UW-Green Bay’s December commencement: The most wonderful time of the year

With snow continuing to fall and creating a winter wonderland backdrop, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay held its 94th commencement ceremony Saturday, December 17 at the University’s Weidner Center for the Performing Arts.

“At UW-Green Bay this is not a winter day. It’s commencement day,” Chancellor Gary L. Miller said when asked about the weather and the University’s confidence in moving forward with graduation despite weather conditions.

With up to eight inches of snow falling in the 24 hours leading up to graduation, winter weather and its impact on commencement had been the discussion of administrators and students alike in recent days.

According to commencement planners, approximately two dozen of the 315 students registered and expected to graduate did not attend ceremonies. It is unclear what impact the weather played in those no-shows.

“Safety on a day like today is a top priority,” Miller noted. “With the support of the city of Green Bay road crews, our campus crews and with the family and friends of our graduates using the right caution to make the right personal decisions regarding travel, we felt this day was too important to cancel.”

UW System Regent Margaret Farrow was unable to attend the event due to weather. Chancellor Miller shared her greeting from the Board of Regents, which in part said: “Your university exists because of the determination of the citizens of this region who would not give up the effort to establish this university to serve the population of the northeastern region of the state. In the same way you are here today to receive your degree that represents so much effort on your part and those who supported your effort including your families, teachers, instructors and professors who helped you develop into the person you are today. Be grateful to all of them. Celebrate your success and then get to work growing a great future for yourselves and for our great state of Wisconsin.”

The celebration portion of Farrow’s message was not lost on students, their families and faculty in attendance and on display in this photo gallery.

Click to advance slideshow or view the album on Flickr.

– Photos by Dan Moore, Photographer/Videographer and Amanda Jo Danihel, Intern, Marketing and University Communication

Congratulations to all graduates. Go Phoenix!