University of Wisconsin-Madison Odyssey Project - English ...

University of Wisconsin-Madison
Odyssey Project
Graduation Ceremony Program
6:30 PM, May 13, 2009
Great Hall, UW-Madison Memorial Union
Introductory music by Robert Auerbach
Opening Remarks
Emily Auerbach, Odyssey Project Director
2009 Friend of the UW Odyssey Project Award
The Caritas Foundation
Congratulatory Remarks
The Honorable Shirley Abrahamson
Chief Justice, Wisconsin Supreme Court
Presentation of certificates and comments by graduates
Closing Congratulations
Marshall Cook, Odyssey Project Writing Coach
Emily Auerbach
Reception and more music will follow.
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An Open Letter from Emily Auerbach,
Odyssey Project Director
On September 10, 2008, we gathered for the first time around tables at the
Harambee Center in South Madison and began talking about the revolutionary
poetry, painting, and philosophy of William Blake. For almost every
Wednesday evening from then until May 6, 2009, we had with us in the room
Socrates, Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens, Emily Dickinson, Mahatma Gandhi,
Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, Langston Hughes, Rembrandt, Frida
Kahlo, Walt Whitman, Martin Luther King, Jr., Toni Morrison, and so many other
writers, artists, leaders, and thinkers. As students worked their way toward six
UW credits in English and American literature, we had an extraordinary journey
together, filled with discussion, learning, and laughter.
This journey owes its beginning to Earl Shorris’ pioneering work in establishing
the Clemente Course in New York City dedicated to the belief that exposure
to the humanities can be transformative. After Earl Shorris appeared on
Jean Feraca’s Wisconsin Public Radio show, Jean campaigned for a program
like it here in Madison. This year Jean engaged the class in thoughtful discussions
of philosophers and an impassioned celebration of Walt Whitman’s
democratic vision.
With us every Wednesday night on this journey has been Marshall Cook, Writing
Coach, and all around Most Encouraging Human Being. Each week all of
us eagerly awaited his “Mindbender” exercises breaking down sesquipedalian
words. Because of Marshall Cook’s teaching, all students have gained more
interest and confidence in writing as a means of self-expression.
Other key UW faculty enriched us with their enthusiasm and knowledge.
Students relished the heated discussions of American history they had with
Craig Werner. Under his leadership, history was not a mere list of battles and
presidents but a rich mosaic of people, songs, images, and ideas too often
left out of the conventional narrative. Anna Andrzejewski guided us through
artistic movements from ancient Greece to present-day America and through
the colorful world of the Chazen Museum of Art. Many guests visited our
classroom as well, most notably Baron Kelly, distinguished Shakespearean
actor and professor of theatre who helped even shy students find their voices.
Alumna Kegan Carter (Odyssey ’04) not only designed the student newsletter
(the Oracle) and yearbook but also guided students through the creation of
visual and verbal self-representations. Other guests included Joe Elder, Robert
Auerbach, David Auerbach, Michael Birkely, Chris Teuton, Doug Bradley, Alan
Attie, Rick Amasino, and Erik Wright.
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“The UW Odyssey Project is more than a weekly class where we discuss great
writings and works of art. Personally, it has been a life jacket tossed just as I
was about to drown in a sea of uncertainty. On Wednesday nights we feed
our bodies, then our minds. Wonderful guest speakers challenge our ways of
thinking, and before you know it you are writing allegories, comparing
Martin Luther King and Gandhi, performing Shakespeare, writing poetry,
and discussing what separates Greek from Roman architecture. Analyzing
great works and great people keeps you aspiring to greatness yourself.”—
James Horton (with classmates Roberta James, Erika Rosales Serate, and
Dominique Christian)
No program this complex can succeed without extensive work behind the
scenes. Program assistant and Odyssey coordinator Diane Dennis managed
the budget for this multi-grant funded project, ordered textbooks, assisted
students, and located community resources. This year she was honored at the
Chancellor’s house with a much-deserved Classified Employee Recognition
Award for her stellar service.
Last year we began a tradition of announcing a “Friend of the Odyssey Project
Award” at our ceremony. Generous private donor Jane Blumenfeld received
the 2008 award. This year we are pleased to recognize the Caritas Foundation
for several years of generous and continuing support of the Odyssey Project.
Caritas Foundation founders Frederick P. and Deborah A. Schwartz and their
three children (Sarah A. Kuemmel, Katherine T. Schwartz, Joseph M. Schwartz)
display an inspiring commitment to social justice and education. We hope
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they continue to contribute to our project for many years to come. Congratulations
to the Caritas Foundation for receiving the 2009 Friend of Odyssey
Award!
We have many friends of the project, and the generosity of others wraps
around us like a soft, warm quilt. Please see pp. 27-34 for our acknowledgments
of partners, sponsors, and donors. Whether you brought a casserole
as part of the meals coordinated by Julie Haberkorn of the Business Forum,
donated books to our students’ children, or wrote us a much-needed check to
help defray tuition costs, please know that we are very, very grateful.
We also thank all alumni from the first five years of the Odyssey Project who
have dropped by on Wednesday nights to offer their words of encouragement.
In addition to Kegan Carter (’04), we have benefited from the office
work of Oroki Rice (’07) and childcare assistance of Sherri Bester (’08). We are
so pleased that roughly half of our graduates have continued their journey
toward college degrees; one has recently been accepted to graduate school.
Others have made us proud by becoming community activists and engaged
citizens.
Now the most important thanks of all. To the students, I say thank you for
working so hard and expressing yourselves so honestly. Thank you for encouraging
each other to persevere despite obstacles. I know that when some
of you came home from a full-time job sweeping floors, only to pick up three
children from daycare, fix them supper, help them with homework, wash their
clothes, and finally get them to bed, the last thing you felt like doing was
memorizing lines from Macbeth, interpreting the Federalist Papers, or writing
a summary of Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience. But you did.
I thank you for your warm hearts, strong consciences, courageous spirits, and
keen minds. It has been a privilege and an honor to work with you this year
and to count you among my lifelong friends. Doors now stand open, and
staircases lead upward. Keep climbing to that next step, letting nothing and
nobody get in the way of your dreams. May we always stay close and help
cheer each other onward.
Love,
Emily Auerbach
eauerbach@dcs.wisc.edu
608-262-3733
21 N. Park St. Room 7468
Madison WI 53715
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Acknowledgments
The Odyssey Project benefits from the generous support of many partners at
UW-Madison and in the community.
University sponsors include the Division of Continuing Studies, the College of
Letters and Sciences, the Department of Liberal Studies & the Arts, the English
Department, the UW Anonymous Fund, the Office of Campus Child Care and
Student Services, the University League, the UW Foundation, and the UW-
Madison Retirement Association and PLATO.
Sources of community support, scholarships, and grants include the South
Madison branch of the Madison Public Library, the South Madison Health
and Family Center-Harambee, the Business Forum, the Caritas Foundation,
the Evjue Foundation, chapters of PEO and Delta Kappa Gamma, Unitarian
Alliance, Unity of Madison, Womenade, AAUW, and dozens of other charitable
local groups, businesses, and individual donors listed later in this program
(pp. 27-34).
Students and staff extend heartfelt thanks to all who have supported this
project. We also acknowledge Christina Finet for her work designing this
graduation program and other Odyssey materials.
“I’d like to thank my boys for being patient with me and for coming along
for the ride. I’m so glad they were thought of and could go to on-site childcare
while I went to class. Thank you to all of the childcare staff. I honestly
couldn’t have done this without your help.”—Wynetta Taylor
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Support for the UW Odyssey Project
Madison Public Library:
Chris Wagner*, Lori Smetana, Rebecca Shows, Justin Wilson (Odyssey ’08),
Carrie Stellpflug, Leslie Boettcher, Megan Forbeck, Cindy Klabacka, Brad Jeffries,
Barb Dimick, Maureen Green, Ruth Sias, Julie Mellenthin *head librarian,
South Madison branch
South Madison Health and Family Center Harambee:
Jennifer Lord, Director
Chazen Museum of Art
Anne Lambert, Education Specialist
UW Administrative Support:
Diane Dennis, Tom Boll, Bobbie Wang, Liberal Studies & the Arts
Dean Marv van Kerkerix, Division of Continuing Studies
Dean Gary Sandefur, College of Letters & Sciences
Advisors, Counselors, and Student Support Services:
Roxanne Allison, UW Admissions
Martin Rouse, Sarah Stilp, UW Adult and Student Services Center
Margaret Bermanini, Student Bus Program
Journalism, Photography, and Web Assistance:
Kegan Carter (’04), Oracle and Yearbook designer
Richard Baker, Photography
Keith Meyer, additional photography
Christina Finet, Marketing and Communications Office
Sara Ziemendorf, Learning Support Services
Thomas Jasen Gardner (’08), website work
Milele Chikasa Anana, UMOJA Publications
Alan Ng and Judy Brickbauer, DCS, database assistance
Childcare:
Lynn Edlefson and Joyce Jennings Currier, Campus Childcare Center
Dane County Parent Council: Debbie Wilcox (site director), Sandra Lebi, Patty
Washington, Debbie Ham, Sarah Beuthin
Sherri Bester (’08), volunteer
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UW Foundation:
Ann Dingman, Catharine Webb, Martha Taylor, Rudie Flietner
Dinners:
Business Forum of Madison (coordinator Julie Haberkorn)
PEO Chapters
University League
Tuesday Morning Booktalks
AAUW-Monona Chapter
Local restaurants (see p. 33)
“To be where I am now, the graduating class of 2009 Odyssey, is a dream
that has become a reality. This is one of the first real, tangible things that I
have stuck with and finished.”—Felicia Jones
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Song of the Odyssey Class of 2009
Inspired by Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself”
We celebrate ourselves and sing ourselves.
We are the Odyssey Class of 2009.
Our ancestors came from Chicago, Illinois; Yazoo, Mississippi; Racine, Wisconsin; Memphis,
Tennessee; Brokenbow, Oklahoma; Waycross, Georgia; Detroit, Michigan; Malvern,
Arkansas; Mobile, Alabama; Terra Haute, Indiana; Finland, Mexico, Italy, and France.
Speaking English, Spanish, Finnish, Italian, French, Hebrew, pig-Latin, ebonics, and sign
language.
We have lived on a farm in Michigan, on Chicago’s Southside and Cabrini Green, in
Jacksonville, Florida, Houston, Texas, Mexico City, and here in Madison, Wisconsin.
We have worked at McDonald’s, Burger King, Taco Bell, Wendy’s, Popeye’s, Rocky Rococco,
Walmart, Aunty Anne’s Pretzels, Copps, and Whataburger, taken care of children
at La Petite Academy, cleaned grease exhaust systems, built mausoleums, cut meat,
dealt blackjack, and delivered newspapers.
We have been an office manager, pharmacy technician, library assistant, weapons
specialist for the National Guard, bank teller, telemarketer, dishwasher, telephone
operator, nanny, CNA, waitress, sandwich maker, dockworker, janitor, gardener, truck
driver, oil changer, wood finisher, mail sorter, battery maker, armored car driver, sign
language interpreter, security officer, construction worker, car washer, secretary, cook,
and Mexican Army nurse.
We have been a loner, hard worker, procrastinator, good listener, sportsman, realist,
thinker, helper, buffer, and seeker.
We call ourselves Baptist, Apostolic, Muslim, Catholic, Jehovah’s Witness, Pentecostal,
Church of God in Christ, Lutheran, Methodist, Bahai, African Methodist Episcopal, Buddhist,
Wiccan, and nondenominational.
We are happy, frustrated, tall, sexy, slim, coarse, big ‘n beautiful, intelligent, classy,
impressive, spiritual, caring, loving, silent, loquacious, friendly, shy, busy, outgoing,
dependable, educated, confused, spontaneous, dedicated, courageous, gifted,
funny, special, exciting, enthusiastic, outspoken, lovable, dedicated, determined, lost,
magical, daring, remarkable, emotional, strong, sturdy, unwavering, fragile, busy,
good-hearted, easy-spirited, compassionate, humorous, interesting, grounded, kind,
energetic, vivacious, optimistic, helpful, eager, friendly, proud, creative, imaginative,
opinionated, appreciative, humble, reliable, honest, trustworthy, generous, faithful, artistic,
passionate, loyal, biased, tired, sentimental, God-fearing, sweet, focused, always
smiling, and ambitious to be somebody in life.
We are the Odyssey Class of 2009.
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Odyssey Graduates Class of 2009
Anderson, Felicia
I was kicked, punched, and pulled down by discrepancies
of life. Now I am a part of an odyssey
that I once thought I could never complete because
of the burdens of life that surrounded me.
Without my daughter, Destiny, who gives me
wings, my godmother, Alisa Rimson, who helped
me see, my newest friend and teacher, Emily
Auerbach, who believed in me, and Jesus himself,
who picked me up and filled me, I would have
given up on my dreams.
Now I sit before your sight with my new family by my side, blessed to stand
before your face and say, “I have completed my journey and I still believe in
me!”
Barners, Ricky Fall semester
I feel confident that I can change my life so that
I can have a positive future. I realize this second
chance I have with the help of the Odyssey
Project can give me guidance and motivation to
reach high and get my degree. I don’t know what
type of degree I want, but I have the Odyssey and
my classmates to help me decide what I want to
do with the rest of my life.
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Barnett, Nicole
I would first like to thank the Lord Jesus Christ,
who made tonight’s special event possible and
let us all unite together.
Also I would like to thank my guests. Thank you
to my loved ones, Serenity, Destiny, Deborah,
Angie, Abe, and others that I have not mentioned.
Thank you for sharing such an amazing evening.
And special thanks to the UW Odyssey Project instructors
who have been motivational, inspiring,
and encouraging to all of the classmates. Emily,
Marshall, Diane, Craig, Anna, and Jean, you are all truly a blessing to each and
every student here tonight—and those in the future.
When I first arrived at Odyssey, I discovered it was truly something different,
something unique. As one former student said, “In other educational
institutions, you are not going to get the same kind of love, family, support,
and genuineness as you do in Odyssey.” Every week coming to class felt like
another pair of blindfolds lifting off my eyes. As I grew more and more used to
my classmates, I started to open up, meet new people, and have an interest in
things that I typically would never have run across, from Greek and Roman art
and philosophy to Shakespeare to Socrates and more.
I now venture on a great journey while accepting every opportunity that is
presented to me. Thanks to my classmates and instructors, we’ve all come a
long way. Like one song artist has mentioned, “Life is a journey not a destination,
there are no mistakes just chances we’re taking, we must lay down our
regrets because all we have is now—to better our future.” I’m like a ship taking
its first trip on a new voyage to success.
Bester, Samuel
First of all, I want to thank God for putting me in
the Odyssey. Then I want to thank all the professors,
volunteers, sponsors, cooks, and everybody
