awards and recognition – Division of Continuing Studies

UNIVERSITY of WISCONSIN-MADISON

awards and recognition

Red banner with white lettering for WSB's 125 "legacy in motion" anniversary

125 years of the Wisconsin School of Business – and counting!

WSB: A Legacy in Motion! Celebrate 125 years of the Wisconsin School of Business shaping leaders, pioneering online degrees & the future of AI.

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Rachel Kane posing for a graduation picture

Congrats to our most recent grads!

We’re proud to celebrate 36 graduates of UW–Madison Online who pushed through challenges, stayed the course and earned their bachelor’s degrees this spring and summer.

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A group photo of graduate student Dora Aranda and her guests, as well as Bucky Badger

Q&A with award-winning returning adult students

From a childhood gift igniting a lifelong passion for science to witnessing the heroism of healthcare workers during a global pandemic, the journeys of Dora Aranda, Jennifer Halvorson, and Norman Canestorp are as diverse as they are inspiring.

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Group photo of graduate Chikara Crooks and her family posing with Bucky Badger

Reception celebrates 45 years of outstanding adult students

In 1981, the first Outstanding Undergraduate Returning Adult Student Award (OURASA) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison was presented to just one recipient, Sally Peterson, a civil water engineer and single mother of three children. Forty-five years later, UW–Madison continues to celebrate its returning adult students.

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Ivanna Ceballos standing beside a UW-Madison flag

45th annual winners of returning adult student awards epitomize Badger spirit

This year’s Outstanding Undergraduate Returning Adult Student Award winners, Chikara Crooks and Ivanna Ceballos, share a powerful common thread: each is working to become the kind of support and inspiration they once needed themselves.

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A student wearing headphones looks at her laptop during a video chat.

U.S. News ranks UW–Madison online master’s degrees among the top

UW–Madison's online master's degrees in education and engineering are among those recognized as the best in the nation for 2025.

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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!

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Kristy Jorgensen

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

This spring, 29 Badgers received their diplomas and the distinction of being among the first graduates of UW–Madison Online. 

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A seated crowd watches an unseen student speaker at awards reception

Event showcases returning adult students and their hard-won achievements

While thousands of graduates and their families and friends flock to Camp Randall for commencement at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, a smaller, yet still mighty, group of Badgers and their supporters gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of UW–Madison’s returning adult students.

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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.

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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.

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Amanda Sauri and her son high-fiving Bucky Badger

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.

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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.

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Armando Ibarra

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.

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Jayvonna Flemmings

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.

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A gold trophy

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.

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Bob Auerbach at the podium

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.

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Armando Ibarra posing for a picture with School for Workers staff

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.

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