SUPERIOR, Wis. — Approximately 370 students will be eligible to receive diplomas when the University of Wisconsin-Superior conducts its 119th Spring Commencement at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 16, in Siinto S. Wessman Arena on the UW-Superior campus.
Chancellor Renée Wachter will preside over the ceremony and present diplomas to students who have earned associate, bachelor's, master's and specialist's degrees. The university will grant approximately 342 undergraduate degrees and 28 graduate degrees.
Delivering the keynote address to graduates is Shaye Moris, executive director of Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank in Duluth. She graduated with an Individually Designed Major focused on human relations. Ms. Moris earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 1994 from UW-Superior.
The Student speaker will be Nutcha ''Ern'' Charoenboon of Bangkok, Thailand. She was chosen for the honor based on academic and student achievements at UW-Superior.
Elsa Johnson of Esko, Minn., and Amber Bottensek of Superior, Wis., will serve as the student marshals who lead graduates into and out of the Commencement ceremony. Each year two student marshals are chosen from among the junior class based on highest scholastic standing.
Mary Balcer, professor of natural sciences, is the faculty marshal who will lead faculty to the ceremony. She has taught at UW-Superior since 1983.
Included in this year's graduating class is a married couple, Jessica and Matt Boettcher, who both also have military service in their backgrounds. A total of 18 veterans will be graduating including Mr. and Mrs. Boettcher. Among the undergraduate students, are 165 first generation, 32 multicultural and 15 international students who will also be graduating. This class also includes 149 non-traditional students who are either over 24 years of age or have a child. The youngest graduate is 17 year-old Brianne Freeman who has earned an Associate of Arts degr
