Lakeland College today announced a number of significant changes, which include renaming the institution Lakeland University and changing its academic structure beginning on July 1.

Two new majors and several academic program enhancements are part of the announcement.

They're the most significant changes announced by the school since Lakeland College was created in 1956, said Dan Eck, the institution's president. Lakeland was founded as Mission House College and Seminary in 1862.

"As we mark the 60th anniversary of a major milestone in this institution's history, we're announcing a number of changes that will position Lakeland as a leader in higher education for decades to come," Eck said. "This is more than just a name change. We are responding to student and employer needs and the wave of developments impacting higher education."

The new academic structure merges the college's existing seven academic divisions into three schools – a School of Business & Entrepreneurship; a School of Science, Technology & Education; and a School of Humanities and Fine Arts.

Meg Albrinck has been named Lakeland University's provost, and will be responsible for oversight of all of Lakeland's academic programs. A member of the Lakeland community for 17 years, she has served as the college's vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college since 2008. She also holds the title of professor of literature and writing.

Each school will be led by a dean. Brian Frink, professor of chemistry and physics, has been named dean of the School of Science, Technology & Education. Scott Niederjohn, Charlotte and Walter Kohler Charitable Trust Professor of Business Administration, has been named dean of the School of Business & Entrepreneurship. The dean for the third school has yet to be named.

The School of Science, Technology & Education will house Lakeland's undergraduate majors and minors in aviation, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, criminal justice, computer science, education, exercise science, mathematics, psychology and sport management and leadership and the master of arts in counseling and master of education programs.

The School of Business & Entrepreneurship will house Lakeland's undergraduate programs in business, including accounting, business administration, economics, hospitality management, marketing and specialized administration, and the master of business administration.

The School of Humanities and Fine Arts will house Lakeland's undergraduate majors and minors in art, broad field social studies, communication, English, history, music, religion, Spanish and writing.

Lakeland also announced a number of academic program additions and enhancements, changes that stem from ongoing program assessment that includes feedback from employers and students:

• Creation of a five-year bachelor's degree/MBA track for highly motivated, goal-oriented students interested in earning both degrees in a shorter timeframe. "For students interested in positions where an advanced degree is desired, this is a great option," Niederjohn said.
• Creation of a management information systems bachelor's degree, which is pending approval by the Higher Learning Commission. It combines coursework from Lakeland's existing business administration and computer science majors for students looking for leadership roles in technology fields after graduation. "Jobs requiring an MIS degree are frequently ranked at the top of job outlook surveys," Niederjohn said.
• Expansion of the marketing major with the addition of four emphasis areas: sales management, retail management, digital marketing and graphic arts.
• Additional real-world experiences for the hospitality management program. Students seeking jobs in hospitality will have opportunities for housekeeping, food and beverage work with Lakeland's partners, The Osthoff in Elkhart Lake, Destination Kohler and Blue Harbor Resort. Students can also learn event planning working on the college's popular Movers & Shakers Gala.
• Creation of two new concentrations in the MBA program: Human resources management and supply chain management. The HR coursework fully aligns with the Society for Human Resource Management's (SHRM) HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates, which were developed to define the minimum HR content areas that should be studied by HR students at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Creation of a bachelor of fine arts degree in creative writing. The degree, which is pending approval by the Higher Learning Commission, is the only one of its kind in the state. It will prepare students for a variety of careers in the arts, but specifically creative writing, editing and publishing. Graduates will also be well positioned to seek advanced degrees.
• Offering biochemistry, biology, chemistry, computer science and exercise science majors as bachelor of science degrees. They are currently offered as bachelor of arts degrees.

A number of factors drove the change from college to university, said Eck, including:

• The fact that, by industry definition, Lakeland is already a university. Lakeland serves students at seven Wisconsin locations and at a very successful branch campus in Tokyo, Japan. Additionally, for decades, Lakeland has offered graduate-level academic programs, and currently has three master's programs – a master of business administration, master of arts in counseling and master of education. "From a divinity school to a college, from a small rural campus to an institution that has students from all over the globe, we have earned the right and the reputation to identify ourselves publically as a university," Eck said.
• To aid in recruiting, especially overseas. "Internationally, a ‘college' is a technical college or, in some cases, a high school program," Eck said. "International students have been a focus for Lakeland for decades, and this will help expand our reach."
• To help clear up confusion with other institutions, including neighboring Lakeshore Technical College. "Lakeland University creates a more clear identity for our institution moving forward," Eck said.
• The name "university" will benefit students after graduation. "There is a prestige in American higher education that comes with being a university that will aid our graduates," Eck said. "It accurately reflects our current reach and the diversity of our offerings. Higher education is experiencing great change right now, and this signifies that we're able to change and evolve as an institution."

Eck said that one Lakeland tradition won't change: "Universities often conjure images of sprawling campuses with thousands of students. I've had people ask me if we plan on becoming a much bigger institution. We do want to grow, but we will always be that tight-knit community that understands and addresses individual student needs.

"Small class sizes, a wide range of student services and being one of Wisconsin's most affordable private institutions are all points of pride for Lakeland, and those will all continue."

Apparel featuring the new LU logos will be sold in Lakeland's Campus Shop beginning the week of April 25, which leads up to graduation on May 1, the final commencement as Lakeland College. Lakeland will also launch a new website on July 1 featuring the college's new name and logos.

The works of an estimated 70 students will be featured as part of the 2016 Annual Lakeland Student Art Exhibition, an annual competitive show that features pieces by Lakeland students enrolled in the college's various studio and graphic art classes in the current school year.

A reception and awards ceremony will be held on Friday, April 15, beginning at 4:30 p.m. in the Bradley Fine Arts Building on the Lakeland campus. The show will run through May 25. Attendance at the reception and admittance to the Bradley Gallery are both free and open to the public.

The Bradley Gallery is open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday, when the college is in session.

The show will feature more than 500 works in a wide range of media. The works are the best examples of any given assignment in addition to the most advanced course work in which students set his/her own objectives.

The opening reception features an awards ceremony including Best of Show, second place, third place and several honorable mentions. In addition, there will be a People's Choice Award determined by all those in attendance at the beginning of the reception who will be given time to take in the entire exhibition and cast their ballot for their favorite piece.

Courses represented include Drawing I, II and III, Two Dimensional Design, Three-Dimensional Design, Painting I, II and III, Watercolor I, Printmaking I and II, Digital Page Layout/InDesign, Image Editing/Photoshop, Digital Illustration/Illustrator, Color Theory, Communication Graphics, Typography and Illustration.

Associate Professor of Art Bill Weidner said, "I am especially pleased with the strong body of work in Drawing I, II and III this year. And Printmaking I and II will display some cutting-edge techniques."