behind the scenes. Last I want to thank my mom,
Sherri Bester (Odyssey ’08), for believing in me.
The great step for me was to expand my education
so when I grow up I will tell my kids all the
little stories. So thanks once more for every book,
assignment, meal, and hour of help. God bless
you all.
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Brown, Lavern Francelon
I want to thank my wonderful children for always
keeping me coming each and every Wednesday.
I also want to thank my loving mother, Veida
Brown, who could not be here today due to AIDS.
May she rest in peace. I also want to thank my
foster mother, JoAnn Dailey, for being there for
me through good times and bad times. Thanks
also to my family members.
I want to thank all 32 of my classmates who not
only opened their minds up to me but also to the
world. Finally, I thank Emily and Coach, who have accepted me into this program
and filled me not only with knowledge but the ability to go and conquer
anything in this world.
Thank you, Odyssey !
Christian, Dominique Quatora
When I applied to be a part of the Odyssey Project,
I didn’t imagine that I would be accepted: I
knew I would be chosen. The desire to want, the
courage to begin, and the will to achieve was the
profile of my photo and the strut in my walk. Yes,
my past was primarily built upon mistakes, regrets,
and questions, but I was not going to allow
those things to hinder my promised future filled
with dreams and beliefs.
When we received our very first homework assignment,
which involved reading, the only thing I could think of was, “Lord,
get me through this year.” Over time I became comfortable with my mistakes.
Over time I accepted that I may not understand everything we read and write
in class, and over time I threw passion in with will and out came a future college
graduate.
There is nothing like doing something that makes other people happy for you,
but when you accomplish something that makes yourself happy, it changes
your perspective on your life.
I would like to give thanks to my mother, Shirley Carter, my sister, Tasha Christian,
and my two little brothers, Courtney and Christopher McKoy. I would like
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to give thanks to my friends and family who made sure I made it through to
the end with blessings, laughter, and enthusiasm: Sierra Clark, James Davis,
Sharee Rice, Natalia Johnson, Debra Hamlin, Marie Wilson, and last but not
least, my Odyssey friends.
Garel, Robert Lewis
When I applied for the Odyssey program, I
thought I knew what to expect because I’ve
known people that were in it a few years back.
However, when I got accepted and actually
started going through this journey, I realized that
I opened a can of worms that will not go back
in the can. I feel I have to learn more, ask more
questions, and never settle. Before, I felt like I was
alone in how I felt. To my surprise, there were
31 people that shared that same hunger, and I’d
starved myself long enough.
I’d like to thank my classmates for being genuine people and for not writing
me off. I thank my professors for not giving up on me, seeing something in me
that I didn’t know existed within me, helping light my fire, and showing me
how to keep it going throughout my life so I will never freeze again.
Harris, Otis Leville, Jr.
When I applied to the Odyssey Project I was
nervous. I didn’t know what was ahead, and the
unknown is always scary. I heard back from Emily
that I was accepted. I was relieved but still nervous.
I hated school and the normal class setting.
However, Emily’s class was like none other.
Since the first night of class, there has always
been something exciting going on: from Socrates
to Shakespeare, to William Blake to Cimabue, to
Martin Luther King, Jr. to Langston Hughes to Emily
Dickinson. There’s always something going on. I am now excited to reach
higher, deeper, and wider to learn and read and write. My peers are always
amazing, challenging each other to do more, to strive harder, and to reach
deeper.
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I’d like to thank God for life, strength, and hope, my wife, Felicia, for continued
love and support, my parents for sound wisdom and being there, and my siblings
for pushing me to be greater. Thanks to Emily, Coach, Diane and Alumni.
It’s my intention to continue learning until Christ comes back or calls me
home.
Harston, Tiffany Fall semester
My struggles have been hard, my road ahead a
tough one, but here within the Odyssey I found a
way to be free—free to speak and let my mind be
free, free to learn more.
I started the class feeling lost and a little confused.
I continued this class with the hope of
furthering my education in nursing or pharmacy
technology.
I would like to thank my professors and my
classmates, especially Mary. Thank you for having
the love and compassion to push your “lil” sister to stay focused and keep her
head up.
I love you all. Thank you, Odyssey Class of 09!
Hayes, Antoinetta Fall semester
I can still remember submitting my application
on line for the Odyssey Project. It was after I had
read all the Oracles that were posted on-line. I
was so taken by the writings of the alumni. It was
like I was able to see their light come on, or shall
I say their writing transformation. It was then I
knew I had to be a part of this project.
When I found out I had been accepted into the
program; I was overwhelmed with joy. I felt so
blessed and privileged. As I think about the first
day of class, I remember the look on the faces of my classmates. They looked
a lot like me: eager, determined, and hopeful. Also, my teachers Emily and
Coach were very inspiring and spoke with such enthusiasm of this journey we
were about to begin.
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This itinerary would come with many challenges and obstacles; from the
readings of Plato to the writings of Emily Dickinson. And we must not forget
the battles on our home front that we all tackle, such as our children, our
home, and our own well being. However, it would be Emily the same inspiring
enforcer that kept many of us motivated and engaged at these difficult times.
I would like to thank all the professors for this rare opportunity and especially
Emily whom I interviewed with for admission into this program. Emily saw my
fire and determination even through my many shortcomings while on this
voyage. And to my fellow classmates whom have traveled this passage with
me, may all that we learned keep us going and help us transcend our struggles
as we continue on. I would also like to take this time to thank my family
and my beloved sister Sharon for babysitting Wednesday after Wednesday
and for all that she does. May God bless us all!
Horton, James Ernest Lamont, Sr.
It would be impossible to explain what Odyssey
has meant for me. I have laughed, learned, and
silently cried over these two semesters. I have
met new friends and reconnected with some old
ones. Odyssey has been an uplifting experience
for me and my self-esteem.
I especially want to thank Emily, Coach, and
Diane, give special shout-outs to Jean and Craig,
and thank the supporting cast that helps keeps
the class fresh week in and week out, not just
on my behalf but also on behalf of my mother, Yasmin, a fellow graduate
(Odyssey ’07). I have done some cool things in my life, but this clearly is in
the “Top 5” of all time.
In closing, I would just like to say that I hope this Odyssey never ends and
continues in some form or another so that everyone who needs this type of
productive, all-inclusive, nurturing familial environment can find it.
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James, Roberta Ann
I have so many people in my life who have been
my total support system. For me to attempt to
name them all today would be mission impossible.
Even though a little over a month ago I relapsed
on alcohol and drugs and am going to be
in treatment for the next couple of months, I shall
never forget the love, perseverance, and compassion
I got from all of my classmates in Odyssey
2008-2009. Thanks for making learning fun. This
class taught me that life is worth living, people
are worth remembering, and that I can be better
than fine wine in due time. I love you, my Odyssey classmates.
Please don’t let me forget the lessons I learned and the hardworking instructors
who deserve special recognition. They have made me feel whole again. I’d
like to with all my heart thank Emily Auerbach, Marshall Cook, Craig Werner,
Jean Feraca, Anna Andrzjewski, and Diane Dennis, as well as Marline Pearson
of the Couples relationship class and also Oroki Rice (Odyssey ‘07). May God
bless you.
Thanks to my friend and sponsor, Bonnie Benson, as well as my neighbor and
special friend, George. Thanks, George, for holding on to your million dollar
smile; I love you. I look forward to seeing you all again at my college graduation.
God loves you and I do too!
Johnson, Rhonda Nicoelé
As an older mother with children, I must admit
that I was a bit nervous about going back to college.
For years I had dreamed about it, thought
about it, prayed about it, and even cried about it.
You see, I was the daughter in my family who was
always told, “You will be a doctor someday.”
Although I attempted to attend college when
I was 18 (I was there for a year and a half), my
dreams were shattered when scholarships
didn’t come through. My parents were getting
a divorce, and I was told by my father that he and my mother just couldn’t
afford it. I stuffed what I like to call my wall of shame deep down. I even tried
to smother the inner cries of my desires to go to college by marrying young
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and having children. For years I put my feelings on the back burner of life as I
worked hard to be a good wife and loving mother to my children.
However, the smothering cries within me started to yell. One day as I lay in
bed, I couldn’t ignore the call any longer; I needed this. I had to do it for myself
and my children. How could I preach to my children “Go to college, go to college,
go to college” if I hadn’t done the same?
Odyssey was the saving grace that soothed my soul and calmed the spirit of a
once broken 19-year-old girl. I give God all the glory for Odyssey.
I am truly indebted to my wonderful professors, Emily, Coach, Jean, Anna, and
Craig. I also appreciate Diane Dennis so much—she holds it all together. To
my parents, Hamp, Sr., Alliene, and Sandra: I couldn’t thank you more. I give
more honor to my four beautiful, talented, anointed, and spirited children:
Hamp II, Micah, Simone, and Sienna. It is because of your unconditional love
that I was able to complete this journey.
I also want to thank Milele and Lily for their encouragement. To my best
friends Jan and Richard, I am grateful for your friendship.
May God bless us all as we continue down the road that leads to our destiny.
Jones, Felicia
I am 40 ½ years old and never in my wildest
dream could have thought I’d be graduating with
six college credits and taught by brilliant, caring,
and compassionate minds. I’ll never forget
the day Emily called me for an interview. I was
happily almost screaming, “Yes, I’ll get to graduate
again.” I had just had a graduation ceremony
at MATC Mitby Theater that June for people who
had successfully gotten their GED and HSED.
I hadn’t sat behind a desk since January 1986
when I dropped out of high school.
To be where I am now, the graduating class of 2009 Odyssey, was a dream that
has now become a reality. Yes, I really get to walk across as a graduate, something
that I hadn’t done since my eighth grade graduation in 1982.
This thought brings tears to my eyes. I can’t be awake; I must be dreaming. I
always started out doing something but never got to finish. This is one of the
first, real, tangible things that I have stuck with and finished.
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This ending is really just the beginning of what I want to do. I will be enrolling
in MATC to get a degree in Human Services to become an AODA counselor at
the treatment facility where this new life began in September 2007.
Lawrence, Shanita A.
I was originally turned down for the Odyssey
Project and, like Tim O’Brien explained in “On the
Rainy River,” ‘it was like a physical rupture—
a crackly-leaky-popping feeling.’ Tears welled up
in my eyes. My breathing became shallow and
I remember thinking, “I can’t talk or I will break
down.” Walking through that door that first minute
I was looking for something, anything to save
me. I was drowning and was reaching for a life
preserver, a friend, a hand. Unbeknownst to
Emily, that day was perhaps the hardest day that I had had since being
released from prison.
I was so excited when I finally got the call from Emily letting me know I was in
the class. I feel that this class has allowed me for the first time that I’ve been in
school to truly express my thoughts and feelings—whether verbally or on paper—and
to be myself and to discuss touchy issues. I feel a part of something
great. Odyssey has taught me to dig deeper within myself.
I would first off like to thank Emily, Coach, and Diane for being here not only
on Wednesdays but throughout this entire journey. I thank Jean, Anna, Craig,
and the many guests who became friends for taking time out of their days to
come and sprinkle us with their different gifts. I thank all of the past graduates
who set the bar high so that we would dig to the depths of our soul and
allowed us to share our own special treasures with each other. I thank my
classmates that showed up rain, sleet, snow, or sunshine, giving of themselves
freely, openly.
Thank you, Auntie Mary, for encouraging and pushing me to apply for the
class in the first place; without you this would not have been possible. Thank
you, Markeith, for making me strive to be the best mother that I can. Thank
you, Mom, Dad, Grandma, Shannon, Precious, Lamont, Janelle, Nancy, Auntie
Alice, Uncle Greg, Uncle Steven, Uncle Eric, my other Auntie Mary, Fredrick,
Ricky, Douglas, Kate, and Denise. To the rest of my family and friends, thank
you for believing in me and standing by me. To all of you I say...... THANK YOU!!!
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Lawrence, Shannon
I would like to thank Emily Auerbach for giving
me the opportunity to be in the Odyssey Project,
Marshall Cook for putting the extra time in on my
writing skills and for helping me to believe in my
writing, Diane Dennis for always greeting me with
a smile and asking how I am doing, making me
feel at home, and guest teachers Craig Werner,
Anna Andrzjewski, and Jean Feraca for coming
to class. I thank my classmates, now my close
friends; everyone is beautiful and bright. I thank
my family and friends outside of Odyssey who
keep pushing me forward and on the right track. I would like to thank you all
for believing in me. Thank you.
I was introduced to the Odyssey Project through my Aunt Mary (Mary Wells
’07). She never graduated from high school, but she didn’t give up. She went
to MATC to get her GED and showed me it was never too late to go back to
school. She spoke highly about the Odyssey Project and said I should give it
a try. I had dreams about going to college and become someone I could be
proud of. I had my share of bad choices. The choice of enrolling in Odyssey
was the best choice I’ve made up to date. I plan on taking the next steps in
getting back in school and keep on making the right choices.
Lewis, Sherice
To the Odyssey Class of 2008-2009, you were my
motivation. Thank you! All of the sarcasm, jokes,
ideas, thoughts, questions, and answers that were
thrown around in our circle of love were fulfilling.
Thank you! I appreciate every last one of you for
not giving up on me and welcoming me through
the doors every Wednesday night. The laughter,
silence, debates, tears, happiness, and pain were
all worth it these eight months because it was
shared in a group that could listen, love, learn,
and live. Thank you!
Emily Auerbach, you are something different, indescribable, but you are a
people’s person. Thank you for making me wait a year before you put me in
the Odyssey class and on this intriguing journey. Writing, reading, and speaking
slang or changing up to proper English has become easier. Thank you!
18

