Appleton and Fox Cities Archives - ��ý��Ƶ

��ý��Ƶ summer music programs bring nearly 80 young musicians to Appleton

Communications — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 21:22:27 +0000

��ý��Ƶ and the Appleton community welcome nearly 80 young classical musicians from across the United States and abroad this July as ��ý��Ƶ expands its summer music programming and brings a series of public performances to campus and downtown venues.��

The summer lineup includes the ��ý��Ƶ Summer Music Institute, a weeklong program for high school musicians, and the return of the ��ý��Ƶ Chamber Music Festival, now in its third year on the ��ý��Ƶ campus, running July 18–Aug. 2.��

��ý��Ƶ Summer Music Institute students perform at Memorial Chapel.��

Together, the programs bring high school, college-aged, and early-career musicians to Appleton for intensive training with ��ý��Ƶ faculty and guest artists while offering the community opportunities to hear rising young performers in concert.��

New this summer is a Classical Voice track within the ��ý��Ƶ Summer Music Institute, joining the Piano & Strings program, now in its fourth year. The institute will bring 37 high school musicians from 12 states to campus for chamber rehearsals, private lessons, coaching, workshops, and performance preparation.��

The ��ý��Ƶ Chamber Music Festival will bring 40 pre-professional musicians from 19 states and three countries to Appleton for two weeks of advanced chamber music study, collaboration, and public performances. Five current ��ý��Ƶ students and five ��ý��Ƶ alumni are among this year’s festival participants.��

“We are continuing to expand summer music programming here at ��ý��Ƶ, and we are particularly excited to be creating unique opportunities for high schoolers, current ��ý��Ƶ students, and recent alumni,” said Michael Mizrahi, the Frank C. Shattuck Professor of Piano and faculty member for the ��ý��Ƶ Chamber Music Festival. “These programs allow us to deepen the ties between ��ý��Ƶ and Appleton while offering a unique, high-quality musical experience for the young artists participating. These programs are another way in which ��ý��Ƶ augments its national profile as a leader in music performance and education.”��

The summer programming also connects directly with Appleton’s broader arts community. ��ý��Ƶ Chamber Music Festival participants will collaborate with visiting musicians during Mile of Music, the all-original music festival held in downtown Appleton July 30–Aug. 2. The young musicians will create original arrangements and compositions and perform 50-minute sets at ��ý��Ƶ and downtown venues.��

��ý��Ƶ will also host multiple Mile of Music venues on campus and support Music Education Team programming led by ��ý��Ƶ faculty, students, and alumni.��

One featured community event is Music in Motion, an interactive concert for adults and children ages 5 and older presented by Play Out, the ��ý��Ƶ Chamber Music Festival, and Mile of Music. Hosted by Caitlin Sullivan, the program celebrates music inspired by movement—from grooves, dances, strolls, and swings to a musical interpretation of Sir Isaac Newton’s laws of motion. The performance will include video art by Jorge Carvajal and live drawing projections by Caroline Chu.��

The programs also provide professional experience for current ��ý��Ƶ students. ��ý��Ƶ Summer Music Programs offer three internships in arts administration, giving students hands-on experience in marketing, artist relations, event production, and audience engagement. The internships complement ��ý��Ƶ’s new Business and Entrepreneurship major—including its arts entrepreneurship track—by connecting classroom learning with professional practice.��

��ý��Ƶ Chamber Music Festival performances include:��

● 7 p.m. Monday, July 20��— Gibson Community Music Hall��

● 7 p.m. Friday, July 24��— ��ý��Ƶ Memorial Chapel��

● 7 p.m. Saturday, July 25��— ��ý��Ƶ Chamber Music Festival Young Artists Concert No. 1, ��ý��Ƶ Memorial Chapel��

● 1 p.m. Sunday, July 26��— ��ý��Ƶ Chamber Music Festival Young Artists Concert No. 2, ��ý��Ƶ Memorial Chapel��

During Mile of Music, ��ý��Ƶ Chamber Music Festival participants will collaborate with visiting musicians to create original arrangements and compositions. Performances include:��

● 11 a.m. Thursday, July 30��— Mile of Music kickoff featuring the ��ý��Ƶ Chamber Music Festival, ��ý��Ƶ Memorial Chapel��

● 9 a.m. Friday, July 31��— Music in Motion: An Interactive Concert for Adults and Children Ages 5 and Up��

● 11 a.m. Friday, July 31��— Mile of Music LCMF Young Artist Showcase No. 1, Hilton Paper Valley Ballroom, featuring Ruby Mac��

● 2 p.m. Friday, July 31��— Mile of Music LCMF Young Artist Showcase No. 2, Riverview Gardens, featuring Buddy Red��

● 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1��— Mile of Music LCMF Young Artist Showcase No. 3, Copper Rock Coffee Co., featuring Ron Artis II��

● 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1��— Mile of Music LCMF Young Artist Showcase No. 4, Appleton Public Library, featuring Kate Stenson ’24 & Gold Standard��

Faculty for the ��ý��Ƶ Summer Music Institute includes Samantha George, violin; Wen-Lei Gu, violin; Jenny Kozoroz, viola; Kivie Cahn-Lipman, cello; Mark Urness, double bass; Anthony Padilla, piano; and Michael Mizrahi, piano.��

