Glennis Nagel
Director, Media Communications, 308.865.8454
Dr. Phyllis Markussen, University of Nebraska at Kearney emeritus professor of family studies and interior design, will give the summer commencement address at 10 a.m. ceremonies on Friday, July 29, in the Nebraskan Student Union Ponderosa Room.
Receiving degrees will be 187 students, of which 76 will be receiving undergraduate degrees and 111, graduate degrees.
Dr. Markussen, who served as the chair of the UNK Department of Family Studies and Interior Design for eight years, was a member of the UNK faculty for 22 years. During that time, she received numerous state and national awards. In 2010, she received the Innovation, Development and Entrepreneurship Award (IDEA), a university-wide award which honors faculty members who have extended their academic expertise beyond the boundaries of the university in ways that have enriched the broader community.
She also received the Leland Holdt/Security Mutual Life Insurance Distinguished Faculty Award in 2009. The award, which is the most prestigious faculty award at UNK, recognizes outstanding teacher-scholars for achievements that bring substantial credit to the university. The activity areas considered include teaching, research and service, with preference given to candidates who demonstrate high accomplishments in all three areas. Further, Dr. Markussen received the first place award from the American Society of Interior Designers in the Historic Preservation Category for her redesign of the Nebraska Governor’s Mansion Kitchen and Butlers Pantry.
She was inducted into the National Kitchen and Bath Association National Hall of Fame in 2004 and received the organization’s National Merit Award in 1997.
While at UNK, Dr. Markussen received numerous campus recognitions, including the Outstanding Teaching Award from the College of Business and Technology, Honorary Faculty Member from Phi Eta Sigma, Profiles in Excellence, Outstanding Teaching Award for the College of Business and Technology from the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce University Relations Committee, Outstanding Professor Award from the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences in 1993, and she was nominated for the Pratt-Heins Award for Teaching Excellence. She also received numerous research grants including $105,000 for program enhancement in 2009 and $210,000 for a Rapid Prototyping Laboratory in 2005.
Dr. Markussen’s students also received numerous awards including the National Kitchen and Bath Association Outstanding Student Award and a finalist in the National Kitchen and Bath Association National T-shirt Design Competition.
Dr. Markussen has served nationally and within Nebraska for the National Kitchen and Bath Association, and as a design competition judge for Bath and Kitchens Magazine International Kitchen Design Competition in 2001, which was held in New Jersey and London, England.
The title of her presentation to graduates will be “It’s Your Choice.”
The Friday ceremonies will open with the National Anthem, performed on the saxophone by Christopher Gugel ofAmherst. Lenore Hollis Yaeger of Ann Arbor, Mich., will give the graduate reflections. UNK Chancellor Douglas Kristensen will give the welcome, and Kent Schroeder, University of Nebraska Board of Regents, will give greetings on behalf of the board. Dr. John Hertner, professor and chair of the Department of Biology, will serve as Grand Marshal.
For those unable to attend the 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 graduates 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.
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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: Honors Program (H), Mortar Board (MB) and Phi Kappa Phi (PKP). ——————————————————————————–
NEBRASKA
Ainsworth Kenneth Lohmeyer BS Aviation Systems Management Comp Honorable Mention
Amherst Joshua Bauer BS Health Science
Arapahoe Jonathan Stoye BS Industrial Distribution Comp
Arlington Ann Jamison MAEd Special Education
Auburn Tammy Blobaum MS Biology
Auburn Rebecca Slick MA History
Aurora Timothy Elge MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Bellevue Margaret Forgét MS Biology
Bertrand Jennifer Kaps MSEd Instructional Technology
Blair Kimberly Johnson MAEd Special Education
Broken Bow Allison Jonas MAEd School Principalship PK-8
Burwell Scott Anderson BS Exercise Science Fitness and Wellness Comp
Burwell Kathryn Croy MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Burwell Nathan Piper MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Butte Rebecca Mathine BS Exercise Science
