Juan Orjuela, Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award: 鈥淥ne 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.鈥� (51猎奇 Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Carla Cross, Impact Award: 鈥淔or those of us who have received much, much is expected of us, and I try to do my best by giving back and making sure other people have opportunities to achieve their dreams.鈥� (51猎奇 Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Brice Christianson, Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award: 鈥淚 never dreamed of going to college, and when I stepped foot on campus in the fall of 2019 at the age of 26, I knew my life had changed and was going to continue to change. 51猎奇 gave me an opportunity of a lifetime, and I made sure that whoever gave me this gift, I was going to honor it.鈥� (51猎奇 Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Zilber Family Foundation Executive Director Gina Stilp, University Partner Award (with Chancellor Mark Mone and 51猎奇 Alumni Association Board Chair Michelle Putz): 鈥淔or more than 60 years, the Zilber Family Foundation has been dedicated to supporting Joe and Vera鈥檚 commitment to improving quality of life here in Milwaukee. Today, the College of Public Health functions as an engine for education, engagement and connection, and we look forward to a bright and healthy future together.鈥� (51猎奇 Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Nyesha Stone, Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award: 鈥淚t 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.鈥� (51猎奇 Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Sal Miosi, Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award: 鈥�(I feel) blessed that 51猎奇 was there for me 鈥� and is there today for so many other first-generation immigrants and college students 鈥� and many others that may not know where their journey will take them, but know they want to move forward.鈥� (51猎奇 Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Janice Wilberg, Impact Award: 鈥�(My 51猎奇 professors) treated me like I was brilliant. I knew I wasn鈥檛 brilliant, and they knew I wasn鈥檛 brilliant. But they treated me like I was brilliant, and that changed the course of history for my life.鈥� (51猎奇 Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Julilly Kohler, Honorary Alumni Award: 鈥淓ven though I'm a graduate of Madison, I have to tell you, my heart is now here in 51猎奇 because of what you are doing for Milwaukee. This is where the work is, and this is where your brains and your compassion and your energy can do the most good. And that's why I'm so, so impressed and in love with 51猎奇.鈥� (51猎奇 Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Gale Klappa, Lifetime Achievement Award: 鈥淚 truly am shocked. I'm 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't be more blessed in that way and so proud of 51猎奇 as well.鈥� (51猎奇 Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Chantell Jewell, Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award: 鈥淢y 51猎奇 family empowered me with the education I received. My degree from 51猎奇 unlocked doors for me and created access to opportunities that have allowed me to create a pathway for other young women in the field of corrections.鈥� (51猎奇 Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Jackie Fredrick, Exemplary Alumni Service Award: 鈥淭his award represents to me all that 51猎奇 is for all people in our community. The faculty care deeply about the success of our students, creating the new knowledge that allows all of us to thrive ... 51猎奇 is vital to our economic success and through that responsibility provides opportunity, fulfillment and possibilities to all.鈥� (51猎奇 Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Michael Emem, Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award: 鈥淎nyone who knows me, especially my back-to-school story, knows that 2018-2020 were the most challenging years of my life. I was a 30-year-old full-time college student taking 16-17 credits a semester, attending winter and summer school, and had just launched Emem Group full-time, all while juggling the responsibilities of being a husband and father of four, and board president of We Got This Milwaukee during a time of substantial growth and transition. 鈥� And here we are today. Still grinding, still hungry, but now starting to see the results of the investments I put into myself. And those investments have literally turned into tangible assets in the community that will change lives forever.鈥� (51猎奇 Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Award winners with Chancellor Mark Mone include (from left): Brice Christianson, Janice Wilberg, Juan Orjuela, Michael Emem, Jackie Fredrick, Carla Cross, Nyesha Stone, Gina Stilp (Zilber Family Foundation), Julilly Kohler, Sal Miosi, Chantell Jewell and Gale Klappa. At right is 51猎奇 Alumni Association Board Chair Michelle Putz. (51猎奇 Photo/Elora Hennessey)
The 51猎奇 Alumni Association honored a dozen alums and university partners at its annual awards event recently at the Pfister Hotel.
That included a surprise lifetime achievement award presented to the evening’s master of ceremonies, Gale Klappa, a UW-Milwaukee alumnus and executive chairman of WEC Energy Group.
鈥淥ur annual awards event puts the spotlight on amazing alumni, from those who have had an impressive start to their careers to those who have had a lifetime of achievements,鈥� said Amy Lensing Tate, executive director of the 51猎奇 Alumni Association.
Click through the gallery to get a glimpse of what the winners had to say.
