door County Land Trust play a vital role by permanently protecting natural areas, restoring habitats, and partnering with communities and landowners to conserve open space. Through education, stewardship, and conservation easements—such as the one established by �鶹ӰԺ University on the Björklunden campus—these efforts help preserve the character, environmental sustainability, and natural heritage that make Door County such a treasured destination.

Click here to learn more about the Boynton Festival.

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179th Matriculation Convocation: We are �鶹ӰԺ. And that includes you.

Communications — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 23:20:03 +0000

At the start of a new academic year, �鶹ӰԺ University’s faculty, students, and staff all gathered at Memorial Chapel for the 179th Matriculation Convocation, an event that welcomes everyone back to campus and sets the tone for the academic year ahead.

“Matriculation convocation is always one of my favorite moments of the year — a time when we gather together not just as individuals but as one community, united by purpose and tradition, and ready to embark on a new academic journey,” President Laurie A. Carter said from the stage of Memorial Chapel.

(Photo by Danny Damiani)

Walking to Matriculation Convocation.

Faculty, students, and staff in Memorial Chapel.

First-year Students, Welcome Week performance.

This year, �鶹ӰԺ welcomed 307 first-year students and 48 transfer students. The top enrollment states for the 2025-26 academic year are Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, California, and Colorado. Leading majors include Business & Entrepreneurship, Pre-medicine, Music Performance, Biology, Psychology, and Multi-interested.

First-year students elicited a resounding round of applause for their Welcome Week musical performance titled Take What You Need by Reena Esmail. The song encouraged the �鶹ӰԺ community to take heart and hope as they embark on a new academic year.

The �鶹ӰԺ community formally welcomed Dr. Jenkins to his role as dean of the Conservatory of Music. He will oversee all aspects of �鶹ӰԺ’s music degree programs and contribute significantly to the university’s academic mission. Reporting directly to the provost, �鶹ӰԺ’s chief academic officer, he will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the institution.

Dr. Chris Jenkins, dean of �鶹ӰԺ University’s Conservatory of Music.

“This year is especially exciting because one of those new to �鶹ӰԺ is Dr. Christopher Jenkins, our new dean of the Conservatory,” said Dominica Chang, Margaret Banta Humleker Professor of French Cultural Studies, associate professor of French, and chair of the Public Events Committee. “Dean Jenkins, welcome. We wish you every success, and we’re so excited to witness your vision unfold.”

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President Carter’s address was full of reflections and hope, but it centered on �鶹ӰԺ’s values of belonging, integrity, honesty, and sustainability.

“We start by listening. Real listening – the kind of listening that suspends quick judgment and seeks to understand the story behind the sentence, and the soul behind the story,” said President Carter. “We create practices and processes that invite participation. We make our norms explicit: how we disagree, how we repair harm, how we show up for one another and celebrate each other’s contributions. And, when someone is left out, we refuse to normalize their absence. We ask why and we act.”

She honored the memory of Garth Bond, a respected member of the English department for 20 years. Garth passed away over the summer after a long, hard-fought battle with leukemia.

“Garth dedicated his career to growing the minds and hearts of our students using literature and the power of language. He also created close, meaningful relationships with many colleagues across campus and others in the community,” said President Carter.

Bond was known for treating people with great humanity; the �鶹ӰԺ community will come together on Saturday, October 4, to celebrate his life, legacy, and impact.

President Carter also recalled the tragedy of September 11, 2001, and the attempt to divide a united nation through the attack, which took the lives of 2,977. At the time of the attack, President Carter was working at Juilliard in New York City, only five miles away from where the World Trade Center fell.

“Late afternoon, we got word that a few trains were leaving New York City for New Jersey. I left my office and began the 30-block walk to the train station, hoping to be on one of them. It was still daylight, but the sky was darkened by the ash and smoke from the towers. There was no vehicular traffic, so the only people I saw were those like me walking dazed through the streets,” she said. “I was overwhelmed by the events of the day, but as I looked around, I noticed that in almost every store window was an American flag. That attack on our country robbed us of many lives, but it didn’t rob us of the hope that we had for a united America.”

President Carter has a similar hope for today’s students as they begin a new academic year in a world with deep divides, political polarization, and global challenges.

“That polarization is corrosive to our ability to work together, to trust one another, and to build a shared future,” she said. “We see families weighed down by economic uncertainty, struggling with questions about opportunity, safety, and financial stability. We see communities torn apart by senseless violence and vitriol. And climate change, global conflict, and unprecedented shifts in federal policy test our resilience and force us to think about the world not just as it is today, but as it must be tomorrow.”

