A former UW Oshkosh student, who died before being able to receive her diploma, is getting recognized.

Mary “Christina” Moodie, a communications major, was awarded her bachelor’s degree posthumously in a ceremony on Aug. 1. The event took place in the chancellor’s office and was attended by her family and university officials.

“Christina’s life reflected courage, devotion and a deep commitment to her children’s future,” said Chancellor Manohar Singh. “When her family asked us to consider a posthumous degree, it was clear to everyone that we would honor her in this way, ensuring that her legacy endures through her children and through this University.”

Moodie, 34, died unexpectedly from an underlying heart condition on July 3, 2024, at her home in Stevens Point. She had nearly completed all requirements for graduation when she passed away. Her mother, Mary Altenburg, reached out to the university after Moodie’s death, seeking formal recognition of her daughter’s work.

University policy allows for a posthumous degree if a student is within one semester of completion and the request is endorsed by the registrar, college dean, provost and chancellor.

During the ceremony, Christina’s father, Alan Meyer, read her application essay, which she had written in 2023. Moodie had previously paused her studies to raise her children but returned to finish her degree to show them, in her own words, “how valuable higher education is and I want them to see me work hard to accomplish my goals.”

For her mother, Altenburg, the formal recognition provided a measure of peace. 

“The ceremony in the Chancellor’s office was more than a symbolic gesture; it was a profoundly meaningful moment for our entire family,” she said. “But seeing her dream fulfilled and knowing that her dedication and hard work were recognized, brought a sense of peace and healing that we truly needed.