Recognized
for leadership and service to the campus and community, 35 December graduates
will receive the 2015 Chancellor’s Leadership Award at the University of
Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Presented
by Chancellor Bernie Patterson in a ceremony Friday, Dec. 18, the awards
include bronze medallions with the university seal, hanging from a purple and
gold ribbon. First established in 1978 at the urging of then-Chancellor Lee
Sherman Dreyfus, the award honors graduates who contribute significant
leadership, demonstrate university or community service and display a
commitment to personal growth.
Students
receiving the Chancellor’s Leadership Award, listed alphabetically by hometown,
include:
Baraboo
Cierra Bartol-Byers, an elementary education major with minors in mathematics,
natural science and environmental education, is the daughter of Carol Bartol
and Douglas Byers. She was president and state vice president of the Student
Wisconsin Education Association and was active in residence hall governance,
the Student Involvement and Employment Office and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Bogota,
Columbia
Juan Pablo Garcia-Lopez, a business
administration-finance, insurance and real estate major, is the son of Gentil
Garcia and Patricia Lopez. He was active in the International Club, Portage
County Cultural Festival and Centertainment Productions. He also tutored
mathematics and economics.
Brillion
Kelsey Haelfrisch, a family and consumer education-child, youth and family
studies major with a minor in business administration, is the daughter of
Thomas and Christine Haelfrisch. She took part in a Kenya National Service
Project and South Dakota American Indian service learning and Wisconsin Council
on Family Relations projects. She also volunteered with Knitting and Crocheting
for Charity.
Burlington
Elliot Huemann, a communication major with a Spanish minor, is the son of Todd
and Erin Huemann. He created and led the CRU Reconciliation Project, was a
mathematics tutor and a volunteer translator with a Honduras Water Well
Drilling program and the Open Arms Free Clinic. He also volunteered at Place of
Peace.
Campbellsport
Anastasia Wolf-Flasch, a forestry ecosystems restoration and management major
with minors in Spanish and soil science, is the daughter of Christine
Wolf-Flasch and William Flasch. She was the president and web weaver for Women
in Natural Resources, chair of the College of Natural Resources Research
Symposium Planning Committee, and a member of the Society for Ecological
Restoration and the Society of American Foresters. She is an instructor with
Becoming an Outdoorswoman and a volunteer with Green Fire Farm, the Riveredge Nature
Center, Majestic Greenhouse and the Wisconsin Trailblazers Dogsled Club.
Chicago,
Ill.
Christian Pukala, a biology major, is the son of Lisa Higgins. He was a senator
in the Student Government Association and a member of the Environmental and
Sustainability Issues Committee, University Affairs Committee, Segregated
University Fee Allocation Committee and Green Fund Steering Committee. He also
volunteers with the Animal Welfare League of Portage County and Farmshed.
Cusco,
Peru
Christel Venero Farfan, a natural resources major, is the daughter of Jesus
Venero and Lucinda Farfan. She was the president of the Latino Student
Alliance, the public relations officer for the Spanish Club, a translator for
the College of Natural Resources and a participant in the International
Friendship Program and International Club. She also volunteered with the
Children’s Museum, Portage County Cultural Festival and Celebration Church.
Danville,
Ill.
Jessica Littlejohn, an English and education major, is the daughter of Monty
Read and the spouse of Matthew Littlejohn. She was a student ambassador,
teaching assistant and reading tutor and coordinator of The Running Tree
walk/run. She also was a College Club coordinator with the West Allis-West
Milwaukee school district and Dottke Alternative High School.
Fond
du
Lac
Shelley Samuel, a social work and sociology major with a minor in psychology,
is the daughter of Steven and Teresa Samuel. She was a member and captain of
the women’s soccer team and a member of the Sociology and Social Work
organization and Student Athletic Advisory Committee. She volunteered at
Zielanis Elementary School, Boys and Girls Club, Salvation Army food pantry and
St. Michael’s Hospital.
Fountain
City
Michelle Pehler, an instrumental and general music education major, is the
daughter of Gabe and Karen Pehler. She was active in Delta Omicron music
fraternity, activities director with the UW-Stevens Point Music Department
Honors Band, a peer adviser with the Music Department and a program director
and counselor at Moon Beach camps.