President Carter acknowledged the headwinds facing higher education, including the public’s skepticism around the value of a higher education, not only in terms of today’s cost but also the long-term benefits.

“This is the moment when the liberal arts matter most. In a radically changing and unpredictable world. The ability to think critically, communicate clearly, collaborate effectively, and adapt creatively is more essential than ever,” Carter said. “These are precisely the hallmarks of a �鶹ӰԺ education.”

President Carter’s vision for successful outcomes centered on living out �鶹ӰԺ’s values of belonging, integrity, honesty, and sustainability, and allowing them to be the foundation for students’ decision-making today and in the future.

“These values are not just words on our website. They are commitments that shape how we learn, how we live together, and how we prepare to lead in the world,” said President Carter.

(Full Program)

2025 Matriculation Convocation; We are �鶹ӰԺ. And that includes you.

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Sophomore Maddie Bublik builds important connections outside the classroom

Communications — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 13:13:17 +0000

Maddie Bublik, a �鶹ӰԺ University sophomore from Wausau, Wisconsin, is making an impact on and off campus through her role as the coordinator of a �鶹ӰԺ program that encourages students to volunteer as tutors for young students in the Appleton community.

It’s one of multiple ways the physics and German double major is making important connections on her undergraduate journey.

is a program for �鶹ӰԺ students to get experience in one-on-one tutoring with K-12 students in the Appleton Area School District (AASD). As the program coordinator, Bublik matches �鶹ӰԺ students with AASD students who need help in a chosen subject area.

“I am passionate about helping people, and VITAL is a wonderful way to do that,” Bublik said. “VITAL allows me to assist students from �鶹ӰԺ who want volunteer opportunities and also assist students from AASD who are struggling and need help with the harder subjects in school.”

Bublik’s work in VITAL has helped her develop wide-ranging skills, including professional communication and efficient productivity. While she’s not looking at jobs specific to education, she believes the skills she’s developing are important to any field, including her planned path of dentistry.

“For now, I just really enjoy the VITAL Program and working in the CCE (Center for Community Engagement and Social Change) with all of the wonderful people,” Bublik said.

Study Physics at �鶹ӰԺ

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When not running VITAL, Bublik can be found hard at work in the classroom and on the tennis court. She fell in love with physics while shadowing a Modern Physics class at a LUX (�鶹ӰԺ University Experience) event prior to starting at �鶹ӰԺ.

Bublik said she’s enjoyed the dynamic range of the physics major, and she loves the people she gets to work with. She did not originally plan a second major in German, but she found that she loved the language and culture, as well as the German Department, while completing her language requirement. She now plans to study abroad in Berlin.

German Studies at �鶹ӰԺ

Explore the German-speaking world from multiple perspectives.

Bublik started playing tennis during her sophomore year of high school. While she enjoyed it, she never planned to play at the college level. That changed when Hannah Herzog in �鶹ӰԺ Athletics reached out and asked if she would be interested in joining the team during her first year at �鶹ӰԺ.

“I love playing since it’s not just physical but it’s also such a mental game,” Bublik said. “So many things are so different about every single player you play. It’s a very adaptable sport.”

If there’s one thing Bublik has learned so far in her time at �鶹ӰԺ, it’s the importance of self-advocacy.

“I wouldn’t have gotten my position as the program coordinator or any of the opportunities it’s given me if I hadn’t applied to the CCE and reached out,” she said. “I’ve met some of my favorite people here through the CCE, and if I hadn’t reached out in the first place none of that would have happened.”

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Terra Winston-Sage builds spiritual connections for students via ‘non-judgmental space’

Communications — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 18:54:31 +0000

As �鶹ӰԺ University’s dean of spiritual and religious life, Terra Winston-Sage ’00 is a resource and connecting point for students navigating a rapidly changing world.

“Everybody has a spirit,” Winston-Sage said. “Everybody has something that sparks them and that they care about. I see a big part of the work as helping people connect with that. Sometimes that comes through religion, and sometimes it doesn’t. Helping people get back to the thing that’s driving them—that’s at the heart of the work we do.”

After graduating from �鶹ӰԺ, Winston-Sage attended seminary, then worked in the areas of social justice and human rights until she returned to work in �鶹ӰԺ’s in 2018. She started as the associate dean before being named dean in 2023.

The Office of Spiritual and Religious Life seeks to provide a space for any student who needs someone to listen, a gateway for community, or even just a quiet place to take in a few moments alone.

