University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Odyssey Project will celebrate the graduation of its 23rd class on April 29 at 6 p.m. at the Great Hall of the UW-Madison Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St.
The event is free and open to the public.
The award-winning UW Odyssey Project aims to break the cycle of generational poverty through access to higher education. All tuition, books and supplies are provided free-of-charge to enrolled students, in addition to services such as child care, pre-class meals and academic counseling.
Odyssey’s Class of 2026 faced challenges on its way to graduation, including addiction, incarceration, food insecurity, single parenthood and more.
Students completed two semesters of humanities courses and will graduate with six UW-Madison credits.
Among the students walking across the stage will be a mom with a newborn and a father who successfully completed rehab.
The audience will hear from Odyssey graduates, and congratulatory remarks will be provided by incoming Interim UW Chancellor Eric Wilcots, a champion of the Odyssey Project and its mission.
More than 700 students have completed the program since it began in 2003.
