UW-Stevens Point Alumni Association honors Pointers making an impact

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will honor alumni who have shown dedication to professional development, volunteerism and personal achievement as part of its Homecoming celebration.

Presented bi-annually, the UW-Stevens Point Alumni Awards honor those who have made an impact in the state of Wisconsin and beyond.

The Trailblazer Award is bestowed upon an alumnus who has achieved outstanding professional accomplishments in their area of study, employment or research early on in their career.

Khalif El-Amin '09, is the co-founder and COO of Young Enterprising Society (YES). YES serves as a project management company that specializes in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) programming for middle and high school students, and business acceleration for underrepresented founders with tech startups. YES has worked with over 6,000 students in eight different states, and 85 adult startups in 10 different YES Blueprint cohorts.

The Mary Ann Nigbor Volunteer of the Year Award honors those who have given freely of their resources, which benefit UWSP.

Tom Weaver '94, is a communications professional with more than 30 years of experience in public, community and media relations, internal communications, broadcasting and journalism. He has worked in health care communications for the past 18 years and currently serves as Manager of System Communications and Community Engagement for Aspirus Health. Weaver has broadcast some of the most significant moments in Pointers sports history and the 2025-26 season will be his 26th as the voice of Pointers men's hockey.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to graduates who, over the course of 20 years or more since graduating from UWSP, have achieved overall greatness in professional, service or personal areas.

Frank, '70 and Kathleen Haeni '70, were longtime educators prior to their retirement. They have supported students at UWSP through volunteer service, endowed scholarships, faculty-mentored undergraduate research, the College of Letters and Science Undergraduate Research Symposium and the Olson Museum of Natural History. Their recent commitment created an endowment to fund laboratory repairs, equipment purchases and maintenance in what is now the Frank R. and Kathleen Y. Haeni Chemistry Biology Building. Kathleen was a seventh and eighth grade science teacher for 24 years. During her career, she was also a part-time naturalist while in New York and was the Camp Bird Director for the School District of Crivitz from 1986-2010. Frank taught science education for 33 years.

The Distinguished Alumni Award is given to alumni who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in their professions.

Rick Adamski '80, has been the owner and operator of his family's 240-acre dairy farm grass-based organic farm for 40 years. A Certified Organic Farmer for 22 years and a Master Grazier, Adamski has been a mentor and activist in the farming community for decades. During his career, he was the Government Relations director for the Wisconsin Farmers Union, an instructor for Managed Grazing at NWTC and served as president, vice-president and treasurer of the Wisconsin Farmers Union Board of Directors. In 2024, he and his family were honored with the Wisconsin Leopold Conservation Farm of the Year Award.

Dr. Gary F. Karner '75, was named commissioner of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in June 1996 following eight years as a member of the NCAA national office staff. He retired in 2020 as the longest serving commissioner in conference history. During Karner's tenure, the WIAC captured 76 NCAA Division III National Championship, surpassing the total number of championships won by all but one of the other 43 DIII conferences in their respective histories. An additional 501 WIAC student-athletes captured NCAA individual titles.

Julie Lassa '93, is the Administrator for the Division of Agriculture Development for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture where she connects farmers to resources and businesses to local and international opportunities. Prior to this role, she was appointed by President Biden to serve as State Director for USDA Rural Development in Wisconsin where she oversaw the investment of over $2.7 billion to strengthen rural communities through investments in housing,

community infrastructure, and business development. As a Wisconsin state legislator, Julie championed legislation protecting children, promoting workforce and economic development, and making government more accountable to taxpayers. She volunteered as a member of the Executive Committee in UWSP's Academy of Letters and Science.

The award winners will be honored during Homecoming on Saturday, October 18. For more information on awards and winners visit https://give.uwsp.edu/page/alumni-awards.