2022 Spring Commencement Book

Spring 2022

COMMENCEMENT Saturday, May 14 10 a.m.

Scott Gymnasium

President ’s Message

Dear Class of 2022: Congratulations on your graduation from Dickinson State University!

Today is a celebration of all of your academic efforts. You have undoubtedly studied hours; sacrificed social time; spent days, weeks, years, and miles away from family; and stood on your own two feet.

In the middle of your college experience, you were confronted with a global pandemic. Perhaps you were quarantined or in isolation. You likely had to pivot how you were taking classes. You did all of these things with perseverance and positivity. You are Blue Hawks, and Blue Hawks rise above.

With your grit and ability to adapt, there will be little to stop you from achieving everything you set out to do. We, the faculty and staff at DSU, are proud of you!

Hawks Are Up!

President Stephen D. Easton DSU B.A., 1980

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Platform Party & Speakers

STEPHEN D. EASTON President DEBORA DRAGSETH Vice President of Academic Affairs/Provost HOLLY GRUHLKE Dean, College of Business, Education, and Applied Sciences Chief Enrollment Management and Communications Officer BRENT ROGERS Dean, College of Arts and Sciences KAYLA NOAH Dean of Students DANITA BYE North Dakota State Board of Higher Education LORET TA HEIDT 2022 Distinguished Educator of the Year ANYA BARANKO Student Speaker LUISA POPP Student Speaker MELANI LOWMAN WALTON AND ROB WALTON Special Video Address

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Order of Ceremonies DICKINSON STATE UNIVERSITY 2022 SPRING COMMENCEMENT

Saturday, May 14, 2022 | 10 a.m. | Scott Gymnasium | Dickinson, North Dakota Turn off your cell phones | Remain seated during the processional and recessional | Stand during the alma mater

PRELUDE

DSU Concert Band, Directed by Brian Holder Rifle Rangers – King/Milford Horse and Buggy – Anderson/Ployhar Suite for Band – Frank Erickson

PROCESSIONAL

Pomp and Circumstance – Elgar/Shafer

COMMENCEMENT DECLARED OPEN

David Moody Senior Faculty Member, Assistant Professor of Health and Physical Education

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

Debora Dragseth

OPENING REMARKS

President Stephen Easton

MUSICAL SELECTION

DSU Chorale Brent Rogers, conductor Ad Astra (“To the Stars”) - Jacob Narverud Cheryl Hewson, piano

GREETINGS FROM THE STATE BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Danita Bye

INTRODUCTION OF STUDENT SPEAKERS

Loretta Heidt

COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS

Anya Baranko Luisa Popp

CONFERRAL OF HONORARY DEGREE

President Stephen Easton

PRESENTATION OF GRADUATES

Debora Dragseth

CONFIRMATION OF GRADUATES

President Stephen Easton

SPECIAL VIDEO ADDRESS

Melani Lowman Walton and Rob Walton

CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

President Stephen Easton

ALMA MATER

Led by David Moody

COMMENCEMENT DECLARED CLOSED

David Moody

RECESSIONAL

Recessional March – John Edmondson

PLEASE JOIN US! A reception will follow the commencement ceremony in Wienbergen Gymnasium. page 4

Special Video Address

Melani and Rob Walton Melani and Rob Walton are philanthropists and global leaders in conservation, sustainability, compassion, and wellness. As co-founders of the Rob and Melani Walton Foundation (RMWF), Rob and Melani travel extensively to collaborate and implement on-the-ground strategies all over the globe.

Their partnerships have taken them to forty countries in the last two decades - from the top of the Volksburg in Suriname to the depths of the ocean in Raja Ampat Bird’s Head, and from Turtle Island for planting trees to Malawi for an elephant translocation project.

While earning multiple degrees and graduating from Dickinson State University magna cum laude, Melani set several university records and received national honors multiple years as an All-American in academics, basketball, and track & field. Melani comes from a strong DSU alumni family legacy and is a recipient of the prestigious Young Hawk Award and member of the Blue Hawk Hall of Fame.

Melani remains a proud Blue Hawk and long-time supporter of DSU. Recently, she and Rob supported a permanent installation for the DSU Hall of Fame unveiled in October 2021, and in November DSU announced a $10 million gift from the Rob and Melani Walton Foundation to support the Theodore Roosevelt Center. Previously, the couple supported the Lowman-Walton Concourse, over 5,000 square feet of indoor multi-purpose space in the Biesiot Activities Center, and the creation of the Lowman Walton Scholarship Endowment.

