Ben Ogden, Olympic medalist and UVM alum (Photo credit: Gretchen Powers).
U.S. Olympic Medalist Skier Ben Ogden ’22 among featured participants in Saturday’s main ceremony
Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont has announced the speakers for its 225th Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 16.
UVM President Dr. Marlene Tromp will deliver the traditional address to the graduates as she presides over her first commencement since taking leadership of the university last summer.
“Commencement is one of the most amazing days of the year—a culmination of so much work on the parts of our students, faculty, and staff, and I am thrilled to celebrate with our degree recipients, their families and friends,” Tromp said. “It is the launch of a new era of impact for our graduates, and we look forward to seeing all the ways that they will go out into the world and boldly make their mark.”
Two-time Olympic medalist cross-country skier Ben Ogden will deliver a special guest address at the ceremony. A fourth-generation Vermonter, Ogden grew up in Landgrove, Vt. He graduated from UVM in 2022 with a degree in mechanical engineering. Ogden will be introduced by Interim Provost Linda Schadler, who was his academic advisor and dean of the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences during his time as a student at UVM.
“I remember Ben as funny, hard-working, and fun,” Schadler said. “The way he balanced his academics with his athletic commitments was really impressive.”
Ogden earned two silver medals in cross-country skiing events at the Cortina Winter Games, becoming the first Catamount to score multiple podium spots at an Olympics.
Ogden’s silver in the February 10 men’s sprint broke a 50-year medal drought for the national XC ski team, making him the first U.S. man to medal in any cross-country event since Vermont native Bill Koch won silver at the 1976 Winter Olympics, in Innsbruck, Austria. Eight days later, on Feb. 18, Ogden and his teammate, Gus Schumacher, earned silver in the men's cross-country team sprint.
The other featured speaker for commencement weekend will be Lewis First at the Larner College of Medicine’s ceremony on Sunday, May 17. First is retiring after more than 30 years as professor and chair of UVM’s Department of Pediatrics and Chief of Pediatrics at Golisano Children’s Hospital at the University of Vermont Medical Center.
This year’s UVM Commencement will feature a format change from years past: The main ceremony will be held on the university green on Saturday, May 16, instead of the traditional Sunday. Individual school and college ceremonies will be held on campus and at the Champlain Valley Expo Center.
Full details and updates can be found on the UVM Commencement website at www.uvm.edu/commencement.
About UVM: For People and Planet
Founded in 1791, UVM is the leading public university where discovery, creativity, community, and action coalesce to secure a thriving future for people and planet. Recognized among the nation’s top R1 research institutions, Vermont’s land-grant university attracts $225 million annually for groundbreaking research and enrolls approximately 14,000 students from 50 states and 75 countries. At UVM, students, faculty, and staff work together in pursuit of a healthier, greener future. Learn more at uvm.edu.
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Vermont Business Magazine