“It really is a non-judgmental space,” Winston-Sage said of the Esch Hurvis Center for Spiritual and Religious Life. “You can come with your anger and your tears and your joy and know that you’re always going to be welcome here. It’s also just an incredibly comfy and warm place to be.”

Winston-Sage, working alongside Shola Adegbite, assistant dean of spiritual and religious life, and others on her staff, provides leadership and counsel as she facilitates student conversations about spirituality, faith development, religion, and community building. She also provides pastoral care and assists with memorial gatherings.

An ordained Presbyterian minister, she earned a bachelor’s degree with a major in religious studies at �鶹ӰԺ. She’s thrilled to be back at her alma mater, bringing support to a unique campus of ambitious and driven students.

“There’s creativity and there’s freedom,” she said of the �鶹ӰԺ culture. “It’s there because it’s in our students.”

Since returning to �鶹ӰԺ, Winston-Sage has found being a resource for students is incredibly rewarding.

“I like to help people find their passion,” she said. “Some people come in knowing their passion, and some people find it along the way. When people bring that to me with such excitement, that is definitely a favorite part of the job.”

But equally important to her is supporting students when times are tougher.

“I do hear a lot of hard times that people are going through,” Winston-Sage said. “When I know there’s a student who has struggled, and I see the smile on their face when they cross that graduation stage—that’s the most meaningful part of my job.”

She emphasized the role of her office as a supporter in any phase of student life, good or bad. Whether it’s getting a fantastic internship, needing support in a time of loss, or even readjusting after a study abroad opportunity, the Center for Spiritual and Religious Life is there for students to process and recenter.

“There are so many things that happen in life that are unexpected,” Winston-Sage said. “Sometimes those things are great, and sometimes those things shake your foundation. This is a space to react to that, and some resources to ask, ‘What do you need at this moment? What do you need in a month?’ Then also to teach people those skills for when those things happen again.”

Winston-Sage hopes to create more programming to assist students through each year of university life, from transitioning to campus in the first year to what comes next for seniors after graduation.

There are programs in the Center for Spiritual and Religious Life that provide community settings for anyone at �鶹ӰԺ, such as the community dinner presented every Thursday. Between those events, the Office of Spiritual and Religious Life is always open to students who want a quiet, comfortable place to be.

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�鶹ӰԺ named ‘Most Engaged Campus’ for efforts to help students register to vote

Communications — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 17:01:41 +0000

�鶹ӰԺ University’s efforts to help students register to vote for the 2024 fall election has been recognized by a nonpartisan voter advocacy group. �鶹ӰԺ is one of 471 colleges and universities recognized Nov. 19 as a “Most Engaged Campus” by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, an initiative of the nonpartisan Civic Nation.

Led by Dakota McKee, Aaron Wojciechowski, Michelle Buchinger, and Hannah Osborne in the Office of Student Engagement, Activities, and Leadership (SEAL), �鶹ӰԺ engaged with students about the election throughout Fall Term, with a focus on helping students get registered and familiar with the voting process in Appleton.

“Our efforts began at the start of the academic year, working to distribute information to students on important deadlines and voter information, which we did via email, flyer, and social media,” said McKee, director of SEAL. “We also had staff available to walk students through the process from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday during the term and stayed until 8 p.m. on Election Day to answer any questions.”

The efforts also included:

Working closely with non-partisan organizations such as Campus Vote Project, ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Wisconsin Votes, and Do Something, which provided information on the election, candidates, and how to register to vote;
A marketing campaign, “Vikings Vote,” that shared information about how to register and how and where to vote;
Providing transportation to and from polling places on Election Day;
Hosting and supporting voter registration events on campus, including a Mocktails Voter Registration with students in the Conservatory, a National Voter Registration Day tabling to get students registered, “Doughnut Forget to Vote” stations across campus on Election Day, and various voter registration tabling activities throughout October.

Research shows that colleges and universities that make intentional efforts to increase nonpartisan democratic engagement have higher campus voter registration and voter turnout rates, according to Civic Nation. ALL IN organizers said they saw more colleges than ever before step up efforts in 2024 to ensure that their students were registered and ready to make their voices heard at the ballot box.

“These ‘Most Engaged Campuses’ are setting the standard for nonpartisan civic engagement work for colleges and universities across the country,” said Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, executive director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge.