��ý��Ƶ Chamber Music Festival faculty includes Tim Albright, trombone; Michael Clayville, trombone; Andy Hudson, clarinet; Erin Lesser, flute; Brigit Pacher, bassoon; Joe Connor, saxophone; and Jean Carlo Ureña González, percussion. Guest faculty include Brandon Ridenour, trumpet; Caitlin Sullivan, cello; Teagan Faran, violin/viola; Ben Russell, violin; and Leo Sussman ’15, flute.��

��ý��Ƶ ��ý��Ƶ�� ��ý��Ƶ is a liberal arts college and conservatory of music in Appleton, Wisconsin. Its world-renowned Conservatory of Music offers rigorous training in performance, composition, music education, and related fields while connecting students with a broad liberal arts education.��

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��ý��Ƶ Announces 2026-27 Performing Arts Series Season

Communications — Fri, 22 May 2026 19:11:18 +0000

��ý��Ƶ announced its 2026-2027 Performing Arts Series lineup that will bring an internationally acclaimed orchestra, GRAMMY-winning jazz artists, innovative folk ensembles, and a celebrated vocal group to the ��ý��Ƶ stage for a season of inspiring performances.��

“We are excited to unveil a new season that brings nationally recognized, award-winning performers to our campus,” said Dr. Chris Jenkins, Dean of the ��ý��Ƶ Conservatory of Music. “This season offers an amazing opportunity for Lawrentians and the broader Fox Cities community to experience musical artistry representing a wide array of genres.”��

The ��ý��Ƶ Conservatory of Music offers numerous opportunities to see outstanding student performances in orchestra, band, choir and jazz ensembles, chamber groups, award-winning opera productions, musical theatre, improvisation shows, and much more.��

The ��ý��Ƶ Community Music School offers opportunities for musicians of all ages and abilities, including bands, string ensembles, choirs, and unique offerings such as the Balinese Gamelan and Community Sambistas, as well as master classes and private instruction.��

Ticket Sales��

Available online at ��ý��Ƶ.edu/Tickets or in-person during Box Office hours.��

Events in ��ý��Ƶ Memorial Chapel:�� $42 Adults, $30 Seniors��

Events in Stansbury Theatre:�� $20 Adults, $15 Seniors��

Individual tickets sales begin July 1, 2026. Group discounts available for 10 or more people. Contact Jillian Johnson at 920-832-6749 or email boxoffice@lawrence.edu for group sales information.��

Box Office Hours & Location����

Box Office is located in the Music-Drama Center at 420 E. College Avenue.��

Closed now – September 20: Tickets available online only.��

Reopens September 21: Monday – Friday, 2 – 6 p.m., and one hour prior to event.��

Questions? Contact boxoffice@lawrence.edu or 920.832.6749.��

More about ��ý��Ƶ events at: ��ý��Ƶ.edu/Conservatory.��

Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra��

Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026 | 2:30 p.m.�� ��ý��Ƶ Memorial Chapel��

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra opens the season with a performance showcasing one of the nation’s premier orchestras and Wisconsin’s largest cultural institution.��

Since its founding in 1959, the MSO has built a national reputation for artistic excellence, innovative programming, and community engagement. The orchestra’s 72 full-time professional musicians perform more than 125 concerts each season throughout Wisconsin, spanning classical, pops, family, education, and community performances.��

The MSO has presented world and American premieres by leading contemporary composers including John Adams, Philip Glass, and Roberto Sierra, while also becoming the first American orchestra to offer live recordings on iTunes. Beyond the concert hall, the orchestra reaches thousands of young people and families annually through its education and outreach initiatives.��

Fred Sturm Jazz Celebration Weekend��

November 6 – 7, 2026��

Christie Dashiell��

Friday, Nov. 6, 2026 | 7:30 p.m.�� ��ý��Ƶ Memorial Chapel��

Kicking off the Fred Sturm Jazz Celebration Weekend, GRAMMY-nominated vocalist, composer, and educator Christie Dashiell brings her distinctive blend of jazz, rhythm and blues, gospel, and soul to ��ý��Ƶ Memorial Chapel as part of the Fred Sturm Jazz Celebration Weekend. Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in North Carolina, Dashiell is known for her improvisational artistry and rich vocal tone. A graduate of Howard University and the Manhattan School of Music, she first gained national attention performing with Howard University’s acclaimed vocal jazz ensemble Afro-Blue, which appeared on NBC’s The Sing-Off. Her sophomore album, Journey In Black, earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album and was praised by DownBeat Magazine as a “masterpiece.” The recording explores themes of freedom, legacy, grief, and joy while drawing from multiple traditions within Black American music.��

Billy Childs Jazz Chamber Ensemble��

Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026 | 7:30 p.m.�� ��ý��Ƶ Memorial Chapel��

The Fred Sturm Jazz Celebration Weekend continues with the Billy Childs Jazz Chamber Ensemble. Pianist and composer Billy Childs is recognized as one of the foremost American composers of his generation, seamlessly blending jazz traditions with contemporary classical influences. Throughout his career, Childs has received 17 GRAMMY nominations and six GRAMMY Awards, including Best Instrumental Jazz Album honors for Winds of Change and Rebirth. Childs has also received a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, and honors from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. His work as a composer, performer, and arts advocate has established him as one of the most influential voices in contemporary jazz.��

