UW-Stevens Point to hold commencement ceremonies May 17

The first female state forester in Wisconsin, a 2000 alum of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, will address graduates and their families at the spring Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 17.

Heather Berklund, who has worked for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry for nearly 25 years, will address students, families and friends attending graduation. Ceremonies will be held at 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Skyward Fieldhouse in Marshfield Clinic Health Systems Champions Hall, 2050 Fourth Ave., Stevens Point.

Ceremonies will be held by academic colleges to award doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s and associate degrees. For a full schedule and information, go to www.uwsp.edu/commencement.

Chancellor Thomas Gibson will lead the ceremonies with the assistance of Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs La Vonne Cornell-Swanson. Deans of the four academic colleges will preside over presentations of degrees.

The student speaker for the 9:30 a.m. ceremony is Cynthia Yang, Milwaukee, a Bachelor of Arts candidate in media studies. At 2 p.m., the student speaker is Leah Bertrand, Stevens Point, a Bachelor of Science candidate in business administration. Alumni couple Krissy (2002) and Javier Alaniz (2004) will lead the alumni pinning ceremonies.

For the 9:30 a.m. ceremony, Bachelor of Music candidate Austin Vonderloh, Omro, will sing the national anthem and Bachelor of Music candidate Alliyah Treu, Wausau, will sing the Alma Mater. At 2 p.m., the national anthem and Alma Mater will be sung by senior music education major Irene Wilson, Hartford. Soloists will be accompanied by the UW-Stevens Point Symphonic Wind Ensemble, directed by Music Professor John Lynch, director of bands.

Each ceremony will last approximately two-and-a-half hours and will be livestreamed at the commencement website for those unable to attend. Guests may park in any campus lot for free except for Lot F East, which will be used for handicap access.

As the state’s forester, Berklund has helped lead and implement initiatives that move the state forward in sustainable forestry and wildland fire protection. She also has served as the deputy division administrator for Forestry Field Operations and held several supervisory roles. During her field career, she managed diverse public lands, the tax law program, fire suppression, education and outreach and private landowner programs.

Berklund prioritizes relationship building and collaboration with her staff and external partners. She also aligns program work and policies to meet the current and future needs of the public and the long-term health of the state’s forest resource. She stays connected with UWSP as a representative of the Forestry Curriculum Board and through projects with the UWSP Forestry Center and LEAF forestry education program.