Craig Werner, you are the best history teacher I have ever had! The next class
I take will be African American studies or some type of history course. Coach
Cook, you are the coolest English teacher. If you were my high school teacher,
I probably wouldn’t have dropped out! Your emails and feedback were very
helpful and important to me. Thank you! Ms. Jean Feraca, you made literature
and philosophy arousing to the mind. I read Socrates and Whitman just so
I would be able to converse back and forth with you. Thank you! All of the
alumni and volunteers who stopped by, participated, and shared ideas and
experiences, thank you! To the Odyssey program, I say THANK YOU!!!
The Odyssey program came into my life at the right time; 2008 was a hectic
year for me and my family. But the readings from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,
Langston Hughes, Whitman, and others had me focused on everything in the
circle of life except the negative. The books and the writing assignments kept
me busy--busy thinking about the things that I have accomplished already
and my goals.
The Odyssey Program is unexplainable. You would never believe how this
class affects your everday life--your family, friends, coworkers, and most of all
yourself. Truth be told, this class is ONLY for the chosen. The class is to help us
at least think about our conviction and purpose in life. The Odyssey Program
is the underground tool to learning, love, and life.
McDaniel, Alice F.
When second semester ends, when we come
closer to the end of this journey with the Odyssey
Project, when the Wednesday nights will not
be filled with the excitement and the hunger for
learning, when the creative and lively discussions
are over, the laughter of classmates and the professors,
the friendly freedom to disagree is over,
then what will fill my Wednesday nights?
As this class member of ’09 graduates, I intend
on becoming an advocate for Healthcare Reform
workers who need a union steward and form a prevention program for youth
and employment training. I want to be a part in the creation of some long
term programs which will assist in making life better and in turn will help
educate some of the youth and young adults in making choices that will lead
to college.
19

