Written by Chris Lindeke and Craig Schreiner | Photos by Craig Schreiner   Thousands of photos are taken through the lens of University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus photographer Craig Schreiner each year. After the countless shutter clicks and hours of editing, Craig has selected his favorite images of 2024. Each photo has a backstory that illuminates what makes UW-Whitewater unique — the university’s welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, the hands-on learning opportunities that grace the Whitewater and Rock County campuses, and the passion and excellence of its students, faculty, and staff. From the <a href="/x297258.xml">inauguration of Chancellor Corey King</a> to a festive <a href="https://youtu.be/asJhUX9QPJk?si=Z-5UCFS1SeOg0iBS" target="_blank" rel="noopener">December 2024 Commencement ceremony</a> — a timeframe that included a <a href="/x327203.xml">visit from the White House</a> and summer events that brought <a href="/x312132.xml">20,000 visitors to UW-Whitewater</a> — the 2024 calendar year included numerous achievements, special events and celebrations. We simply couldn’t fit everything into one feature. (If you’re looking for more, check out our <a href="/x50940.xml">UW-Whitewater news page</a>.) See each of Craig’s 2024 Photo of the Year selections below and enjoy his commentary on each image. (To view more of Craig’s images, visit our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/uwwhitewater/photos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a> page.)   <figure><img src="images/mmr/news/2025/01Jan/ice-hockey.jpg" alt="Four students skate on a small pond and play hockey with residence halls in the background." width="100%" /> <figcaption> In the waning December light, I was reminded of the lifelong friendships that begin here, often in simple ways. Four students and two sets of roommates, all first-year <a href="https://www.uww.edu/cobe">business</a> students, play a pickup game of hockey two days before leaving campus for winter break. </figcaption> </figure>     <figure><img src="images/mmr/news/2025/01Jan/062224CS_Chatter_Matters__27.jpg" alt="A student wearing a black shirt holds up a conducting baton." width="100%" /> <figcaption> When Jasmyn Kosier was a <a href="https://www.uww.edu/coac/academics/music">music</a> student, I watched her serve in many roles in orchestras and organizations. Last summer Jasmyn returned to teach in a <a href="https://www.uww.edu/ce/camps/music">music camp</a>. The student was now holding the baton. What Jasmyn received here, she is passing along to other young musicians. </figcaption> </figure>     <figure><img src="images/mmr/news/2025/01Jan/011024%D0%A1S_womens_basketball_vs_uwsp__99U0366.jpg" alt="A member of the basketball team seems to jump straight in the air toward the basket with the ball in her hands." width="100%" /> <figcaption> The role of sports photography is to show how fast, how far, how strong and, in this picture, how high. Kacie Carollo of the <a href="https://uwwsports.com/sports/womens-basketball" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Warhawk women’s basketball team</a> seemed to levitate with this rebound. </figcaption> </figure>     <figure><img src="images/mmr/news/2025/01Jan/Lightning_Anderson_campus.jpg" alt="A bolt of lighting crosses the sky behind Hyer Hall and the sky looks purple." width="100%" /> <f>Lightning puts on a show above campus on a night I was walking to my car near <a href="https://www.uww.edu/library">Andersen Library</a>. Why is the sky purple? This is how the sensor in my camera interprets the light. Is it really purple? I will defer to the <a href="https://www.uww.edu/cls/academics/physics">physics department</a>. But I prefer to believe it likes us. </f></figure>     <figure><img src="images/mmr/news/2025/01Jan/040824CS_eclipse__1.jpg" alt="Two students hold solar eclipse glasses to their faces as they look up into the skit." width="100%" /> <figcaption> As a university photographer, I look for the “sense-of-wonder” moment. In this case, students wearing safety glasses watch a partial eclipse from the observatory near Hyer Hall. </figcaption> </figure>     <figure><img src="images/mmr/news/2025/01Jan/Talent%20show_99u0236.jpg" alt="A student on stage wearing a Homecoming banner jumps into the air." width="100%" /> <figcaption> Cameron Culberson gives what has to be the best possible reaction to being announced as <a href="https://www.uww.edu/homecoming">Homecoming</a> Royalty, after the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.964002302435972&type=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Homecoming Talent Show</a>. </figcaption> </figure>