Lakeland College hosted its inaugural Community Book Read on April 15, 2014 with Wisconsin native Chad Harbach, author of the best-selling novel "The Art of Fielding." Harbach met with students for a Q&A earlier in the day. The evening event featured Harbach reading excerpts from the novel and answering questions about the work and his life as an author and magazine editor. "The Art of Fielding," Harbach's debut novel, was named one of the New York Times' Ten Best Books of 2011.

Photo Galleries

Due to the weather, Lakeland College will close its Sheboygan center on Thursday, March 24. All evening classes scheduled to meet at the Sheboygan center are canceled.

Four Sheboygan County seniors have been awarded four-year, full-tuition scholarships as the newest members of Lakeland College's Sheboygan County Scholars program.

Lauren Bruggink of Oostburg, Brandon Herrin of Plymouth, Shyanne Koski of Random Lake and Dante Williams of Sheboygan North were chosen from a pool of 16 finalists after conducting in-depth interviews with the scholarship committee. They all play extensive leadership roles at their respective schools.

Bruggink, Herrin, Koski and Williams join existing Sheboygan County Scholars and current Lakeland freshmen Zachery Mock (Howards Grove), Emma Schad (Sheboygan Falls) and Matthew Seider (Sheboygan Christian).

Now in its second year, Lakeland's Sheboygan County Scholars program is a leadership-based initiative that awards up to four scholarships each year to high school graduates from the county who carry a grade point average of at least 3.5 or score at least a 27 on the ACT.

Candidates must apply for the scholarship and conduct in-person interviews with the committee. Once they join the Lakeland community, Sheboygan County Scholars will participate in leadership development, which includes one-on-one meetings with area CEOs and other successful professionals.

The program is funded in part by a gift from the Frank G. & Freida K. Brotz Family Foundation. Lakeland also raises fund for the program at its annual Movers & Shakers Gala.

Here's a closer look at Lakeland's second class of Sheboygan County Scholars:

• Lauren Bruggink, Oostburg High – Lauren expects to earn her degree in biochemistry, then attend graduate school before pursuing a career in food sciences. Currently, she works at Sargento as a quality assurance youth apprentice. At Oostburg, Lauren has played varsity soccer and junior varsity volleyball and been active in student council. Other interests include horses and volunteering.
• Brandon Herrin, Plymouth High School – Brandon plans to major in math, but the National Honor Society member is also deeply passionate about psychology and education. An accomplished student thespian, Brandon is an award-winning actor who also excels in forensics. He's the president of “Students for Social Justice,” and was a member of the Plymouth football and track teams.
• Shyanne Koski, Random Lake High School – Shyanne will major in secondary education with the goal of becoming a teacher. An accomplished student and leader, she is the president of her school's chapter of Future Business Leaders of America and secretary for its National Honor Society chapter. She has made it to state in forensics, and earned all-conference honors playing the flute and piccolo. Shyanne is a varsity cross country runner.
• Dante Williams, Sheboygan North High School – Dante, who will major in business administration, is a four-year member and two-time captain of North's regionally recognized drum line. He is a member of Future Business Leaders of America, a former Lakeland College Music Camp award winner and a Blue Ribbon winner for saxophone, piano and drum solos at the Sheboygan County Music Festival. Dante is also a varsity wrestler at North and a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

After watching a different format last May, supporters of the annual Lakeland College Movers & Shakers Gala are getting their wish – Lakeland is bringing back the dancers.

The ninth annual Movers & Shakers Gala, set for Saturday, May 14, at Lakeland College, will feature eight local celebrities sharing their best dance moves to raise money for Lakeland College.

"We had fun last May showing off various talents of local residents, but feedback from our longtime supporters told us overwhelmingly that people really love to see dancing," said Deborah Wente, a member of the Lakeland Board of Trustees and the chair of the Movers & Shakers organizing committee. "We were thrilled when this year's dancers agreed to be part of what's shaping up as another memorable evening.

"We could not do this event without strong community support and volunteer interest. These people join our celebrities, local companies and our guests who give financially to make this evening successful."

Guests can expect to once again see Lakeland's Todd Wehr Center transformed into a beautiful ballroom with an inviting dance floor, a massive lighting setup and huge video screens to provide a who's who of Sheboygan County a lush stage to showcase their best moves.

In its previous eight years, Movers & Shakers has raised more than $1.7 million for Lakeland and more than 30 nonprofit organizations.

All 2016 Gala proceeds will support student scholarships. Each dancer has selected a local charity and the 2016 winner's charity will be the 2017 partner charity and will receive $10,000.

Major sponsors of this year's Gala are the Frank G. and Frieda K. Brotz Family Foundation; Sargento Foods, Inc.; Festival Foods; Studio Gear Technology; Zimmermann Printing; and Canopies Events with Distinction. Additional work was provided by Khrome, Blue Moon Studios and Salon Sasé.

The 2016 dancer lineup is made up of:

• Sara Brotz, who works in research and development at Plastics Engineering Company, will dance a cha-cha and hustle medley routine. Brotz is sponsored by Plastics Engineering Company and her charity is the Sheboygan County Humane Society.
• Dr. Carolyn Baxter, a board-certified psychiatrist for Prevea, will dance an East Coast Swing routine. Baxter is sponsored by Prevea and her charity is Nourish.
• Barbara Gannon, vice president of corporate communication at Sargento Foods, Inc. and chairperson of the Lakeland Board of Trustees, will dance a rumba/cha-cha medley. Gannon is sponsored by Sargento Foods and her charity is the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice.
• Lola Roeh, general manager of The Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake and a Lakeland graduate, will dance a Latin routine. Roeh is sponsored Wisconsin Bank and Trust and her charity is Nourish.
• Anne Schroeder, founder of Aprivé, will dance a swing routine. Schroeder is sponsored by the Grover Family Foundation and her charity is the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice.
• Brooke Van Asten, a territory director at ACUITY, will dance a swing routine. Van Asten is sponsored by ACUITY and her charity is Safe Harbor of Sheboygan County.
• Justin Webb, owner of Sun Graphics and founder of the BevCarts app, will dance a hip-hop routine. Webb is sponsored by Sun Graphics and BevCarts and his charity is Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sheboygan County.
• The Rev. Matthew Widder, pastor of Holy Name of Jesus and St. Clement parishes, will dance a Texas two-step routine. Widder is sponsored by Friends of Father Matthew Widder and his charity is St. Vincent de Paul Society of Sheboygan.

Complete biographies of each dancer are available on the Movers & Shakers website, http://moversandshakersgala.org.

Each celebrity will be paired with a professional dancer, and all are in the midst of months of training before they compete to win the support of three judges and what's sure to be another sell-out crowd.

