More than 3,000 members of the Class of 2016 will graduate during UWM’s 114th commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 22. Students will receive 2,182 bachelor’s degrees, 703 master’s degrees, 165 doctoral degrees and nine flexible option degrees.

Veterans

The graduating class includes 99 veterans. UWM educates more veterans than any other school in Wisconsin and is one of only three universities nationwide to participate in all three major veteran support programs — the Pat Tillman Foundation, Upward Bound and Vet Success. These programs help veterans transition successfully from the military to higher education.

International students

Nearly 260 international students will receive degrees this May. They represent 35 countries, with the largest number of international students coming from China, Saudi Arabia, India, Iran and Germany. Overall, students from 81 nations attended UWM during the 2015-16 school year.

First-generation students

Many students graduating this spring are the first in their families to complete college degrees. More than one-third of UWM students are first-generation undergraduates. More than 8,700 first-generation students enrolled at UWM in fall 2015.

Internships and jobs

Most members of UWM’s Class of 2016 gained work experience through internships or co-ops. Graduates have accepted jobs at major companies, including Aurora Health Care, Northwestern Mutual and Johnson Controls. More than 600 employers do business in the area around UWM.

Sustainable peacebuilding

This spring’s class includes the first graduates of the Master of Sustainable Peacebuilding Program, which focuses on promoting peace through a holistic approach in developing and developed nations. The graduates are pursuing careers in nonprofit organizations, government agencies, or international non-governmental organizations.

Public health scholars

The class also includes the first students graduating from three new tracks in the Vera Zilber Public Health Scholars program. The graduates studied biostatistics, epidemiology and public health policy administration. The merit-based scholarships they received averaged $5,000 per year for master’s students and $10,000 per year for doctoral students.

Athletes

The graduating class includes 65 student athletes. Not only are UWM’s athletes successful in sports, they helped the community by volunteering 2,403 service hours during the last year. UWM athletes also do well academically. Last fall, they posted a school-record average GPA of 3.303.