The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge currently engages 10.8 million students from more than 1,075 institutions in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Civic Nation is a nonprofit ecosystem for high-impact organizing and education initiatives working to build a more inclusive and equitable America. Civic Nation shifts culture, systems, and policy by bringing together individuals, grassroots organizers, industry leaders, and influencers to tackle some of the nation’s most pressing social challenges. Civic Nation is home to seven national initiatives and campaigns: ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Change Collective, It’s On Us, Save On Clean Energy, SAVE On Student Debt, We The Action, and When We All Vote.

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‘Viral justice’ is knowing small actions can lead to impactful change, Convocation speaker says

Communications — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 21:16:16 +0000

Seemingly small actions in pursuit of social justice can lead to consequential change.

That’s the power of “viral justice,” said Dr. Ruha Benjamin in delivering �鶹ӰԺ University’s Winter Term Convocation address Feb. 2 in Memorial Chapel.

Benjamin, the Alexander Stewart 1886 Professor of African American studies at Princeton University and the author of the 2022 book, Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want, said powerful change can happen one person, one neighborhood, one community, one idea at a time.

She compared it to the COVID-19 pandemic, where something almost undetectable spread in ways we didn’t see coming.

“Doesn’t this imply that small things, seemingly minor actions, decisions, habits, could have exponential effects in the other direction, tipping the scales toward justice, affirming life, fostering well-being, invigorating life?” she said.

Benjamin specializes in the interdisciplinary study of science, medicine, and technology with a focus on the relationship between innovation and social inequity. She is the founder of the Ida B. Wells JUST Data Lab. Her most recent book, Imagination: A Manifesto, has just been released. In addition to Viral Justice,��which wonthe 2023 Stowe Prize, Benjamin authored Race After Technology: Abolitionist Tools for the New Jim Code.

In her Convocation address, Benjamin talked about Ron Finley, known as the Gangsta Gardener, who waged a battle on food insecurity in Los Angeles by turning city-owned grass pathways into vegetable gardens, changing laws along the way. She talked about the creation of Breonna’s Garden, an augmented reality project created by a digital artist to help support the family of Breonna Taylor. She talked about seemingly small protest efforts that eventually changed the conversation in big ways.

�鶹ӰԺ University holds three convocations each year to celebrate the new academic year, learn from accomplished individuals, and celebrate student and faculty achievements.

Technology is another card in the deck in pursuit of justice. It can help amplify efforts that might otherwise feel microscopic, Benjamin said.

Don’t ever think that change can’t happen because you’re just one person, she said. One idea can bring others together, building something consequential. Like the pandemic, justice can be contagious.

“This isn’t charity work, work we do on behalf of others,” Benjamin said of the pursuit of a more just world. “Falling from a burning building, I might hit the ground first, but you won’t be far behind. My world is intimately bound up with yours. So, we don’t simply need allies; we need everyone to smell the smoke.”

Friday’s Convocation was the second of three �鶹ӰԺ Convocations during the 2023-24 academic year. Up next will be the Honors Convocation on May 24, featuring a talk by Mark Phelan, professor of philosophy at �鶹ӰԺ.

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MLK celebration returns to Memorial Chapel with message: Let your work inspire next generation

Communications — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 20:40:45 +0000

The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—seen in the ongoing work he helped inspire—was celebrated Jan. 15 as Lawrentians gathered with the Fox Cities community in �鶹ӰԺ University’s Memorial Chapel for the 33rd Fox Cities Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.

The annual event, held on the federal holiday honoring the civil rights icon, applauded local advocates who provide leadership in the spirit of King’s teachings, featured inspiring music and words from Appleton youth and �鶹ӰԺ students, and showcased local speakers who talked of the progress made and the need for diligence and stamina in the fight for equality for all.

Cainan Davenport delivers the keynote address at the annual MLK community celebration.

Cainan Davenport, a small business owner in Appleton who has been active in building partnerships and encouraging community conversations, delivered a keynote address that urged those filling Memorial Chapel to look to the future as they build bridges in the name of unity and inclusion.

“As leaders in the community, we must understand that the work and leadership we put in now, we may not get to experience the fruits of our own labor, but the next generation will,” Davenport said. “Just as we as a nation have benefited from the things Martin Luther King fought for, the next generation will benefit from what we fight for.”

Photo gallery:

Monday’s MLK Celebration marked a return to an in-person gathering, the first time since it moved online during the coronavirus pandemic.

“It is good to again feel the warmth and energy in this room,” President Laurie A. Carter said in welcoming the audience to Memorial Chapel.

