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awards and recognition

UW–Madison Online graduates Manny Avila and Erin Vranas stand on either side of Bucky Badger flashing the "W" with their fingers. Manny, on left, has dark hair and glasses and is wearing his graduation cap and gown. Erin, on right, is wearing a white sleeveless top and has long blonde hair. Photos: Celebrating UW–Madison Online’s first-ever grads

Take a look at the festivities from UW–Madison Online’s inaugural graduation event. Graduates shared the morning with family, friends, staff and Bucky!

Kristy Jorgensen UW–Madison celebrates inaugural graduates in online bachelor’s degree program

They’ve taken detours and traveled winding roads, but through perseverance and fully online learning, a pioneering cohort of returning adult students have arrived at their…

Julie Dahl Dr. Julie Dahl pioneers award-winning language instruction for adult learners

Dahl describes what makes her award-winning Spanish courses effective for adult learners. Two of her students share their language learning experience and the impact it’s made.

Jenny Pressman Award-winning Odyssey Project development director shares ‘love of humanity’ despite harrowing family history

Read about Jenny Pressman’s award-winning work for the UW Odyssey Project as well as her life story that shapes who she is and what she does for her community.

Returning adult students gather to celebrate perseverance in their educational journeys

Read about our annual Outstanding Adult Student Reception, an event where UW–Madison returning adult students gather to celebrate their accomplishments.

Christine Fifarek and her family Returning adult students overcome obstacles to earn awards – and degrees

Two 2023 graduates receive the Outstanding Undergraduate Returning Adult Student Award recognizing exceptional determination and perseverance.

Professor, farmworker rights advocate Armando Ibarra receives distinguished alumni award

Congratulations to Professor Armando Ibarra, receiving a distinguished alumni award from his alma mater, Chico State. Professor Ibarra contributes knowledge and understanding of worker communities through his work at the UW–Madison School for Workers.

Adult students celebrate their accomplishments at in-person event

On April 26, friends and families of adult students at UW–Madison gathered at the Adult Career and Special Student Services award ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments, perseverance and hard work of these extraordinary learners.

Returning adult students receive awards for courage and accomplishments

Meet the three recipients of the 2022 Outstanding Undergraduate Returning Adult Student Award, recognizing the perseverance and leadership of returning adult students.

Former professor, “Odyssey dad” Robert Auerbach receives philanthropy award

The Odyssey Project celebrated Bob Auerbach, father of Odyssey Co-Director Emily Auerbach, receiving the 2021 Outstanding Individual Philanthropist award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals-Greater Madison Chapter for his support of Odyssey and other charities.

Professor Armando Ibarra receives local award for work with Latinx community

Read about Armando Ibarra, professor at the UW–Madison School for Workers, who received the Hispanic Achievement of the Year award from La Movida.

Students celebrated at 40th Outstanding Adult Student Scholarships and Awards event

Twenty students and their families met near Picnic Point in Madison to be congratulated at the Outstanding Adult Student Scholarships and Awards event.

Odyssey Project graduates, supporters celebrate determination in a challenging year

Students, staff and community came together to recognize the 18th graduating class of UW–Madison’s award-winning program.

UW–Madison’s Kelly named to College of Fellows of the American Theatre

Congratulations to Professor Baron Kelly, joining the prestigious College of Fellows of the American Theatre in the honorary society’s next incoming class.

Returning adult students receive awards for perseverance, community contributions

Each spring, UW–Madison Adult Career and Special Student Services recognizes the determination and leadership of returning adult undergraduate students with scholarships and awards, including the Outstanding Undergraduate Returning Adult Student Award.

Returning adult students dig deep to balance roles and responsibilities in COVID times

Kristy Jorgensen and Alex Hentzen are among 9,805 students 25 years old and older who were enrolled spring 2019 through 2020 at UW-Madison. Read about their challenges and triumphs.

Odyssey Project students and local leaders to celebrate voting at online event

The Oct. 3 event will feature talks by local leaders, voting information and winners of the “Why Vote?” contest.

Odyssey Project online graduation full of pride, community, love

Even a pandemic cannot dampen the spirits of these graduates. In a Zoom ceremony that included more than 200 people, participants were treated to a…

Returning adult students receive awards for perseverance, leadership

Lifelong learning runs in Talesa Allen’s family. When her dad was 67, he went back to Madison College for a technical program. At the same…

Perseverance, empowerment propel Odyssey Project’s 2018-19 class toward life-changing goals

Three-quarters of Odyssey Project graduates take more college courses after completing the program’s credit-bearing humanities class.

Adult students inspire with their aspirations and achievements

UW-Madison’s outstanding adult students were honored with scholarships and awards at a ceremony on April 23, 2019. Their stories of resilience and determination are the embodiment of the Wisconsin Idea.

Music theory expert Jamie Henke receives UW System’s Underkofler teaching award

Henke, a distinguished faculty associate in Continuing Studies and the Mead Witter School of Music, brings a learn-by-doing approach to classes such as Create Your Own Music.

Returning adults students honored for hard work through challenges

Aysha Dominguez and Olivia Wine will receive the Outstanding Undergraduate Returning Adult Student Award for their efforts.

Brava magazine names the Odyssey Project’s Colleen Johnson a ‘Woman to Watch’

As director of development and community partnerships for the University of Wisconsin–Madison Odyssey Project, Johnson leads fundraising efforts for a program that has helped more than 500 disadvantaged individuals make strides toward their educational goals.