Congratulations Class of 2011!

The College of Letters & Science celebrated Winter Commencement, December 18, 2011 with friends, family, faculty and staff and Bucky Badger.

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

We asked students to send in their memories and here's what they said:

"After that first month of freshman year, I never would’ve expected to be a Dean’s List graduate, an accomplished sergeant in the U.S. Army, and starting a management career in California. Of all the things I’ve learned here at Madison, hard work is the most valuable. It was more fun than I ever imagined, but it was so challenging that I feel prepared for anything." -Brady

"I volunteered with Community GroundWorks helping to run a youth farm on the East Side of Madison. I spent over 200 hours teaching kids from the Goodman Community Center and surrounding community to plant, grow, harvest and cook organic vegetables. It was a wonderful and extremely rewarding experience. I think it is very important and interesting work that touches on so many aspects of building a healthy community in Madison." - Maureen

"Herr Steakley is one of the most fun, professional and knowledgeable professors I have ever had.  I loved going to German 560 and he inspired me to be a better student and learn some German!" - Kelly

"I had a wonderful experience studying abroad in China. I learned so much Chinese and met so many amazing friends. I was able to experience the Chinese culture firsthand and encountered so many new experiences that I wouldn't have been able to in the U.S." - Emily

"I got through Physical Chemistry. There is no other transforming experience that trumps that. It was ridiculous." -Stephanie

"Madison, a wonderful campus, and a great community. Priceless experiences." - John

"Truly, the most transforming experience I have had on this campus began with taking English 201 with Kevin Mullen. English 201 fulfills Com B requirements, hence I took it with the intention of getting that requirement out of the way. I was not expecting it to be a chance in realizing that writing can be a tool to advance society through expressing the deepest and most personal concerns through diligent self-reflection and participation in open dialogue." - Jull

"I thought I had my entire college career planned out.  However, after being rocked by a chemistry class during my very first semester here, I deviated from the plan to major in a biological science for something more business related, such as economics.  I took a few classes the very next semester and found I wasn't very passionate about any of the subjects. Still not knowing what major I would pursue, I decided to take Zoology 101 during the fall semester of my sophomore year.  Professor Sharon Thoma was so passionate about what she was teaching and inspired me to re-kindle my love of biological sciences.  The following semester I declared a major in biology with the College of Letters and Science.  I absolutely loved the curriculum.  I found it both challenging and rewarding.  I am so proud to soon be able to say that I graduated with a degree in biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison." - Elli

"I became a member of the Ronald McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, which introduced me to research and graduate school.  My future is much brighter and my undergraduate experience was enhanced ten-fold." - Aisha

"I took a trip to Kenya last winter break with Badgerquest, which is a program sponsored by a church on the UW-Madison campus. I went with ten other students from UW-Madison and one leader for 15 days, and while we were there, we organized a camp for 25 children that are in the Jirani Project. The Jirani Project is a grassroots, non-profit organization in Kenya that finds individuals (from all over) to sponsor a child's education. The sponsors make it possible for the project to move vulnerable Kenyan children (who have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS, are refugees or are in other difficult circumstances), from intolerable conditions to boarding schools or guardians' homes in which they can learn and thrive. It was the most incredible and rewarding experience."- Amanda

"The wide variety of classes has truly enhanced my understanding of the world around. I am very excited to use my knowledge and motivation to make a change in the world as a teacher, and hopefully one day a professor also. I honestly wouldn't have been able to come about this without my knowledge obtained from UW-Madison." - Daniel

"In my time here as an undergraduate student, I have been lucky to take many classes within my two majors (Communication Arts/Rhetoric and French) with some amazing professors who have significantly increased my interest in the two subjects. I was lost and unsure of what I wanted to do with my life for the first two years of college, but UW has definitely helped me find my way." - Naomi

"Meeting weekly with Professor Ronald Numbers over coffee shaped my views on society and motivated me to want to do more. It is why I accepted a bid to Teach  For America in the Bay Area for the next two years instead of jumping straight into medical school." - Sam

"My study abroad experience in Lima, Peru was incredible. Living with a host family, taking courses in Spanish on Peruvian history, literature and culture and connecting with Peruvians and other international students alike, I was able to grow a more informed and accepting worldview. I became so much more confident in my Spanish that upon return to the UW, I enrolled in Portuguese as my third language." -Monica

"I've taken advantage of the opportunity to volunteer in Madison over the last few years that have been enormously beneficial to me. Some of the great places that I've put in time have been at the Dane County Rape Crisis center as a crisis line counselor, East High School helping teenagers who were falling behind in their reading skills, and at the Dane County Farmer's Market assisting with the FoodShare booth ... One gets to interact with so many families, or even single folks, who are kind, hardworking, and are trying to raise their family right.  The opportunity to do so diminishes negative stereotypes by making a personal impression that one can carry forth in order to speak in defense of folks who are doing the best they can; everyone needs a hand up sometimes." - Tracy

