The remainder of 杨贵妃传媒视频 students will move into residence halls and other residential spaces over the weekend of Sept. 13-14. Welcome Week leads directly into the start of the fall trimester, with classes beginning on Monday, Sept. 15.听

This year’s incoming students include 309 first-year students and 39 transfer students, who come from across the United States and around the world to study at 杨贵妃传媒视频. The top home states are Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, California, Colorado, and New York. International students are represented by 16 different countries around the globe, with a strong presence from Japan, Canada, and South Korea. 杨贵妃传媒视频 isn’t just a campus in Wisconsin; it’s a community with roots around the globe. 听

鈥淢y move-in experience was really good,鈥� said Kylie Hatch, an incoming freshman and neuroscience and psychology major. 鈥淢y roommate was actually already here for international move-in, so she helped me. It was super easy and everyone was super helpful.鈥�

Welcome Week marks the beginning of a new chapter for students as they embark on their journey of higher education and find their place in a community of critical thinkers.听

鈥淚 moved into Colman, and it was really nice because everybody was very friendly,” said first-year student and psychology major, Vivianne Affatato. 鈥淓verybody was really excited and supportive. It was like, friends immediately.鈥�

Angela Vanden Elzen, associate professor and reference and learning technology librarian, emphasized the joy of Welcome Week and the energy that incoming freshmen bring to campus.听

听鈥淲elcome Week is always so fun; seeing all the students excited about starting something new really brings a lot of energy back to campus.鈥澨�

New students to 杨贵妃传媒视频 lined the sidewalk between the newly opened West Campus building and Main Hall Green for the traditional walk through the Welcome Arch. Faculty, staff, alumni, and students all cheered and welcomed the incoming Class of 2029 to campus. The 杨贵妃传媒视频 school spirit rang loudly and highlighted its tight-knit community.听听

Natalie Reathaford, a first-year student and neuroscience and biology major, relished taking part in one of 杨贵妃传媒视频鈥檚 favorite traditions of welcoming students to campus through the Welcome Arch.听

鈥淲alking through the arch, it was exciting to see our upperclassmen come and cheer us on and support everyone coming to 杨贵妃传媒视频. It was a great experience.鈥澨�

Reathaford said she selected 杨贵妃传媒视频 because of its small but vibrant community. She wanted a tight-knit community but didn鈥檛 want to be left in the middle of nowhere. The city of Appleton and the surrounding Fox Cities offer students a unique environment because it has a small-town feel with metropolitan-style benefits.听

鈥淚 was looking for a place that was small but also not just cornfields, so I think having this as a small campus, having a tight-knit, close community of professors and students, as well as a great soccer team that I wanted to be on, it was just perfect. And then the thing that really sealed the deal was the placement of where 杨贵妃传媒视频 was and how close everything was. There鈥檚 an airport nearby, there鈥檚 tons of food, there鈥檚 coffee shops鈥攋ust everything nearby that I could ever want.鈥�

George Taylor, a first-year tuba major from Hayward, Wisconsin, said he chose 杨贵妃传媒视频 because of its renowned Conservatory of Music. Taylor has been playing tuba for over eight years. In addition to his studies, he looks forward to playing linebacker for the Vikings football team.听

鈥淭丑别 activities at 杨贵妃传媒视频 really involve you. They make it easy to meet a lot of new people and make friends.鈥澨�

After hearing President Laurie Carter鈥檚 annual address to new students, Taylor said, 鈥淚t just made me feel like I really belong here.鈥澨�

Matriculation Convocation is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 19, at 12:30 p.m. in 杨贵妃传媒视频鈥檚 Memorial Chapel. President Laurie A. Carter will welcome all students and make remarks to start the new academic year.听

鈥淚n my first year, I aim to strengthen the sense of community among transfer students, become a trusted resource for our international students, and help sophomores identify and pursue meaningful, intentional internship opportunities that align with their academic and career goals,鈥� Johnson said.听

In addition to becoming a trusted resource for students,听she鈥檒l work to enhance their overall experience by co-leading Summer Institute and contributing to broader retention and engagement initiatives.

