As another academic year draws to a close, we celebrate a time of transition, reflection, and gratitude. Earlier this month, we congratulated another cohort of UW–Madison actuaries as they crossed the stage and joined our growing network of alumni.
Looking back on the year and spring semester, we had many highlights. The Actuarial Club thrived with high levels of engagement across all areas: professional, social, and service-based. We saw students showing up for one another in classrooms, study groups, and events. The connections built here go beyond exams or internships, they are the foundation of a supportive actuarial community.
One of the most consistent hubs of connection this semester was the Leadership and Involvement Lounge, where club members gathered daily to play card games, talk through career goals, or just take a much-needed study break. These casual hangouts often became the backdrop for some of our strongest friendships and served as a reminder that community is built just as much in everyday moments as it is at official events. While we’re sad to see the space go with renovations coming to Grainger this summer, the sense of community it fostered is here to stay.
Employer Presentations & Educational Events
This spring, we hosted eleven employer presentations and educational enrichment events over our 15-week semester. These events are designed to help connect students with industry professionals. Employers shared insight on technical skills, career paths, and personal experiences, equipping our members with guidance as they prepare for internships and full-time roles. Notably, we hosted the president of the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS), David Cummings, in April.
These events would not have been possible without the hard work of our VP of Educational Enrichment (and new alumna) Jodie Lam; the Educational Enrichment Committee consisting of: Claire Chen, Cyrus Choisy-Madon, Noah Kempf, Conan Le, Collin Ryan, and Myra Stray; and of course, all the employers who came to present to us this semester.
Volunteering Events
The club held four service events this semester. We wrote Love Letters for Literacy, held a Red Cross Blood Drive, made dog toys out of t-shirts, and cleaned the Lakeshore area for Earth Day. Students often said that volunteering events felt like social events, which is another reflection of the club’s incredible sense of community.
These events were made possible thanks to the hard work of our VP of Finance (and incoming President) AC Zylka, and Volunteering Committee members Shawn Gregg, Madi Kennedy, Ryan Luetke, Stella Peterson, and Kalynn Willis.
Social Events
The club hosted five social events throughout the spring semester with varying activities to cater to the diverse interests of our 250+ members. We cycled at the Bakke, bowled at the Sett, played card games in the Leadership and Involvement Lounge, made candles, and had a sand volleyball tournament with the Risk Management & Insurance Society to end the year.
These events wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of our VP of Member Relations and Engagement Aidan Bandte, and Engagement Committee members Ava Auchter, Reyna Bertelesen, Kylie Cofoid, Jon Rust, and Avery Tipps.
Mentorship
Our mentorship program wrapped up its second semester with continued strong participation. With more than 60 students actively engaged in their “family” groups, the club hosted three structured events this spring led by Mentorship Leads Hannah Sell and Garrett Springer. From group dinners to game nights, this program has grown into something much more than academic – it’s become a built-in support system.
Lunch Discussions
This semester, we continued our two lunch discussion series: Lessons in Life & Leadership and Common Thread Gatherings. Topics ranged from feedback and confidence to navigating change and personal identity. These conversations gave students a space to reflect and connect in a
low-stakes, high-impact environment. We saw continued growth in attendance and engagement, even though these discussions were not for credit, which again speaks to how engaged our students are with peers and faculty.
Our Lessons in Life and Leadership lunch discussions happened because of the dedication of one of our club advisors, Kirk Peter. Common Thread Gatherings would not be possible without the hard work of our other club advisor, Paul Johnson, our VP of DEI, Stephanie Hayd, and the DEI Committee: Stacey Chen, Marwa Lankawi, and Jacob Lubin.
Intramurals
The club saw an increase in engagement with our intramural sports teams in the spring semester. Students participated in basketball, volleyball, flag football, and ultimate frisbee. The Intramural teams were successful thanks to our VP of Member Relations & Engagement, and Aidan Bandte.
Communications & Social Media
We also want to acknowledge the work behind the scenes. Our VP of Communications, Anthony Krebsbach, along with Communications Committee members Jalen Herndon and Arham Shahzad, kept club members up to date with twice-weekly newsletters, in-class announcements, and website updates. Our presence on LinkedIn (don’t forget to join our Students & Alumni group if you haven’t yet), Instagram, and now TikTok was not possible without our VP of Social Media, Ethan Farr, and Social Media Committee members Connor Nash, Macy Shahan, Lincoln Sonntag, and Aidan Zilge.
Looking ahead
As we say goodbye to our graduating members, we also welcome the next generation of club leadership. These students will carry forward the energy, ideas, and relationships that make this club so special. Our incoming officer team for the 2025–2026 academic year is:
President: AC Zylka
VP of Education Enrichment: Noah Kempf VP of Communications: Audrey Kaiser
VP of Social Media and Marketing: Lincoln Sonntag
VP of Member Relations and Engagement: Jonathan Rust VP of Finance: Stephanie Hayd
VP of Community & Belonging (formerly DEI): Cyrus Choisy-Madon
We’re excited to see the new officer team continue to shape the club with fresh ideas and unwavering energy.
From daily card games to passing actuarial exams, this semester has been full of moments that brought us closer together. Thank you to every student, officer, and faculty member who helped make it happen. Here’s to another great year behind us and an even better one ahead.
As we wrap up the academic year, I’m filled with gratitude. Thank you to the officers, committee members, faculty, and students who brought our events to life and showed up again and again for this community. Serving as President of the Actuarial Club this year has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my college career. I’ve learned so much from the students I’ve worked alongside, the faculty who have supported us, and the community we’ve all helped build together. Thank you for trusting me with this role, for showing up, and for making this club what it is. I’m so proud of everything we’ve accomplished and even more excited to see where the club goes next.
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