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26 students honored for resilience, growth during Chancellor's Spotlight on Achievement Award ceremony

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26 students honored for resilience, growth during Chancellor's Spotlight on Achievement Award ceremony

Published on: February 20, 2026

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Twenty-six first-year students at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire were honored for their resilience, growth and potential Feb. 19 during the second annual Chancellor’s Spotlight on Achievement Award ceremony.

The recognition included a donor-funded $500 scholarship, unique in being based solely on faculty and instructor nominations following the fall semester. Each winner received a certificate and posed for a photo with Interim Chancellor Michael Carney during the event in the Dakota Ballroom of Davies Center.

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Dr. Leah Olson-McBride, associate dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences, nominated Spice and three other students. She led an impactful first-year seminar on exploring health professions last semester.

“I was really touched by how challenging it is to be a first-year student. I had kind of forgotten,” Olson-McBride says. “It was really brave of them to slowly start connecting with other people in the class and just being vulnerable and putting themselves out there.”

Henry Lemke remembers that feeling all too well. The sophomore from Chaska, Minnesota, was one of 28 students honored during last year’s inaugural ceremony after stepping out of his comfort zone and utilizing campus resources.

This year, Lemke delivered a motivating speech to his peers about believing and trusting themselves.

“I’m excited for what all the students being recognized go on to do,” says Lemke, a geography major. “People and professors see what you are doing, and honoring you gives you motivation and power to push through.”