Director, Media Communications, 308.865.8454
A graduating senior from Central City will give the commencement address for his college commencement later this month at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Matthew “Matt” Sullivan, who will graduate cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in sports administration, was selected to give the commencement address for the approximately 170 summer graduates.
Ceremonies are set for 10 a.m. Friday, July 28, in the UNK Health and Sports Center. The July ceremonies mark only the second time in a decade that UNK has held summer commencement ceremonies.
This past spring, Sullivan was named Outstanding Senator of the Year by members of student government where he represented the College of Education. Through student government, he founded and chaired The Big Event. On April 1, more than 200 student volunteers worked at any one of the more than 30 job sites in the Kearney community as part of The Big Event. Volunteers for the day of community service included UNK faculty and staff in addition to the students.
Sullivan also was a member of the Friends Program in which he volunteered time each week to work with a youth in the Kearney Friends Program. Sullivan was also a member of Mortar Board, a service-based honor society. In May, he was the recipient of the prestigious Mary Jane and William R. Nester University Student Leadership Award.
“I have loved my time at UNK, and it’s hard for me to leave Kearney after this summer,” he said.
After graduation, Sullivan plans to attend the Oklahoma City University School of Law.
UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen will give the welcome. Spencer Hansen of Kearney, who is graduating cum laude with a major in music business, will perform the national anthem; and Student Regent and UNK Student Body President Michael Eiberger of St. Paul will give the greetings on behalf of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. Kent Holen, president of the UNK Alumni Association, will present greetings on behalf of the association.
For those unable to attend commencement, the ceremonies will be Webcast on the UNK Web site at http://www.unk.edu/welcome/webcast.html
NOTE: Abbreviations that appear in the listings, and what they represent, are as follows :
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
Graduate Degrees:
EDS – Education Specialist
MA – Master of Arts
MAE – Master of Arts in Education
MS – Master of Science
MSE – Master of Science in Education
MBA – Master of Business Administration
NOTE: Subject abbreviations in listings include:
ADMIN, Administration; BIOL, Biology; BUS, Business; CHEM, Chemistry; COMM, Communication; COMP, Comprehensive; CONST, Construction; DEVEL, Development; DIST, Distribution; ECON, Economics; EDU, Education; ELEM, Elementary; EMPH, Emphasis; END, Endorsement; ENVIR, Environmental; GEO, Geography; INDUS, Industrial; INFO, Information; INTERP, Interpretation; MARK, Marketing; MATH, Mathematics; MGMT, Management; MOD, Moderate; PHYS, Physical; PROD, Production; SCI, Science; SECOND, Secondary; SCHL, School; SOC, Social; STU, Students; SP ED, Special Education; SYS, Systems; TECH, Technology; THEA, Theatre; TRANS, Translation; VOC, vocational.
NOTE: HONORS. Students graduating with honors have the honors and selected honors organizations noted after their names. Honors, along with the 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.
Honors organizations, and the designations listed after students’ names, include: (H), Honors Program; (MB), Mortar Board; and (PKP) Phi Kappa Phi.
Graduates are listed below with those from Nebraska listed first, alphabetically by hometown; followed by out-of-state graduates, listed alphabetically by state; and international students, listed alphabetically by country. Information appearing after each student’s name includes: the respective college, the degree being awarded, the subject area and honors.
