University of Wisconsin -Whitewater

01/14/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/15/2025 09:21

2024 UW-Whitewater Photos of the Year

2024 UW-Whitewater Photos of the Year

January 14, 2025

Written by Chris Lindeke and Craig Schreiner | Photos by Craig Schreiner

Thousands of photos are taken through the lens of University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus photographer Craig Schreiner each year.

After the countless shutter clicks and hours of editing, Craig has selected his favorite images of 2024. Each photo has a backstory that illuminates what makes UW-Whitewater unique - the university's welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, the hands-on learning opportunities that grace the Whitewater and Rock County campuses, and the passion and excellence of its students, faculty, and staff.

From the inauguration of Chancellor Corey King to a festive December 2024 Commencement ceremony - a timeframe that included a visit from the White House and summer events that brought 20,000 visitors to UW-Whitewater - the 2024 calendar year included numerous achievements, special events and celebrations. We simply couldn't fit everything into one feature. (If you're looking for more, check out our UW-Whitewater news page.)

See each of Craig's 2024 Photo of the Year selections below and enjoy his commentary on each image. (To view more of Craig's images, visit our Facebook page.)

In the waning December light, I was reminded of the lifelong friendships that begin here, often in simple ways. Four students and two sets of roommates, all first-year business students, play a pickup game of hockey two days before leaving campus for winter break.

When Jasmyn Kosier was a music student, I watched her serve in many roles in orchestras and organizations. Last summer Jasmyn returned to teach in a music camp. The student was now holding the baton. What Jasmyn received here, she is passing along to other young musicians.

The role of sports photography is to show how fast, how far, how strong and, in this picture, how high. Kacie Carollo of the Warhawk women's basketball team seemed to levitate with this rebound.

Lightning puts on a show above campus on a night I was walking to my car near Andersen Library. Why is the sky purple? This is how the sensor in my camera interprets the light. Is it really purple? I will defer to the physics department. But I prefer to believe it likes us.

As a university photographer, I look for the "sense-of-wonder" moment. In this case, students wearing safety glasses watch a partial eclipse from the observatory near Hyer Hall.

Cameron Culberson gives what has to be the best possible reaction to being announced as Homecoming Royalty, after the Homecoming Talent Show.


During a portrait session for profiles of staff and students, Terri Jones teared up when she touched a portrait of her mentor, Dr. Roger L. Pulliam. It was a moment outside of time with Terri, where no words were needed. She is now in one of Pulliam's roles, teaching and mentoring in the King/Chávez program.

Roger Yin, professor of information technology and supply chain management, was seated at a reception in Fern Young Terrace where sunlight from a nearby window made just the right impromptu portrait. He is the current recipient of the W.P. Roseman Excellence in Teaching Award, the university's highest honor for an educator.

People often ask if I have a favorite picture. The pictures that come to mind are most often the quiet moments. Spouses Monica and Rich Rydzinski embrace before Monica joins graduates for the December commencement ceremony, where she received a Master of Business Administration.

Students in Special Education 360 taught by Malinda Forsberg, background, assistant professor of special education, do an exercise in positive classroom environments in Winther Hall. The results of the exercise were immediate and heartfelt.

The Children's Center hosts high school students participating in the I Want to Be a Teacher Camp for guided exercises with children. The center's support of camps and education students is only one example of the university's all-hands commitment to authentic student learning.

Resident hall assistants hold signs they made of Chancellor Corey A. King and pose for a picture with the real Chancellor King at a celebration to start the fall semester. The Chancellor, who has been on the job since March 2023, was inaugurated in February and has brought a spirit of 'Warhawk Bold" to our campus.