Green
Bay
Lindsey Korst, a broadfield social science major for secondary education major
with minors in history and psychology, she is the daughter of Robin and David
Korst. She was active in the National Residence Hall Honorary, Residence Hall
Association, Neale Hall and Student Council for Exceptional Children. She also
volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club of Plover.
Greendale
Samantha Young, a resource management policy major with a minor in sustainable
energy, is the daughter of Floyd and Stacey Young. She held several offices
with Gamma Phi Delta sorority and was a member of Students for Sustainable
Communities. Young volunteered for Make a Difference Day, Labor of Love,
Homelessness Awareness Night, the Urban Ecology Center, Greendale Public
Library and Greendale Parent Teacher Organization.
Hartland
Lauren Topping, a psychology major with minors in French and religious studies,
is the daughter of John and Connie Topping. She was a leader with InterVarsity
Christian Fellowship and volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club of Portage
County, Salvation Army, Stevens Point YMCA childcare and Gingerbread House.
Little
Chute
Emily Robinson, a biochemistry major with a Spanish minor, is the daughter of
John and Julie Robinson. She served as secretary and president of the
Biochemistry Club, secretary of the Student Leadership Committee, president of
Burroughs government and member of the Social Justice Outreach Committee and
National Residence Hall Honorary. She has volunteered with the Heartland
Hospice, Emergency Shelter, YMCA, Special Olympics and Make a Difference Day.
Little
Chute
Kasey Koch, a health science pre-occupational therapy major, is the daughter of
Kelly and Stuart Goetsch and Daryl and Sue Koch. She was a volunteer for STEM
Days for Kids, the Alternative Spring Break-Camp Summit, Pointer Pals, Relay
for Life, a Very Special Place/Haven of Hope and Special Olympics Wisconsin.
Milwaukee
Peajche Howard, a communications major, is the son of Teresa Howard and Mary
Boatman. He was the president and executive vice president of Sigma Tau Gamma
fraternity, a member of the Black Student Union, a lead counselor at the
UW-Stevens Point Multi-cultural Leadership Camp and a volunteer with Special
Olympics and the Boys and Girls Club of Portage County.
Mondovi
Elizabeth Norlin, an early childhood education major with an early childhood
special education minor, is the daughter of Timothy and Lisa Norlin. She was
vice president of the Student Wisconsin Education Association, public relations
coordinator of The Association for the Education of Young Children and
community service coordinator of Watson Hall Government. She also volunteered
with the Portage County Humane Society and Deck the Halls.
Monroe
Alexander Purdy, a psychology and broadfield social sciences education major
with minors in anthropology and history education, is the son of Thomas and
Nancy Purdy. He was vice president and treasurer of the Psychology Club, a
research assistant, president of Neale Hall, an educational outreach
coordinator for the UW-Stevens Point Gender and Sexuality Alliance and founder
of the Central Wisconsin Pride Resources Network.
New
Berlin
Katelyn Morici, an elementary and special education major with a minor in
emotional behavioral disorders, is the daughter of Julie and Steve Morici. She
was the public relations coordinator for Kappa Delta Pi honor society, a volunteer
coordinator and historian for the Student Council for Exceptional Children, a
student representative for the Disability Advisory Council and University
Advisory Policy Board and a volunteer for The Cupboard student food pantry. She
also went on alternative spring break trips to New Orleans, New York and Texas.
Panama
City, Fla.
Kaya Gravitter, an international
studies and political science major, is the daughter of Kaia and Richard
Gravitter. She was a volunteer leader with Student Involvement and Employment
programs, Intercity Impact and Coffee and Culture. She also served as a student
ambassador and volunteer with United Way of Portage County, Domestic Abuse
Intervention Services and nomore.org. Gravitter created the Meet and Greet
Program for UW-Stevens Point’s Diversity and College Access office.
Portage
David Peterson, a water resources and Spanish major with a minor in
international resources management, is the son of Tim and LuAnn Peterson. He
was vice president and president of the Spanish Club and secretary of Students
for Wetland Awareness, Management and Protection. He was a volunteer with Labor
of Love, Wisconsin/Nicaragua Partners, the North Council of Latin Americanists
and Celebracion Hispana.
Rockfall,
Conn. Brian Gorman, a
wildland fire science major, is the son of Debby and Chris Gorman. He was the
public information officer and squad boss for the UWSP Fire Crew and president
of the Alliance of Non-Traditional Students. He served as a wilderness ranger at
Rocky Mountain National Park and spent summers as a firefighter with the
National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service and Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources.
