Spring 2020 Commencement Spring 2020 Commencement A Message from the President Dear Graduates: Since 1889, the University of Northern Colorado has welcomed students whose dreams and ambitions led them to pursue higher education in preparation for the vast opportunities that a college degree affords. Even in times of war, pandemic, and economic uncertainty—or perhaps all the more so in these times—those dreams are the spark that ignites our students’ motivation and drive to overcome adversity and persist toward the coveted reward that is theirs to claim: the distinction of having earned a college degree. This past semester threw tremendous obstacles into the path of the graduates of the Class of 2020. Especially during this time, qualities that we have recognized among you for years have shone through with greater intensity. We are all extraordinarily proud of you for making it to this point. We are humbled by the resilience and courage you have shown in these unusual and uncertain times. We are inspired by your persistence and focus as you have pressed ahead toward attaining the goals that brought you to UNC. We appreciate the care you have shown for the wellbeing of your peers, our faculty and staff, and our neighbors in the community. And, we celebrate you as your degrees are conferred in recognition of years of hard work, commitment, and sacrifice. I know it was not always easy. I have heard from some of you about the extraordinary struggles you endured to make it to this point. Whatever your journey entailed and wherever it takes you next, you have earned this moment. You are now graduates of the University of Northern Colorado. As you look back on the time you spent at UNC, I encourage you to reach out to the friends, family members, mentors, and others in your support network who helped you to reach this milestone to share your gratitude. Their love, care, and support were vital to keeping your spark burning these past few years. Your memories of them and what they contributed to your life and education will stay with you for many years to come. I hope you will come back to Greeley to celebrate your accomplishments with us in December—to cross the stage as your name is called in recognition of your graduation in front of friends and family. Until then, I am proud to welcome you into the UNC Alumni network along with more than 134,000 Bears who came before you. Once a Bear, Always a Bear. Andy Feinstein UNC President Spring 2020 Commencement 3 UNC History and a Time of Change The University of Northern Colorado has a long and unique history dating back to the late 1800s. On April 1, 1889, the governor of Colorado signed the bill creating the State Normal School, which was created to train teachers for the state’s public school system. With money raised by Greeley citizens for its first building, the cornerstone was laid on June 13, 1890, and the school opened its doors on October 6 with a staff of four instructors and 96 students, offering teacher certification after completion of a two-year course. The state legislature changed the school’s name to Colorado State Teachers College in 1911. It then began offering four years of undergraduate work and granting the Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1935, the name was changed to Colorado State College of Education to recognize the fully developed graduate program, which was started in 1913. The state legislature approved shortening the name to Colorado State College in 1957; again to recognize the further growth of the university’s programs and offerings. Finally, in 1970, the name was changed to the University of Northern Colorado, which best reflects the comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs that carry national recognition in education, business, performing arts, health care and many other distinguished academic disciplines. Among these historic milestones, the coronavirus pandemic of 2020 will be recorded as an important moment in the history of the University of Northern Colorado. Due to state and federal public health precautions, the May 8-9, 2020 Commencement ceremonies were postponed and moved to December 2020, marking a distinct change in the manner and delivery of the university’s most celebrated tradition. Yet, the moment could not overshadow the academic accomplishments of the nearly 2,000 individuals who also created a mark on the university’s history. These individuals will forever be remembered for their fortitude and perseverance as graduates of the spring and summer Class of 2020. 