Decorative Class of 2020 banner

Celebrating the Class of 2020

Welcome to the DDEEA’s Graduation Recognition 2020, a digital celebration of the accomplishments of the Class of 2020. Please accept these air hugs, recorded memories, photos and online honors until we can gather in person.

To our Graduating Scholars: May the joy of college graduation be the defining memory of this challenging year — you did it! But before you go out to contribute to a world that needs your talents, intelligence and creative compassion, it’s time to reflect on the journey and embrace your achievement.

The DDEEA Class of 2020

337 Graduating Seniors

103 Center for Educational Opportunity Scholars
60 Chancellor’s Scholars
17 First Wave Scholars
11 McNair Scholars
74 PEOPLE Scholars
50 Powers-Knapp Scholars
34 Posse Scholars

Note: Some graduates were enrolled in multiple programs.

You did it!

A message from Deputy Vice Chancellor Patrick Sims

Cover of the 2020 Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement Graduation Program

Graduation Program

This commemorative program celebrates our 2020 graduates, listing their names by program, and includes many photos of our students.

You can download the program to save or print, or view it as an e-book complete with student speaker videos.

View the Program

Download as an E-Book

Hear From Our Class Speakers

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Center for Educational Opportunity student speaker Michelle Ubah

Chancellor's Scholars student speaker Kenneth Fiala

First Wave student speaker Penda Smith

McNair Scholars student speaker Mikayla Buford

PEOPLE student speaker Samad Qawi

Posse student speaker Shiloah Coley

Powers-Knapp student speaker Ashley Higgins

Get Social

A man wearing graduation regalia points at a stage in triumph.

Follow our #DDEEAHonors hashtag on Instagram to see profiles of some of our outstanding 2020 graduates.

Share your own graduation experience or shout out to your favorite grad using the hashtag #UWGrad on Instagram or Twitter for a chance to be featured on the UW–Madison Commencement site.

Follow our social media accounts for even more graduation celebrations and to stay in touch all year long.

DDEEA
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Center for Educational Opportunity
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First Wave
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McNair Scholars Program
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Mercile J. Lee Scholars Program
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

PEOPLE
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Posse
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Guestbook

Messages of congratulations for the DDEEA Class of 2020

Jeri Bryant from Madison wrote:
Once again, I am truly impressed at the way a graduating class has changed UW-Madison for the better. I am proud that I have had the opportunity to engage with so many of you and learn from you. You are going in to a very different world and I am excited to see how your contributions will shape it for the better. I am thankful for your contributions to my efforts to see STEM students graduate ready for the workforce and confident in their abilities to thrive. Congratulations grads!


Rachelle Eilers from Middleton wrote:
Wow… crying over here! So so proud of all the graduates. You worked tremendously hard and YOU DID IT! I’m so blessed to be able to have worked with some of the best of you! Your impact will forever live in my heart. Thank you for making an impact on me and UW forever. Con muchisimo amor ❤❤


Jamila Siddiqui from Madison, WI wrote:
Yeah!!!!!! So proud of all of you! I know we’d normally be dancing it up, just know I’m dancing for you all in my home right now. High fives and best wishes to you all!


Amihan Huesmann from Madison wrote:
Seeing you all gives me hope. You have accomplished so much, and you’re going to go on to accomplish much more. UW chose you, and you belong at UW. So many folx who passed through the Physics Learning Center so I won’t name everyone, but I’m especially proud of Penda Smith from First Wave. You are going to do it!


Stephanie Woodson from wrote:
I am so honored to have endured the past 4 years with you all! You are AMAZING people and are currently/and will continue to do AMAZING things! Congratulations to everyone and special shout out to PEOPLE 2016 Cohort and McNair Graduating Scholars! I love you all!!!


Heidi Hakseth from Madison wrote:
Congratulations DDEEA Class of 2020! You persevered, you overcame, you graduated. Be proud of all you’ve achieved. YOU make us proud to work in the DDEEA. On Wisconsin!


Patrick Sims from Madison, WI wrote:
Hey DDEEA Graduates. You all are absolutely amazing! I can’t say enough good things about and how you all have come together to celebrate each other. Can’t wait to see you b back for homecoming and all of the other alumni type things that you will now get a chance to participate and show your Badger Pride.

Much love you to all!

In community!

Patrick


Miriah Albouras from Madison wrote:
YOU BELONG! YOU ARE UW!

Congratulations to all DDEEA Scholars, graduates and special shout out to PEOPLE Scholars! ? You all are so amazing and inspiring to others, you are meant for great things and we are thinking of you on your special graduation day. On Wisconsin! ??


