University of South Dakota
VERMILLION — The University of South Dakota confers degrees upon 1,400 graduates at the 128th Spring Commencement Saturday at the DakotaDome. Tom Gallagher, alumnus and international financial and policy advisor, will receive an honorary degree as Doctor of Humane Letters.
Gallagher and his wife Nancy are co-chairs of USDís Onward Campaign, raising $250 million for future investment in the people and facilities at USD.
Here is a list of the area degree recipients and their hometowns:
Nebraska
• Coleridge — Haley Lea Hefner, Bachelor of Science, Health Sciences;
• Creighton — Benjamin Douglas Borgmann, Juris Doctor;
• Crofton — Christina R. Schroeder, Bachelor of Arts, Spanish;
• Newcastle — Brittney Ann Gutzmann, Master of Social Work; Tara Rohan, Bachelor of General Studies; Kimberly Diane White, Bachelor of General Studies;
• Ponca — John Gordon Leader, Master of Science, Administration;
• Saint Helena — Mitchell Duane Bruening, Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice;
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South Dakota
• Alcester — Joshua Lee Carlson, Doctor of Physical Therapy; Ashlee Ann Wendt, Juris Doctor; Sarah Kiley Haisch, Bachelor of Science, Biology;
• Beresford — Eliann Renee Carr, Doctor of Philosophy, Counseling Psychology in Education; T. Zachary Orr, Master of Public Administration; Teri Jean Krommendyk Beeson, Master of Science, Administration; Michael Alan Jensen, Bachelor of Science, Communication Studies; Madison Lee Landeen, Bachelor of Science, Economics, Bachelor of Business Administration, Management; Kaitlyn McCoy, Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology Sport Science; Kyle DeLay, Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Robyn R. Rentschler, Bachelor of Science in Nursing;
• Burbank — Todd E. Stephens, Bachelor of Science, Media Journalism;
• Centerville — Brian James King, Bachelor of Arts, History; Cynthia Kim Bendt, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Art; Amanda Kay Nelson, Bachelor of Science, Health Sciences; Molly Mae Pingrey, Bachelor of Science, Addiction Studies; Kayla Ann Bennett, Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Kelsey Rae Laska, Bachelor of Science in Nursing;
• Dakota Dunes — Anthony John Teesdale, Juris Doctor; Courtney Ellen Solma, Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice; Riley Jo Meier, Bachelor of Science in Education, English Education; Richard Waugh, Bachelor of Science, Health Sciences; Preeti Devendra Gupta, Bachelor of Science in Nursing;
• Dante — Brett Robert Kuca, Bachelor of Science, Biology;
• Davis — Michelle Zarr, Master of Arts, Special Education;
• Delmont — Mckenzy Marie Raterman, Master of Arts, Educational Administration;
• Elk Point — Jolene Kay Konechne, Specialist in Education, Educational Administration; Michelle L. Corio, Bachelor of Arts, Sustainability, Political Science; Elizabeth Anne Frisbie, Bachelor of Arts, Criminal Justice; Cassie Lynn Hilbrands, Bachelor of Science, Biology; Cayla Marie Hilbrands, Bachelor of Business Administration, Management; Riley Braun, Bachelor of Science in Nursing;
• Freeman — James Dean Dreessen, Doctor of Medicine; Rachel Marie Preheim, Juris Doctor; Christy Margaret Hofer, Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting; Katherine Nicole Helderbrand, Bachelor of Science, Dental Hygiene;
• Gayville — Emma Octavia Ladwig, Doctor of Physical Therapy; Heather Ann Wardle, Bachelor of Science, Biology; William James Larsen, Bachelor of Science in Education, History Education;
• Geddes — Sara Lynn Pepper, Doctor of Medicine;
• Irene — Ann Christine Brockmueller, Bachelor of Science in Nursing;
• Jefferson — Debi Ann Younger, Master of Arts, Educational Administration;
• Lake Andes — Nathan Snyder, Master of Science, Physics; Cody Michael Snyder, Bachelor of Science, Biology;
• Marion — Gwen Lickteig, Master of Science, Administration; Kassie Jo Chedester, Bachelor of Science, Communication Sciences Disorders;
• Menno — Spencer T. Neuharth, Bachelor of Science, Biology;
• North Sioux City — Carlos Ochoa, Bachelor of Arts, Criminal Justice and Philosophy; Nicholas Spilger, Bachelor of Science, Biology; Adam James Brand, Bachelor of Science in Education, Elementary Education; Paige Hoefs, Bachelor of Science in Nursing;
• Olivet — Kathleen Mary Wollmann, Specialist in Education, Educational Administration;
• Platte — Brian Thomas Westerhuis, Doctor of Medicine; Samantha Lee Booth, Master of Arts, Counseling Psychology in Education; Dakotah Jeanne Taylor, Bachelor of Science, Communication Sciences Disorders; Tammi Jean Chaney, Associate of Science, Nursing;
• Scotland — Natasha Sue Auch, Master of Social Work; Chandler U. Edwards, Bachelor of Science, English; Anthony Joe Edwards, Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting; Jesse Robert Pechous, Bachelor of Science in Nursing;
• Tabor — Jennifer Lynn Pechous, Bachelor of Science in Education, Elementary Education and Special Education;
• Tyndall — Lance Michael Ranek, Bachelor of Science, Psychology; Tad Aaron Schuurmans, Bachelor of Science, Economics; Taylor Barbara Van Gerpen, Bachelor of Science, Communication Sciences and Disorders; Katelyn Nicole Koch, Bachelor of Science in Education, Elementary Education; Camille Lynn Hajek, Bachelor of Science, Dental Hygiene;
