MADISON, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Madison received diplomas Saturday.

For many of these graduates, the ceremony was a first.

“In high school, we didn't really have a graduation because of COVID,” said Park Falls native Noah Peterson. “So it kind of feels like that whole area is kind of missing.”

Many of the students had a less than normal start to their college experience because of the pandemic.

Madeline Schultz did her freshman year entirely online from home in Milwaukee. She said that had a major impact on her experience.

“I almost dropped my sophomore year,” Schultz said. “But then I really found a community in my academic department, and then my campus jobs. It made me realize that Madison is so much more than what I do online.”

Just as their college career had a tumultuous start, it also had a tense ending.

While the pro-Palestinian encampment on campus disbanded Friday, a few students still made their voices heard. Several stood and turned their backs during Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin’s speech, and one group walked out during another speech.

Schultz, who served as vice president of internal relations for the Wisconsin Union, said the protests were a stressful time, as she wanted to ensure all students were safe.

“It was stressful trying to come together during finals to really support those across all stages who are affected,” she said. “So it kind of impacted my finals schedule.”

The tensions prompted university officials to launch heightened security measures, including asking graduates to open their gowns for inspection.

Peterson said this didn’t take away from the event.

“I think it's an important cause,” he said. “If we can use our voice for stuff like that, even better, and we can graduate too, so you can do both.”

As students looked ahead to the future, they left a little bit of themselves behind at Camp Randall.

Graduate Ashanti-Sade Nichols said keeping an open mind during a rollercoaster of a college experience made all the difference. She hopes other students do the same.

“Do a lot of activities, go to sporting events and just make a lot of friends as well,” Nichols said. “I feel like that's very important as well, just to have that.”