CROOKSTON,
Minn. – Outdoors enthusiast, fishing expert, and wildlife damage extension
specialist for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Mandy Uhrich
will address the University of Minnesota Crookston Class of 2016 during
commencement exercises on Saturday, May 7, 2016. Graduates will take part in
the ceremony, which begins at 2 p.m. in Lysaker Gymnasium. All are welcome to
attend.
Uhrich, a 2005 graduate in natural resources, started her career
with the Minnesota DNR in 2001 with the Farmland Wildlife Populations and
Research Center near Madelia, Minnesota. Since that time, she has worked in a
variety of roles including the Parks and Trails Division as well as Wildlife.
She worked with the United States Department of Agriculture as a wildlife
conservation biologist where she was recognized for enrolling 9,650 acres of
private land into conservation programs—an outstanding achievement.
She spent the next six years working for the Minnesota Department
of Transportation as an operations specialist and integrated resource
coordinator managing several natural resource programs and research. In 2013,
she returned to the DNR in the position she now holds assisting private
organizations, citizens, commercial agricultural producers, and all wildlife
staff throughout the state of Minnesota experiencing wildlife damage
problems.
Living amid the lakes in central Minnesota, it is no surprise when
Uhrich isn’t at work, she is on the water. In 2016, this professional angler
will fish some 30 tournaments for three bass circuits, speak at seminars on
fishing, and volunteer her time to encourage women and girls through
organizations like Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW), Keeping Kids in outDoor
Sports (KKIDS), and others.
A
reception in the Northern Lights Lounge, Sargeant Student Center, precedes the
commencement ceremony from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The public is welcome to attend
both events; no tickets are required. Additionally, a special reception for
online graduates will be held at 10 a.m. in the Prairie Room, Sargent Student
Center, and a reception for international student graduates will be held
following commencement exercises at 4 p.m. in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student
Center.
On
Saturday at 2 p.m., the formal procession of faculty, candidates for degrees,
and platform guests will begin from the Sargeant Student Center to the
gymnasium led by Mace Bearer W. Daniel Svedarsky, professor and director of the
Center for Sustainability. The procession also includes Faculty Marshal
Lynnette Mullins, assistant professor in the Liberal Arts and Education
Department.
Bringing
greetings from the University of Minnesota Board of Regents is the Honorable
Darrin Rosha, Independence, Minn., who will also assist with the conferring of
the degrees.
University
of Minnesota, Crookston Alumni Association (UMCAA) Board President Alisha
Aasness 2012 will bring greetings from the UMCAA and welcome the new graduates
to the alumni association. The U of M Crookston Community Band under the
direction of TJ Chapman, lecturer in the Math, Science, and Technology
Department, will perform along with selections during the ceremony by the
campus choir under the direction of Associate Professor George French.
Crookston
Student Association (CSA) President Tareyn Stomberg, a senior double majoring
in animal science and agricultural business from Menahga, Minn., will speak on
behalf of the Class of 2016 and pass the torch of education, a Crookston campus
tradition, to the incoming CSA president.
The
2016 commencement exercises mark the 108th graduating class to be recognized on
the Crookston campus. A live audio stream of the commencement exercises will be
available at www1.crk.umn.edu/services/mediaservices/live/.
For
more information, visit the commencement website at www.umcrookston.edu/commencement.