• Vermillion — Holly Teresa Baker, Doctor of Philosophy, English; Laurel Krokstrom, Doctor of Philosophy, Counseling and Psychology in Education; Chia-Ming Wu, Doctor of Philosophy, Materials Chemistry; Lisa Ida-Marie Inglis, Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy; Jonathan Keith Brooks, Master of Arts, Educational Administration; Jackson Dean Freidel, Master of Arts, Kinesiology Sport Science; Teniesha Anastasia Kessler, Master of Arts, English; Jamie Ann Turgeon-Drake, Master of Arts, Educational Administration; Hao Mei, Master of Science, Physics; Yadav L. Shrestha, Master of Science, Computer Science; Xianmin Xu, Master of Science, Computer Science; Tasia Marie Hofman, Master of Social Work; Janelle Luz Galpin Bachelor of Arts, International Studies and Media Journalism; McKenzie Marie Huska, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology; Bodhi Grey Schultz, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science; Erica Rose Moe, Bachelor of General Studies; Nicholas Kyle Schuttinger, Bachelor of General Studies; Ashley Elizabeth Brunick, Bachelor of Science, Psychology and Health Sciences; Wendy Kristine Bucklin, Bachelor of Science, Psychology; Gary Christiansen, Bachelor of Science, Computer Science; Paige Jacqueline Korn, Bachelor of Science, Psychology; Anna Katherine Kuznik, Bachelor of Science, Psychology; Brent John Olinger; Bachelor of Science, Political Science and Speech Communication; Christine Ann Fisher, Associate of Arts; Patrick Ryan Baird, Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance; Whitney Redler, Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology Sport Science; Stacie Helene Kjelden, Bachelor of Science in Education, Elementary Education; Sarah Merrigan, Bachelor of Science in Education, Elementary Education; Jason D. Logan, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Art; Lukas David Ptacek, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Theatre; Emma Lea Miller, Bachelor of Science, Medical Laboratory Science; Amber Jo Walker, Bachelor of Science, Dental Hygiene; Brittany Dilts, Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Lindsay Marie Robinet, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Misty Deane Spraitz, Bachelor of Science in Nursing;
• Viborg — Stephanie A. Cain, Bachelor of General Studies; Alisha Lynn Roesler, Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting;
• Wagner — Alaina Marie Cuka, Bachelor of Arts, English; Casey James Barnett, Bachelor of Science, Psychology and Criminal Justice; Jennifer Jean Eggers, Bachelor of Science, Dental Hygiene;
• Wakonda — Melissa Marie Hessman, Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice and Psychology;
• Yankton — Erin E. Riibe, Doctor of Education, Educational Administration; Abigail Mary Lichter, Doctor of Medicine; Tracye Sherrill, Juris Doctor; Kevin Dean Finkey, Specialist in Education, Educational Administration; Holly Pedersen, Specialist in Education, Counseling Psychology in Education; DJ Eversley, Master of Arts, Kinesiology Sport Science; Bethany Svacina, Master of Arts, Special Education; Stacie Lynn Wieseler, Master of Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies; Amy Kirk, Master of Business Administration; Amber L. Ekeren, Master of Social Work; Sara Ashley Jares, Master of Social Work; Teresa M. Thomas, Master of Social Work; Emily Kay Niebrugge, Bachelor of Arts, Media Journalism and Communication Studies; Jesse K. Van Maanen, Bachelor of Arts, Anthropology, Spanish and International Studies; Jason Keith Harnisch, Bachelor of General Studies; Rachel Leigh Rayburn, Bachelor of General Studies; Kelsea Ann Hecht, Bachelor of Science, Sustainability and Criminal Justice; Rachael Marie Johnson, Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice; Tyler Lynn Larsen, Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice; Gabriel Messler, Bachelor of Science, Biology; Kelsey Slowey, Bachelor of Science, English; Kyle Jens Anderson, Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting; Delana Brook Bovero, Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting; Michael Paul Helgerson, Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance; Ashley Marie Kolbeck, Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing; Ryan Patrick Lammers, Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing; Ryan Michael Schloss, Bachelor of Business Administration, Management; Taylor Marie Vavra, Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing; Robert Hecht, Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology Sport Science; Rachael Marie Johnson, Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology Sport Science; Nealy Jane Pesicka, Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology Sport Science; Laura Ann Buckman, Bachelor of Science in Education, Elementary Education; Craig Thomas Swensen, Bachelor of Science in Education, History Education, Charissa Hope Livingston, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Art; Emily Anna Vortherms, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Theatre; Miranda Lynn Borstad, Bachelor of Science, Dental Hygiene; Carissa Kinsley, Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Melissa Dehring Knight, Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Emily Janak
SEWARD, Neb. — Concordia University of Seward, Nebraska, awarded degrees to 316 graduates in May 2015. Graduates receiving a degree in December 2014, May 2015 or August 2015 were invited to participate in the university’s 108th commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 9.
Honored students included: Emily Ann Janak, Niobrara, Neb., M.Ed.
Joseph Benda
MOORHEAD, Minn. — Minnesota State University Moorhead will award degrees to more than 940 students during its spring commencement program Friday, May 15, 2015, in the university’s Nemzek Fieldhouse. The College of Education Human Services, College of Science, Health the Environment, and Graduate Studies will participate in the 10 a.m. ceremony.
Among the graduates is Joseph Benda, Yankton; Degree(s): Bachelor of Science; Major(s): Computer Science; Honors: Summa Cum Laude.