On Saturday, April 28th, the American Indian Student Center and the Electa Quinney Institute came together with students, community members and staff for our annual “Honor for All” event to celebrate the remarkable achievements of Indigenous students from across campus. The gathering, held at the Orthopedic Hospital of Wisconsin (OHOW), honored over 20 undergraduate and graduate students for their academic accomplishments and recognized two outstanding community members with the inaugural Thank You for Being Awesome award and the 33rd Wallace Pyawasit Community Leadership Award (WPCLA).
All undergraduate and graduate students in attendance.
Undergraduate students were recognized with either the Academic Resilience, Academic Achievement, or Academic Excellence Awards, celebrating their perseverance throughout the 2024–2025 academic year. Graduate students received the Indigenous Trailblazer Award, recognizing the additional work needed to advance into master’s and doctoral programs. We are immensely proud of all our graduates and their remarkable achievements. Their dedication and resilience inspire us, and we are excited to see the meaningful contributions they will make in the future.
The inaugural Thank You for Being Awesome award was given to Sheila J. Feay-Shaw, a dedicated faculty member in Music Education at the Peck School of the Arts. Her many years and tireless efforts in advancing the accessibility of Ojibwe language in music by transforming oral traditions into sheet music that can be shared with others has made a significant impact. Sheila has been a cherished friend and supporter of both the American Indian Student Center and the Electa Quinney Institute.
Shelia Feay-Shaw and Maurina Paradise looking at award. (UWM Photo/Andy Manis)
The 2025 WPCLA was given to Jamie Kellicut, a proud member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, the Chief Community Engagement Officer at HIR Wellness, Jamie, a two-time UW-Milwaukee alumni, has been a long-time collaborator with the American Indian Student Center and the Electa Quinney Institute, warmly inviting both students and staff into the welcoming space of HIR Wellness during their Helpers and Healers programming on Wednesdays. Her unwavering support and dedication to our Indigenous community across Milwaukee and beyond have been truly inspiring.
Jamie Kellicut holding microphone wrapped in gifted blanket. (UWM Photo/Andy Manis)
Nominations for 2026 will open in January and be accepted through early April, with the recipient being announced at the 2026 Honor for All event.
The 2025 Honor for All celebration was a powerful reminder of the strength, resilience, and brilliance within our students and community networks. As we reflect on the achievements recognized this year, we are filled with gratitude for the individuals who continue to uplift and inspire those around them. We look forward to continuing this tradition of honoring excellence, leadership, and community spirit in the years to come.