Chippewa Valley Times

The 100,000th graduate to receive a diploma at Zorn Arena will be among the 1,485 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire students at commencement exercises on Saturday, May 18, in the final graduation ceremonies held at the facility. This marks a significant milestone for the university as it prepares to transition to the new Sonnentag Event Center for future commencement ceremonies beginning next fall.

During the upcoming graduation ceremonies, candidates from different colleges will receive their degrees at various times throughout the day. The ceremonies will feature student speakers offering their reflections on their time at UW-Eau Claire. For instance, Sidney Rose Gullickson will share her piece titled "Be Patient With Us ... It’s Our First Graduation" during one of the ceremonies.

In addition to student speakers, honorary doctorates of science will be conferred upon two Mayo Clinic Health System physicians, Dr. Richard Helmers and Dr. Tim Nelson, who will deliver inspiring messages to the graduating class at the three ceremonies.

Furthermore, alumni and friends of UW-Eau Claire will be recognized for their contributions and achievements during the commencement ceremonies. The recipients of the UW-Eau Claire Alumni Association awards include John Rosenow, Nancy Langer, Gary Jacobus, and Jerry M. Bauer.

The graduation ceremonies will not only celebrate the academic accomplishments of the students but also highlight the diverse talents and experiences within the university community. This final commencement at Zorn Arena signifies the end of an era while paving the way for new beginnings at the Sonnentag Event Center.