Saudi
Arabia
Mostafa Abdullah Alabed, a health care administration major with minors in
business administration and philosophy, is the son of Abdullah Alabed. He was a
voting member of the Student Health Advisory Committee, president and vice
president of the International Club, treasurer and co-founder of the
Photography Club and an officer of Saudis in Wisconsin.
Schofield
Mitchell Kolodziej, a broadfield social science and German major with minors in
history and teaching English as a second language, is the son of George and
Tammy Kolodziej and the spouse of Heidi Kolodziej. He was co-vice president of
the National Residence Hall Honorary, a first floor governor in Thomson Hall, a
member of the German Club and a volunteer German language instructor. He was
also active in Residential Living and International Programs.
Siren
Jacob Stiemann, a business administration major with concentrations in finance,
insurance, real estate and management, is the son of Philip and Sheryl
Stiemann. He was vice president and treasurer of The National Society of
Leadership and Success, member of the Entrepreneurship Club and a volunteer
with the School of Business and Economics, Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of
America and the American Red Cross.
Stevens
Point
Anna Weisbrod, a communication sciences and disorders major with a minor in
Spanish, is the daughter of John and Kathy Weisbrod. She was a member of the
Sign Language Club and UW-Stevens Point’s chapter of the National Student
Speech Language and Hearing Association. She performed as a flute accompanist
for university choirs and was a member of the Flute Ensemble. She has
volunteered at nursing homes, the Salvation Army, a local elementary school and
Holy Spirit Parish.
Stevens
Point
Christopher Slattery, a history and political science major with a minor in
American studies, is the son of Eugene Slattery and Carrie Tryba. He served as
president, senator and a Non-Traditional Student Committee member with the
Student Government Association. He was also vice president and outreach
coordinator of the Veterans Club and is a member of the American Legion Post 6.
Stevens
Point
Jessica Smith, a natural science-life option major with a minor in biology, is
the daughter of Gloria Wegher and Jose Chavarin and the spouse of Kyle Smith.
She served as a group leader for College Days for Kids and a group presenter
for Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics Day for Girls. She also
volunteered with Labor of Love, Residential Living and Sentry Cares.
Stevens
Point
Lien Nguyen, a bio-chemistry major, is the daughter of Hong Nguyen. She was a
diversity ambassador with Residential Living, a senator with the Student
Government Association and a volunteer coordinator for the International Club.
Stevens
Point
Rayne Nimz, a biology and pre-medicine major with a chemistry minor, is the
daughter of Christopher Moore. She was a board member at Place of Peace and
campus blood drives and was active with the Alliance of Non-Traditional
Students.
Tomahawk
Cassie Silvernale, a political science and international studies major with a
minor in peace studies, is the daughter of Steven and Pamela Silvernale. She
was president of the International Justice Mission, a leader in CRU campus
ministry and a volunteer with Pi Sigma Alpha, College Days for Kids and
Highland Church.
Two
Rivers
Jana Schleis, a communication-media studies and public relations major, is the
daughter of Gerald and Betty Schleis. She was a promotions team member and news
correspondent for WWSP 90FM student radio, a news anchor for Student Television
and a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, St. Isadore the Farmer Parish Picnic
and Public Relations Student Society of America.
Wausau
Eric VanNatta, a wildlife ecology-research and management major with minors in
biology and geographic information systems and spatial analysis, is the son of
Randy and Kari VanNatta. He volunteered with the UW-Stevens Point Natural
History Museum, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources at Crex Meadows
Wildlife Area and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Wausau
Loren DeLonay, an arts management major with minors in communication and gender
studies, is the daughter of Bernie and Dennis DeLonay. She was president of the
College Feminists, stage manager for the Vagina Monologues and an accompanist
for the dance department. She was also involved in the Women’s Resource Center
and Women of the World on WWSP 90FM.
West
Bend
Aaron Schiller, a biology and fisheries and water resources major, is the son
of Lee and Sue Schiller. He was president and secretary of the Student American
Fisheries Society, treasurer of the Fly Fishing Club, tournament coordinator
for the UW-Stevens Point Bass Fishing Team and member of the Ichthyology and
Aquarium Sciences Society of Stevens Point. He also volunteered at several
youth fishing and educational events.
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