What: UNK Summer Commencement
When: 10 a.m., Friday, July 27
Where: UNK Health and Sports Center, 24th Street and 15th Avenue, Kearney
Social Media: Follow @UNKearney and #lopergrad on Twitter to see photos and posts from 2018 graduates, their friends and families
Live Broadcast: Watch Commencement live and join in the #lopergrad conversation at http://unk.edu/eventdashboard
KEARNEY – Graduate and undergraduate degrees for 208 will be conferred at summer commencement exercises 10 a.m. Friday, July 27, at University of Nebraska at Kearney.
University of Nebraska Executive Vice President and Provost Susan M. Fritz will be the honored guest and commencement speaker for the exercises, with UNK Chancellor Douglas A. Kristensen presiding. UNK Health and Sports Center arena is the site for the event. Doors to the venue open at 8:30 a.m.
Fritz has been in the position as NU executive vice president, provost and dean of the Graduate College since 2014. She previously was associate vice president for Academic Affairs for the NU system. The provost’s office oversees all academic programs and activities, including global engagement initiatives and institutional research across all the University of Nebraska campuses.
Fritz previously held administrative and faculty appointments at the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, and the Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications program, all at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Fritz received bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from UNL. Her scholarly activity is in interpersonal skills for leadership, communication, leadership development and service learning.
Maricia Victoria Guzman will give the graduate reflection. Guzman is a native of Scottsbluff and is receiving her Master of Science in education from UNK. The national anthem will be sung by Katherine Ridder, Class of 2018.
Doors to Health and Sports Center will open at 8:30 a.m. Lineup for graduates begins at 9 a.m. in Cushing Coliseum, and procession begins at 9:45 a.m. Parking in the west lots is encouraged. Visitors with handicap parking permits can park east of the Health and Sports Center. Family members transporting a handicapped person will have access to drop off the person on the east side of the complex, but will need to move their vehicle to another lot.
Because of campus construction, including a north-south sewer line project across campus, parking is suggested in the lots immediately north and west of the Health and Sports Center. Guests to campus should be aware that as of recently, 19th street between Highway 30 and University Drive is no longer a through-street because of construction on the new STEM building.
For those unable to attend in person, UNK commencement ceremonies are webcast at www.unk.edu
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
Candidates For Degrees
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.
NEBRASKA | ||||||
USA | NE | Alma | Kevin Lienemann | BS | Industrial Distribution | |
USA | NE | Alma | Annette Lowe | MAE | Reading PK-12 | |
USA | NE | Ansley | Tristen Evans | BS | Business Administration | |
USA | NE | Arapahoe | Molly Wendland | MAE | Curriculum & Instruction – Instructional Effectiveness | |
USA | NE | Axtell | Conner Wells | BS | Agribusiness | |
USA | NE | Bayard | Zachariah Rice | BS | Industrial Distribution | |
USA | NE | Beatrice | John Langley | BS | Construction Management | |
USA | NE | Beatrice | Jill Meints | MAE | Reading PK-12 | |
USA | NE | Belgrade | Kaylee Penne | BS | Radiography | |
USA | NE | Bennington | Keegan McGill | BS | Professional Chemist | Honorable Mention |
USA | NE | Bertrand | Jessetta Poyser | BS | Business Administration | |
