Contact: Kelly Bartling, assistant vice chancellor, Communications and Community Relations, 308-224-7473, bartlingkh@unk.edu
- What: University of Nebraska at Kearney Summer Commencement
- When: 10 a.m. Friday, July 26; students line up beginning at 9:15 a.m.
- Where: Ponderosa Room, Nebraskan Student Union, west of Ninth Avenue and 27th Street
- Webcast: www.unk.edu/about/commencement/
KEARNEY – One hundred eighty-seven students will graduate July 26 at University of Nebraska at Kearney’s summer commencement exercises. Candidates for graduation include 82 baccalaureate and 105 graduate degree candidates. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. at the Nebraskan Student Union Ponderosa Room.
Thomas S. Martin, the O.K. Bouwsma Professor of Philosophy at UNK, will give the commencement address. Martin joined the Kearney State College faculty in 1986. His areas of specialization are in ethics, philosophy in literature, political philosophy, G. K. Chesterton, Solzhenitsyn and Dostoyevsky. He was awarded the Outstanding Professor of the Year by the Honors Program. He publishes essays in Gilbert!, The New Oxford Review, St. Austin Review and The St. Croix while presenting papers at national conferences across the United States. He has led seminars on Dostoyevsky, Wittgenstein and G.K. Chesterton.
A former chairman of the philosophy program during the transition from KSC to UNK, Martin has held numerous faculty leadership and advisory positions. He additionally served on Kearney Catholic High School Board, including two terms as president. His address is titled “Know Thyself.”
Friday’s ceremonies will open with the national anthem, performed by soloist Addison Herren of Juniata. Herren graduates Friday with a bachelor’s degree in musical theater. He will be accompanied on the piano by Dan Yu from Nanchang Jiangxi, China. Yu graduates Friday with a music performance degree. Both Yu and Herren earned honorable mention academic honors.
Hannah Harmon of Dawson will give the graduate reflection. Harmon graduates Friday Magna Cum Laude with a sports administration degree. Harmon was a member of the Honors Program and Phi Eta Sigma honorary fraternity, Chancellor’s Leadership Class and Dean’s Academic List.
She earned numerous scholarships and awards, including the Multicultural Community Service Scholarship; Multicultural Affairs Student Leader and Freshman of the Year Awards; Rosenlof/McKenzie Outstanding Sophomore Scholar Award; and the Department of Health, P.E., Recreation and Leisure Studies Scholarship. She has also been active in undergraduate research, student government, the Sports Administration Majors Club and coaching youth soccer and volleyball.
Harmon’s work experience includes a practicum with the UNK Athletic Department, an internship with Tri-City Storm Hockey and work as a sales associate at Kearney’s Viaero Event Center.
Most recently Harmon is completing an internship for Offutt Air Force Base Outdoor Recreation. In the fall she will attend Northwest Missouri State University where she will serve as a Graduate Assistant for the Recreation Department and work toward her master’s degree.
UNK Chancellor Douglas Kristensen will give the welcome, and Tim Clare, chairman of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, will give greetings on behalf of the board. Ron Tuttle, professor of industrial technology, will serve as Grand Marshal.
For those unable to attend commencement in person, the event will be available as a webcast. The information for the webcast is located on the UNK homepage, or by visiting www.unk.edu/about/commencement/. In addition, individuals on campus can view ceremonies via Campus Cable TV, Channel 2.
The candidates for degrees are listed below in three groups: graduates from Nebraska, graduates from across the United States and international graduates. Nebraska graduates are listed in alphabetical order by hometown. Out-of-state graduates are listed in alphabetical order by state. International graduates are listed in alphabetical order by country. Degrees are listed.
Students graduating with honors have the honors noted after their names. Honors, along with grade point averages necessary to earn those honors, include: summa cum laude, 3.90-4.00; magna cum laude, 3.80-3.89; cum laude, 3.70-3.79; and honorable mention, 3.50-3.69.
