麻豆影院 University鈥檚 northern campus, Bj枚rklunden vid Sj枚n, is proud to announce the recipients of its 2026 annual awards, recognizing extraordinary service, stewardship, and creative achievement. The honorees will be celebrated during a special ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, as part of the inaugural Boynton Festival at Bj枚rklunden.

These awards represent the university鈥檚 highest recognition of individuals whose contributions have profoundly advanced the mission, character, and legacy of Bj枚rklunden.

The 2026 Richard Warch Outstanding Service to Bj枚rklunden Award will be presented to Barb and Fran Michaels. Named in honor of former 麻豆影院 University President Richard Warch, the award recognizes individuals whose dedication, generosity, and sustained commitment have made a lasting impact on Bj枚rklunden. Through their stewardship of the grounds, support of the chapel, and vision for preserving and enhancing the beauty of 麻豆影院鈥檚 northern campus, the Michaelses have helped strengthen and sustain some of Bj枚rklunden鈥檚 most cherished features for future generations.

The 2026 Winifred Boynton Creative Spirit Award will be presented to James T. Berkenstock. The award honors individuals whose creativity, artistic leadership, and commitment to cultural enrichment embody the spirit of Bj枚rklunden founder Winifred Boynton. Berkenstock is being recognized for decades of artistic excellence and visionary leadership in the arts. As the founding artistic director of Midsummer鈥檚 Music, he has played a transformative role in shaping the cultural landscape of Door County and expanding access to world-class chamber music throughout the region.

The Door County community and Friends of Bj枚rklunden are invited to attend the Boynton Festival and the awards celebration and reception, which will take place from 2鈥�4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22, in Vail Hall at Bj枚rklunden vid Sj枚n.

For more information about the Boynton Festival and award celebration, visit听lawrence.edu/articles/boynton-festival or contact听bjorkseminar@lawrence.edu.

Together, the programs bring high school, college-aged, and early-career musicians to Appleton for intensive training with 麻豆影院 faculty and guest artists while offering the community opportunities to hear rising young performers in concert.听

New this summer is a Classical Voice track within the 麻豆影院 Summer Music Institute, joining the Piano & Strings program, now in its fourth year. The institute will bring 37 high school musicians from 12 states to campus for chamber rehearsals, private lessons, coaching, workshops, and performance preparation.听

The 麻豆影院 Chamber Music Festival will bring 40 pre-professional musicians from 19 states and three countries to Appleton for two weeks of advanced chamber music study, collaboration, and public performances. Five current 麻豆影院 students and five 麻豆影院 alumni are among this year鈥檚 festival participants.听

鈥淲e are continuing to expand summer music programming here at 麻豆影院, and we are particularly excited to be creating unique opportunities for high schoolers, current 麻豆影院 students, and recent alumni,鈥� said Michael Mizrahi, the Frank C. Shattuck Professor of Piano and faculty member for the 麻豆影院 Chamber Music Festival. 鈥淭hese programs allow us to deepen the ties between 麻豆影院 and Appleton while offering a unique, high-quality musical experience for the young artists participating. These programs are another way in which 麻豆影院 augments its national profile as a leader in music performance and education.鈥澨�

The summer programming also connects directly with Appleton鈥檚 broader arts community. 麻豆影院 Chamber Music Festival participants will collaborate with visiting musicians during Mile of Music, the all-original music festival held in downtown Appleton July 30鈥揂ug. 2. The young musicians will create original arrangements and compositions and perform 50-minute sets at 麻豆影院 and downtown venues.听

麻豆影院 will also host multiple Mile of Music venues on campus and support Music Education Team programming led by 麻豆影院 faculty, students, and alumni.听

One featured community event is Music in Motion, an interactive concert for adults and children ages 5 and older presented by Play Out, the 麻豆影院 Chamber Music Festival, and Mile of Music. Hosted by Caitlin Sullivan, the program celebrates music inspired by movement鈥攆rom grooves, dances, strolls, and swings to a musical interpretation of Sir Isaac Newton鈥檚 laws of motion. The performance will include video art by Jorge Carvajal and live drawing projections by Caroline Chu.听