In recognition of her extensive philanthropic work and leadership, Melani has received the Global ATHENA Leadership Award, Childhelp’s Woman of the World, and the Theodore Roosevelt Association Medal of Honor, given to individuals who have “achieved the highest levels of public service, scholarship, and discovery.”

Melani and Rob serve on and advise multiple boards for local, national and global organizations and have received numerous prestigious awards for their contributions.

They were recognized with the International Conservation Caucus Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award and Conservation International’s prestigious Founders’ Award, an honor bestowed on “remarkable leaders whose long-term dedication to conservation and wisdom have had an outsized, positive influence to change our world.”

Learn more about their foundation’s work at rmwaltonfoundation.org. page 5

Honorary Degree Recipient

Sandi Lang Frenzel Sandi Lang Frenzel was born in Bismarck, N.D. and raised on a farm-ranch about 1 ½ miles north of Sterling N.D. She attended Sterling grade school, graduated from Bismarck High School and attended Jamestown College.

In 1975, she moved to Dickinson and became a Licensed Real Estate Salesman and a Real Estate Broker in 1977. Shortly after, she married Joe Frenzel.

Joe and Sandi purchased Everett Real Estate in the mid-1980s after Sandi had worked there for several years. They started the Wendy’s Restaurant in Dickinson and owned it from 1983-2003.

Sandi was President of the North Dakota Association of Realtors in 1983 and sat on the disciplinary board for the N.D. Bar Association.

Currently, she is a member of the N.D. State Gaming Commission, the N.D. Optometry Board, the DSU Foundation Board and serves on the Foundation Yuletyme committee, the Rodeo Council, and the Cowboys and Candlelight committee.

Sandi’s contributions through community leadership and financial support, and her ongoing desire to learn and grow, exemplify the qualities of lifelong learning and service that we desire Dickinson State University graduates to emulate. Sandi and Joe love to travel, golf, and spend time with their grandchildren and at their Little Missouri Cattle Ranch in the Badlands of Medora.

Joe and Sandi have two sons, Dave Hendrickson, and Jeremiah Frenzel, and two daughters, Kodi Schank and Jessica Updike. Three of them have attended DSU.

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Joe and Sandi Frenzel

Outstanding Graduate Nominees The Dickinson State University Outstanding Graduate Award is the highest honor bestowed on graduating seniors by the University. Students are nominated by the faculty in their academic school or department for exceptional performance in their field of study. Two nominees are selected by a committee as outstanding graduates. Nominees for the 2021-22 academic year include: AGRICULTURE AND TECHNICAL STUDIES

Mariah McLaughlin Beulah, ND

ARTS AND LET TERS

Trey Fischbach Moorcroft, WY

Morgan Hutzenbiler Scranton, ND

BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Jace Johnson Sidney, MT

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Treven Hopfauf Dickinson, ND

Jessica Smith Billings, MT

MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE

Andrii Soloviov Kyiv, Ukraine

NURSING

Stephanie Schendel Wilton, WI

Caleb Petross Miles City, MT

SOCIAL SCIENCES

Tariro Chitiyo Harare, Zimbabwe

Alexander Fransen Glasgow, MT

TEACHER EDUCATION

Cassandra McWhorter Rock Springs, WY

Jace Steier Dickinson, ND

NATURAL SCIENCES

Osamudiamen Naomi Uwagbai Lagos, Nigeria

Heather Fahy Dickinson, ND

Rachel Andrus South Heart, ND

Colton Damjanovich Lemmon, SD

Luisa Popp Heidelberg, Germany

UNIVERSITY STUDIES

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Linda Braun Bismarck, ND

Outstanding Graduate

HEATHER FAHY Heather Fahy, daughter of Myron and Kristine Hintz, is graduating from Dickinson State University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a minor in leadership studies. The Dickinson, North Dakota, native’s primary goal is to make a difference for her patients and her community.

Fahy is a member of the Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program (TRHLP), the Theodore Roosevelt Executive Committee, the DSU Nursing Student Association, the Nursing Pinning Ceremony Committee, and the Nursing Department Scholarship Selection Committee as the senior nursing student representative. Outside of Dickinson State, Fahy has been involved with Sherry’s Wishes 5K Walk/Run, serving as a volunteer race coordinator from 2015 to 2020.

As a second-year nursing student, Fahy was awarded the Highest Grade Point Average for the Licensed Practical Nursing Program, and she was named Student Nurse of the Year in 2020. In the spring of 2021, she was recognized for her writing skills, having earned the Outstanding Writing in the Department of Nursing award.