USA | NE | Blair | Maureen Bray | MAE | Curriculum & Instruction – Transitional Certification | |
USA | NE | Blue Hill | Brenda Coffey | MAE | Special Education – Advanced Pracitioner: Inclusive Collaboration Specialist | |
USA | NE | Boelus | Chandra Kosmicki | MSE | Instructional Technology – Leadership in Instructional Technology | |
USA | NE | Brewster | Mardee Sierks | BS | Radiography | |
USA | NE | Brewster | Mitchell Spencer | BS | Sports Management | |
USA | NE | Broken Bow | Hannah Jones | BS | Business Administration | Honorable Mention |
USA | NE | Broken Bow | Emily Smallcomb | MSE | Instructional Technology | |
USA | NE | Broken Bow | Mikensie Wright | MSE | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | |
USA | NE | Brownlee | Sarah Miles | BS | Business Administration | Honorable Mention |
USA | NE | Cairo | Megan Brown | MSE | Instructional Technology | |
USA | NE | Callaway | Kelsi Becker | MAE | Curriculum & Instruction – Early Childhood Education | |
USA | NE | Chadron | Samantha Ryan | BS | Interior Design | |
USA | NE | Clarks | Laura Chavez-Talavera | BS | Business Administration | |
USA | NE | Clatonia | Derek Van Laningham | MAE | Physical Education | |
USA | NE | Clay Center | Kayla Essink | MAE | Curriculum & Instruction – Secondary Education | |
USA | NE | Columbus | Heidi Field | MAE | Physical Education Master Teacher – Pedagogy | |
USA | NE | Columbus | Audrey Grant | MA | History | |
USA | NE | Columbus | Amy Sokol | MAE | School Principalship PK-8 | |
USA | NE | Cortland | Kelly Schmidt | MA | History | |
USA | NE | Cozad | Daniel Chacon | BS | Radiography | |
USA | NE | Cozad | Audrie Woldt | MAE | Reading PK-12 | |
USA | NE | Curtis | Haley Hans | BS | Radiography | |
USA | NE | Curtis | Starla Henderson | BS | Family Studies | Cum Laude |
USA | NE | Dalton | Jeremy Reimers | MSE | Science Math Education – Chemistry | |
USA | NE | Dwight | Billie Stabenow | MAE | School Principalship PK-8 | |
USA | NE | Elgin | Jordan Engle | MAE | School Principalship 7-12 | |
USA | NE | Elkhorn | Anne Doerr | EDS | School Superintendent | |
USA | NE | Elkhorn | Abbie Lamb | MA | History | |
USA | NE | Elwood | Hilary Schutz | BGS | General Studies | |
USA | NE | Ewing | Lindsey Ruiz | BS | Advertising & Public Relations | |
USA | NE | Fairbury | Jacob Corbin | BS | Recreation Management | |
USA | NE | Fairmont | Jessica Gangstad | BS | Business Administration | Magna Cum Laude |
USA | NE | Fullerton | Brianne Butcher | MAE | Curriculum & Instruction – Transitional Certification | |
USA | NE | Garland | Kennedy Schaefer | BS | Journalism | |
USA | NE | Geneva | Jordan Hinrichs | MAE | Special Education | |
USA | NE | Geneva | Stephen Kruschel | MA | History | |
USA | NE | Genoa | Parker Jones | BGS | General Studies | |
USA | NE | Gering | Holly Grote | BS | Recreation, Park, & Tourism Management | |
USA | NE | Gering | James Guzman | BS | Business Administration | |
USA | NE | Gibbon | Angela Clevenger | MA | English – Literature | |
USA | NE | Gibbon | Alison Yendra | MAE | Curriculum & Instruction – English as a Second Language | |
USA | NE | Gothenburg | Hanna Wolf | BS | Sports Management | |
USA | NE | Grand Island | Nate Deida | BS | Family Studies | |
USA | NE | Grand Island | Callie Friesen | MAE | Curriculum & Instruction – Elementary Education | |
USA | NE | Grand Island | Kathryn Langrehr | MS | Biology | |
USA | NE | Grand Island | Brendan Wentling | BS | Business Administration | |
USA | NE | Grand Island | Adam Zlomke | MSE | Instructional Technology | |
USA | NE | Grant | Timothy Johnson | BS | Agribusiness | |
USA | NE | Grant | Allison Kiolbasa | BS | Family Studies | Magna Cum Laude |