NOTE: Abbreviations that appear in the listings, and what they represent, are:
Undergraduate Degrees:
BA – Bachelor of Arts
BAE – Bachelor of Arts in Education
BS – Bachelor of Science
BSE – Bachelor of Science in Education
BFA – Bachelor of Fine Arts
BGS – Bachelor of General Studies
BM – Bachelor of Music
Graduate Degrees (GR):
EDS – Education Specialist
MA – Master of Arts
MAED – Master of Arts in Education
MS – Master of Science
MSE – Master of Science in Education
MBA – Master of Business Administration
NEBRASKA
Albion – Cassandra Olson GR MA History
Anselmo – Evan Crouch BS Business Administration Comp.
Arapahoe – Katrina Helms GR MAEd Reading PK-12
Atkinson – Jodi Schroeder BS Radiography Comp.
Aurora – Rene Ostdiek GR MAEd Reading PK-12
Bellevue – Kailey Smith GR MAEd Reading PK-12
Bertrand – Cory Nelsen BS Industrial Distribution Comp.
Blair – Joshua Jensen BS Sports Administration C Comp.
Blue Hill – Mara Gilbert BS Criminal Justice Comp.
Boelus – Nathan Rogers BS Aviation Systems Mgmt. Comp.
Brady – William Roe GR MSEd School Counseling Secondary
Burwell – Jennifer Critel GR MSEd Instructional Technology
Cedar Rapids – Lana Koziol BS Recreation Mgmt.
Magna Cum Laude
Central City – Bobby Kelley GR EdS School Superintendent
Central City – Brittany McPhillips GR MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Clarkson – Ryan Waters GR MAE Art Education
Cody – Kristin Fay GR MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Columbus – Danielle Wacha GR MAEd Special Education
Cozad – Tasia Aden BS Social Work Comp.
Cozad – Nicole Hunke BS Criminal Justice
Cozad – Kody Marshall BS Exercise Science Fitness and Wellness Comp.
Crete – Ana Castaneda Bautista BAE Elementary Education K-6 Field
Crofton – Donna Arens GR MAEd Reading PK-12
Culbertson – Jordan Kershaw BS Health Science SummaCum Laude
Dawson – Hannah Harmon BS Sports Admin Comp. Magna Cum Laude
Deweese – Tyler Fik BGS General Studies
Elwood – Kirk Andrews BS Criminal Justice
Elwood – Richard Bennett BS Sports Administration
Falls City – Katherine Gifford GR MAEd Special Education
Fordyce – Brenda Thoene GR MAEd Spanish Education
Fullerton – Melissa Aaberg GR MSEd School Counseling Elementary
Gering – Matthew Filbert BS Aviation Systems Mgmt Comp. Cum Laude
Gering – Tracy Henderson GR MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Gibbon – Matthew Tacha BGS General Studies
Gordon – Crystal Staley GR MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Grand Island – Leah Cox BS Business Administration
Grand Island – Kayla Wojtalewicz BS Exercise Science
Grand Island – Corey Hatt GR MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Grand Island – Jamie Menagh GR MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Grand Island – Denise Pedersen GR MSEd Instructional Technology
Hastings – Brock Drudik BS Industrial Distribution Comp. Cum Laude
Hastings – Travis Hand BS Business Administration
Hastings – Andrea Curlo GR MSEd Science Math Education
Hastings – Jean Davis GR MAEd Spanish Education
Hastings – Amber Schultz GR MAEd Special Education
Hastings – Hannah Vacek GR MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Hay Springs – Leah Maltbie GR MAEd Art Education
Holdrege – Ashley Borg BS Family Studies
Holdrege – Jace Johnson BS Exercise Science Fitness and Wellness Comp.
Holdrege – Jeffrey Poling BS Business Administration Comp.
Howells – Sarah Edwards GR MAEd School Principalship PK-8
Humphrey – Travis Wegener GR MAEd Physical Education
Hyannis – Michele Evans GR MSEd Instructional Technology
Juniata – Addison Heeren BM Musical Theatre Comp. Cum Laude
Kearney – Bobby Bernt GR MSEd Instructional Technology
Kearney – Michaela Frost BS Family Studies
Kearney – Grant Gartner BS Recreation Park Tourism Mgmt. Comp.
Kearney – Cheyenne Gunther BS Exercise Science
Kearney – Barry Jeffs BS Recreation, Park and Tourism Mgmt. Comp.
