On Sunday, December 17, 2023, a new group of UW-Madison students will officially graduate and join the Badger alumni community. Join us to celebrate CALS graduates at our pre-commencement reception!
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Winter 2023 Commencement
CALS Pre-Commencement Celebration Sunday, December 17, 2023 | 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. Concerto Room | Gordon Dining and Events Center 770 W. Dayton Street, Madison, WI 53706
Doctoral, professional, master’s, and bachelor’s degree candidates in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences are invited to attend the CALS Pre-Commencement Celebration from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. in Gordon Dining and Events Center on Sunday, December 17 2023. This informal event will feature an address from Dean Glenda Gillaspy, photo opportunities and a light breakfast. Friends and family are welcome to attend.
Complimentary parking will be available in several campus parking lots.
Please note, this celebration is not the official commencement ceremony and degrees are not conferred until the Kohl Center Ceremony on December 17, 2023.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. Requests must be submitted by December 1, 2023.
University Commencement Plans
Winter 2023 Commencement
Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral Degree Ceremony Sunday, December 17, 2023 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.
Meet your commencement speaker: Michael Finley
This winter’s commencement speaker Michael Finley is an NBA All-Star and Badger legend.
He is also a fellow CALS alum!
In 2014, he completed his bachelor’s degree from UW in agricultural and applied economics.
Biochemistry undergraduate students and their families are invited to celebrate their achievements on Friday, December 15th from 2:00-4:00 pm in the Biochemical Sciences Building Atrium (440 Henry Mall). There will be light refreshments, and special attendance from Biochemistry department staff, administration, and faculty to help celebrate!
BSE will recognize December graduates as part of the BSE 509 Poster Presentations on Tuesday, December 5 at 4 pm in 130 Ag Engineering Lab. There will be cake!
Congratulations Biology Major Class of 2023! Stop by 2511 Microbial Sciences Building on Thursday, December 14 from 10:30 am-12:00 pm to chat with advisors and pick up your Biology Major mug or t-shirt. It’s our gift to you as our newest alumni.
The genetics department will be holding a graduation reception for Genetics & Genomics majors on Saturday, December 16th from 4:00-5:30 pm in the Genetics/Biotech Atrium (425 Henry Mall). We will be providing snack and drinks, and will have a small graduation presentation, along with a lab tour for graduates and their families.
LSC Undergrad and Graduate Student Winter Graduation Ceremony Friday, December 15 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Hiram Smith Hall, 2nd floor lobby
CALS Winter 2023 Graduates
Profiles
Kaitlin Buterbaugh
Dairy Science
Kaitlin Buterbaugh, who grew up in Hampshire, Illinois, will be graduating this winter with a bachelor’s degree in dairy science. Read more about Buterbaugh in this Q&A, where she describes her passion for calf and heifer management, her experience as one of the first student ambassadors for the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, the value of developing connections, and more.
Eleyna Escobedo
Biology, Life Sciences Communication
Eleyna Escobedo, who grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, will be graduating this winter with a bachelor’s degree. She is majoring in both life sciences communication and biology. Learn more about Escobedo in this Q&A, where she describes her interest in patient care and medicine, her extensive work in both hospitals and labs, the value of stepping outside your comfort zone, and more.
Cole Koffron
Environmental Sciences, Soil Science
Cole Koffron, who grew up in Chicago, Illinois, will be graduating this winter with a bachelor’s degree. He majoring in both environmental sciences and soil science. Read more about Koffron in this Q&A, where he describes his passion for the environment and natural resource management, how being involved in undergraduate research led him to a multitude of opportunities, his future career plans to benefit the public good, and more.
Magic Vang
Global Health
Magic Vang, who was born and raised in Kronenwetter, Wisconsin, will be graduating this winter with a bachelor’s degree in global health. Learn more about Vang in this article, which describes his passion for pursuing public health and helping fellow members of the Hmong community through his outreach work with UW’s Midwest Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Disease.
Social
Join us in celebrating the graduation of our undergraduate majors on Dec. 15! pic.twitter.com/hGiqVRze5U
He commanded the court as a @BadgerMBB legend, and this December, NBA All-Star Michael Finley will command the #UWGrad stage as #UWMadison's Winter 2023 Commencement speaker.
All AAE graduates (BS, MS, PhD) are invited to attend the department graduation celebration at the Pyle Center Alumni Lounge on Friday, May 12 from 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm.
Agronomy
Agroecology
Animal and Dairy Sciences
The Animal and Dairy Sciences Graduate Recognition event will be held on Wednesday, May 3 from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm in Halpin Library (Room 214) in the Animal Sciences Building.
Biology
Stop by 2511 Microbial Sciences Center on Friday, May 5, 1:00-2:30 to chat with advisors and pick up your Biology Major travel mug.
Biochemistry
The Biochemistry Graduating Student Ice Cream Social will be held on Friday, May 12 from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm in the Biochemical Sciences Building Atrium.
Bacteriology: Microbiology major
The Bacteriology Graduation Reception will take place on Saturday, May 13 following commencement at Camp Randall on the second floor atrium of the Microbial Sciences Building. Light refreshments will be provided.
Biological Systems Engineering
The Biological Systems Engineering Graduation Reception will take place on Friday, May 12 at 3:00 pm in B1 of the Ag Engineering Building. Graduates and families are welcome.
Community and Environmental Sociology
Entomology
Environmental Sciences
Food Science
The Food Science Graduation reception will be held on Saturday, May 13 from 9:00 am – 11:00 am in B141 Babcock Hall. Friends and family are welcome to attend.
Forest and Wildlife Ecology
Genetics and Genomics
The Genetics & Genomics Majors Graduation Reception, Friday May 12th from 4:00-6:00 pm in the Genetics Atrium
Global Health
The Global Health Major Graduation and Reception will be held on Friday, May 12 in Gordon Commons Sonata/Concerto Room from 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm.
Horticulture
Life Sciences Communication
The Life Sciences Communication Graduation Celebration will be held on Friday, May 12 from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm in the Microbiology Building (Exact room TBD)
Nutritional Sciences
Plant Breeding & Plant Genetics
Plant Pathology
The Plant Pathology Spring Honors, Awards and Graduation Celebration will be held on Tuesday, May 9 in the Russell Labs Library (Room 584) at 3:30 pm.
