51ÁÔĆć

Members of the first Spring graduating class from the College of Community Engagement and Professions were honored at a ceremony May 17, 2024. A similar event for the first-ever graduating class was held in December 2023. The College was formed in July 2023.
 
Graduates included bachelor’s degree, master’s and doctoral students from the School of Information Studies, Helen Bader School of Social Welfare and the School of Education. In the spring semester, 3,491 students graduated from the three schools.  

Graduates enjoyed a dinner together and took hundreds of photos of themselves. Many took the opportunity to say a few words of thanks to parents, spouses, partners, children, pets, God, families, best friends, mentors and teachers who helped them reach their goals. One online student who came to the ceremony even had special thanks for the reliable Wi-Fi that helped her complete her program. Another graduate thanked her family who juggled busy schedules and late meals while she completed her course work.

Many of the students were the first ones in their family to earn a college degree and proudly shared that accomplishment while thanking those who supported them on their journey.  

Married couple Johnquell Tucker, a school social worker, and Diamond Tucker made the university journey together and graduated together, while raising their family. Johnquell earned a master’s degree in social work and Diamond earned her master’s degree in human resources and labor relations. 

For a number of the graduates, their children were the inspiration for coming to 51ÁÔĆć and completing a degree. “I wanted to do better for her,” said Dolores Brown of her daughter, Delilah, who was at the ceremony. “She’s the reason I tried to do things I didn’t think I could do.” Brown earned her degree in school library media.

The first-ever graduating class from the College of Community Engagement and Professions was honored at a recognition ceremony on Friday evening, Dec. 15.  

The College, which includes the Schools of Education and Information Studies and the Helen Bader School of Social Work, was formed in July 2023.    

Graduates, faculty, staff, mentors, family and friends enjoyed a dinner together, took hundreds of photos of themselves and their families. An arch decorated with black and gold balloons provided a backdrop.  

Dean Tina Freiburger congratulated the new alumni, noting that many of them were heading into helping professions as teachers, school psychologists, social workers, librarians, information sciences professionals and police officers. The recognition ceremony gave students and families a chance to celebrate in a smaller setting than the Sunday commencement. 

Many of the students took the opportunity to say a few words of thanks to parents, spouses, children, mentors and teachers who helped them reach their goals. One young man noted that he was available for work now that he’s finished. A number of students noted that they were the first-generation in their family to complete a college degree. 

“I am one of only eight percent of Latinas who has earned a master’s degree,” said Thelmy Maldonado, who earned her master’s degree in social work. She is a school social worker in the Milwaukee Public Schools, and appreciated the flexibility the Helen Bader School of Social Work gave her in completing her master’s degree, she said. Her parents, 8-year-old brother, and two friends joined her in the celebration.

Story by Kathy Quirk / Photo submitted to 51ÁÔĆć News

Representatives from the School of Education, Helen Bader School of Social Welfare and School of Information Studies (SOIS) participated in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Action Planning Institute. Dietmar Wolfram, senior associate dean and professor in SOIS, leads a team made up of representatives from the three schools.

Deans and interim deans who will lead the four realigned 51ÁÔĆć schools and colleges beginning July 1 have been named by Interim Provost Scott Gronert.

The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents has approved 51ÁÔĆć’s plan to merge eight schools and colleges at the university into four new colleges.

Regents considered the plan . The proposal called for the process of realigning current schools and colleges to begin immediately, with new colleges in place by July 1, 2023.