USA | NE | Gretna | Erin Wesely | MAE | Art Education – Classroom Education | |
USA | NE | Hampton | Katherine Crager | BS | Business Administration | Honorable Mention |
USA | NE | Harrison | Hannah Grote | BS | Exercise Science, Fitness & Wellness | Cum Laude |
USA | NE | Hartington | Brenda Thoene | MAE | Curriculum & Instruction – English as a Second Language | |
USA | NE | Hastings | Cheryl Blankenship | MSE | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | |
USA | NE | Hastings | Sarah Fluhart | MSE | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | |
USA | NE | Hastings | Hailey Parr | MAE | Curriculum & Instruction – Elementary Education | |
USA | NE | Hebron | Justin Bomar | MAE | Curriculum & Instruction – Secondary Education | |
USA | NE | Hemingford | Tyler Huddle | BS | Recreation, Park, & Tourism Management | |
USA | NE | Hemingford | Paige Phillips | BS | Psychobiology | Honorable Mention |
USA | NE | Holdrege | Haley Schroeder | BS | Radiography | Magna Cum Laude |
USA | NE | Holstein | Brian Fisher | MAE | School Principalship PK-8 | |
USA | NE | Howells | Mark Ernst | EDS | School Superintendent | |
USA | NE | Kearney | Kassi Anderson | BS | Radiography | |
USA | NE | Kearney | Brennen Cleary | BS | Criminal Justice | |
USA | NE | Kearney | Tiffani Drabek | MAE | Reading PK-12 | |
USA | NE | Kearney | Tianna Engen | BS | Business Administration | Cum Laude |
USA | NE | Kearney | Jayden Esch | BS | Radiography | |
USA | NE | Kearney | Austin Hibberd | BS | Criminal Justice | |
USA | NE | Kearney | Megan Jaeger | BS | Family Studies | Cum Laude |
USA | NE | Kearney | Jamalee Jenkins | BS | Radiography | |
USA | NE | Kearney | Ashlyne Meseure | BS | Business Administration | |
USA | NE | Kearney | Brad Palu | BGS | General Studies | |
USA | NE | Kearney | Katherine Ridder | BM | Music Performance | |
USA | NE | Kearney | Cassandra Spivey | MSE | Instructional Technology – School Librarian | |
USA | NE | Kearney | Ashley Vasquez | MAE | Curriculum & Instruction – Instructional Effectiveness | |
USA | NE | Kearney | Krystal Wright | BS | Business Administration | |
USA | NE | Kennard | Sarah Feik | MSE | Instructional Technology | |
USA | NE | Lexington | Amanda Christensen | BS | Psychology | |
USA | NE | Lexington | Bryan Escobar | BS | Information Networking & Telecommunications | |
USA | NE | Lexington | Irma Morales | MAE | Special Education – Advanced Pracitioner: Inclusive Collaboration Specialist | |
USA | NE | Lexington | Maria Santos | MSE | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | |
USA | NE | Lincoln | Jenna Burgason | BS | Business Administration | |
USA | NE | Lincoln | Shelby Chapelle | BS | Applied Health Science | |
USA | NE | Lincoln | Jacob Froscheiser | MAE | Physical Education Master Teacher – Pedagogy | |
USA | NE | Lincoln | Halley Gaucher | BA | History | |
USA | NE | Lincoln | Shelby Glaser | BS | Family Studies | Cum Laude |
USA | NE | Lincoln | Tonya Pulec | MAE | Curriculum & Instruction – Instructional Effectiveness | |
USA | NE | Lincoln | Brett Ruoff | MAE | Curriculum & Instruction – Transitional Certification | |
USA | NE | Lincoln | Alexandria Schmidt | MAE | Physical Education | |
USA | NE | Lincoln | Alexis Villagomez | BA | Psychology | Cum Laude |
USA | NE | Mason City | Maxine Leick | MAE | Curriculum & Instruction – Secondary Education | |
USA | NE | McCook | Lindsay Rosner | MAE | Special Education | |
USA | NE | McCook | Deidre Shafer | BS | Criminal Justice | |
USA | NE | Minden | John Jacobs | MAE | Music Education | |
USA | NE | Minden | Austin Johnson | BS | Aviation Systems Management | |
USA | NE | Nebraska City | Michael Aksamit | BS | Sports Management | |