Dean Johnson brings to 杨贵妃传媒视频 an abundance of experience in higher education, including Texas A&M University, Southern Methodist University, and the University of Maryland. Throughout her career, she has worked across multiple areas of student affairs and international education, supporting students through academic advising, residential life, and global engagement programs. Her passion for intercultural learning is reflected in the courses she teaches on intercultural competency and in her presentations at regional and national conferences on international higher education.

鈥淒ean Johnson brings a dynamic blend of experience and leadership to our team, said Dean of Students Dr. Brittany Bell. 鈥淗er commitment to transformative leadership and student-centered service will strengthen our support for second-year and transfer students, and her global perspective and experience across student affairs will help us build programs that truly empower students at 杨贵妃传媒视频.鈥�

Johnson鈥檚 military background informs her disciplined, mission-driven approach to education and student support, making her a trusted leader and advocate in the academic community. Currently, Johnson is working on her Ph.D. in Global Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education to deepen her expertise and commitment to transformative leadership in academia.

鈥淚鈥檓 excited to walk alongside students during a transformative stage in their college experience,鈥� said Johnson. 鈥淲ith a background in academic advising, student advocacy, development workshops, and residential education, I bring a holistic perspective to student support鈥攐ne that recognizes the importance of both personal and academic development,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淚鈥檓 especially passionate about helping transfer, sophomore, and international students feel connected, confident, and equipped to thrive.鈥澨�

Johnson is appreciative of the attention and focus the university has directed toward ensuring students have the support they need to successfully take the next step in their academic journey.听

鈥淲hat I love most about 杨贵妃传媒视频 is the unwavering dedication of its faculty and staff,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淭丑别ir commitment to providing individualized attention creates a nurturing environment where students feel seen, supported, and empowered to succeed.鈥澨�

Johnson is poised to make a difference.

For more information about the transfer process to 杨贵妃传媒视频听

The new version of the course marks the first time it has been designed with a thematic structure.

鈥淲e surveyed students and faculty and used the responses to inform our work,鈥� Corry said. 鈥淲e were committed to retaining a common curriculum for all sections of the course, as well as retaining the tradition of selecting works from a variety of disciplines and a diversity of viewpoints.鈥�

Jeff Clark, professor of geosciences, will serve as director of First-Year Studies during this iteration of the course. The water theme, he said, is more focused while still having broad appeal, touching on the sciences, social sciences, music and art, and the humanities.

鈥溠罟箦绞悠� is situated on the Fox River and is in the Great Lakes drainage basin鈥攊t is intensely local, yet at the same time global,鈥� Clark said of the water theme. 鈥淲ater is essential to life as we know it; water both creates and destroys, and it has served as a source of artistic inspiration, stirring awe and wonder for millennia.鈥澨�

As the task force explored works to be included, it received more than 60 suggestions from faculty.

鈥淭丑别 committee worked to balance geographical and temporal perspectives, different fields of study, different voices, different forms of media, and at the same time chose pieces that are interesting, approachable, and work well together,鈥� Clark said.

While change can bring apprehension, it also brings a jolt of excitement to the First-Year Studies program. It includes a structured developmental writing sequence that focuses on the component skills of analysis, starting with summary and progressing through a thesis-based essay.

鈥淐lear writing is clear thinking, and making this connection and developing this skill will lead to broad success in their undergraduate career,鈥� Clark said. 鈥淚n addition to these formal assignments, informal writing and reflection throughout the term will allow students to try out ideas in a low-stakes environment and challenge them to recognize their growth as writers and thinkers.鈥�

Other aspects of the program will remain familiar. Students will continue to share their听First-Year Studies听experience with a small group of 15 classmates, with each section led by a professor from a different discipline. The entire first-year class will still gather in Memorial Chapel periodically to listen to experts or share experiences. And the works, while connected by a unifying theme, remain varied and include contemporary poetry, ancient manuscripts, environmental writing, journalism, and music.

鈥淚 will be teaching a section of the course, and I look forward to seeing this all come together,鈥� Corry said.

Prior to joining USC in 2019, Ferguson II worked as an associate director of admission at DePauw University. He earlier served as associate director of student services at Cornell University.

