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Marketing and University Communication UW-Green Bay, CL 815 2420 Nicolet Drive Green Bay, WI 54311-7001 (920) 465-2626 E-mail: hildebrs@uwgb.edu Last update: 9/27/07 |
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In
the News Archive - Year:
December 19, 2004 UWGB grads ready for new challenge 310 students receive degrees Saturday at Weidner Center By Cynthia Hodnett Students expressed triumph and happiness that the day they've waited
so long for had finally arrived. Some were a little sad that their college
years were over.
"I'm a little nervous about the whole ceremony and walking up there
and knowing that this is actually it," said 22-year-old Jennifer Morse
shortly before the ceremony. Morse received a degree in psychology.
"I can hardly believe that we're actually graduating and that we have
to move on with our lives," she said. "We're so used to being in college.
It's like, wow, now I have to grow up."
The next step for graduates like Morse is to continue to set higher
goals and be prepared for global competition, said Wisconsin Supreme Court
Justice David Prosser Jr., who delivered the commencement address.
Prosser said he didn't have to compete with a diverse pool of students
when he was applying to UW-Madison's law school 40 years ago, because
there weren't as many minorities and women admitted as there are now.
He also used the U.S. men's basketball team's defeat against Argentina
and its failure to win a gold medal in the 2004 Olympics as an example
of how graduates shouldn't take anything for granted.
"This is the sort of international competition at a very high level
that you will face over a lifetime," he said. "Literally, the future of
our country is in your hands."
Prosser, who grew up in Appleton, has served on the Supreme Court since
1998. He was appointed to the court by then-Gov. Tommy Thompson and was
elected to a 10-year term in 2001. Prosser was elected to the state Assembly
in 1979 and served through 1996. He served six years as Assembly minority
leader and two years as Assembly speaker.
Whether the graduates realize it, they have been prepared to take on
any challenge, Prosser said.
"When at various times you become discouraged, please remember the many
people who never had this spectacular opportunity that you had to attend
and graduate from this university," he said. "When you do well, and you
will, please remember the people who deserve the chance to attend this
university and find some way to lend them a hand."
Julie Archiquette, 22, who received a degree in human development, said
she is ready to meet that challenge.
"I'm a little sad that I won't be in school. This has all been a part
of my life for so long and now it isn't," Archiquette said before graduating.
"But I'm ready to get out, get a job and make some money."
Other highlights
• Jill West of Grafton, psychology and human development graduate,
received the Outstanding Student Award. West graduated with honors.
• Ron Weyers, a longtime supporter of UW-Green Bay, received the
Chancellor's Award.
• Cheryl Grosso, who teaches communications and arts, was named
UWGB's Frankenthal Professor.
• Professors Michael Morgan and Ronald Stieglitz, both retiring
faculty members from natural and applied sciences, were named to emeritus,
or honorary, status.
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