Alumnus Hoos to deliver UNK commencement address Friday

KEARNEY – Graduate and undergraduate degrees for 685 will be conferred at the University of Nebraska at Kearney commencement exercises at 10 a.m. Friday (May 8).

The University Wind Ensemble, directed by Duane Bierman, UNK Director of Bands, will provide the processional, “Konigsmarsch” by Richard Strauss; and “Pomp and Circumstance” by Edward Elgar. The national anthem will be performed by Victoria Klaus, soprano; accompanied by Nolan Pribnow.

The Honorable Jodi M. Hoos, circuit judge for the 10^th Judicial District in Illinois, will deliver the commencement address.

Margaret Jackson will give the senior class reflection. A native of Red Cloud, Jackson is a political science and criminal justice major, and was named to Mortar Board. She also has involvement in the Honors Program, Honors Student Advisory Board, Model United Nations, Criminal Justice Honor Society, Locke and Key Society, Phi Eta Sigma Honors Society, Navigators, Undergraduate Research Fellows, United Campus Ministry, and resident assistant.

She recently received the Outstanding Senior Award and 2015 Mary Jane and William R. Nester University Student Leadership Award.

Hoos, of Amherst, graduated magna cum laude from UNK in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. She obtained her juris doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2000. While at UNK, Hoos played on the Loper softball team and was a standout at third base. UNK was a combined 152-42 during her four seasons, won three Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference titles and reached the Elite 8 in 1996 and 1997.

Hoos joined the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office in 2000 and was assigned to the domestic violence courtroom. She worked her way up to prosecuting felony cases and was named chief felony prosecutor in 2007. She tried more than 125 jury trials and more than 40 murder cases. In December 2014 she was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to the post of Circuit Judge.

Dr. Dan Slawski of Kearney will be the recipient, during the exercises, of the Cope Cornerstone of Excellence Award.

Doors to the UNK Health and Sports Center will open at 8:30 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.

Visitors with wheelchairs can sit in the corner seating sections on the main floor or use the elevator in the northeast corner of the building to sit in the designated section on the arena floor. Individuals who have difficulties with steps should arrive at least an hour early to have access to seats just below the railings on the main floor or to obtain seating on the arena floor bleachers. Overflow areas will be available for watching in the HPER gym and HSC 150-151.

For those unable to attend in person, UNK commencement ceremonies are webcast at www.unk.edu

When: 10 a.m., Friday, May 8
Where: UNK Health and Sports Center, 24^th Street and 15^th Avenue, Kearney
Social Media: Follow @UNKearney and #lopergrad on Twitter to see photos and posts from 2015 graduates, their friends and families
Live Broadcast: Watch Commencement live and join in the #lopergrad conversation at http://unk.edu/eventdashboard