Kings Return��

Saturday, Feb. 6, 2027 | 7:30 p.m.�� ��ý��Ƶ Memorial Chapel��

Acclaimed vocal quartet Kings Return will bring its genre-blending a cappella sound to ��ý��Ƶ Memorial Chapel. The Dallas-based ensemble first gained widespread attention through viral stairwell performance videos showcasing their lush harmonies and effortless blend. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Take 6 and Boyz II Men, Kings Return incorporates elements of R&B, jazz, gospel, pop, and classical music into its performances. Comprised of Vaughn Faison, Gabe Kunda, JE McKissic, and Jamall Williams, the quartet has built an international following through both live performances and online audiences captivated by the group’s rich vocal textures and musical versatility.��

Dreamers’ Circus��

Monday, April 5, 2027 | 8 p.m.�� Stansbury Theatre��

Dreamers’ Circus, one of the Nordic region’s most acclaimed contemporary folk ensembles, will perform at Stansbury Theatre. Blending Nordic folk traditions with classical lyricism, jazz improvisation, and pop influences, the Copenhagen-based trio has earned international recognition for its adventurous and genre-defying sound. The ensemble features Nikolaj Busk on piano and accordion, Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen on violin, and Ale Carr on cittern. Since its formation, Dreamers’ Circus has released seven albums, toured internationally, and received major honors from the Danish Arts Foundation. Their latest album, Handed On, reflects on musical heritage while showcasing the trio’s inventive and dynamic approach to acoustic music.��

The Westerlies��

Friday, April 30, 2027 | 7:30 p.m.�� ��ý��Ƶ Memorial Chapel��

The season concludes with a performance by The Westerlies, the GRAMMY-nominated brass quartet praised for blending jazz, classical, and folk traditions. Described by The New York Times as “an arty quartet…mixing ideas from jazz, new classical, and Appalachian folk,” The Westerlies have performed everywhere from Carnegie Hall to Coachella while redefining expectations for brass chamber music. The ensemble, Riley Mulherkar and Chloe Rowlands on trumpet and Andy Clausen and Addison Maye-Saxon on trombone, has released 10 critically acclaimed albums and collaborated with artists including Caroline Shaw, Bill Frisell, and Nico Muhly. This performance is also part of ��ý��Ƶ’s New Music Series.��

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��ý��Ƶ kicks off Level Up project

Communications — Thu, 14 May 2026 20:02:01 +0000

��ý��Ƶ today announced the launch of Level Up, a bold new project to support student health, wellness, and performance.��

The Level Up project features the construction of two new facilities: The Loop, an indoor training center, and The Hub, a fitness, recreation, and practice facility. Today’s Level Up Kickoff Celebration revealed that phase one of Level Up will soon be underway with construction of The Hub set to begin later this month. A construction timeframe for The Loop has not yet been established.��

The Hub is a major renovation project that will transform the lower level of the City Center East building in downtown Appleton into a state-of-the-art fitness and recreation center serving the entire campus community, complete with practice facilities for athletics and the music Conservatory.��

“The Hub greatly expands our ability to offer the variety of fitness and recreation options our students want, while providing much-need practice space for athletics and the music Conservatory,” said Chris Clarke, Vice President for Student Life. “More importantly, The Hub will bring students together outside of class with people they might not otherwise encounter any other way, which strengthens the sense of connection and belonging that contributes to students’ overall well-being.”��

Strengthening body, mind, and spirit��

The Hub features 56,000 square feet of fitness, recreation, and practice space that serves a variety of needs for the campus community:��

FITNESS & RECREATION��

9,000 square foot strength training and cardio center��

Three simulator bays with more than 50 games to give students a variety of virtual experiences��

MUSIC CONSERVATORY��

2,000 square foot conservatory practice suite with student lounge and recording studio��

State-of-the-art Wenger practice modules that allow student musicians to simulate a variety of performance environments, with record/playback features that allow musicians to hear their performance objectively and adjust in real-time��

VIKINGS ATHLETICS��

Dedicated fencing training room to rival top-tier competitors��

Cutting-edge batting cages that can track biometrics to provide data-driven feedback to adjust mechanics, timing, and power��

Hockey practice area with synthetic ice where players can focus on skills training, such as stick-handling, puck control, and shooting accuracy��

Supporting the vision��

The space for The Hub in the lower level of the City Center East building in the heart of downtown Appleton was entrusted to ��ý��Ƶ by local business leaders John Pfefferle, Paul Hoffman, and Thomas Janssen, whose transformational gift of property brought the University’s vision for enriching campus health and wellness into focus.��

“The Hub intentionally brings together wellness, athletics, and music, creating an environment that mirrors the way ��ý��Ƶ students live, learn, and grow,” said ��ý��Ƶ President Laurie A. Carter. “This kind of creative, integrative thinking is exactly what today’s world – and job market – demands. The Hub reflects the adaptability, collaboration, and innovation our graduates will need to thrive and to lead in their lives after ��ý��Ƶ.”��

During her remarks at the Kickoff Celebrations, longtime Appleton resident, business leader and ��ý��Ƶ Trustee Kathi Seifert reflected on ��ý��Ƶ’s long history of campus/community collaboration over the decades.��

