Deceased theater student awarded degree
LA CROSSE, Wis. (AP) — A theater student who died in a fire has been awarded the first “extraordinary” degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Peter J. Talen, 23, was killed in a house fire near UW-Madison in November. Talen had been a student at UW-La Crosse, but took a break in the fall of 2007 and was planning to return in January 2008, said Bill Clow, interim associate dean for the College of Liberal Studies and director of the School of Arts and Communication. Clow nominated Talen for the degree on behalf of the theater department, he said. Clow led the drive to establish the extraordinary degree concept, which was approved by the UW-La Crosse Faculty Senate and the leadership of the university, according to UW-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow. “Peter was a treasured member of our theater department,” said Mary Leonard, associate professor in the Department of Theater Arts, before presenting the degree to Peter’s parents, Tim and Patty Talen at the commencement ceremonies Saturday. “He loved to create.” After, guests, family and some of the more than 1,500 students graduating gave them a standing ovation. An extraordinary degree can be awarded to students who die during their studies at UW-La Crosse, but not during their final year, Gow said.
May 18, 2008 at 11:10 p.m.
Suggest removal
Yes, that is a curious statement. Can anyone explain what is meant by that and why there would be such a rule?
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.