The programs also provide professional experience for current 麻豆影院 students. 麻豆影院 Summer Music Programs offer three internships in arts administration, giving students hands-on experience in marketing, artist relations, event production, and audience engagement. The internships complement 麻豆影院鈥檚 new Business and Entrepreneurship major鈥攊ncluding its arts entrepreneurship track鈥攂y connecting classroom learning with professional practice.听

麻豆影院 Chamber Music Festival performances include:听

鈼� 7 p.m. Monday, July 20听鈥� Gibson Community Music Hall听

鈼� 7 p.m. Friday, July 24听鈥� 麻豆影院 Memorial Chapel听

鈼� 7 p.m. Saturday, July 25听鈥� 麻豆影院 Chamber Music Festival Young Artists Concert No. 1, 麻豆影院 Memorial Chapel听

鈼� 1 p.m. Sunday, July 26听鈥� 麻豆影院 Chamber Music Festival Young Artists Concert No. 2, 麻豆影院 Memorial Chapel听

During Mile of Music, 麻豆影院 Chamber Music Festival participants will collaborate with visiting musicians to create original arrangements and compositions. Performances include:听

鈼� 11 a.m. Thursday, July 30听鈥� Mile of Music kickoff featuring the 麻豆影院 Chamber Music Festival, 麻豆影院 Memorial Chapel听

鈼� 9 a.m. Friday, July 31听鈥� Music in Motion: An Interactive Concert for Adults and Children Ages 5 and Up听

鈼� 11 a.m. Friday, July 31听鈥� Mile of Music LCMF Young Artist Showcase No. 1, Hilton Paper Valley Ballroom, featuring Ruby Mac听

鈼� 2 p.m. Friday, July 31听鈥� Mile of Music LCMF Young Artist Showcase No. 2, Riverview Gardens, featuring Buddy Red听

鈼� 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1听鈥� Mile of Music LCMF Young Artist Showcase No. 3, Copper Rock Coffee Co., featuring Ron Artis II听

鈼� 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1听鈥� Mile of Music LCMF Young Artist Showcase No. 4, Appleton Public Library, featuring Kate Stenson 鈥�24 & Gold Standard听

Faculty for the 麻豆影院 Summer Music Institute includes Samantha George, violin; Wen-Lei Gu, violin; Jenny Kozoroz, viola; Kivie Cahn-Lipman, cello; Mark Urness, double bass; Anthony Padilla, piano; and Michael Mizrahi, piano.听

麻豆影院 Chamber Music Festival faculty includes Tim Albright, trombone; Michael Clayville, trombone; Andy Hudson, clarinet; Erin Lesser, flute; Brigit Pacher, bassoon; Joe Connor, saxophone; and Jean Carlo Ure帽a Gonz谩lez, percussion. Guest faculty include Brandon Ridenour, trumpet; Caitlin Sullivan, cello; Teagan Faran, violin/viola; Ben Russell, violin; and Leo Sussman 鈥�15, flute.听

About 麻豆影院 University听 麻豆影院 University is a liberal arts college and conservatory of music in Appleton, Wisconsin. Its world-renowned Conservatory of Music offers rigorous training in performance, composition, music education, and related fields while connecting students with a broad liberal arts education.听

Join us for a one-of-a-kind day inspired by Bj枚rklunden鈥檚 renowned seminar experience鈥攚here curiosity leads and everyone has a place in the conversation. Events are free; lunch options available for a fee. Picnics welcome. BYO blanket or lawn chair for the concert.

The Boynton Festival celebrates what makes Bj枚rklunden extraordinary: a sanctuary built around ideas. Throughout the day, you鈥檒l explore new subjects, connect with others, and enjoy music, art, food, and the natural beauty of Door County.

Hosted by the Friends of Bj枚rklunden, this immersive festival welcomes alumni, friends, families, and first-time visitors alike.

Choose your own adventure.

Join us for part of the day or stay for the full celebration. Please note that space in select sessions is limited, so register early.