“The Hub is the latest extension of that shared vision and collective effort,” Seifert said. “Local business leaders placed their trust in ��ý��Ƶ to steward forward their gift of this space to create something exception. The Hub is a bold new step forward for ��ý��Ƶ and our community as well.”��

A space for creativity and connection��

During his remarks at the Kickoff Celebration, head softball coach Korey Krueger ’95 reflected on Virginia Woolfe’s “A Room of One’s Own,” a required text during his student days at ��ý��Ƶ that stuck with him for decades. The book examined the need for an individual to have space and freedom to be truly creative.��

“The Hub will be a shared space for the entire ��ý��Ƶ community to find that creativity, to have a space to create, grow, and thrive,” Krueger said. “The Hub is not just a project that will create a space: it is a project that will create energy, connection, and community – a room of one’s own – for everyone.”��

Practice is a crucial part of developing excellence in any endeavor, said Chris Jenkins, Dean of the ��ý��Ƶ Conservatory, with four to six hours of daily rehearsal being the norm for Conservatory students.��

“With The Hub, we’re leveling up to a new rehearsal space that befits a world-class conservatory,” Jenkins said. “And our students are thrilled at the prospect of having the new practice suite available to help them level up their rehearsals and performances.”��

Joey O’Connor, who is graduating in June with degrees in Trumpet Performance and Music Education, remarked that finding available rehearsal space for the hours of daily practice required by musicians can be a challenge for Conservatory students.��

“The new practice suite at The Hub will be a game-changer for any musician who wants to be able to put in the hard work we know – and embrace – as the fuel to make us the musicians we aspire to be,” O’Connor said.��

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��ý��Ƶ to launch NCAA Women’s Flag Football

Communications — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:34:54 +0000

��ý��Ƶ will launch Women’s Flag Football for the 2027-28 academic year, making it the 12th women’s varsity sport offered at Wisconsin’s #1 small private college.��

Flag Football is one of the fastest growing sports in the country at the youth, high school, and collegiate levels, according to the National Collegiate Athletic Association, which added it to the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program in January. Flag Football also makes its official debut as an Olympic sport at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, fielding both men’s and women’s teams.��

“We believe deeply in expanding access to meaningful opportunities that support the whole student experience,” said ��ý��Ƶ President Laurie A. Carter. “As an emerging sport, Women’s Flag Football allows us to respond thoughtfully to the evolving landscape of intercollegiate athletics while creating new opportunities for women student‑athletes to compete, lead, and thrive. This program will enrich our campus community and strengthen ��ý��Ƶ’s commitment to opportunity, leadership, and student success.”��

A national search for a head coach to lead the newest Vikings team will begin immediately with the intent to have the new coach in place by this fall to lead recruitment and planning for the inaugural season in the 2027-28 academic year. Competition will begin in Spring 2028.��

“The addition of Women’s Flag Football at ��ý��Ƶ reflects our continued commitment to innovation, access, and a holistic student-athlete experience,” said James Downer, Assistant Vice President of Athletics. “This emerging sport creates new pathways for women to compete at the collegiate level while strengthening our athletics profile and supporting institutional goals. We are excited about the opportunity to position ��ý��Ƶ as a leader in one of the fastest-growing sports on the NCAA landscape.”��

Alice A. Gorinshteyn, a sophomore majoring in Neuroscience and Russian Studies, and Inaya Rivera Rodriguez, a sophomore majoring in Government and Philosophy, were instrumental in establishing Flag Football as a club team at ��ý��Ƶ and look forward to its introduction as the newest Vikings sports program.��

“Flag football becoming a varsity sport at ��ý��Ƶ fills me with excitement, thinking about others getting to experience the energy that comes with it, empowering women to feel strong, confident, and unstoppable,” Gorinshteyn��said.��

Reflecting on her participation in sports growing up, Gorinshteyn said football did not feel like an option for her as a woman athlete.��

“It is so important to make football something that anyone can enjoy and be a part of,” she said. “Flag football, to me, is more than a sport; it is a community. Adding Flag Football to ��ý��Ƶ is not just adding another sport; it is creating another family on campus. It will bring a type of energy on campus that is indescribable.”��

Rodriguez, co-founder of ��ý��Ƶ’s Flag Football Club, looks forward to more women experiencing the empowerment and strength she has felt while playing the sport.��

“For me, flag football has always meant more than just a game,” Rodriguez said. “Back in high school, I was the only girl on my team, and stepping on to that field taught me what it means to be fearless. It showed me that strength does not have to fit one image, and that passion can create space where there once was none. Bringing Flag Football to ��ý��Ƶ means creating that same opportunity for other women. It means giving students a place to challenge themselves, build confidence, and find community through a sport that has the power to make people feel seen. Adding the sport is not just about starting a new team, it is about creating a legacy that shows future generations they belong here too.”��

The new Flag Football team will utilize existing facilities and infrastructure already in place by Men’s Football and other outdoor sports, making it a cost-effective addition to the varsity sports offered at ��ý��Ƶ. It also will help attract a new population of students to campus that can meaningfully impact overall enrollment and retention.��

The addition of a sport that is rapidly growing in both popularly and interest, demonstrates ��ý��Ƶ’s responsiveness to emerging trends in intercollegiate athletics while underscoring its commitment to the Division III philosophy of broad-based participation and student experience.��

