Congratulations Class of 2012!

The College of Letters & Science celebrated Winter Commencement, December 16, 2012 with friends, family, faculty and staff and Bucky Badger.

Send in your own class note and check out our photos from the reception, follow us on Twitter and connect on Facebook.

We asked students to send in their memories and plans for the future, and here's what they said:

"Graduation is only the beginning. Healthcare in the United States desperately needs reform and with the education I received as a Badger, I plan to attack these problems head-on. I have plans to go to medical school, become a urologist, and write professionally regarding public health policy reform so that critical information can be available to all." - Joshi

"I felt truly transformed as a person after studying abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I became more independent as a person as well as I immensely improved my Spanish. Living in a foreign country for five months was also an unforgettable experience, and it has inspired me to one day live and work abroad." - Lindsey

"My experience in Legal Studies 400 with Professor Ralph Grunwald was definitely one to remember. I was able to create a digital media assignment on a home that houses students who have been through the juvenile justice system. That experience opened my eyes more to how the system handles these students and what could be improved." - Adam

"Research experience at UW Chemistry Department. Wonderful learning experience where classroom meets reality." - Gergana

"Joe Elder's class Soc. 200 was the most informative class I have ever taken.  I believe it should be a mandatory class.  I was also lucky enough to take an interim class with Joe as well, Soc 496 - Queer WI 2012.  I was able to interview area individuals who were LGBTQ or their allies.  This was an incredible experience that was made possible by Joe, as he secured a scholarship spot for me.  I believe he is THE BEST Professor I have had at UW-Madison." - Christine

"In order to graduate I needed another zoology class that had a physical lab. I signed up for Zoology 460, Ecology, and basically picked it because it satisfied requirements in both my major and certificate. I was very skeptical about taking it because of the time commitment. It is now one of my favorite classes at UW. It is a great amount of work but it puts all the pieces together for me. It combines my botany background, with zoology and environmental studies. It validates everything I've learned in undergrad: why I needed to take a stats class; why it is important to have a writing requirement. The class opened my eyes to the application of my education. I may never become a Zoologist, but I'll always be an amateur ecologist." - Ashley

"Prof. Mark Louden showed me how much more there is to learn about the world and that we'll never stop learning." - Emily

"The most transforming experience I had here was undoubtedly my time in Swahili class. I took four semesters on campus and this led me to study abroad in Kenya during the Fall of 2011. The number of people to thank would be too long as almost every professor has had an impact on me, some more so than others." - Clayton

"I truly value the opportunity I had to work in two prominent psychology research labs on campus- Dr. Janet Hyde's Adolescent Development Lab and Dr. Hill Goldsmith's Wisconsin Twin Project. Participating in this novel research incited a fascination with child and adolescent psychopathology and development in me, and I acquired a great number of valuable skills that I hope to employ in graduate school in the future." - Rebecca

"My most memorable and transforming experience during my time at the UW would have to be the time I studied abroad in Seoul, South Korea. I attained confidence and growth in my identity as a Hmong American and as a global citizen. I learned about people different from me and experienced a different way of living. I was able to share my culture and learn a new culture in return. My experience in Seoul, South Korea definitely contributed greatly to the person I am now. Traveling is one of the best ways to learn about different people and especially learn about yourself. " - Victoria

"The Student SEED course offered in Chadbourne Residential College was a transformative experience for me in undergrad. In a comfortable, safe dinner setting each week, my peers and facilitators and I delved into crucial social topics relating to identity like age, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion and ability. Another course I took, Bill Cronon's History of the American Environment, had a profound impact on the way I view the world around me. After graduation, I look forward to working with Tracey Holloway, my professor for and environmental studies capstone course, to get started on a career in communications. My journalism professor, Sharon Dunwoody, has made it possible for me to attend a prestigious and exciting science writing conference in Boston this spring. The opportunity to study in Florence, Italy with the L&S Honors Program was a challenging academic experience, and because of the hands-on classes I took abroad and beforehand here in Madison I know more than I ever thought I would about subjects relating to the history of science and art, two subjects of which I have a great interest." - Sarah

"I was able to spend a semester abroad learning in the forests and communities of Costa Rica, I was inspired to re-think the way I view human-animal relationships after I took a class with Dr. Patricia McConnell. She was an amazing professor and her passion for not only the biological side of that relationship, but also the philosophical, made a lasting impression on me that I hope to carry into my career." - Emily

"Working full time with Ice Cube and seeing the successful completion of a 271 million dollar experiment.  The enhanced hot water drill was controlled by software largely written by myself." - Matthew

"One of the greatest things about my time in L&S was the broad education I received and all of the extra learning opportunities that were available to me." - Emalyn

"I knew that I enjoyed studying History before I came to UW, but it was not until I began taking classes in the department that I realized that I had a true passion for the subject. I can safely say that there was not a single class that I disliked during my time here at UW. I owe a tremendous amount of thanks to the College of Letters & Science, and the History Department more specifically for providing such a wide range of courses that have contributed to my desire to be a lifetime learner and observer. Being able to take courses in such a variety of areas and eras was extremely enjoyable and something that I feel very fortunate to have utilized while here at UW. From History 101 with Professor Sharpless to History 444 with Professor Kodesh and in between, the quality of courses surpassed all of my expectations I came to the University with. For myself personally, missing class was something that I sought to limit not because of attendance, but because I truly enjoyed the learning experience and all that was to be gained from regularly listening and conversing with the excellent faculty. All of the courses I have taken here at UW, not just history courses, have left me with a completely different perspective on the world, and I feel that I will be able to use that newfound perspective in whatever future plans I pursue, regardless of the situation." - Mark

"I took Economics 101 just to fulfill my math requirement. My professor, Karl Scholz, was so funny and charismatic. He made economics really fun to learn about, and I ended up deciding to major in it. If I hadn't have taken his class, I definitely wouldn't have thought about majoring in economics. Thanks Professor Scholz!" - Rachel

"Truth and the Meaning of Life with Russ Shafer-Landau was the best class I could have hoped to start off my college experience with.  It was very interesting and reaffirmed my choice of majoring in Philosophy." - Matthew

"I feel like my most transforming experience would be studying abroad in Brussels Belgium." - Kayla

"My transforming experience would certainly be my time in Professor Thornton's African American Studies class. This class was a service learning class and I had such a wonderful and eye opening experience in visiting Northport's low-income housing complex on the North side of Madison. He certainly had a profound impact on my education." - Jordan

"I would like to thank all of my professors for their patience and commitment to teaching well. I have exciting plans to use how I have learned to learn." - Jason

"One of the most transforming experiences that I had in college was working with Stewart Fyfe in his editing class. He inspired me to  move to LA and pursue my dreams." - Benny