Madison Reporter

This weekend, thousands of University of Wisconsin–Madison graduates will join the global Badger alumni network. Among them are several students who have already made notable contributions on and off campus.

Jack Ohly, a communication arts and mechanical engineering major from Middleton, Wisconsin, hosts the podcast "All Good Things," which was recognized by NPR as one of the top 10 college podcasts in America in 2024. Ohly also founded OhlyProps, a company that creates replica props for films and theater productions. His achievements have earned him a six-month internship at Walt Disney Imagineering in Orlando, Florida.

Shruthi Magesh participated in the Khorana Program for Scholars at UW–Madison during her undergraduate studies in India. The program is named after Har Gobind Khorana, a Nobel Prize winner who worked at UW–Madison. Magesh returned to pursue a PhD in microbiology and will soon work as a microbiologist at Procter & Gamble.

Daniel Schuyler is graduating with a degree in history and art history thanks to the Wisconsin Tribal Educational Promise Program. An enrolled Oneida Nation citizen, Schuyler had previously left school due to depression but was motivated to return by an initiative covering costs for Native students. He plans to attend graduate school at the Institute of American Indian Arts.

Jadius McGhee chose UW–Madison over 45 other colleges that offered him $1.6 million in scholarships. He is earning a bachelor's degree in journalism with certificates in sports communication and history.

Emma Hietpas became interested in weather after witnessing a tornado as a child. She now forecasts weather for WKOW while completing her degree in atmospheric and oceanic sciences with a certificate in data science.

Avenash Pernankil transitioned from the service industry to social work through UW's Badger Ready program. He aims to address mental health stigma among men and Asian Americans by practicing clinical social work.

Liz Olson founded "Cheers Madison!" — an inclusive community choir open to all without auditions. The choir has grown significantly since its inception and continues under new leadership as Olson becomes associate director of choral activities at Lehigh University.

Scott Chang, Katarina Aranguiz, and Axell Boomer received prestigious scholarships for their academic excellence. Chang and Aranguiz were awarded Goldwater Scholarships, while Boomer received a Beinecke Scholarship.

Melina Zarboulas and Marlo Pulliam co-founded The Vault, a student organization integrating fashion with various disciplines. Their group has become one of UW–Madison's most successful student organizations.

Mira Tcherneva balanced her nursing studies with military duties as part of the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s 115th Fighter Wing. She has re-enlisted for another six years while accepting a position with UW Health's Neuro Intermediate Care Team.

Brock Prough improved emergency response times by updating addresses within the UW Arboretum during his internship with the UW–Madison Police Department. His efforts earned him recognition from the department.

Jenna Innab researched sibling relationships' impact on life trajectories during her undergraduate studies. Her findings were presented at the Population Association of America's annual meeting.

Shane Hoffman is set to be part of addressing rural healthcare shortages after completing an accelerated medical program designed for those serving rural areas of Wisconsin.