“��ý��Ƶ plays a vital role in the growth and vitality of the Fox Valley, and this program is a wonderful example of that impact,” said ��ý��Ƶ Board of Trustees member Kathi Seifert, whose financial gift to ��ý��Ƶ Athletics made it possible to introduce the new program within months of the NCAA’s adoption of Flag Football as an emerging sport for women. “Supporting Women’s Flag Football at ��ý��Ƶ is about more than adding a sport; it is about creating an environment that builds self‑confidence, teamwork, and resilience, and affirms that women belong in every arena. I’m grateful to play a small role in helping the university expand access for women student‑athletes and build an even stronger future.”��

With the addition of Flag Football, ��ý��Ƶ now offers 12 varsity sports for women: Basketball, Cross Country, Fencing, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball. The University offers 11 varsity sports for men: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Fencing, Football, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, and Track & Field.��

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New partnership explores community livability through student-led research

Communications — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:47:48 +0000

A new partnership between ��ý��Ƶ and Appleton Downtown, Inc. (ADI), gives ��ý��Ƶ students the opportunity to apply concepts they are learning in class to real‑world community challenges.��

Facilitated by ��ý��Ƶ’s Center for Community Engagement (CCE), the collaboration connects students and faculty with community partners to co‑develop projects that address local priorities while enhancing academic learning. In partnership with ADI, students will contribute research-based insights and creative problem-solving on issues such as safe walkability, downtown experience, and quality-of-life concerns.

“This is a mutually beneficial partnership that illustrates ��ý��Ƶ’s commitment to community-engaged learning and local collaboration,” said Michelle Buchinger, Coordinator for Experimental Learning & Community Engagement at ��ý��Ƶ.�� “We’re excited about this partnership and looking forward to creating many more like it.”

The interdisciplinary course brings together students from the Business and Entrepreneurship and Psychology programs,��bringing together their unique skill sets to explore a common challenge. The partnership highlights thevalue of ��ý��Ƶ’s liberal arts model in addressing complex, real‑world challenges. Students provide time, capacity, and fresh perspectives, while ADI gains thoughtful analysis and research support to inform long‑term planning.

“This is a great way to garner information, gain new perspectives, and work side-by-side with residents to gather the data,” said Jennifer Stephany, Executive Director at ADI.��

The partnership strengthens students’ connection to the Fox Cities. Because many students live downtown, they can provide firsthand perspectives on community dynamics. The experience can help create a bridge from the student to the community, deepening their local connections and increasing the likelihood they will remain engaged in the region after graduation.

Invitation to Community Partners The Center for Community Engagement encourages other Fox Cities organizations to explore similar partnerships. Projects are developed collaboratively and tailored to organizational needs and course goals, with CCE providing facilitation and support to ensure projects are manageable and impactful.

“Experiential learning projects are a valuable way to integrate real-world impact into our courses,” said Carrie Picardi,J. Thomas Hurvis, professor of organizational psychology and collaboration, and associate professor of psychology at ��ý��Ƶ. “With creative collaboration, we can design projects that allow students to apply concepts they are currently learning. This course, Organizational Development, is interdisciplinary and weaves together business and psychology topics such as behavioral change, research methods, strategic planning, and innovation. I am thrilled to partner with ADI and provide my students with this opportunity.”

By linking academic learning with community priorities, partnerships of this nature illustrate how universities and local organizations can work together to strengthen the region through sustained, mutually beneficial collaboration.

For more information about partnership opportunities, contact the ��ý��Ƶ Center for Community Engagement at community.engagement@lawrence.edu.

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��ý��Ƶ to launch Data Science & Statistics major

Communications — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 19:41:59 +0000

Program responds to soaring industry demand for data-literate employees

��ý��Ƶ announced it will launch a new Data Science & Statistics major beginning with the Fall 2026 academic term. The program builds upon the success of the minor, which has seen consistently high interest and enrollment since it was established in 2020.

“Data has become a common currency across industries,” said Andrew Sage, associate professor of statistics. “It empowers business leaders and healthcare professionals to identify trends, make informed decisions, strengthen competitive advantage, and improve people’s lives. Employees with the ability to manage and draw insights from increasingly large and complex datasets are indispensable to employers.”

Career prospects are very promising for graduates of this in-demand degree program. Employment of data scientists is projected to grow 34 percent from 2024 to 2034, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, much faster than the average for all occupations. As a result, data scientists can anticipate high earning potential and abundant employment opportunities across multiple industries.

A unique intersection of technical and interpersonal skills

The Data Science & Statistics major at ��ý��Ƶ is an interdisciplinary program that creates a formal structure for leveraging the strengths of multiple areas of study. Drawing on core courses in mathematics, statistics, computer science, and related disciplines, such as biology and economics, students develop the computational skills, mathematical foundations, and advanced statistical techniques that comprise the data science discipline.

“The interdisciplinary structure of our Data Science & Statistics major allows students to customize their degree program around their academic and future career interests,” said Peter Blitstein, provost and dean of the faculty. “In this program grounded in the liberal arts and sciences, students learn core technical skills for data analysis while also strengthening professional skills in critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and ethical decision-making.”

