Nicolet College celebrates hundreds of graduates at 2024 commencement

On Saturday April 20, Nicolet College celebrated the more than 200 students invited to participate in the college’s 2024 Commencement Ceremony.

“Earning a college credential is a valuable accomplishment and one that each graduate will proudly carry with them for the rest of their lives,” Nicolet College President Kate Ferrel said in a press release. “This is a great day. We are not only celebrating the academic accomplishments of our graduates but also their resilience, determination, and commitment to excellence. The Nicolet College Class of 2024 will make a positive impact in our community.”

Student graduation speaker Kayla Fraley graduated with an Associate of Science degree. Fraley shared her first experience attending Nicolet College immediately following her high school graduation 10 years ago, before being diagnosed with leukemia.

“After almost a year of rigorous chemo and isolation, I was finally told I had made it into a partial remission,” Fraley said.

Only a few months later, Fraley’s leukemia returned and so did her rigorous treatments. She was determined to put ‘one foot in front of the other,’ as the saying goes.

 “This quote drove me to come back to Nicolet College because life still had so much more to offer me as far as education. I knew that Nicolet College was the perfect place to start again, but this time as a non-traditional student,” Fraley stated. She enrolled again last year and has now earned her associate degree.

Fraley thanked Nicolet College faculty and staff for their motivation, support, and dedication upon her return to campus last year. She is now enrolled at UW-Platteville where she plans to earn a degree in engineering, thanks to the transfer agreement between Nicolet College and Platteville, which allows her to continue living in the Northwoods while pursuing a bachelor's degree.

Two hundred and ten students were certified to graduate from Nicolet on April 20, earning associate degrees, technical certificates, and diplomas.

Registration is open for the summer and fall terms. To learn more about enrolling and financial aid, visit in-person, online at nicoletcollege.edu, or call (715) 365-4493, 1-800-544-3039, ext. 4493; TTY 1-800-947-3529 or 711 relay.