COMMENCEMENT University of Wisconsin-Whitewater May 15, 2021 More than 150 years ago, on April 21, 1868, the state’s second normal school opened its doors to the first class of 48 students and nine faculty members. A progressive spirit guided the development of the institution as it evolved from a normal school, which trained teachers for one-room schools, to Whitewater State Teachers College (1927), Wisconsin State College-Whitewater (1951), Wisconsin State University-Whitewater (1964) and as a member of the 13 four-year institutions in the University of Wisconsin System (1971). Today, UW-Whitewater is a leading comprehensive university serving approximately 11,842 full- and part-time students on its Whitewater and Rock County campuses with 50 undergraduate majors, 13 master’s degree programs, one doctoral degree and one education specialist degree in the colleges of Arts and Communication, Business and Economics, Education and Professional Studies, Integrated Studies, and Letters and Sciences. The university awards more than 2,700 degrees every year. Throughout its history, UW-Whitewater has produced graduates who have actively contributed to the growth of the state and nation. Student learning is the paramount focus of the university’s programs and services. The university takes pride in its regional leadership, national presence and global vision. Many of its academic programs are among the best in the country. 1 Student Speaker Annmarie Lavorata As Annmarie Lavorata looks back on her undergraduate experience at UW-Whitewater, three words come to mind: experience, opportunity, family. “It all started with my first visit to campus, when I immediately knew ‘this is where I’m supposed to be.’ I absolutely loved the people, the atmosphere, the vibe.” Her passion is communication — an exciting and expansive field where opportunities for real-world experience abound at UW-Whitewater. Freshman year, she joined the university radio station, 91.7 The Edge WSUW-FM. “For someone who struggled with speech and dyslexia, I was surprised to have the encouragement and confidence from my professors and fellow students that I could do this successfully. They threw me right into a broadcasting role.” Since then, Lavorata has expanded into television, too, serving as an analyst/color commentator for Warhawk football, basketball, softball and volleyball, and contributing reports for the stations’ news programs. The awards quickly followed. At the 2019 Best of the Midwest Media Fest, Lavorata was honored for her work on “Warhawks Sports Saturday.” Lavorata was also among 12 Warhawks who took home honors at the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association 2020 Student Awards for Excellence. When ESPN came to Perkins Stadium for the 2019 NCAA Division III semifinal championship football game, Lavorata and her UWW-TV peers worked alongside industry professionals for the live broadcast, assisting with pre-production setup, coordinating commercial breaks and confirming touchdowns and timeouts. The game was broadcast exclusively on the ESPN3 streaming network. “I still pinch myself that it really happened. Working in the booth with ESPN’s announcing crew was an amazing experience, and I learned a lot. Everyone from the on-air talent to the director answered our questions and treated us with respect.” Throughout her time as a Warhawk, Lavorata, a communication major from Crystal Lake, Illinois, says she has been surrounded by driven and creative people “who want to push you to be better.” Faculty and staff members like Jim Mead, director of UWW-TV and communication lecturer, have been “incredible.” “He saw something in me, and continued to push me to be my best.” After graduation, Lavorata plans to pursue a career in the journalism industry. As a huge sports fan, it would be a dream to work in a job where she can cover the Chicago Red Stars, a professional women’s soccer team. What does it mean to be a Warhawk? For Lavorata, “It means being a leader. Being myself. Warhawks are involved, strong, and dedicated people who don’t give up on accomplishing their dreams.” v 2 Commencement Speaker Sarahí Monterrey As a child immigrant from El Salvador who grew up in public schools, Sarahí Monterrey recognized early on the pivotal role teachers play in students’ lives. When it was time to graduate from Badger High School in Lake Geneva and go to college, she knew she wanted to be a teacher. The reputation of UW-Whitewater’s education program drew her to enroll. “For me it was a great-sized campus — I only had one or two lectures,” she said. “And there were just so many support systems for students of color. It made my college experience so powerful,” said Monterrey. She was also deeply involved as a student. “I went to Miami on a travel-study trip during spring break one year to look at the