The Data Science & Statistics major is a natural fit for ��ý��Ƶ students because its interdisciplinary structure allows students to customize the major around their academic interests and career goals. For example, a student interested in health sciences might take electives in bioinformatics and experimental design. A student interested in economics and finance might take econometrics and a data visualization course. That flexibility allows students to hone their skills to their specific area of interest.

��ý��Ƶ’s local and regional partnerships also open pathways for students to apply their knowledge in actual practice. The major culminates in a capstone experience in which they conduct hands-on analysis of real data, often in collaboration with a community organization. Through internships, guest lecturers, field studies and other applied learning opportunities, students build a professional portfolio while they are in school that prepares them for rewarding careers after graduation or acceptance into the nation’s top graduate schools.

For more information about Data Science & Statistics or other degree programs at ��ý��Ƶ, contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@lawrence.edu or 920.832.6652.

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Amelia Anderson ‘14 found freedom through contemporary art and trying everything

Communications — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 20:22:15 +0000

For Amelia Anderson ‘14, the path from ��ý��Ƶ to her current role as Director of the Bennett Prize & Curator of Women’s Art at the Muskegon Museum of Art has been marked by several surprising detours.

Anderson said her career has been defined by unexpected pivots and gaining the confidence to apply for roles she felt unqualified for. This resilience was forged during her time at ��ý��Ƶ, where her mentors instilled in her the high standards and adaptability to break into the artistic world.��

“I was taking contemporary art history with Elizabeth (Carlson), and I remember going back to my room, laying on my bed, and thinking, ‘everything that’s been done has already been done before and almost nothing matters,’ and that is so freeing,” said Anderson. “You can do whatever you want. There are no limitations. There are really no rules. That’s a very ��ý��Ƶ idea.”

The ��ý��Ƶ Foundation

As an Appleton native, Anderson had no desire to remain in her hometown when she was searching for colleges. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for one year, but she said her experience made her realize she was a “liberal arts person.”

“Being at a state school, it was too big. I was so lost,” Anderson said. “I applied to transfer to ��ý��Ƶ because I kind of saw the silver lining. During Orientation Week, I just knew this is the right environment for me. I’m so glad that I transferred because who knows where I would be now.”

While at UW-Madison, Anderson received her first taste of archival work while working at the Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research. This initial passion made art history a natural choice when deciding what to study at ��ý��Ƶ.��

��With the help of mentors like her advisor Elizabeth Carlson, associate professor of art history, and Beth Zinsli, adjunct associate professor of art, Anderson quickly found her footing.��

“I was shocked at how many opportunities I had once I said I wanted to be an art history major,” Anderson said.

Carlson and Zinsli were also indispensable when helping her prepare for her future. Carlson held her students to a very high standard—even editing all of Anderson’s graduate school application essays—but also gave her the freedom to “flop around.”

“You’re always open to criticism. You need to have humility, and you need to understand you’re going to flop sometimes, and that’s okay,” Anderson said. “Elizabeth gave me that freedom; that’s what college is for.”��

Meanwhile, Zinsli taught Anderson about interviewing as a skill. After “bombing” a handful of fellowship interviews following graduation, Anderson quickly learned how to showcase herself and her work.��

The Unexpected Pivot: From PhD Track to Driehaus

Anderson received her Master’s in History of Art and Architecture at the University of Oregon Graduate School. The high standards expected of her by Carlson had more than prepared her for the level of work at the graduate level.��

Her first plan, Anderson said, was to enter a PhD program and teach at a small liberal arts college, becoming “the Elizabeth Carlson of whatever small-town college” she could get into. She relocated to Chicago, living with friends, working for a temp service, and applying for PhD programs.

But it didn’t happen for her.��

At that time, Anderson was also volunteering at The Richard H. Driehaus Museum when a part-time curatorial position opened up. She applied and got the job.��

“I felt like this was the greatest job in the entire world,” Anderson said. “I got to work on really cool exhibitions. My academic interest was in late 19th-century, early 20th-century decorative arts. I wrote my master’s thesis on pianos specific to artists in the late 19th century, so transitioning to a Gilded Age mansion was very natural.”

However, in 2020, Anderson’s journey took another turn when she was laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.��

“I thought I was done in the museum industry,” Anderson said.��

Taking Flight: A Career Reset at EAA

Despite another detour, Anderson persisted in searching for a place to land. In 2022, she applied for a role at EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) in Oshkosh, WI. Anderson said it was like a career reset.��

“I was like, okay, you’re going to be working in the aviation publication industry,” Anderson said. “I don’t know anything about airplanes. But what do I have to lose?”

Anderson’s first role at EAA as the Publications Production Coordinator was much more focused on writing, proofreading, and organizing authors and contributors. It wasn’t quite the focus she wanted to continue long term. However, a curator position opened up in 2023.��

At first, her limited but growing knowledge of airplanes kept Anderson from applying, but after helping out with the collection, she decided to make the leap. She applied for the role and was offered the position, becoming the first woman curator of the EAA Aviation Museum.��

“I’m really proud of the work I did there,” Anderson said.��

Investing in Community and Women’s Art

Aviation was not her longtime calling, however. Anderson accepted a role as Curator of Women’s Art at the Muskegon Museum of Art and started in the summer of 2025. Her previous work in public history at the EAA Museum gave her a fresh perspective on her new role within an art museum.��

Anderson was also hired as the director of the Bennett Prize, a program funded by Steve Bennett and Elaine Melotti Schmidt, two art collectors who had a dream to support women figurative realist painters. The program is run through the Muskegon Museum of Art and provides a $50,000 prize to the winner, while all finalists gain exposure as part of a traveling exhibition.��

Anderson now has a direct hand in supporting women painters’ careers.��

“Women are historically underrepresented, and while it’s getting better, it’s also not there yet,” Anderson said. “We all need to lift each other up and really support each other.”��

Anderson’s role curator, she said, isn’t just playing with art or hanging up paintings. It’s also about curating relationships and trust with her community, especially within a small city like Muskegon. She is entrusted with the city’s history and culture.��

She also learned to never judge a book by its cover when it comes to art and art collectors. She recalled a time when she visited a potential donor in a very unassuming suburb of Detroit. However, his collection amazed her.��

“Cultivating those donor relationships and making them feel like their collection is going to be taken care of is also in our skill sets,” Anderson said. “There’s a lot of development skills that go into being a curator.”��

And those skills can also be used close to home. Although the Midwest may not seem like the perfect place to pursue a career in art history or museum studies, Anderson said she intentionally searched for opportunities to support her local communities.��

Making museums and their collections, especially in a local context, drives Anderson in her work. The Muskegon Museum of Art may be unassuming, but they have made their mark by supporting local artists, supporting women artists, and curating a collection beyond anyone’s expectations.��

“I never thought I’d work at a museum that had a (Artemisia) Gentileschi, and I didn’t have to leave the Midwest to do that,” Anderson said. “This is the local community’s collection; it was meant to feed the community.”

Now Anderson is a part of that important work in her community. Sometimes it meant cold emailing potential employers, taking internships, or accepting jobs outside the scope of her work, but every step led her to where she is today.��

“You’re going to detour every now and again, and that’s natural,” Anderson said. “Don’t discount yourself but keep an open mind. Even if you’re in a job you don’t 100% love, have the attitude of ‘this is going to get me where I need to go.’ Every experience is useful, so try to utilize it to the best of your ability.”

Anderson encourages all ��ý��Ƶ alumni who are women figurative realist painters to apply for The Bennett Prize Cycle 5 by visiting thebennettprize.org. The call for entries will be officially announced in Spring 2026.

The Rising Voices traveling exhibition, which consists of the Bennett Prize Cycle 4 finalists and the solo show of the Bennett Prize Cycle 3 winner, Shiqing Deng, The Cost of Life, are currently on the road. Visit thebennettprize.org for a full schedule.��

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For Relena Ribbons, leading with joy ends in victory

Communications — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 18:46:13 +0000

��ý��Ƶ Associate Professor of Geoscience Relena Ribbons won the women’s full marathon at the 2025 Community First Fox Cities Marathon with a winning time of 3:07:00.��

Ribbons said she has always found great joy in running and the adventure of where a run might take her. She ran on the Wellesley cross country team in her first year of college and felt privileged to be surrounded by so many strong women runners, she said.

Ribbons trained for the marathon with friends, typically running about 60 miles a week, in addition to a healthy dose of cross-training.��

Her goal for the Fox Cities Marathon was two-fold.��

“Joy,” Ribbons said. “Joy in running through my regular stomping grounds, as well as joy in seeing the crowds of volunteers, spectators, and fellow runners on a glorious day. Another goal was that I wanted to high-five anyone along the course who was willing. Mission success on both counts!”��

Seeing her friends along the way was a highlight.��

“Margaret Koker and family offered high fives along the Fox River after the halfway mark, and she really inspired me to run strong because she is one of the strongest women I know.”��

Ribbonʼs mental strategy for the marathon was gratitude.

“I am a mental health running advocate through Bigger Than The Trail,” Ribbons said. “And in that capacity, I’ve come to share stories with runners and learn from other amazing humans who have come through the other side of traumatic events in life. This hits home because I had years where I was unable to run after being struck by a drunk driver while out running, and after additional life events, I found the Bigger Than The Trail group, and it has helped me cultivate self-acceptance and grace, which are really useful for thinking about life broadly.”��

The hard work and long miles of practice and training paid off when she crossed the finish line.��

Relena Ribbons, winner of the 2025 Community First, Fox Cities, women’s full marathon.��

“Lucky me, I got to dance across the finish line to Dua Lipa, which is one of the artists whose high-energy vibes I will do treadmill mile repeats to in the depths of winter,” Ribbons said. “After finishing, I looked around for family and friends to share in the joy and just bounced around with happy energy like an Energizer Bunny! I felt like I was in my glittering prime!”��

Ribbon is looking forward to the Glacial Trial in Greenbush, Wisconsin, for her next running challenge.