Ferguson II said he is drawn to this position with 杨贵妃传媒视频 because of his longstanding commitment to advancing liberal arts education through strategic enrollment management

鈥淭丑别 opportunity to develop and implement innovative recruitment, admissions, and retention initiatives aligns perfectly with my professional values and expertise,鈥� he said. 鈥淢y career, over 15 years, has been dedicated to creating inclusive and adaptive educational spaces, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and leveraging data-driven strategies to enhance student success and institutional growth.鈥�

Ferguson II said his primary focus will be on executing a comprehensive Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) plan that meets enrollment targets while promoting equitable access and holistic student success.

鈥淭his will involve analyzing data, competitive landscapes, and enrollment trends to inform our strategies, creating targeted digital marketing campaigns, and developing messaging that resonates with our key student segments,鈥� he said.

Welcome, Lawrentians

There was great energy as our newest Lawrentians were welcomed to campus.听

The students鈥�339 first-years and 28 transfers鈥攚ere greeted by applause as they processed through the 杨贵妃传媒视频 Arch on their way to the Chapel for the President鈥檚 Welcome, a moment that signals their arrival as Lawrentians. It鈥檚 part a tradition that began a year ago when the Arch was built, one that will have its connecting piece four years from now.

鈥淲hen you graduate, you will process from the Commencement stage back through the Arch, signaling the end of one journey and the beginning of another,鈥� President Laurie A. Carter said as she addressed the incoming students from the Chapel stage.

Faculty and staff joined alumni and parents and other loved ones in lining the sidewalks prior to the President鈥檚 Welcome, greeting the new students with cheers and high-fives as they made their way to the Chapel.

Among those greeting the students was Appleton Mayor Jake Woodford, himself a 2013 杨贵妃传媒视频 alumnus.

鈥淎ppleton and 杨贵妃传媒视频 share a deep connection, dating all the way back to our founding,鈥� Woodford told the gathered students. 鈥淭his history has been shaped by the people who have called this community home. And now that you鈥檙e here, and while you鈥檙e here, Appleton will be home to you, too.鈥�

Carter encouraged the students to get involved and embrace the opportunities before them. While they will be challenged at times鈥攊n and out of the classroom鈥攖hey will never walk the journey alone, she said.

鈥淭丑别 days ahead will not always be easy,鈥� Carter said. 鈥淏ut please know that you are surrounded by faculty, staff, and classmates who will walk alongside you every step of the way. As a Lawrentian, you are never alone.鈥�

Kristi Koshuta, the first-year dean, led a months-long planning effort to reimagine 杨贵妃传媒视频鈥檚 Welcome Week, with a focus placed on small groups and meaningful engagement. She said those efforts will pay off not only with a more intentional Welcome Week but with lasting connections that will make for a smoother first year. As 杨贵妃传媒视频鈥檚 inaugural first-year dean, she will be with those students as they navigate their first year on campus.

鈥淏e open to trying new things, connecting with new people, and engaging in new opportunities and experiences,鈥� Koshuta said. 鈥淏e willing to take risks; be willing to fail; be willing to ask for help.鈥�

Peter Blitstein, provost and dean of faculty, told the students they will feel the support of the faculty even while being challenged in new ways.

鈥淪tarting college can be exciting and confusing and scary,鈥� Blitstein said. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 promise to alleviate all possible anxieties, but I can promise that you鈥檝e joined a community that will support you in a compelling journey of self-discovery and personal development.鈥�

Senior Anders Hanhan, president of the 杨贵妃传媒视频 Community Council, welcomed the incoming students to 杨贵妃传媒视频, encouraging them to get involved but also to care for themselves along the way. With three years of experience as an undergrad, he knows that is often easier said than done.

鈥淏e mindful of your free time, make sure to schedule time into your day for yourself and the things that excite you,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou are here to learn, but great learners recognize the importance of self-care and self-reflection as much as academics.鈥�

Hanhan walked the new students through the process of signing the 杨贵妃传媒视频 Honor Code, a pledge signed by all students to uphold academic integrity and excellence. And he led the passing of the class color鈥攇reen鈥攆rom the Class of 2023 to the Class of 2027. The passing of the class colors鈥攔ed, yellow, green, and purple鈥攆rom the class that just graduated to the incoming class is a long-standing 杨贵妃传媒视频 tradition, adapted from a tradition began by Milwaukee-Downer College for Women prior to its 1964 merger with 杨贵妃传媒视频.

