When the 45th spring commencement ceremony at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside got under way May 17 in the De Simone Gymnasium, Deidre Damon, Westosha Central High School, was honored as an outstanding graduate. The morning ceremony awards degrees to graduates from the College of Business, Economics, and Computing and the College of Natural and Health Sciences. The afternoon ceremony awards degrees to graduates from the College of Arts and Humanities, and the College of Social Sciences and Professional Studies. Both ceremonies are open to the public.
One of Damon’s faculty nomination letters supporting her as a UW-Parkside outstanding graduate closes with: “The Chemistry Department does not make these nominations lightly. In recent memory, Deidre is only the third student we have put forward for this award.”
Her letter to the award selection committee offers a glimpse of a life enriched: “Before I came to Parkside,” Damon wrote, “I wasn’t sure I would be able to graduate from college.” The high school valedictorian was concerned about the cost of education and the need for a positive support network.
“Because of my opportunities at Parkside,” Damon said, “I was able to accumulate enough scholarships to live on campus. The staff and students became my support network, and I finally felt like I belonged.”
Damon entered Parkside with 32 credits in advanced placement course work. That, plus taking an average of 16 credits per semester, enabled her to complete the chemistry major and a biological sciences minor in three years. Associate Professor of Chemistry and Chair of the Chemistry Department Gary Wood wrote in support of Damon: “In my 25 years in the Chemistry Department, I can’t recall a student who has achieved this much in such a short time.”
She also led the Chemistry and Math clubs, served in the National Residence Hall Honorary and worked as a tutor in the Parkside Writing Center.
Damon now finds herself in the enviable position of beginning the Ph.D. chemistry program at Ohio State University. “Parkside saved me from failing,” Damon said. “I will become an influential scientist because of what Parkside has given me.”