As a result of being in the Odyssey Project, I cannot sit idly by. I want and need
to help others, just like the Odyssey professors and other staff has helped
make me a proactive individual.
If you see the need, try to fill it as you were blessed by God to share with
others. Thank you, Odyssey.
Moore, Mary Lucille
In my journey to learn, I traveled through the
endless, empty pages called my mediocre life trying
to find excitement and events to write my life
story with. In Odyssey I’ve come across Walt Whitman,
Socrates, Plato, Harriet Tubman, Frederick
Douglass, Emily Dickinson, Tim O’Brien, Francisco
Jimenez, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm
X, John Brown, and Langston Hughes. The more
paths I cross, the more I know that as long as I live
my path will go on forever and my life story will
never really end.
Pelto, Betsy Ann
Before I applied for Odyssey I had just closed a
nine year chapter of my life. During this chapter
of my life I acquired two lives: Camellia Rose and
Remy Ariana, my daughters.
I spent nine years of my life in a relationship that
never grew, like a planted seed that never sprouted.
There is a song, and in this song the singer
asks, “I wanna know have you ever seen the rain
coming down on a sunny day?” Well, I have: my
children were my rain, my nourishment to push
me towards the sunlight. My children opened me up to new things.
I ended up meeting Dwayne Bland II, former Odyssey graduate (Odyssey
’07). I would like to thank Dwayne, my children, and the Odyssey program for
changing my life.
20

Robinson, Emily L.
Looking at the big picture helped me to figure
out why Emily accepted me into this journey. For
many years I’ve put off my education because
there was no one there to push me to continue.
Something told me inside that this is my chance
to succeed in something, so don’t give up. I now
have a continuing advantage to keep learning no
matter what it takes.
I give thanks to the Odyssey Project and my
instructors for pushing my pursuit of happiness
and giving me the confidence to strive for better education. I feel that now I
can somehow help my kids with questions they may have sometimes, or open
my eyes to things better than just me. I want to find out more and journey to
where I know I should be with the knowledge and ideas and goals to get me
there.
Rosales, Erika Serate
When I came to the USA from Mexico City, I
wasn’t sure about the way my life would go
because English is my second language. I started
learning my new language, English. This was really
hard and still is, but thank God one evening
in 2008 I got a letter from UW. One of the best
opportunities of my life was to be a student of
the Odyssey Project 2008-2009.
I enjoyed every Wednesday night with all my
teachers, classmates, and volunteers that make
possible the Odyssey Project.
I want to thank all my teachers, classmates, my family, and my beloved son,
Juan. I really want to let Emily and Coach know how we appreciate their help
even when they were having a member of their family sick at home. Even
when they had personal problems, they were there for us to give us support,
help, and why not a hug or just telling us one word of hope. For all of what
you did with me, now I have a hope for success in life.
Congratulations to all graduates of the Odyssey Project 2008-2009. We did it!
21

Sallay, Charles P.
Ha!!! I made it!!! Lord knows there were some
times when I felt I wasn’t going to: there were
the trials and tribulations that everyone goes
through at one point or another when trying to
accomplish the goal of attending college (working,
transportation, being there for your family,
and just living life on life’s terms).
Then there were the personal trials, the ones I
like to call my mental stability (my procrastination,
my ability to talk myself out of a good thing,
addictive personality, etc.): overcoming those trials was a challenge, a difficult
task.
But through it all there were a few people there who kept me strong and kept
me going through this Odyssey of mine: Emily, Coach, Diane, Craig, and most
all my fiancée, Annette Bland (Odyssey ’06). If not for my love, Annette, this
Odyssey and many others may not have happened. Thank you, Pookie, and
thanks to all my Odyssey instructors for expanding my mind.
This program was quality education.
Sandoval, Karla Michelle Ruiz Fall Semester
Hi! I am a 24-year-old mother of a 9-year-old boy
who makes my life worth living. I am very thankful
for the opportunity the Odyssey Project gave
me. I got the opportunity to meet people with
different backgrounds, perspectives, and ways of
thinking.
I learned a lot not just from Emily, Marshall, and
everyone that gave us their precious time, but
also I learned other things about myself that I
didn’t know I knew.
It is my intention to earn a bachelor’s degree as a social worker.
I thank my son for being patient and understanding my absence every
Wednesday and also my boyfriend, Angel, for being there for me.
22

