Madison's Edgewood College ushers another group of grads into the workforce.

Thousands packed the seats at the Alliant Energy Center's Veterans Memorial Coliseum Sunday for Edgewood's 2005 commencement ceremonies.

Wisconsin Appellate Judge Paul Higginbotham was the featured speaker.

Graduates say they've enjoyed the educational experience, adding now they're ready to put their studies to work. "It's excitement, it's a new start. It's just a wonderful feeling to be finished and moving forward," says Anne Palzkill, M.A. Educational Administration.

A total of 243 Edgewood students were scheduled to receive their degrees Sunday.