learning and better understand the community. I was involved in Latinos Unidos on campus and worked with Admissions to visit regional high schools with Spanish-speaking students.” And early on she laid the groundwork for what became a key opportunity. “I went to Whitewater High School when I was a freshman in college and introduced myself, asking if I could be of service,” she said. “So by sophomore year I was already able to start working there.” When Monterrey graduated with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and a minor in bilingual education in 2002, the high school’s principal called with the opportunity to work half-time as a Spanish teacher and half-time developing the school’s bilingual program. While working as a teacher Monterrey earned her master’s degree in 2003 and remained closely connected to campus, working with Upward Bound and eventually becoming assistant director of the university’s pre-college programs. In 2008 she met and married her husband, Mario, and moved to Waukesha. She now works as a bilingual teacher at Waukesha South High School. She was named Wisconsin’s 2018-2019 High School Teacher of the Year and selected as Wisconsin’s 2019 representative to the National Teacher of the Year Program, the first Latina in the state to earn this honor. In 2020, she was the recipient of the UW- Whitewater Distinguished Alumna Award for Professional Achievement, which recognized her extensive career developing bilingual curricula and advocating for dual-language programs. “My approach to teaching embodies my genuine belief that every student has the ability to learn and grow, and that every educator has an obligation to tear down the barriers that stand in their way,” said Monterrey.v 3 2021 Commencement Program May 15, 2021 Processional “March” from Second Suite in F by Gustav Holst, performed by the Student Brass Quintet: Lily Freeman and Nick Andersen, trumpet; Miranda Johnson, French horn; Aaron Shea, trombone; Nathan Roley, tuba National Anthem “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key Led by Nathan Roley, B.M. Welcome Dwight C. Watson, Ed.D. Chancellor Reading of the Native Kenneth Yarbrough, Ph.D. Lands Recognition Associate Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, Statement Inclusion and Support Programs Presentation Artanya Wesley, Ph.D. of Student Speaker Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Student Speaker Annmarie Lavorata, B.A. Presentation of Greg Cook, Ph.D. Commencement Speaker Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Commencement Speaker Sarahí Monterrey, BSE, M.S. English learner/Bilingual teacher Waukesha South High School Presentation of Greg Cook Candidates for Degrees Chancellor’s Gratitude for Military Service Coin The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Chancellor Gratitude for Military Service Coin is conferred upon graduating veterans and military students, denoted by a in the program, who wish to be recognized for their service. 4 2021 Commencement Program (cont.) May 15, 2021 Conferring of Degrees Dwight C. Watson School of Graduate Studies Joan Littlefield Cook, Ph.D. Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs College of Arts and Communication Eileen Hayes, Ph.D. Dean College of Business and Economics John Chenoweth, Ph.D. Dean College of Education and Professional Studies Robin Fox, Ph.D. Interim Dean College of Letters and Sciences Franklin Goza, Ph.D. Dean College of Integrated Studies Patricia Clasen, Ph.D. Interim Dean Reading of Names Mary Alkons, B.A., Academic Department Associate, Philosophy and Religious Studies, Women’s Studies Bruce Cohen, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Theatre Yuri Rashkin, M.S., Adjunct Professor, College of Integrated Studies Kathy Taylor, M.S., Lecturer of Communication, College of Integrated Studies Sheila Turek, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Languages and Literatures Alma Mater Traditional Scottish tune/Andrew Baldwin ’14 Led by Nathan Roley; words and music on page 36 Recessional “Allegro” from Water Music by George Frideric Handel Performed by the Student Brass Quintet 5 School of Graduate Studies presented by Joan Littlefield Cook, Ph.D., Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Doctorate graduates type specs ·· • • Education Specialist • • ·· Austin Harrison Abromeit Auburn, Washington Lauren Nicole Lennon Grafton Morgan Rae Barber Waterford Brittany Christine Mueller Mukwonago Margaret Rae Ezdon Beloit Lauren Victoria Prazuch Arlington Heights, Illinois Lindsay J. Fecht Madison Rebecca Rose Stupka Kimberly Matthew Richard Dirk Green Eagle Spencer Donald Susa Schofield Cami Lynn Hoerth Madison Maria Cristina Warren Madison Cristin Ruth Jones Milwaukee Alexandria Nicole Ziegler Waunakee ·· • • Master of Business Administration • • · · Amanda L. Aimers New