While serving on the Theodore Roosevelt Executive Committee, Fahy helped organize community events, including a volunteer opportunity in which she and her fellow TRHLP scholars were able to paint at the House of Manna, a Dickinson non-for-profit organization assisting those in poverty. In her leadership role as Student Nurse of the Year, her most important accomplishment was organizing a bowling event, Strike Out Burnout. She organized this event to provide a self-care opportunity and bring awareness to nurse burnout, an issue plaguing the profession in the current pandemic. Finally, she served as a nursing peer tutor. In this role, she mentored several of her fellow nursing students, helping them find success in the classroom and clinical settings.

Fahy works as a licensed practical nurse at CHI St. Alexius Health in Dickinson on the medical-surgical unit. During the height of the pandemic, she provided nursing care to critically ill COVID-19 patients.

After graduation, Fahy plans to continue working at CHI St. Alexius Health in Dickinson as a registered nurse. She wants to continue giving back to the community that has supported her on her journey to becoming a nurse. After gaining some experience, she would like to continue her nursing education by attending graduate school to become a women’s health nurse practitioner or a nurse educator. page 8

Outstanding Graduate

OSAMUDIAMEN NAOMI UWAGBAI Osamudiamen Naomi Uwagbai, daughter of Osameke and Josephine Uwagbai of Lagos, Nigeria, is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Information Analytics, a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, and a minor in leadership studies. Her time at DSU has helped her grow into a confident leader who is unafraid to tell the truth, fights for the underdog, serves her community, and lends help whenever needed.

Uwagbai is a member of the Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program, the Theodore Roosevelt Executive Committee, the Multicultural Committee, Phi Beta Lambda, Dickinson State University Chorale, and the International Club.

In 2018, Uwagbai served as a New Student Orientation Leader, helping incoming freshman get acquainted with and settled in at Dickinson State University. As a TRHLP scholar, she works with the DSU campus and Dickinson communities through such initiatives as the Backpack program and Brave the Shave and with other organizations like the House of Manna.

During the summers of 2020 and 2021, Uwagbai worked for the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, during which she made lifelong friends.

After graduating, Uwagbai would like to be a data scientist or a data analyst in a biology lab because she has an interest in rare genetic conditions and what causes them. She would also like to get a master’s or doctoral degree in biostatistics after one or two years of working.

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Student Speakers

ANYA BARANKO Anya Baranko, daughter of Missi and Darren Baranko, was born and raised in Richardton, North Dakota, and graduated from Richardton-Taylor High School in 2018. She will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary Education with minors in leadership studies and art. While a student at Dickinson State, Baranko was a member of the Student Education Association (SEA) and the Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program (TRHLP). As a member of the SEA, she helped the education community in Dickinson by helping organize a winter gear and school supply drive for local elementary schools. As a member of the TRHLP, she completed countless service hours benefiting the Dickinson community including helping with events like Brave the Shave and Boo Hawks. While at DSU, she also participated in the 2019 and 2021 student art shows on campus. After graduating, Baranko will be teaching fourth grade in Hebron, North Dakota.

LUISA POPP Luisa Popp is from Heidelberg, Germany, is the daughter of Markus Popp and Wiebke Brettel, and graduated from St. Raphael Gymnasium in 2017. She will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. During her Dickinson State career, Popp participated in DSU Cheer, women’s basketball, and the Psychology Club. She also worked on campus in the Tutoring Center as a peer tutor for psychology, physics, and Spanish and in the University Relations office creating social media content, writing articles, and taking pictures. In 2021, Popp received a grant from the North Dakota Department of Health to improve COVID-19 communication at DSU. After graduating, she would like to pursue a master’s degree in forensic psychology in Germany. page 10

