Royal Purple

Issue date: 10/17/07 Section: News

Nolan [Click to enlarge]

In a private ceremony Monday night, the family of late UW-Whitewater student Kelly Nolan was presented with an Associate of Arts degree.

The closed event, which was attended by Interim Chancellor Richard Telfer and Nolan's close family and friends, honored both Nolan's achievements and her memory.

"We are gathered here to present an Associate of Arts degree to the family of Kelly Nolan," Telfer said during the ceremony. "Kelly completed all requirements for the degree and the diploma to be presented will signify that degree completion."

Nolan, 22, vanished June 23 after a night out with friends in downtown Madison. Her decomposed body was found nearly two weeks later in a wooded area approximately 10 miles from where she was last seen alive. No suspects have been named and the investigation into her case remains ongoing.

In addition to the associates degree, the Andersen Library dedicated a book in Nolan's memory.

"The chancellor purchased two books in her memory," Joyce Huang, Director of Andersen Library, said. "One copy was given to her family and the other will stay at the university."

The book, "Visual Creativity: Inspirational Ideas for Advertising, Animation & Digital Design," will contain a memorial nameplate on the inside cover and was chosen because it reflected Nolan's academic interests.

The university also plans to plant a memorial tree outside of Heide Hall. The tree, a unique variety of black maple, will be planted next week.

"We had wanted to do something to remember Kelly because she was a PR major," Barbara Penington, Chair of the Communications Department said. "We're really excited because this is a living memorial to Kelly. It is something that will grow and be appreciated by its beauty."

Nolan would have graduated from UW-Whitewater in May 2008.

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