A limited number of tickets are available and can be purchased online at the Movers & Shakers website (http://moversandshakersgala.org) or by contacting Kym Leibham, Lakeland's manager of corporate relations and special events, at leibhamk [AT] lakeland [DOT] edu or 920-565-1023 x2155.

You don't have to attend the event to help support the charities. Anyone can purchase votes, at $20 each, for their favorite dancer prior to the event at the Movers & Shakers website.

Emcees for the evening will be Mike Langan and Ike Dyksterhouse. These two natural-born performers, fast friends for 19 years, have served as emcees for Sheboygan Service Club shows, but always in different years, so the Gala marks their debut as a duo.

Judges this year will be Sandi Vasatka, Nellie Schmitt and Jenna Roeske. Vasatka has been a Gala judge for all eight years, and has taught ballroom dance in the Sheboygan area for more than 35 years. Schmitt was a dancer in the 2008 and 2013 Galas. Roeske directs the junior varsity and varsity dance programs at Sheboygan Area Lutheran High School where she is also an English teacher. She teaches advanced jazz, tap and competition classes at a Plymouth studio.

A pre-event reception begins at 5:30 p.m., followed at 6:45 by seating in the ballroom for dinner, which features a mouthwatering menu prepared by Lakeland's Dining Services staff.

Following the competition, the dance floor will be open to all guests and popular Chicagoland DJ Downtown Harrison will provide music for the remainder of the evening.

You can also be part of the pre-event buzz by joining dancers, committee members, guests and volunteers on Facebook at http://moversandshakersgala.org/facebook. "Like" the event page for regular updates.

If you want to get behind the scenes and help make this evening possible, a number of volunteer opportunities are open to the community. More information is available at http://moversandshakersgala.org/volunteer.

Lakeland College senior Callie Olson, a religion and nonprofit organization double major from Middleton, Wis., was named the winner of the 51st annual Clarence H. Koehler Award, the college's top award for undergraduate students. The award was announced at the annual Honors Banquet on April 6.

Olson, who will graduate on May 1, amassed an impressive resume of leadership and involvement during her time at Lakeland.

The Koehler Award is presented each year to a Lakeland senior who best exemplifies "The Lakeland Spirit" by his or her participation in and support of the college's programs and activities. To be eligible, graduates must complete all four undergraduate years at Lakeland and maintain a high level of academic achievement.

Olson has represented Lakeland on the national level, serving as a member of the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the NCAA Division III Championships Committee, roles that included attending meetings at the NCAA's headquarters in Indianapolis, Ind.

She served internships with the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice in Sheboygan Falls, Wis., United Way of Sheboygan County, Faith United Methodist Church in Sheboygan Falls and Asbury United Methodist Church in Madison, where she also served as youth ministry assistant.

Olson was a four-year member of the Lakeland women's basketball team, and was a team captain as a senior. She also served Lakeland as a resident assistant, an orientation leader, a campus ambassador for admissions, a game manager for athletics and a religion tutor.

She is the recipient of a Lakeland Presidential Scholarship and a multi-time member of the college's Dean's List, and was named 2015 Outstanding Student in Religion.

"I learned at Lakeland how to excel in the classroom not because it was easy, but because I was challenged and stretched in ways I never thought possible," Olson said. "I was pushed outside my comfort zone to observe, analyze and interpret this world we live in. I believe I am truly an example of how this college can help an individual discover gifts and talents they didn't know they had."

The award is named for the Rev. Clarence Koehler, who graduated from the college in 1937 and from the seminary in 1939. He later became a member of the college's board of trustees, and was chairman of the board in 1957 when he passed away at age 48.

The Rev. Koehler was an outstanding student and participated in numerous activities on campus, including music, athletics, student publications and managing the campus bookstore. He maximized his college experience, and this award honors that spirit.

Other winners at Wednesday night's banquet included:

Business Administration

Outstanding Student in Accounting: Thomas Panzer
Outstanding Student in Hospitality Management: Janel Weir
Outstanding Student in Marketing: Hollie Erdmann
Outstanding Student in Business Administration: Mitchell Fucile
Erroll B. Davis, Jr. Award: Steven Canales

Creative Arts

Outstanding Student in Communication: Amanda Smith
Outstanding Music Student: Siera Ramirez
Outstanding Music Education Student: Tia Pribbernow
Outstanding Theatre Student of the Year: Tia Pribbernow
Outstanding Student in Writing: Leah Ulatowski

Education

Outstanding Student in Education: Karissa Anderson

Humanities

Outstanding Student in Spanish: Chloe Reed
Outstanding Student in Spanish: Janel Weir

Natural Science

Outstanding Senior in Biology: Cassandra Mueller
Outstanding Senior in Chemistry: Audrey Nichols
Outstanding Student in Exercise Science: Alyssa Ciepley
Outstanding Student in Exercise Science: Trista Barron
Outstanding Student in Mathematics: Michele Marquardt
Outstanding Student in Aviation - Smooth Operator Award: Peter Ludolph

Social Science

Outstanding Student in Criminal Justice: Matthew Derse
Outstanding Student in Criminal Justice: Hollie Blum
Outstanding Student in History: Suzette Rosas
Outstanding Student in History: Steven Wodrich
Outstanding Student in Psychology: Grace Vos

Ellen J. Kregel Athletic Award: Callie Olson

Lakeland College Japan

Outstanding Student at Lakeland College Japan: Andressa Sacht

Senior Honors

Leah Ulatowski, Katherine Zielsdorf, Stephanie Burgardt, Cassandra Mueller, Kaitlin Deschane, Megan Gomez, Heather Ross

Who's Who

Amanda Bagnall-Newman, Trista Barron, Steven Canales, Megan Gomez, Bailey Grayvold, Le'Shay Jones, Emma Landowski, Danielle Livingston, Peter Ludolph, Karalee Manis, Jacob Nault, Suzette Rosas, Heather Ross, Amanda Smith, Brooke Wilder-Corrigan, Samantha Williams, Katherine Zielsdorf

Lakeland College's David Lynch, instructor of general studies and Chinese, is the 2016 winner of the annual Underkofler Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award.

Lynch, in his 18th year at Lakeland, is the college's 25th winner of the Underkofler. which recognizes outstanding performance in undergraduate teaching. The award was presented on April 6 at Lakeland's annual Honors Banquet.

Lynch was honored for being one of Lakeland's most appreciated and unique teachers. Student nomination letters described Lynch's teaching style as fun and helpful, and noted that he goes out of his way to impact the lives of his students. Students spoke to the dynamic atmosphere in his classrooms and how his sense of humor aids in getting everyone involved and participating.