USA | NE | North Bend | Kelly Morgan | MAE | Reading PK-12 | |
USA | NE | North Bend | Katee Prenzlow | MAE | Special Education – Advanced Practitioner: Behavioral Interventionist Specialist | |
USA | NE | North Platte | Devyn Crisman | BA | Modern Languages | Honorable Mention |
USA | NE | North Platte | Audrey Gay | BS | Recreation, Park, & Tourism Management | Summa Cum Laude |
USA | NE | North Platte | Hannah Lee | BS | Organizational & Relational Communication | |
USA | NE | North Platte | Ashley Mertens | MAE | School Principalship PK-8 | |
USA | NE | North Platte | Shay Piper | BA | International Studies | Honorable Mention |
USA | NE | North Platte | Carlos Romero | BS | Biology | |
USA | NE | Odell | Amber Moody | MSE | Student Affairs | |
USA | NE | Omaha | Elizabeth Bergin | MSE | Instructional Technology | |
USA | NE | Omaha | Zachary Brown | BS | Business Administration | |
USA | NE | Omaha | Rebecca Casas | MAE | Reading PK-12 | |
USA | NE | Omaha | Ava Coughlin | MAE | Physical Education Exercise Science | |
USA | NE | Omaha | Ashley Hamik | MSE | Science Math Education – Chemistry | |
USA | NE | Omaha | Kimberley Hunt | MAE | Physical Education Master Teacher – Pedagogy | |
USA | NE | Omaha | Skyler Johnson | MAE | Curriculum & Instruction – Transitional Certification | |
USA | NE | Omaha | Matthew Lund | MSE | Instructional Technology | |
USA | NE | Omaha | Kate Morgan | BS | Family Studies | |
USA | NE | Ord | Melanie Ries | BS | Radiography | |
USA | NE | Palmer | Kayla Dobson | MAE | Reading PK-12 | |
USA | NE | Papillion | Kerri Homan | MAE | School Principalship 7-12 | |
USA | NE | Pleasanton | Jason Brown | EDS | School Superintendent | |
USA | NE | Ralston | Leslie Hooper | MAE | Curriculum & Instruction – Transitional Certification | |
USA | NE | Ravenna | Connor Beranek | BS | Sports Management | |
USA | NE | Schuyler | Blanca Alarcon | MAE | Spanish Education | |
USA | NE | Schuyler | Mitchell Kaup | MBA | Business Administration | |
USA | NE | Schuyler | Nickolaus Wilcox | MSE | Science Math Education – Biology | |
USA | NE | Scottsbluff | Jennifer Dillinger | MSE | Science Math Education – Biology | |
USA | NE | Scottsbluff | Maricia Guzman | MSE | Student Affairs | |
USA | NE | Scottsbluff | Taylor Winkler | BS | Business Administration | |
USA | NE | Seward | Samuel Brauer | BS | Sports Management | Magna Cum Laude |
USA | NE | Seward | Leah Pankoke | MSE | Instructional Technology – Leadership in Instructional Technology | |
USA | NE | Shelby | Brittany Hopwood | BS | Exercise Science, Fitness & Wellness | Honorable Mention |
USA | NE | Shelton | Michael Holley | BS | Business Administration | |
USA | NE | Silver Creek | Katie Starostka | BS | Radiography | |
USA | NE | Smithfield | Seth Ehlers | MS | Biology | |
USA | NE | South Sioux City | Ashley Finck | MSE | Science Math Education – Biology | |
USA | NE | St. Paul | Kaitlynn Beck | BS | Business Administration | |
USA | NE | Sterling | Shaun Mewes | MSE | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | |
USA | NE | Superior | Trevor Hoins | MSE | Instructional Technology | |
USA | NE | Sutherland | Jodi Storer | MSE | Instructional Technology – School Librarian | |
USA | NE | Sutton | Stephanie Osterhaus | BS | Radiography | |
USA | NE | Waterloo | Nicholas Depke | BS | Business Administration | |
USA | NE | Wausa | Anna Gansebom | MAE | Special Education | |
USA | NE | Wolbach | Brenda Thompson | MAE | Reading PK-12 | |
USA | NE | Wood River | Heather Rotter | MAE | Curriculum & Instruction – Early Childhood Education | |
OUT OF STATE | ||||||
USA | CA | Garden Grove | Candace Leuthold | MS | Biology | |
USA | CA | San Pedro | Vanessa McDonnell | BS | Early Childhood & Family Advocacy | |
