Congratulations CALS Winter 2025 Graduates!
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Winter 2025 Graduation Celebration
CALS Graduation Celebration
Sunday, December 14 | 8:00–9:15 a.m.
Gordon Dining & Event Center, Symphony Room
770 W Dayton St, Madison, WI 53706
Join families, staff, and friends from the UW–Madison College of Agricultural & Life Sciences to celebrate our winter 2025 graduates on December 14th at the Gordon Dining & Event Center!
The celebration begins at 8:00 a.m. with a light breakfast and brief remarks at 8:30 a.m. by Dean Glenda Gillaspy. Bucky will be in attendance to take photos and graduates and guests are welcome to stay as long as they would like before leaving for the Kohl Center. Graduates must be seated for the campus-wide commencement in the Kohl Center by 9:40 am.
Please note, this celebration is not the official commencement ceremony, and degrees are officially conferred at the university-wide commencement events. Due to the high number of graduates in attendance and limited time available, graduate names will not be read at the CALS Graduation Celebration but they will be read at the campus-wide ceremony for winter graduates. Find more information on the campus-wide UW Commencement website.
Parking: Complimentary parking will be available in several campus parking lots.
Accommodations: CALS is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible event. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact academicaffairs@cals.wisc.edu. Requests should be made by November 28, 2025, though reasonable effort will be made to support late accommodation requests. Please review this webpage for accessibility information for the campus-wide commencement events.
University Commencement Ceremony
Doctoral, Law, Medical Professional, Master’s, and Bachelor’s Degree Candidate Ceremony
Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
The Kohl Center, 601 W. Dayton Street
Doors open at 8:00 a.m. Graduates are asked to be in their seats no later than 9:40 a.m. to check-in and pick up their name reader card.
Questions?
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 ceremony.
CALS Major-Specific Commencement Activities
Many of our majors and departments have their own recognition programming for graduating students, details for those will be provided below. Graduating students should contact their advisor with any questions about graduation activities for their major.
Featured Graduate Profiles
Emily Stumpf
Life Sciences Communication, BS
Emily Stumpf, who grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin, is graduating this spring with a bachelor’s in life sciences communication and a certificate in digital studies. She was selected to be the CALS flag bearer at the UW–Madison 2025 spring commencement ceremony. In this Q&A, she talks about why she chose the life sciences communication major and her involvement in multiple student organizations. She plans to continue to work for Wisconsin 4-H with the goal of working in agricultural communications.
Sam Mahlum
Biochemistry, BS
Sam Mahlum, who grew up in Germantown, Wisconsin, will be graduating this spring with a bachelor’s in biochemistry and a certificate in athletic healthcare. She is also the UW–Madison 2025 senior class president. In this Q&A, she talks about her leadership roles in student organizations, her hands-on learning experiences, and why she chose biochemistry. She was recently accepted into the masters of medical science in anesthesia program at South University in West Palm Beach.
Jasmine Hughes
Microbiology, BS
Jasmine Hughes, who grew up in Missouri City, Texas, is graduating this spring with a bachelor’s in microbiology and a certificate in global health. In this Q&A, she discusses her leadership in student organizations, her undergraduate research, and her involvement in the Community Resource Navigator Program offered through the global health certificate. She is a Mercile J. Lee Scholar and plans to attend medical school in the fall.
Mason Polencheck
Microbiology & Zoology, BS
Mason Polencheck, who grew up in Ashland, Wisconsin, will be graduating this spring with a bachelor’s in microbiology and zoology. In this Q&A, he talks about his research on mudpuppies all over the state and his extensive involvement in student organizations. He plans to get a master’s in conservation science at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities and will continue his research on mudpuppies in partnership with the Minnesota DNR.
Mohamed AlMulla,
Genetics and Genomics & Agronomy, BS
Mohamed AlMulla, who grew up in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, is graduating this spring with a bachelor’s in genetics and genomics and agronomy. In this Q&A, he talks about why he chose his majors and his involvement in multiple student organizations He plans to pursue a master’s of science in bacteriology at UW–Madison this fall.
Kylie Konyn
Dairy Science, BS
Kylie Konyn, who grew up in San Diego, California, will be graduating this spring with a bachelor’s in dairy science and certificates in science communication and business management for agricultural and life sciences. In this Q&A, she talks about her passion for the dairy industry and her extensive involvement in dairy- and agriculture-focused student organizations and competitions on campus. She plans to attend graduate school at Cornell University in the fall.
Katie Cervenka
Wildlife Ecology & Life Sciences Communication, BS
Katie Cervenka, who grew up in Delafield, Wisconsin, is graduating this spring with a bachelor’s in wildlife ecology and life sciences communication and a certificate in environmental studies. In this Q&A, she talks about the connections she made between her two majors, her involvement in student organizations, and her role as a CALS Student Ambassador. She plans to work for a non-profit organization that specializes in natural resources communication.
Will Roder
Food Science, BS
Will Roder, who grew up in New Berlin, Wisconsin, is graduating this spring with a bachelor’s in food science and a certificate in fermented foods and beverages. In this Q&A, he talks about why he chose the food science major and his involvement in the Food Science Club. Will also received the 2024 Jacob Leinenkugel Diversity in Brewing Award. He plans to work in the brewing industry as a brewer.
Cindy Dong
Life Sciences Communication & Global Health, BS
Cindy Dong, who grew up in New Berlin, Wisconsin, will be graduating this spring with a bachelor’s in global health and life sciences communication and a certificate in Asian American studies. In this Q&A, she discusses what drew her to the global health and life sciences communication majors, her leadership roles in student organizations, and her involvement in the global health department. She plans to work in public health or higher education.
Sam Anhalt
Biological Systems Engineering, BS
Sam Anhalt, who grew up in Mishicot, Wisconsin, is graduating this spring with a bachelor’s in biological systems engineering and a certificate in environmental studies. In this Q&A, she talks about why she chose the biological systems engineering major, her involvement in Optima Dance, and her leadership experience in the UW American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. She plans to stay at UW–Madison and pursue a master’s in biological systems engineering.
Alex Krawczyk
Genetics and Genomics & Life Sciences Communication, BS
Alex Krawczyk, who grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, will be graduating this spring with a bachelor’s in genetics and genomics and life sciences communication. In this Q&A, he talks about why he switched to the genetics and genomics major, his study abroad experience in Thailand, and his involvement in student organizations. He plans to work in biomedical sales and marketing.
Sofia Fernandez
Bacteriology, MS
Sofia Fernandez, who grew up in Richfield, Wisconsin, is graduating this spring with a master’s of science in bacteriology. In this Q&A, she talks about why she chose to pursue a graduate degree in bacteriology, her role in research and as a teaching assistant, and the impact of her study abroad experience. She plans to attend medical school in the fall and pursue an MD/MPH.
Jaya Hafner
Agroecology, MS
Jaya Hafner, who grew up in Fairfield, Iowa, is graduating this spring with a master’s in agroecology. In this Q&A, she talks about why she chose the agroecology masters program, her experience on the Agroecology Governance Committee, and her research on watershed health. She plans to continue working in water quality research and data analysis.
Becca Honeyball
Horticulture, PhD
Becca Honeyball, who grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, will be graduating this spring with a PhD in horticulture. In this Q&A, she talks about her extensive involvement in student organizations, her experience in founding Mentorship Opportunities in Science and Agriculture (MOSAIC) and her research in wild bogs. She plans to work in the field of conversation and community building.