Graduation Celebration
Congratulations, Class of 2026!
The School of Nursing community wishes 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. You will add to our proud 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!
On This Page
Celebrate With Us!
#BadgerNursesChangeLives #Classof2026 #UWGrad
Undergraduate Award Recipients
Peter Felt, ABSN Candidate
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award
Carolyn Nguyen, TBSN Candidate
Badger Future Nurse Leader Award
Kirsten Olson, ABSN Candidate
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students
Isabel Prohaska, TBSN Candidate
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students
Doctoral Award Recipients
Rachel Hawn, PhD Candidate
Mary L. Keller Research Award
Micayla Meyers Madell, DNP Candidate
Signe Skott Cooper Writing Award
Ashley Smith, DNP Candidate
School of Nursing DNP Excellence Award
Faculty Award Recipients
Cindy Dionysius, MSN, RN
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Undergraduate Nursing Faculty
Katie Gillespie, DNP, RN, CPH, FAAN
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Graduate Nursing Faculty
Preceptor Award Recipients
Sarah Dobbins
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators in a Clinical Setting – Graduate
Leah Schultz
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators in a Clinical Setting – Undergraduate
I am deeply grateful for this recognition, as it reflects the mentorship, support, and belief I have been surrounded by throughout my journey at UW and within the community. I carry those experiences with me, and they continue to guide how I show up for others and create spaces rooted in compassion, connection, and a sense of belonging as I continue working toward meaningful impact in health care.
Undergraduate Speakers
Caleb Anderson, ABSN Candidate
ABSN Graduation Speaker
Brandon Kreger, TBSN Candidate
TBSN Graduation Speaker
Grace Weber, BSN@Home Candidate
BSN@Home Graduation Speaker
Doctoral Speakers
Caitlin Conway, PhD Candidate
PhD Graduation Speaker
Eric Ido-Bruce, DNP Candidate
DNP Graduation Speaker
Flag Bearers
Julie Franzen, PhD Candidate
Graduate Flag Bearer
Julia Zellmer, ABSN Candidate
Undergraduate Flag Bearer
Being nominated by my peers and faculty to give this speech is deeply meaningful to me, because it reflects a level of trust and respect from the people who have shared this journey alongside me. It reminds me that leadership in nursing is not about standing apart, but about representing and lifting up the collective voice of those around you.
Nursing Pin Recipients
Carmela De Leon x’26 (TBSN)
Pin Donor: Debra Hofmann ’98
Chloe Diamond x’26 (TBSN)
Pin Donor: Joan M. Johnston ’63, MS ’68
Alice Hu x’26 (TBSN)
Pin Donor: Deborah Hummel ’78, MS ’82
Will Mihalovic x’26 (TBSN)
Pin Donor: Carole Jo Drives ’57
Olivia Moore x’26 (TBSN)
Pin Donor: Catherine McDougal ’58
Carolyn Nguyen x’26 (TBSN)
Pin Donor: Mary Sullivan ’83
Nicole Schmitt x’26 (TBSN)
Pin Donor: Laurel Niemeyer ’70
Fiona Sternbach x’26 (TBSN)
Dean’s Pin
Kylie Sweeny x’26 (ABSN)
Board of Visitors Pin
Ethan Weinstein x’26 (TBSN)
Pin Donor: Kari A. Keller ’80
Allie Young x’26 (TBSN)
Pin Donor: Mary L. Niemeyer ’64
Eleven 2026 Graduates Honored with School of Nursing Pins
The University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing is proud to honor eleven outstanding nursing graduates with traditional nursing pins, presented by the University of Wisconsin Nurses Alumni Organization.
The UW–Madison School of Nursing Nursing Alumni Association (NAO) celebrated the achievements of our outstanding nursing graduates at the 2026 NAO Nursing Pinning Ceremony. This special event honors the dedication, resilience, and excellence of our soon-to-be Badger nurses.
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.
Award Nominees
Drew Benish, TBSN
Brenda Bompan Benadiba, ABSN
Natalia Cavazos-Ventura, TBSN
Jadyn Currie, TBSN
Carmela De Leon, TBSN
Madison Johnson, TBSN
Ruth Mongoven, TBSN
Ashley Ocampo Reyes, TBSN
Brayde Sahl, TBSN
Emma Schaefer, TBSN
Morgan Tews, ABSN
Jane Yoo, TBSN
Brenda Bompan Benadiba, ABSN
Jadyn Currie, TBSN
Kamryn Dembny, TBSN
Amanda Dolby, TBSN
Grace Garthwait, TBSN
Madison Johnson, TBSN
Ruth Mongoven, TBSN
Olivia Moore, TBSN
Carolyn Nguyen, TBSN
Ashley Ocampo Reyes, TBSN
Brayde Sahl, TBSN
Emma Schaefer, TBSN
Lily Schellpfeffer, TBSN
Marion Sterk-Ciresi, TBSN
Fiona Sternbach, TBSN
Kate Swietlik, ABSN
Avi Vanhooreweghe, TBSN
Tyler Westover, TBSN
Jocelyn Whiting, TBSN
Caitlin Girdley, DNP
Logan Hall, TBSN
Jared Lemminger, TBSN
Miller Stang, TBSN
Ethan Weinstein, TBSN
Carmela De Leon, TBSN
Leah Breen, TBSN
Asha Demski, BSN@Home
Brandon Kreger, TBSN
Delaney Lokken, TBSN
Ruth Mongoven, TBSN
Ashley Ocampo Reyes, TBSN
Hayley Slohn, TBSN
Amaliya Benjamin
Alice Hu
Hailey Markee, ABSN
Ruth Mongoven
Laura Porter
Karli Schulenberg, BSN@Home
Fiona Sternbach
Brandon Geracie, DNP
Kathryn Giguere, DNP
Carmela De Leon, TBSN
Rachel Hawn, PhD
Yamikani Nkhoma, PhD
Isabel Prohaska, TBSN
242
BSN degrees
30
DNP degrees
4
PhD degrees
Stay in Touch
A message from Jordan Langer, Advancement Manager, 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.
New Alumni 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 become members of the Nurses Alumni Organization. You are encouraged to participate in monthly meetings and make your alumni voice heard.
- 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!