�鶹ӰԺ hosted the event, emceed by Dr. Kenny Yarbrough, vice president for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Antiracism, and Support Services (I.D.E.A.S.). It was organized by the 2024 MLK Celebration Committee, a collaboration of �鶹ӰԺ, People of Progression, Appleton Area School District, United Way Fox Cities, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley, and the City of Appleton. That collaboration put the “we” in the night’s “We Have a Dream” theme, Carter said.

“A united community is a stronger, healthier, and more vibrant community,” she said. “If we can dream together, we can thrive together. That’s a message I hope we all can take with us when we leave tonight.”

The �鶹ӰԺ student band NOIR performs at the outset of the MLK community celebration.

Dr. Adriana McCleer, community partnerships supervisor with the Appleton Public Library, gave the highlight speech, a nod to the history and advocacy of Casa Hispana, where she serves as board chair.

The 2024 Jane LaChapelle McCarty MLK Community Leader Award was presented to Ernesto Gonzalez Jr. for his 30-plus years of service with Casa Hispana.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educator Award was presented to Alex Molitor, principal of Kaleidoscope Academy of the Appleton Area School District.

NOIR, a musical group featuring �鶹ӰԺ students, provided music leading into the MLK Celebration and then closed the event with a stirring rendition of We Shall Overcome.

Davenport, who co-owns Taperz Barber Shop in Appleton and co-founded the nonprofit advocacy group People of Progression, encouraged the audience to do the work necessary in the Fox Cities to build a stronger, more empowered community.

“Let us fight with all we have in us to ensure our next generation thrives in this world,” he said. “Let us fight to ensure equality for every child growing up and coming behind us. Let us fight, not with violence but with love; let us fight with compassion; let us fight with understanding and empathy; let us fight with unity; let us fight with integrity; let us fight with all the things that make us great.”

I.D.E.A.S. Division (Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, Anti-Racism, and Support Services) helps students explore the Lawrentian Community’s diverse cultural heritage.

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Fox Cities Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration returns to in-person at Memorial Chapel

Communications — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 14:56:52 +0000

The 33rd Fox Cities Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration will be held Jan. 15 in �鶹ӰԺ University’s Memorial Chapel. The event, set for 6 to 7:30 p.m., marks a return to an in-person celebration after several years of being held online.

Presented by �鶹ӰԺ University in partnership with People of Progression, Appleton Area School District, United Way Fox Cities, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley, and the City of Appleton, the event celebrates the vision and legacy of the civil rights icon.

Jan. 15 is MLK Day, a federal holiday in the United States, observed on the third Monday of January each year.

“We are excited to be back to an in-person event for the first time since Covid,” said Lissette Cruz-Jiménez, director of �鶹ӰԺ’s Diversity and Intercultural Center and a lead organizer of the MLK Celebration. “We look forward to having the community join us.”

Cainan Davenport takes part in a Transformational Leaders of Color event at �鶹ӰԺ University in early 2023. He will be the keynote speaker at the Jan. 15 Fox Cities MLK Celebration. (Photo by Danny Damiani)

Cainan Davenport, president of the Appleton-based People of Progression, will deliver the keynote address, “We Have a Dream.”

Dr. Adriana McCleer, community partnerships supervisor with the Appleton Public Library, will serve as the highlight speaker. The 2024 Jane LaChapelle McCarty MLK Community Leader Award and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educator Award will be presented. Musical performances will include NOIR, a �鶹ӰԺ University student group. Star Scholars will present music and poetry.

The MLK Celebration is free and open to the public.

I.D.E.A.S. Division (Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, Anti-Racism, and Support Services) helps students explore the Lawrentian Community’s diverse cultural heritage.

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10 Lawrentians we met in 2023: Creative, dedicated, and passionate

Communications — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 19:04:15 +0000

One of the joys of working in Communications is the opportunity to get to know and write about amazing Lawrentians—alumni, faculty, staff, and students. As 2023 draws to a close, we are celebrating 10 stories from the year that showcase the work, vision, creativity, and passion of the people who make up this community.

We selected 10, but there are many more to be found on the news site at lawrence.edu.

More from �鶹ӰԺ in 2023: A gallery of photographer’s 20 favorite images��Ի� 5 favorite videos of the year.

Bonnie Alger ’06

Bonnie Alger ’06: We caught up with Alger shortly after she made a bit of history, being named Officer-in-Charge of The United States Army Chorus, one of the military’s elite performance groups. She became the first woman to lead the unit in its 66-year history.

Alger had been on campus in the summer of 2022, taking part in Reunion festivities and celebrating her ongoing bonds with �鶹ӰԺ. She credits faculty in the Conservatory with fueling her journey.

