{"id":27263,"date":"2024-03-04T10:24:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-04T16:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/letters-science\/?p=27263"},"modified":"2024-05-31T15:09:19","modified_gmt":"2024-05-31T20:09:19","slug":"klappa-surprised-with-lifetime-achievement-award-at-uwm-alumni-awards-other-alumni-honored","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/letters-science\/in-focus\/klappa-surprised-with-lifetime-achievement-award-at-uwm-alumni-awards-other-alumni-honored\/","title":{"rendered":"Klappa surprised with lifetime achievement award at 51ÁÔÆæ Alumni Awards; other alumni honored"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Gale Klappa, a UW-Milwaukee alumnus and executive chairman of WEC Energy Group, was honored with the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award by the 51ÁÔÆæ Alumni Association at its annual awards evening on Friday, Feb. 23, at the Pfister Hotel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the program, 51ÁÔÆæ Chancellor Mark Mone surprised the audience and Klappa, who served as the evening\u2019s master of ceremonies, by announcing the award. The presentation featured a video<\/a> of Wisconsin business leaders talking about Klappa\u2019s impact on 51ÁÔÆæ and Greater Milwaukee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
Gale Klappa, Lifetime Achievement Award: \u201cI truly am shocked. I\u2019m really very surprised and completely humbled. So many of our honorees tonight have talked about being blessed, about having mentors that open the doors for you. And I couldn\u2019t be more blessed in that way and so proud of 51ÁÔÆæ as well.\u201d (51ÁÔÆæ Photo\/Elora Hennessey)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Klappa graduated cum laude from 51ÁÔÆæ in 1972 with a bachelor\u2019s degree in mass communications, and he received an honorary degree from 51ÁÔÆæ in 2011 in recognition of his support for 51ÁÔÆæ\u2019s growth initiative, his extensive community involvement and his leadership in helping to shape the economic future of southeast Wisconsin through the launch of the Milwaukee 7 regional economic development initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kevin Loh, a master\u2019s degree student in the classical guitar program at the Peck School of the Arts, provided music throughout the evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eleven other alums and university partners were honored<\/a> at the annual event, which recognizes alumni and friends of 51ÁÔÆæ for their career achievements and their impact on their communities and the university. They included Letters & Science graduates Juan Orjuela and Nyesha Stone, who were honored as Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) award recipients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
Nyesha Stone, Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award: \u201cIt is because of the JAMS department that I am the journalist I am today. I started college not knowing what the field was to freelancing at one of the top local news outlets before graduating. These immersive journalism trips around the country gave me the confidence to eventually start my own news company.\u201d (51ÁÔÆæ Photo\/Elora Hennessey)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"A
Juan Orjuela, Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award: \u201cOne of my fondest memories was working at the Office of Undergraduate Research. I worked with incredible individuals who mentored me and supported me on my journey of becoming a doctor of veterinary medicine.\u201d (51ÁÔÆæ Photo\/Elora Hennessey) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With two graduate degrees, including a master\u2019s in urban affairs and a doctorate in urban studies, both from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee\u2019s College of Letters & Science, Janice (Jan) Wilberg devoted her 45-year career to working with nonprofits and governmental organizations to improve the lives of vulnerable populations in Milwaukee. In her retirement, she helps the homeless by serving on the board of Street Angels Inc., and she advocates for senior citizens in her role as chair of the Milwaukee County Commission on Aging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Letters & Science alumna Janice Wilberg was also honored for her advocacy for Milwaukee’s most vulnerable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wilberg received the 51ÁÔÆæ Impact Award from the 51ÁÔÆæ Alumni Association in 2024. This award highlights alumni who are improving their communities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Kari Pink and Kyle Bursaw, Marketing & Communications<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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