Scott, Debra L.
Today I turn 50, May 13, 2009.
I wish to thank my teachers and my classmates
who were always there for me. My friends and
family stayed by my side, all with gentle criticism.
When my grandfather died and when I got sick,
Emily sent me flowers.
I’ve had some real hard times this last year and
the whole Odyssey Project worked with me. I’ve
come to believe that I can be worthwhile. My
hopes and my dreams haven’t come true yet,
but they will with the continued support of family, friends, and the Odyssey
Project.
I wish to thank everyone who has helped support me throughout this last
year of the Odyssey Project: classmates, family, and friends.
I’ve had a real difficult time this last year—sickness, death, struggles with my
own demons. Emily, Oroki, Coach, and Diane have always been but a phone
call away. Through all my ups and downs, I’ve had much support.
My dreams still are yet to come true. But knowing that I am an Odyssey graduate
will help keep me strong along the journey yet to come.
Shumpert, Edwin Fall semester
When I applied for acceptance to the Odyssey
Project, I knew it was one of the most important
opportunities in my life. When I got accepted, I
was totally exalted with joy and enthusiasm. My
experience has been beneficially challenging, but
the opportunity of being in the atmosphere has
been so fulfilling that words cannot alone express
how I have transcended and been given the skills
to leap through the rest of my life.
I want to thank everyone who introduced me to
the Project and give special thanks for being accepted.
23

Taylor, Stephen Fall semester
I turned 18 on May 8, 2008. I love to be challenged
physically and mentally. I wanted to participate
in this program to, first of all, help me get
into college and further my education. I would
learn how to write properly, and it would give me
the kind of discipline I need in college. I promise
to work hard, be responsible, and be another success
story.
Taylor, Wynetta
The Odyssey has been everything I thought it
would be, and everything I wanted it to be. I
wanted to dive in to some in-depth literature and
challenging studies. The UW professors gave me
exactly what I was looking for. I’d like to thank my
boys for being patient with me and for coming
along for the ride. I’m so glad they were thought
of and could go to on-site childcare while I went
to class. Thank you to all of the childcare staff. I
honestly couldn’t have done this without your
help. Thank you to all of the professors for the
personal and valuable guidance. To Josephine Lorya (Odyssey ’08), thank you
for sharing this treasure with me.
Travis, Cameron Vashon
“You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only
one.” This John Lennon lyric could have been the
theme for my entire life. Unfortunately, dreams
aren’t tangible in what we call the “real world.”
I would dream of a family, a home, a career, and
being part of a cause that will influence generations
to come. Then my eyes would open and
dreams would fade like tarnished love, not so
shiny as it was when new. It stayed like a centuryold
willow tree.
24

A portion of my dreams has become a reality: the sight, struggle, and survival
of my education. I always hoped to improve but didn’t know how.
The Odyssey Project gave light to my dark path. The cornerstone of my
achievements I would like to say is my mother, Mary Laura Boggan. She not
only gave me life but also loved me when I couldn’t find it in me to love
myself. The goals I achieve and give back to the world are my thank you. Live,
love, learn.
I also would like to thank Bill Dusso, my lawyer, for assisting me with my court
litigation and making a change in the lives of my children and myself, and to
thank Jamie O’Dea, my best friend, for supporting me thorughout this Odyssey
and so much more.
than 20 years.
White, Lea N.
“Hello, educational world! It is so nice to see you
again! It’s been a long time, and I am so glad you
moved back into my life!”
This is how I feel about the ride I have been on
since September 2008. I started this class with
lots of anticipation, but I didn’t know of what. I
have always loved school, learning, and teaching.
But when you are out in the world, your “temporary
break” from school can turn you into a single
mother of three in what seems much less time
I have learned a lot and know I have much more to learn. Being a part of Odyssey
has allowed me to know who I am and who I remember I was. We are not
formed from our successes all the time. Our failures are what make us strong. I
really appreciate the Odyssey staff who shared the minds, emotions, and lives
not only of the 2008-2009 class but also of all the students before me.
I would like to thank my peers but most of all my children for giving me up
on Wednesday nights and my mother for putting up with them. As we listen
tonight, you will hear people who have overcome many obstacles. We didn’t
fall to stay down. We have picked ourselves up and dusted ourselves off. We
have not only arrived, we are moving forward, so don’t be surprised if you see
us around!
25

Willis, Jaunté M.
I’m a quiet person with a BIG mouth. I have a lot
to say and don’t know how to say it!
I want to first thank Emily for having picked me
to be in the Odyssey journey. I have loved this
experience and hate to see it go. The love of the
class is too much to express. It lets you know how
much you don’t know. Oh God, my life!
I’ve got my sister to thank for taking my boys for
me on Wednesdays, keeping them until Thursday,
and giving me a full report on how mad at me the
boys were for going to school and then not coming to pick them up so they
could sleep in my bed and crowd me out.
Next I want to thank Azariah a.k.a. Taz for playing in the toilet, sitting in the refrigerator,
eating lunchmeat, playing in the lotion, running around naked, and
calling Miss Nitta, all while I’m doing my homework. I thank Raekwon a.k.a.
Fatty, and Rakim a.k.a Rocky (da lil’ baby), for telling on Taz for all the craziness
he caused.
I want to thank my God, Jehovah, for pushing me and making all things
happen.
I want to thank all the classmates that felt me when I cried in the second class.
I want to thank myself: “Thank you, self. I love you! Keep pushing, girl!”
Dennis Cotton (left) and Charles Tucker also joined us for part of the journey.
26

Abrahamson, Seymour &
the Hon. Shirley
Adler, Julius & Hildegard
Aherns, Katherine
Aherns, Kay
Albrecht, Mary
Anana, Milele Chikasa
Anderson, Carolyn
Anderson, Celia
Anderson, Linda
Anderson, Mary Lee
Androski, Helene
Ansfield, Lynn
Appen, Alice S.
Arnell, Carla
*Attie, Alan
*Auerbach, Emily
Auerbach, David &
Amanda Ferrier
*Auerbach, Robert &
Wanda
Babcock, Kay
Babcock, Steven & Karlee
Bach-y-Rita, Esther
Backhaus, Becky
Bailey, Kathy
Baillies, Nan & Tom
Baker, Richard
Baker, Robert
Baldwin, Helen H.
Balfour, Sandra & Ray
Balio, Tino
Barnhart, Jodi
Barry, George & Kathryn
Bartell, Jane
Bassin, Beverly
Baus, Kathleen
*Beck, Isabel
Beck, Nancy
Becker, Cheryl
Becker, Patricia
Becker, Susan
Bell, Charlotte
Bender, Patricia
Bendoritis, Jen
Benevenga, Cynthia
Bennett, Kathie
Individual Donors
Bentzen, Inge
Berg, Roy & Dorothy
Bernstein, Susan
Bernsten, Trudy
Berry, Mary Pat
Beshears, Wesley
Bicknell, Frances
Biermeier, Anna
Billman, Jr., J.K.
Binau, Kathryn
Binning, Dorothy
Birkemeier, Helen & William
Birkley, Michael
Bisgard, Gerald & Shary
Bishop, Coral
Blake, Katherine & Philip
Blanchard, Converse &
June
Blasi, Janice
*Blettner, Jill & Robert
Bloomer, Mary
*Blumenfeld, Jane
Boll, Linda & Thomas
Bondurant, Christopher &
Sandra
*Borghesi, Nancy Taylor
Bostian, Lloyd & Gennie
Bourdeau, Heather
Bourguignon, Linda
Boyer, Ann C.
Boyle, Mary
Braun, Yeang-Eng L.
Bray, Kathryn & Robert
Bredeson, James
Breilid, Erik
Bromley, Joyce & Dan
Brooks, Norma
Brooks, Richard
Brostrom, David & Vicki
Brunette, Lisa
Brzowski, Angela
Bucaida, Joann
Buckalew, Paul
Buelow, Carol Jean
Buelow, Lois
Buglass, Tracy
27
Burbach, MarySue
*Burgess, Ann B.
Burian, Jennifer
Burish, Helen T.
Burlage, Kim
Burnham, Sudie
Caballero, Gretchen
Caldwell, Susan
Caldwell, Theron
Calkins, Joan
Cameron, Adrienne
Campbell, Elizabeth
Campeau, Carolyn
Candlin, Linda
Carnell, Susan
Carpenter, Sally & Thomas
Carroll, Nancy
Carstens, Laurine
Carter, Darnetta
*Chang, Alec Y.
Chapman, Robin
*Chapman, Roger
Charly, Phillada
Cibula, Jan
Clark, Kenneth & Suzanne
Clifton, Kelly & Mayre Lee
Clum, James A.
Cohen, Laura
Cohen, Marcus & Sheila
Collins, Joan
Cole, Robert
Coleman, Judy
Condon, Karin
Conklin, Elizabeth
Conley, Carol Sue
Connelly, Joseph
*Cook, Marshall
Cooper, Liz
*Cornwell, Dan & Pat
*Corry, Joseph & Barbara
Crawford, Dee
Culbertson, Michael &
Claire
D’Orazio, Victoria
Dahlberg, Elizabeth
Daniel, Kathleen
Danis, Jane