Kearney – Cassandra Larreau BS Business Economics Comp.
Kearney – Emily Sparks BS Psychology
Kearney – Jamie Stroup BS Biology
Kearney – Victoria Gray GR MSEd Instruction Technology
Kearney – Joseph Konecny GR MBA Business Administration
Kearney – Justin Patterson GR MAEd School Principalship 7-12
Kearney – Olga Patricia Ruppert GR MSEd Clinical Mental Health
Lexington – Estefani Jacobo BA Spanish Translation and Inter.
Lexington – Rafaila Ramirez BA Spanish Cum Laude
Lexington – Josh Kuecker GR MAEd Curriculum Instruction
Lincoln – Taylor Anderson BS Journalism/Advertising
Lincoln – Madison Zimmerman BGS General Studies
Maywood – Shauna Donohoe GR MAEd Reading PK-12
McCook – Dillon Goltl BS Construction Mgmt. Comp.
Minden – Amanda Raffety BS Psychology Comp.
Minden – Bryan Anderson GR MBA Business Administration
Minden – Noah Maulsby GR MAEd School Principalship 7-12
Nebraska City – Angela Maybee GR MAEd Supervisor of Special Ed
Norfolk – Darin Suckstorf GR MAEd School Principalship 7-12
North Platte – Curtis Collins BS Exercise Science HM
North Platte – Elizabeth McCrone GR MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
North Platte – Melissa Smith GR MSEd Instructional Technology
Ogallala – Tomas England BA Elementary Education Field K-6
Ogallala – Tanner Fruit GR MAEd Physical Education
Ogallala – Cale Holscher GR MAEd Physical Education
Omaha – Adam Couture BS Industrial Distribution Comp.
Omaha – Elisia Falcon BS Sports Administration
Omaha – Jessica Lefler BS Sports Administration Comp.
Omaha – Hillary Thompson BS Business Administration Cum Laude
Omaha – Kathrine Griess GR MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Omaha – Geoffrey Naujokaitis GR MSEd Instructional Technology
Omaha – Joseph Scharfenkamp GR MAEd Physical Ed. Exercise Science
Omaha – Colten Venteicher GR MBA Business Administration
Omaha – Alex Wheatley GR MAEd Physical Education Exercise Science
Omaha – Ashley Cunningham GR MS Biology
O’Neill – Connor Davis BS Exercise Science Magna Cum Laude
O’Neill – Jody Fox GR MAEd Special Education
Overton – Brandon Rimpley BS Business Administration Comp.
Papillion – Sara Wynn BS Business Administration Comp.
Papillion – DianaFurcini GR MAEd Special Education
Papillion – Lisa Raszler GR MSEd Instructional Technology
Pender – Jennifer Hanger GR MSEd Instructional Technology
Pierce – Jacob Navrkal BS Industrial Distribution Comp.
Pierce – Ashton Premer BS Industrial Distribution Comp.
Pilger – Ralee Plugge BS Family Studies
Pleasanton – Kristi Bauer BS Recreation Mgmt. HM
Ralston – William Schroeder GR MSEd Instructional Technology
Ravenna – Adam Mingus BS Mathematics 7-12
Schuyler – Alfredo Alarcon BS Business Administration Comp.
Scottsbluff – James Bogus GR MS Biology
Scottsbluff – Jill Walker GR MAEd PE Master Teacher
Scribner – Adam Ortmeier BS Criminal Justice
Shelton – Marcus Donner GR MAEd School Principalship 7-12
Shelton – Angela Keller GR MAEd Spanish Education
Shickley – Bryce Jorgenson GR EdS School Superintendent
Spalding – Melissa Berger BS Exercise Science HM
Sparks – Alyssa Clay GR MSEd Speech Language Pathology
Tecumseh – Samantha Watts BS Recreation Park and Tourism Mgmt Comp.
Tecumseh – Ashley Juilfs GR MAEd Special Education
Valley – Zachary White GR MSEd Instructional Technology
Verdigre – Beth Johnson GR MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Wakefield – Ian Miner BS Recreation Park Tourism Mgmt Comp.
Wauneta – Kathryn Pruter GR MA History
Wood River – Curtis Maloney BS Industrial Distribution Comp.
