Students prepare as winter commencement approaches
12/8/2009
By Nikky Farmakes
Staff Writer
Graduate students from the Winter 2008 Commencement in the Health and Wellness Center.
For a majority of students, the end of finals in December equates to a month of freedom before having to come back to class in January. But, for a few lucky seniors, December means graduation.
Some seniors feel that pinch to get everything done
“The biggest thing I have done in preparation for graduation is to double and triple check that all my requirements for graduation are completed or on track for completion,” said Anna Jorgenson, who is currently completing her last few credits towards a Bachelor of Science in Social Work.
“Nerves, anxiety and excitement overwhelm me at times, wondering if I can really pull it all off. But I know, yes, I can, and yes, I will,” she added.
All students are required to complete 120 credits with various credits devoted to their major and minor to graduate.
For all students who meet this requirement by the end of Summer and Fall Semesters they are sent a letter by the Registrars Office informing them they are eligible to participate in Winter Commencement. However, these students do have the opportunity to attend the main Commencement in May.
But for students like Laura Schulz, graduating in December has its perks.
“Even though the job market at this current time is not very favorable, I have found that the competition for entry level positions is a little less sparse than I anticipate it being following the Spring Commencement,” said Schulz, about deciding not to walk the stage in May. Schulz worked hard with her advisor and completed many summer credits to be permitted to graduate a semester early.
But completing credit isn’t what graduating is all about.
“Some of the exciting things I have done lately are purchasing my graduation gown, cap and tassel. Most recently I have sent out graduation announcements and am currently counting down the days,” said Jorgenson.
Graduating at the end of Fall Semester hasn’t always been an option for UWS students.
“UW-Superior added a winter commencement ceremony on Dec. 9, 2006, to honor students graduating at the end of the summer and fall semesters,” said Al Miller, the University Relations Specialist.
Graduating seniors also have multiple resources on campus to help them graduate, such as a link on the main uwsuper.edu webpage.
“I’m hoping to make it more visible to help students find and make use of the information it contains,” says Miller.
Jorgenson also explored some of the other options that are available for graduating seniors.
“[My] advisor, the registrar’s office, career center, and talking with [my] classmates has helped me prepare,” she said.
This year, Winter Commencement will take place on Saturday, December 19 at 2 p.m. in the Health and Wellness Center with student speaker, Arjuna Premachandra.
Prior to commencement, there will be a brunch offered for graduating students and their families from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The brunch is reservation only, and costs $14 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under. Reservations can be made at the Dining Services Office located in Rothwell Student Center.
For more information, check out the winter commencement link.
Some seniors feel that pinch to get everything done
“The biggest thing I have done in preparation for graduation is to double and triple check that all my requirements for graduation are completed or on track for completion,” said Anna Jorgenson, who is currently completing her last few credits towards a Bachelor of Science in Social Work.
“Nerves, anxiety and excitement overwhelm me at times, wondering if I can really pull it all off. But I know, yes, I can, and yes, I will,” she added.
All students are required to complete 120 credits with various credits devoted to their major and minor to graduate.
For all students who meet this requirement by the end of Summer and Fall Semesters they are sent a letter by the Registrars Office informing them they are eligible to participate in Winter Commencement. However, these students do have the opportunity to attend the main Commencement in May.
But for students like Laura Schulz, graduating in December has its perks.
“Even though the job market at this current time is not very favorable, I have found that the competition for entry level positions is a little less sparse than I anticipate it being following the Spring Commencement,” said Schulz, about deciding not to walk the stage in May. Schulz worked hard with her advisor and completed many summer credits to be permitted to graduate a semester early.
But completing credit isn’t what graduating is all about.
“Some of the exciting things I have done lately are purchasing my graduation gown, cap and tassel. Most recently I have sent out graduation announcements and am currently counting down the days,” said Jorgenson.
Graduating at the end of Fall Semester hasn’t always been an option for UWS students.
“UW-Superior added a winter commencement ceremony on Dec. 9, 2006, to honor students graduating at the end of the summer and fall semesters,” said Al Miller, the University Relations Specialist.
Graduating seniors also have multiple resources on campus to help them graduate, such as a link on the main uwsuper.edu webpage.
“I’m hoping to make it more visible to help students find and make use of the information it contains,” says Miller.
Jorgenson also explored some of the other options that are available for graduating seniors.
“[My] advisor, the registrar’s office, career center, and talking with [my] classmates has helped me prepare,” she said.
This year, Winter Commencement will take place on Saturday, December 19 at 2 p.m. in the Health and Wellness Center with student speaker, Arjuna Premachandra.
Prior to commencement, there will be a brunch offered for graduating students and their families from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The brunch is reservation only, and costs $14 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under. Reservations can be made at the Dining Services Office located in Rothwell Student Center.
For more information, check out the winter commencement link.
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