What: UNK Summer Commencement
When: 10 a.m. Friday, July 26
Where: UNK Health and Sports Center, 24th Street and 15th Avenue, Kearney
Social Media: Follow @UNKearney and #lopergrad on Instagram and Twitter to see photos and posts from 2019 graduates, their friends and families
Live Broadcast: Watch commencement live and join in the #lopergrad conversation at http://unk.edu/eventdashboard
KEARNEY – The University of Nebraska at Kearney will confer degrees for 182 graduate and undergraduate students during commencement exercises 10 a.m. Friday (July 26) at the Health and Sports Center on campus.
Longtime music educator and choral director David Bauer will deliver the commencement address.
A Kansas native, Bauer spent 35 years as a professor of music and director of choirs at UNK before retiring in May. He traveled extensively in Europe and South America with the UNK choirs and Nebraska Honor Choir, and he continues to direct Kearney First United Methodist Church’s Chancel Choir and the Platte River Singers, a 75-voice community choir he founded in 2013.
An active adjudicator and guest conductor for festivals and honor choirs across the Midwest, Bauer worked with numerous high school choirs in the Kearney area and organized an All-State Choral Camp each summer.
He earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Fort Hays State University, Master of Music Education from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance and Doctor of Education from Arizona State University, where he studied conducting with Douglas McEwen.
Bauer and his wife, Ann, have five children, three of whom attended UNK and joined their father’s choirs, 16 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
JoAnna Cordova of Kearney will give the graduate reflection. She will graduate from UNK with a Master of Science in Education in curriculum and instruction-early childhood education.
Cordova, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from UNK in 1999, has served as director of UNK’s Child Development Center since August 2002. She’ll leave that position next month to become the district preschool teacher at Wood River Rural Schools.
Susan Fritz, interim president-elect and executive vice president and provost at the University of Nebraska, will also address the graduates. Degrees will be conferred by UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen.
Logan Hansen, a 2018 graduate of UNK, will perform the national anthem.
Doors to the Health and Sports Center open at 8:30 a.m., and the procession begins at 9:45 a.m. Parking in the lots west and north of the Health and Sports Center is encouraged. Visitors with handicap parking permits can park east of the Health and Sports Center, where there is also a drop-off area for visitors transporting a handicapped person. Attendees with wheelchairs can utilize the corner seating sections on the main floor or use the elevator in the northeast corner of the building to access a designated section on the arena floor.
Because of ongoing construction, traffic is limited to one lane in each direction on U.S. Highway 30 along the southeast edge of campus. Construction also restricts access to campus from Highway 30 in that area. Additionally, 19th Avenue between Highway 30 and University Drive is no longer a through street.