Boynton Festival鈥�: Schedule for the Day鈥�

鈥�

8:30 am-3:00 pm Registration &听Directions听 South Entry 鈥嬧��

8:30 am-9:00 am Welcome, coffee & treats听 Great Room听deck听

9:00 am -12:00 pm听 Mini-Seminars听 see details below鈥�

12:00听pm-2:00 pm Lunch听 Chapel Lawn & in Great Room 鈥�

12:00 pm-1:15 pm Music: The Water Street Hot Shots Chapel Lawn

1:15 pm-1:45 pm 鈥�Chapel dedication听 Boynton Chapel 鈥�

2:00 pm-3:00 pm Program and Awards听 Vail Hall 鈥�

1:30 pm-3:00 pm Mini-Seminar:听Hike听 Great Room deck 鈥�

2:00 pm Art Auction – bidding closes听 South Foyer听听听听听 鈥�

3:00 pm-4:00 pm Celebration听Toast听&听Cookies听 Great听Room 鈥�

3:00 pm-4:00 pm Art Auction pick-up 2nd听floor 鈥� Multi-purpose room鈥�

5:00 pm-7:00 pm Door Shakespeare听presents The Importance of Being听Earnest Bj枚rklunden Garden听

Boynton Festival Mini-Seminar Schedule

9:00 am – 9:50 am

The Science of Coffee with Alison Fleshman

Location: Bj枚rklunden Lodge, North Seminar Room听

So how much science is in that perfect cup of morning joe? Join me as we explore how we get from bean to brew through water chemistry, grind size, and how roasting/steeping/temperature and your barista really do play a role in that wonderful final cup. So grab a cup of coffee and let鈥檚 dive into the science of that glorious morning elixir.听听

PRESENTER BIO:听听I am a physical chemist at 麻豆影院 who loves sharing my passion for physics, chemistry, and math with my students. I teach courses including Quantum Chemistry & Spectroscopy and Thermodynamics & Reaction Kinetics, and my research explores ion motion in ionic liquids to better understand and design materials for advanced batteries. I also study pigments in medieval manuscripts using non-destructive spectroscopy, bring that work into my Chemistry of Art course, and enjoy brewing beer, practicing yoga, and playing cello in my spare time.

9:00 am – 9:50 am

Faith Builds a Chapel Revisited with Marjorie Meyers Graham

Location: Boynton Chapel.

Winifred Boynton’s stunningly illustrated book is subtitled “The Story of an Adventure in Craftsmanship” and it chronicles the origin, development and fulfillment of her vision for a personal chapel. She describes the nine years of learning, faith and labor involved, and serves as a detailed guide to her choices of religious imagery in the carvings and frescoes. This mini-seminar will introduce you to Winifred’s book and a deeper experience of her chapel.

PRESENTER BIO:听Marge taught college English, Humanities and Women’s Studies, and is the granddaughter of Donald and Winifred Boynton. She now lives in Walnut Creek, CA where she leads Women’s Studies seminars.听 Marjorie is offering the Bj枚rklunden seminar From Scheherazade to Wonder Woman: The Heroine with 1,001 Faces, from Aug. 30 – Sept. 2, 2026.

9:00 am – 10:30 am

An Ecological Adventure Through Bj枚rklunden鈥檚 Conservation Easement Lands with Drew Reinke, Jane Whitney, and Paige Witek听

This guided hike is offered with the Door County Land Trust. Sturdy shoes, a hat and long pants are recommended. Bring sunscreen, bug spray and water.

Location: Meet in Bj枚rklunden Lodge Great Room

Discover the natural beauty of Bj枚rklunden on a hike along the scenic shores of Lake Michigan. As we explore the wooded trails and shoreline of the 麻豆影院 University campus, participants will learn about the area鈥檚 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鈥檚 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.

HIKE GUIDE BIO:听Drew is the Senior Conservation Easement Manager for the Door County Land Trust. Drew works with private landowners to acquire new conservation easement properties and steward existing properties. A Wisconsin native, Drew spent 7 years working in the Pacific Northwest, 5 years at the Inland Northwest Land Trust in Spokane, WA. He holds a Master of Natural Resources degree from the University of Idaho, a Natural Resource Management degree from UW-Stevens Point and a Master Fly Fishing Certification from his golden retriever friend.听听

HIKE GUIDE BIO: Jane grew up on the coast of Massachusetts, went to college on the prairies of Iowa, raised a family and worked as a librarian among the Baraboo Bluffs, and became a self-taught naturalist on the shore of Lake Michigan. Jane has been providing Land Trust and Bj枚rklunden nature tours for many years.