Cedar Bluffs Amy Widman MSEd Speech Language Pathology
Clarkson Mikayla Faltys MSEd Speech Language Pathology
Cody Marsha Osburn MAEd Special Education
Coleridge Alexis Ferris MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Cozad Lindsey Zimbelman BS Industrial Distribution Comp
Crawford Lenita Roberts BS Recreation, Park and Tourism Management Comp
Creighton Lori Ehrenberg MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Creston Emily Wemhoff BA Jour: Public Relations Magna Cum Laude
Crete Katie Hollman BS Exercise Science Comp
David City Christopher Hein MSEd School Counsel Student Affairs
Elm Creek Jade Meads MAEd Physical Education
Elwood Britney Zeller BS Exercise Science Magna Cum Laude H, PKP
Fairbury Paul Smith MAEd School Principalship 7-12
Falls City Danitra Crofford MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Falls City Hayley Milam BS Psychology Summa Cum Laude PKP
Fort Calhoun Kathleen Tinkham BFA Visual Communication and Design Comp Magna Cum Laude MB
Fremont Brett Meyer MSEd Instructional Technology
Fullerton Lisa Shotkoski BS Radiography Comp
Geneva Dirk Coon MAEd School Principalship 7-12
Gering Kayleigh Brunner MAEd Reading PK-12
Gering Cody Flower MAEd Physical Education Exercise Science
Gibbon Nolan Porter BS Sports Administration Comp
Glenvil Rebecca Dumler BS Health Science
Grand Island Ethan Cordes MS Biology
Grand Island Catherine Cure MSEd Instructional Technology
Grand Island Martin Levinson MAEd Physical Education Master Teacher
Grand Island Tyler Madison MSEd Instructional Technology
Grand Island Keely Nelson BS Business Administration Comp
Hastings Kyle Bruna MBA Business Administration
Hastings Kahsaandra Lawson MAEd Special Education
Hastings Ashley Ohlsen BS Business Administration Comp
Hayes Center Lacey Bouc MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Holdrege Trent Benjamin MSEd Instructional Technology
Holdrege Zachary Gressett BGS General Studies
Humphrey Travis Wegener BS Physical Education Comp
Juniata Dale Rusher MAEd School Principalship 7-12
Kearney Jasmin Addy-McGinnis BGS General Studies
Kearney Edrees Al Drees BS Industrial Technology
Kearney Sandra Anthony MA English
Kearney Ann Carlson BAE Vocational Business 7-12 Summa Cum Laude
Kearney Christopher Davis BS Exercise Science
Kearney Lisa Donovan MAEd Physical Education Master Teacher
Kearney Cathy Eshleman MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Kearney Randy Hemmer BS Criminal Justice Comp
Kearney Skylar Hinrichs BS Business Administration Comp
Kearney Jerald Johnson BS Telecommunications Management Comp
Kearney Gregory Johnston BS Sports Administration Comp Summa Cum Laude
Kearney Meesha Lopez BS Exercise Science
Kearney Miles Margritz BM Music Comp
Kearney Brooke McGee MA History PKP
Kearney Aloma Moncrief BS Aviation Systems Management Comp
Kearney Martha Montanez Diaz MS Biology
Kearney Kara O’Connell BS Exercise Science Honorable Mention
Kearney Cynthia Ostrom MA English
Kearney Joni Reisinger MSEd Community Counseling
Kearney Nancy Roberts MSEd School Counseling Secondary
Kearney Jane Searcey MAEd Reading PK-12
Kearney Michael Wedge BS Business Administration Comp Honorable Mention
Kearney Jason Willard MA English
Kearney Leul Yoseph BS Construction Management Comp Honorable Mention
Kennard Calleen Harper BS Exercise Science Comp
Kimball Ryan Birdwell BS Exercise Science
Lexington Amanda Harvey MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Lexington Erin Heineman MBA Business Administration
Lexington Trisha Snell BS Family Studies
Lincoln Levi Lash BS Business Administration Comp
Lincoln Courtney Petersen BGS General Studies
Lincoln Kristen Rosenboom MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Loup City Mary Hewitt MAEd Reading PK-12
Malcolm Gabriel Ratzlaff BS Exercise Science Cum Laude
McCook Jessica Peterson BS Psychology Comp
McCook Cherie Wallace MSEd Instructional Technology
Minden Terry Dunlop MSEd Community Counseling
Minden Robin Hollinger MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Minden Ryan Wakefield BS Exercise Science Fitness and Wellness Comp
Mitchell Thomas Swarm BS Organizational Communication Comp
Neligh Susan Loofe MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
North Loup Holly Myers MSEd Instructional Technology
North Platte Timothy Garth MAEd Art Education
North Platte Michelle McPherron MS Biology
North Platte Laura Miller MAEd Physical Education Master Teacher
Odell Steven Vitosh MS Biology
Omaha Deanna Anderson MAEd Reading PK-12
Omaha Kathryn Borgelt MSEd Instructional Technology
Omaha Elizabeth Caez MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Omaha Alisha Harrington BS Criminal Justice Comp