For those unable to attend in person, UNK commencement ceremonies are livestreamed 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.
CITY |
STATE |
NAME |
DEGREE |
MAJOR |
MAJOR 2 |
HONORS |
Albion |
NE |
Robert Coakes |
MSE |
Science Math Education – Chemistry |
||
Amherst |
NE |
Cameron Klingelhoefer |
BS |
Criminal Justice |
||
Amherst |
NE |
Tyler Long |
BS |
Exercise Science, Fitness & Wellness |
||
Arnold |
NE |
Rebecca Eggleston |
BS |
Radiography |
||
Atkinson |
NE |
Lindsey Christman |
BGS |
General Studies |
||
Aurora |
NE |
Sarah Jones |
MSE |
Speech Language Pathology |
||
Beatrice |
NE |
Hannah Elliott |
BS |
Business Administration |
||
Beatrice |
NE |
Tanner Lusk |
BS |
Business Administration |
||
Bellevue |
NE |
Jacqueline Canty |
MAE |
Physical Education Master Teacher- Pedagogy |
||
Bellevue |
NE |
Jayme Leazenby |
MSE |
Instructional Technology – School Librarian |
||
Bellevue |
NE |
Brook Parker |
MAE |
School Principalship PK-8 |
||
Bennington |
NE |
Amy Baumann |
MAE |
School Principalship 7-12 |
||
Blair |
NE |
Katie Ruwe |
MAE |
Curriculum & Instruction – Reading/Special Education |
||
Blue Hill |
NE |
Alexandra Judd |
BS |
Business Administration |
||
Boelus |
NE |
Brooke Zentz |
BS |
Radiography |
||
Brewster |
NE |
Leah Pickering |
BS |
Recreation, Park, & Tourism Management |
Magna Cum Laude |
|
Bridgeport |
NE |
Amanda Reilly |
MSE |
Instructional Technology – Leadership in Instructional Technology |
||
Bruning |
NE |
Lichelle Houchin |
MAE |
Curriculum & Instruction – Reading/Special Education |
||
Burwell |
NE |
Jessica Domeier |
BS |
Health Sciences |
||
Central City |
NE |
Isaac Carr |
MSE |
Science Math Education – Physics/Physical Science |
||
Central City |
NE |
Jerad Paup |
BS |
Information Networking & Telecommunications |
Honorable Mention |
|
Chappell |
NE |
Hannah Moran |
MAE |
School Principalship PK-8 |
||
Columbus |
NE |
Amanda Boesch |
MSE |
School Counseling Elementary PK-8 |
||
Columbus |
NE |
Danielle Petro |
MSE |
Instructional Technology |
||
Columbus |
NE |
Aaron Rogers |
BS |
Business Administration |
||
Cozad |
NE |
Jose Monrroy |
BS |
Family Studies |
||
Crete |
NE |
Rudy Lima Orellana |
BS |
Business Administration |
||
Crete |
NE |
Gabriela López Lemus |
BAED |
Modern Languages Education |
Magna Cum Laude |
|
Crookston |
NE |
Rebekah Wells |
BS |
Political Science |
||
Doniphan |
NE |
Brenda Nash |
MAE |
Curriculum & Instruction – Reading/Special Education |
||
Elgin |
NE |
Anthony Selting |
MS |
Biology |
||
Elkhorn |
NE |
Danielle Nelson |
MSE |
Instructional Technology – School Librarian |
||
Elkhorn |
NE |
Megan Rash |
MAE |
Special Education – Advanced Practitioner: Functional Academic Skills and Independent Living Specialist |
||
Elwood |
NE |
Desirai Grassmeyer |
BS |
Family Studies |
||
Fairbury |
NE |
Abigail Jones |
MA |
English – Writing |
||
Fordyce |
NE |
Madisson Foxhoven |
MSE |
Speech Language Pathology |
||
Gering |
NE |
Shalea Wood-Akers |
MSE |
Higher Education Student Affairs |
||
Gibbon |
NE |
Deanna Stall |
MAE |
Curriculum & Instruction – Instructional Effectiveness |
||
Gothenburg |
NE |
Alayna Collins |
BS |
Psychology |
Summa Cum Laude |
|
Grand Island |
NE |
Jared Bombeck |
MA |
History |
||
Grand Island |
NE |
Machol Chol |
BS |
Sports Communication |
||
Grand Island |
