As defined, my most cherished UW Oshkosh  memory is the Campus Crusade for Christ Navigator Christmas Party. This gathering occurred  on Saturday evening Dec. 15,1978 , in the Scott Hall basement.

I was a resident of Scott Hall at the time. I was a freshman at the University at the end of my first semester and an athlete, competing on the football and varsity wresting teams.  I was by this time very depressed and suicidal. And I was within 18 days of jumping off the Wisconsin Street Bridge to end my life.

On the evening of Dec. 15, I was not feeling well and decided to stay in for the evening.

I decided to venture to the vending machines and get a Diet Coke to try to settle my stomach. I had a pair of socks with holes on my feet and no shoes. I was on the elevator on my way back to my room when I was invited to attend the party. I wanted to put my shoes on . The person that invited me to the party said, “No you can come to the party with just your socks.”

The party attendees seemed to be having a good time as I arrived. We played some games and had some non-alcoholic refreshments. The time came at the end of the evening when we sang Christmas songs. And then a man stood up and gave a Gospel message. He talked about the love of God and the need for Jesus in your life in order to get along in this world. So that evening, I accepted Jesus into my life at 9:45 p.m.

This is my favorite , most cherished UW Oshkosh memory. It is my most cherished memory because that individual decision has influenced the path of my life. I have traveled and served in the ministry and have helped other people. And I have had numerous opportunities to give testimony of Dec. the 15^, 1978 at 9:45 p.m. in Scott Hall basement.

It has been 34 years since that decision. I am still alive and am still in an intimate love relationship with Jesus Christ. I occasionally have the privilege to be on campus. And each time, I have to drive by Scott Hall and remember my life-changing decision. I graduated from UWO in 1983 and went off to graduate school at Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C., and went on to serve in the ministry. So this is a memory, I treat with affection and I treat as dear.

by Markie Ann Wenzel ’83, of Milwaukee

However, I’d be remiss to leave the memory of standing in front of my entire graduating class to deliver the commencement speech out of the ‘favorite UWO memory’ category. I ended my speech by saying, “Thank you, Oshkosh, for sharing your home with me and with all of us.” I’m still thankful to Oshkosh and don’t think anything could compare to the pride I felt for being a UWO student on that day.

by Vanessa Virbitsky ’08, Colorado Springs, Colo.

by Todd Teske ’87, of Pewaukee

Being elected Greek Man of the Year is a very special memory.

Giving the 1968 Commencement Address as Senior Class President is unforgettable.

Being twice elected to both the Prom Court and Winter Carnival Courts was an extremely fond memory.

I also cherish the many memories connected with my role as Student Body President in my junior year.

by Ron Schreier ’68 and MSE ’70, of Appleton

by Keith Schwartz ’10, of Buffalo Grove, Ill.

Pictured are: Karen Dohr, Diane Wessing, Vicki Floether, Gail Marucci, Connie Braun, Linda Kofel, Barb Rhode, Mary Beth Reak, Pledge Mom Rachel Krause and Patti Pelant.

In the spring of 1966, these young women were some of the pledges of an exceptional Alpha Phi sorority pledge class.

On this particular night with their pledge mother in capture, this group decided that an old-fashioned bathtub was the perfect accessory for the sorority’s Frannie Willard party.  As one of the founders of Alpha Phi, Francis Willard was a leader in the Women’s Temperance Union.  This group thought the bathtub could be used for some other beverage besides “bathtub gin.”

by Gail Marucci ’69. of Sun Prairie

by Corey Baumgartner ’02 and MS ’05, of Appleton

Since then, I have made many memorable trip overseas all thanks to that first opportunity provided to me at UWO.  Our tour group developed a strong camaraderie as we had to face the loss of our tour leader, Dr. Juris Veidemanis, who had passed away a few months prior to our departure.

To help keep the momentum going, Mrs. Veidemanis would host some pre-trip events at her home to help us make the most of our upcoming experience.  Their son also was on our trip and that added to the meaning of what we were going to experience.  Dr. Veidemanis, who had been from Riga, Latvia, had planned many special tours for us in his homeland, such as visiting collective farms, elementary and secondary schools, meeting with university students, etc.

We became a really united group and had a lot of fun together.  One year after the trip, Mrs. Veidemanis hosted a reunion where we also celebrated the addition of the bench outside of Dempsey Hall in memory of Dr. Veidemanis.

And there were lasting friendships.  One in particular for me was Dr. Donald Bruyere, who became our tour leader.  We stayed in touch with Christmas cards for more than 35 years, along with a couple of visits after he moved to Tucson.  And after all of the support my parents provided me with my education, I was able to provide my Dad with the unique opportunity of also going on the trip.

Today, I still enjoy looking at my Dad’s 525 pictures capturing the many special memories of the trip to include my turning 21 in Budapest (though I always thought I would be at Andy’s Library on that fateful day!).  So this trip will always hold very special memories for me.

by Linda Rondeau ’72, Phoenix, Ariz.