THE CLASS OF MIDYEAR COMMENCEMENT DECEMBER 19, 2020 Congratulations The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is proud of the accomplishments celebrated in today’s commencement ceremony. We recognize and applaud the determination of our graduates to complete their studies. We also recognize and appreciate the help families and friends have given to make this graduation possible. While we all would prefer the grandeur of a live, in-person commencement, we have worked hard to ensure this safe, virtual ceremony commemorates your resilience and perseverance amid a historic pandemic. The completion of a program of study is significant. It commemorates a major milestone reached while signaling unlimited opportunities for the future. It is in this spirit of hope and optimism that today we congratulate those who have now completed their studies at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Our newest graduates are an embodiment of a rich tradition of hands-on collaborative learning, academic excellence and personal growth that extends to the date the University was founded in 1871. It is this tradition that links our newest alumni with prior graduates, who are actively enriching the civic, business, charitable and political sectors of our global community. As a regional center for the celebration and promotion of knowledge, culture and innovation, our University is an integral part of the broader community. With the fresh effort and focus of today’s graduates who join us in this broader role, we envision even more opportunities that will connect our University with the region we so proudly serve. It is my honor as the 11th chancellor of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh to extend this special recognition on behalf of the faculty, staff, students and alumni of the University. Sincerely, Andrew J. Leavitt, Ph.D. he, him, his Chancellor, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh 2 3 F UNIVERSITY O WISCONSIN OSHKOSH The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh was founded as Chancellor Andrew J. Leavitt leads this vibrant the state’s third normal school in 1871. The Oshkosh educational institution under a strategic plan with State Normal School became Wisconsin’s foremost a focus on student success. The picturesque and teacher-training institution. environmentally conscious campuses are home to five colleges — Business, Education and Human Services, In later years, as the focus and curriculum expanded, Honors, Letters and Science, and Nursing. the institution underwent several name changes. UW Oshkosh’s focus on teaching is evident in its A graduate school was added in 1963. In its centennial distinction of having won 11 UW System Regents year of 1971, President Roger Earl Guiles guided Teaching Awards of Excellence. UW Oshkosh’s merger into the Wisconsin system. UW Oshkosh, which will celebrate its Today, with three Fox Valley campuses nestled in sesquicentennial in 2021, is committed the cities of Fond du Lac, Menasha and Oshkosh, to student success, academic and inclusive UW Oshkosh prepares students for fulfilling lives and excellence, community engagement challenging careers with 70 undergraduate majors and economic development. and 48 master’s degree, certificate and doctoral programs spanning a wide array of disciplines. F UNIVERSITY O WISCONSIN SYSTEM The University of Wisconsin System is governed by the Board of Regents, an 18-member board of which 16 are appointed by the governor. The board, in turn, appoints the system president and the chancellors of the 13 universities. The current interim system president is Tommy G. Thompson. The board is currently comprised of Regent President Andrew Petersen, Regent Vice President Michael Grebe, Robert Atwell, Scott Beightol, Amy Blumenfeld Bogost, Héctor Colón, José Delgado, Eve Hall, Mike Jones, Tracey Klein, Becky Levzow (Ex-Officio Member), Edmund Manydeeds III, Cris Peterson, Corey Saffold, Carolyn Stanford Taylor (Ex-Officio Member), Karen Walsh, Kyle Weatherly and Olivia Woodmansee. 4 5 CEREMONIAL TRADITIONS Academic Procession Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Master’s and Associate College of Letters and Science | White: Honor Cords This commencement ceremony marks a special occasion of Arts and Science degree candidates wear black tassels. Master of Arts–English Students wearing gold-colored cords have earned the for students completing degree programs offered by UW Latin honors: Oshkosh. The Chancellor grants degrees by virtue of the The Hoods College of Nursing | Apricot: powers vested by the UW System’s Board of Regents. In The academic hood originally was worn over the head in Doctor of Nursing Practice *** Summa cum laude (3.9 and higher GPA) addition, academic degrees may only be granted upon bad weather. Now, it is added to the