Congratulations CALS Spring 2026 Graduates!
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Spring 2026 Graduation Celebration
CALS Graduation Celebration
Saturday, May 9 | 8:30–10:30 a.m.
Allen Centennial Garden
620 Babcock Drive, Madison, WI 53706
Join families, staff, and friends from the UW–Madison College of Agricultural & Life Sciences to celebrate our spring and summer 2026 graduates on May 9th at the Allen Centennial Garden!
The celebration is an informal gathering without formal remarks. Graduates and their guests can come anytime between 8:30-10:30 a.m. to mingle with faculty and staff, take photos throughout the garden, pick up gifts for the graduates, and enjoy light refreshments. Bucky and Dean Glenda Gillaspy will both be in attendance to take photos with graduates and their guests! Graduates must be at Camp Randall Stadium by 11:10 a.m.
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 or the bachelor’s, law, and master’s degree university commencement ceremony.. 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 April 20, 2026, though reasonable effort will be made to support late accommodation requests. Please note there is no formal presentation or speaker for the event and the paths to refreshments and restrooms for the CALS event are accessible. Review this webpage for accessibility information for the campus-wide commencement events.
University Commencement Ceremony
Doctoral, MFA, and Medical Professional Degree Candidate Ceremony
Friday, May 8, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.
The Kohl Center, 601 W. Dayton Street
Doors open at 3:30 p.m. Graduates are asked to arrive no later than 4:50 p.m. to check-in and pick up their name reader card.
Bachelor’s, Law, and Master’s Degree Candidate Ceremony
Saturday, May 9, 2025 at 12:00 p.m.
Camp Randall, 1440 Monroe Street
Doors open at 10:00 a.m. Graduates are asked to arrive no later than 11:10 a.m.
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 and some of those are featured below. Graduating students should contact their advisor with any questions about graduation activities for their major.
Agricultural and Applied Economics
AAE will host a graduation reception at the Pyle Center (702 Langdon St) on Friday, May 8 from 2:00-4:30 p.m. Invites will be sent to students via email. RSVP/registration required for graduates and their guests due to space capacity. Please reach out to Michaela Thaw at pthaw@wisc.edu with any questions.
Biochemistry
Graduating undergraduate Biochemistry students and their families are encouraged to join the Biochemistry Department and Advising Hub for a celebration on Friday, May 8 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. in the DeLuca Biochemical Sciences Building Atrium (440 Henry Mall). Babcock ice cream, light refreshments, and a photo booth will be provided. Come and go as you are able. Please reach out to biochemmicrobio-advisor@wisc.edu with any questions.
Biological Systems Engineering
BSE invites their spring and summer graduates to a recognition event on Friday, May 8 at 2:00 p.m. in the B1 Lounge of 460 Henry Mall. There will be cake and light refreshments, photo opportunities, and each graduate will be individually recognized with a gift. Family are welcome! Please RSVP to betsy.wood@wisc.edu if you plan to bring a large group.
Biology
Graduating biology students can stop by the 3rd floor of the Microbial Sciences Building near the Biology Major advising offices on Friday, May 1 from 11:30 a.m-1:00 p.m. to enjoy a sweet treat with advisors and fellow grads. While you’re there, pick up your Biology Major mug – a gift to you as our newest alumni. Please reach out to info@biologymajor.wisc.edu with any questions.
Community & Environmental Sociology
Graduating students and their families are invited to attend a graduation luncheon on Friday, May 8 at 12:00 p.m. at Allen Centennial Gardens. Please reach out to mbanaszak@wisc.edu with any questions.
Entomology, Forest Science, Plant Pathology, and Wildlife Ecology (Russell Labs)
Russell Labs is hosting a picnic for all graduating students in Entomology, Plant Pathology, Forest Science, and Wildlife Ecology on Thursday, April 30. Students will receive an email with more details. Please reach out to student-services@russell.wisc.edu with any questions.
Environmental Sciences
The Environmental Sciences program is hosting a graduation celebration event on Thursday, May 7 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in the Wisconsin Energy Institute Atrium. Graduates will be recognized by name and receive a gift! A reception with snacks and cake will follow. Please reach out to zwyman@wisc.edu with any questions.
Food Science
Please contact your advisor for more information.
Genetics & Genomics
A celebration will be hosted on Friday, May 8 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Refreshments will be provided with a presentation of the graduates to follow. Please reach out to cminor2@wisc.edu or kvermillion@wisc.edu with any questions.