Previous Student Speakers SPRING 2012 Leah Walters - Gladstone, ND

SPRING 2017 Jessica Schmeichel - Apple Valley, MN Jalyn Klauzer - Baker, MT

FALL 2012 Zachery Keller - Dickinson, ND

FALL 2017 Braeton Erhardt - Hazen, ND

SPRING 2013 Pierce Brooks - North Hills, CA Jordan Mork - Dickinson, ND

SPRING 2018 Carlie Bowditch - Sylvania, SK Mackenzie Hicks - Hettinger, ND

FALL 2013 Sarah Poswilko - Killdeer, ND

FALL 2018 Seth Moerkerke - Gillette, WY

SPRING 2014 Brenda Charles - St. John’s, Antigua

SPRING 2019 Allisha Dworshak - Dickinson, ND Salena Loveland - Worland, WY

FALL 2014 Sarah Jennings - Dickinson, ND Joshua Kralicek - Dickinson, ND

FALL 2019 Rachael Solberg - Belfield, ND

SPRING 2015 Mardee Clarke - Stockett, MT

SPRING 2020 Christopher Gartner - Sidney, MT Suzanna Moberg - Dickinson, ND

FALL 2015 Damon Fichter - Dickinson, ND Michael Landblom - Dickinson, ND

SPRING 2021 Aspen Lenning - Plaza, ND Abigail Moberg - Dickinson, ND

SPRING 2016 Matthew Perdue - Ray, ND

FALL 2021 Isaiah MacDonald - Mandan, ND Mariah McLaughlin - Beulah, ND

FALL 2016 Jalyn McGill - Richardton, ND Mariam Shittu - Kaduna, Nigeria

Honor Ushers Galen Brantley – Soldotna, AK

Alexis Puev – Cheyenne, WY

Jacob Daniel – Dickinson, ND

Grace Timm – Laurel, MT

Alexa Delbridge – Black Hawk, SD

Sophia Timm – Laurel, MT

Veronica Nacota - Riverton, WY

Amaya Willer – Dickinson, ND

Haylie Oberlander – Wordan, MT

Asia Willer – Dickinson, ND

Griffin Obrigewitch – Dickinson, ND

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Candidates for Degrees Latin Honors - gold cord ^ TR Scholar Honor Societies:

Phi Beta Lambda

Phi Theta Kappa

Sigma Beta Delta

MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING Nicole Berger

Dickinson, ND

Nicole Bice

Killdeer, ND

Hayden Gibson

Bismarck, ND

Cameron Guevara

West Valley City, UT

James Hayden

Dickinson, ND

Riley Helmick

Ontario, OR

Jonathan Hicks

Laurel, MT

Jerome Hoffman

Bismarck, ND

Eric Holbrook

Priest River, ID

Tami Lagmay

Glendive, MT

Sonja Lawrence

Las Vegas, NV

Phillip Leck

Ashton, ID

Whitney Mesi

Anaheim, CA

Hunter Moore

San Marcos, CA

Eric Nelson

Laurel, NE

Sagan Osborne

Anchorage, AK

Tyler Quilling

Sidney, MT

Dalton Reid

Miles City, MT

Blake Schwagler

Forsyth, MT

Breanna Sisson

Dickinson, ND

Trey Smollack

Anaconda, MT

Jason Thier

Glendale, AZ

Derick VandeBossche

Lusk, WY

Michael Williams

Trenton, FL MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Johnna Douthit

Regent, ND

Jatoi Harrison

Long Beach, CA

Claire Shoffit

Woodland, CA

Taren Winn

Dickinson, ND MASTER OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Johnna Douthit

Regent, ND

Jatoi Harrison

Long Beach, CA page 12

Candidates for Degrees Stephanie Osborne

Forsyth, MT

Taren Winn

Dickinson, ND BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION - HONORS

Anya Baranko^ Summa Cum Laude

Richardton, ND

Elementary Education

Andrew Boedecker Cum Laude

Sheridan, WY

Composite Social Science Education

Abby Iverson Summa Cum Laude

Stanley, ND

Elementary Education

Lillian Kelley Magna Cum Laude

Spirit Lake, ID

Elementary Education

Cassandra North Cum Laude

Missoula, MT

Elementary Education

Landon Pavlish Magna Cum Laude

Dickinson, ND

Elementary Education

Bridgette Reiss Cum Laude

Killdeer, ND

Elementary Education

Annika Schlosser Cum Laude

Bismarck, ND

Elementary Education

Starla Tipton Magna Cum Laude

Mandan, ND

English Education

Samantha Daniel

Dickinson, ND

Elementary Education

Jayden Dolechek

Dickinson, ND

Physical Education

Tyger Frye

Billings, MT

Composite Social Science Education

Olivia Hanke

San Diego, CA

Physical Education

Anthony Haynes

Dickinson, ND

History Education

Emily Messmer

Buffalo, SD

Elementary Education

Blake Murray

Mountain View, WY

Physical Education

Kassandra O’Brien

Bismarck, ND

Elementary Education

Hunter Schatz

Dickinson, ND

Physical Education

Kylee Shepard

Dickinson, ND

Elementary Education

Bailey Smith

Kalispell, MT

Elementary Education

Jordan Upgren

Bismarck, ND

History Education

Logan Wagoner^

Gillette, WY

Composite Social Science Education

Haylee Walz

Bismarck, ND

Elementary Education

Michelle Wyatt

Bismarck, ND

Elementary Education

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION

BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION - HONORS Brett Bantle Cum Laude

