Longtime professor to speak to graduates at commencement

Alumnus and veteran professor of political science and public affairs Dennis Dresang will deliver the charge to the graduates at the university’s Winter Commencement ceremonies at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 21.

“I am deeply touched and honored to have been selected to address the graduates and I look forward to the fun and celebration,” says Dresang, who was chosen by the officers of the senior class.

Dresang has been a faculty member on the Madison campus since 1969 and has served on many university committees and the Athletic Board. He chaired the board’s Planning and Equity Committee.

Dresang was the founding director of the Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs (formerly the La Follette Institute of Public Affairs) from 1983–87, and has been the director of the school’s Center on State, Local and Tribal Governance since 1993. His research has focused on state politics, public personnel management and community issues.

His public service to the state has included chairing two gubernatorial task forces and serving on numerous tribal and local government commissions on human resource management issues.

He was the research director for Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton’s policy initiative to improve the status of women in Wisconsin, and he received distinguished service awards from the Wisconsin Women’s Political Caucus and the Wisconsin Equal Rights Council for his research and public service regarding pay equity.

Dresang earned a bachelor of arts degree in international relations from UW–Madison in 1964. He received a master of arts degree and a Ph.D. from the University of California–Los Angeles.

At the 10 a.m. ceremony, the following degrees will be conferred:

• All doctoral and professional degrees, including Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Musical Arts, Doctor of Juridical Science, Juris Doctor, Doctor of Pharmacy, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Legal Institutions, Master of Physical Therapy, Master of Public Health; all master’s degrees; and bachelor’s degrees from the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the School of Education, School of Human Ecology, School of Medicine and Public Health, and the School of Nursing.

   

• At the 2 p.m. ceremony, bachelor’s degrees from the Wisconsin School of Business, the College of Engineering, and the College of Letters and Science (including Journalism, Music and Social Work) will be conferred.

   

Each of the ceremonies will be approximately one and a half hours long. No tickets are required.

Typically approximately 1,300 to 1,500 students participate in the Winter Commencement ceremonies, according to Joe Farrenkopf of the Office of the Secretary of the Faculty.

Degree candidates and guests should arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of their ceremony to ensure they are seated at the appointed time.

Parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis in most university ramps and lots. Complimentary shuttle bus service between Union South and the Kohl Center will be available every 10–15 minutes between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Both ceremonies will be streamed live and will be accessible via the university’s web site. Windows Media Player and a broadband connection are required to view them. Viewing will be available at the start of each ceremony.