UW-Whitewater announces 2026 Founders Day Award recipients

UW-Whitewater announces 2026 Founders Day Award recipients

March 24, 2026

Six individuals who have achieved exceptional professional success or have made significant contributions to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater are being honored as the university proudly celebrates its 158th anniversary in April.

The 2026 class of award honorees include a recent graduate who is both a senior leader in education and an acclaimed DJ, an avid supporter who was meaningfully involved in the recent release of the campus literary journal "Either/Or," and an alum whose service to Whitewater - from board membership on the foundation to significant donations to support of student success to showing up to events big and small to help in any way needed - is being celebrated.

The awards will be presented at the 2026 Founders Day Celebration, held at UW-Whitewater at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 18.

This year's outstanding recent alum is Kyree Brooks, who earned a BSE in physical education in 2017. After earning a master's degree in rehabilitation psychology and special education at UW-Madison in 2019, he has worked at the Madison Metropolitan and Sun Prairie school districts and now serves as assistant principal of the Milwaukee Academy of Science. He is also a music producer and co-owner of DJ Ree Maniac Entertainment Services. Both professions benefit from his undeniable creativity and positivity.

UW-Whitewater is also honoring two distinguished alumni for their professional achievement. Maysee Yang Herr, who earned a B.A. in psychology in 1998, has had a decades-long career involving education, consulting and leadership roles as well as the co-creation of a Hmong language and culture program for youth called Camp Phoojwyg-Friend in Central Wisconsin. In addition to earning a master's degree in educational psychology and a doctorate in education and curriculum studies and teaching at UW-Stevens Point, she was the CEO of the Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce from 2019-2026.

Also receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award for Professional Achievement is Anthony Prater. Prater, who earned a Bachelor's degree in political science in 1980, co-founded Verity Medical, Inc., which grew rapidly and achieved a $10 million revenue run rate within a decade of its founding. That company was ultimately sold to Examworks, Inc. and continues to operate today. Prater's professional achievements also include co-founding and serving as a past president of the Wisconsin Worker's Compensation Forum, which is an education-focused organization that supports industry professionals. On campus, he funds the Prater Family Scholarship, which is available to students majoring in the College of Letters and Sciences, and is a frequent class speaker for the management department in the College of Business and Economics.

Receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award for Community/Regional Service is Kurt D. Rose. Rose, who earned a bachelor's degree in speech with an emphasis in organizational communications in 2009 and a Masters of Science in occupational and environmental safety and health in 2019, has held myriad HR roles and currently serves as a deputy human resources director with the City of Madison. Channeling a strong sense of service instilled by his family, who are all public servants, and fueled by his time on campus, he has been deeply involved with Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, incorporated, serving in many leadership roles, and returns to campus frequently to speak, guest lecture and work with students.

Denny Waldera is this year's recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award for Service to UW-Whitewater. After earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1970 and a combined MBA and J.D. from Northwestern, Waldera carved out a distinguished career in strategic marketing, at Procter & Gamble and then in consulting companies he helped found and lead, before retiring in 2001. Since then, he has forged new ties on campus, serving in various roles on the UW-Whitewater Foundation Board of Directors, being a major donor to the Warhawks Give Fund and other student success-focused efforts, and actively supporting students in the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity as a brother.

The recipient of the S.A. White Award for Contributions to UW-Whitewater is Mary C. Rowin. Rowin and her husband Roger L. Rowin, who earned a bachelor's degree in history in 1967 with minors in economics, English literature and political science, have made significant contributions to UW-Whitewater through endowments and supporting new initiatives. Since his passing in 2021, Rowin has been working to continue her husband's legacy through the David W. Adamany Scholarship Endowment, the Roger L. and Mary C. Rowin Faculty Endowment, and providing substantial support to give the new literary journal "Either/Or" a proper launch and a solid foundation as it grows on the campus.

"This year's award recipients exemplify the very best of Warhawk Bold - distinguished in their professions and deeply committed to their communities," said Chancellor Corey A. King. "UW-Whitewater continues to cultivate graduates who lead, inspire, and make a meaningful impact. It is a tremendous honor to recognize and celebrate these outstanding Warhawks."

"We could not be more proud of this exceptional group of honorees, whose dedication to their communities, to UW-Whitewater, and to student success shines so brightly," said Amy Oeding '90, executive director of alumni relations and annual giving. "Their remarkable accomplishments and unwavering commitment to service truly embody the spirit and strength of the Warhawk family."

Also being honored are the 2026-2027 Lori & Eric Lorenz Outstanding Student Scholars, one from each of the university's five undergraduate colleges. Each student receives a $1,000 scholarship in addition to their award.

• College of Arts and Communication - Anna Quartucci
• College of Business and Economics - Emma Henningfeld
• College of Education and Professional Studies - Sophie Stutzman
• College of Integrated Studies - Lex Cardoso-Reyes
• College of Letters and Sciences - Simon Michels

View more information on UW-Whitewater's Distinguished Alumni awards »

For any questions, contact Amy Oeding, executive director of alumni relations, at [email protected] or 262-472-7033.