Fourteen University of Wisconsin Oshkosh seniors have been selected to receive the 2023 Chancellor’s Award for Excellence for their exceptional record of leadership and service throughout campus and the community.

Eleven spring 2023 and three fall 2023 graduates earned the prestigious honor.

“Each of these Titans has shaped one-of-a-kind journeys through UWO and earned some remarkable achievements. I am proud to extend to them this distinction, and I know they will continue to enjoy success throughout their lives beyond graduation,” Chancellor Andy Leavitt said.

The students will be honored at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 1 at Celebration of Student Leadership in Reeve Memorial Union Ball Room.

Spring 2023 grads

Brittany Adelmund, an exercise and sports science major from Milwaukee, is a self-motivated student with a stellar academic record and an impressive work ethic. She is recognized as a top student and leader in the National Guard. She also is known for taking time out of her busy schedule to help classmates who are struggling.

Rebecca Ashauer, a human resource management major with an information systems minor and a marketing certificate from Hortonville, strives for excellence in academics and service to the campus community. She has worked and interned in the human services department. She has served on Reeve Union Board (RUB) for four years, helping entertain more than 28,200 students on campus. She currently is the RUB vice president.

Megan Bartkowski, an elementary and middle school special education major from Crivitz, has incredible leadership skills. She has served as president of Aspiring Educators, providing more than 100 UWO education majors with access to professional development. While student teaching this semester, she has remained involved as an inspiring mentor to the organization’s board members.

Alexandria Hutkowski, a social science major with a sociology secondary education minor from Stevens Point, is known for her excellence in service and scholarship. She is an outgoing, warm and vocal advocate and leader among her peers in promoting activities and events on campus. She has served as secretary for Fletcher Hall government, secretary for Aspiring Educators and vice president of Kappa Delta Phi. She currently remains an active student while student teaching.

Hallie Lemke, a social work major from New Holstein, who also earned an Indigenous Studies Certificate. She is a strong, resilient student who seeks greater understanding of the human condition. She also leads with compassion in variety of organizations on campus, including the Inter-Tribal Student Council for which she currently serves as president. Lemke has been accepted into UWO’s social work graduate program.

Daniel McKearn, a public relations major with a minor in advertising from Beloit, is a high-achieving student who deftly balances his commitments and responsibilities. He advocates for students with administrators and governance bodies on campus through his work with the Oshkosh Student Association (OSA), most recently in the role of president. In addition, he is enlisted with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

Anna Murphy-Pociask, a public relations major from Appleton, began her academic career by earning an associate degree on the Fox Cities campus. She is a detail-oriented and conscientious leader involved a variety of student organizations, including her role as president of UWO’s chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America. In addition, she assisted with the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau’s recent rebranding campaign.

Olivia Nylen, a social work major with an anthropology minor from Oshkosh, is a serious student who persevered to find a major that best inspired her. She is completing an internship at Taycheedah Correctional Institution this semester. On campus, she has made an impact as a dependable, innovative student worker in the Gruenhagen Conference Center. She currently provides excellent customer services as the first point of contact in the Experimental Aircraft Association/Oshkosh Placement Exchange Office.

Sydney Szalinski, a rehabilitation science major from Mundelein, Illinois, has a strong work ethic and excellent communication skills. She maintained a high level of professionalism while learning to collect research data with her mentor in the kinesiology department. She has volunteered with various student organizations and has served on the board of the Kinesiology Club since she was a freshman, currently serving as president.

Yingyakia Vang, a human services leadership major with a Spanish minor and a Hmong studies certificate, is a first-generation college student from Schofield who sets high academic standards for herself. She was instrumental in gaining activation status both locally and nationally for Gamma Alpha Omega, Sorority, Theta Chapter. She also worked hard to plan and execute an annual multicultural leadership retreat for students of color through the Multicultural Student Coalition.

Jaden Zurn, an environmental studies major and a political science minor from Slinger, is dedicated to his studies and improving his community. He is an engaging and kind student who is a fantastic ambassador for UWO in his dedication to sustainability. He interned in the Campus Sustainability Office, where he honed analytical and technical skills. He also worked with the Green Fund and the Campus Climate Action Committee and as OSA’s sustainability director.

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Fall 2023 grads

Sarah Kleinschmidt, an environmental studies and geology double major with a certificate in geographic information science from Neenah, is an excellent student and integral member of the geology department community. She is active in a wide range of student organizations from the Green Fund to the Geology Club and the Sustainable Solutions for Tomorrow Club. She has an outstanding work ethic as a geology lab technician and research assistant.

Elise Little, a nursing major with a Spanish language certificate from Portage, is a high-achieving student and an excellent ambassador for the College of Nursing. She is a reliable and cheerful student worker in the Nursing Learning Lab. She also is a strong leader who volunteers to informally tutor her classmates to help them succeed. Her maturity and compassion lend themselves well to a career in nursing.

Alli Schirmer, a social science major with a secondary education minor in history from Marengo, Illinois, is dedicated student and highly involved campus leader. She has served as a University Studies Program peer mentor and is currently president of Kappa Delta Pi. As a peer mentor and peer academic coach in the Reading and Study Skills Center, she has helped countless students succeed. She is extremely fluent with learning strategies and is adept at using examples to comment course material to real-world experiences.

 

Learn more:

•   UWO spring commencement set for May 13