May 17, 2014 at 9:15 p.m.
Over 500 graduate from Nicolet College
Over 500 graduate from Nicolet College
More than 500 students earned an associate degree, diploma or certificate at Nicolet in the last year. Three different graduation ceremonies were held Saturday in the Nicolet College Theatre to recognize those students.
"I want you to understand that all the roads we travel are not always smooth. The roads you took to get here today were probably rough, but it really doesn't matter how you got here. What matters is that you did," said Kari Krueger, a nursing instructor and one of two Nicolet faculty members who addressed the graduates.
Pete Vanney, Nicolet's director of facilities, provided the official commencement address. He described to students the different stops he has made during his career and the various influences that guided him to his current position. For Vanney, it began when he was a junior in high school and read a newspaper ad promoting Nicolet's land surveying program. Two items included in the ad stuck out to Vanney - working outdoors and using math. He said he liked both of those areas and didn't yet know what career path he wanted to pursue, so he applied to Nicolet and in 1989 graduated with an associate degree in land surveying. Further education in engineering and several jobs, including a long tenure overseeing facilities and operations for the Appleton Area School District, eventually provided him with an opportunity to return to his hometown of Rhinelander and work at Nicolet College.
"Please graduates. Do not be afraid to step outside the box and perhaps fail. Sometimes your career takes pleasant turns as mine did," Vanney said.
Tony Bellman, one of three student speakers, provided an example of the type of role a Nicolet College education can play in a larger educational/career pathway for all students, no matter their age. Bellman received his GED through Nicolet at age 37. On Saturday he took the next step and graduated with an associate degree in information technology (computer support specialist). He has plans to continue his studies at UW-Stout.
"I grew up in a family that did not put much stock in education," he told his fellow graduates. "Life was more about getting a job and starting a family. So I dropped out of high school, worked in the family business for a few years and became a heavy equipment operator. Who needs an education, I thought. I've done just fine without one. It wasn't until I got injured on the job that I realized just how an important an education could be. Remember, education is a lifelong pursuit of knowledge. Don't just sprint to the finish line, but rather make it a slow, leisurely stroll to continue to better yourself. For some of us, this graduation is the finish line. For some, it may just be a starting point. Regardless of what point on your educational journey you are, it has taken you great courage to get here today."
Kyle Rogers may be reached at [email protected].
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