USA | CO | Arvada | Danielle Mawhir | MA | History | |
USA | CO | Denver | Katie Clark | MAE | Reading PK-12 | |
USA | CO | Niwot | Tanner Kirkpatrick | BS | Business Administration | |
USA | CO | Steamboat Springs | Kathleen Wagner | MAE | Curriculum & Instruction – Elementary Education | |
USA | FL | Lake Wales | Angela Yopp | MA | English – Writing | |
USA | FL | Riverview | Joshua Broadwell | MA | History | |
USA | GA | Thomasville | Cortni Groover | MAE | Art Education – Classroom Education | |
USA | IA | Cedar Rapids | Sara Krause | MAE | Art Education – Classroom Education | |
USA | IA | Davenport | Jessica Barr | MAE | Spanish Education | |
USA | IA | Spencer | Weston Glienke | BS | Criminal Justice | |
USA | IA | Storm Lake | Iris Hernandez Gutierrez | MAE | Spanish Education | |
USA | IL | Chicago | Leo Wilson Jr. | BS | Information Networking & Telecommunications | |
USA | IL | Edwardsville | Danielle May | MAE | Curriculum & Instruction – Transitional Certification | |
USA | IL | Highland | Aaron Foster | MSE | Science Math Education – Biology | |
USA | IL | Joliet | Matthew Testa | BS | Business Administration | |
USA | IL | Mill Shoals | Robert Black | MA | History | |
USA | KS | Dodge City | Richard Masters | EDS | School Superintendent | |
USA | KS | Ottawa | Kristyn Watts | MAE | Physical Education | |
USA | KY | Russellville | Stephanie Gilbert | MAE | Art Education | |
USA | MD | Accokeek | Jocelyn Pugh | MS | Biology | |
USA | MD | Baltimore | Kevin Barrett Sr. | BS | Criminal Justice | |
USA | MN | Breckenridge | Lindsay Bergmann | MAE | Spanish Education | |
USA | MN | Brewster | Katie Murray | MS | Biology | |
USA | MN | Saint Paul | Nicholas Thorson | MA | History | |
USA | MO | Osage Beach | Christopher Zilz | MA | History | |
USA | NH | Salem | Meghan Everson | MAE | Physical Education | |
USA | NV | Reno | Kellis King | MAE | Art Education – Classroom Education | |
USA | NY | Brooklyn | Victoria Allard | MS | Biology | |
USA | NY | Rochester | Quinton Harley | MAE | Physical Education | |
USA | OH | Cleveland Heights | Cara Campanaro | MS | Biology | |
USA | OH | Ironton | Tony Burge Jr. | MA | History | |
USA | OR | Hillsboro | Misty Risco | MA | History | |
USA | PA | Pittsburgh | Alexandra McCloskey | MS | Biology | |
USA | SD | Custer | Lacey Rogers | MA | English – Children & Adolescent Literature | |
USA | SD | Sioux Falls | Jenna Johnson | MSE | Student Affairs | |
USA | SD | Yankton | Sean McDonald | MAE | Curriculum & Instruction – Instructional Effectiveness | |
USA | TN | Shelbyville | Joshua Northcutt | MAE | Art Education – Classroom Education | |
USA | TX | Fort Worth | Sheldon Metz | MA | History | |
USA | TX | Houston | Troy Bentley | BS | Industrial Distribution | |
USA | TX | Houston | Spencer Cook | BS | Psychology | |
USA | TX | Mansfield | DaCarlos Humphrey | BS | Industrial Technology | |
USA | TX | Melissa | Connar Newberry | BS | Criminal Justice | |
USA | TX | Texarkana | Edwin Hooper | BS | Multimedia | |
USA | UT | South Jordan | Samantha Crawford | BS | Sports Management | Summa Cum Laude |
USA | WA | Gig Harbor | Joseph Kresse | MA | History | |
USA | WY | Pine Bluffs | Ryan May | BS | Geography | |
INTERNATIONAL | ||||||
Austrailia | Andrew Riddell | BS | Sports Management | |||
China | Jiahang Li | BS | Business Administration and Mathematics | |||
Colombia | Andres Rodriguez Martinez | BA | International Studies | |||
Nigeria | Avwerosuo Amami | BS | Business Administration | |||
Peru | Cynthia Fleming | MAE | Spanish Education | |||
Thailand | Susan Morgan | MAE | Art Education – Classroom Education | |||
Vietnam | Son Vuong | BS | Interior Design |