Lynch also excels in utilizing visual media to address challenging and difficult materials in both interdisciplinary courses and his Chinese language courses. The learning that occurs in his classes was described by one student as the most "realistic" that student had experienced.

He was also honored for the roles he plays with students outside the classroom, most notably as advisor of the Zeta Chi fraternity and as Faculty Athletic representative to the NCAA.

Lynch initially came to Lakeland in 1991, serving as director of international student advising, an adjunct instructor of writing and a hall director. He left Lakeland to serve as a corporate Chinese language and cultural consultant, primarily in Texas, before returning to Lakeland in his current role in 2000.

He also serves Lakeland as Chinese language and cultural consultant for the Summer English Language Institute. He previously served as director of academic advising for three years, and has been on a host of committees during his tenure.

He has played a key role in nurturing the relationship between Lakeland and sister schools Shanghai Finance University, East China Institute of Technology and Huainan Normal University. He has also led Lakeland students on travel courses to China.

He received a master's degree in Chinese language and literature from National Cheng Chih University in Taipei, Taiwan, in 2000, and a bachelor's in Chinese language from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1991.

The Underkofler Award is presented through the Alliant Energy Foundation and the Wisconsin Foundation for Independent Colleges, Inc. The Underkofler Endowment Fund was created in honor of past Wisconsin Power & Light president and chairman James R. Underkofler to recognize his 48 years of service to the utility industry.

Benjamin M. Salzmann, president and CEO of ACUITY Insurance, which last month was named the second-best place to work in the United States by Fortune magazine, will deliver Lakeland College's undergraduate commencement address on Sunday, May 1.

Salzmann, who has spent 16 of his 26 years at ACUITY in these leadership roles, will address Lakeland's 154th commencement, which begins at 2 p.m. Details about the ceremony are online at http://lakeland.edu/graduation.

In addition to being an employer of dozens of Lakeland graduates, the college and ACUITY are partners in a program at Sheboygan South High School that allows South students to take computer science courses that earn both high school and college credit and creates work-based learning opportunities at ACUITY.

ACUITY, rated as A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's, has been listed by Ward Benchmarking as one of the Best Run Insurance Companies for each of the past 16 years. ACUITY is one of the most profitable insurers in the nation based on 16 years of financial results, and writes business across 25 states, with $4 billion in assets.

In addition, ACUITY has ranked as a Great Place to Work Top 5 mid-sized employer 12 years in a row, including No. 1 for four straight years. Last year, ACUITY moved up to No. 3 in the large corporate category in Fortune magazine, and this year moved up to No. 2 behind Google.

ACUITY received recognition as a Top 15 Employer for Millennials and Top Employer for Women. It is are also a grand prize winner for the second straight year in the “We Love Our Workplace” video contest from Great Place to Work. The Sheboygan-based company was named one of the Top 3 Coolest Offices in North America by PayScale, a national human resources consulting firm, and has received recognition as one of the best employers by CollegeGrad.com.

Salzmann is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate in zoology and molecular biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has a computer information systems degree from Aquinas College, where he taught computer and project management courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He also has an MBA from UW-Madison.

Salzmann is the president of the ACUITY Charitable Foundation, which donates more than $2 million per year. He is also a member of the UW-Sheboygan Foundation Board of Directors. ACUITY's foundation makes extensive investments in all levels of community education and is an ongoing sponsor for Lakeland College.

Lakeland College today announced a number of significant changes, which include renaming the institution Lakeland University and changing its academic structure beginning on July 1.

Two new majors and several academic program enhancements are part of the announcement.

They're the most significant changes announced by the school since Lakeland College was created in 1956, said Dan Eck, the institution's president. Lakeland was founded as Mission House College and Seminary in 1862.

"As we mark the 60th anniversary of a major milestone in this institution's history, we're announcing a number of changes that will position Lakeland as a leader in higher education for decades to come," Eck said. "This is more than just a name change. We are responding to student and employer needs and the wave of developments impacting higher education."

The new academic structure merges the college's existing seven academic divisions into three schools – a School of Business & Entrepreneurship; a School of Science, Technology & Education; and a School of Humanities and Fine Arts.

Meg Albrinck has been named Lakeland University's provost, and will be responsible for oversight of all of Lakeland's academic programs. A member of the Lakeland community for 17 years, she has served as the college's vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college since 2008. She also holds the title of professor of literature and writing.

Each school will be led by a dean. Brian Frink, professor of chemistry and physics, has been named dean of the School of Science, Technology & Education. Scott Niederjohn, Charlotte and Walter Kohler Charitable Trust Professor of Business Administration, has been named dean of the School of Business & Entrepreneurship. The dean for the third school has yet to be named.

The School of Science, Technology & Education will house Lakeland's undergraduate majors and minors in aviation, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, criminal justice, computer science, education, exercise science, mathematics, psychology and sport management and leadership and the master of arts in counseling and master of education programs.

The School of Business & Entrepreneurship will house Lakeland's undergraduate programs in business, including accounting, business administration, economics, hospitality management, marketing and specialized administration, and the master of business administration.

The School of Humanities and Fine Arts will house Lakeland's undergraduate majors and minors in art, broad field social studies, communication, English, history, music, religion, Spanish and writing.

Lakeland also announced a number of academic program additions and enhancements, changes that stem from ongoing program assessment that includes feedback from employers and students:

• Creation of a five-year bachelor's degree/MBA track for highly motivated, goal-oriented students interested in earning both degrees in a shorter timeframe. "For students interested in positions where an advanced degree is desired, this is a great option," Niederjohn said.
• Creation of a management information systems bachelor's degree, which is pending approval by the Higher Learning Commission. It combines coursework from Lakeland's existing business administration and computer science majors for students looking for leadership roles in technology fields after graduation. "Jobs requiring an MIS degree are frequently ranked at the top of job outlook surveys," Niederjohn said.
• Expansion of the marketing major with the addition of four emphasis areas: sales management, retail management, digital marketing and graphic arts.
• Additional real-world experiences for the hospitality management program. Students seeking jobs in hospitality will have opportunities for housekeeping, food and beverage work with Lakeland's partners, The Osthoff in Elkhart Lake, Destination Kohler and Blue Harbor Resort. Students can also learn event planning working on the college's popular Movers & Shakers Gala.
• Creation of two new concentrations in the MBA program: Human resources management and supply chain management. The HR coursework fully aligns with the Society for Human Resource Management's (SHRM) HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates, which were developed to define the minimum HR content areas that should be studied by HR students at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Creation of a bachelor of fine arts degree in creative writing. The degree, which is pending approval by the Higher Learning Commission, is the only one of its kind in the state. It will prepare students for a variety of careers in the arts, but specifically creative writing, editing and publishing. Graduates will also be well positioned to seek advanced degrees.
• Offering biochemistry, biology, chemistry, computer science and exercise science majors as bachelor of science degrees. They are currently offered as bachelor of arts degrees.

