IDS Chair Angela Byars-Winston was among 16 Fellows inducted to the Wisconsin Academy on March 23rd. The Academy honors Wisconsinites who have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to intellectual discourse and public service.
The 2026 Class of Fellows will join over 100 current Fellows from around the state. In addition to Dr. Byars-Winston, New Fellows include infectious disease researcher and healthcare leader Dr. David Andes; nonprofit executive and visionary urban planner Dr. Ruben Anthony; visual artist and master printmaker Emily Arthur; pioneering choreographer and dancer Li Chiao-Ping; celebrated actor, director, and novelist James DeVita; choreographer and dance educator Simone Ferro; sculptor, curator, and visual artist Martha Glowacki; performing artist and psychologist Dr. Frederick Heide; environmental toxicologist and educator Dr. Rebecca Klaper; urban ecology pioneer and author Ken Leinbach; legendary broadcaster and life sciences communicator Larry Meiller; distinguished attorney and civil servant Lester Pines; Indigenous artist and cultural educator Melanie Tallmadge Sainz; surgical oncologist, innovator, and educator Dr. Sharon M. Weber; and multi-disciplinary artist, mentor, and curator Jason S. Yi.
To learn more about the Fellows Program or the 2026 cohort, see the Wisconsin Academy’s press release.