UW-Stevens Point to hold commencement ceremonies May 17

By Patrick Lynn

STEVENS POINT – The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will hold spring commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 17, featuring an address from the first female state forester in Wisconsin.

Heather Berklund, a 2000 UWSP graduate who has worked with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry for nearly 25 years, will speak to graduates and their families during ceremonies scheduled for 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. The events will take place at the Skyward Fieldhouse in Marshfield Clinic Health System Champions Hall, 2050 Fourth Ave.

Berklund, who leads statewide efforts in sustainable forestry and wildland fire protection, will speak about her career and experiences in public land management, education, and private landowner programs. She has held several leadership roles in the DNR, including deputy division administrator for forestry field operations, and remains involved with UWSP as a member of the Forestry Curriculum Board and through partnerships with the Forestry Center and LEAF education program.

Chancellor Thomas Gibson will lead the ceremonies, joined by Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs La Vonne Cornell-Swanson and the deans of the university’s four academic colleges. Degrees will be awarded across doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s and associate programs.

Cynthia Yang of Milwaukee, a media studies major, will serve as the student speaker at the 9:30 a.m. ceremony. Leah Bertrand of Stevens Point, a business administration major, will speak at 2 p.m.

The national anthem and Alma Mater will be performed by music students at each ceremony. At 9:30 a.m., Austin Vonderloh of Omro and Alliyah Treu of Wausau will sing, accompanied by the UWSP Symphonic Wind Ensemble under the direction of Professor John Lynch. At 2 p.m., Irene Wilson of Hartford will perform both pieces.

Alumni couple Krissy and Javier Alaniz, graduates from 2002 and 2004 respectively, will lead alumni pinning ceremonies.

Each commencement will last approximately two-and-a-half hours and will be livestreamed at www.uwsp.edu/commencement. Parking will be free in all campus lots except Lot F East, which is reserved for accessible parking.