HIKE GUIDE BIO:听听Paige joined the Door County Land Trust as Community Conservation Specialist in 2023.听 She has a strong passion for environmental education and connecting people to nature and serves to engage the community and recruit volunteers in protecting the peninsula鈥檚 land and water through ecological stewardship, education, and research.听 Paige grew up in Green Bay and graduated from UW 鈥� Madison with a Bachelor of Science in zoology and a certificate in environmental studies. Before joining the Land Trust, Paige spent five years in Missouri working as an education and outreach coordinator.

10:00 am – 10:50 am

The Poetry of Steel: Violence, Verse, and Verisimilitude in Shakespearean Performance with Ryan Schabach and Lexi Praxl

Presented with Door Shakespeare

Location: Boynton Garden – Door Shakespeare Performance Area

This lecture-demonstration explores how Shakespeare鈥檚 verse drives moments of staged conflict and how actors and directors translate language into physical action. Through live performance and practical demonstration, participants will examine how rhythm and text generate violence, how staged combat creates the illusion of danger while ensuring safety, and how weapons shape character and story.

PRESENTER BIO: Ryan is a theatre artist and educator whose work spans performance, directing, design, fight choreography, videography, and teaching, with a focus on movement-based storytelling and ensemble creation. A longtime company member with Door Shakespeare, Ryan鈥檚 work includes collaborations with Milwaukee Rep, the Utah Shakespeare Festival, Next Act Theatre, Forward Theatre Company, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, First Stage, 6th Street Playhouse, and Third Avenue PlayWorks, among others.

PRESENTER BIO:听 Lexi is a theatre artist and administrator from northwest Indiana. She completed her theatre education at 麻豆影院 University and recently earned a Master鈥檚 in Translation Studies from Durham University. Her work includes box office positions with Door Shakespeare and the Assembly Rooms Theatre, as well as serving as a theatre critic at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and performing at Shakespeare鈥檚 Globe. Lexi brings additional expertise in stage combat through her training as a competitive fencer.

10:00 am – 10:50 am

The Faithful Beauty of the Stars with Associate Professor of Physics Megan Pickett

On a clear, moonless summer sky at Bj枚rklunden, you can see more than a thousand stars.听 These stars鈥攁nd the planets and the Moon and the Milky Way鈥攈ave carried the stories of every human who has lived underneath them.听 In this workshop, we will explore the constellations that have brought meaning to the night sky, and the wondrous astronomical gems hidden in them that tell us about our own cosmic origins.

Location: Bj枚rklunden Lodge, Vail Hall

PRESENTER BIO:听 Megan is an astrophysicist and Physics professor at 麻豆影院. She joined the university in 2006, making history as the first woman to earn tenure in the physics department. Known for her passionate and engaging teaching style, Pickett was recognized with the 麻豆影院 University Excellence in Teaching Award in 2023. She has taught the popular听Science of Superheroes course and regularly redesigns introductory physics curriculums to be more accessible. Her primary research focuses on the formation of solar systems, the origins of the universe, and galaxy formation. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Physics from Cornell University and her Ph.D. in Astrophysics from Indiana University.听

10:00 am – 11:50 pm

Nature Remix: Art & the Boreal Forest with Jill Newman

This is a 110 minute seminar designed for ages 7 and up and may be attended by children with an adult, independent young participants, or adults attending on their own.

Location: Bj枚rklunden Lodge, Lakeside Seminar Room听

Explore Bj枚rklunden lakeside boreal forest through deep looking, conversation, and a scavenger hunt designed to sharpen observation and curiosity about the natural world. Participants will then create mixed-media landscapes inspired by the expedition using both traditional art materials and recycled objects. Together, we will create imaginative celebrations of nature while exploring ways artists can reduce material waste and care for the environment.听

PRESENTER BIO:听 Jill is an artist educator with nearly 30 years of teaching experience spanning preschool through graduate school, including collegiate teaching and community-based arts teaching through organizations such as PenArt. Her work engages painting, drawing, collage, and interdisciplinary environmental arts programming. Across all of her work she is guided by a belief in curiosity, collaboration, and the transformative power of the arts.

