Delivering the commencement address will be the final exam for two UCCS students.
Paige Wilson, Denver, and Chris Richey, Colorado Springs, will deliver speeches for dual ceremonies scheduled for 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. May 23 at the Broadmoor World Arena (formerly the Colorado Springs World Arena), 3185 Venetucci Boulevard.
It is the 40th UCCS Commencement Spring Commencement Ceremony. The ceremony was split into two last year to accommodate graduates and their supporters interested in attending. More than 1,100 spring graduates are expected to participate in the festivities.
Richey will address graduates from the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences in an 11:30 a.m. ceremony. Wilson will address graduates of programs in the Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences, College of Business, College of Education, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and the School of Public Affairs at a 3:30 p.m. ceremony.
As winners of UCCS Student Achievement Awards, Richey and Wilson earned the challenge of delivering a speech to graduates that is personable, memorable and brief. It’s the final assignment that many universities delegate to politicians, authors, sports figures or comedians = used to standing in front of a crowd but with little connection to them.
While Richey and Wilson may lack experience, they excel in relationships to those in the audience.
Richey, a biology major, served as a staff assistant in the Science Center, a campus hub where students seeking outside-of-class help gather. There, Richey’s easy-going demeanor and sense of humor helped students understand complex material. He also served a co-president of the Pre-Health Society Club, helping to make it one of the largest campus clubs, created freshman seminar course for pre-health majors, and served as a faculty research assistant. Those actions came in addition to working full time on the sales staff of a local auto dealership, creating a non-profit organization to build obstacle courses on playgrounds, and serving as a volunteer for the Boys and Girls Club.
A portion of Richey’s speech will include an anecdote from his first day when he volunteered to be a lab partner with a visually impaired student, mostly because he thought it was a nice thing to do.
“Many of you might think that chemistry lab would be difficult or dangerous if you’re blind, but nobody told Joe that,” Richey said. “He helped me with every procedure, did the complex calculations in his head, and corrected my techniques when I was wrong, all without ever seeing me. His positive attitude and confidence moved me. From that point on I knew that I needed to approach college in the way that Joe did. I needed to be ambitious and never let the fear of failure stop me from accomplishing that goal.”
For Wilson, a health sciences major and a first generation college student, campus involvement was key.
Active in the Student Government Association and the Chancellors Leadership Class, she served as representative-at-large and on the diversity council in addition to the Black Student Union. She launched United Women Color and helped bring a sorority to campus. She helped organize dozens of campus events and was selected to testify before the Colorado General Assembly about the needs of students.
In her speech, Wilson will thank those who helped her achieve her goals and encourage other graduates to thank those who helped them along the way.
Following graduation, Richey plans to work for the CU School of Medicine branch at UCCS and assist in a chemistry lab before applying to attend medical school. Wilson will attend Texas A & M University to pursue a master’s degree. She hopes to become an athletic trainer.
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