480 students earn degrees at fall UWP commencement
PLATTEVILLE - Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle told graduates of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville that while they are entering the workforce during challenging economic times, the skills and experience they have gained is essential.
"At these difficult times, we need you more than ever," Doyle told graduates at the first of two commencement ceremonies conducted in UWP's Williams Fieldhouse on Saturday, Dec. 13. "We need bright, young innovative people to go out and build this country."
A total of 480 students earned degrees. The first ceremony acknowledged 82 students receiving master's degrees and 179 students receiving bachelor's degrees from the College of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture. A second ceremony acknowledged 90 students receiving bachelor's degrees from the College of Engineering, Mathematics, and Science and 129 graduates of the College of Liberal Arts and Education.
UWP Chancellor David Markee said that many of the master's candidates completed their education without coming onto campus and noted that 15 made the trip to Platteville for commencement.
Doyle, continuing his remarks, told the graduates that they are entering a world that is linked much more tightly globally than in the past.
"Take the values that have been reinforced here at Platteville and take them out into the world and meet the challenges that lie ahead," he said.
Jeremy Hach gave the valedictory speech. He graduated with a degree in communication technologies with an emphasis in broadcasting and a minor in business administration. He studied abroad in China for a semester.
"Teamwork isn't just something you use in sports," said Hach, a graduate of Middleton High School. "It's something that is essential in our future careers. It's important that we get involved in our communities. We can never lose the drive that got us to this point."
During the second commencement, principal speaker John Busby urged students to maintain a lifelong love of knowledge.
"Education never ends," said Busby, a Madison dentist and UWP alumnus. "This may be a formal degree but hopefully it won't become a terminal degree.
"You need to be a student of your profession because your education will never end; it will evolve," he said.
Busby, the son of Edward and Lois Busby, called himself "a proud son" and said it was a very fitting honor for his father that UWP chose to name one of the two wings of its new engineering building after him. Edward Busby was dean of the College of Engineering from 1966 until his retirement in 1988.
Larissa Smage delivered the valedictory speech at the second commencement. She graduated with majors in criminal justice with a corrections emphasis and psychology with a human services emphasis and a Spanish minor.
"All of us will leave this university well-prepared for what the future will bring," said Smage, a graduate of Elkhorn High School. "I no longer see my classmates just as students, but as the nation's future leaders and professionals who will contribute to society."
For more information about the commencement ceremonies, contact Barbara Daus, UWP special assistant to the chancellor, at (608) 342-1282 or daus@uwplatt.edu.
Contact: Barbara Daus, UWP special assistant to the chancellor, (608) 342-1282, daus@uwplatt.edu Written by: Gary Achterberg, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, achterbergg@uwplatt.edu
Labels: commencement ceremonies