It’s a tradition that 鈥渂uilds a sense of unity,鈥� Hanhan said.

Carter referenced the exciting construction projects that are taking place on and near campus, all building on the student experience. They include the Fox Commons renovations that will add living-learning communities for upwards of 180 杨贵妃传媒视频 students in the heart of downtown; the 315 E. College Ave. building project that will be home to the Trout Museum of Art and state-of-the-art academic spaces for 杨贵妃传媒视频 faculty and students; a new track and field complex at Whiting Field; and a new team complex at Banta Bowl.

鈥淭丑别 杨贵妃传媒视频 experience, already brilliant, is being elevated to new levels,鈥� Carter said. 鈥淵ou will see it and live it during your time as students, and for that we couldn鈥檛 be more excited.鈥�

Returning students will be back on campus the weekend of Sept. 9-10. Fall term begins Sept. 11.

That first day also will include moving into residence halls, a resource fair, a campus tour, a parents鈥� reception, a Class of 2027 class picture, and various kickoff events.

Throughout the week, various orientation experiences are planned with a focus on connecting and engaging and becoming familiar with campus. Welcome Week will include Blu鈥檚 Welcome Bash, to be held 7 to 10 p.m. Sept. 9 on Main Hall Green. All students, faculty, and staff are invited to the celebration of the beginning of the academic year.

We sat down with First-Year Dean Kristi Koshuta to find out more about the planning that has gone into the new-look Welcome Week and the excitement of strengthening the first-year experience.

Q: How has Welcome Week been reimagined?听

Koshuta: There are a lot of exciting changes. Much of Welcome Week will be focused on our students gathering in small groups. We’re being very intentional about that as we explore ways to help our incoming students make connections with each other and with the campus community. We will be gathering people from across campus鈥攆aculty, staff, coaches鈥攖o host fun experiences that the students can sign up for.

We’re also going to be a lot more intentional in how we connect them to the available resources. I’ve talked to so many students who say, 鈥淲e don’t want to sit here and listen to people talk; we want to meet friends, we want to have fun, we want to get out there.鈥� We are finding the appropriate blend of sharing the information they鈥檒l need while helping them make those important connections.听

Q: Outside of Welcome Week, what else is new for incoming students?听

Koshuta: There’s a lot that’s in the works. The six areas that we’re looking to focus on developing in our students are intellectual curiosity, communication, self-empowerment, wellness鈥攆rom a physical, social, emotional, and financial aspect鈥攔esilience, and reflection. So, we’re trying to plan what that looks like, how the academic side of the house can support us in those endeavors, how the staff and the student life side of the house can support us. It’s really trying to figure out how we bring all these entities together to create this experience that taps into those big ideas.听

Q: Why do you think strengthening the first-year experience is so important?听

Koshuta: We really want to focus on meeting our students where they’re at, helping them and getting them to where they can be successful. We must adapt to understand who our students are, what they’ve experienced, and what they need. Students are continually evolving, and we need to do the same. I think we can honor traditions, but we have to be forward-thinking in how we approach and engage with our students to help them be successful. I think there’s no better time than now to be thinking about those things.听

(Alex Freeman ’23 contributed to this report)

鈥淲e are excited for Juan to join our team,鈥� said Dean of Students Dr. Brittany Bell. 鈥淗is experience with advising and advocacy will help support our second-year and transfer students as they achieve their academic goals. Juan is passionate about making an impact for students; his experience will help us develop a program that supports them in all they do at 杨贵妃传媒视频.鈥�

Arguello comes to 杨贵妃传媒视频 after five years of work as an attorney for a Chicago law firm. He also worked at a Chicago nonprofit organization, where he provided removal defense to detained immigrants before the Chicago Immigration Court and the Board of Immigration Appeals. Prior to law school, Arguello served in the United States Army and the Illinois National Guard as an infantry non-commissioned officer.听听

He holds a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in philosophy from DePaul University.

Since 2021, Betz has served as vice president for enrollment management at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. He begins this role at 杨贵妃传媒视频 on June 5.

