Photo caption: Cap decorating is a tradition for UW-Eau Claire graduates over the years.
The 100,000th graduate to receive a diploma at Zorn Arena will be among the 1,485 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire students at commencement exercises on Saturday, May 18, in the final graduation ceremonies held at the facility.
Next fall’s commencement on Dec. 21 will be the first in the new Sonnentag Event Center.
This spring, candidates from the College of Business will receive degrees at a 9 a.m. ceremony.
Candidates from the College of Arts and Sciences will receive degrees during a 1:30 p.m. ceremony.
Candidates from the College of Education and Human Sciences and College of Nursing and Health Sciences will receive degrees at a 5:30 p.m. ceremony.
A total of 1,319 students are candidates for bachelor’s degrees, including 562 from the College of Arts and Sciences, 372 from the College of Business, 320 from the College of Education and Human Sciences and 65 from the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
A total of 166 students are candidates for graduate degrees. In the College of Arts and Sciences, 12 students are candidates for specialist in education degrees and 19 Blugolds are candidates for a master’s degree. Seventy-three students are candidates for master’s degrees from the College of Business and 45 students are candidates for master’s degrees from the College of Education and Human Sciences. Seventeen students are candidates for their doctor of nursing practice degrees from the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
During the 9 a.m. ceremony, Lilia Meives of Eau Claire, a candidate for a bachelor of music degree in music, will lead the national anthem. Sidney Rose Gullickson of Woodbury, Minnesota, a candidate for a bachelor of business administration in marketing, professional studies, will give the “Blugold Reflections.” The title of her reflections piece is “Be Patient With Us ... It’s Our First Graduation.” Abigail Linstroth of Port Washington, a candidate for a bachelor of music in music education, will lead the alma mater.
During the 1:30 p.m. ceremony, Ashlee Terrill of Rochester, Minnesota, a candidate for a bachelor of music degree in music, will lead the national anthem. Mia Johnson of Gurnee, Illinois, a candidate for a bachelor of liberal arts in psychology degree, will give the “Blugold Reflections.” Johnson’s reflections piece is titled “Playing the Hand You’re Dealt: A Celebration of Overcoming Odds.” Marissa Pope of Stetsonville, a candidate for a bachelor of arts in theatre arts degree, will lead the alma mater.
During the 5:30 p.m. ceremony, Brendan Rohloff of Oshkosh, a candidate for a bachelor of music education in music, will lead the national anthem. Lilia Lorraine Hazlett of Franklin, a candidate for a bachelor of music education in teaching, all-instrumental emphasis, will give the “Blugold Reflections.” The title of her reflections piece is “What It Means To Be A Blugold.” Danielle Westholm of New Auburn, a candidate for a bachelor of music education in music degree, will lead the alma mater.
Two Mayo Clinic Health System physicians, Dr. Richard Helmers and Dr. Tim Nelson, are recipients of honorary doctorates of science from UW-Eau Claire and will deliver the “Charge to the Class” at the three ceremonies. Nelson, director of innovation for Mayo Clinic Health System Northwest Wisconsin, will speak at the 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. commencement ceremonies. Helmers, regional vice president for Mayo Clinic Health System in Wisconsin, will deliver his message at the 5:30 p.m. ceremony.
Four alumni and friends of UW-Eau Claire will be recognized during the commencement ceremonies as UW-Eau Claire Alumni Association award recipients. Recipients are: John Rosenow, Honorary Alumnus Award; Nancy Langer, President’s Award; Gary Jacobus, Alumni Distinguished Achievement Award; and Jerry M. Bauer, Lifetime Excellence Award. Read more about the alumni award recipients.