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan page 13

Accounting

Candidates for Degrees Cassidy Buchholz Cum Laude

Lehr, ND

Human Resource Management

Kylee Byer Cum Laude

Sidney, MT

Accounting

Megan Heick Magna Cum Laude

Bismarck, ND

Accounting

Jace Johnson Sidney, MT Magna Cum Laude

Accounting Finance

Jennifer Koch Summa Cum Laude

Bismarck, ND

Administration

Grace Kuntz Summa Cum Laude

Mandan, ND

Accounting

Justin Learn Cum Laude

Bismarck, ND

Finance

Gwen Minette Mosqueda Illigan City, Phillipines Cum Laude

Finance Administration

Karli Pazdernik Mandan, ND Summa Cum Laude

Administration Human Resource Management

Nathan Personne Magna Cum Laude

Dickinson, ND

Administration

Lexie Selting Magna Cum Laude

Fairview, MT

Administration

Caitlyn Tveter Magna Cum Laude

New Town, ND

Accounting

BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Kadie Beckman

Bismarck, ND

Administration

Benjamin Brostrom

Bismarck, ND

Administration

Lucas Butts

Bismarck, ND

Administration

Anthony Campbell Williston, ND

Accounting, Finance Administration

Kaden Clark

Finance

Black Hawk, SD

Shelby Gehring Garrison, ND

Human Resource Management Administration

Merrilee Hallaway

Accounting

Rolla, ND

Corey Helm Bismarck, ND

Administration Human Resource Management

Logan Karsky

Dickinson, ND

Administration

Brenna Lordemann

Williston, ND

Administration

Kyle Ness Williston, ND

Administration Human Resource Management

Megan Ormiston

Hettinger, ND

Accounting

Kolbey Pahl

Ellendale, ND

Administration

Megan Radenz

Bismarck, ND

page 14

Finance

Candidates for Degrees Chelsey Ruud

Parshall, ND

Human Resource Management

Elizabeth Scott Underwood, ND

Accounting Human Resource Management

Braxton Selle Dickinson, ND

Administration Human Resource Management

Jordan Speidel

Bismarck, ND

Accounting

Jace Steier

Dickinson, ND

Administration

Grayden Stone

Bismarck, ND

Finance

Amber Thompson

Bismarck, ND

Administration

Carissa Wilcox

Miles City, MT

Administration

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - HONORS Abbey Aklestad^ Cum Laude

