Photos by Dan Moore, University Photographer
Nothing warms a brutally cold Wisconsin day better than the joy, pride and sense of accomplishment felt at Commencement on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. At the 112th UW-Green Bay commencement, 506 eligible graduates and their families celebrated bold beginnings with enthusiasm, uncontrollable joy, support and pride.
Chancellor Michael Alexander addressed hundreds of graduates, their families, and friends by offering inspiration to graduates and current students while recognizing the dedication of students, faculty, and staff. “This shows the incredible momentum we have as a university. It is a reflection of why we continue to push as hard as we can to provide access to education and empower as many people as we can to make a difference in the future of our region, our state, the country, and our world.”
James Harris, the morning ceremony Commencement student speaker, delivered a heartfelt and humorous commencement speech. He shared his journey as a non-traditional student who started college after years of factory work, initially aiming for engineering but ultimately finding his calling in mental health. Despite graduating with a near-perfect GPA and impressive accomplishments like giving a TEDx talk and leading a program to bridge political divides, Harris emphasized humility, crediting his success to a strong support system and acknowledging classmates who worked harder under tougher circumstances. He reflected on the privilege of education, imagining a world where the only barrier to college is effort, and encouraged graduates to use their drive to make the world better. His closing message: “Today, celebrate. You worked hard to get here, you’ve earned it, and you deserve it. It’s been an honor. Congratulations.”
Norbert S. Hill, Jr., retired Area Director of Education and Training for the Oneida Nation and former assistant dean of students at UW-Green Bay, returned as Commencement Speaker for the morning graduates and their supporters, sharing his hopes for the grads as well as wisdom gained over a lifetime of experiences. Hill urged graduates to celebrate their milestone, embrace responsibility and prepare for a fast-changing world shaped by technology and AI. He emphasized resilience, lifelong learning, and the importance of relationships, intuition and wisdom—qualities that guide moral decisions and leadership. Hill reminded graduates that life’s journey is marked by ceremonies and challenges, and encouraged them to dream boldly, laugh often, and make their lives count. He closed with a blessing: “May the Creator bless you, and may you always remember that the most powerful weapon in the universe is the human soul on fire.”
Raquel Botbyl, a Business major and class speaker at the afternoon ceremony, delivered an inspiring message about belonging, growth and perseverance to fellow graduates and their guests. Reflecting on her own journey of uncertainty and self-discovery, Botbyl emphasized that success is built through small, consistent steps and the support of others. She urged graduates to thank those who helped them along the way and to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Her closing advice: “Keep showing up, keep building, and keep becoming. Go become everything you’ve worked for. Go out, and go be great.”
Terry Fulwiler, a prominent Northeast Wisconsin business and community leader, addressed UW-Green Bay graduates during the afternoon ceremony, sharing lessons from his diverse experiences in engineering, business, and healthcare. Using football and golf analogies, Fulwiler encouraged graduates to embrace setbacks—“interceptions”—as learning opportunities, emphasizing perseverance, hard work, and practice as keys to success. He recounted his own career pivot from aerospace engineering to leading a thriving printing company, underscoring that effort often creates “luck.” Fulwiler concluded by urging graduates to share their talent, time and resources to help others succeed, leaving them with the inspiring message: keep striving, keep learning, and give back.
Congratulations to the graduating class of 2025. Together we rise!
View this photo album on Flickr.