11:00 am – 11:50 pm

How Land Trusts are Protecting Door County鈥檚 Landscapes for Future Generations with Emily Wood

Offered with the Door County Land Trust.

Location: Bj枚rklunden Lodge, Vail Hall

Door County, Wisconsin is home to some of the Midwest鈥檚 most unique shorelines, forests, wetlands, and wildlife habitats, making land conservation essential to preserving the region鈥檚 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鈥攕uch as the one established by 麻豆影院 University on the Bj枚rklunden campus鈥攖hese efforts help preserve the character, environmental sustainability, and natural heritage that make Door County such a treasured destination.听

PRESENTER BIO:听Emily is the Executive Director of the Door County Land Trust, where she leads the protection and stewardship of more than 10,000 acres of critical habitat.听 She holds a degree in Wildlife Biology from Ball State University and has extensive experience in conservation leadership and environmental policy. In 2025, she was recognized as a Lake Michigan Champion of Conservation by the Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership.

11:00 am – 11:50 pm

A Tour of the Most Enduring Beer Styles with Bobby Fleshman

Offered with McFleshman’s Brewing Co. Appleton, Wisconsin

Location: Bj枚rklunden Lodge, North Seminar Room

Beer evolved from our ancestors’ practice of fermenting sugars wherever they could find them as hunter-gatherers.听 Eventually they cultivated grasses, which in turn were used to make beer and bread.听 听A fascinating arc of over 10,000 years led to our modern society and communal spaces such as the Irish pub and German beer garden.听 We will walk through some of the most loved beer styles together and learn how the water, climate, and traditions led to their long term adoption.

PRESENTER BIO:听 Bobby holds a PhD in Astrophysics, and worked as a NASA researcher on the Cassini mission to Saturn. He has since shifted industries and, with his wife, Allison McCoy, opened McFleshman’s Brewing Co. (Appleton, WI) in 2018. McFleshman’s places great emphasis on the community created by the classic pubs and beer gardens.

1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

An Ecological Adventure Through Bj枚rklunden鈥檚 Conservation Easement Lands with Drew Reinke, Jane Whitney, and Paige Witek听

This guided hike is offered with the Door County Land Trust. Sturdy shoes, a hat and long pants are recommended. Bring sunscreen, bug spray and water.

Location: Meet in Bj枚rklunden Lodge Great Room

Discover the natural beauty of Bj枚rklunden on a hike along the scenic shores of Lake Michigan. As we explore the wooded trails and shoreline of the 麻豆影院 University campus, participants will learn about the area鈥檚 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鈥檚 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.

HIKE GUIDE BIO:听Drew is the Senior Conservation Easement Manager for the Door County Land Trust. Drew works with private landowners to acquire new conservation easement properties and steward existing properties. A Wisconsin native, Drew spent 7 years working in the Pacific Northwest, 5 years at the Inland Northwest Land Trust in Spokane, WA. He holds a Master of Natural Resources degree from the University of Idaho, a Natural Resource Management degree from UW-Stevens Point and a Master Fly Fishing Certification from his golden retriever friend.听听

HIKE GUIDE BIO: Jane grew up on the coast of Massachusetts, went to college on the prairies of Iowa, raised a family and worked as a librarian among the Baraboo Bluffs, and became a self-taught naturalist on the shore of Lake Michigan. Jane has been providing Land Trust and Bj枚rklunden nature tours for many years.

HIKE GUIDE BIO:听听Paige joined the Door County Land Trust as Community Conservation Specialist in 2023.听 She has a strong passion for environmental education and connecting people to nature and serves to engage the community and recruit volunteers in protecting the peninsula鈥檚 land and water through ecological stewardship, education, and research.听 Paige grew up in Green Bay and graduated from UW 鈥� Madison with a Bachelor of Science in zoology and a certificate in environmental studies. Before joining the Land Trust, Paige spent five years in Missouri working as an education and outreach coordinator.