Davis, Julia
Davis, Lorraine
De Boor, Elizabeth
Dennis, David & Diane
Desautels, Jeannine
Dewey, Beatrice & Gene
DeWitt, Judith
DeWitt, Julie
Deyo, Jane
Dilba, Mary Hathaway
Diller, Deborah
Dobson, Ruby
Donkle, Cheryl
Dorl, Nancy
Dortzbach, Laura
Dott, Nancy & Robert
Dowdell, Tracy
Dowling, William
Drane, Robert & Susan
Dubrow, Heather
*DuPre, Chris
*Durand, Bernice
Dzick, Mary
Easton, Paul & Barbara
Eaves, Beth
Ebsen, Ruth Ann
Edelman, Bacia
Edlefson, Lynn
Edwards, Patricia A.
Eisner, Jane
Elbaum, Nathan & Louise
Ellingboe, Ann
Ellinger, Hada
Elsas, Betty
Englund, Eric & Jane
Evans, Jane K.
Evert, Mary
Fahey, Kathy
Falch, Jackie
Farley, Gene & Linda
*Farrell, Patrick
Faulkner, Lynn
Feeny, Fredrika & William
Fennema, Elizabeth &
Owen
*Feraca, Jean
Fessenden, Patricia &
Robert
Finman, Ted & Susan
Fischer, Lisa
Fisker, Donna
Fleury, Ann
Fluck, Ellen
Flynn, Diane
Foltz-Sherer, Mary K.
Foss, Darsi
Fowler, Robert
Frank, Jean
Friedman, Susan & Ed
Froehle, Jeanette
Frudden, Grace M.
Fuller, Lynn
Gallagher, Mary
Gardner, Sue
Gates, Pamela
Gehler, Sandy
Geller-Lugassy, Irene
George, Margaret
Gerloff, Mary Ellen
Gilmore, Kathy
Golay, Janice & Jean-Pierre
Goldberg, Dick & Lisa
Munro
Goomey, Natalija
Gordon, Luba
Gordon, Rachel
Gordon-Walker, Ann
Goldrick, Liam
Graf, Doris
Graff, Jane
Gray, Betty
Graziano, Mary
Gregg, Bruce & Marsha
Gross, Mary Anne
Grossman, Jeffrey
Grover, Jeanne
Grutzner, Janice
Gundermann, Marilyn
Gurda, Anita J.
Haberkorn, Julie
Haberman, F. William
Haimson, Betty
Hall, George & Joan
Hallenga, Klaas & Johanna
Ham, Elsie & Gerald
Hammer Carpenter, Karla
Hampton, Mary
Hannon, Jennifer
Hansen, Alice & Marc
Hansen, John & Joan
28
Hansen, Margo
Hansen, Sally
Harden, Suzanne
Harkness, Mary & Donald
Harmet, Lynn
Harms, Gail
*Harper, Chris
Harring, Reta
*Harris, Ann & Max
Harris, Karen H.
Harris, Matthew Henry
Hartman, Ann
Harvey, Linda
*Hasler, Hatheway
Hauser, Taissa S.
Hawkins, Jean
Heady, Kathy
Heberkorn, Julie
Hedlund, Julie
Heffernon, Lori
Heideman, Bob & Carroll
Heim, Angie
Helke Vieau, Katherine
Heller, Lynn
*Helmuth, Phillip
Hertel, Nancy
Hettinger, Marita S.
Hill, Kathy
Hill, Pat
Hinckley, Sara Lee
Hind, Ruth & Joseph
Hinke, Helen & Marvin
Hinkston, Jan
Hodges, Lynn
Hoeveler Stolper, Jane
Hoffmann, Dana
Holt, Patricia
Holthaus, Walter & Linda
Holtzman, Barbara &
Herman
Hopkins, Dianne
Hopson, Frank & Julie
Houlihan, Briana
Howard, Judith
Iltis, Hugh
Ingwersen, Niels & Faith
Iverson, Sally
Jacobson, Laura
James, Barb
Jarvis-Sladky, Kay

Jefferds, Virgina
Jesse, Nancy
Jews, Jean
Johns, Mary
Johnson, Annetta H.
Johnson, Cornell
Johnson, Elizabeth
Johnson, Fran
Johnson, Frances
Johnson, Janet Tyler
Johnson, Katheryne
*Johnson, Rosemary
Johnson, Ruth G.
*Johnson, Valerie
Jones, Joan
Jones, Lula
Jorgenson, Reid
Kalish, Charlotte
Kanazawa, Miye & Henry
Kanner, Delores H.
Kauffman, Bob & Phyllis
Kaufman, Paul
Kaufman, Sandy
Kay, Robert
Keally, Frances
Kelley, Erin
Kelley, Theresa
*Kelly, Kathleen A.
Kennan, Pat
Kerman, Iris
Kibbe, Lois
Kiemel, Carol
Kilgour, Martha & William
Kilmark, Constance
Kind, Maureen
Kinney, Cheryl
*Kleeman, Karleen
Knoebel, Joan
Knowles, Jane & Richard
Knox, Alan & Linda
Knox, Kathleen
Knutson, James & Ruth
Koberstein, Virginia
Kodoyianni, Voula
Koski, Sharon
Kremer, Marlene
Krikelas, James & Joan
Krueger, Jenny
Krueger, Moria
Kruse, Virginia Moore &
John
Kubai, Louis
Kuelbs, Polly
Kuntz, Helen
Kurman, Iris
Kusuda, Atsuko
Lackore, Helen
Lacy, Valerie
Lampman, JoAnn C.
Landahl, Carol
Lange, Robert
Langer, Audrey & Rick
Larsen, Barbara
Lau, Teresa
Laurion, Marilyn R.
Lee, Charles
Lenehan, Roma
Leon, Ann
Lerner, Gerda
Leslie, Mary Lou
Lewis, Jane
Lewis, Marcia
Liebl, Cary
Liedtke, Caroline
*Linden, Laura
Lindsay, Glenda
Lippert, Marleen &
Roderick
Livermore, Elizabeth
Lodge, Helen C.
Lohr, Elaine
Loo, Anne
Loomis, Abigail
Lopez, Marisol
Lorenz, Sally
Lucey, Patricia
Lund, Dawn
Lund, Elsebet
Lundin, Anne
Lusson, Frank & Lenore
*Lynch, Mary Polzin &
Richard
Maas, Helen
Macaulay, Alayne
Madsen, Katherine
Maegher-Springer, Patricia
Magnuson, John & Norma
Mahamed, Anita
Maher, Jane C.
29
Maier, Daun
Majer, Carrie
Mangasarian, Claire
Markel, Mark
Maroney, Carol
Martin, Anita
Martin, Howard
Martin, Jan
Masden, Katherine
Mason, Teresa
Massey, Sue
Maxwell, Martha
McCabe, Marie
McCarty, Mari
McCarthy, Joan
McCarthy, John
McClure, Laura
McCormick, Ginny
McDermott, Molly
McDonald, Pamela
McDonald, Sally
McDonald, Susan M.
McGuffin, Nina
McKay, Nellie
McMahon, Beth & Jeff
McMahon, Kevin
*McManamy, Linnea &
Phillip
McMillan, Evelyn & Russ
McPartland, Laura
McPherson, Barb
Mekemson, Mary
Melli, Joseph & Marygold
Melrose, Claudia
*Meyer, Keith
Meyer, Melanie
Meyers, Susan
Middleton, Elizabeth
*Midelfort, Sven
Miller, Evelyn
Miller, Kristine
Miller, Lynette & Robert
Misna, Christin
Mitchell, Jane
Mitchell, John & Barbara
Moen, Carrie
Moffat, Bruce & Mary
Moll, Pat
Montague, Joan
Morris, Verelene