A number of factors drove the change from college to university, said Eck, including:

• The fact that, by industry definition, Lakeland is already a university. Lakeland serves students at seven Wisconsin locations and at a very successful branch campus in Tokyo, Japan. Additionally, for decades, Lakeland has offered graduate-level academic programs, and currently has three master's programs – a master of business administration, master of arts in counseling and master of education. "From a divinity school to a college, from a small rural campus to an institution that has students from all over the globe, we have earned the right and the reputation to identify ourselves publically as a university," Eck said.
• To aid in recruiting, especially overseas. "Internationally, a ‘college' is a technical college or, in some cases, a high school program," Eck said. "International students have been a focus for Lakeland for decades, and this will help expand our reach."
• To help clear up confusion with other institutions, including neighboring Lakeshore Technical College. "Lakeland University creates a more clear identity for our institution moving forward," Eck said.
• The name "university" will benefit students after graduation. "There is a prestige in American higher education that comes with being a university that will aid our graduates," Eck said. "It accurately reflects our current reach and the diversity of our offerings. Higher education is experiencing great change right now, and this signifies that we're able to change and evolve as an institution."

Eck said that one Lakeland tradition won't change: "Universities often conjure images of sprawling campuses with thousands of students. I've had people ask me if we plan on becoming a much bigger institution. We do want to grow, but we will always be that tight-knit community that understands and addresses individual student needs.

"Small class sizes, a wide range of student services and being one of Wisconsin's most affordable private institutions are all points of pride for Lakeland, and those will all continue."

Apparel featuring the new LU logos will be sold in Lakeland's Campus Shop beginning the week of April 25, which leads up to graduation on May 1, the final commencement as Lakeland College. Lakeland will also launch a new website on July 1 featuring the college's new name and logos.

The works of an estimated 70 students will be featured as part of the 2016 Annual Lakeland Student Art Exhibition, an annual competitive show that features pieces by Lakeland students enrolled in the college's various studio and graphic art classes in the current school year.

A reception and awards ceremony will be held on Friday, April 15, beginning at 4:30 p.m. in the Bradley Fine Arts Building on the Lakeland campus. The show will run through May 25. Attendance at the reception and admittance to the Bradley Gallery are both free and open to the public.

The Bradley Gallery is open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday, when the college is in session.

The show will feature more than 500 works in a wide range of media. The works are the best examples of any given assignment in addition to the most advanced course work in which students set his/her own objectives.

The opening reception features an awards ceremony including Best of Show, second place, third place and several honorable mentions. In addition, there will be a People's Choice Award determined by all those in attendance at the beginning of the reception who will be given time to take in the entire exhibition and cast their ballot for their favorite piece.

Courses represented include Drawing I, II and III, Two Dimensional Design, Three-Dimensional Design, Painting I, II and III, Watercolor I, Printmaking I and II, Digital Page Layout/InDesign, Image Editing/Photoshop, Digital Illustration/Illustrator, Color Theory, Communication Graphics, Typography and Illustration.

Associate Professor of Art Bill Weidner said, "I am especially pleased with the strong body of work in Drawing I, II and III this year. And Printmaking I and II will display some cutting-edge techniques."

Lakeland College hosted its inaugural Community Book Read on April 15, 2014 with Wisconsin native Chad Harbach, author of the best-selling novel "The Art of Fielding." Harbach met with students for a Q&A earlier in the day. The evening event featured Harbach reading excerpts from the novel and answering questions about the work and his life as an author and magazine editor. "The Art of Fielding," Harbach's debut novel, was named one of the New York Times' Ten Best Books of 2011.

Photo Galleries

Due to the weather, Lakeland College will close its Sheboygan center on Thursday, March 24. All evening classes scheduled to meet at the Sheboygan center are canceled.

Four Sheboygan County seniors have been awarded four-year, full-tuition scholarships as the newest members of Lakeland College's Sheboygan County Scholars program.

Lauren Bruggink of Oostburg, Brandon Herrin of Plymouth, Shyanne Koski of Random Lake and Dante Williams of Sheboygan North were chosen from a pool of 16 finalists after conducting in-depth interviews with the scholarship committee. They all play extensive leadership roles at their respective schools.

Bruggink, Herrin, Koski and Williams join existing Sheboygan County Scholars and current Lakeland freshmen Zachery Mock (Howards Grove), Emma Schad (Sheboygan Falls) and Matthew Seider (Sheboygan Christian).

Now in its second year, Lakeland's Sheboygan County Scholars program is a leadership-based initiative that awards up to four scholarships each year to high school graduates from the county who carry a grade point average of at least 3.5 or score at least a 27 on the ACT.

Candidates must apply for the scholarship and conduct in-person interviews with the committee. Once they join the Lakeland community, Sheboygan County Scholars will participate in leadership development, which includes one-on-one meetings with area CEOs and other successful professionals.

The program is funded in part by a gift from the Frank G. & Freida K. Brotz Family Foundation. Lakeland also raises fund for the program at its annual Movers & Shakers Gala.

Here's a closer look at Lakeland's second class of Sheboygan County Scholars:

• Lauren Bruggink, Oostburg High – Lauren expects to earn her degree in biochemistry, then attend graduate school before pursuing a career in food sciences. Currently, she works at Sargento as a quality assurance youth apprentice. At Oostburg, Lauren has played varsity soccer and junior varsity volleyball and been active in student council. Other interests include horses and volunteering.
• Brandon Herrin, Plymouth High School – Brandon plans to major in math, but the National Honor Society member is also deeply passionate about psychology and education. An accomplished student thespian, Brandon is an award-winning actor who also excels in forensics. He's the president of “Students for Social Justice,” and was a member of the Plymouth football and track teams.
• Shyanne Koski, Random Lake High School – Shyanne will major in secondary education with the goal of becoming a teacher. An accomplished student and leader, she is the president of her school's chapter of Future Business Leaders of America and secretary for its National Honor Society chapter. She has made it to state in forensics, and earned all-conference honors playing the flute and piccolo. Shyanne is a varsity cross country runner.
• Dante Williams, Sheboygan North High School – Dante, who will major in business administration, is a four-year member and two-time captain of North's regionally recognized drum line. He is a member of Future Business Leaders of America, a former Lakeland College Music Camp award winner and a Blue Ribbon winner for saxophone, piano and drum solos at the Sheboygan County Music Festival. Dante is also a varsity wrestler at North and a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

Free votes for your favorite dancer(s) on the Movers & Shakers Gala Facebook page. Contest runs until Friday, April 22 5 p.m.