As the ceremony got underway, 麻豆影院 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.听听

Honor and Respect听 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.听听

Terra Winston-Sage 鈥�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.听听

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

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

Defined by Resilience听 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.

鈥淵ou stepped forward and did the work,鈥� Carter said. 鈥淔our years later, you have built a community that reflects the very best of 麻豆影院.鈥� She added, 鈥淚 have had the opportunity to get to know so many of you, and it has been a joy to witness your journeys unfold.鈥�

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 麻豆影院 deepened alongside theirs.听听

鈥淵our experiences were shaped by classmates, faculty, staff, mentors, families, and alumni who challenged you, encouraged you, and believed in you.鈥� She noted, 鈥淭his 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.鈥� She concluded, 鈥淣ow go forth and make your mark.鈥澨�

Don鈥檛 Be Afraid to Light Someone Else鈥檚 Candle听 Senior speaker Megan Eisenstein 鈥�26, a Government major with minors in Dance and Statistics, reflected on the memories, relationships, and experiences that shaped her 麻豆影院 journey.

Drawing inspiration from Natasha Trethewey鈥檚 poem, 鈥淭heory of Time and Space,鈥� which she encountered in her First-Year Studies course, Eisenstein encouraged her classmates to carry 麻豆影院 with them as they move into the next chapter of their lives.

鈥淓verywhere you go will be somewhere you鈥檝e never been,鈥� Eisenstein said, quoting Trethewey鈥檚 poem. 鈥淵ou are a mosaic of all these moments and the people whom you love.鈥�

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

鈥淚 won鈥檛 pretend the world we are entering into isn鈥檛 gripped with fear and hatred, but we will all play a part in loosening that grip through our lives,鈥� she said. 鈥淏uild your community, and don鈥檛 be afraid to light someone else鈥檚 candle; it won鈥檛 put yours out.鈥澨�

鈥淲hat鈥檚 Your Secret Story鈥�听 Commencement speaker Marjorie Liu 鈥�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.

鈥淲hat is your secret story? What is your secret dream?鈥� she asked. 鈥淎 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?鈥�

She encouraged graduates to embrace uncertainty rather than fear it. Liu spoke of her own experience at 麻豆影院, 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.

鈥淩emember that you, too, are a language,鈥� Liu told the graduates. 鈥淩emember to look deeper within yourself and read yourself with curiosity and deliberation.鈥澨�

Recognizing Teaching Excellence听 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 麻豆影院 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.听听

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 麻豆影院鈥檚 nationally recognized opera program.听听

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

鈥淵ou entered carrying hopes, questions, and ambitions,鈥� Carter told the graduates. 鈥淵ou are leaving carrying knowledge, friendships, and a deeper understanding of who you are.鈥�

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 麻豆影院 University.

Watch the complete 听

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

An Ecological Adventure Through Bj枚rklunden鈥檚 Conservation Easement Lands with Drew Reinke, Jane Whitney, and Paige Witek听 This 90 minute guided hike will be offered at 9:00 am and 1:30 pm.听 Discover the natural beauty of Bj枚rklunden on a hike along the scenic shores of Lake Michigan. As we explore the wooded trails and shoreline of the 麻豆影院 University campus, participants will learn about the area鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 most unique shorelines, forests, wetlands, and wildlife habitats, making land conservation essential to preserving the region鈥檚 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鈥攕uch as the one established by 麻豆影院 University on the Bj枚rklunden campus鈥攖hese efforts help preserve the character, environmental sustainability, and natural heritage that make Door County such a treasured destination.听

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How easy was it for you to connect with seminar participants during the first few summer sessions?