Sue Carlson from Madison wrote:
Congratulations to all of the spring 2020 graduates. In particular, I would like to recognize the accomplishments of the masters and doctoral graduates from the Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics. Well done, everyone!


Lori Reesor from Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs wrote:
CONGRATS to the Class of 2020! Your speeches were wonderful and a highlight of my day. I wish we could have celebrated together in person. You made UW-Madison a better place and I am confident you will make our world a better place. We need brave leaders like you. Thank you for sharing your gifts and being you!! On, Wisconsin!


Maj Fischer from UW-Madison International Division wrote:
Congratulations Class of 2020! The best half hour of my week was listening to your class speakers; thank you all for your inspiring words, but more so for your inspiring [i]work[/i] throughout your time on (and off!) campus. Special shout-outs to Shiloah and others like her who participated in international learning experience to further broaden their worldview. Thank you for including international education in your degree experiences. All the best.


Larry Nesper from Madison wrote:
Congratulations on completing your course of study and achieving all you have at UW-Madison. Be confident that you leave here well-prepared to face the great uncertainty that is before us. All the best to you in the days to come.


Wren Singer from Madison wrote:
Congratulations on a historic achievement. You did it! Our future is bright with you as our next leaders.


Gail Ford from Madison wrote:
Congratulations to the class of 2020 DDEEA Scholars! We are so proud of your perseverance and your achievements! Extra sauce and love to our PEOPLE College Scholar Graduates! ❤


Becky Ryan from Madison wrote:
BIG Congrats to Environmental Studies students!
Hope Peterson
Rashad Lavigae Tiam Watt
Esmeralda Tovar
Alberto Kanost
Ashley Doebereiner
Joshua Graham
Martin Calderon
Kevin Crosby
Yeline Del Carmen
Austin Gladden
Olivia Aviles
Mari Kielczewski
Adriana Salse
AND
Jeremy Sanford

Best wishes to you all!


Jonathan Gramling from Madison wrote:
We are so proud of you. They say what doesn’t kill you will make you stronger. Y’all are one of the strongest classes to ever graduate from UW-Madison. Go forth and do the great things you are destined to do!


Amanda Walsh from wrote:
Big congratulations to all the DDEEA graduates! Your perseverance through this semester speaks to your strength and talents, and I know each of you will go on to leave your mark on the world, making it a better place for your being in it. Best of luck in all your future endeavors!


Betsy Wood from Madison wrote:
A warm congratulations to all of you. Your presence on campus has enriched the experience of faculty, staff, and your fellow students. Your accomplishments set the bar high for those who are yet to arrive, and I know I will one day see your name in lights, on a marquee, cited in a research paper, on a viral Ted Talk or in a press release accepting a global award. We still here will say Ha! I knew it!

Special shout out from Biological Systems Engineering to our Posse Scholars; Devonte Foley and Sarah Neufcourt. I can’t wait to see where your wings will take you. On Wisconsin!


Michael Maguire from [UW-Madison, CNPL] – Madison wrote:
Congrats! … Kalina, Abby, Paige, Camille, Damon and Patong. As DDEEA Graduating Scholars in the Class of 2020, you are the pride of our Community & Nonprofit Leadership program, too! I’ll miss you [and … didn’t I tell you that you will graduate?! ?].


Danielle Croegaert from School of Human Ecology wrote:
Congratulations, scholars, and congratulations on your graduation! Thank you for being strong contributors to our campus community- you are ready to make an amazing impact on the world around you! On Wisconsin!


Claudia Mosley from Center for Educational Opportunity wrote:
Congratulations to the HISTORIC CLASS of 2020!!!! You have successfully completed your final semester at UW-Madison during most unprecedented and extraordinary times. I am in awe of your persistence and resilience. You can do anything! You have proved that you can roll with challenging circumstances and make things happen. I am proud of our CeO graduates and all of the graduates within the DDEEA. I look forward to all that you will contribute to the world!


RICK STRICKLAND from MADISON wrote:
Class of 2020, congratulations on your achievement and thank you for your many contributions to life on this campus. You are amazing people! You have demonstrated your gifts and resilience, and no one–and no pandemic–can take these from you. Remember always that we need you–you vision, your tenacity, your leadership. Congratulations!


Lindsey Stoddard Cameron from Madison wrote:
[b]Congratulations [/b] on this unique and special graduation day — and a great big [b]Thank You[/b] for all you will contribute in the next chapters of your lives and careers as leaders and UW-Madison alumns!! Best wishes / Well wishes to you, your families, and all in your circle of friends!! Linds


Emily Chaltry from Madison wrote:
Well done and congratulations, scholars! You can be especially proud of how you navigated your last semester. Myself and the rest of the staff at the Center for Pre-Health Advising look forward to still working with you after graduation.