After watching a different format last May, supporters of the annual Lakeland College Movers & Shakers Gala are getting their wish – Lakeland is bringing back the dancers.

The ninth annual Movers & Shakers Gala, set for Saturday, May 14, at Lakeland College, will feature eight local celebrities sharing their best dance moves to raise money for Lakeland College.

"We had fun last May showing off various talents of local residents, but feedback from our longtime supporters told us overwhelmingly that people really love to see dancing," said Deborah Wente, a member of the Lakeland Board of Trustees and the chair of the Movers & Shakers organizing committee. "We were thrilled when this year's dancers agreed to be part of what's shaping up as another memorable evening.

"We could not do this event without strong community support and volunteer interest. These people join our celebrities, local companies and our guests who give financially to make this evening successful."

Guests can expect to once again see Lakeland's Todd Wehr Center transformed into a beautiful ballroom with an inviting dance floor, a massive lighting setup and huge video screens to provide a who's who of Sheboygan County a lush stage to showcase their best moves.

In its previous eight years, Movers & Shakers has raised more than $1.7 million for Lakeland and more than 30 nonprofit organizations.

All 2016 Gala proceeds will support student scholarships. Each dancer has selected a local charity and the 2016 winner's charity will be the 2017 partner charity and will receive $10,000.

Major sponsors of this year's Gala are the Frank G. and Frieda K. Brotz Family Foundation; Sargento Foods, Inc.; Festival Foods; Studio Gear Technology; Zimmermann Printing; and Canopies Events with Distinction. Additional work was provided by Khrome, Blue Moon Studios and Salon Sasé.

The 2016 dancer lineup is made up of:

• Sara Brotz, who works in research and development at Plastics Engineering Company, will dance a cha-cha and hustle medley routine. Brotz is sponsored by Plastics Engineering Company and her charity is the Sheboygan County Humane Society.
• Dr. Carolyn Baxter, a board-certified psychiatrist for Prevea, will dance an East Coast Swing routine. Baxter is sponsored by Prevea and her charity is Nourish.
• Barbara Gannon, vice president of corporate communication at Sargento Foods, Inc. and chairperson of the Lakeland Board of Trustees, will dance a rumba/cha-cha medley. Gannon is sponsored by Sargento Foods and her charity is the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice.
• Lola Roeh, general manager of The Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake and a Lakeland graduate, will dance a Latin routine. Roeh is sponsored Wisconsin Bank and Trust and her charity is Nourish.
• Anne Schroeder, founder of Aprivé, will dance a swing routine. Schroeder is sponsored by the Grover Family Foundation and her charity is the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice.
• Brooke Van Asten, a territory director at ACUITY, will dance a swing routine. Van Asten is sponsored by ACUITY and her charity is Safe Harbor of Sheboygan County.
• Justin Webb, owner of Sun Graphics and founder of the BevCarts app, will dance a hip-hop routine. Webb is sponsored by Sun Graphics and BevCarts and his charity is Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sheboygan County.
• The Rev. Matthew Widder, pastor of Holy Name of Jesus and St. Clement parishes, will dance a Texas two-step routine. Widder is sponsored by Friends of Father Matthew Widder and his charity is St. Vincent de Paul Society of Sheboygan.

Complete biographies of each dancer are available on the Movers & Shakers website, http://moversandshakersgala.org.

Each celebrity will be paired with a professional dancer, and all are in the midst of months of training before they compete to win the support of three judges and what's sure to be another sell-out crowd.

A limited number of tickets are available and can be purchased online at the Movers & Shakers website (http://moversandshakersgala.org) or by contacting Kym Leibham, Lakeland's manager of corporate relations and special events, at leibhamk [AT] lakeland [DOT] edu or 920-565-1023 x2155.

You don't have to attend the event to help support the charities. Anyone can purchase votes, at $20 each, for their favorite dancer prior to the event at the Movers & Shakers website.

Emcees for the evening will be Mike Langan and Ike Dyksterhouse. These two natural-born performers, fast friends for 19 years, have served as emcees for Sheboygan Service Club shows, but always in different years, so the Gala marks their debut as a duo.

Judges this year will be Sandi Vasatka, Nellie Schmitt and Jenna Roeske. Vasatka has been a Gala judge for all eight years, and has taught ballroom dance in the Sheboygan area for more than 35 years. Schmitt was a dancer in the 2008 and 2013 Galas. Roeske directs the junior varsity and varsity dance programs at Sheboygan Area Lutheran High School where she is also an English teacher. She teaches advanced jazz, tap and competition classes at a Plymouth studio.

A pre-event reception begins at 5:30 p.m., followed at 6:45 by seating in the ballroom for dinner, which features a mouthwatering menu prepared by Lakeland's Dining Services staff.

Following the competition, the dance floor will be open to all guests and popular Chicagoland DJ Downtown Harrison will provide music for the remainder of the evening.

You can also be part of the pre-event buzz by joining dancers, committee members, guests and volunteers on Facebook at http://moversandshakersgala.org/facebook. "Like" the event page for regular updates.

If you want to get behind the scenes and help make this evening possible, a number of volunteer opportunities are open to the community. More information is available at http://moversandshakersgala.org/volunteer.

Lakeland College senior Callie Olson, a religion and nonprofit organization double major from Middleton, Wis., was named the winner of the 51st annual Clarence H. Koehler Award, the college's top award for undergraduate students. The award was announced at the annual Honors Banquet on April 6.

Olson, who will graduate on May 1, amassed an impressive resume of leadership and involvement during her time at Lakeland.

The Koehler Award is presented each year to a Lakeland senior who best exemplifies "The Lakeland Spirit" by his or her participation in and support of the college's programs and activities. To be eligible, graduates must complete all four undergraduate years at Lakeland and maintain a high level of academic achievement.

Olson has represented Lakeland on the national level, serving as a member of the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the NCAA Division III Championships Committee, roles that included attending meetings at the NCAA's headquarters in Indianapolis, Ind.

She served internships with the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice in Sheboygan Falls, Wis., United Way of Sheboygan County, Faith United Methodist Church in Sheboygan Falls and Asbury United Methodist Church in Madison, where she also served as youth ministry assistant.

Olson was a four-year member of the Lakeland women's basketball team, and was a team captain as a senior. She also served Lakeland as a resident assistant, an orientation leader, a campus ambassador for admissions, a game manager for athletics and a religion tutor.

She is the recipient of a Lakeland Presidential Scholarship and a multi-time member of the college's Dean's List, and was named 2015 Outstanding Student in Religion.

"I learned at Lakeland how to excel in the classroom not because it was easy, but because I was challenged and stretched in ways I never thought possible," Olson said. "I was pushed outside my comfort zone to observe, analyze and interpret this world we live in. I believe I am truly an example of how this college can help an individual discover gifts and talents they didn't know they had."

