College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Winter 2024 Commencement
CALS Pre-Commencement Celebration Sunday, December 15 | 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. Gordon Dining & Event Center, Symphony Room 770 W. Dayton Street, Madison, WI 53706
Please join families, staff, and friends from the UW—Madison College of Agricultural & Life Sciences for a breakfast with our December 2024 graduates. Breakfast begins at 8:00 a.m. and Dean Gillaspy will share brief remarks at 8:45. We look forward to celebrating with you!
Complimentary parking will be available in several campus parking lots.
Please note, this celebration is not the official commencement ceremony, and degrees are officially conferred at the doctoral, law, medical professional, master’s, and bachelor’s degree ceremony at the Kohl Center on Sunday, December 15, 2024.Find more information on the UW Commencement website.
CALS is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible event. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact academicaffairs@cals.wisc.edu to make a reasonable accommodation request.
University Commencement Plans
Winter 2024 Commencement
Doctoral, Law, Medical Professional, Master’s, and Bachelor’s Degree Candidate Ceremony
Sunday, December 15, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. Kohl Center, 601 W. Dayton Street
Graduates should consult the University’s Commencement website regularly for updates. You may also email commence@chancellor.wisc.edu with any questions regarding the University’s Commencement.
Department Commencement Activities
Please check back soon for more information about department commencement activities!
Keira Obert, who grew up in Saint Paul, Minnesota, will be graduating this spring with a bachelor’s in wildlife ecology and certificates in environmental studies and studio art. She was selected to be the CALS flag bearer at the UW–Madison commencement ceremony. In this Q&A, she talks about her experiences with the Hoofer Outing Club, attending her major’s “summer camp,” and her career plans, which involve promoting safe and sustainable outdoor recreation and conservation practices.
Bea Sutton
Food Science, BS
Bea Sutton, who grew up in Ashland, Wisconsin, is graduating this spring with a bachelor’s in food science and a certificate in global health. In this Q&A, she talks about finding the food science major, the value of participating in student organizations, and the satisfaction of working at campus’ Carson’s Market. Her future plans include interning at a California winery, then going to grad school.
Maxwell Chibuogwu
Plant Pathology, PhD
Maxwell Chibuogwu, an international student from Nigeria, will be graduating this spring with a PhD in plant pathology. In this Q&A, he talks about his route to UW–Madison, his motivation to study pathogens of crop plants, his leadership roles at UW, and the journey he’ll take to reach his future career goal: to consult for African ministries of agriculture.
Dev Desai
Biochemistry, BS Microbiology, BS
Dev Desai, who grew up in Nashik, India, will be graduating this spring with two bachelor’s degrees – one in biochemistry and one in microbiology. In this Q&A, he talks about his experiences doing research and being a TA, his appreciation for bacteria, and his next step to get a PhD in molecular and cell biology.
Maezy Beams
Horticulture, BS
Maezy Beams, who grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, will be graduating this spring with a bachelor’s degree in horticulture. In this Q&A, she talks about her decision to transfer to UW, finding a supportive community at CALS, and her eagerness to work in a public-facing role in the horticultural field.
Brenen Skalitzky
Genetics and Genomics, BS
Brenen Skalitzky, who grew up in Waterloo, Wisconsin, will be graduating this spring with a bachelor’s degree in genetics and genomics, as well as three certificates: criminal justice, global health, and health policy. In this Q&A, he talks about his involvement in student orgs, undergrad research, study abroad – and his next steps to go to med school.
Andrea Wegrzynowicz
Biochemistry, PhD
Andrea Wegrzynowicz, who grew up in Ballston Spa in upstate New York, will be graduating this spring with a PhD in biochemistry. In this Q&A, she talks about the satisfaction of doing the “hard things,” the importance of saying “yes” to spontaneous trips to Babcock Dairy and the Terrace, and her plans to work in infertility and reproductive health.
Luke McCullough
Dairy Science, BS
Luke McCullough, who grew up in Juda, Wisconsin, will be graduating this spring with a bachelor’s in dairy science. In this Q&A, Luke talks about his role as student manager at campus’ Dairy Cattle Center, being on a winning team for the National Dairy Challenge competition, and his next steps to go to vet school and become a large animal veterinarian.
Jaya Suneja
Biological Systems Engineering, BS
Jaya Suneja, who grew up in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, will be graduating this spring with a bachelor’s degree in biological systems engineering and three certificates: business management for CALS, environmental studies, and studio art. In this Q&A, she talks about her experiences in the her major’s student org, the value of investing in your health and wellbeing, and her goal to become a licensed engineer who works on water management projects in water-scarce areas.
Jim Spoden
Environmental Sciences, BS Life Sciences Communication, BS
Jim Spoden, who grew up in Milwaukee, will be graduating this spring with two bachelor’s degrees – environmental sciences and life sciences communication. This UW news article describes how Jim, who had been working in U.S. trade compliance, decided to go to college in order to shift his career path – to better align with his interest in addressing climate change.
Rosalie Powell
Environmental Sciences, BS Life Sciences Communication, BS
Rosalie Powell, who grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, will be graduating this spring with two bachelor’s degrees – environmental sciences and life sciences communication. In this Q&A, she talks about the satisfaction of registering students to vote, anticipation of publishing her undergrad research, and excitement about her upcoming conservation-focused fellowship in Washington State. Learn even more about Rosalie in this Grow article.