“In some cases, I’m not sure how they knew I’d be good at certain things because as a 20-year-old, I wasn’t sure I’d be good at it,” she said. “I wasn’t first chair; I wasn’t singing all the solos in choir; but I was actively engaged, and they all saw something and pulled that out of me.”

Natalie Fordwor ’12

Natalie Fordwor ’12: We connected with Fordwor from her office in Accra, Ghana, where she runs WonderspacED, a business she founded to bring an interdisciplinary approach to elementary education, heavy on lessons of Ghanaian history, geography, and culture. She hosts a children’s television show, The Wonderspaced Show, that airs across Ghana, Nigeria, and beyond.

“The interdisciplinary approach totally informs what I do,” said Fordwor, who also works as an adjunct lecturer at Ashesi University in Accra. “I know the experience at �鶹ӰԺ was definitely influential in all this. I was tired of seeing science on one side, arts on another side. That tends to happen in our curriculum in Ghana. Not just Ghana, but lots of places. Seeing the liberal arts at work at �鶹ӰԺ, I knew it could be better here.”

Adam Galambos

Adam Galambos: The Dwight and Marjorie Peterson Professor of Innovation and associate professor of economics at �鶹ӰԺ has been busy. In addition to his teaching, he played a key role in launching the business and entrepreneurship major and leading the planning for experiential learning spaces in the Fox Commons development project. We featured Galambos in our On Main Hall Green With … series, which showcases �鶹ӰԺ’s brilliant faculty. We’ve featured 57 faculty in the series to date, with more on tap beginning in Winter Term.

“I made a deliberate choice to come to teach at a liberal arts college because I believe in the philosophy of education that we embrace here,” Galambos said. “Learning at a liberal arts college is a community experience that happens through engaging with each other’s ideas, perspectives, and opinions. So, first and foremost, I am looking for intellectual engagement, thinking, questioning, and dialogue in my classes.”

Esteli Gomez

Estelí Gomez and Catherine Walby: We caught up with these two Conservatory faculty members when they launched a new one-unit course focused on the art of practice. Gomez, a voice professor, and Walby, a teacher of piano and lecturer of music, recruited professors and coaches from across the �鶹ӰԺ landscape to lend their expertise to the How to Practice conversation. The course drew rave reviews.

“I find that the Con and LU Athletics have so many similarities that don’t always get recognition,” said men’s hockey coach Brett Wall, who joined José L. Encarnación, director of jazz studies, as guest lecturers in a session on practicing as a team. “The only difference is the Con calls it a rehearsal and a performance and Athletics calls it a practice and a game.”

Added Gomez: “Every single visiting lecturer has provided an ‘aha’ moment to take into the practice week. For me as a practicing musician, and also as someone who practices teaching, I couldn’t be more grateful for the chance to organize for and be a part of this collective of people who are committed to their practice at �鶹ӰԺ.”

Hannah Jones ’22

Hannah Jeané Jones ’22: Months after graduating from �鶹ӰԺ with a Bachelor of Music degree, Jones found herself on national television as a cohort member of opera legend Denyce Graves’ Shared Voices program. A graduate student at Manhattan School of Music in New York City, Jones was invited into the Shared Voices program, which brings together students at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), several major conservatories, and the Metropolitan Opera. The program was featured on ABC’s Good Morning America.

“This bridge between HBCUs and conservatories creates the opportunity to gain immeasurable and priceless knowledge of classical music—more specifically the indelible imprint of Black artists in classical music—through each institution whether it be the extensive libraries at Howard University or ethnomusicologists at Juilliard,” Jones said. “All in all, Denyce Graves is breaking ground with this program, and I believe she has created something that will last for generations to come.”

Josh Sawyer ’98

Josh Sawyer ’98: Early in 2023, we featured Sawyer’s innovative work as a video game designer at Obsidian Entertainment, an Xbox Game Studios subsidiary. That work included the development of the award-winning Pentiment, a historical role-playing game. Sawyer sought out his former history professor at �鶹ӰԺ, Edmund Kern, to serve as a consultant to maintain accuracy in the world-building of a game centered on 16th century Bavaria.

Pentiment won Best Narrative in the 2023 Game Developers Choice Awards and earned multiple other nominations, including game-of-the-year.

��Pentiment, my actual specific education has been very valuable, but the thing when I talk to younger designers who are getting started in the gaming industry, the thing I tell them is the most valuable skill they can have is the ability to make good decisions, and that requires critical-thinking skills,” Sawyer said. “I think my �鶹ӰԺ education more than anything gave me that foundation.”

