More than 1,100 University of Wisconsin Oshkosh students became graduates in what was truly a historic Midyear Commencement ceremony Dec. 13.
UW Oshkosh Chancellor Andrew J. Leavitt, the institution’s 11th chancellor who began his role in early November, took to the commencement platform for the first time as students became alumni.
Of those graduating, there were nearly 1,000 undergraduates and 140 master’s degree candidates, including 18 who were a part of the first Executive MBA cohort. Saturday’s UW Oshkosh graduates are part of a statewide wave of approximately 10,000 who were awarded degrees from throughout the UW System.
For UW Oshkosh graduate Sheree Zellner, of Oshkosh, this commencement ceremony was especially special–and historic.
After a successful career in the education field, Zellner, 60, who graduated with a master’s degree in special education in the spring of 1983, officially “walked” in her graduation ceremony, something she had not done 30-plus years ago.
Zellner“As one gets older, you reflect on life. Teaching was my passion for 34 and a half years; it is so much a part of who I am,” she said through nervousness before the 2014 Midyear Commencement ceremony. “I want to do this for myself. I came alone, I wanted to come alone. It’s kind of like I can put this to rest in my mind–it’s been something I’ve thought a lot about. This is it–my celebration–it’s a gift to me from me.”
Zellner wasn’t the only one making history at commencement.
College of Nursing Dean Rosemary Smith participated in her last commencement at UW Oshkosh; she will retire at 2014’s end closing out 10 years of service as dean and more than 27 years as an educator.
College of Nursing graduates were a proud to be a part of the historic commencement ceremony, but even more proud to become official graduates of UW Oshkosh.
“It’s a sad day, but it’s also a happy day,” said Anyssa Schulte, a nursing major from Madison, “There is a sense of relief today as we finish. I won’t miss the work, but I will miss the people. I wouldn’t have gone to school anywhere else.”
Schulte’s mortar board was decorated with a message that thanked her mom and dad.
“They haven’t seen my cap yet, my mom is going to cry,” she said. “My parents listened to and watched me almost give up on this degree many times, and they just told me not to (give up) and never let me.”
Other nursing graduates felt a similar sense of relief mixed with excitement.
“School is all we’ve known. It’s time to get out into the world and do some work,” said Bob Baker, of Madison.
Elyssa Reed, of Neenah, who studied secondary education at UW Oshkosh, was also visibly excited to become a graduate. Her cap read: “To teach is to touch lives forever,” something she said she firmly believes in as she leaves UW Oshkosh and heads out into the world for a life as a teacher.
“This is a big turning point in my life,” she said. “It’s nice to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s surreal, I’m excited.”
Of course college is made up of classes, grades, successes and failures, and ultimately a degree. But for many, like Tom Beschta, of Lena, who studied journalism, it was just as much about the people.
“I will always remember the people. For as large as the UW Oshkosh student body is, there are a lot of tight-knit relationships here. There is a lot of cool people and you get to have real relationships with your professors. UWO was an awesome place to come to college,” he said.
2014 Midyear Commencement ceremony
At the official ceremony, UW System Board of Regents member José Vásquez offered greetings to guests. Kyle Bloedow, of Little Chute, delivered the commencement speech to his graduating class; Associate Professor of Economics Chad Cotti spoke on behalf of the faculty. The Chancellor’s Medallion was presented to Sue Panek, executive director of the Oshkosh Area United Way by Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Petra Roter.
Leavitt lead the conferral of degrees–calling his first commencement a “joyous occasion”–while graduates were presented by the dean from their respective colleges and announced by faculty.
The ceremony concluded with words from Jim Rath, president of the UW Oshkosh Alumni Association.
“I promise the degree you earned here today will add value to your life long after this ceremony is over…,” he said. “UW Oshkosh will continue to serve you…”
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