"I was inspired by the Wisconsin Idea and decided to engaged with the challenges of being an active member in a student-led initiative on campus. As a member of the EDGE Project team organization I maintained a role in our global society by using this renowned institution and the resources we have at hand to find creative and sustainable developmental solutions in the poorest regions of the world. I had the opportunity to travel to Lingira Island in Lake Victoria, Uganda to continue and maintain the work done in previous years by EDGE Project team members ... It is my experience with the EDGE Project that enables me to have insight into potential solutions to eradicate poverty and achieve economic development across the globe.  I am grateful for having attended a University that has provided me with the skills and knowledge to be an active voice of our generation." - Georgette

"I would like to thank Jeff Smith for teaching me about some great movies." - Joseph

"This past summer I worked with the SCA (Student Conservation Association) doing trail work with the United States Forest Service. Over all my team and I each completed about 300+ hours of volunteer trail work. We worked in a wilderness area called the South Warner Wilderness in the Modoc National Forest. We all became certified in cross cutting, and used tools such as axes, pulaski, and bow saws everyday." - Kristin

"I would like to thank my parents for supporting and inspiring me.  I wouldn't have accomplished this goal without them." - Andrew

"My study abroad experience in London during the summer of 2011 was truly a rewarding experience.  I not only got the chance to study in a different country, but also gained many valuable problem-solving skills.  I made friends with people from UW who I would now consider to be some of my closest friends. My study abroad experience came at a time in my life when I needed a change from Madison.  Coming back to Madison was like falling in love with the city for the first time all over again.  I am truly going to miss this university." - Jenny   

"Had a great experience in my time with L&S.  Great professors like Ken Mayer can make something as boring as bureaucratic structure rather enjoyable, and I really learned so much at my time here.  It was a hell of a ride.   I would like to thank my parents whose unrelenting support has gotten me to where I am in life today." - William

"One of the best experiences of my college career was helping bridge the gap between Chinese and American students through Chinese Language and Culture Club. I am so grateful to have met some wonderful people and lifelong friends as part of this great club, and learn about Chinese culture along the way." - Summer

"My favorite experience at UW was when I got to go to Mendota Mental health and visit with patients and inmates in my Psychology Criminology course.  It was what made me want to work in a prison more than I already did.  It was such a real experience, so much better than just talking about it. It was something I learned a lot from, enjoyed, and will never forget." - Jennifer

"By completing both tracks of the Journalism School, reporting and strategic communications, I feel beyond ready to take on a career in a number of fields. Not only am I equipped with writing skills for print, broadcast and Internet venues I also gained the skills necessary to develop a creative marketing campaign in each of those media as well.  Whether you double-track or not, the journalism school leaves you entirely prepared to make a difference in the industry, especially at this exciting time when journalism is taking on a new identity and purpose in our society. We honestly are the future of the industry." - Gabrielle

"My greatest personal experience during my undergraduate career was studying abroad in Dublin, Ireland. I really enjoyed the opportunity to broaden my horizons and spend time in a foreign country." -Toni

"The most inspiring class I took at UW-Madison was Gender and Women's Studies 103 with Professor Araceli Alonso. Her knowledge and dedication to her classes were amazing! I not only learned a lot about women's biology and societal issues related to women and gender, but also learned a lot about my self, enough to feel more confident, more knowledgeable about my body, and inspired to share what I had learned with my friends and the students I work with." - Angela

"I was really inspired by the faculty members of the department of French and Italian, taking classes for my second major-French, among them are Richard Goodkin, Anne Vila, Melinda Caron, Ritt Dietz, Ullrich Langer. All of these professors stimulated my interest in the material, and encouraged me to strive to become proficient in French. After graduation, I am planning to enroll in Professional Masters Program in French and Marketing and develop my skills in these two fields. Thanks for the wonderful experience!" - Yulia

"An experience that stands out in my mind is the field trip that I was lucky enough to have been a part of with my Legal Psychology class to the Mendota Mental Health Institute. Eye opening is an understatement when attempting to describe the stories that were shared with us about the backgrounds and upbringings of some of the juveniles detained there. You never really know how privileged you are until you are introduced firsthand to the hardship of others. The opportunity to witness this lit a fire within me to do all that I can in order to help those who aren't fortunate enough to be provided with the same outlets that have been made available to me." - Evan

"I'm so thankful to have had the opportunity to study at UW Madison. It has opened so many doors for me and led me to even greater opportunities. This past summer, I had the chance to study abroad in London with other students from UW. It's safe to say that the friendships I have made here in Madison, and abroad, will last a lifetime." - Jessica