Winter Commencement coverage

About 1,200 students will take part in the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s mid-year commencement ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 20, at the Kohl Center. Meet some of the graduates at http://news.wisc.edu/24211.

Zoe Timms, founder of the Women’s Education Project (WEP), will deliver the charge to the graduates. Timms, a history major who graduated from UW–Madison in 1997, was inspired by her time with the university’s Year in India program and went on to found the Women’s Education Project. Today, hundreds of young women have graduated from the project’s three centers in South India, drawing on the centers’ academic support and other resources to help complete their education and enjoy professional, fulfilling careers. For more information, visit http://news.wisc.edu/24046.

Timms is available for interviews and will take part in two events that media are welcome to attend.

On Friday, Dec. 18, Timms will attend an International Academic Programs luncheon from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. with students who have recently studied abroad in India or who will do so soon. Professor Joe Elder, who worked with Timms during her own initial visits to India, will also attend.

On Monday, Dec. 21, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Timms will attend a faculty and staff luncheon hosted by the Morgridge Center for Public Service and Women, Well-Being, Wisconsin and the World, an initiative of the School of Human Ecology.

Ceremony details

Sunday’s ceremony begins at 10 a.m. Reporters and photographers may move around the floor of the arena, but no filming or photography is allowed on the stage, with the exception of the studio taking the official graduation photos.

Media with cameras are asked to set up in the designated area near Section 109. A mult-box will be available for broadcast recording. It will be located at the audio table to the right of the stage.

Members of the media may park, pending availability, in Lot 91, behind the Madison School District Administration Building. Enter from Bedford Street only. Parking permits are not required for media vehicles. If space in Lot 91 is not available, Transportation Services staff will suggest alternate locations.

The ceremony will be streamed live beginning at approximately 10 a.m.. Viewing will require a broadband connection. Visit the commencement website at http://commencement.wisc.edu for the link to the stream.

In a change from previous years, the senior class officers selected the student keynote speaker from the general student body. Leah Fraleigh, originally from New Berlin, Wisconsin, was chosen after delivering her speech to the commencement committee. She hopes to encourage her peers to draw on the Wisconsin Experience and become leaders through everyday actions.

Fraleigh will graduate with majors in strategic communications and philosophy, as well as a leadership certificate. After graduation, she plans to gain work experience before applying for law school.