"I started taking college courses 28 years ago," she said. "I'm excited this is happening."

Melissa is one of 960 non-traditional undergraduate students - defined as those who earn a bachelor's degree at age 25 or older - who have graduated from UW-Whitewater, according to an article about Melissa published on the university's website. And Melissa believes she is the first non-traditional student to serve as a graduation speaker.

This milestone is made even more special because Melissa's mom graduated from UW-Whitewater in 1971, and her great aunt graduated in 1928.