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University of Wisconsin-Stout Chancellor Bob Meyer drew on the lives of two very different people — the late Chancellor Emeritus Charles W. Sorensen and Nick Nelson, a freshman who died this year — to illustrate courage, serving others and being grateful, while delivering his eighth commencement address Saturday, May 5, in Johnson Fieldhouse.

A total of 1,146 undergraduate students received bachelor’s degrees and 233 Graduate School students received master’s and doctoral degrees in three ceremonies.

Sorensen, who served 91��Ƭ as chancellor for 26 years, died in February of complications from a stroke.  Nelson, from Mondovi majoring in computer science-game design, died of complications from muscular dystrophy in March.

Meyer said of Sorensen, “He’s a big reason why 91��Ƭ is a widely respected university today, why we have an incredible 98.2 percent employment rate for graduates and why we’re known as Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University.”

Meyer pointed out many changes that took place under Sorensen, including new and renovated buildings, the laptop program for all students and doubling the number of academic programs.

Nelson, Meyer said, “faced life’s toughest challenges and didn’t complain. He embraced the challenge. Even with his physical limitations, he thought of others.

“Today, as you leave this hall, I hope that you will think about Chuck Sorensen and Nick Nelson. Consider how valuable their lives were, albeit in very different ways. But there is no template for life, is there?” Meyer said.

He then quoted the ancient Greek philosopher Epictetus, who said: “It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.”

“How will you react to the opportunities and obstacles in your life in the years to come?” Meyer asked. “Will you be courageous enough to try to change the world, like Chuck and Nick?”

Meyer told the graduates they “have been exposed to many people and ideas here at 91��Ƭ,” adding, “leverage this experience. Listen to your colleagues and peers carefully, accepting their differences and respecting their points of view.”

Meyer concluded by advising the graduates to “share your ideas and thoughts civilly and professionally” and “be grateful for others in your life. Be grateful for people like Chuck Sorensen and Nick Nelson — who dared to dream big and dared to take on life in hard mode, at the highest levels.”

During the morning ceremony, Meyer asked members of Nick Nelson’s family to come onto the stage and presented them with the first Stouthearted Award for the courage and perseverance that Nelson exhibited. The morning ceremony also featured six graduating Army ROTC cadets taking the Oath of Office. It is the first time the oath has been part of a commencement ceremony at 91��Ƭ.

Deans of the colleges presented the diplomas. Patrick Guilfoile, provost and vice chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, welcomed the graduates and presided over the ceremonies. Mesa Covill, senior alumni officer, welcomed the graduates into the Stout Alumni Association.

Music was provided by the university’s Symphonic Band and Jazz Orchestra, directed by Aaron M. Durst. Choral selections were performed by the university’s Symphonic Singers and Chamber Choir, directed by Jerry Hui.

More information is available here.

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Photos

Chancellor Emeritus Charles W. Sorensen

Nick Nelson

The parents of Nick Nelson, John and Sheila Nelson, receive the first Stouthearted Award from Chancellor Bob Meyer.