Congratulations to the Class of 2024!
Congratulations to the 2024 School of Nursing graduates! As a School of Nursing community, we wish you well as you find the path for impact that most inspires you. While the complexities of the profession and society will feel daunting at times, you can trust what you have learned and who you are as a nurse leader. And, as a graduate in our centennial year, you will add to the 100-year legacy of Badger nurses who have advocated, innovated, broken barriers and led change to address the health needs of their time. We will continue to support and cheer for you as you change lives, build equity, and do your part to transform the future. On, Wisconsin!
2024 Graduation Livestream
Celebrate With Us!
#BadgerNursesChangeLives #Classof2024 #UWGrad
“I hope you will feel inspiration knowing that YOU are a part of the most trusted profession in America and that YOU will have the opportunity to improve the health of individuals, communities, and populations throughout your career.”
Linda D. Scott, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FNAP, FAAN, Dean and Professor, UW–Madison School of Nursing
Undergraduate Award Recipients
Eryk Brown, TBSN
Badger Future Nurse Leader Award
Natalie Halderson, TBSN
Ginsberg Family Award
Jennifer Halvorson, TBSN
Outstanding Undergraduate Returning Adult Student Award
Helen Maragos, TBSN
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students
Hannah Walker, ABSN
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students
Doctoral Award Recipients
Rachel Hawn, PhD
Signe Skott Cooper Writing Award
Ellen Hoffman, DNP
School of Nursing DNP Excellence Award
Sheryl Krause, PhD
Mary L. Keller Research Award
Faculty Award Recipients
Leah Kechele, DNP
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty – Undergraduate
Roberta Pawlak, PhD, RN, NEA-BC
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty – Graduate
Preceptor Award Recipients
Jessica Hinton, BSN
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Preceptor – Undergraduate
Anne Putzer, MS, RN, ACNS-BC, CCRN
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Preceptor – Graduate
Flag Bearers
Josh Prado, TBSN
Undergraduate Flag Bearer
Jackline Nekola, DNP
Graduate Flag Bearer
“Receiving the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students is an honor. To me, it marks conquering significant battles with mental health, shame, and doubt. It also represents a lot of joy: in the connections I have made here at school, in the special instructors who pour their encouragement and passion into us, and the unique patients we have learned from.”
Helen Maragos, Traditional BSN 2024 Graduate
About the School of Nursing Pin
The School of Nursing pin symbolizes a proud tradition of service, expressed through each of its parts. Given annually, the pin signifies both achievement and promise. Designed in 1926 by Helen Denne Schulte, the School's first director, the pin consists of the University's seal on a maroon cross with a caduceus. The cross pattée dates from the Middle Ages when it was worn by the Knights Hospitaller, a nursing order. Its wings represent a bird covering its young, symbolizing protection and nursing. A caduceus, two snakes winding around a staff, symbolizes medicine.
24 Honored as 2024 Nurses Alumni Organization Pin Recipients for Leadership, Service, and Achievement
The University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing is proud to honor 24 incredible nursing graduates with traditional nursing pins, presented by the Nurses Alumni Organization.
“Receiving the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing for Educators in a Clinical Setting is an incredible honor. It is even more special to me because I received my BSN from the UW-Madison School of Nursing 41 years ago!”
