Graduates celebrate with a selfie at the UW-River Falls fall commencement ceremony on Dec. 16, 2023. UWRF photo.
 

Commencement speakers praise UW-River Falls graduates for persevering through challenges

Obstacles don’t deter students from obtaining their degrees

 

Dec. 18, 2023 - Students graduating from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Saturday endured numerous challenges during their time at the university, including the coronavirus pandemic and the deaths of students and a faculty member this semester. 

But finding ways to persevere despite difficulties shows that students who received their degrees possess the skills and resilience that will serve them well in the future, Chancellor Maria Gallo told an audience attending the fall commencement ceremony at Knowles Field House at the Falcon Center.

In fact, Gallo said, oftentimes struggles prompt reactions of support from others. That has happened at UW-River Falls this semester, she said, as countless people and organizations reached out to assist the university this semester.

“Your journey to this day I know has not been easy. So much to navigate has been out of your control,” Gallo said. “Graduates, there is no doubt that your success is the result of a resilient human spirit that allows us to push forward despite the heartbreaks and roadblocks.”

UW-River Falls enabled students to grow as people and scholars, Gallo told students, “But it was you who took the chances, grabbed the opportunities, and never gave up.”

A total of 305 students received their degrees; 272 earned bachelor’s degrees and 33 their master’s degrees.

Psychology Professor Melanie Ayres, the recipient of this year’s Distinguished Teaching Award, credited graduates for studying and learning amid struggles. Overcoming challenges is a key life skill that allows for success, she said. 

“Working hard to learn under difficult circumstances is something worth acknowledging. I want to thank all of you for doing this difficult work.” Ayres said. “And also assure you that it’s worth it – not for the diploma, although that will be useful too – but for the growth and resilience you have developed.”

Ayres noted the importance of forming meaningful connections with others, saying those relationships help people through challenging times. Such interactions help build empathy and a sense of well-being, she said. 

“You have been building a community here at UWRF,” Ayres said. “You have collectively gone through challenging things and come out the other side stronger and more encouraging and supportive of yourself and of others.”

Two student speakers spoke about the importance of overcoming obstacles. Cailyn Kuechle of South Haven, Minn., who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing communications, recalled the beginning of her college career awaiting weekly COVID-19 test results and the loneliness that accompanied online-only learning during the pandemic. 

She and other students, however, persevered and thrived despite those challenges, learning new skills in and out of the classroom along the way. Obtaining their degrees is a celebration of their persistence, she said, and a sign of all that is yet to come. 

“You have what it takes to reach your dreams. Whatever is ahead of you, you can conquer it,” Kuechle said.

Seth Howard, of Oskaloosa, Iowa, came to UW-River Falls to earn a master’s degree in business administration and to continue playing college football. A torn Achilles injury ended his football career, but he turned that challenge into working as a graduate assistant on the Falcon football team and a new career aspiration of coaching football. He urged audience members to transform setbacks into opportunities.
 
“Coming to college, you almost always have a plan of how you want it to go. But being a student, we have all learned that things rarely go to plan,” Howard said. “I firmly believe that part of our education is learning how to pivot, shift our perspective, and problem solve our way toward a new outcome.”

Headshots (top to bottom): 
Maria Gallo
Melanie Ayres
Cailyn Kuechle
Seth Howard