The University of Wisconsin-Superior
First Winter Commencement
December 9, 2006

The University of Wisconsin-Superior conducted its first Winter Commencement on Dec. 9, 2006. The winter ceremony was added to honor students graduating at the end of the summer and fall semesters. Previously, those graduates had the option of attending the traditional ceremony in May, but because of the growing number of mid-year graduates, the university administration decided a December ceremony was the most appropriate to recognize the graduates' accomplishments.

The new commencement ceremony was held in Thorpe Langley Auditorium -- the first such ceremony to be held there in many years. Many older Superior graduates will remember receiving their diplomas in the auditorium. But the spring ceremony was moved to Wessman Arena several decades ago to accommodate the growing number of the university's students and their guests.

Click on each photo to see a larger image:

Graduates gathered in the hallway outside the entrance to Thorpe Langley Auditorium. There was just enough time for last-minute pictures with friends.
 

Music for the ceremony was provided by Superior Brass.



 

The first graduates march into the auditorium to take their seats.

 

 

Graduates takes their seats in the center of the auditorium's main floor.

 

 

The graduates wait for the ceremony to begin as Student Marshal Grant McDounough walks to his seat.

 

Faculty members representing each academic department take their seats on stage.

 

University administrators and guest speakers prepare to take their seats.


 

Chancellor Julius Erlenbach addresses the graduates and guests.


 

The ceremony begins as seen from the auditorium's balcony.


 

 

Provost Christopher Markwood presents the diploma of the late Matthew Hultman to his parents. Mr. Hultman died last summer just before completing his degree.

 

Guest speaker Dr. Cora Marrett, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs for UW System, presented the Commencement Address, using the graduates' own accomplishments as examples of the fine work done by UW-Superior students.
 

Kelly Gipson Isaacson presented the Student Address to her fellow graduates.

 


 

The moment everyone was waiting for: Students proceed across the stage to receive their diplomas.

Smiling faces were common as the students received their diplomas.


 

Graduate students watch as degrees are presented to undergraduates.