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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!

Published on: May 18, 2026

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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 

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

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

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.'

Ian Johnson had rare dual graduations in May — one from the police academy at Fox Valley Technical College and the second from UW-Eau Claire.

Sidelined music goals lead to ideal career for UW-Eau Claire graduate

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 UW-Eau Claire, Johnson found a path to a law enforcement career.

Read about Johnson's remarkable student journey.

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.

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

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

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

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.

Double vision: Twins find their futures at UW-Eau Claire

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.

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

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

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 poses in one of her lab spaces inside Phillips Hall.

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

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 at UW-Eau Claire – 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.”

Ashley Kilcoyne inspires UW-Eau Claire – Barron County with 'amazing journey'

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

Zach Halmstad, a 2004 UW-Eau Claire graduate, delivered the “Charge to the Class” to 1,636 graduates and their guests during May 16 commencement ceremonies at The Sonnentag.

Spring commencement ceremonies set for May 16 at The Sonnentag

A total of 1,636 UW-Eau Claire students will graduate during ceremonies at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. May 16.

Nursing students find their voice at student policy summit in Washington, D.C.

For three UW-Eau Claire nursing students, a spring trip to Washington, D.C., offered something they don’t always get in a clinical setting: a front-row seat to the federal decisions that shape nursing education, workforce capacity and patient care — especially in rural and underserved communities.