Born in Wheatridge, Tammy 奥尔蒂斯, ’19., M.A. ’21, grew up in Weld county and attended 在格里利读高中. Having moved away for a time, she decided to move back to Greeley after her children grew up.
After settling back into familiar surroundings, 奥尔蒂斯 had to make some major life changes following a brief period of incarceration. Opportunities for individuals who have been incarcerated and have felony convictions on their records are few and far between. Having a college degree dramatically increases a person’s chance for success, so 奥尔蒂斯 began taking classes at Aims Community College. She earned an associate degree and then transferred to the University of Northern Colorado (UNC). 位于中心 of town, UNC was an obvious choice for 奥尔蒂斯 when it came to pursuing her bachelor’s 还有硕士学位.
“I was an older, non-traditional student so I had to be really intentional,” said 奥尔蒂斯, “I loved being 涉及到 in different things. It was a great experience. (参加 UNC] really has changed my life.”
While attending UNC, 奥尔蒂斯 seemed to have an insatiable appetite for getting 涉及到 和她的社区. She 志愿者ed at the Marcus Garvey Cultural Center, served as the election commissioner for three years with student government and attended Catalyst, a three-day, two-night retreat for UNC and Aims students, faculty and staff that examines social justice issues. 在 her time as a student, 奥尔蒂斯 developed a 社区 with students all over campus.
The 社区 奥尔蒂斯 cultivated on campus is part of why she chooses to come back and 志愿者 at UNC commencement ceremon前辈们年复一年.
“I love people, so I get to hang out and talk and chat and yell a little bit. 这是 honestly a great experience,” said 奥尔蒂斯.
Having graduated from UNC, 奥尔蒂斯 knows how important graduation is for students. 今年秋天，204名本科生ate students (43%) are going to be the first in their families to earn a college degree. With such a high number of first-generation students, this is likely to be many families' first experience at a commencement ceremony, for some, it will be their first time on campus. As a greeter, 奥尔蒂斯 helps to calm the nerves of friends and family as they walk into 颁奖典礼. For those who may not know what to expect，奥尔蒂斯充当friendly face waiting to help navigate through guest’s uncertainty. 的经验 typically culminates in a few wholesome memories for 奥尔蒂斯.
“I had one lady that told me her granddaughter was graduating. 她说，‘我毕业了 35年前的这里!’”奥尔蒂斯说. “You get to just see people at their most excited, 这是他们人生中最美好的时刻.”
UNC’s commencement 志愿者s play a vital role in welcoming graduates, families and friends to campus for UNC's commencement ceremonies. Acting as campus ambassadors, 志愿者s help provide directions, assist staff and congratulate UNC’s newest alumni 在这欢乐的时刻.
As fall commencement passes and the newest group of Bears cross the graduation stage, 奥尔蒂斯的承诺 UNC保持 它们与校园相连. Her 志愿者ism highlights what it means to be a Bear during the holiday season, and that the variety of ways in which to give back are 没完没了的.
“You can just see it on the graduate's face as they're trying to find where they’re 应该走的. You're leading them over to the gym because they tried to go into 找错楼了. You can just tell that this is a big day for them. 我不这么认为 anything in particular [is my favorite part], but just the whole feeling, it's a really exciting day,” said 奥尔蒂斯.
In just a few hours, 志愿者s like 奥尔蒂斯 can make a profound impact on UNC students anD他们的家庭. No matter how alumni and friends choose to connect to UNC and the Bear Network, they make a difference in the lives of students.