NE |
Miguel Flores |
MBA |
Business Administration – Generalist |
||
Grand Island |
NE |
Benjamin Gehring |
MSE |
Science Math Education – Biology |
||
Grand Island |
NE |
Nichole Janulewicz |
MAE |
Reading PK-12 |
||
Grand Island |
NE |
Caitlin Jensen |
MAE |
School Principalship PK-8 |
||
Grand Island |
NE |
Eon Lemburg |
MSE |
Instructional Technology |
||
Grand Island |
NE |
Tyler Lucas |
MAE |
School Principalship PK-8 |
||
Grand Island |
NE |
Melinda Meyer |
BS |
Early Childhood & Family Advocacy |
Honorable Mention |
|
Grand Island |
NE |
Amanda Paustian |
BA |
Studio Art |
||
Grand Island |
NE |
Michelle Setlik |
MA |
History |
||
Gretna |
NE |
Stefanie Green |
MAE |
Curriculum & Instruction – Transitional Certification |
||
Hastings |
NE |
Catherine Davis |
MSE |
School Counseling Secondary |
||
Hastings |
NE |
Leticia Garcia |
MSE |
Higher Education Student Affairs |
||
Hastings |
NE |
Alayna Ham |
MAE |
Spanish Education |
||
Hastings |
NE |
Darren Heil |
BA |
English |
||
Hastings |
NE |
Evan Kruger |
MAE |
Special Education |
||
Hastings |
NE |
Jameson Northrop |
MAE |
Curriculum & Instruction – Transitional Certification |
||
Hastings |
NE |
Jacob Peitzmeier |
MAE |
Curriculum & Instruction – Secondary Education |
||
Hastings |
NE |
Brooke Schwanke |
MA |
History |
||
Hickman |
NE |
Emma Lee |
BGS |
General Studies |
Honorable Mention |
|
Hooper |
NE |
Jake Kment |
MAE |
Curriculum & Instruction – Instructional Effectiveness |
||
Hoskins |
NE |
Holly Volker |
MAE |
Curriculum & Instruction – Transitional Certification |
||
Humphrey |
NE |
Tina Schumacher |
MAE |
Curriculum & Instruction – Secondary Education |
||
Imperial |
NE |
Jeffrey Dickey |
BS |
Business Administration |
||
Imperial |
NE |
Janessa Wolf |
MAE |
School Principalship PK-8 |
||
Juniata |
NE |
Creighton Reed |
MAE |
Physical Education Master Teacher- Pedagogy |
||
Kearney |
NE |
Austin Buerer |
BS |
Biology |
||
Kearney |
NE |
JoAnna Cordova |
MAE |
Curriculum & Instruction – Early Childhood Education |
||
Kearney |
NE |
Dalton Harvey |
BS |
Business Administration |
||
Kearney |
NE |
Christiana Howell |
MSE |
Clinical Mental Health Counseling |
||
Kearney |
NE |
Stacy Laue |
MAE |
Curriculum & Instruction – English as a Second Language |
||
Kearney |
NE |
Ty Liveringhouse |
BS |
Business Administration |
||
Kearney |
NE |
Kraiton Matson |
BS |
Radiography |
||
Kearney |
NE |
Hannah Nutt |
BGS |
General Studies |
||
Kearney |
NE |
Eric Pavlicek |
BS |
Recreation, Outdoor, & Event Management |
||
Kearney |
NE |
Kathryn Peterson |
MAE |
Special Education – Advanced Practitioner: Behavioral Interventionist Specialist |
||
Kearney |
NE |
Corbin Rader |
BS |
Recreation, Park, & Tourism Management |
||
Kearney |
NE |
Krystal Reynolds |
MAE |
Curriculum & Instruction – Early Childhood Education |
||
Kearney |
NE |
Kirsten Scheer |
BS |
Family Studies |
Honorable Mention |
|
Kearney |
NE |
Lena Younes |
BGS |
General Studies |
||
Leigh |
NE |
Carlene Reichmuth |
MSE |
Clinical Mental Health Counseling |
||
Lexington |
NE |
Marni Baker |
MAE |
Curriculum & Instruction – Transitional Certification |
||
Lexington |
NE |
Cecilia Perales Garcia |
MAE |
Spanish Education |
||
Lincoln |
NE |
Ashley Florer |
BS |
Recreation, Park, & Tourism Management |
Honorable Mention |
|
Lincoln |
NE |