NEBRASKA
AINSWORTH Heather Biggins BS PSYCHOLOGY SOCIOLOGY
ARAPAHOE Damon McDonald EDS SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT
ARTHUR Scott Trimble MAE SCHOOL PRINCIPALSHIP 7-12
ATKINSON Rodney Preusker BS INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION COMP
AXTELL Jeffrey Ellsworth MAE SCHOOL PRINCIPALSHIP K-6
BEAVER CITY Wendel Cass EDS SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT
BLADEN Melissa Bonifas MS BIOLOGY
BLAIR Michael Ray MAE PHYSICAL ED EXERCISE SCIENCE
BRAINARD Karynn Kucera BS BIOLOGY COMP: ENVIRON HEALTH EMPH (H) Brainard
BRIDGEPORT Kristin Amateis BSE COMMUNICATION DISORDERS COMP (PKP) Summa Cum Laude
BROKEN BOW James Kelley BS PSYCHOLOGY
CALLAWAY Betty Warnke MSE INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY
CENTRAL CITY Angela Smith BS CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMPREHENSIVE
CENTRAL CITY Ashley Solt BS BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION COMP
CENTRAL CITY Matthew Sullivan BS SPORTS ADMINISTRATION COMP (MB) Cum Laude
CHADRON Anne Drinkwalter BA BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION POLITICAL SCIENCE (H)
CHADRON Chad Hyatt BS INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION COMP
COLUMBUS Jeffrey Duranski MSE INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY
COLUMBUS Joe Horky MAE SCHOOL PRINCIPALSHIP K-6
COLUMBUS Meredith Ingold BS BIOLOGY COMP
COLUMBUS Jennifer Kallweit MAE SCHOOL PRINCIPALSHIP K-6
COLUMBUS Jennifer Moje BS BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION COMP
COLUMBUS Kevin Pack BA GERMAN HISTORY
CRAWFORD William Porter EDS SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT
DAVID CITY Michael Cunningham BS RECREATION AND PARK MGT-COMP
ELKHORN Benjamin Knapp BS CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT COMP
FREMONT Emily Williamson BA HISTORY CRIMINAL JUSTICE
GIBBON Charles Benal BS BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION COMP
GIBBON Adam Krueger BS TELECOMMUNICATIONS MANAGEMENT
GORDON Shirley Schmidt MAE SPECIAL EDUCATION
GOTHENBURG Janeen Adkins BS PSYCHOLOGY
GRAND ISLAND Josephine Atkins BS BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION COMP
GRAND ISLAND Brian Bennetzen MAE CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION
GRAND ISLAND David Cushing MAE SCHOOL PRINCIPALSHIP K-6
GRAND ISLAND Jamie Flyr BS BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION COMP
GRAND ISLAND Joshua Gabel BS BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
GRAND ISLAND David Jameson BS POLITICAL SCIENCE SOCIOLOGY
GRAND ISLAND Joshua Kramer BS BUS ADM AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS MGT
GRAND ISLAND Scott Mazour MAE SCHOOL PRINCIPALSHIP 7-12
GRAND ISLAND Jared Rawlings BFA VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS & DESIGN
GRAND ISLAND Randa Schultz MSE INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY
GRAND ISLAND Brad Wolfe EDS SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT
GRAND ISLAND Mia Wyatt BAE ELEMENTARY EDUCATION K-6
GRANT Tristan Gorgen BFA COMPREHENSIVE STUDIO ART
GRANT Shelly Pollard MAE SPECIAL EDUCATION
GRETNA Ashley Chizek-Meyer BS POLITICAL SCIENCE
HARVARD Karen Christensen MAE SCHOOL PRINCIPALSHIP 7-12
HARVARD Brian Redinger MAE SCHOOL PRINCIPALSHIP 7-12
HASTINGS Jonathan Britton BS INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION COMP
HASTINGS Becky Busboom BS CRIMINAL JUSTICE
HASTINGS Kristan Harrenstein BS RADIOGRAPHY COMPREHENSIVE Honorable Mention
HASTINGS Craig Patzel MAE SCHOOL PRINCIPALSHIP K-6
HEMINGFORD Eric Reed MA ENGLISH (PKP)
HENDERSON Melissa Friesen BGS GENERAL STUDIES
HERSHEY Roxane Smith BS BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION COMP