Global Health
A graduation ceremony and reception will be hosted on Friday, May 8 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in Gordon Commons. Full event details and RSVP form on can be found on the major’s website. Please reach out to todd.courtenay@wisc.edu with any questions.
Life Sciences Communication
The LSC Spring Graduation Reception will take place on Friday, May 8 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. in Biochem 1125. Refreshments will be provided! Students will receive an invitation with more information via email. Please reach out to fd@lsc.wisc.edu with any questions.
Microbiology
Please contact your advisor for more information.
Nutritional Sciences and Nutrition & Dietetics
A celebration event will be held for graduating seniors on Wednesday, May 6 from 12:00-2:00 p.m. in Room 230 of the Nutri Sci building (1415 Linden Drive). Lunch will be provided. Please reach out to Jennie at nutrisci@nutrisci.wisc.edu with any questions.
Featured Graduate Profiles
Amanda Rusch
Global Health, BS
Amanda Rusch, who is from Waunakee, WI, will be graduating this spring with a bachelor’s in global health. Amanda was selected to be the CALS flag bearer at the UW–Madison 2026 spring commencement ceremony. In this Q&A, she talks about why she decided to major in global health and her involvement in activities all around campus. She plans to continue her research in Madison as she prepares for graduate school.
Steven Hsieh
Food Science, Biology, MS
Steven Hsieh, who is from New Taipei City, Taiwan, will be graduating this spring with a bachelor’s in food science and biology and a certificate in fermented food and beverages. In this Q&A, he talks about why he chose the food science major, his experience with research and the CALS Honors in Research program, and student organizations he is involved in. Steven plans to stay at UW–Madison and pursue a master’s in bacteriology.
Chloe Sroga
Biological Systems Engineering, BS
Chloe Sroga, who is from Minneapolis, MN, is graduating this spring with a bachelor’s in biological systems engineering. In this Q&A, she talks about her leadership positions in the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) UW Chapter and her research internship while studying abroad in Greece. After graduation, Chloe will join the Supply Chain Development Program at Conagra Brands.
Molly Keebler
Genetics, Life Sciences Communication, BS
Molly Keebler, who is from Middleton, WI, is graduating this spring with a bachelor’s in genetics and life sciences communication. In this Q&A, she talks about her interest in neurobiology, her extensive involvement around campus in student organizations, research, study abroad, and as a CALS student ambassador. Molly plans to stay in Madison for a gap year while applying to Genetic Counseling programs.
MacKenzy Taylor Price Drousth
Forest Science, BS
MacKenzy Taylor Price Drousth, who is from Madison, WI, will be graduating this spring with a bachelor’s in forest science. In this Q&A, she talks about returning to school to pursue another degree and the connections she’s built in the forest science program and the CALS community. MacKenzy plans to explore careers in land management and continue to volunteer with prescribed burn crews around Madison.
Tyler Diels
Animal and Veterinary Biosciences, BS
Tyler Diels, who is from Beaver Dam, WI, is graduating this spring with a bachelor’s in animal and veterinary biosciences. In this Q&A, he talks about his passion for veterinary medicine, his involvement in the Pre-Veterinary Association, and the connections he made with faculty and professors. After graduation, Tyler will be attending veterinary school at UW–Madison with plans of becoming a small animal veterinarian.
Grace Zhang
Microbiology, BS
Grace Zhang, who is from Boston, MA, is graduating this spring with a bachelor’s in microbiology. In this Q&A, she talks about her research in fungal genetics and the hands-on opportunities in lab courses she has had as an undergraduate. Grace plans to join a research lab and continue research as part of a post-BS research program.
Courtney Meeks
Plant Pathology, PhD
Courtney Meeks, who is from Valdosta, Georgia, is graduating this spring with a PhD in plant pathology. In this Q&A, she talks about her interests in plants and diseases and how valuable it’s been to work alongside scientists with different strengths. Courtney plans to continue her work in the field and help farms with their plant health issues.
Cesi Deng
Genetics, PhD
Cesi Deng, who is from Changsha, China, is graduating this spring with a PhD in genetics. In this Q&A, she talks about her work in stem cell biology and serving on the CALS graduate school committee. Cesi plans to keep pursuing translational research to hopefully advance our understanding of disease and bridge basic biological discovery with therapeutic development.