Rodney Meester |
BGS |
General Studies |
||
McCool Junction |
NE |
Gabriel Fisher |
BS |
Exercise Science |
Athletic Training |
Honorable Mention |
McCool Junction |
NE |
Nicole Wilkinson |
MAE |
Reading PK-12 |
||
Milford |
NE |
Sara Trojan |
BS |
Business Administration |
Summa Cum Laude |
|
Minden |
NE |
Lacy Petrocco |
BS |
Psychology |
Honorable Mention |
|
Mitchell |
NE |
Carlye Kuxhausen |
MSE |
School Counseling Elementary PK-8 |
||
Nehawka |
NE |
Miranda Miller |
BS |
Sports Management |
||
Norfolk |
NE |
Lynn Behnke |
MAE |
Special Education |
||
Norfolk |
NE |
Michele Dickey |
MAE |
Curriculum & Instruction – Early Childhood Education |
||
Norfolk |
NE |
Emily Duerst |
MAE |
Curriculum & Instruction – English as a Second Language |
||
North Platte |
NE |
Gail Knott |
MSE |
School Counseling Student Affairs |
||
O’Neill |
NE |
Derek Camp |
MAE |
School Principalship PK-8 |
||
O’Neill |
NE |
Jon-Patrick Johnston |
BS |
History Social Science |
||
Oakland |
NE |
Lauren Persson |
MAE |
Art Education – Classroom Education |
||
Ogallala |
NE |
Cam Thomas |
BS |
Sports Management |
||
Omaha |
NE |
Anthony Aliano |
MAE |
School Principalship 7-12 |
||
Omaha |
NE |
David Anderson |
MA |
History |
||
Omaha |
NE |
Kristoff Berzins |
MS |
Biology |
||
Omaha |
NE |
Kelsey Ferdig |
MAE |
Curriculum & Instruction – Instructional Effectiveness |
||
Omaha |
NE |
Jenny Fitch |
MAE |
Physical Education Master Teacher- Pedagogy |
||
Omaha |
NE |
Molly Mahannah |
MAE |
Curriculum & Instruction – Transitional Certification |
||
Omaha |
NE |
Sarah Morrison |
MS |
Biology |
||
Omaha |
NE |
Angela Newcomer |
MSE |
Instructional Technology – Leadership in Instructional Technology |
||
Omaha |
NE |
Traci Remington |
MAE |
Curriculum & Instruction – Transitional Certification |
||
Omaha |
NE |
Natalie Torrez |
BA |
English Writing |
Honorable Mention |
|
Omaha |
NE |
Terese Vogel |
MAE |
Curriculum & Instruction – English as a Second Language |
||
Omaha |
NE |
Morgan Wheatley |
BS |
Interior Design |
||
Ord |
NE |
Ryan Callan |
MSE |
Science Math Education – Chemistry |
||
Ord |
NE |
Jorge Vera Chavez |
MAE |
Spanish Education |
||
Osceola |
NE |
Kaitlyn Buss |
MAE |
Spanish Education |
||
Overton |
NE |
Donna Ecklund |
MSE |
Clinical Mental Health Counseling |
||
Papillion |
NE |
Sara Bullock |
MAE |
Special Education – Advanced Practitioner: Assistive Technology Specialist |
||
Papillion |
NE |
Jacob Burrus |
BS |
Sports Management |
||
Papillion |
NE |
Rebecca Dunn |
MAE |
Special Education |
||
Plattsmouth |
NE |
Francella Wiles |
MSE |
Higher Education Student Affairs |
||
Prague |
NE |
Colin Wade |
BS |
Exercise Science |
Honorable Mention |
|
Ravenna |
NE |
Sean McFadden |
BS |
Exercise Science |
||
Rising City |
NE |
Marshall Glock |
BS |
Business Administration |
||
Shelton |
NE |
Jack Spellman |
BS |
Industrial Distribution |
||
Sidney |
NE |
Kelsey Carwin |
MAE |
Reading PK-12 |
||
Sidney |
NE |
Brody McKnight |
BS |
Business Administration |
||
Springview |
NE |
Sarah Connell |
MSE |
Clinical Mental Health Counseling |
||
Springview |
NE |
Kelli Gibson |
MAE |
Curriculum & Instruction – Instructional Effectiveness |
||
Sutton |
NE |
Owen Schernikau |
MSE |
Science Math Education – Biology |
||
Utica |
NE |
Christina Dean |
BS |
Family Studies |
||
Valentine |
NE |
