Senior Lauren Lubinski named student of the year
Released: November 6, 2006
Lauren Lubinski
Student of the Year. High praise when it happens once. Amazing when a University of Wisconsin-Whitewater student earns this honor from the Wisconsin Music Educators Association three years in a row.
"UW-Whitewater has an admirable record with this award," Music Department Chair Michael Allsen said. "I'd like to think that our music education program, like our students, is the best is the state."
Lauren Lubinski of Seymour was presented with the Richard G. Gaarder Music Student of the Year award on October 28 at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison as part of the 2006 Wisconsin State Music Conference. This competitive statewide award recognizes the exceptional leadership, musical excellence and service to the campus and community of an undergraduate music major.
An upcoming May 2007 graduate with a Bachelor of Music degree in music education, Lubinski will earn two teaching certifications: one in choral music for grades 6 through 12 and one in general music for grades K through 12. She is currently a member in both the Collegiate Music Educators National Conference and the Student National Association of Teachers of Singing. She has been actively involved with both student-run organizations for the past four years and served as vice president for both organizations last year. While at UW-Whitewater, Lubinski has performed with several vocal groups including concert choir, chamber singers and the Class Act ensemble.
Lubinski was nominated by Harry Johansen, former UW-Whitewater music department chair. She also received letters of support from music faculty members Glenn Hayes, Christian Ellenwood and Sheila Feay-Shaw.
"Lauren Lubinski was born to teach," said Hayes. "She absolutely glows with exuberance when she talks about teaching."
The Richard G. Gaarder Award was established to commemorate the 25 years of leadership and outstanding service Gaarder provided to the Wisconsin School Music Association. As the 2006 recipient, Lubinski is the tenth UW-Whitewater music education student to receive the award in the 19 years since its inception in 1988.
"I give nearly all of the credit to the people who've won like Lauren, these are all phenomenal students, musically and academically - and in most cases they're out in the field working as successful educators," said Allsen.
A graduate of Seymour Community High School in 2002, Lubinski began singing when she was very young. She would sing around the house growing up and was involved in choir in middle school and high school. Lubinski plans to student teach in the spring and find a teaching position in elementary general music or middle/high school choir.
"I am extremely honored to receive this award and I think it is amazing that UW-Whitewater has had so many recipients," said Lubinski. "In my four years here at UW-Whitewater, I have had so many wonderful musical experiences that I will carry with me throughout my teaching career."- Mike Varga,vargama04@uww.edu