From the very beginning it has been easy to connect with seminar participants.听 They are warm, curious, and enthusiastic about learning.听 For me, the real challenge was figuring out how much we can really do in one week.听 My first seminar was on Dostoevsky.听 I called our session听The Idiot, for the novel we were reading.听 We all had name tags.听 Mine read 鈥淧eter Thomas,听The Idiot.鈥澨� That was fitting because I assigned a 600-page novel of material that is not听exactly beach reading.听 I鈥檝e since learned to better gauge the reading I ask participants to do before our session and during the week.听

I think my sessions have a reputation for being rather hard-core; people show up having read everything I asked or even suggested. Our seminars are very much discussion-based, so anyone who wants to spend a week talking about Russian culture is welcome. We do a lot of reading aloud during the week.听 That has been an evolving part of my seminars.听 I鈥檓 really excited about how much fun it is and how much more we get out of the texts.

How would you compare older lifelong learners with your on-campus students?

University students have reasonable concerns about grades and their prospects for the future.听 In many cases, I have to teach them basic study and time-management skills that have nothing to do with the materials, but if I don鈥檛 teach them those things, they will learn much less. These students have relatively little experience in life, and for the most part their experiences are similar to each other鈥檚. A big part of what I have to teach them is that: life and the world are much, much bigger and more complicated than they suspect.听 That is enjoyable, so long as the student (and family) are on board. With summer participants, I am the inexperienced one in the room.听 I am fairly certain that I learn as much each summer as they do. Participants bring such a wide range of skills, talents, and experiences to our sessions that my job is to just facilitate a conversation around whatever we are working on at the time.听 When I have done my job in choosing a good topic, the course takes on a life of its own. And I don鈥檛 have to grade anything or anyone.

Was it challenging to get us to refrain from discussing current political events all the time?

Russian politics is always a part of the discussion, and that is to be expected. Conversations about politics in the US tend to be a part of conversations over meals, but not always.听 The materials we work on have a lot to say about how people treat each other and the world we share.听 I am careful not to let the conversation derail for political reasons. That is much easier to do with seminar participants than with university students.听

Do you cover political history? Why or why not?

I have taught two seminars on political history in Russia. I would certainly do so again.听 Speaking honestly, for many years now I have left the topic of the next year鈥檚 seminar to the participants in the current one.听 I trust them to choose topics that will attract new participants.听听

Do you wish participants had better geographical background?

No. Figuring out how to capture the topography, flora, fauna, and meteorology of whatever region we are working on is a part of the fun. I do wish that I had a strong geographical background.听 Some of my regular participants are incredibly well-travelled and have been to places I have only seen online.

What seminar topic have you enjoyed presenting the most?

I have never had a seminar that didn鈥檛 feel like my favorite while I was teaching it. I love teaching 鈥淭he Russian Short Story.鈥� I鈥檝e taught Pushkin鈥檚听Eugene Onegin and Tolstoy鈥檚听Anna Karenina听twice, and each time was a revelation for me. The sessions on Gogol, Bulgakov, Nabokov, Aleksievich, and Putin were challenging and invigorating.听 Last summer鈥檚 class on film and literature was so much fun that it felt like I was a student, not the teacher. This summer, in response to a story and film from last summer, we are reading Chekhov, one of my favorite authors.听 I cannot wait to prepare that class.

Plans are being created to do a 鈥淕reat Books鈥� program during the 2027 summer featuring three Freshman Studies books taught over the years and you have been asked to participate. Can you share some of the preliminary plans?听

This is a team-taught course called 鈥淭he Long Novel鈥� that Professor Dominica Chang of French, Professor Tim Spurgin of English, and I have taught at 麻豆影院 four times now.听 The central problem of the class is thinking about how the different traditions in European literature of the nineteenth century represent the challenges of modernity. The first three times we taught the course, we read Charles Dickens鈥櫶�David Copperfield, Gustave Flaubert鈥檚听Sentimental Education, and Fyodor Dostoevsky鈥檚听The Brothers Karamazov. We are just completing our first run through a new version that features Flaubert鈥檚听Madame Bovary, Lev Tolstoy鈥檚听Anna Karenina, and Thomas Hardy鈥檚听Tess of the D鈥橴rbervilles. The key to this class is that all three of us are at every discussion, and we each take one session as lead instructor for the books that are outside of our own field. The other key is that these are听long and complicated novels. We are talking about how we would create a two-week class with the same or similar authors and the same topics, but with fewer than 1700 pages of reading. A challenge!