Carolyn Petersen |
BS |
Business Administration |
||
Valentine |
NE |
Kandi Young |
MSE |
School Counseling Secondary |
||
Verdigre |
NE |
Katelyn Vakoc |
BGS |
General Studies |
||
West Point |
NE |
Michelle Ulrich |
MSE |
Instructional Technology |
||
West Point |
NE |
Ashley Woitaszewski |
MAE |
Special Education |
||
Wilber |
NE |
Caleb Lempka |
MAE |
Physical Education Master Teacher- Pedagogy |
||
Wilcox |
NE |
Johanna Vance |
MAE |
Reading PK-12 |
||
Wolbach |
NE |
Adrian Allen |
EDS |
School Superintendent |
||
OUT OF STATE |
||||||
Tracy |
CA |
Sara Adair |
MS |
Biology |
||
Fairfield |
CA |
Narinedat Madramootoo |
MS |
Biology |
||
Fort Collins |
CO |
Shannon Duff |
BS |
Interior Design |
||
Fort Collins |
CO |
Casey Peitz |
MAE |
Special Education |
||
Breckenridge |
CO |
Courtney Seaboldt |
MAE |
Physical Education Exercise Science |
||
Miami |
FL |
Max Raymond |
BS |
Sports Management |
||
Honolulu |
HI |
Robert Hernandez |
MA |
History |
||
West Des Moines |
IA |
Zane Peters |
MS |
Biology |
||
Coeur d’Alene |
ID |
Sara Ruggles |
MA |
History |
||
Bluffton |
IN |
April Crous |
MS |
Biology |
||
Valparaiso |
IN |
Jourdan Ringenberg |
MS |
Biology |
||
Norton |
KS |
Ryan Bainter |
BS |
Radiography |
||
Overland Park |
KS |
Nathanael Gilmore |
MA |
History |
||
Norton |
KS |
Nicholas Koch |
BS |
Information Networking & Telecommunications |
||
Olathe |
KS |
Alexa Sidoti |
BS |
Physical Education |
||
Bethesda |
MD |
Amanda Phillips |
MAE |
Curriculum & Instruction – Instructional Effectiveness |
||
Ionia |
MI |
Kelly Gordon |
MA |
History |
||
Albert Lea |
MN |
Diane Henry |
MA |
History |
||
St. Louis Park |
MN |
Leah Kalgren |
MAE |
Spanish Education |
||
Eagan |
MN |
Amanda Schilling |
MAE |
Spanish Education |
||
Dayton |
MN |
Matthew Schomaker |
MS |
Biology |
||
Big Lake |
MN |
Jamie Score |
MS |
Biology |
||
Versailles |
MO |
Julie Frazier |
MS |
Biology |
||
O’Fallon |
MO |
Jazmin Shipley |
MSE |
Science Math Education – Biology |
||
Charlotte |
NC |
Justin James |
BGS |
General Studies |
||
Ocean City |
NJ |
Elizabeth Stamm |
MAE |
Art Education – Classroom Education |
||
Grants Pass |
OR |
Corey Ely |
MA |
History |
||
Mechanicsburg |
PA |
Brian Buterbaugh |
MAE |
Music Education |
||
Hummelstown |
PA |
Kara Finney |
MAE |
Physical Education Master Teacher – Special Populations |
||
Irwin |
PA |
Patrick Grieco |
MA |
History |
||
Erie |
PA |
David Segoviano |
MAE |
Spanish Education |
||
Chesterfield |
SC |
Elizabeth Douglass |
MAE |
Music Education |
||
Pierre |
SD |
Makayla Hiller |
BS |
Family Studies |
||
Carrollton |
TX |
Diego Caceres |
MAE |
Spanish Education |
Honorable Mention |
|
Houston |
TX |
Preston Foley |
BS |
Physical Education |
||
San Antonio |
TX |
Emily Fontenot |
MA |
History |
||
Garland |
TX |
Augustine Ume-Ezeoke |
MAE |
Physical Education – Research & Field Work |
||
Cape Charles |
VA |
Katherine Lacks |
MA |
History |
||
Amelia Courthouse |
VA |
Jennifer Lowery |
MAE |
Spanish Education |
||
Battle Ground |
WA |
Lynda Carlson |
MS |
Biology |
||
INTERNATIONAL |
||||||
Nigeria |
Adeoye Aderibigbe |
BS |
Business Administration |
|||
Canada |
Kyle Kay |
MAE |
Physical Education Master Teacher – Pedagogy |
|||
China |
Quanyi Qu |
BS |
Business Administration |
|||
Japan |
Suzuka Shimada |
BS |
Athletic Training |