Students

The College of Letters & Science enjoyed a fantastic year, from research breakthroughs in every discipline, to breaking ground for a new music center that will transform campus and redefine what it means to pursue a musical education at UW-Madison.

We've compiled a few of the stories from a year defined by great achievements and great generosity.

UW-Madison student Deshawn McKinney has been named a winner of the Marshall Scholarship, a prestigious award given to up to 40 scholars each year to study at the graduate level at a UK institution in any field of study.

In November, he was named a Rhodes finalist. McKinney is a senior majoring in English-creative writing.

UW-Madison student activist Deshawn McKinney has been named a winner of the prestigious Marshall Scholarship, awarded to 40 American students each year to attend graduate school in any field in the United Kingdom. Last month, McKinney was named a Rhodes Scholar finalist. Scholarship winners go on to graduate studies at Oxford University in England.

On Thursday, Nov. 17, one of the original members of Pussy Riot, Maria Alyokhina, with a new member of the group, journalist Sasha Bogina, gave a public conversation and Q&A in the Wisconsin Union Theater about their activism and current work.

Deshawn McKinney, a University of Wisconsin-Madison senior majoring in English - Creative Writing, has been named a Rhodes finalist. Candidates are judged on a proven record of intellectual and academic achievement, integrity of character, interest in and respect for others, leadership ability, and the energy to fully utilize their talents.

Taking Initiative, or Inter-LS 210, guides students through self-reflection and goal setting and teaches practical job skills as well as how to parlay the knowledge and abilities they’re gaining in their liberal arts courses into future pursuits. Learn about L&S students' experiences as they explore possibilities for their lives after graduation.

L&S student Tyler Ballweg shares insights from Inter-LS 210: a course that prepares students for life after graduation.

Jon Yoon signed up for Inter-LS 210: Taking Initiative during a time of stress and confusion, which, for him, turned out to be the best time to take the career-development course, a cornerstone of the L&S Career Initiative.

Since 1966, the Center for Academic Excellence and its predecessor programs have provided guidance and opportunities to set students on paths to success. Alumni are invited back to celebrate on November 11.