The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh will recognize and applaud the achievements of more than 1,000 students at the University’s 56th midyear commencement Dec. 19.

The event includes the awarding of nearly 750 bachelor’s degrees, more than 150 master’s degrees, about 170 associate degrees and eight doctorates. The proud new graduates join the nearly 100,000 UW Oshkosh alumni continuing the tradition of success and making a positive impact worldwide.

The ceremony will stream online beginning at 9:30 a.m. and is produced by Titan TV and the Radio/TV/Film department. It will feature remarks from UWO Chancellor Andrew Leavitt, Provost John Koker and two guest speakers. After the event, a recorded version will be available online for those who missed it.

And while the ceremony takes place in the last month of 2020, students officially receive diplomas after the end of the term in January—thus, they are part of the class of 2021.

Dr. John Newman, president of Aurora Medical Center Oshkosh, is a guest speaker.

Dr. Newman, who has more than 25 years of medicine and surgery experience and also is Aurora’s chief medical officer for the Oshkosh/Fond du Lac patient service area, has worked with the University and the greater community throughout the coronavirus pandemic. He helped UWO and a coalition of partners develop robust plans and a coordinated response to contain COVID-19. His support of the UWO Recovery Task Force, helping leaders address health and safety issues particular to a university setting, along with most impactful practices to reduce transmission, was critical to the development of the institution’s Titans Return plan for fall.

Prior to joining Aurora, Dr. Newman spent nine years with Sentara Healthcare in Norfolk, Virginia. Since coming to Aurora in 2015, his accomplishments include recognition among the Truven Health Analytics Top 100 Hospitals and five stars from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Dr. Newman also had a distinguished 17-year military career, including three tours of duty in Iraq.

Sydney Devitt, a senior political science and international studies major, is the student speaker.

Devitt, a native of Crystal Lake, Illinois, graduates cum laude. Outside the classroom, she helped UWO continue its tradition of success by serving as a representative on the award-winning UWO Model United Nations team. Devitt earned a Chancellor’s Award of Excellence in recognition of her outstanding leadership as a peer mentor for the University Studies Program, a member of Oshkosh Circle K and vice president of the Oshkosh Student Association.

Beyond her campus involvement, Devitt has a passion to increase youth voter engagement. She interned for two members of Congress and served as an election engagement intern on campus. Devitt plans to pursue a career in political service with dreams of one day serving in Congress.

Learn more at uwosh.edu/commencement/