Galata, MT

Exercise Science

Jaydan Bergenheier Cum Laude

Mandan, ND

Computer Science

Trey Fischbach^ Magna Cum Laude

Moorcroft, WY

Agricultural Studies

Auriel Krumwiede Magna Cum Laude

Lewistown, MT

Computer Technology Management

Gwen Minette Mosqueda Cum Laude

Illigan City, Phillipines

Accounting

Caleb Petross Magna Cum Laude

Miles City, MT

Biology

Luisa Popp Summa Cum Laude

Heidelberg, Germany

Psychology

Shaina Solon Cum Laude

Kadoka, SD

Agricultural Studies

Andrii Soloviov Cum Laude

Kyiv, Ukraine

Computer Science

Makayla Tysver Summa Cum Laude

Dickinson, ND

Psychology

Osamudiamen Uwagbai^ Lagos, Nigeria Cum Laude

Information Analytics Mathematics

Claire Zumbach Magna Cum Laude

Henderson, NY

Biology

Ubachukwu Anoke

Onicha, Nigeria

Biology

Hayden Beck

Fessenden, ND

Agricultural Studies

Koltin Christiaens

Conrad, MT

Agricultural Studies

Coy Diede

Richardton, ND

Agricultural Studies

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

Adrian Fisher Peoria, AZ

Business Administration Human Resource Management page 15

Candidates for Degrees Lacey Forsness

Gladstone, ND

Agricultural Studies

Morgan Foss

Harwood, ND

Agricultural Studies

Skyler Foss

Dickinson, ND

Psychology

Omar Garcia

Norwalk, CA

Exercise Science

Alex Gavlak

Stevenssville, MT

Psychology

Tristan Hall

Bismarck, ND

Exercise Science

Thomas Hall

Mandaree, ND

Agricultural Studies

Kathryn Herring

Belfield, ND

Biology

Nicole Kerner

Bismarck, ND

Accounting

Kail Larsen

Dickinson, ND

Biology

Logan Marsh

Dickinson, ND

Biology

Zachary Mostad

Bismarck, ND

Computer Science

Jamie Mullins

Saint Ignatius, MT

Environmental Science

Matthew Nicolai

Bismarck, ND

Accounting

Oluwapelumi Olowo

Lagos, Nigeria

Computer Science

Jeremiah Paine

Westby, MT

Biology

Valeska Palanga

Lome, Togo

Biology

Andrea Praus

Dickinson, ND

Exercise Science

Hannah Rodet

Mapleton, OR

Criminal Justice

Natosha Sand

Glasgow, MT

Exercise Science

Stephanie Schendel

Wilton, WI

Biology

Jessica Smith

Billings, MT

Exercise Science

Jace Steier

Dickinson, ND

Exercise Science

Christina Stroh

Dickinson, ND

Agricultural Studies

Hailey Van Beek

Mandan, ND

Biology

Kyley Verploegen

Havre, MT

Agricultural Studies

Ashley Woitel

Grand Rapids, MN

Psychology

BACHELOR OF ARTS - HONORS Rachel Andrus South Heart, ND Summa Cum Laude

Theatre History

Madeline Peralta Cum Laude

El Monte, CA

English

Luisa Popp Summa Cum Laude

Heidelberg, Germany

Communication

BACHELOR OF ARTS Cole Beck

Dickinson, ND

Theater

Danielle Bergstad

McLaughlin, SD

Music

Brittany Buechler

Bismarck, ND

English page 16

Candidates for Degrees Breilyn Riggin

Glasgow, MT

Composite Social Science

Kierra Schneider

Dickinson, ND

Communication

Ajdin Toskic

Irvine, CA

Communication

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING - HONORS Heather Fahy Summa Cum Laude

Dickinson, ND

Nursing

Molly O’Connor^ Cum Laude

Sundance, WY

Nursing

Brooklyn Ridenhower Cum Laude

Baker, MT

Nursing

Makensie Stedman Summa Cum Laude

Beach, ND

Nursing

Brady Steiner Cum Laude

Dickinson, ND

Nursing

Jenna Swope Magna Cum Laude

Miles City, MT

Nursing

Brianna Walsh Magna Cum Laude

Dutton, MT

Nursing

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING Tariro Chitiyo

Harare, Zimbabwe

Nursing

Grace Edeen

Sheridan, WY

Nursing

Samantha Frederick

Bottineau, ND

Nursing

Kooper Ray^

Glendale, AZ

Nursing

Shalesa Wariner

Dickinson, ND

Nursing

Emery Fine

Ojai, CA

University Studies

Kaci Gummoe

Williamstown, NJ

University Studies

Katelyn Kubitschek

Surprise, AZ

University Studies

Jada Maher

McLaughlin, SD

University Studies

Lori Wagner

Belfield, ND

University Studies

Blake Zabinski

Grand Forks, ND

University Studies

Alexis Braun

New England, ND

Business

Colton Marquardt

Bismarck, ND

Business

Cheyenne Masko

Yucca Valley, CA

Business

Heather Summers

Cheboygan, MI

Business

BACHELOR OF UNIVERSITY STUDIES

BACHELOR OF APPLIED SCIENCE

ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE - GPA DISTINCTION Alyssa Andress

