NMU holds commencement
Faculty speaker: 2021 grads ‘rose to the challenge’ amid historic pandemic
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MARQUETTE -- A snowstorm and a pandemic didn't prevent the Northern Michigan University fall commencement ceremony from taking place on Saturday at the Superior Dome.
Interim NMU President Kerri Schuiling congratulated the student body during the ceremony.
"We are incredibly proud of you for reaching this major accomplishment -- and doing so in the era of COVID," Schuiling said. "You navigated the historic pandemic along with your degree requirements, and for that, you definitely deserve to be celebrated today."
The pandemic caused the May and December 2020 ceremonies, as well as this past May's ceremony, to be held virtually, without in-person attendance.
Although Saturday's commencement was available to view online, it was held in person for the first time since December 2019.
Rebecca Ulland, an NMU professor and head of the Department of Languages, Literatures and International Studies, was the faculty keynote speaker. She was selected through a nomination process overseen by the Associated Students of Northern Michigan University.
"It's difficult to write a speech for a crowd of graduates, so I decided to write a letter, because I'm a letter writer," Ulland said.
The letter was written to all the graduates.
"We all had to switch to remote learning in March 2020," she said. "That was a challenge for me, but I am lucky here at Northern because our students are kind, gracious and patient. You helped me overcome several technical difficulties while I was teaching."
Most importantly, she told them they "rose to the challenge" to graduate.
"Just because you will soon walk across the stage to receive your degree does not mean that your struggles are over, but it does mean that late-night studying, final-paper editing and presentations are over, at least until you decide to pursue your next degree," Ulland said. "But despite these challenges, you have triumphed, and no one can take that away from you."
Ulland also touched on actual academic studies, which eventually included in-person learning.
"What you taught me was that students actually like studying poetry -- well, not really, but you did humor me," she said. "We learned that there is no right way to interpret a novel or a film or a poem or a play. Together we discovered that our various perspectives enriched our understanding."
Lynda "Lyndie" Unterkircher of downstate Sturgis was the student speaker at the commencement ceremony. She plans to pursue a master's degree in social work following a post-graduation gap year.
"Our presence here today was no small feat," Unterkircher said. "There have been many late nights, hard work, lots of smiles and probably some tears. There also has been a lot of stress, nervousness and times of uncomfortable growth as we dealt with hardships and the middle of an ongoing pandemic.
"To that, I say congratulations on our collective accomplishments. It takes true resiliency to make that happen."
NMU Board of Trustees Chair Tami Seavoy also addressed the university's Class of 2021.
"Today is not about ending your time at NMU, although we hope that you will take time today to reflect on the changes you've made and the accomplishments you've achieved since first stepping on campus," Seavoy said. "Rather, today is the start of your new beginning, and the NMU trustees are pleased to have this opportunity to recognize this milestone in your professional and personal journey."
Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.