Spring Break
UW-Whitewater celebrates winter commencement
661 students honored at Kachel Fieldhouse
Karri Duerwachter
Issue date: 12/17/08 Section: News
Proud, accomplished, relieved, excited and a little bit sad are all emotions invading the lives of 661 former UW-Whitewater students. A crowd filled the Kachel Fieldhouse Dec. 20 for the winter commencement of the class of 2008.
Following the procession of students, faculty and staff, junior Michael Roemer sang the national anthem to a mass of cap-less students. Chancellor Richard Telfer welcomed the crowd and introduced the elite robed seated behind him.
"Today marks a milestone for each of our graduates' lives," Telfer said.
The student speaker for graduation was Rick Daniels. Daniels graduated from the college of Arts and ommunication with a major in journalism. Being the first of his siblings to graduate college, Daniels did more than just attend classes. He worked as a campus assistant, a sports broadcaster for the campus TV station, and was a member of the Black Student Union and Whitewater Student Government. In 2007, he won the Outstanding Senior Award. As he approached the podium, his energy and honor filled the room.
"Graduates, today is our day," Daniels said. "Each of us has a story ... Here we are today, excited and ready to turn the next page of our life."
Keynote speaker Eric Lund, UW-Whitewater class of 1991, shared the four principles he lives by. He encouraged graduates to "know the game," "set opportunities, not goals," "keep everything in perspective," and "do what you love to do with your life."
"Go out and make this a day to remember," Lund said before leaving the podium.
After the 82 graduate students and 579 undergraduate students walked across the stage with their heads held high, Bruce Peterson, president of the UW-Whitewater National Alumni Association, welcomed the new graduates to alumni status. Junior Madeline Olson sang the UW-Whitewater Alma Mater and Telfer, followed by those seated on the stage, marched out to the Student Brass Quintet.
Post-ceremony excitement was marked by flashbulbs, and hugs from friends and family.
"I'm excited I got done in three-and-a-half years," graduate Abby Leannah said. "It was a great experience being in Whitewater, and I'm going to miss it."
Following the procession of students, faculty and staff, junior Michael Roemer sang the national anthem to a mass of cap-less students. Chancellor Richard Telfer welcomed the crowd and introduced the elite robed seated behind him.
"Today marks a milestone for each of our graduates' lives," Telfer said.
The student speaker for graduation was Rick Daniels. Daniels graduated from the college of Arts and ommunication with a major in journalism. Being the first of his siblings to graduate college, Daniels did more than just attend classes. He worked as a campus assistant, a sports broadcaster for the campus TV station, and was a member of the Black Student Union and Whitewater Student Government. In 2007, he won the Outstanding Senior Award. As he approached the podium, his energy and honor filled the room.
"Graduates, today is our day," Daniels said. "Each of us has a story ... Here we are today, excited and ready to turn the next page of our life."
Keynote speaker Eric Lund, UW-Whitewater class of 1991, shared the four principles he lives by. He encouraged graduates to "know the game," "set opportunities, not goals," "keep everything in perspective," and "do what you love to do with your life."
"Go out and make this a day to remember," Lund said before leaving the podium.
After the 82 graduate students and 579 undergraduate students walked across the stage with their heads held high, Bruce Peterson, president of the UW-Whitewater National Alumni Association, welcomed the new graduates to alumni status. Junior Madeline Olson sang the UW-Whitewater Alma Mater and Telfer, followed by those seated on the stage, marched out to the Student Brass Quintet.
Post-ceremony excitement was marked by flashbulbs, and hugs from friends and family.
"I'm excited I got done in three-and-a-half years," graduate Abby Leannah said. "It was a great experience being in Whitewater, and I'm going to miss it."
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