Last year’s class of graduates pack the Field House. Soon, the Class of 2017 will follow suit.
A record number of graduate candidates will cross the stage during Concordia University Wisconsin’s commencement exercises Friday, May 12, in the R. John Buuck Field House, 12800 North Lake Shore Drive, Mequon.
A total of 589 candidates will receive their diplomas in 2017, up eight from last year’s total.
The 6 p.m. ceremony will be followed the next day by a traditional baccalaureate service in the Chapel of the Christ Triumphant at 10 a.m. and undergraduate commencement exercises at 1:30 p.m. The latter ceremony will also be held in the field house. Rev. Dean O. Wenthe, president of the Concordia University System, will deliver the commencement address at both graduations.
Class of 2017 Graduates By the Numbers
Total Number of Graduates: 1,107
Bachelor’s Degrees: 518
Master’s Degrees: 467
Doctorate Degrees: 122
Number of States Represented: 36
Top Four Largest Programs:
- Master in Business Administration
- Master of Science in Education
- Pharmacy
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Daniel Romero, a business management graduate candidate from Milwaukee, will deliver the undergraduate student address, while Patrick O’Connor of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, set to receive his Master of Science degree in information technology, will speak Friday night.
Three special awards will be presented on Saturday to the following individuals: Terry Donovan, of Marietta, Georgia, will receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award; Ruth Koch, of Denver, Colorado, will receive the Christo et Ecclesiae Award; and Richard Laabs, of Hartford, Wisconsin, will receive the Lux Mundo Award. All three are members of the university’s Board of Regents, chaired by Donovan.
Concordia’s faculty nominated nursing professor Dr. Carol Lueders Bolwerk as the recipient of this year’s Ronald L. Berg Faculty Laureate Award.
— This story is written by Kali Thiel, director of university communications for Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor. She may be reached at kali.thiel@cuw.edu or 262-243-2149.
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