by Emalydia Flenory

UW–Platteville

UW–Platteville held its 196th commencement ceremonies Friday and Saturday.

Just more than 1,000 undergraduate candidates walked across the Williams Fieldhouse stage along with 138 graduate studies candidates. This ceremony was also a special occasion for the university as it celebrates its sesquicentennial year. 

Friday’s ceremony featured the School of Graduate Studies and the School of Business. Saturday’s three ceremonies featured the College of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture in the morning, and in two afternoon ceremonies the College of Liberal Arts and Education and the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science.

“Know that like our past graduates, you have learned the expertise and skills that you need to go out into the world and make important contributions to your communities and industries,” said Chancellor Dennis J. Shields 

Joseph Sigwarth served as the senior speaker for the School of Business and School of Graduate Studies ceremony. Dr. Jeffrey E. Thompson was the principal speaker and Dr. Wendy Brooke was selected as this ceremony’s marshal.

Saturday morning’s ceremony began with Amanda Becher giving the senior speaker address for the BILSA ceremony while Dr. Jeffrey E. Thompson gave another principal speaker address. Dr. Laura Bayless served as the marshal.

In the LAE ceremony, Elliott Frieden delivered the senior speaker address while Dr. Stan Stojkovic served as the principal speaker. Dr. John Rink was selected as this ceremony’s marshal.

In the final ceremony, John Skinkis was selected as the senior speaker and Erin Ralph gave the principal speaker address. Thomas Scanlan served as the marshal for this ceremony. 

“Use the lessons you have learned to adapt to college and to adapt to challenges that lie before you,” said Shields. “Your ability to transform — as this university has successfully done for 150 years — will allow you to thrive in this changing world.”