Celebrating our 2018 Winter #UWECGrads
We know that everyone is gearing up for the holidays, but first let’s take a moment to celebrate our 2018 winter graduates!
Yesterday, 704 Blugolds proudly walked the stage to receive their diplomas. Family and friends gathered in Zorn Arena filling it with love, joy and pride as they watched their graduates finally wrap up their UW-Eau Claire journey.
Evan Weiher, the Commencement Marshal and Chair of University Senate greeted everyone in attendance right before the familiar tune of Pomp and Circumstance filled Zorn Arena and hundreds of Blugolds marched in.
Provost Kleine took to the stage and welcomed everyone to the biggest party of the year. Following Provost Kleine were the UW System Board of Regents, Jason Plante and Ryan Ring. And of course, Chancellor Jim Schmidt took to the stage to congratulate the class of 2018 and offer them some words of wisdom for their next chapter. He said…
“The Blugold experience is about excellence. Excellence isn’t just a word on the university’s seal but a practice you embody. Why excellence? Because Blugold graduates, when you leave this stage you will be ready to move Wisconsin and the world forward.”
The “Charge to the Class” was delivered by Bert Colianni, CEO of Marquette Companies, and Suzie Colianni, retired Owner/Operator of Ski-Away Inc.
The Colianni’s reminisced on their son’s graduation, where Mr. Rogers was the commencement speaker. They recalled….
“Mr. Rogers said to us that ‘honest enthusiastic living of our lives, no matter what our talents may be, can affect others.’”
They said….
“We hope for each of the graduates in this room that you have identified honest and enthusiastic figures in your lives.”
They encouraged the graduates to help others win and to live their lives honestly and enthusiastically. Much of their speech drew from the wisdom of Mr. Rogers and the Scouts. They encouraged the graduates to look at the bright side of life and to be brave in difficult times.
Bert Colianni ended the speech by recalling a quote from President George W. Bush’s eulogy to his father…..
“We cannot hope to only leave our children a bigger car, a bigger bank account. We must hope to give them a sense of what it means to be a loyal friend, a loving parent. A citizen who leaves who home, his neighborhood and his town a better place than when he found it. What do we want the men and women who work with us to say when we are no longer there? That we were more driven to succeed than anyone around us, or that we stopped to ask if a sick child had gotten better and stayed a moment there to trade a moment of friendship.” — George W. Bush
Following the “Charge to the Class,” it was time for our Blugolds to receive their degrees.
Once the class of 2018 was back in their seats, Sarah Beck (morning ceremony) and Sidney Barnett (afternoon ceremony), delivered “Blugold Reflections” to their fellow graduates.
“You might be afraid of the next step, but you aren’t alone. The path you paved before this stands as a monument of your achievements. Take that in. You are now a college graduate.” -Sarah Beck, Bachelor of Arts, English
“You are the only one that gets to control what’s ahead. My biggest piece of advice is don’t settle.” -Sidney Barnette, Bachelor of Arts, Integrated Strategic Communication
To bring the ceremonies to a close, Zorn Arena came to a roar as Kevin Ruhl and Olivia Willett lead the university’s Alma Mater.
