Communication Associate: Public Relations | Lori Melton | lmelton@d.umn.edu | (218) 726-8830
May 2, 2013 Bruce Munson | Interim Dean | College of Education and Human Service Professions | 218-726-6537 | bmunson@d.umn.edu
Lori Melton | Communication Associate | External Affairs | 218 726-8830 | lmelton@d.umn.edu
Senior Taylor Kosey to Speak to UMD Commencement
DULUTH, MN – On Sat., May 18, Superior native Taylor Kosey will speak at the
University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) commencement ceremony for the College of
Education and Human Service Professions, College of Liberal Arts, and the School of
Fine Arts. Kosey will graduate with a degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders
and minors in Psychology and Deaf Studies.
The following article was written by UMD sophomore Hayley Westphal, who is
majoring in Teaching Communications Arts & Literature.
Taylor Kosey: Hard Work Rewarded
On Saturday, May 18, the UMD class of 2013 will don their caps and gowns and
participate in the long-awaited ceremony that years of studying have led up to:
graduation. Taylor Kosey, one of those soon-to-be graduates, is honored with the
task of being a commencement speaker on that exciting day.
Kosey, a Superior native, is a prime example of achievement through hard work.
Majoring in Communication Sciences & Disorders (CSD), with minors in Psychology
and Deaf Studies, her involvement in the College of Education and Human Service
Professions is widespread. Kosey is deeply tied to the CSD Department. She acts
as a student representative for the CSD Club during department meetings. She is
on the CSD Community Advisory Committee. Kosey also spent three years of her
undergraduate career in track, competing in the 400m dash.
Academically, Kosey took on a Undergraduate Research Opportunity Project (UROP)
this year. Her UROP was centered around phonotory and aerodynamic measures
of children with voice disorders, which showcased in April. For her, it was a great experience: "The school has a fantastic focus on research, and it was nice to get my
feet wet."
UMD Professor Mark Mizuko mentioned Kosey's name as a candidate for this year's
commencement speaker. Her speech will be given to graduating classes from UMD's
College of Education and Human Service Professions, College of Liberal Arts, and
the School of Fine Arts. This is the first year UMD has created two undergraduate
commencement ceremonies to accommodate expanding graduating class sizes.
When asked how she feels about graduation, Kosey states, "I'm going to miss the
undergraduate part. It hasn't hit me yet, but it's going to be surreal once it's done.
There has been a lot of work put into these four years."
After graduation, Kosey will return to UMD for graduate school. Her goal is to
become a speech language pathologist, hopefully working in a hospital with
pediatrics. For her, the department here is the best option, as she's grown close
to the faculty. "It's a close knit program and where I wanted to stay for graduate
school."
As she moves onward in her pursuit of education, Kosey is quick to give advice to
those anxious to be done with the undergraduate career.
"Don't wish your time away, it goes by so fast. These are the best four years of most
people's lives."
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