The award is named for the Rev. Clarence Koehler, who graduated from the college in 1937 and from the seminary in 1939. He later became a member of the college's board of trustees, and was chairman of the board in 1957 when he passed away at age 48.

The Rev. Koehler was an outstanding student and participated in numerous activities on campus, including music, athletics, student publications and managing the campus bookstore. He maximized his college experience, and this award honors that spirit.

Other winners at Wednesday night's banquet included:

Business Administration

Outstanding Student in Accounting: Thomas Panzer
Outstanding Student in Hospitality Management: Janel Weir
Outstanding Student in Marketing: Hollie Erdmann
Outstanding Student in Business Administration: Mitchell Fucile
Erroll B. Davis, Jr. Award: Steven Canales

Creative Arts

Outstanding Student in Communication: Amanda Smith
Outstanding Music Student: Siera Ramirez
Outstanding Music Education Student: Tia Pribbernow
Outstanding Theatre Student of the Year: Tia Pribbernow
Outstanding Student in Writing: Leah Ulatowski

Education

Outstanding Student in Education: Karissa Anderson

Humanities

Outstanding Student in Spanish: Chloe Reed
Outstanding Student in Spanish: Janel Weir

Natural Science

Outstanding Senior in Biology: Cassandra Mueller
Outstanding Senior in Chemistry: Audrey Nichols
Outstanding Student in Exercise Science: Alyssa Ciepley
Outstanding Student in Exercise Science: Trista Barron
Outstanding Student in Mathematics: Michele Marquardt
Outstanding Student in Aviation - Smooth Operator Award: Peter Ludolph

Social Science

Outstanding Student in Criminal Justice: Matthew Derse
Outstanding Student in Criminal Justice: Hollie Blum
Outstanding Student in History: Suzette Rosas
Outstanding Student in History: Steven Wodrich
Outstanding Student in Psychology: Grace Vos

Ellen J. Kregel Athletic Award: Callie Olson

Lakeland College Japan

Outstanding Student at Lakeland College Japan: Andressa Sacht

Senior Honors

Leah Ulatowski, Katherine Zielsdorf, Stephanie Burgardt, Cassandra Mueller, Kaitlin Deschane, Megan Gomez, Heather Ross

Who's Who

Amanda Bagnall-Newman, Trista Barron, Steven Canales, Megan Gomez, Bailey Grayvold, Le'Shay Jones, Emma Landowski, Danielle Livingston, Peter Ludolph, Karalee Manis, Jacob Nault, Suzette Rosas, Heather Ross, Amanda Smith, Brooke Wilder-Corrigan, Samantha Williams, Katherine Zielsdorf

Lakeland College's David Lynch, instructor of general studies and Chinese, is the 2016 winner of the annual Underkofler Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award.

Lynch, in his 18th year at Lakeland, is the college's 25th winner of the Underkofler. which recognizes outstanding performance in undergraduate teaching. The award was presented on April 6 at Lakeland's annual Honors Banquet.

Lynch was honored for being one of Lakeland's most appreciated and unique teachers. Student nomination letters described Lynch's teaching style as fun and helpful, and noted that he goes out of his way to impact the lives of his students. Students spoke to the dynamic atmosphere in his classrooms and how his sense of humor aids in getting everyone involved and participating.

Lynch also excels in utilizing visual media to address challenging and difficult materials in both interdisciplinary courses and his Chinese language courses. The learning that occurs in his classes was described by one student as the most "realistic" that student had experienced.

He was also honored for the roles he plays with students outside the classroom, most notably as advisor of the Zeta Chi fraternity and as Faculty Athletic representative to the NCAA.

Lynch initially came to Lakeland in 1991, serving as director of international student advising, an adjunct instructor of writing and a hall director. He left Lakeland to serve as a corporate Chinese language and cultural consultant, primarily in Texas, before returning to Lakeland in his current role in 2000.

He also serves Lakeland as Chinese language and cultural consultant for the Summer English Language Institute. He previously served as director of academic advising for three years, and has been on a host of committees during his tenure.

He has played a key role in nurturing the relationship between Lakeland and sister schools Shanghai Finance University, East China Institute of Technology and Huainan Normal University. He has also led Lakeland students on travel courses to China.

He received a master's degree in Chinese language and literature from National Cheng Chih University in Taipei, Taiwan, in 2000, and a bachelor's in Chinese language from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1991.

The Underkofler Award is presented through the Alliant Energy Foundation and the Wisconsin Foundation for Independent Colleges, Inc. The Underkofler Endowment Fund was created in honor of past Wisconsin Power & Light president and chairman James R. Underkofler to recognize his 48 years of service to the utility industry.

Benjamin M. Salzmann, president and CEO of ACUITY Insurance, which last month was named the second-best place to work in the United States by Fortune magazine, will deliver Lakeland College's undergraduate commencement address on Sunday, May 1.

Salzmann, who has spent 16 of his 26 years at ACUITY in these leadership roles, will address Lakeland's 154th commencement, which begins at 2 p.m. Details about the ceremony are online at http://lakeland.edu/graduation.

In addition to being an employer of dozens of Lakeland graduates, the college and ACUITY are partners in a program at Sheboygan South High School that allows South students to take computer science courses that earn both high school and college credit and creates work-based learning opportunities at ACUITY.

ACUITY, rated as A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's, has been listed by Ward Benchmarking as one of the Best Run Insurance Companies for each of the past 16 years. ACUITY is one of the most profitable insurers in the nation based on 16 years of financial results, and writes business across 25 states, with $4 billion in assets.

In addition, ACUITY has ranked as a Great Place to Work Top 5 mid-sized employer 12 years in a row, including No. 1 for four straight years. Last year, ACUITY moved up to No. 3 in the large corporate category in Fortune magazine, and this year moved up to No. 2 behind Google.

ACUITY received recognition as a Top 15 Employer for Millennials and Top Employer for Women. It is are also a grand prize winner for the second straight year in the “We Love Our Workplace” video contest from Great Place to Work. The Sheboygan-based company was named one of the Top 3 Coolest Offices in North America by PayScale, a national human resources consulting firm, and has received recognition as one of the best employers by CollegeGrad.com.

Salzmann is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate in zoology and molecular biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has a computer information systems degree from Aquinas College, where he taught computer and project management courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He also has an MBA from UW-Madison.

Salzmann is the president of the ACUITY Charitable Foundation, which donates more than $2 million per year. He is also a member of the UW-Sheboygan Foundation Board of Directors. ACUITY's foundation makes extensive investments in all levels of community education and is an ongoing sponsor for Lakeland College.