4 University of Northern Colorado Academic Regalia Academic dress originated at Oxford and The specialist colors of the various fields are: Cambridge in the 1300s. As the universities • Light Blue: Educational Leadership passed from ecclesiastical control, brighter • Royal Blue: School Psychology colors distinguished the academic robe from the drab clerical gown. In 1895, an Intercollegiate The following colors represent the various master’s Commission established a uniform code for the degrees: hoods, gowns and caps used today. • White: Letters, Humanities, Arts The most colorful and distinctive element of academic regalia is the hood. It has • Golden Yellow: Science descended from the cowls worn by monks • Salmon: Public Health to ward off cold drafts in buildings and • Pink: Music monasteries. The hood originally had three uses: a head covering, a shoulder cape and a bag • Light Blue: Teaching Education in which alms could be collected. • Drab: Accountancy, Business, Commerce During commencement the faculty’s gown and hood provides color and meaning. The The gown and how it’s worn differ by degree: satin lining inside the hood is the official color • The bachelor’s gown, worn closed, has or colors of their alma mater and the degree sleeves that are square cut at the bottom. that was conferred. Here at the University of • The master’s gown has oblong sleeves that Northern Colorado, blue and gold represent our are arched at the wrist and have a square cut graduates. bottom. The front of the gown is designed to The doctoral colors of the various fields are: be worn open or closed. • Royal Blue: Applied Statistics and Research, • The doctor wears a gown with velvet panels Counseling Psychology, Counselor Education with three horizontal chevrons, indicating and Supervision, Educational Mathematics, the third and highest academic degree. Educational Psychology, Educational A doctoral gown with a fourth chevron is Technology, Higher Education and Student reserved for a President or Chancellor of an Affairs Leadership, Human Rehabilitation, institution. These are stitched on the upper Nursing Education, School Psychology, arm of the full round bell-shaped sleeves. Special Education, Sport and Exercise The cap is a sign of the freedom of Science scholarship, responsibility, and dignity with • Golden Yellow: Biology, Chemistry which scholarship endows the wearer. Old • Light Blue: Educational Leadership, poetry records the cap of scholarship as a Education Studies square symbolizing a book, although other authorities claim that it is a mortar board, the • Pink: Music symbol of the masons, a privileged guild. • Spruce Green: Audiology Other adornments such as cords or stoles • Apricot: Doctor of Nursing Practice represent various academic achievements or honors. Spring 2020 Commencement 5 Academic Traditions Procession In all cultures throughout time, processions have been a natural form of public celebration. They have played a prominent part in great festivals across the world. In the past, games were either opened or accompanied by elaborate processions, which later formed an essential part of the celebration. The academic procession and pageantry is a featured part of the commencement ceremony. Commencement is a solemn climax and the recognition of a graduate’s years of study and preparation — a symbolic declaration that all members of the academic community are bound by a common purpose and shared commitment to the ideals of higher education, including the search for meaning, truth and understanding. The procession brings to the platform the Board of Trustees, President, Provost, Vice Presidents, Deans, Honorary Degree recipients, speakers and other university officials. Mace The mace is a world symbol of tradition and a bond to centuries of academic ritual. In Medieval times, the mace was a hand-to-hand combat weapon, a heavy staff or club made wholly or partly from metal and used for breaking armor. By approximately 1400 C.E., its use became more ceremonial in nature, first as a wooden staff carried by royal messengers and then as an instrument used by academicians in rituals such as commencement and inaugurations. A university mace is used for formal events such as commencement and convocation ceremonies, which are attended by faculty in full academic regalia. The university mace is a symbol of the legal and chartered authority of the university president. When the mace is present, the authority of the university is present. The honor of carrying the mace is reserved for a distinguished faculty member. 6 University of Northern Colorado The University of Northern Colorado mace was handcrafted by Professor William S. Cordiner in a meticulously constructed combination of layered ebony and maple, connected by bronze fittings to an American walnut spiral. “University of Northern Colorado” is etched into a bronze band encircling the head of the mace. The materials used represent the strength and quality needed by an educational institution in a frontier territory. Medallion The president’s medallion, like the mace, was a gift to the institution from distinguished alumnus Victor Nottingham (B.A.-’52). The solid polished brass medallion is suspended from a heavy brass chain. Display of the UNC medallion at commencement and other official events signifies that the university is in formal session. Seal The University Seal forms the centerpiece of the ceremonial chain that is worn by the president of the university.