UWO Class of 2026 takes the stage

Dedication and effort pay off

Inspired by the positive experiences her mother had with social workers, Olivia Waschbisch of Oconto Falls is earning her Master of Social Work degree. Born with a disability, Waschbisch said those experiences shaped her path. "I know how my mom was helped by social workers." She said she will miss the camaraderie of her classmates in the program. Waschbisch will be cheered on at Kolf Sports Center by her mom, stepdad, sister, fiance, stepsister and brother-in-law as she celebrates the milestone.

Dedication and effort pay off

Inspired by the positive experiences her mother had with social workers, Olivia Waschbisch of Oconto Falls is earning her Master of Social Work degree. Born with a disability, Waschbisch said those experiences shaped her path. "I know how my mom was helped by social workers." She said she will miss the camaraderie of her classmates in the program. Waschbisch will be cheered on at Kolf Sports Center by her mom, stepdad, sister, fiance, stepsister and brother-in-law as she celebrates the milestone.

Dr. Dad

Manitowoc resident Matt Reed is earning his Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice degree Saturday, celebrating with his family by his side. The father of three-whose oldest just finished freshman year at UW-Madison-joked that at home, "of course they have to refer to me as Dr. Dad." Reed said his path was shaped in part by a positive experience with an anesthetist during the birth of one of his children. He now works for Green Bay Anesthesia Associates at St. Vincent and St. Mary's hospitals.

Future in her hands

Kailey Kurtz of West Bend is earning her bachelor's degree in medical imaging with a job already secured at Froedtert Hospital in West Bend. Kurtz, who lived in Taylor Hall and Horizon Village before moving home to complete clinical work, said the moment still feels surreal. "I'm excited, but it hasn't hit me yet." She primarily works in ultrasound, splitting her time between the clinic and hospital, including occasional emergency room calls.

Future in her hands

Kailey Kurtz of West Bend is earning her bachelor's degree in medical imaging with a job already secured at Froedtert Hospital in West Bend. Kurtz, who lived in Taylor Hall and Horizon Village before moving home to complete clinical work, said the moment still feels surreal. "I'm excited, but it hasn't hit me yet." She primarily works in ultrasound, splitting her time between the clinic and hospital, including occasional emergency room calls.

Ready for what's next

Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates Gavin Opperman of Wisconsin Dells, Annika Schumacher of Neenah and Ashley Eaton of Mount Pleasant, each earning cum laude honors, reflected on their UWO journeys as they prepared for Saturday's ceremony.

Opperman: Now working in the operating room at ThedaCare Neenah, Opperman said he was inspired to pursue nursing after helping someone during a military deployment. "It's a great environment-listening to music and working with patients who are asleep." He said UWO prepared him well for the field.

Schumacher: Schumacher said her time at UWO "flew by" as she prepared for a fast-paced role as a trauma/surgical nurse at ThedaCare Neenah. She credited hands-on learning, including practice exams that helped her pass the NCLEX, with getting her ready.

Eaton: Eaton will begin work in intermediate care in Berlin. "I knew when I was younger that nursing is what I wanted to do." She said UWO faculty and hands-on opportunities helped her build the skills and confidence to succeed.

Playing the next chapter

Kellen Figueroa of Germantown, a physical education major, said Commencement "came fast," but he is ready for what comes next. Figueroa has been student teaching elementary students in grades K-5 at two schools in Pewaukee, where he said physical education is often "the best part of their day." A former member of the UWO football program, he said he will miss the teammates he met along the way. "I'll miss all the guys I met."

Playing the next chapter

Kellen Figueroa of Germantown, a physical education major, said Commencement "came fast," but he is ready for what comes next. Figueroa has been student teaching elementary students in grades K-5 at two schools in Pewaukee, where he said physical education is often "the best part of their day." A former member of the UWO football program, he said he will miss the teammates he met along the way. "I'll miss all the guys I met."

Abundance of achievements

Malia Belle Montero of Gridley, California, is graduating with a degree in physical education after five years at UW-Oshkosh, including 16 weeks of student teaching in Oshkosh elementary schools. "It's been five long years," she said. Montero, who taught K-5 physical education, health and adaptive phy ed, said she will miss her students as she prepares to return to California. "I'm very sad to leave my students." The milestone is part of a larger family celebration: her twin brother also graduated this weekend in California, with their parents attending separate ceremonies to support both.

Built between work and weekends

Danielle Clow of Germantown is graduating as a member of The Honors College with a bachelor's degree in leadership and organizational studies. Clow said she always wanted to return to school after her husband graduated from UWO. At age 45, she completed the program in two years through online courses taken nights and weekends, building on the associate degree she earned in 2024. "The program was really nice for working adults," she said. Clow works as a manager in a bank lending department and said her goal is to retire there.

Built between work and weekends

Danielle Clow of Germantown is graduating as a member of The Honors College with a bachelor's degree in leadership and organizational studies. Clow said she always wanted to return to school after her husband graduated from UWO. At age 45, she completed the program in two years through online courses taken nights and weekends, building on the associate degree she earned in 2024. "The program was really nice for working adults," she said. Clow works as a manager in a bank lending department and said her goal is to retire there.

Embracing the journey

Anthony Morris of Round Lake Beach, Illinois, is graduating with a degree in economics and wore a Titan Thunder Marching Band stole in recognition of his role as cymbals section leader. Morris said his decision to become a Titan was influenced by UW-Oshkosh's business school reputation and the then-new Titan Thunder Marching Band. His parents met at UWO through the Project Success program, and he has family in Omro. "I enjoyed all the theory of it," he said of his economics courses, "and learning how money and the real world works." Morris also said he enjoyed studying physics and psychology and is still exploring what comes next.

Celebrating shared success

Megan Koshollek and Kira Fritsch, both of Neenah, paused for a photo with School of Business instructor Kathy Fredrickson as they waited to proceed into Kolf Sports Center. Koshollek and Fritsch were UWO soccer teammates and both took marketing courses with Fredrickson. Koshollek also participated in the Digital Marketing Clinic program, where students provide marketing support to small businesses across the region.

Celebrating shared success

Megan Koshollek and Kira Fritsch paused for a photo with School of Business instructor Kathy Fredrickson as they waited to proceed into Kolf Sports Center. Koshollek and Fritsch were UWO soccer teammates and both took marketing courses with Fredrickson. Koshollek also participated in the Digital Marketing Clinic program, where students provide marketing support to small businesses across the region.

A family celebration

Eduardo Reynoso, of Appleton, is earning his Master of Social Work degree, celebrating the milestone with seven family members, including his six-month-old daughter, who wore a pink graduation cap and gown of her own. Reynoso's wife, Connie Vargas, said his passion for social work comes naturally. "He loves helping people and it has always been in his character." The family gathered for photos and planned to celebrate the accomplishment together.