Hettinger, ND

page 17

Practical Nursing

Candidates for Degrees Jayne Ayrakwa

Accra, Ghana

Practical Nursing

Hannah Kessel

Seattle, WA

Practical Nursing

Emmanuel Ofori

Dickinson, ND

Practical Nursing

Jocelyn Ott

Reed Point, MT

Practical Nursing

Elizabeth Widmer

New Rockford, ND

Practical Nursing

ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE Kaitlyn Anderson

Fargo, ND

Practical Nursing

Ruth Arthur

Accra, Ghana

Practical Nursing

Hannah Bailey

Casper, WY

Practical Nursing

Jayd Culey

Gillette, WY

Practical Nursing

Tylee Dey

Glendive, MT

Practical Nursing

Lindsey Dvorak

Manning, ND

Practical Nursing

Brianna Hahne

Ambrose, ND

Practical Nursing

Shawnte Heuman

Riverton, WY

Practical Nursing

Ilise Jennings

Garrison, ND

Practical Nursing

Cassidy Jorensen

Sturgis, SD

Practical Nursing

Brayden Jorgensen

Bowman, ND

Administration

Mariah Jurgens

Dickinson, ND

Practical Nursing

Demyrie Maher

Glendive, MT

Practical Nursing

Erica Martinez-Meza

Mountain Home, ID

Practical Nursing

Micayla Miske

Wibaux, MT

Practical Nursing

Skye Murphy

Dickinson, ND

Practical Nursing

Tonya Olmstead

Dickinson, ND

Practical Nursing

Bailey Pearcy

Dickinson, ND

Practical Nursing

ASSOCIATE IN ARTS - GPA DISTINCTION Zack Anders

Buffalo, SD

Liberal Arts/Transfer ASSOCIATE IN ARTS

Laney Johnson

Havre, MT

Liberal Arts/Transfer

Julie Miller

Mott, ND

Liberal Arts/Transfer

ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE - GPA DISTINCTION McKenzie Kinzel

Dickinson, ND

Liberal Arts/Transfer

Kiely Mogren

Kenmare, ND

Agricultural Sales & Service

Courtney Olson

Mandan, ND

Agricultural Sales & Service

ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE Donald Martian

Bowman, ND

Agricultural Sales & Service page 18

Candidates for Degrees Kellee Martin

Taylor, ND

Liberal Arts/Transfer

Alex Mintyala

Missoula, MT

Liberal Arts/Transfer

Bailey Paulson

Taylor, ND

Agricultural Sales & Service

Dalton Praus

Dickinson, ND

Agricultural Sales & Service

Breilyn Riggin

Glasow, MT

Liberal Arts/Transfer

Samantha Twagirayezu

Kigali, Rwanda

Liberal Arts/Transfer

Joleta Wilkinson-Crainer

Alvin, TX

Agricultural Sales & Service

Tayt Wolding

New Salem, ND

Agricultural Sales & Service CERTIFICATE

Megan Heick

Bismarck, ND

Accounting Technician

Jace Johnson

Sidney, MT

Accounting Technician

Brayden Jorgensen

Bowman, ND

Accounting Technician

Andrii Soloviov

Kyiv, Ukraine

Web Management

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION Abbey Aklestad

Galata, MT

Strength & Conditioning

Samantha Crotchett

Fort Worth, TX

CPA Preparation

Omar Garcia

Norwalk, CA

Strength & Conditioning

Tristan Hall Bismarck, ND

Corrective & Therapeutic Exercise Strength & Conditioning Wellness

Megan Heick

Bismarck, ND

Entrepreneurship

Brayden Jorgensen

Bowman, ND

Entrepreneurship

Natosha Sand

Glasgow, MT

Strength & Conditioning

Jessica Smith Billings, MT

Corrective & Therapeutic Exercise Wellness

Jace Steier

Strength & Conditioning

Dickinson, ND

THIS PROGRAM IS NOT AN OFFICIAL GRADUATION LIST While every effort is made to ensure accuracy in this commencement program, printing deadlines may result in omission of some names and use of names of persons not completing graduation requirements as intended. This printed program, therefore, should not be used to determine a student’s academic or degree status. The University’s official registry for conferral of degrees is the student’s permanent academic record kept by the Office of Academic Records at Dickinson State University. page 19

Outstanding Faculty and Staff DISTINGUISHED EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR LORET TA HEIDT Assistant Professor of Business and Department Chair School of Business and Entrepreneurship

EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD DR. DEBORAH SECORD Associate Professor of Education School of Education

PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS AWARD DR. BRITTANY HIRTH Assistant Professor of English Department of Arts and Letters

ADJUNCT FACULTY RECOGNITION AWARD WALLACE “GENE” MILLER Adjunct Faculty Department of Agriculture and Technical Studies

ADJUNCT FACULTY RECOGNITION AWARD HAYLEE (CRIPE ) CULVER Adjunct Faculty School of Business and Entrepreneurship

PROFESSIONAL STAFF SERVICE AWARD CHRISTOPHER MEEK Director Office of Financial Aid

PROFESSIONAL STAFF SERVICE AWARD KATHY MEYER Registrar/Director Office of Academic Records

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF SERVICE AWARD CINDY SPLICHAL Information Specialist Office of Academic Records and Office of Financial Aid page 20

Faculty and Staff The following is a listing of Dickinson State University faculty and staff, organized in chronological order based on the year of employment with full-time faculty listed first, followed by staff members who hold a baccalaureate degree.