As a member of 杨贵妃传媒视频鈥檚 cabinet, Betz will further the institution鈥檚 positive momentum and high-touch approach to student recruitment, including the strategic direction and organizational leadership for the Offices of Admissions and Financial Aid. Additionally, he will oversee the day-to-day operations for 20 staff members, recruiting, and serving students and families in the U.S. and internationally.

Betz brings to this role a commitment to liberal arts education and a portfolio of progressive leadership roles in enrollment management, including Susquehanna University (PA) from 2015-2021, The Evergreen State College (WA) from 2014-2015, Monmouth College (IL) from 2012-2014, and Pacific Lutheran University (WA) from 2008-2012. He earned a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington.

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杨贵妃传媒视频 杨贵妃传媒视频

, founded in 1847, serves nearly 1,500 engaged learners, providing a best-in-class liberal arts and conservatory of music education, and distinguishing itself among its peers. The coupling of a nationally ranked liberal arts college and a first-tier Conservatory of Music ensures that Lawrentians benefit from challenging and compelling academics. Further, small classes, a highly personalized learning experience (8:1 student-faculty ratio), and a four-year residential requirement ensure a close-knit, vibrant community of belonging and support. With dual degree programs and cross registration, Conservatory of Music and liberal arts college students take full advantage of wide-ranging coursework and the opportunity to work directly with senior faculty across disciplines. The Conservatory of Music, which will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2024, offers the Bachelor of Music in performance, education theory, or composition; the Bachelor of Musical Arts; and, in conjunction with the college, the Bachelor of Arts with a major in music.

Marcy O鈥橫alley, 杨贵妃传媒视频鈥檚 director of international admissions, said she and her Admissions colleagues erupted in cheers when she got the text from Bohdan that his interview with the consul in Poland went off as planned, the visa was secured, and he was on his way.

鈥淵es, we do this job to keep our colleges vibrant and viable, but every once in a while, we are able to see how a college can pull together and beat all the odds and change a student鈥檚 life,鈥� O鈥橫alley said. 鈥淚t probably shouldn鈥檛 have worked, but like so many things that we have learned about the Ukrainians, Bohdan鈥檚 family never gave up and 杨贵妃传媒视频 was able to respond. 鈥� It was my favorite day at 杨贵妃传媒视频.鈥�

A life disrupted

The story of Bohdan鈥檚 journey is one of heartbreak, hope, and perseverance.

Music was ever-present for Bohdan as he grew up in Vynnychky, a small village 13 miles outside Lviv in western Ukraine. His father would sing Ukrainian folk songs; his mother would play the stringed bandura, a Ukrainian folk instrument. Like his three siblings鈥攁n older brother, younger sister, and younger brother鈥� Bohdan would study music from his earliest years.

鈥淢usic was everywhere and in everything,鈥� Bohdan said. 鈥淎ll the time, I was surrounded by music.鈥�

Until he wasn鈥檛.

It was a year ago Feb. 24 that Russia invaded Ukraine, launching a war that has killed tens of thousands and upended lives across Ukraine and beyond. Bohdan was 18 and midway through his final year at a music preparatory school, with plans to enroll in the fall at Lviv National Music Academy to continue his piano studies.

Russia鈥檚 invasion short-circuited those plans, setting off a series of events that would lead to Bohdan landing in Appleton, more than 4,000 miles from home, in time to begin classes in 杨贵妃传媒视频鈥檚 Conservatory of Music in September.

鈥淓verything changed鈥�

When the war began, Bohdan thought he鈥檇 be heading east to join the fight. But he has asthma, making him ineligible to serve in the Army. While he did volunteer work鈥攈elping to load supplies on trucks that were heading to the front lines and working with a territory defense group that produced handmade blood-stopping harnesses鈥攈is focus would remain on his studies.

