Fall Class of 2019 added distinction as University’s 100th

What started humbly in June of 1970 came full circle as the 100th class graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay on Saturday, December 14. The Fall 2019 Commencement Ceremony, held at the University’s Weidner Center for the Performing Arts, recognized the 432 graduates who earned their undergraduate or graduate degrees.

Interim Chancellor Sheryl Van Gruensven congratulated graduates on both their accomplishments and for being a member of the 100th class. “Every commencement ceremony is special, but you, the Fall Class of 2019, have an added distinction,” Van Gruensven shared. “You represent the 100th class to earn degrees from UW-Green Bay. More than 39,500 students are now a part of the Phoenix family. It has been our honor to prepare you, and all who have come before you, for the workforce and the world.”

Class Speaker Hannah Malmberg graduated on Saturday with a double major in Political Science and Communication. She reflected with her fellow graduates on the resiliency that comes with being a Phoenix. “We may live in an uncertain world, but I know we will land on our feet and excel. We will create the world we want to see for ourselves. We are Phoenix after all,” Malmberg said.

Commencement Speaker and UW-Green Bay Professor Patricia Terry also shared parting thoughts with the graduates, families and friends in attendance, frequently drawing analogies between life and running an ultra marathon, a personal pastime for the engineering professor. “In life, you many not always be the winner, but run the race anyway,” she encouraged those in audience.

UW System Regent Eve Hall was on hand to offer greetings on behalf of the Board of Regents. “I believe that  you, UW-Green Bay’s Class of 2019, have the potential, the passion and the power to change the world.”

UW-Green Bay awarded its first Bachelor of Fine Arts degree to Krynn Hanold. The top five degrees were awarded in Business Administration, Psychology, Human Biology, Nursing and Education, reflecting a strong commitment from the Class of 2019 in meeting regional needs.

Click to advance slideshow or view the album on Flickr.