Anne Putzer, MS, RN, ACNS-BC, CCRN
Undergraduate Speakers
Amber Braun, NCP Graduation Speaker
Thu McKenzie, ABSN Graduation Speaker
Chuy Pina, TBSN Graduation Speaker
Doctoral Speakers
Mollie Carrell, DNP, Graduation Speaker
Kristin Merss, PhD, Graduation Speaker
Award Nominees
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Badger Future Nurse Leader Award
Holly Christy, TBSN
Brissa Donnelly, TBSN
Laura Kastanek, TBSN
Sophia LaSala, TBSN
Molly Mccormick, TBSN
Jonathan Messner, ABSN
Eduardo Pina, TBSN
Sienna Rasmussen, TBSN
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students
Holly Adams, TBSN
Jaide Bethke, TBSN
Holly Christy, TBSN
Katelyn Drake, TBSN
Taylor Joslin, TBSN
Kalen Karr, TBSN
Alexa Lipman, TBSN
Alexis Losse, TBSN
Thu Mckenzie, ABSN
Alex Mentink, TBSN
Claudia Miller, TBSN
Courtney Oesterle, ABSN
Eduardo Pina, TBSN
Madison Pleoger, TBSN
Trinity Roehl, TBSN
Rachel Schlueter, TBSN
Cassidy Stanger, ABSN
Megan Veum, TBSN
Madeline Wall, ABSN
Carly Weinberger, TBSN
Ginsberg Family Award
Megan Burgoyne, ABSN
Brissa Donnelly, TBSN
Marianna Helgeson, ABSN
Laura Kastanek, TBSN
Helen Maragos, TBSN
Jacqueline Olen, TBSN
School of Nursing Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award
Kayla Belany, TBSN
Katelyn Drake, TBSN
Madison Gute, TBSN
Maddy Karcz, TBSN
Helen Maragos, TBSN
Jacqueline Olen, TBSN
Emma Peterson-Johnson, TBSN
Isabelle Weber, TBSN
Mary L. Keller Research Award
Celia Giles, TBSN
Natalie Halderson, TBSN
Jennifer Halvorson, TBSN
Taylor Joslin, TBSN
Kristin Merss, PhD
Shoua Xiong, TBSN
School of Nursing DNP Excellence Award
Sheryl Bennett, DNP
Joshua Ernst, DNP
Jackline Nekola, DNP
Megan Peloquin, DNP
Anne Richter, DNP
Signe Skott Cooper Writing Award
Nadeen Alshakhshir, PhD
Fatih Kunkul, PhD
Junha Park, PhD
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty
Lisa Bratzke
Rochelle Codlyn
Katie Gillespie
Alyssa Haure
Britta Lothary
Pamela Mcgranahan
Leah Roscoe
Tracy Saladar
Traci Snedden
Jessica Troz
Cassie Voge
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Preceptor
Mat Arras
Lora Burkhalter
Maura Debosko
Erin Heredia
Luke Manderle
Bernadette Schnell
Megan Schroeder
Jackson Towne
Haley Walker
Flag Bearer Nominees
Eduardo Pina, TBSN
Alexander Montgomery, ABSN
Jacqueline Olen, TBSN
Anna Williams, TBSN
Graduation Speaker Nominees
Sheryl Krause, PhD
Mattie Joers, TBSN
Sophia LaSala, TBSN
Aniqueka Scott Moulton, DNP
Ellis Stachowiak, DNP
Hannah Walker, ABSN
Shoua Xiong, TBSN
205
BSN degrees
37
DNP degrees
9
PhD degrees
Stay in Touch
A message from Jordan Langer, Alumni Relations Officer, School of Nursing
Congratulations and welcome to alumnihood! You are joining an incredible group of Badger nurses and you will be making an impact wherever you go. Before you begin your official celebrations, here are some important things you'll want to do.
Graduation Checklist
There are few resources for you to keep in mind as you enter Badger nurse alumnihood:
- Join the Badger Nurse Network Facebook group to stay in touch with other Badger nurses. This is the perfect place to ask questions, celebrate your accomplishments, and connect with Badger nurses across the world.
- Remember, your wisc.edu account will deactivate 9 months post-graduation. Make sure to update your contact information. The School of Nursing would like to send you the biannual Forward Nursing magazine and other updates moving forward!
- Remember, all School of Nursing alumni are members of the Nurses Alumni Organization. You are encouraged to participate in monthly meetings and make your alumni voice heard.
- There will be upcoming opportunities to volunteer and connect with incoming nursing students, so be on the lookout for more information!
- Continue your nursing education with us throughout your career by taking advantage of the most current nursing professional development opportunities. Find the catalog of workshops, skills labs, webinars, online courses, and events through the UW–Madison Interprofessional Continuing Education Partnership.
- Stay in touch! We want to celebrate your achievements and milestones as you continue your career as a Badger nurse. Email alumni@son.wisc.edu with your updates!