Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - The majestic strains of "Pomp and Circumstance" are heard throughout the room as a hush falls over the crowd and the first fall 2006 graduates from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville enter. This is a scenario over 400 students from UWP will experience on Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. during the 177th commencement ceremony held in Williams Fieldhouse on the UWP campus.

Leading graduates is Commencement Marshall, Edward P. Deneen, a 1969 and 1975 alumnus of UWP, where he served as registrar for over 20 years. Banner carriers for the ceremony include Anthony E. Gregerson, College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science; Sarah J. Brue, College of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture; and Thomas A. Pitcher, Sarah M. Wagner, Scott A. Woodley and Patricia M. Zentner, College of Liberal Arts and Education.

Dr. Cora B. Marrett, the current UW System senior vice-president for Academic Affairs, will serve as the principal commencement speaker. Marrett received her undergraduate degree from Virginia Union University in 1963 and her master's and doctoral degrees in 1965 and 1968 respectively from UW-Madison.

Rachel M. Korth, a graduating senior majoring in mechanical engineering, will serve as the senior valedictorian speaker. Deborah Cottrill, engineering physics; Matthew Rynish, civil engineering; Mackenzie Hellert, animal science; and Rachael Lehr, biochemistry; will be honored as recipients of the Lifetime Pioneer Award through the UWP Alumni Association.

Vincent P. Klink, Matthew S. Richards and Nathan A. Torgerson will receive the Outstanding Recent Alumni Award. Klink is a 1993 biology alumnus and currently works for the United States Department of Agricultures in Beltsville, MD. Richards is a 1991 civil engineering alumnus and currently works for Strand Associates Inc. in Madison. Torgerson is a 1992 electrical engineering alumnus and currently works for Medtronic Inc. in Minneapolis, Minn.

The Distinguished Service Award will be presented to Roy A. Shaver a UWP professor emeritus of chemistry who retired in 1991 after dedicating 35 years to sharing his knowledge of and love for chemistry with students at UWP.

The 2006 Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Award will be presented to Kristopher K. Wright, an associate professor of biology. Wright joined the faculty at UWP in 2001 after earning his master's and doctorate degrees from Oregon State University.

Visiting scholar during the ceremony is Dr. Xiaofeng Hui, a scholar of exchange rate theory from the Harbin Institute of Technology in Harbin, China.

The UWP Symphony Band, under the direction of Matt Gregg and song leader Melissa Hanhart, will provide music. No tickets are required for the commencement ceremony but seating is available on a first come first served basis. Handicapped seating is available upon request at least one week prior to commencement. For more information regarding the commencement ceremony, contact the UWP Registrar's Office at (608) 342-1321.

Contact: Swaminat Balachandran, Commencement Committee, (608) 342-1718,balachas@uwplatt.edu Prepared by: Rachael Lehr, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194,lehrr@uwplatt.edu