UW-Parkside Fall 2025 Commencement Set for Dec. 13
Kenosha, Wis.- The University of Wisconsin-Parkside will hold its Fall 2025 Commencement on Saturday, Dec. 13, in the De Simone Arena in the Sports and Activity Center. The ceremony will honor more than 400 graduates and will be followed by a reception in the Petretti Fieldhouse. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. with doors opening at 9 a.m.
This semester’s commencement speaker will be Keith Smith, President and CEO of Vonco Products. Keith brings over 25 years of relevant industry experience to Vonco. Prior to acquiring Vonco in December of 2012, he served as a General Manager of Carbonless Rolls and Security Papers for Appleton Papers. From 2005 to 2012, he served in various sales, marketing, and general management roles for Appleton Papers in thermal and carbonless paper. Prior to his tenure in the paper businesses, he held various general management, operations, and engineering roles with Appleton within the blown films and converting businesses and started his flexible packaging career with Printpack in 1994, running printing presses.
His education consists of a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering as well as an MBA from Northern Illinois University and Lean and Six Sigma certifications from the University of Michigan. He has a passion for cultivating infectious energy within his organizations and for innovation, creation, inspiration, and adventure. He generously contributes both time and resources to fellow entrepreneurs, education, athletics, and health endeavors.
Regent Noah Fritz will represent the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents and will also address the graduates. Regent Fritz is currently serving as the Traditional Student Regent. He studies Actuarial Science at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and works for Allianz Life based in Minneapolis, where he specializes in product development within the Life line of business. In addition to his actuarial studies, he was active in the UW-Milwaukee Student Association and was awarded the First-Year Outstanding Student Award for his work improving recycling signage and awareness on campus. The son of first-generation college graduates, he grew up in the Wausau area. When he is not working or involved in community events, he enjoys biking, fishing, and hiking.
In addition, UW-Parkside will recognize four Outstanding Graduate Award winners and one Chancellor’s Award Recipient during the ceremonies. The honorees are:
•(Chancellor’s Award Recipient) Stephanie Narciso | Business Management | Racine, WI
•Ali Torkelson | Music | Kenosha, WI
•Gabriela Guzmán | Elementary Education | North Chicago, IL
•Zarangiz “Zara” Misaghi | Health Information Management and Technology | Walnut Creek, CA
•Nate Mack | Communication | Kenosha, WI
Chancellor’s Award Recipient Stephanie Narciso will address her peers. Guided by a deep commitment to service and community impact, Narciso has built an extraordinary record of leadership and academic distinction at the UW-Parkside. As a Business Management major with minors in Finance and Human Resources, she has consistently demonstrated the drive, insight, and initiative of an emerging leader in her field.
Stephanie plays an integral role in several student organizations, including the Parkside Asian Organization, Latinos Unidos, Parkside Advocacy for Women, and the Black Student Union, where her creativity and outreach efforts have helped strengthen cultural awareness and foster a more connected campus community.
Her dedication to public service extends beyond UW-Parkside. Through Habitat for Humanity and a community-based learning partnership with KODA Midwest, Narciso applied her strategic and organizational skills to support housing initiatives and enhance systems serving deaf adults. She also brings meaningful real-world experience as an Employment and Training Specialist and through her military service. Thoughtful, determined, and impact-driven, Stephanie exemplifies the spirit of a UW-Parkside Outstanding Graduate.
For more details about UW-Parkside’s Fall 2025 Commencement, click here.
Since its founding in 1968, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside has been a trusted partner for the region’s higher educational needs, empowering students to thrive, advancing applied knowledge, and developing talent for the future. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as certificates and pre-professional programs, designed to foster personal and professional growth through real-world and impactful learning experiences. Located in the dynamic Chicago-Milwaukee corridor, UW-Parkside offers unmatched access to world-class internships, professional networks, and endless career-building opportunities, placing students at the center of it all.
Media contact:
Derek Fye
Communications Manager
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Fye@uwp.edu | (262) 771-5419