Celebrating the Class of 2026
Celebrating the Class of 2026
April 30, 2026 by Office of Marketing and Communication Student Achievements
Sending Christian Servant Leaders into the World
On Saturday, May 9, Wisconsin Lutheran College held its spring commencement exercises in the Recreation Complex - Time of Grace Center. WLC awarded diplomas to more than 180 graduates this semester. The college’s 2026 grads were from 16 states and three foreign countries, and they represented 37 academic programs.
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKERS
Debra Steigerwaldt Waller, Chairman and CEO of Jockey International, Inc., delivered the keynote address at Wisconsin Lutheran College’s commencement. Since Debra took the helm of this family-owned business in 2001, the company has expanded its product offerings into new categories, including a Made in America Collection, a Jockey Outdoors product line, and CapeAble by Jockey weighted blankets. In 2005, Debra founded Jockey Being Family, a corporate initiative committed to strengthening adoptive families for successful futures, which has provided more than $9 million in support for adoptive families. She serves on the Board of Regents of Wisconsin Lutheran College.
Graduating senior Grace Hennen was nominated by faculty and chosen by her classmates to be the student speaker at commencement. Graduating with degrees in marketing and management and a minor in music, she distinguished herself through campus leadership and community service, earning WLC’s 2026 Impact Award. Through her involvement in the Christian Leadership Certificate Program, Grace led service initiatives including making music and arts toolkits to support mental wellness among students at a local grade school. Grace, an accomplished musician, was a Wisconsin Lutheran Choir section leader and accompanist. She grew up in Slinger, Wisconsin, and is the daughter of WLC alumni Jamie and Katy Hennen.
Alex Allister welcomed graduates to the ranks of WLC alumni. He is a 2010 WLC graduate with a degree in business administration who currently serves as Senior Director of Finance at Erin Hills Golf Course.
Wisconsin Lutheran College prepares its graduates to be Christian servant leaders in the workplace and in the community.