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Commencement is May 14

By Molly Exner
UW-RF News Bureau

MAY 6, 2005--The University of Wisconsin-River Falls will hold two commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 14, in the Robert P. Knowles Physical Education and Recreation Center.

Graduates of the College of Agriculture Food and Environmental Sciences, College of Business and Economics, and Graduate Studies are scheduled at 9 a.m., and graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Education and Professional Studies are scheduled at 2 p.m.

Conferring the degrees to an expected 600 bachelor's and 60 master's candidates will be Interim Chancellor Virgil Nylander.

Among those who will be recognized is the 2005 Distinguished Teacher, economics Professor John Walker. Walker joined the UW-RF College of Business and Economics in 1990, where he specializes in political and labor economics, along with the history of economic thought. Walker also played a key role in developing the UW-RF ethnic studies minor.

Receiving recognition as the 2005 Distinguished Alumnus is Stephen Swensen, who currently serves as professor and chair of the radiology department at the Mayo Medical Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Swensen is an internationally respected leader in cancer research, whose developments have helped influence new discoveries in the fight against cancer. Swensen also is part of a long family tradition at UW-RF. His father, Richard Swensen, is an emeriti dean the College of Arts and Sciences and brother David and uncle Glen Hartman were named previous distinguished alumni.

Nicole Smith, from Apply Valley, Minn., majoring in marketing communications, with an emphasis in journalism, and Nicholas Sirek, from Birchwood, majoring in elementary education with an emphasis in language arts and reading, have been selected to deliver commencement addresses at both ceremonies.

Smith's speech, titled "A Falcon's Eye View," will focus on various buildings on campus and the role they've played in the lives of UW-RF students. Sirek’s speech is titled "My Wishes," and will highlight the five wishes he has for his friends and fellow graduates.

Graduating seniors Marissa Olson of Fridley, Minn., majoring in modern language, and Cordell Wesselink, from Beldenville, majoring in theatre arts, will sing the National Anthem and the UW-RF Pledge Song.

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Last updated: Tuesday, 22-Jun-2010 16:21:23 CDT