‘Life-changing experience’
Thousands graduate at first in-person ceremony since 2019
Before starting at the University of Colorado Boulder four years ago, Aubrey Wolfe wasn't sure which direction her career was headed.
At that time, she was working as a certified nursing assistant in Fort Collins and thought about going to nursing school but wasn't sure where or how to start.
Luckily, her boyfriend, who had completed a master's degree, offered his help and another idea.
“He said ‘ No, be a doctor,'” Wolfe said.
With his guidance, she started college, and on Thursday, Wolfe became the first member of her family to graduate from college, receiving a bachelor of science in biochemistry.
“Going to college has been a lifechanging experience,” Wolfe said. “I now understand the process of growth through learning.”
CU Boulder on Thursday recognized about 9,000 graduates from the fall 2021 and spring and summer 2022 classesduring its first inperson commencement ceremony since 2019 after the coronavirus pandemic forced the university to host virtual celebrations in 2020 and 2021. NBC correspondent Tom Costello was the featured speaker.
Wolfe, 26, initially planned to pursue medicine like her boyfriend advised, but fell in love with research while at CU Boulder. This fall, she will begin working on a master's degree in biochemistry at CU Boulder, she said.
Wolfe said her boyfriend is no longer alive, but because of him, his experience and encouragement, she has accomplished so much.
“It feels not like an ending but a perfect continuation,” she said. “I feel like I am set up for the future in a way that I never would have expected.”
Before students made their way to campus on Thursday, many waited for The Sink to open at 6:45 a.m.
“It's been great to tell all of the
graduates congratulations,” said Tell Jones, a partner with the iconic restaurant. “We’re definitely getting a bigger crowd than 2019.”
Jones said it’s important for The Sink to be able to show the graduates and their families a good time after their years of hard work at CU Boulder.
“It’s great to see people again,” he said. “It’s really special.”
Later at the ceremony, President Todd Saliman reminisced about his commencement ceremony — about 32 years ago — where he said he also wondered the same thing many students were thinking Thursday morning: What’s next?
“I never dreamed that I would be speaking to you as the president of my alma mater — now your alma mater,” said Saliman, who was recently named president of the four-campus system. “I am incredibly humbled and honored to have this opportunity to help lead CU into the future as the university’s 24th president.”
Before the ceremony, a group of women who have never met in person posed for pictures with the University of Colorado Boulder mascot Chip in the Norlin Library Quad.
Stacey Mcdole, Bailey Riddle and Ashley Humphrey graduated on Thursday with master’s degrees in organizational leadership, a fully online program at CU Boulder.
Mcdole, of Denver, said she had been to campus before but Riddle flew in from Arizona and Humphrey traveled from Missouri for the graduation. They both said it was their first time exploring Boulder.
They wanted to attend the commencement ceremony on Thursday to meet everyone in-person after 18 months of only virtual interactions.
“I have a degree, I want to walk,” Humphrey added.
Riddle said she enjoyed the flexibility the program offered and that she was able to complete the courses while still working fulltime.
“It’s a bittersweet feeling,” she said. “It keeps you really focused and on track every single week.”
Mcdole said she always planned to pursue a master’s degree. When the coronavirus pandemic happened, she decided it was the right time to enroll in school.
“I lost my job during COVID and this program actually helped me get my new position, so I work for the City of Denver now,” she said.
Nearby, John Schlaerth stood in the grass in front of the Eaton Humanities building Thursday morning and chatted with his parents while his brother took photos of campus.
Schlaerth, who received a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering at Thursday’s commencement, moved from California to attend CU Boulder in 2018.
When Schlaerth first started at CU Boulder, he planned to major in physics, but quickly changed tracks. He offered advice for any prospective students: Keep an open mind.
“Make sure that you do a ton of research on all the opportunities at your school before you go and don’t have just one thought,” he said. “I think the best paths are usually the ones that you don’t think of the first time.”
In the fall, Schlaerth said he’s starting school at Columbia University where he will pursue a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. His ultimate goal is to be an entrepreneur.
“I feel like CU Boulder has done an amazing job at laying out a path for that…”
Before undergraduate students moved the tassels on their caps from the right side to the left, Costello offered a few parting words.
“Think before you tweet,” he laughed.
Costello, an award-winning journalist and CU Boulder alumni, told students a college degree doesn’t mean you know everything but means you know how to learn. It means you can investigate, contemplate and search for answers. As students move on from life in academics or pursue other degrees, he reminded them to use these skills to find the facts, the truth and to create civil discourse.
“If we change things, we will unlock the vast potential of your generation and of the entire country,” he said. “If we don’t start this, who will? As you start your post-cu life, those are actually secrets to success in whatever you do.”
“I lost my job during COVID and this program actually helped me get my new
position, so I work for the City of Denver now.”
Stacey Mcdole
graduate with master’s degree in organizational
leadership