May 2024 – Muskie Pride

Lakeland Celebrates 162nd Commencement Ceremony

 

On Saturday, May 11, at the institution’s 162nd commencement – we celebrated the joy, achievements and endless possibilities of our graduates. Here’s a glimpse of some of the unforgettable moments.

Dr. Alan Mock Celebrated as Emeritus Professor at Lakeland's 162nd Commencement

After 31 years of dedicated service, Professor Alan Mock, Ph.D., will retire from Lakeland University, leaving behind a legacy of versatile teaching and compassionate engagement. He has been honored with the title of Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the 162nd commencement ceremony held on May 11th.

Lakeland celebrates generosity of scholarship donors

On April 9, Lakeland honored the contributions of over 170 donors at its Scholarship Donor Recognition luncheon, celebrating their vital role in supporting the education of students like senior Kerstin Sauerbrei, who credits her diverse academic journey to their generosity.

Pingitore BA'22 MSLOD '23 Named New Alumni Director

Sydney Pingitore, a two-time Lakeland University graduate, has been named Lakeland’s director of alumni and community relations.

Pingitore, who graduated in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and in 2023 with a master of science in leadership & organizational development, has been serving as operations coordinator at Jake’s, A Lakeland Community, since June 2022.

In this capacity, she carefully oversaw day-to-day operations, ensuring the seamless functioning of all processes and activities within the organization. She created a positive environment and maintained relationships with community members, local businesses, Jake’s members and others.

Her responsibilities included a variety of administrative tasks, as well as actively marketing and promoting the coworking space to attract new members and oversee the membership onboarding process.

Pingitore worked closely with Jake’s members, community members and businesses to organize and host events, accommodating their specific needs and preferences. She also collaborated with Innovator Fellowship students from Sheboygan North High School, providing guidance and support as they navigated their entrepreneurial endeavors, further solidifying Jake’s position as a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation within the Lakeland and Sheboygan community.

As a Lakeland undergraduate, Pingitore was a member of the Cooperative Education program and played a key role in Launch: Lakeland Student-Run Businesses serving as president of merchandise, where she planned and hosted the grand opening of Musko’s Campus Shop.

She was a standout member of the Lakeland women’s volleyball team. Her achievements include being named to the 2020-21 NACC First Team All-Conference, earning the 2020-21 NACC Defensive Player of the Year award and receiving 2021-22 NACC Honorable Mention. She was also honored as the 2021-22 Lakeland Athletics Woman of the Year.

Please join us in welcoming Sydney to her new role. We look forward to the positive impact she will make in fostering connections and engagement within our alumni community and beyond.

Rosberg Receives 59th Clarence H. Koehler Award at Lakeland's Honors Banquet

 From a challenging start to a celebrated finish, Erika Rosberg transformed her trajectory at Lakeland University, culminating in her winning the prestigious 59th annual Clarence H. Koehler Award at this year’s Honors Banquet, recognizing her exceptional scholarship, leadership and impact on campus.

Chancellor Named Top LU Teacher for 2024

Evan Chancellor, D.M.A., Lakeland’s Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands, has been honored as the 33rd recipient of the Underkofler Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award for 2024, recognizing his outstanding contributions to teaching.

Support Music Education at Lakeland University’s 67th Annual Music Camp

Are you passionate about supporting music education? Help us enhance our Lakeland University Music Camp by contributing to our general fund. Your support will assist in covering essential camp expenses, making it accessible to more students, and ensuring the program’s ongoing success.

Ways to Support:

  • General Support: Contribute at one of our suggested levels: $100, $250, or $500. Every amount helps!
  • Direct Contributions: Unable to contribute at the suggested levels? Any amount you can offer will make a difference!

Donate to the Music Camp:

If you wish to contribute, here are the ways you can support us:

  • Online: Visit Give Back to Lakeland University
  • By Mail: Send a check payable to Lakeland University, with “67th Annual Music Camp” in the memo, to W3718 South Drive Plymouth, WI 53073

Thank you for your support of music education and the Lakeland University Music Camp. Together, we can ensure a vibrant and enriching experience for all participants!

Alumni Spotlight

“Spielman Reflects on Three Decades of Service as He Steps Down from School Board”

Gary Spielman ’73 was the longest serving member of the Beaver Dam School Board serving for over 30 years.  After an impressive 33-year tenure on the Beaver Dam School Board, Gary Spielman attended his final meeting on Monday, marking the end of an era that began when he first ran for the board in 1989.

“Keebler Tops Forbes’ Inaugural 2024 America’s Top 200 CPAs List”

 Robert Keebler, Lakeland College 1982, has been named to the inaugural 2024 Forbes America’s Top 200 CPAs list, validating his reputation for integrity, record of excellence – and Forbes’ recognition as the best in the business. The 2024 Forbes America’s Top 200 CPAs list is an inaugural recognition of individual CPAs for leadership roles, contributions made in the CPA profession, contributions impacting the community, and overcoming the challenges of difficult economic times.

More Alumni Spotlights

Clarice Case: Lakeland faculty helped alumna discover her direction

Miranda Jacobson: Lakeland alumna’s journey to helping others

We love hearing your updates and success stories. Send your news to be featured in the Muskie Pride Newsletter or Lakeland Magazine

Submit your news Submit News (lakeland.edu)

Save the date for Homecoming 2024!

Oct. 5, 2024

Alumni Awards

Last year’s alumni award winners, Vin Mannix – Honorary Alumni Award, Emily Rendall-Araujo ’11 MBA ’14 – Outstanding Young Alumni Award, Wayne Wildman ’79 – Service to the Community Award. Do you know alumni that are deserving of one of our alumni awards?

Submit Your Class Notes

We love hearing updates from our alumni and we’re sure your classmates do too! Share your experiences and reconnect with the Lakeland community by contributing to our “Class Notes” section. Whether it’s career milestones, personal achievements, or cherished memories from your time at Lakeland University, your stories enrich our community and keep the spirit of Lakeland alive.

Please fill out the form below to share your memories and stay connected. Your contributions are an essential part of our university’s history.

Significant gift will benefit Lakeland’s International Program

Lakeland University is celebrating the establishment of the Jane P. Batten and David R. Black School for International Studies at its Tokyo campus, a development made possible by a significant donation from Jane Parke Batten and honoring the visionary partnership led by President Emeritus David Black.

Alums Added to Board of Trustees

Lakeland University has named three new members to its board of trustees, including two Lakeland graduates.

The new members are:

  • Brian Badura, director, current events and executive communications for Indeed.
  • Benjamin Duke, president of Polaris Marine.
  • Paul V. Griffin, associate manager of outreach and training at the Sheboygan Falls, Wis., MilliporeSigma campus.

Roozen '66 Award Honors Top Student Researchers

Lakeland has awarded the Roozen ’66 Undergraduate Research Award to two research presentations at its Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Symposium. This honor, recognizing outstanding original scientific research, commemorates the late Professor Allen Wangemann ’55 and is inspired by alumnus Kenneth Roozen, Ph.D., whose own undergraduate experiences at Lakeland propelled him into a notable career in academic research and administration.

Muskies Helping Muskies

Our alumni are represented in a variety of work environments and are eager to share advice and help our current students! 

Whether it is mentoring, job shadowing or helping with practice interviews, there are many opportunities to assist current Muskies in their education. Are you ready to help another Muskie out?