Morse, Jan
Moser, Mary Kay & James
Moyer, Delores & Marvin
Muehrcke, Jill
Mueller, Alice & Gerald
Murphy, Janet
Murray, Liz
Myers, Susan
Najem, Inaam
Nehls, Nadine M.
Nelson, Margaret
Neuman, Deborah A.
Neumann, Lisa
Neurenberg, Sandy
Nevers, Gillian
Newcomb, Elton & Joy
Newhouse, Frances
Niles, John
Nitschke, Elizabeth &
Ruprecth
Noble, Tracey
*Norton, Mary
Nordlund, Jean
*Nyberg, Brad
Ogden, Erin
O’Reilly, Julia
Oehrlein, Sarah
Olson, Sally
Olsson, Sallie
Orton, Barry & Marilyn
Osen, Jim & Meta
Otterson, Pat A.
Oxley, Merri
Palmer, Carol
Patrick, Julie W.
Patterson, Sonja
Patton, Jeanne & Robert
Paul, June
Pauly, Catherine
*Paunack, Arline
Peckham, Carolyn
Pelanek, Sue & Phillip
Perelman, Leslie & Seth
Perlis, Theresa
Perlman, Kato
Peterson, Arlene & Lloyd
Peterson, Eva
Petonic, Mary Frances
Pettersen, Gloria
Pfeiffer, B.J.
*Phillips, Gene
*Phillips, Yenna
Pirsch, Bridget & John
Pizer, Jane
Pollock, Ann
Press, Charles & Nancy
Preston, Roberta
Priebe, Mary
Pritchard, Richard
Putra, Susan & Mark
Rab, Sara
Rabin, Marvin
Rabin, Ralph
Rae, Julie
Raemisch, Rosanne
Ragland, Nancy
Rall, Fran
Rall, Louis
Rappé, Lori
Rather, Susan
Rashke, Mary Lou
Read, Sheila
Reames, Fred & Sherry
Reddington, Michelle
Reed, Erna
Reeve, Sheila
*Reinartz, Elizabeth
Reneau, Robert & Carol
Richter, Clarissa Sue
Rider, Claire & Daniel
Rieselbach, Nina W.
Rinelli, Paula
Ringen, Holly & Scott
Ris, Theron Caldwell
Ritter, Karla & Mark
Roberts, Wallis
Robinson, Sybil
Rodini, Eleanor
Roelke, James & Jeaneen
Rogers, Joel
Rogers, Leroy
Rogers, Patricia
Rosemeyer, Lindsay
Rosenstock, Carol
Ross, Mary
Rossi, Solveig
Rosser, Annetta H.
Rossmiller, Lois
Rothering, Kathleen
30
Rothschild, Judith &
Michael
Rouse, Kendall & Mary
Rowe, Don
Rowlands, Roma
Rubenstein, Hiasaura
Rundle, Joan
Rusch, Sandra Stratton
Rybeck, Suzanne
Salamat, Shahriar
Salinger, Jane
Sandefur, Gary & Kathy
Sanford, Kathleen
Santiago, Kimberly
Sater, Lois
Sattler, Carol
Saunders, Karen
Scarpace, Peggy
Scarr, Amy
Schaeffer, Nora Cate
Schalch, Don & Joanne
*Schapiro, Irene
Scharer, Jane
Schatzberg, Eric & Maura
Scheffenacher, Eve
Scheid, Linda
Scherer, Mary Kay
Scherpelz, Carrie
Schilling, Joan
Schilling, John & Linda
Schmidt, Marcia
Schneider, Hans & Miriam
Schrag, Beverly
Schram, Pat
Schroeder, Margaret
Schten, Ed & Marilyn
*Schulenburg, Eric & Jane
Schuler, Michael
Schulz, S. Clare & Rockwell
Schwalbach, Mathilda V.
*Schwartz, Debbie & Fred
Schwegel, Joan
Scott, Charles & Mulgrew,
Anne
Seeger, Susanne &
Andreas
Seen, LaVonne
Segueira, Elizabeth
Seif, Barbara J.
Sell, Kathleen

Sellers, Patricia
*Sellers, Stuart Kendall
Senn, Lavonne
Shakhashiri, Bassam &
June
Shands, Jobelle A.
Sherman, Jack & Lou
Sherven, Lisa
Shorris, Earl
*Shults, Laurie
Siberz, Mary
Siehr, Steven
Sikora, Judy
Singer, Blanche & Marc
Siskind, Sarah
Skinner, Wendy
Skloot, JoAnn & Robert
Skoronski, Robert &
Ruth Ann
Skyes, Jim
Slautterback, Marilyn &
David
Smith, Betty
Smith, Eva Solcova
Smith, Jennifer
Smith, Margaret
Smith, Sherry
Smith, Tricia
Sober, Norma & Elliott
Sondel, Paul & Sherrie
Sorenson, Marian
Speerstra, Gretchen
*Spencer, Alice &
Christopher
Sperling, Ellen
Sperling, Kristine
Staats, Anita
Stack Hughes, Linda
Staker-Woerner, Janet
Stamm, Greg & Linda Mc-
Carroll
Stark, Sharon
Stathas, Shirley
Steeves, Elyane M.
“We don’t have enough programs like Odyssey to help educate the less
fortunate. You can’t measure the value of people by their financial worth. So
why is it that we let people of value that want to learn fall by the wayside?
It is our responsibility as a human race to make sure all who want to learn
are given a chance to enhance their minds and make the world a better
place.”—Betsy Pelto (discussing Emily Dickinson with classmates)
31
Stein, Charlotte
Stein, Karen
Steinhauer, Cathy
*Steinhauer, Frederick &
Nancie
Steinhauer, John R.
Steinhauer, Sandra
Steinkamp, Lisa
Stern, Linda
Stieghorst, Michael
Stoll, Harriet
Stolper, Jane Hoeveler
Strasser, Judith
Stratton-Rusch, Sandra
Strombom, Indiana
Stucki, David & Dawn
Sullivan, Martha
Summers, Louise
*Sumner, Carolyn
Sykes, Marguerite
Takemoto, Patricia
Tatge, Mary

Taylor, Martha
Tetzlaff, Helen
Tews, Jean
Thain, Priscilla
Thompson, Cliff & Judith
Thompson, Joanna
*Tibbetts, Alice & Norris
Tillotson, Maureen
Tipton, Mary
Tomaro, Judith & Daniel
Tomlinson, Marion & Ray
Toomey, Robert J.
Topel, Marcia
Torhorst, Cheryl A.
Treutel, Jamie
Troia, Judy
Trojanowski, Julia Q.
Trull, Anna
Twes, Jean
Tyler-Johnson, Janet
Tymorek, Jan E.
Updike, Karen
Utterback, Maggie
*Vanderwoude, Cynthia
Vandevort, Susan
Vandoros, Eileen
Vitense, N. Georgene
Vukelich-Austen, Martha
Wagner, Christina
Wallace, Ron & Peg
Wallman, Elizabeth
Walluks, Marian
Waskowski, Cathy
Waters, Barb
*Watson, Patricia M.
Watkins, Patricia D.
Watson, Patricia A.
*Webb, Cathy & Terrance
Webb, Mazie
Webster, Nancy
Wegmann, Mary H.
Weil, Peter M.
Wells, Mary
Wengert, Barbara
Werner, Craig
Whipple, Judith & Carlyle
White, Carolyn
White, Maurice & Grace
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Widder, Nancy &
Theodore
Wilcox, Diane D.
Wilding, Helen & George
Willett, Carol
Williams, Barbara
Williams, Margaret
Wiora, Deb
Wiskieski, Sharyn
Woerner, Janet
Woerpel, Mary Jane
Wolff, Daniel
Wright, Erik & Marcia
Yandow, Donald & Jean
Young, Lisa
Zach, Elenor
Zarek, Donna & James
Zarnstorff, Bev & William
Zellmer, Mary
Zeps, Betty S.
Zimmerman, Irene &
Daniel
Zobel, Faith
* We give extra thanks to the following individuals for donating $1,000 or more to the
Odyssey Project.
Many individual donors to the University League’s Odyssey Fund may not be
listed here, and we may inadvertently have omitted other contributors or failed to
acknowledge a spouse. Please let us know if you see errors so we can correct that
in time for next year’s program. Whether you donated $10,000 or cooked us a casserole,
we thank each and every one of you!

