Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - While all University of Wisconsin-Platteville graduates are invited to attend the on-campus graduation activities, this is often not a realistic option for those enrolled in the online degree programs. However, students studying at a distance work hard for their degrees and deserve formal recognition of their achievement. The Distance Learning Center's virtual graduation site allows all distance students to celebrate this accomplishment with their family and friends.

Online students across the country - and the world - can join their campus counterparts as the May 6 graduation banquet and the May 7 ceremony are broadcast via streaming video. A live chat during commencement allows online graduates to share the excitement with their virtual classmates. Prior to the big event, graduates can visit the site to send announcements, shop for UWP souvenirs, join the alumni association and listen to comments from program coordinators and faculty.

One of the most popular aspects of the virtual graduation site is the online yearbook, which features information about each distance graduate, faculty news and a review of the significant program events for the year. Family and friends are welcome to leave comments in the yearbook for their favorite graduates. The 2005 graduation site will be available at www.uwplatt.edu/disted in early May. For more information about UWP's distance learning program, visit www.uwplatt.edu/disted, call 800-362-5460 or e-mail distmarket@uwplatt.edu.

Contact and Prepared by: Ellen McFall,mcfalle@uwplatt.edu