Author: lambright2

The greater Madison community is invited to attend the inspiring and memorable graduation ceremony for students of the UW Odyssey Project class of 2018 on May 2 at the Great Hall of Memorial Union that will feature guest speaker Judge Everett Mitchell.

In 2008 Sherri Bester graduated from the Odyssey Project, University of Wisconsin–Madison’s two-semester humanities course for adults facing obstacles to a college education. That achievement inspired her daughter Keziah, who participated in a related program for kids called Odyssey Junior in 2015-16.

It is both a physical space and a broader philosophy, one rooted in building relationships — connecting UW–Madison with an area whose residents historically have had less access to the university.

“I want to learn more, I want to listen more, I want to grow more,” writes Bruce Moore as he completes this year’s two semester Odyssey Project.

“I wish cancer got cancer and died.” This was Tandalaya Taylor’s seven-word poem for a class assignment through the Odyssey Project at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Emily Auerbach, a woman who has dedicated her life to helping adult learners overcome seemingly insurmountable barriers to higher education, has won the 2018 ATHENA Award.

Emily Vander Velden will help low-income adults overcome obstacles to higher education.

With only a high school education, one participant found that many doors were closed to her. Now, with Odyssey by her side, they are starting to open.

Josephine Lorya, a refugee from South Sudan, obtained her master’s degree at UW–Madison, thanks to the Odyssey Project’s life-long commitment to its students.

They enrich the Odyssey class with their varied perspectives, just as multicultural newcomers have always enriched America.