Businesses and Organizational Donors
AAUW Monona & Watertown Branches
Allegro Piano Service
Alliant Energy
Bank of America
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Bernice Schapiro Shafer Foundation
Bishop’s Bay Bookclub
Blettner Group
Business Forum of Madison
Caritas Foundation
Christensen, Glaser, Fink, Jacobs, Weil,
& Shapiro
Clark Family Trust
Copps Food
Cullen, Weston, Pines, and Bach
Dane County Cultural Affairs
Daughters of Demeter
Delta Kappa Gamma, various chapters
Division of Continuing Studies
Evjue Foundation
First Unitarian Society
Forbes Meagher
Gino’s Restaurant
Glass Nickel Pizza
Herzfeld Foundation
J.H. Findorff & Son Inc.
Jane Austen Society of North America,
WI chapter
Letters & Science
Lynch Family Fund
MG&E Company & Foundation
Madison Area Retired Educators
Association
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Madison Community Foundation
McGraw Hill
Memorial United Church of Christ
Monona Plumbing & Fire Protection
My Menu
Norton Company
Panera Bread
Parfitt Facial Plastic Surgery Center
PEO, various chapters
Pierce’s Northside Market
Pizzeria Uno
Quixote Foundation
Rosati’s Pizza
Rotary Club of Madison Breakfast
Foundation
Steinhauer Charitable Trust
Subway Subs
Tall Grass Foundation
Terry Family Foundation
UMOJA
Unitarian Universalist Alliance
United Way of Dane County
Unity of Madison
University Bookstore
University League
University Theatre
UW Retirement Association
Wisconsin Humanities Council
Women’s Club of Madison
Womenade
WORT Radio

Honorary and Memorial Donations
David and Amanda Ferrier Auerbach,
Beth and Jeff McMahon, and Melanie
Meyer in honor of their mother, Emily
Auerbach
Emily Auerbach in memory of Frank
Carruthers III, brother of Odyssey ‘07
graduate Angel Lightfoot
Emily Auerbach and Keith Meyer, in honor
of Robert and Wanda Auerbach and
their journey out of poverty through
free higher education at Berea College,
and in memory of Ruby Meyer and her
journey back to school late in life
Robert and Wanda Auerbach in memory
of Gustava B. Irwin
J.K. Billman in honor of Carla Arnell
Richard Brooks, Barry Orton, & Emily
Auerbach in memory of Curtis Taylor,
brother-in-law of Mary Wells (Odyssey
‘07 alum) and Lowell Hall custodian
Linda Candlin & Pamela Gates in memory
of Marcella Candlin
Joseph Connelly and Rachel Gordon in
honor of Don Miner
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Pat and Robert Fessenden in honor of
Bernice Durand
Barbara and Herman Holtzman in
memory of Reuben Henry Lorenz
Margaret Koop in honor of Tracey Koop
Robert & Carol Reneau in memory of
Samuel Harper
Joan Schilling in honor of Tineisha Scott
(Odyssey ’04) on her graduation from
Edgewood College
Greg & Linda McCarroll Stamm in honor
of Dale & Dianne Hopkins & family
Marion Tomlinson in memory of
Stella Revell
Robert J. Toomey in memory of
Robert G. Toomey
Patricia Watkins in memory of Georgina
Forbes
Patricia M. Watson, Emily Auerbach,
and the Norton Company in memory
of Nellie McKay, pioneer of African-
American literature

Odyssey
Lyrics by Marilyn Sims, Music by Corey Saffold
(Class of 2005-2006)
Verse 1
One day I met up with Odyssey,
He said, “Come and go on this journey with me.
I’ll introduce you to the Humanities,
This I can guarantee.”
Chorus
Odyssey, Oh Odyssey, thanks for this opportunity.
Odyssey, Oh Odyssey, thanks for showing me my destiny.
Verse 2
After only a few months, I was mesmerized
Then I realized
I had been given instructions to succeed
Studying philosophy.
Chorus
Odyssey, Oh Odyssey, thanks for this opportunity.
Odyssey, Oh Odyssey, thanks for showing me my destiny.
Bridge
Odyssey, you have captivated my mind,
Every time I look, I’m reading a book,
I’m looking up words, those I never heard
I’ve been redeemed
I’ve been restored
I’ve been persuaded
Now I want more because knowledge is the key,
Knowledge is the key
(repeat entire bridge)
Vamp:
Knowledge is the key (repeat 5 times)
35

Rhonda Johnson (center) with “family” members Alice McDaniel, Debra
Scott, and Jaunté Willis
36

Odyssey—You are Family to Me
By Rhonda Nicoelé Johnson
(Class of 2008-2009)
We didn’t know that the road we once traveled
Would lead us to this journey—Odyssey
We didn’t know that the mountains and the valleys
Would lead us to this journey—Odyssey
Chorus
Oh, Odyssey!
You mean more to me—than a book I read—a story told…
You are family. Oh, Odyssey!
You mean more to me—than a poem I wrote—
a song I sang…You are family to me.
Now God has joined our hearts as one
And we must love one another as He loves us
So when your heart is lonely and you’re feeling empty,
Remember this…
Back to Chorus
Bridge
Now we must go. We must go our separate roads
and our journey untold.
But you will always be in my heart,
in my mind, and in my soul.
And may the Lord watch over us
while we are absent one from another…
(List of student names)
You are Family, You are Family, You are Family to me.
37

Thoughts on Education
“The unexamined life is not worth living.”—Socrates
“To be fond of learning is to be at the gate of knowledge.”—Chinese proverb
“Wisdom giveth life to them that have it.”—Ecclesiastes 7:12
“I am still learning.”—favorite saying of Michelangelo (1474-1563)
“The doors of wisdom are never shut.”—Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard’s
Almanac, 1755
“I cannot live without books.”—Thomas Jefferson, Letter to John Adams, 1815
“How many a man has dated a new era in his life from the reading of a
book!”—Henry David Thoreau, Walden, 1854
“Whatever may be the limitations which trammel inquiry elsewhere, we believe
that the great state university of Wisconsin should ever encourage that
continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be
found.”—Report of the Board of Regents, University of Wisconsin, 1894
“Education must enable one to sift and weigh evidence, to discern the true
from the false, the real from the unreal, and the facts from the fiction…Intelligence
plus character—that is the goal of true education.”—Martin Luther
King, Jr., “The Purpose of Education,” 1963
“That is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you’ve understood
all your life, but in a new way.”—Doris Lessing, 1969
“I feel I have to learn more, ask more questions, and never
settle.”—Robert Garel
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“The Odyssey Program is unexplainable. You would never believe how this
class affects your everday life—your family, friends, coworkers, and most of
all yourself. he Odyssey Program is the underground tool to learning, love,
and life.”—Sherice Lewis (shown here with classmate Dominique Christian)
Are You Interested in Joining the Odyssey Project?
To be eligible for the Odyssey Project, you need to be at least 18, have a high
school degree, G.E.D., or H.S.E.D. prior to July 1, 2006, have financial need
(income near the federal poverty level), possess the ability to read challenging
books in English, and make a commitment to attend classes regularly. Call Emily
Auerbach at 262-3733 for an application, pick one up at the South Madison
Public Library, or apply online at www.odyssey.wisc.edu.
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Are you interested in supporting
the Odyssey Project?
We have two different accounts and need help with both. Contributions to
either account are tax deductible. We need your help more than ever in these
hard times.
If you wish to contribute financially to help defray the cost of tuition, books,
and other educational expenses, please make checks payable to UW Foundation–Odyssey
Project Fund 12543729 and mail to:
UW Foundation
US Bank Lockbox
P.O. Box 78807
Milwaukee WI, 53278-0807
or you may donate online at www.odyssey.wisc.edu using a credit card.
Call 608-263-4545 for more information about donating through the UW
Foundation.
To contribute to the cost of food and other basic living expenses our students
and graduates face along their journey, please contribute to the Odyssey account
set up for us by the University League. This fund has more flexibility to
help students immediately with emergency needs. Please make checks payable
to the University League Odyssey Fund and mail to:
Odyssey Project
21 N. Park Street, Rm. 7223
Madison WI 53715-1218
To donate services or supplies, call 608-262-3733 or e-mail
eauerbach@dcs.wisc.edu.
Thank you in advance!
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