This Commencement Speech needs a listen!

Riley Garbe first came to UW-Green Bay as a fifth-grader on a Phuture Phoenix field trip, where a visit to the campus turned into a dream of one day graduating from college. Despite surviving a difficult childhood that included witnessing abuse and violence and moving from home-to-home, Garbe entered the University on a Phuture Phoenix scholarship. He was recognized by the Alumni Association as the University’s Most Outstanding Student at the Fall 2017 Commencement. He was also nominated and selected from all graduates as the student commencement speaker.

Riley’s Commencement speech is definitely one worth listening to! Here are his remarks to his fellow graduates, which were interrupted by applause and drew an emotional standing ovation from fellow classmates, friends and family in attendance.