apparel of those with Master of Science in Nursing *** Magna cum laude (3.75 GPA) the recommendation of the University’s faculty. master’s and doctoral degrees. The hood also denotes *** Cum laude (3.5 GPA) CEREMONIAL TRADITIONS CEREMONIAL academic achievement beyond the associates and TRADITIONS CEREMONIAL The academic procession is a featured part of the bachelor’s degrees. Students wearing white-colored cords have earned commencement program—a symbolic declaration that academic distinction within their college or unit. Students all members of the academic community are bound by The master’s and doctoral hoods display a gold and wearing other cords, stoles or insignia wear them in common purpose and shared commitment to the ideals white chevron, denoting the University colors. recognition of scholarly achievement in a department, of higher education, including the search for meaning, honor society, study-abroad program or in the tradition of truth and understanding. College of Business | Drab (tan): an international student’s native country. Master of Business–Administration Academic Attire Master of Science–Applied Biotechnology Honors College The colors and apparel worn in the processional are Master of Science–Information Technology Management Students who successfully complete the Honors College symbolic of the Middle Ages. Because universities Master of Science–Sustainable Management curriculum along with their major requirements earn developed from church schools, both faculty and students Honors College designations at either graduate or College of Education and Human Services | Light blue: were regarded as part of the clergy and wore clerical associate level, depending on their cumulative GPA: clothing based on monastic dress. Doctor of Education–Educational Leadership and Policy Master of Science–Educational Leadership and Policy tt Honors College Graduates (3.5 to 4.0 GPA) The traditional hat developed from the skull cap worn in Master of Science in Education–Literacy receive Honors Medallions cold weather. In Europe, a bonnet with a tassel is still worn, Master of Science in Education–Professional Counseling tt Honors College Associates (3.2 to 3.49 GPA) but in America it has been replaced by the mortarboard Master of Science in Education–Special Education are awarded Certificates of Recognition cap or tam with tassel. Master of Science in Education–Teaching and Learning Master of Science–Human Services Leadership University Seal/Chancellor’s Medallion The bachelor’s gown, with its long, pointed sleeves, The University Seal/Chancellor’s Medallion symbolizes College of Letters and Science | Citron is worn closed. The master’s gown has an oblong UW Oshkosh’s history and aspirations. At the center of (yellowish-green): sleeve open at the wrist; the rear section is square cut. the medal is a fountain of knowledge, divided in three Master of Social Work The doctoral gown often was furred, a decoration that to reflect the school’s commitment to realizing the survives today as the velvet on the front and sleeves. creative power of individuals, the value of learning as a Graduate degree gowns may be worn open or closed. College of Letters and Science | Gold (yellow): Master of Science–Athletic Training humanizing force and our aspiration to excellence. The word “learning” is centered at the bottom, serving as The tassel colors seen in the processional correspond Master of Science–Biology the foundation of the University’s mission. The stylized to the field of study: crimson, Bachelor of Liberal Studies and Master of Science–Cybersecurity figure at the center forms the school’s initials. The outward Bachelor of Applied Studies; drab (tan), Bachelor of Business Master of Science–Data Science sweeping W reflects the Wisconsin Idea—education Administration; light blue, Bachelor of Music Education, Master of Science–Mathematics Education reaching to the state’s boundaries. The date of the Bachelor of Science in Education and Bachelor of Science– Master of Science–Psychology University’s founding appears at the bottom, representing Human Services; gold, Bachelor of Science; white, the importance of those who came before us. Bachelor of Arts; brown, Bachelor of Fine Arts; pink, Bachelor College of Letters and Science | Peacock blue: of Music; citron, Bachelor of Social Work; and apricot, Master of Public Administration 6 7 CEREMONY PLATFORM PARTY Representing the Oshkosh Dean of the College of Education Processional Pomp and Circumstance No. 1 ........................................................................................ Edward Elgar, composer UW Oshkosh Chancellor Student Association and Human Services Convening of Commencement .................................................................................. John Koker, Provost and Vice Chancellor Ian McDonald