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Board of Trustees elects David R. Shepard ’83 to serve as Board Chair

Communications — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 15:44:20 +0000

The ��ý��Ƶ Board of Trustees has elected David R. Shepard ’83 to serve as Chair of the leadership group responsible for the stewarding the development of strategic initiatives at ��ý��Ƶ, ensuring the fiscal and operational health of the institution and working collaboratively with President Laurie Carter and other university administrators in charting a course for the future of ��ý��Ƶ.��

David R. Shepard ’83

Shepard has served as a member of the ��ý��Ƶ Board of Trustees since July 2023. He assumed his role as Board Chair on July 1, 2025.��

“We are delighted to welcome Dave Shepard as our new Board Chair,” said ��ý��Ƶ president Laurie A. Carter. “His knowledge and leadership during his tenure on the Board and the President’s Advisory Council have proven invaluable and we look forward to collaborating with the Board under his leadership as we embark on a new era of institutional growth and strategic development.”��

Shepard is chief operating officer and board member of Marki Microwave, an RF semiconductor and component company. He has served in the semiconductor industry for his entire 37-year career, including more than 20 years in executive leadership positions.��

Shepard began his professional career at Texas Instruments, where he served for nearly 20 years. He went on to become president and CEO of Sequoia Communications, a startup developing RF transceivers for mobile handsets. He subsequently held senior leadership positions at Peregrine Semiconductor and Integrated Device Technology. He joined Marki Microwave as chief operating officer in 2019.��

An Appleton native now living in the San Francisco Bay Area, Shepard received a bachelor’s degree in physics from ��ý��Ƶ, after transferring as a junior from Middlebury College. He earned his M.S. degree in electrical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. ��

Shepard serves as board president for a nonprofit organization that rehabilitates injured wildlife and educates K-12 students on wildlife conservation. He also serves on the boards of several tech startups. Prior to joining ��ý��Ƶ’s Board of Trustees, Shepard served on the President’s Advisory Council for more than six years, including more than four years as co-chair.��

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��ý��Ƶ Names Alumnus Dan Galante ’87 as Head Football Coach

Communications — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 23:02:20 +0000

��ý��Ƶ Director of Athletics Jason Imperati announced today that Daniel “Dan” Galante ’87 has been named the next Head Football Coach of the Vikings. A ��ý��Ƶ Athletics Hall of Famer with more than three decades of coaching and recruiting experience across the Midwest, Galante returns to his alma mater to lead the next era of Viking Football.��

“We are thrilled to welcome Dan back to ��ý��Ƶ,” Imperati said. “His belief in this institution, proven experience developing student-athletes, and deep recruiting network make him the right leader for our program. Dan understands ��ý��Ƶ at its core, and he brings the passion, energy, and vision needed to move Viking Football forward.”��

Galante arrives with a distinguished career that spans college and high school football, enrollment management, and program building. His impressive coaching résumé includes 16 years as head football coach and director of admissions at Saint Patrick High School in Chicago, where he became the longest-tenured coach in school history and led the team to eight playoff appearances and a conference championship.��

His college coaching experience includes serving as Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator at North Park University, where he helped restructure the defensive system and supported all aspects of football recruiting. Galante also served on staff at Northwestern University as a graduate assistant, contributing to defensive operations and recruiting evaluation.��

Dan Galante ’87, ��ý��Ƶ’s head football coach

“It is an incredible honor to return home to ��ý��Ƶ,” Galante said. “This place shaped me as a student-athlete and as a person. I believe deeply in the mission of the University and in the potential of Viking Football. I’m excited to work with our student-athletes, reconnect with alumni, and build a program that represents ��ý��Ƶ with pride, toughness, and excellence.”��

A respected recruiter, Galante brings decades of established relationships with coaches, families, and prospective student-athletes across Illinois, Wisconsin, and the greater Midwest. His background in both coaching and admissions provides him with a strong understanding of how to identify and recruit student-athletes who can thrive academically and athletically at a top-tier liberal arts institution like ��ý��Ƶ.��

“Dan’s return to ��ý��Ƶ is a homecoming that reflects our commitment to excellence and tradition as we build our future,” said President Laurie A. Carter. “His experience, leadership, and deep connection to ��ý��Ƶ will inspire our student-athletes and alumni.”��

Galante graduated cum laude from ��ý��Ƶ in 1987 with a degree in history and classics. He starred for the Vikings from 1983–86, earning first-team All-Midwest Conference honors four times, only the second player in ��ý��Ƶ history to do so, and becoming the only player in program history to be named a four-time All-American. A team captain in 1986, Galante anchored a nationally ranked defense in 1985 and remains one of the most celebrated athletes in ��ý��Ƶ football history. He also holds a Master of Science in Education with a focus in higher education administration from Northwestern University.��

As head coach, Galante will lead all aspects of the football program, including player development, staff leadership, recruiting strategy, and alumni engagement. He will immediately begin preparations for the 2025-26 recruiting cycle, with a focus on strengthening ��ý��Ƶ’s presence in key recruiting regions and building strong relationships with prospective student-athletes who exemplify the University’s academic rigor and values.��

“��ý��Ƶ Football has an incredible history and a bright future,” Galante added. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead this program, and I can’t wait to get started.”��

Galante succeeds Adam Gonzaga, who led the Vikings for one season. ��ý��Ƶ thanks Coach Gonzaga for his contributions and wishes him well in his future endeavors.��

Galante will begin his duties immediately as ��ý��Ƶ prepares for the upcoming season.��

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Appleton and Fox Cities Archives - �������ý��Ƶ

�������ý��Ƶ summer music programs bring nearly 80 young musicians to Appleton

�������ý��Ƶ Announces 2026-27 Performing Arts Series Season

�������ý��Ƶ kicks off Level Up project

�������ý��Ƶ to launch NCAA Women’s Flag Football