HOLBROOK Jody Kent MSE INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY
HOLDREGE Amber Brown MAE CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION
HOLDREGE Peggy Graham BS BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION COMP
HOLDREGE Jess Osborn BS CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMPREHENSIVE
HOWELLS Brenda Downey BS BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
HUMPHREY Julie Tetschner MSE SCHOOL COUNSELING – SECONDARY
KEARNEY Molly Albrecht BA JOURN: NEWS EDITORIAL
KEARNEY Kimberly Benorden MSE COMMUNITY COUNSELING
KEARNEY Katie Bittman BS ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION, RADIOGRAPHY COMPREHENSIVE
KEARNEY Curtis Campbell BS INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION COMP
KEARNEY Tammy Christiancy MAE ELEMENTARY ED READING K-12
KEARNEY Lorraine Clarke MAE CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION
KEARNEY Clinton Edwards MAE SCHOOL PRINCIPALSHIP 7-12
KEARNEY Ryan Fitch BS ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION
KEARNEY Nathan Halliwell BS CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT COMP
KEARNEY Spencer Hansen BS MUSIC BUSINESS COMP (PKP) Cum Laude
KEARNEY Debra Holoubeck BS RECREATION AND PARK MGT-COMP
KEARNEY Maribeth Jorgensen MSE COMMUNITY COUNSELING (PKP)
KEARNEY Chris Kenton BS INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION COMP
KEARNEY Kevin Klippert BS CRIMINAL JUSTICE
KEARNEY Laurel McKellips BS FAMILY STUDIES
KEARNEY Shawna Meyer BS INTERIOR DESIGN COMPREHENSIVE
KEARNEY Anne Nagel BA PHILOSOPHY ENGLISH (PKP/H) Magna Cum Laude
KEARNEY Julie Parker MAE SP ED-EARLY CHILDHOOD
KEARNEY Keli Rasmussen BAE ELEMENTARY EDUCATION K-6
KEARNEY Sarah Raymond BS INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION COMP
KEARNEY Becky Simants MSE SCHOOL COUNSELING – SECONDARY
LEXINGTON Kelli Bender MAE ELEMENTARY ED READING K-12
LEXINGTON Michele Flynn MSE SCHOOL COUNSELING – SECONDARY
LEXINGTON Brittney Maloley BGS GENERAL STUDIES (PKP) Magna cum Laude
LINCOLN Nicole Dusenbery BS BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION COMP
LINCOLN Matthew Webster BS BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION COMP
LODGEPOLE Cassandra Oliverius BSE COMMUNICATION DISORDERS COMP
MADISON Shantell Siecke BA JOURN: ADVERTISING
MASON CITY Rodney Lovitt BS INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION COMP
MCCOOK Jill Beckenhauer MAE SCHOOL PRINCIPALSHIP K-6
MCCOOK Paula Davis MAE CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION
MCCOOK Jane Dewey MAE SCHOOL PRINCIPALSHIP K-6
MCCOOK Emily Eisenmenger BS RADIOGRAPHY COMPREHENSIVE
MCCOOK Samuel Friehe BS CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT COMP
MCCOOK Kindra Koetter BS CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMPREHENSIVE Cum Laude
MCCOOK Brandon Shiers BS SPORTS ADMINISTRATION
MINDEN Donald Hunzeker MSE COMMUNITY COUNSELING
NEHAWKA Sydney Marshall BS INTERIOR DESIGN COMPREHENSIVE Honorable Mention
NELSON Jessie Bohlen BS BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION COMP
NELSON Dina Cassell MAE SPECIAL EDUCATION
NELSON Tanya Schnitker MSE SCHOOL COUNSELING – SECONDARY
NEWMAN GROVE Beth Nelson MAE SCHOOL PRINCIPALSHIP 7-12
NORFOLK Danae Cravatt BS BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION COMP INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION COMP
NORFOLK David Meyer MS BIOLOGY
NORTH PLATTE Joseph Cochran BS INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION COMP
NORTH PLATTE Robert Hartman MAE PHYSICAL ED EXERCISE SCIENCE
OMAHA Rebecca Addy MA ENGLISH (PKP)
OMAHA Amanda Harris BS HEALTH SCIENCES Magna Cum Laude
OMAHA Melissa Hartman MS BIOLOGY
OMAHA Jesse Kruger BS SPORTS ADMINISTRATION