Rosa Tapia

Rosa Tapia: The professor of Spanish at �鶹ӰԺ has long been involved in working with the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) Spanish Language & Culture program. In 2023, she took that involvement to a new level, beginning a four-year term as the national chief academic consultant for AP Spanish—affectionately known as the “chief reader.” The work elevates Tapia and �鶹ӰԺ in a program that connects with hundreds of thousands of high school students and more than 2,600 colleges and universities.

“For many, the AP Spanish program serves as a gateway to other AP classes, a strong incentive to pursue a college education, and a reliable predictor of future academic success and degree completion,” Tapia said. “Through my role, I aim to contribute to increased access to higher education for underrepresented communities.”

Bohdan Tataryn ’26

Bohdan Tataryn ’26: Tataryn, a talented piano student from Ukraine, was midway through his first year at �鶹ӰԺ when he talked with us about his experiences. Russia’s attack on Ukraine had upended his college plans. Connections his mother had in Wisconsin eventually led him to �鶹ӰԺ. Getting from there to here was a journey all its own.

“During those months of preparing to come here, I kept saying, ‘What have I done?’” Tataryn said. “At first, I couldn’t even understand, oh my God, I’m going to the U.S. to a university. I thought I was dreaming. It couldn’t be like that. It all happened very quickly.”

�鶹ӰԺ welcomed him with open arms: “Everyone was, and still is, very nice to me,” Tataryn said. “I don’t know if it is because of my accent or if people here are just nice. It was not difficult to get used to life here.”

Charlie Wetzel ’23

Charlie Wetzel ’23: A studio art major from Madison, Wetzel became the 78th Lawrentian to receive a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship over the past 53 years. She was one of 42 graduating college seniors selected as part of the 2023 Watson class. Wetzel’s year-long �ɲ��Ի��Ჹ��of independent travel and exploration, supported by the $40,000 fellowship, takes her to Iceland, India, Thailand, Mexico, The Netherlands, and Germany, pursuing “The Art of the Transgender Life,” where she explores the intersections between art, gender, national identity, and public policy.

“My art practice is the single most important thing to me,” Wetzel said. “I spend all my free time making art, and when I am not able to be in the Wriston Art Center or the Makerspace physically working on a project, I am reading, talking, learning, and thinking about art. I am totally obsessed. All my work centers around trans ontology—it is all about how and why trans people exist, and it celebrates the beauty of trans life.”

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Staff members honored for ‘commitment to brilliance’ at annual awards reception

Communications — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 14:13:14 +0000

�鶹ӰԺ University honored staff members for significant service milestones and exemplary work during a staff awards reception held Nov. 30 in Warch Campus Center.

President Laurie A. Carter called those being honored examples of the “talent and commitment to brilliance that makes this university so remarkable.”

Forty-two employees were honored for service milestones ranging from five to 50 years.

The annual staff awards included two Presidential Awards of Excellence—one for a team and one for an individual—as well as a Kindness Award, a First-Year Impact Award, and a Diversity Champion Award.

From left: Juan Arguello, Steph Knoppa, President Laurie Carter, and Kristi Koshuta.

President’s Award of Excellence – Team

The team award was presented by Carter to the New Student Orientation Team, led by Kristi Koshuta, first-year dean, Juan Arguello, second-year dean, and Steph Knoppa, director of residential education and housing.

That group, working with partners across campus, reimagined Welcome Week for incoming students, putting a focus on building connections.

“They played games, they made things, they learned things, they visited the downtown, and they had fun, all while getting to know the campus and the community they now call home,” Carter said. “When it came time to walk through the Arch on their way to the President’s Welcome, the students found the sidewalks lined with faculty, staff, family, and friends greeting them with enthusiasm. The message was clear: We are excited you are here, and we are here to support you on your �鶹ӰԺ journey. What a beautiful sight that was to see.”

In addition to Welcome Week, the New Student Orientation Team implemented a platform for parent involvement and communications; facilitated an open forum for incoming students and their supporters; held a series of orientation webinars and other communications to help ease the transition; and created a nighttime program for incoming students to socialize and become more comfortable with campus.

“Thank you, Kristi, Juan, Steph, and all the Lawrentians you partnered with to make this such an outstanding welcome for our newest students,” Carter said. “You have raised the bar.”