Wood River – Sarah Roth BS Recreation Park Tourism Mgmt. Comp.
Wymore – Lindsay Wittmus BS Business Administration
York – Katherine Lee BS Sports Administration
York – Rebecca Moore GR MAEd Special Education
OUT OF STATE
Alabama
Lanett – Chelsea Bunn GR MS Biology
Arkansas
Bella Vista – Aaron Divine GR MA History
Conway – Fredrick Baker GR MA History
California
El Cajon – Patrick Kelly BS Criminal Justice Comp. Magna Cum Laude
Colorado
Longmont – Tyler Keith BS Sports Administration Com
Connecticut
East Hampton – Thomas Hepburn Jr. BS Sports Administration
Delaware
Seaford – Diana Irvine GR MAEd Reading PK-12
Iowa
Fort Dodge – Jennifer Gernhart GR MS Biology
Marion – Kristina Hart GR MSEd I nstructional Technology
Illinois
Geneva – Haley Dieken GR MSEd Instructional Technology
Louisiana
Chalmette – Robert Caballero GR MS Biology
Maryland
Lanham – Susan Kleps GR MAEd Art Education
Mississippi
Cass City – Kevin Green GR MAEd School Principalship PK-8
Michigan
Kenockee – Denise McKernan GR MA History
Northville – Adrienne Dunkerley GR MAEd Art Education
Riverview – Allen Chezick GR MS Biology
Minnesota
Cannon Falls – Erin Hoffman GR MS Biology
Eveleth – Jessica Halley MA History
Worthington – Ryan Mahlberg GR MS Biology
Missouri
Wright City – Nicole Bond GR MAEd Art Education
Iuka – Damien Clark GR MAEd Physical Education
Montana
McAllister – Lacey Hopper GR MS Biology
North Carolina
Charlotte – Donald Koller GR MS Biology
Durham – Velta Napoleon-Fanis GR MS Biology
Hendersonville – Shelby Lewis GR MA History
North Dakota
Minot – Janice Hobbs BS Sociology
New Jersey
Livingston – Katie DiTringo GR MS Biology
Ohio
Russia – Sara Schmitmeyer GR MAEd Art Education
Struthers – Crystal Lewis GR MS Biology
McMinnville – Rona Aspholm GR MAEd Art Education
Pennsylvania
Hatfield – Andrea Campbell GR MA History
Lancaster – Hannah Phillips GR MS Biology
South Carolina
Conway – John Goldston GR MS Biology
Lexington – Roger Pruitt GR MA History
Spartanburg – Kristin White GR MAEd School Principalship PK-8
South Dakota
Custer – Lacey Rogers BA English
Texas
Fort Worth – Stacey Lumsden GR MA History
Kingwood – Julana Shmaefsky GR MS Biology
Utah
New Harmony – Brent Frankland GR MS Biology
Washington
Seattle – Mark Lewis GR MAEd PE Master Teacher
Wyoming
Mountain View – Tarl Van Dusen GR MAEd School Principalship PK-8
INTERNATIONAL
Brazil
Teresina – Candida Maria Machado de Carvalho GR MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Caribbean Netherlands
Kralendijk – Genady Filkovsky GR MS Biology
China
Beijing – Di Shao BS Sport Administration
Beijing – Qiao Song BS Professional Chemist Comp. HM
cheng De – Pengfei Li BS Business Administration Comprehensive
Chenzhou – Lingli Huang GR MBA Business Administration
Jinan – Ziguang Liu BS Business Administration
Jinan – Yi Meng BA Economics HM
Nanchang – Dan Yu BM Music Performance Comp HM
Wuhan – Li Tan BS Mathematics Cum Laude
Colombia
Bucaramanga – Rey Rosas Margareth BA Political Science
Japan
Komaki – Yuki Mori BS Sports Administration Comp.
Kumamoto-shi – Naoki Sameshima BS Athletic Training Comp.
Muragame – Arata Osora BS Aviation Systems Mgmt. Comp.
Sakata – Teruhisa Takahashi BS Business Administration
Toyohashi – KeijiKomoda BS Exercise Science
Saudi Arabia
Dammam – Mohammed Al Ghamdi BS Business Administration Comp.