Omaha Stephanie Jenkins MSEd Instructional Technology
Omaha Elizabeth Staskiewicz MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Omaha Julie Stednitz MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Ord Alexandra Neeman BS Business Administration Comp
Ord Lathan Woollen BS Criminal Justice Comp
Scottsbluff Preston Stahly BS Construction Management Comp Magna Cum Laude
Seward Benjamin Hanika MSEd Instructional Technology
Sidney Megan Haack BSE Communication Disorder Summa Cum Laude PKP
Sidney Jennifer Veldhuizen MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Springview Amanda Stephen BGS General Studies Honorable Mention
St. Paul Jay Christensen MAEd Physical Education Master Teacher
Superior Lindsey Garst BS Family Studies
Sutton Vincent Friesen MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Sutton James Jones MAEd School Principalship 7-12
Trenton Jacob Keller BS Construction Management Comp
Tryon Tracy Ryland MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Valentine Shannon Danielski BFA Visual Communication and Design Comp
Venango Samuel Karash BGS General Studies
Wausa Jonathan Munter BS Recreation, Park and Tourism Management Comp
Wausa Nathan Munter BS Recreation, Park and Tourism Management Comp
West Point Derek Ippensen MAEd School Principalship 7-12
Wilber Mitchell Sasek BS Exercise Science Fitness and Wellness Comp Honorable Mention
Wynot Anne Stratman MSEd Science Education
York Miranda Merrill BS Business Administration Comp
OUT-OF-STATE
ALABAMA
Florence David Messer MSEd Instructional Technology
ARKANSAS
Fort Smith Christopher Dorey MS Biology
CALIFORNIA
Apple Valley Margaret Wilson MAEd Reading PK-12
Escondido Raymond Dann MS Biology
Riverside Derek Gildner MS Biology
COLORADO
Denver Tiffany Meidinger MSEd Instructional Technology
Fort Morgan Amy Windsheimer MAEd Reading PK-12
Northglenn Andrew Tidwell BS Sports Administration
Sterling Bo Beardsley BS Sports Administration Comp
GEORGIA
Athens Stephanie Thomas MAEd Special Education
IOWA
Avoca Amy Pattee MSEd Instructional Technology
Churdan Anna Miller MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Des Moines Casey Schroeder MS Biology
Knoxville Georgia Tucker MAEd Special Education
Leon Aaron Kentner BS Recreation, Park and Tourism Management Comp
Sherrill Ronald Lindblom MS Biology
Tabor Jeremy Christiansen MAEd School Principalship 7-12
ILLINOIS
Chicago Abdou Karekoona MS Biology
Lombard Stephanie Huizinga MSEd Instructional Technology
KANSAS
Dodge City Kinsey Wemhoff MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Hoxie Tyler Baker BS Industrial Distribution Comp
Junction City Allison Werts MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
Ottawa Amanda Fields MS Biology
Stockton Douglas Cooper MAEd Physical Education Exercise Science
LOUISIANA
Springfield Rachael Darouse MS Biology
MICHIGAN
Ann Arbor Lenore Yaeger MSEd School Counsel Student Affairs
Grand Blanc Nicole Yambrick MS Biology
MISSOURI
Blue Springs Katherine Clark MSEd School Counsel Student Affairs
St. Joseph Drew Hoselton BS Sports Administration
MISSISSIPPI
Greenwood LaDeidre Jackson MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
NORTH CAROLINA
Monroe Sara English MS Biology
NORTH DAKOTA
Arvilla Janelle Green MS Biology
OKLAHOMA
Broken Bow Christopher Gammon MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
PENNSYLVANIA
Hershey Tonia Lowe MS Biology
SOUTH CAROLINA
Greenville Jay Mobley MSEd Instructional Technology
TENNESSEE
Knoxville Amanda Zachritz MS Biology
TEXAS
Amarillo Gregory Davidson BS Organizational Communication Comp
Keller Pamela Buie MS Biology
VIRGINIA
Ashburn Coleby Wilt MS Biology
WISCONSIN
Burlington Erin Dietz MAEd Curriculum and Instruction
WEST VIRGINIA
Beckley Amanda Hodge BS Broadcasting
WYOMING
Rawlins Mahvash Baig MSEd Speech Language Pathology
Sheridan Rochelle Fox MAEd Reading PK-12
INTERNATIONAL
ANDORRA Soldeu Matthew Young BS Criminal Justice
BAHAMAS Freeport Cassandra Albury MSEd Instructional Technology
BAHAMAS Freeport Errol Bodie BS Aviation Systems Management Comp
CANADA Strathroy Elisha Plaine MAEd Physical Education Master Teacher
CHINA Gejiu Xueying Ma BS Business Administration Honorable Mention
CHINA Shanghai Chuanyao Zheng BS Business Administration
CHINA Xiamen Michelle Bowman MAEd School Principalship 7-12
INDIA Mumbai Roopa Chandrasekhar MSEd Instructional Technology
JAPAN Hamamatsu Shunsuke Takabayashi BS Sports Administration
JAPAN Inabeshi Haruna Kawasugi BS Interior Design Comp
JAPAN Tendo-shi Ryo Tokairin BS Biology Comp Cum Laude
TURKEY Izmit Baris Bicer BS Business Administration Comp
