On April 24, faculty, staff, donors, family and friends gathered at Memorial Union to recognize dozens of the many returning adult learners at UW–Madison. Now in its 45th year, the Outstanding Adult Student Celebration and Reception awards scholarships and recognizes returning adult students who are continuing or completing their undergraduate and graduate degrees while juggling work, family and other commitments. For many of these students, studying at UW–Madison represents years of overcoming a host of challenges, from self-doubt and addiction to health and financial setbacks.
Award-winner Ivanna Ceballos said that returning to school had been anything but easy. “Like many of us who take the nontraditional path, my academic journey was not linear.” After working for eight years, she returned to the classroom while balancing a variety of challenges. “I’m proud to say I’ll be starting a master’s program this fall, and if all goes as planned, I’ll begin law school here next year, too.”
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