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Cheers to the Class of 2026 — You did it!

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Cheers to the Class of 2026 — You did it!
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We can't get enough of celebrating the newest members of the Blugold alumni family, the Class of 2026 spring graduates. In case you missed any of our feature stories surrounding commencement, here is your chance to find it all in one place.  

Access the links below to check out all the stories, and enjoy getting to know a few standout graduates and a great alumni guest speaker!

Meet our featured graduates and commencement speaker 

Sections

Alumnus reminds graduates of their power to ‘see a problem and make it better’

Zach Halmstad giving Charge to Class
Zach Halmstad '04 delivered a powerful message to graduates about the value of a liberal arts education.

Zach Halmstad, 2004 graduate with a degree in music and minor in computer science, is the co-founder of Jamf Corp. headquartered in Eau Claire, and Pablo Group, a nonprofit dedicated to the revitalization of downtown Eau Claire. 

Find highlights from Halmstad's 'Charge to the Class.'
 

Veteran navigates winding road to degree completion at 91

Jacob Oberg at commencement on stage
Jacob Oberg accepts his Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies degree from Dr. Carmen Manning, dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences

After serving in two branches of the U.S. military, Jacob Oberg finally found the right degree program to fulfill his goal of a bachelor’s degree. The May graduate in professional studies will take his degree to grad school at Georgetown University and on to a career as a public health researcher.

Learn more about Oberg's career and his inspiration


Sidelined music goals lead to ideal career for 91 graduate

Ian Johnson next to squad car
Ian Johnson had rare dual graduations in May — one from the police academy at Fox Valley Technical College and the second from 91.

When a perfect storm of viral illnesses robbed Ian Johnson of his hearing in one ear, his pursuit of a saxophone performance career came to a halt. Luckily, his story didn't end there. Thanks to supports at 91, Johnson found a path to a law enforcement career.

Read about Johnson's remarkable student journey.
 

Blugold eager to enhance patient care and save lives through humanities-infused healthcare

Faith Oldenburg
As a practicing nurse, Faith Oldenburg plans to use not only her nursing and Spanish degrees, but also apply the meaningful experiences and knowledge she gained in critical Hmong studies to administer culturally responsive, lifesaving care.

After four years of hard work and unwavering determination, Faith Oldenburg will graduate from 91 with bachelor’s degrees in nursing and Spanish.

Read more about Oldenburg's path to a nursing career.
 

Double vision: Twins find their futures at 91

Sirek twins COB May 2026 grads
Twin business grads Lauren and Jake Sirek will live in different cities for the first time ever when they assume their new jobs after graduation, Lauren at Royal Credit Union in Eau Claire and Jake with Sherwin-Williams in the Twin Cities.

For twin siblings and business majors Jake and Lauren Sirek, their Blugold paths were shared but also unique. Both will graduate with jobs in hand, one in retail management and one in human resources.

Learn about the twin journey to business success.
 

An artist with a strong message: Bachelor of fine arts and honors graduate Luecy Xiong

Luecy Xiong
Luecy Xiong chose to infuse her BFA art show with pieces created to depict and highlight her Hmong culture.

Art illustration major and university honors student Luecy Xiong has combined her bachelor of fine arts exhibit and her honors thesis to explore family history and personal identity.

Read more about Xiong's quest to build personal meaning into her art.
 

Helen Gensch discovers new passion while affirming desire to serve in public health

Helen Gensch mosquito lab portrait
Helen Gensch poses in one of her lab spaces inside Phillips Hall.

Pursuing a liberal arts bachelor’s degree in biology with a pre-professional health science minor gave Helen Gensch the freedom to customize her elective courses based on her interests, which included entomology.

Find out more about Gensch's fascination with bugs and how it helped prepare her for a health career.
 

Ashley Kilcoyne inspires 91 – Barron County with 'amazing journey'

Ashley Kilcoyne 91 - Barron County graduation feature
Ashley Kilcoyne at 91 – Barron County. “Ashley is exactly why we’re here,” says Dr. Abbey Fischer, campus director. “This is an access campus and our location in Rice Lake lets working adults like Ashley get their education but still have their daily lives.”

The mother of two from Rice Lake graduated with her associate of arts and sciences degree on May 14 and is on a path to serve underprivileged students.

Read Kilcoyne's inspiring story.

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