2025-2026 Lakeland Convocation Events
Below is a list of upcoming convocation credit–giving events. For a full list of events, see the calendar of events.
All events are in the Bradley Theatre unless noted.
September 2025
- 4 – Opening Convocation: Eric Kriete, owner, The Silver Fern, 11 a.m.
- Sept. 19 - Oct. 24 – Bradley Gallery Visiting Artist Exhibit: Ellen Raines
- Reception/Convocation: Friday, Sept. 19, 4:30–5:30 p.m.
- 21 – Live Forever Project: "Finding Sheboygan" - Stories of Janet Ross, 2:30 p.m.
The event will feature a profile of Sheboygan leader the late Janet Ross told through a variety of artistic mediums by local performers. - 30 – Annual Faculty Lecture: Dr. Aimee Burns, 11 a.m. (location Event Space in CC)
October 2025
- 7 – Shot of Reality, 6:30 p.m.
- A Shot of Reality is a dynamic alcohol awareness show designed to educate students on responsible drinking in a way that is both informative and entertaining. Performed by two professional comedians, this program blends humor with research-based content, making it an engaging and effective way to discuss the realities of alcohol use.
- 14 – Fresh Check (Alex Liosatos), Campus Center Event Space, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- 19 – Fall Music Department Concert, 3 p.m.
- Includes a variety of selections students are preparing during the fall semester, from large and chamber ensembles. Program may include members of Band, Orchestra, Choir, Chamber Winds, and Muskie Tones.
- 28 – Mission House Lecture, 6:30 p.m., Campus Center Event Space
- The Rev. Rhina Ramos, an ordained United Church of Christ minister leading Ministerio Latino in California, will tell her family’s story of immigrating from El Salvador and her work as a lawyer and now a minister in California.
November 2025
- 6 – Great Lakes Writers Festival, 11 a.m.
- 6 – Gender and Sexuality Panel hosted by Lakeland's Alphabet Soup, Campus Center Event Space, 5 p.m.
- Nov. 7 - Dec. 5 – Bradley Gallery Senior Art Exhibit: Amy Kafka and Dakota Aschenbach
- Reception/Convocation: Friday, Nov. 7, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
- 10 – Ethics Conversation, 6:30 - 8 p.m., Campus Center Event Space
- Rev. Dr. Kerri Parker, director, Wisconsin Council of Churches
- 13 – Fall Play: "Complete Works of Shakespeare, Abridged"
- Nov. 13 - 15 – 7 p.m.; Nov. 16 – 2 p.m.
- 25 – Music Department Recital, 11 a.m.
- Featuring solo performances by Lakeland students in applied lessons for voice, piano, wind and string instruments.
December 2025
- 1 – Beyond the Rainbow: A Celebration of Identity and Community, 4-5 p.m., Laun 209 (DVB)
- An interactive event aimed at creating an inclusive atmosphere and enhancing understanding.
- 2 – Humanities & Fine Arts Colloquium, 11:15 a.m., Bradley Theatre
- Successful Lakeland graduates who majored in programs in Lakeland's humanities and fine arts majors return to their alma mater to share their stories and helpful tips for current students
- 4 – Business and Entrepreneurship Colloquium, 11:15 a.m., Bradley Theatre
- Successful Lakeland graduates who majored in programs in Lakeland's business majors return to their alma mater to share their stories and helpful tips for current students.
- 5 – Science, Technology, and Education Colloquium, 11:15 a.m., Bradley Theatre
- Successful Lakeland graduates who majored in programs in the sciences, computer science and education return to their alma mater to share their stories and helpful tips for current students.
- 6 – Christmas at Lakeland, 7 p.m. (Carols in the Chapel at 5 p.m.)
January 2026
- Jan. 23 - Mar. 6 – Visting Artist Exhibit: Lee Granham
- Reception/Convocation: Saturday, February 21, 1-3 p.m.
- Jan. 27 – "It Happens Here" by Tracy Scheffler, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- “It Happens Here” is a presentation designed to raise awareness about the reality of sex trafficking within local communities. This event is hosted in partnership with Lakeland’s Alpha Phi Iota fraternity, whose mission is to combat sex trafficking through awareness.
February 2026
- 2 – Sex Signals, 7 p.m., Campus Center Event Space
- Sex Signals is an interactive program about sex, consent, relationships and building a safer community.
- 5 – Black History Month Chapel Service , 5 p.m., Ley Chapel
- The event will showcase Lakeland students Canaya Hayes-Jenkins, Olivia Hovey and Raynisha Sims who will perform a spoken-word poem. Keynote speaker: Teon Austin
- 12 – Eat Smart: Dining Etiquette Decoded, 11 a.m. - Noon, Campus Center Event Space
- Britanni Meinnert, Lakeland's assistant professor of hospitality management, will educate students on proper dining etiquette, preparing them for meals spent with professionals when engaging with them over meals like the scholarship luncheon and other networking events. These are important soft skills that all LU students need for post-graduation success.
- 12 – The Individual and the Community, 7 p.m., Campus Center Event Space
- Patrick Parr, an author and Lakeland University-Japan faculty member, will deliver a talk entitled "The Individual and the Community".
- 21 – Essence of Heritage, 6 p.m., Weill Center, downtown Sheboygan.
- Lakeland's annual Black History Month celebration is always one of the most popular events of the year.
March 2026
- 1 – Winter Band and Choir Concert, 3 p.m.
- 3 – Lakeland Graduate School Information Event, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Laun 209 (DVB)
- The focus of this event is two-fold: first, to provide students information on how to apply for graduate school programs and what life is like in graduate school. For this component, we featured a faculty panel representing different subject areas. Second, to introduce students to the graduate programs Lakeland offers.
- 16 – Founder's Day Lecture, 6:30 p.m., Campus Center Event Space
- "Experiencing God's Love in Anxious Times of Chaos: Community Care and Mental Health", speaker: Sarah Griffith Lund
- 26 - 29 – Spring Musical: "Addams Family"
- Mar. 26 - 28 – 7 p.m.; Mar. 29 – 2 p.m.
April 2026
- April 7 – LUforREAL: Introduction of Zen awakening practice, 11 a.m., Campus Center Event Space
- Have you wondered about Buddhism and Zen? What might Zen meditation experience be? How can this practice be beneficial to the quality of life in the world? Is ordinary mind the way; why and how so? Is Zen Buddhism a religion, and what is meant when it is said that Zen or Buddhism is not a religion? Might a taste of Zen meditation increase religious understanding that informs the practice of one's present religion, and how so?
- April 10 - May 1 – Student Art and Design Exhibit
- Reception/Convocation: Friday, April 10, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
- 14 – Music Department Recital, 7:30 p.m.
- Featuring solo performances by Lakeland students in applied lessons for voice, piano, wind and string instruments.
- 15 – Undergraduate Research Symposium, 9:30 a.m.
- 21 – Spring Band Concert, 7:30 p.m.
- 26 – Spring Choir and Orchestra Concert, 3 p.m
May 2026
- 8 – Baccalaureate, 6 p.m., Campus Center event space