Sandra Vega-Semorile from Madison wrote:
Congratulations Class of 2020!!!
Needless to say you-all hold a very dear and special place in my heart… not just because one of you is also one of my own, but because I have gotten to know or learn about you deeply. You give me hope because you are rock stars in your own lives, you will change this world for the better in all possible ways and directions. It is a privilege and a true honor to have witnessed your genius talents, your resilience, your depth and the beginnings of what I know for sure will be an incredible journey beyond UW. For all that I will be eternally grateful to you All! Proud Bear Hugs ❤️


Jane Duffstein from Madison wrote:
Amazing work, 2020 graduates! Congratulations, and thank you for your commitment, scholarship, leadership, and all that you brought to our campus. We look forward to having you as alumni, and hope to see you again! Best wishes.


Dr. Cheryl Gittens from Waunakee wrote:
We are SO PROUD of the DDEEA Class of 2020! You are all amazing, strong, resilient and ready to take the next steps in your life journey. We know you will do great things. Our campus has benefited from your presence and contributions. You will be missed!


Africa Lozano- Yarl from wrote:
Graduates..on behalf of ACTS I want to congratulate you all on your accomplishments. You overcame the hurdles and challenges and now you know..nothing can stop you now. Wishing you best of luck and remember, this is your first stop to success. Congrats class of 2020


Wilma Callaway from Madison wrote:
Congratulations to all our DDEEA Scholars!! You did it!
Go out in the world and continue to do great things.

Loud Shout out to our CeO scholars….


Shari Schoohs from Madison, WI wrote:
We are SO proud of all that you have accomplished and know you will take these degrees and do extraordinary things!! Keep shining bright ???


Kirk Malnor from Madison wrote:
Congratulations on your achievement! Best Wishes as you go forth and pursue your dreams!


Molly Reinhard from Madison wrote:
Congratulations!!! From the Center for Pre-Health Advising, the Center for Pre-Law Advising, and myself – we wish you the absolute best as you celebrate all you have accomplished and all that will come next. Please know that CPHA and CPLA are here for you as alumni with no time limit! We want to continue to support you if you are planning on or thinking about careers in health and law. YOU are so important and will do many, many great things in this life – you already have. If we can support you in any way, please do not hesitate to reach out. I wish we could be with you to celebrate in person and hope that you and your families are well. CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN!!


Albert Muniz from wrote:
Shout-out to the Posse Scholar graduates for all their hard work! It was a joy to be part of your journey through UW-Madison. Congratulations to the grads in all other DDEEA programs as well!


Kipp Cox from Cottage Grove wrote:
Congrats to you all. Sorry you did not get the commencement you all deserve, but you should still be very proud of your accomplishment!


Gabe Javier from Madison, WI wrote:
Congrats Class of 2020! We are so proud of your many accomplishments and I can’t wait to see what you do next! On, Wisconsin!- Gabe


Nick Moroder from Madison wrote:
Congratulations DDEEA Scholars! We are all so proud of you and know that your ambition and wit will continue to shine throughout your future endeavors! On, Wisconsin!


Alberta Brinson Moore from Los Angeles wrote:
Congratulations to all of the 2020 graduates from The Moore Family of Los Angeles.
Congratulations to our daughter Morgan Janice Brinson Moore.


Kayla Jensen from wrote:
Congratulations, class of 2020! We’re so proud of you, and On, Wisconsin!


Martina S. Diaz from Madison wrote:
Congratulations to all of the 2020 graduates, yeah you did it. I want to wish you all the Best and wish you the best in your future endeavors.


Tom Browne from Madison wrote:
Dear Spring 2020 Graduates. From a Badger alum, welcome to the club. It is an honor to have had the chance to meet many of you, and see your growth and development. It keeps me going to see how you have persevered and thrived, amidst many challenges, not just involving COVID-19. On behalf of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, I wish you nothing but the best as you move forward in your bright futures.


Valeri Davis from wrote:
To the Class of 2020: Congratulations to each and everyone of you! Keep being the Excellent Badgers you are and keep in touch, we will miss you!


Friend wrote:
Congrats to DDEEA scholars! You did it! ❤


Matt Delaney from Madison, WI wrote:
You’ve shown so much resilience and overcome adversity and we are so proud of you and all you’ve accomplished.


Margaret Raymond from Madison, WI wrote:
Congratulations, graduates! Hope you and your families and friends enjoy some well-deserved celebration of your great achievement. My warmest best wishes for the next steps in your journey.


Mary Carr Lee from Madison wrote:
How proud we are of every one of our scholars!
On Wisconsin!


Nick Heynen from Madison wrote:
Congratulations to all of you! We’re so proud of you and can’t wait to see what you do next! Stay in touch. ❤️