OMAHA Alice Roberts MAE CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION
OMAHA Alvah Stahlnecker BS EXERCISE SCIENCE (PKP) Magna Cum Laude
ORD Dianne Vancura MAE ELEMENTARY ED SPECIALIZATION
ORD Zachary Wetzel BS CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT COMP
OVERTON Mitch Kubicek MAE SCHOOL PRINCIPALSHIP 7-12
OVERTON Christina Reil-Lux BS CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMPREHENSIVE
OXFORD Dustin Bohl BS CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT COMP
PAPILLION Robert Haidvogel MAE CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION
PAPILLION Jeffrey Siepmann BS INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION COMP
PAWNEE CITY Margaret Voigtlander BSE COMMUNICATION DISORDERS COMP
PAXTON Delbert Dack EDS SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT
POLK Ryan McKillip BS BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION COMP
RAVENNA Joseph Dobish BS INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION COMP
RAVENNA Dominic Reicks MAE SCHOOL PRINCIPALSHIP 7-12
ROCKVILLE Michael Hewitt MA HISTORY
SARGENT LeeAnn Smith MAE SP ED-MILD/MODERATE
SARGENT Wade White MAE SPECIAL EDUCATION
SCOTTSBLUFF Anne Stott BS PSYCHOLOGY
SEWARD Drew Hayes BS CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMPREHENSIVE
SIDNEY Kristen Feuerborn BS BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION COMP
SPALDING Travis Heinz BS INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION COMP
SPALDING Jason Jones BS CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT COMP Honorable Mention
STUART Matt Riha BS RADIOGRAPHY COMPREHENSIVE
STUART Dan Riha BS RADIOGRAPHY COMPREHENSIVE
SUPERIOR Kelli Bedford MSE COMMUNITY COUNSELING
SUTTON Elizabeth Ericson MAE SCHOOL PRINCIPALSHIP K-6
SUTTON Carol Hofmann MAE CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION
WESTER Russell Schoenbeck BS CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMPREHENSIVE
WILCOX Kelly Sheen MAE CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION
WOOD RIVER Adam Knecht BS EXERCISE SCIENCE COMP
YORK Scott Badberg BS INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION COMP
YORK Cory Ciccone BS BIOLOGY COMPREHENSIVE (H) Cum Laude
OUT OF STATE
ARKANSAS
BELLA VISTA Chris Schwager BS PHYSICAL EDUCATION COMP.
COLORADO
TRINIDAD D Swazo BS PHYSICAL EDUCATION COMP.
FLORIDA
JACKSONVILLE Latosha Bowens Hendley EDS SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT
IOWA
GLENWOOD Jill Gerriets MS BIOLOGY
ILLINOIS
MARENGO Michael Crane MAE PHYSICAL ED MASTER TEACHER
KANSAS
GOODLAND Bryce Abbey MAE PHYSICAL ED EXERCISE SCIENCE
ST FRANCIS John Keller BS PSYCHOLOGY COMPREHENSIVE
MINNESOTA
GRAND RAPIDS Jennifer MacKay MAE PHYSICAL EDUCATION
MISSOURI
PACIFIC Abby Miller MAE PHYSICAL ED MASTER TEACHER
NORTH DAKOTA
PEKIN Jason Ensrud MAE PHYSICAL ED EXERCISE SCIENCE
SOUTH DAKOTA
RAPID CITY Travis Webb MAE PHYSICAL ED MASTER TEACHER
VERMONT
SUTTON Casey Lotspeich BS SPORTS ADMINISTRATION COMP
WISCONSIN
LACROSSE Kathleen Bolling BS SOCIAL WORK COMPREHENSIVE
INTERNATIONAL
BAHAMAS Sonja Higgs BS TELECOMMUNICATIONS MANAGEMENT
BRAZIL Francisco Gomes Filho BS JOURN: ADVERTISING
CHINA Hong Xu MSE INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY
COLOMBIA Angela Forero BA STUDIO ART
GERMANY Torsten Homberger MA HISTORY
INDIA Ashim Saini BS COMPUTER SCIENCE
KOSOVO Ardiana Aliu BS BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION COMP Honorable Mention
MACEDONIA Slobodan Nicevski BS COMPUTER SCIENCE COMPREHENSIVE
NEPAL Sangeeta Pathak BS BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION COMP
SLOVAKIA Sylvia Mihalik BS BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION COMP
