DENVER—Two-time Olympic medal-winning figure skater Michelle Kwan is getting a new title: college graduate.
The nine-time U.S. champion and five-time world champion skater will walk the stage to receive her diploma at the University of Denver’s undergraduate commencement ceremony Saturday. Kwan is receiving a bachelor’s degree in international studies with a minor in political science.
The 28-year-old Torrance, Calif., native came to DU in 2006 with a year’s worth of credits from UCLA.
She won a silver medal in the 1998 Winter Olympics and a bronze medal in 2002.
“Education is very important to me, and this year I have decided to put college first,” she said in September 2006, announcing she would become a full-time student but continue to skate in exhibitions. She said at the time she would evaluate her options the following year, including whether to return to competitive skating.
Kwan did not compete in the 2005-06 season because of a series of injuries. She was chosen for the U.S. Olympic team on a medical bye, then injured her groin in the first practice in Turin, Italy, and withdrew.