Lakeland College today announced a number of significant changes, which include renaming the institution Lakeland University and changing its academic structure beginning on July 1.

Two new majors and several academic program enhancements are part of the announcement.

They're the most significant changes announced by the school since Lakeland College was created in 1956, said Dan Eck, the institution's president. Lakeland was founded as Mission House College and Seminary in 1862.

"As we mark the 60th anniversary of a major milestone in this institution's history, we're announcing a number of changes that will position Lakeland as a leader in higher education for decades to come," Eck said. "This is more than just a name change. We are responding to student and employer needs and the wave of developments impacting higher education."

The new academic structure merges the college's existing seven academic divisions into three schools – a School of Business & Entrepreneurship; a School of Science, Technology & Education; and a School of Humanities and Fine Arts.

Meg Albrinck has been named Lakeland University's provost, and will be responsible for oversight of all of Lakeland's academic programs. A member of the Lakeland community for 17 years, she has served as the college's vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college since 2008. She also holds the title of professor of literature and writing.

Each school will be led by a dean. Brian Frink, professor of chemistry and physics, has been named dean of the School of Science, Technology & Education. Scott Niederjohn, Charlotte and Walter Kohler Charitable Trust Professor of Business Administration, has been named dean of the School of Business & Entrepreneurship. The dean for the third school has yet to be named.

The School of Science, Technology & Education will house Lakeland's undergraduate majors and minors in aviation, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, criminal justice, computer science, education, exercise science, mathematics, psychology and sport management and leadership and the master of arts in counseling and master of education programs.

The School of Business & Entrepreneurship will house Lakeland's undergraduate programs in business, including accounting, business administration, economics, hospitality management, marketing and specialized administration, and the master of business administration.

The School of Humanities and Fine Arts will house Lakeland's undergraduate majors and minors in art, broad field social studies, communication, English, history, music, religion, Spanish and writing.

Lakeland also announced a number of academic program additions and enhancements, changes that stem from ongoing program assessment that includes feedback from employers and students:

• Creation of a five-year bachelor's degree/MBA track for highly motivated, goal-oriented students interested in earning both degrees in a shorter timeframe. "For students interested in positions where an advanced degree is desired, this is a great option," Niederjohn said.
• Creation of a management information systems bachelor's degree, which is pending approval by the Higher Learning Commission. It combines coursework from Lakeland's existing business administration and computer science majors for students looking for leadership roles in technology fields after graduation. "Jobs requiring an MIS degree are frequently ranked at the top of job outlook surveys," Niederjohn said.
• Expansion of the marketing major with the addition of four emphasis areas: sales management, retail management, digital marketing and graphic arts.
• Additional real-world experiences for the hospitality management program. Students seeking jobs in hospitality will have opportunities for housekeeping, food and beverage work with Lakeland's partners, The Osthoff in Elkhart Lake, Destination Kohler and Blue Harbor Resort. Students can also learn event planning working on the college's popular Movers & Shakers Gala.
• Creation of two new concentrations in the MBA program: Human resources management and supply chain management. The HR coursework fully aligns with the Society for Human Resource Management's (SHRM) HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates, which were developed to define the minimum HR content areas that should be studied by HR students at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Creation of a bachelor of fine arts degree in creative writing. The degree, which is pending approval by the Higher Learning Commission, is the only one of its kind in the state. It will prepare students for a variety of careers in the arts, but specifically creative writing, editing and publishing. Graduates will also be well positioned to seek advanced degrees.
• Offering biochemistry, biology, chemistry, computer science and exercise science majors as bachelor of science degrees. They are currently offered as bachelor of arts degrees.

A number of factors drove the change from college to university, said Eck, including:

• The fact that, by industry definition, Lakeland is already a university. Lakeland serves students at seven Wisconsin locations and at a very successful branch campus in Tokyo, Japan. Additionally, for decades, Lakeland has offered graduate-level academic programs, and currently has three master's programs – a master of business administration, master of arts in counseling and master of education. "From a divinity school to a college, from a small rural campus to an institution that has students from all over the globe, we have earned the right and the reputation to identify ourselves publically as a university," Eck said.
• To aid in recruiting, especially overseas. "Internationally, a ‘college' is a technical college or, in some cases, a high school program," Eck said. "International students have been a focus for Lakeland for decades, and this will help expand our reach."
• To help clear up confusion with other institutions, including neighboring Lakeshore Technical College. "Lakeland University creates a more clear identity for our institution moving forward," Eck said.
• The name "university" will benefit students after graduation. "There is a prestige in American higher education that comes with being a university that will aid our graduates," Eck said. "It accurately reflects our current reach and the diversity of our offerings. Higher education is experiencing great change right now, and this signifies that we're able to change and evolve as an institution."

Eck said that one Lakeland tradition won't change: "Universities often conjure images of sprawling campuses with thousands of students. I've had people ask me if we plan on becoming a much bigger institution. We do want to grow, but we will always be that tight-knit community that understands and addresses individual student needs.

"Small class sizes, a wide range of student services and being one of Wisconsin's most affordable private institutions are all points of pride for Lakeland, and those will all continue."

Apparel featuring the new LU logos will be sold in Lakeland's Campus Shop beginning the week of April 25, which leads up to graduation on May 1, the final commencement as Lakeland College. Lakeland will also launch a new website on July 1 featuring the college's new name and logos.

The works of an estimated 70 students will be featured as part of the 2016 Annual Lakeland Student Art Exhibition, an annual competitive show that features pieces by Lakeland students enrolled in the college's various studio and graphic art classes in the current school year.

A reception and awards ceremony will be held on Friday, April 15, beginning at 4:30 p.m. in the Bradley Fine Arts Building on the Lakeland campus. The show will run through May 25. Attendance at the reception and admittance to the Bradley Gallery are both free and open to the public.

The Bradley Gallery is open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday, when the college is in session.

The show will feature more than 500 works in a wide range of media. The works are the best examples of any given assignment in addition to the most advanced course work in which students set his/her own objectives.

The opening reception features an awards ceremony including Best of Show, second place, third place and several honorable mentions. In addition, there will be a People's Choice Award determined by all those in attendance at the beginning of the reception who will be given time to take in the entire exhibition and cast their ballot for their favorite piece.

Courses represented include Drawing I, II and III, Two Dimensional Design, Three-Dimensional Design, Painting I, II and III, Watercolor I, Printmaking I and II, Digital Page Layout/InDesign, Image Editing/Photoshop, Digital Illustration/Illustrator, Color Theory, Communication Graphics, Typography and Illustration.

Associate Professor of Art Bill Weidner said, "I am especially pleased with the strong body of work in Drawing I, II and III this year. And Printmaking I and II will display some cutting-edge techniques."