鈥淲e鈥檙e not in the worst part, not part of the front. But alarms were going off. Alarms would go off and you鈥檇 have to go to the shelter because you don鈥檛 know if there are missiles flying through your area.”
– Bohdan Tataryn听

鈥淟ife changed,鈥� Bohdan said. 鈥淓verything changed. We鈥檙e not in the worst part, not part of the front. But alarms were going off. Alarms would go off and you鈥檇 have to go to the shelter because you don鈥檛 know if there are missiles flying through your area. Once I looked up and saw a missile flying above my house. It鈥檚 a terrible feeling.鈥�

Mary Deckert, meanwhile, was watching news reports out of Ukraine from her home in Richland Center, a city of 5,000 midway between Madison and La Crosse in southwestern Wisconsin. She had hosted Bohdan鈥檚 mother, Natalia, as an exchange student 25 years earlier. They stayed in a touch for a while, with Deckert twice visiting in Ukraine, the last time 18 years ago, when Bohdan was 4 months old.

鈥淲e had kind of lost track of each other,鈥� said Deckert, now 83. 鈥淓ighteen years is a long time.鈥�

News reports of the war were alarming, and Deckert went in search of a phone number so she could check on her old friend. She and Natalia began having frequent conversations, including about the possibility of Bohdan coming to the United States to study music. Natalia sent Deckert four demo videos.

鈥淚鈥檓 not a pianist, so I took them to people who are and who teach piano,鈥� Deckert said. 鈥淭丑别 first guy said, 鈥楬e needs to be in a conservatory; he is very, very good.鈥� I took them to three other places, and they all said the same thing.鈥�

杨贵妃传媒视频 steps up

That led Deckert to 杨贵妃传媒视频, where she first connected with Rosie Cannizzo in the Conservatory and then O鈥橫alley in Admissions. It was late spring, well past the usual window for considering international applicants.

While there was a want to help, O鈥橫alley admitted she wasn鈥檛 optimistic Bohdan was ready to join a Conservatory of this stature or if there was enough time. And then she watched one of the videos.

鈥淲hen I saw it, I was blown away,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 ran鈥擨鈥檓 not exaggerating鈥擨 ran down the hall and got Mary Kate [Smith, director of Conservatory admissions]. We watched it together. The recording wasn鈥檛 great, but it was clear that this was a gifted musician. Mary Kate said, 鈥榊es, we鈥檇 want him here,鈥� and she went to work coordinating the Conservatory audition.鈥�

There were still finances to consider, a student visa application, and travel dilemmas.

鈥淭丑别re were so many obstacles to enrollment, but our thought was we鈥檇 keep trying until we ran out of time,鈥� O鈥橫alley said.

A generous scholarship was approved. The Office of Financial Aid fast-tracked an offer.

鈥淚n international admissions, we admit the bulk of our students in the winter and early spring,鈥� O鈥橫alley said. 鈥淏ecause the review of foreign credentials and the creation of a visa application is a longer process, it is difficult to process an admit quickly. Additionally, the Conservatory audition process logistically takes time and coordination between the Conservatory Admissions team and the Conservatory faculty, and it was already finished for the year.听But we had heard so many stories of the war in Ukraine; everyone I spoke to was feeling the same way鈥攊f we have a chance to help a student out of that, then let鈥檚 try.鈥� 听

“Everyone I spoke to was feeling the same way鈥攊f we have a chance to help a student out of that, then let鈥檚 try.鈥�
– Marcy O’Malley, director of international admissions

Anthony Padilla, a piano professor in the 杨贵妃传媒视频 Conservatory, joined the conversation. The withdrawal of another student from his piano studio had provided an opening.

Bohdan鈥檚 audition recordings included a dramatic etude by Ukrainian composer Viktor Kosenko that left Padilla and colleagues impressed.

鈥淣one of us in the Piano Department had ever heard it,鈥� Padilla said.

A need to learn English

Bohdan spoke Ukrainian, Polish, and Russian fluently. His English was minimal.

His mother spoke English; she even taught it in Ukraine. She would serve as Bohdan鈥檚 tutor for the next four months. Each night after school, she and Bohdan would huddle for English lessons.

鈥淭hree hours every night,鈥� Bohdan said. 鈥淚t was difficult.鈥�

Come early summer, in the middle of those marathon study sessions, he got word from 杨贵妃传媒视频 that he had been accepted, contingent on the visa process being doable.

