Alumni recognize communication, connections, genuineness as necessary to be trusted leaders

While snowflakes dusted the sidewalks outside, 510 smiling graduates crossed the commencement stage at UW-Stout - Wisconsin's Polytechnic University - on Dec. 14.

At two ceremonies in Johnson Fieldhouse, two alumni guest speakers and three graduates of the Class of 2024 shared warm messages of overcoming the uncertainty of success, living as your genuine self and the power of communication and connections - all lessons they learned through their academic and personal journeys at UW-Stout.

Emily Fanucci, engineering manager at Advanced Molding Technologies, in Circle Pines, Minn., addressed the undergraduate ceremony; and Laura Knudsen, outpatient clinical dietitian, diabetes care and education specialist with Mayo Clinic Health System, the Graduate Studies ceremony.

Ceremonies were held at 10 a.m. for the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Managementand the College of Arts and Human Sciences; and at 2 p.m. for Graduate Studies.

Student speakers were:

• Undergraduate ceremony: Ethan Myers, of Pleasant Prairie, packaging; and Hannah Timm, of Fremont, family and consumer sciences education
• Graduate Studies ceremony: Kalsow, of Menomonie, master's in clinical mental health counseling.

'Be a difference maker'

Fanucci, a 2010 graduate in technology education and manufacturing engineering, spoke of her prior fear of public speaking, overcoming this fear, and her recognition of the importance of teaching soft skills, like communication, teamwork and critical thinking. It is these soft skills that have made her a trusted leader, she said.

"By showing up as my true self, listening to understand, and getting to know my team members on a personal level, I demonstrate my commitment to them. By nurturing these human connections, I empower my team to grow and succeed," Fanucci said.

"Whether you've excelled in hands-on learning or in more traditional academic settings, this university has prepared you to succeed," she added. "And as you take that next step into your careers, I hope you continue to remember the lessons that Stout has taught you - not just the technical expertise you've gained, but the importance of staying open to growth and learning in all areas of your life.

"As you move forward, find the courage to speak up and share your thoughts. The more you trust yourself and your ideas, the more you'll discover the power of your own voice."

Knudsen, a 2005 dieteticsand 2008 master's in food and nutritional sciencesalum, emphasized the importance of creating connections to strengthen collaborations, as well as employability now and down the road.

"UW-Stout's focus on hands-on learning helped me to make connections in the community, which ended up being key for all of my jobs after graduation," Knudsen said.

"Know that you have connections at Stout, you have connections through your work experience, you have connections through your classmates and friendships. We are meant to have relationships and connections with others.

"Use your resources to collaborate with others to excel where you are. Use your resources to help you get where you want to be careerwise. Thrive in your field. Be a difference maker. You are qualified," she said.

Embracing their stories with no regrets

Myers and Timm encouraged their peers to embrace their own unique stories, to continue to be brave through challenges and not to confuse what-ifs with regrets.

"Each of us has had to dig deep. And we have grown - not just as students, but as individuals. We've learned, adapted and seen the world through new perspectives," Timm said.

"I know there's a lot of uncertainty out there. We don't always know what comes next," she added. "But that's also the beauty of it. The unknown brings with it endless possibilities. So, I urge you: Embrace it. Embrace the challenges, embrace the change, and above all, embrace the opportunity to keep growing. Continue to be a lifelong learner, far past the hallways of UW-Stout."

Myers urged his peers not to compare their stories to others, nor the choices they made.

"Your story is what got you here. And that is worth celebrating," he said. "My freshman year I was very worried about pleasing the people around me. I wanted to make sure that what I was doing was seen as 'cool.' I had looked at the stories other people were creating and decided that my story should be the same."

But those who know Myers, who spends his weekends as a street magician, know that isn't true anymore.

"Magic is now a defining part of who I am, and it is how most people know me. And if I was caught up in my what-ifs, if I was full of regret, if I went back and stopped doing this thing I loved, I'd lose any sort of individualism I had. Remember how your unique experience brought you here," he said.

Timm and Myers are both recipients of the Samuel E. Wood Medallion, the highest nonacademic award for students at UW-Stout, at the 2024 Leadership Awards. Fewer than 1% of full-time students receive the award. It is presented to seniors who have contributed in student activities, leadership and scholastic ability. Winners are chosen by a committee representing faculty, staff and students.

'A future waiting to be illuminated'

Kalsow's message of growth was born of the poem "New Beginnings" by Stephanie Lane Sutton.

For years, Kalsow was afraid of success and what that would mean in both their education and future career, even to the point of letting their fear draw them near academic probation.

Through Sutton's poem and with faculty support, Kalsow was inspired to "strive for success, own that effort, and tolerate the subsequent fear over and over again."

Sutton's poem begins: "what is a state line if not a line in the sand? on one side, the life you know. on the other, a future waiting to be illuminated."

Kalsow noted that commencement is a transition in life and asked their peers, "How much is your future illuminated? Who do you trust to light your future if you're not able to? … What does it mean to be yourself? What could happen when you engage with the world as your full self? … Venture forth into new beginnings. Your next path starts as you embrace success and cross this commencement stage."

Alumni recognize communication, connections, genuineness as necessary to be trusted leaders

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