University of Wisconsin-Whitewater holds winter commencement

WHITEWATER – More than 840 students will march across the stage to receive their degrees at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 2015 winter commencement.

The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, at Kachel Fieldhouse.

Roger Pulliam, emeritus assistant vice chancellor of academic support services and former director of advancement at UW-Whitewater, was this year’s commencement speaker. Pulliam received his B.S. and M.S. in education from Western Michigan University and his Ph.D. in education from Michigan State University. He has devoted his distinguished academic career to opening the doors of education for everyone, including co-creating the university’s McNair Scholar program.

The student speaker was Fernanda Contreras, a political science and economics major from Jefferson who was one of the student body’s most active and recognized leaders.

In addition to garnering numerous awards, scholarships and honors, she has served as a Warhawk Ambassador, president of the Latinos Unidos student organization and vice president of the Pan Hellenic Council. Contreras received a Bachelor of Science.

The ceremony recognized 112 undergraduates from the College of Arts and Communication, 213 from the College of Business and Economics, 168 from the College of Education and Professional Studies and 289 from the College of Letters and Sciences. The School of Graduate Studies awarded master’s degrees to 62 students.

The graduating class included 17 international students, 34 military veterans, 169 nontraditional students and 49 self-identified students with disabilities.