WHAT: UNK Spring Commencement
WHEN: 10 a.m. Friday, May 8
WHERE: UNK Health and Sports Center
SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow @UNKearney on Instagram, Facebook and X to see photos and posts
LIVE BROADCAST: Watch commencement live at http://unk.edu/eventdashboard
VIEW THE FULL LIST OF SPRING GRADUATES
KEARNEY – The University of Nebraska at Kearney will host its spring commencement 10 a.m. Friday at the Health and Sports Center on campus.
Chancellor Neal Schnoor will confer degrees for 739 graduate and undergraduate students during the ceremony and present the Ron and Carol Cope Cornerstone of Excellence Award to Keith and Eileen Carpenter for their support of UNK students.
The keynote speaker is Larry Keiter, a UNK alumnus and owner of Larry Keiter Coaching.
Originally from Hartington and now living in Lincoln, Keiter provides executive coaching and organizational development services to local and national companies. He’s a Gallup-certified CliftonStrengths coach and certified Korn Ferry Leadership Coach.
The author of two books, Keiter started his career with Walmart, serving as a store and district manager and helping expand the company’s presence in Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa during his 22 years with the company. He later served 13 years at Ameritas as second vice president of talent development before launching his coaching business in 2022.
Keiter earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Kearney State College in 1986 and a Master of Business Administration from Regis University. A recipient of the UNK Distinguished Alumni Award, he serves on the UNK College of Business and Technology Dean’s Leadership Council and University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business CliftonStrengths Institute board.
He’s also active in Rotary International and was named an admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska.
The student speaker is Ella Buhlke, who graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in biology with a health science emphasis and public health minor.
A Central City native, Buhlke has distinguished herself as a standout student-athlete. As a member of the Undergraduate Research Fellows program, she presented her work at regional, national and international conferences. She was also a member of the Honors Program and Kearney Health Opportunities Program, completing some of the university’s most challenging biology coursework while maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Buhlke was named the Outstanding Organic Chemistry Student, and she recently received the Biology Outstanding Senior Award.
As a member of the Loper cross country and track teams, she’s qualified for multiple national competitions and earned recognition in distance events. She received the NCAA Elite Scholar-Athlete Award, presented at the national cross country championships to the competitor with the highest GPA, as well as numerous academic honors from the MIAA, College Sports Communicators and U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
After graduation, she plans to continue her education in health sciences and pursue a career in medicine.
NU Board of Regents Chair Paul Kenney will also address the graduates. The national anthem will be performed by Sayo Kajiyama of Nara, Japan, with accompanist Jason Robertson of Kearney. Kajiyama graduates cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in vocal music performance, and Robertson graduates summa cum laude with a music degree and public law minor.
The UNK Wind Ensemble will perform during the processional and recessional.
Those who are unable to attend in person may watch the ceremony via livestream on UNK’s website. A recording can also be viewed later on the website.
PARKING INFO
Commencement attendees are encouraged to park in the lots west of the Health and Sports Center. Visitors with handicap permits can park east of the Health and Sports Center. Those transporting a handicapped person will have access to drop off the individual 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 of the Health and Sports Center or use the elevator in the northeast corner of the building to sit in the designated section on the arena floor.
Doors open at 8 a.m.
BAG/PURSE POLICY
Guests should expect a visual inspection of person, bags and clothing capable of concealing prohibited items. Small clutch purses and wallets are preferred at entry and will expedite inspection.
PROHIBITED ITEMS
For safety reasons, prohibited items include but are not limited to:
- Any type of weapon, fake weapon or object resembling a weapon. This includes firearms, knives, tasers, chains and any item deemed to compromise public safety.
- Alcohol, drugs, illegal substances, vaporizing pens/E-cigs or any paraphernalia associated with drug use. The Health and Sports Center is a smoke-free facility.
- Animals (except service animals).
- Laser pens/pointers of any type.
- Noisemakers (including air horns, cowbells or whistles).
If a prohibited item is revealed during a search, patrons may dispose of the item or they may return the item to their vehicle. The UNK Health and Sports Center does not safeguard any personal belongings or items of any type.