Jacklyn Fischer

President’s Award of Excellence – Individual

Jacklyn Fischer, director of academic advising, received the individual award from Carter. Fischer transitioned into her current role a little more than a year ago and has helped to transform academic advising across campus.

“She has brought a fresh perspective and best practices into every aspect of the work—from rethinking when new students register for classes, to revising how summer advising works, to developing more robust training for our faculty advisors,” Carter said. “She has thought holistically to improve the advising experience for both students and faculty.”

Fischer has worked with partners across campus to create a more unified, coordinated, and effective pathway through academic advising. Her position requires her to be a connector, working with a broad range of staff and faculty. She has demonstrated leadership that drives innovation and provides support necessary to bring about effective change.

“She listens, she contributes thoughtfully, and she asks good questions,” Carter said. “And Jacklyn always puts the student experience front and center.”

Fischer was unable to attend the reception.

Alan Jahnke and President Laurie Carter.

Kindness Award

The 2023 Kindness Award was presented to Alan Jahnke, technology specialist. He was selected for his positive attitude and ability to get work done across campus while treating colleagues with kindness and respect.

“Whether solving technology issues, providing training, or installing new equipment in offices across campus, Alan always does it with patience, a smile, and words of encouragement,” Diana Hernandez, human resources manager, said in presenting the award.

Sara Holtzman and President Laurie Carter.

First-Year Impact Award

The First-Year Impact Award was given to Sara Holtzman, director of equity and Title IX coordinator. She has brought insight, compassion, and empathy to this vital role on campus.

“She has made a difference in a very short amount of time, gaining the trust of the �鶹ӰԺ community, providing important education on issues related to equity and Title IX, and providing insightful leadership,” Hernandez said.

Noemi Delgado and President Laurie Carter.

Diversity Champion Award

The Diversity Champion Award was presented to Noemi Delgado, director of Accessibility Services. She has helped make the Accessibility Services office an integral part of the I.D.E.A.S. Division, and she serves as �鶹ӰԺ’s Americans with Disabilities (ADA) coordinator. She has worked to unify responsibilities that were previously split among numerous offices, making it much easier for a student’s accommodation needs to be quickly and effectively addressed.

“This award recognizes Noemi’s leadership in diversity-related work through advocating for change while working in partnership with others to create a community that embraces all aspects of diversity,” Hernandez said. “She meets challenges with professionalism, grace, and compassion, all while creating greater accountability in the accommodations process.”

Service Awards

Service milestone honorees included:

50 years

Michael Ratsch, teacher of percussion

35 years

Scott Lefeber, general maintenance assistant
Carrie Gray, teacher of chamber music and music theory
Joseph Hollenback, senior custodian

30 years

Mary Van De Loo, director of �鶹ӰԺ Community Music School
Kin Chau, teacher of viola and violin

25 years

Michael Rivers, teacher of piano
John Barnabo, senior custodian

20 years

Colette Lunday Brautigam, digital collections librarian and assistant professor
Jennifer Ann Hada, manager of �鶹ӰԺ Youth String Orchestra
Roza Borisova, teacher of cello

15 years

Andrew Fleek, head men’s and women’s swimming and diving coach and director of aquatics
Benjamin Campbell, director of alumni engagement and giving
Benjamin Willard, senior systems analyst
Brian Pertl, dean of the Conservatory of Music
David Van Ark, custodian
Erin Chudacoff, executive director of donor engagement
Helen Boyd Kramer, affinity group coordinator and instructor of First-Year Studies
Monita Mohammadian Gray, dean of Academic Success
Nathan Froehlich, network technician
Nori Kalman, teacher of violin
Rosie Cannizzo, director of Conservatory Operations
Tim Jack, general maintenance mechanic

10 years

Amy Kester, associate vice president of Leadership and Institutional Giving
Bartholomew Boge, lead campus safety officer
Anthony Skolaski, plumber
Trevor O’Brien, assistant director of Facilities Operations-Custodial Services
Jessica Hart, assistant director of budget and planning
Jacklyn Hittner, artistic director, Girl Choir program
Joseph King, assistant vice president of Facilities Operations
Tim Bolz, custodian

5 years

Alex Baldschun, assistant director of prospect research
Angi Long, registrar
Chris Kubs, lead custodian
Jedidiah Rex, instructional designer and technologist
Joe Sagar, head women’s soccer coach
Jose Lozano, Film Studies program support coordinator
Shelby Rae, Human Resources coordinator
Shelly Krueger, senior systems analyst
Terra Winston-Sage, Julie Esch Hurvis Dean of Spiritual and Religious Life and university chaplain

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