Those graduating and attending commencement should know that Jan Woodcock is the student-selected faculty commencement speaker and will be speaking briefly at graduation.
As this is Woodcock’s last term at UCC, we at The Mainstream had some fun questions to ask her:
Q: When did you first start at UCC?
A: I’ve been at UCC for 24 years.
Q: What’s your best/favorite memory from your time at UCC?
A: Watching students figure out over a year or two how capable, bright, and worthy they are.
Q: What’s the first meal you’re going to eat after retirement?
A: Probably something from Starbucks drive-thru.
Q: What kind of plans are in the future?
A: Travel to Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Russia, Africa, Nunavut, Newfoundland and Labrador in the first year. Haven’t decided exactly where in the second year. Maybe Greece, Austria, Croatia, Bosnia, and Herzegovina.
Q: What’s something you’re going to miss?
A: The view of the trees and the river through the window in Jackson Hall 18.
Q: What’s your favorite quote and by who?
A: “The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder.” Huston Smith
Q: And finally, if you could give a piece of advice to incoming fall students, what would you say?
A: “Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves…” –Rainer Maria Rilke
This journey is one to enjoy.
— Jan Woodcock