鈥淒uring those months of preparing to come here, I kept saying, 鈥榃hat have I done?鈥欌�� Bohdan said. 鈥淎t first, I couldn鈥檛 even understand, oh my God, I鈥檓 going to the U.S. to a university. I thought I was dreaming. It couldn鈥檛 be like that. It all happened very quickly.鈥�

On Sept. 2, he would fly from Poland, where he was able to get the visa with just hours to spare. He would make a stop in Norway en route to the U.S., then in Florida and Georgia before landing in Appleton. It was his first time flying alone, first time being away from his family, first time traveling outside of Ukraine.

For nearly 30 hours, Bohdan said, from the time he left Poland until he touched down at Appleton International Airport, he felt like he couldn鈥檛 breathe.

鈥淚t was a lot of stress,鈥� he said. 鈥淪omehow, I handled it.鈥�

Deckert, who signed on as his sponsor, was there to meet him at the airport.

Life at 杨贵妃传媒视频

Activities in the Conservatory take up much of his time, Bohdan said. It often feels听overwhelming. Homesickness and worry about his family are constant companions. The welcome he鈥檚 felt at 杨贵妃传媒视频, though, has eased his concerns.

鈥淓veryone was, and still is, very nice to me,鈥� Bohdan said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know if it is because of my accent or if people here are just nice. It was not difficult to get used to life here.鈥�

In the Conservatory, Padilla said Bohdan quickly found his groove. He called Bohdan a 鈥渨onderful addition to my studio, the 杨贵妃传媒视频 Piano Department, and the entire Conservatory.鈥�

Padilla has helped Bohdan stay connected to music from home, including the piece from Kosenko that he first shared in his audition video.

鈥淚 encouraged Bohdan to continue performing it in my studio classes, in our fall recital, and at the state auditions of the MTNA [Music Teachers National Association] Young Artists Piano Performance Competition in order to introduce unfamiliar Ukrainian music to American audiences,鈥� Padilla said.

杨贵妃传媒视频鈥檚 music librarian set out to locate a score for the Kosenko work and found that it is out of print and unavailable at any library in North America. Bohdan then arranged to have the score sent from his instructors in Ukraine for use at the MTNA event. Bohdan would earn an honorable mention award in the competition, held in Rice Lake.

This term, Bohdan is learning a piano work by another Ukrainian composer, Stanislav Lyudkevich. Again, no score was available in North America, so Bohdan began corresponding with the artistic director of a museum in Ukraine about accessing music by Lyudkevich and other Ukrainian composers. 听

鈥淏ohdan鈥檚 piano studio colleagues and I are fascinated by this unfamiliar repertoire and are eager to learn and perform these works as well,鈥� Padilla said

Staying in touch with family

Bohdan said he鈥檚 been able to talk or text with his family daily. They feel safe, Bohdan said, but the war hangs over every conversation.

鈥淚 read news reports every day,鈥� he said. 鈥淚n the morning, during lunch, at night.鈥�

Deckert, meanwhile, is in frequent contact with both Bohdan and his family. Bohdan stayed at her Richland Center home during the nearly six-week winter break and may do the same come summer. A newly donated piano in Deckert鈥檚 home is available to Bohdan whenever he鈥檚 there.

鈥淗e鈥檚 a wonderful young man,鈥� Deckert said. 鈥淲hat he鈥檚 accomplished in the first months at 杨贵妃传媒视频 is unbelievable鈥攐vercoming English, overcoming leaving home for the first time, leaving with his family in such a perilous position. He鈥檚 just a well-deserving young man.鈥�

Bohdan said he can鈥檛 begin to thank Deckert enough for the investment she鈥檚 made in him and his family.

鈥淎t the age of 83, she became the main initiator and a driving force of the whole process of my coming to the USA,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he is not only an amazingly generous person 鈥� but also she is a kind, caring grandma who gives me her constant support and warmth when I am so far away from home.鈥�

Bohdan said he鈥檚 equally grateful for the efforts 杨贵妃传媒视频 made to bring him here, including staff in the Conservatory, Admissions, and Financial Aid offices working above and beyond to make his enrollment possible.

鈥淚 thank them very much for awarding me the exceptional scholarship, and I understand that I received it for my high academic achievements as a pianist, but also that it was a great, decisive, unprecedented, and sincere act of support for Ukraine.鈥