FACULTY Debora Dragseth

Vice President, Academic Affairs/Provost Professor of Business

David Moody

Assistant Professor of Health and Physical Education

Tim Daniel

Assistant Professor of Health and Physical Education

Tobias Stroh

Assistant Professor of Agriculture

Peter Leno

Assistant Professor of Health and Physical Education

David Meier

Professor of History

Thadd O’Donnell

Chair, Department of Health and Physical Education Assistant Professor of Physical Education

Myron Berg

Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science

Douglas King

Professor of Agriculture

Paul Johanson

Professor of Mathematics

Rolf Butz

Assistant Professor of Business

Timothy Kreidt

Athletic Trainer

John Stanton

Director of Athletics Head Football Coach

Cheryl Lantz

Associate Professor of Nursing

Lori Hauf

Associate Professor of Business

Steven Doherty

Chair, Department of Social Science Professor of Political Science

Lucy Meyer

Chair, Department of Nursing Associate Professor of Nursing

Woodrow “Chip” Poland Jr.

Chair, Department of Agriculture and Technical Studies Professor of Agriculture

Reba Olsen

Assistant Professor of Mathematics

Shawna Egli

Instructor of Mathematics

Kristen Fleury

Head Softball Coach Assistant Athletic Director

Holly McBee

Professor of English

Kevin Moberg

Assistant Professor of English and Education

William Harris III

Professor of Computer Science

Eric Grabowsky

Associate Professor of Communications

Jacinta Skretteberg

Assistant Professor of Nursing

Jarvis Jahner

Associate Professor of Theatre and Communications

Lisa Corbin

Assistant Professor of Accounting

Karen Hale Lewis

Associate Professor of Sociology

Craig Whippo

Professor of Biology page 21

Faculty and Staff Wendy Wilson

Professor of Psychology

Justin Schlecht

Head Wrestling Coach

Holly Gruhlke

Dean, College of Education, Business and Applied Sciences Chief Enrollment Management and Communications Officer Associate Professor of Business

Amy Kass

Assistant Professor of Accounting

Timothy Kessel

Assistant Professor of Business and Finance

Dana Whippo

Associate Professor of Political Science and Economics

Teresa Bren

Assistant Professor of Nursing

Gregory Walter

Associate Professor of Art

Jeremy Wohletz

Chair, Department of Arts and Letters Associate Professor of Music

Donald Ehli

Instructor of Communication

Jundong Chen

Associate Professor of Computer Science

Darla Hoffmann

Assistant Professor of Education

Pamela Krueger

Assistant Professor of Education

Brent Rogers

Dean, College of Arts and Sciences Associate Professor of Music

Mark Lowe

Assistant Professor of Accounting

Shayne Wittkopp

Head Cross Country/Track and Field Coach Instructor of Health and Physical Education

Erin Berger

Assistant Professor of Nursing

Motokatsu Ogawa

Associate Professor of Chemistry

Deborah Secord

Associate Professor of Education

Loretta Heidt

Chair, School of Business and Entrepreneurship Assistant Professor of Business

Michelle Stevier-Johanson

Instructor of English

Jason Their

Assistant Football Coach Assistant Coordinator, Henry Biesiot Activity Center

Russell McCarvel

Associate Athletic Director Assistant Football Coach

Jerolyn Braunagel

Instructor of Education

Brittany Hirth

Assistant Professor of English

George Seror III

Assistant Professor of Psychology

Ann Wittkopp

Assistant Athletic Trainer Instructor of Health and Physical Education

Michael Dahl

Head Baseball Coach Instructor of Health and Physical Education

Eric Nelson

Head Women’s Basketball Coach

Joan Aus

Chair, School of Education Associate Professor of Education Director of Graduate Studies

Patience Biesiot

Assistant Professor of Nursing page 22

Faculty and Staff Steven Koch

Assistant Football Coach Assistant Track and Field Coach

Elizabeth Freedman

Assistant Professor of Biology

Kyle Reeping

Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Derek Selvig

Head Men’s Basketball Coach

Sean Corrigan

Assistant Professor of Education

Lynette Silbernagel

Assistant Professor of Nursing

Marcus Fries

Chair, Mathematics & Computer Science Associate Professor of Mathematics

Shari Hewson

Head Volleyball Coach

Jason Abate

Assistant Professor of Business

Stacy Cordery

Director, Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program Dennis & Vaune Johnson Endowed Chair in Theodore Roosevelt Studies

Amy Grinsteinner

Assistant Professor of Education

Niles Haich

Instructor of English

Brian Holder

Assistant Professor of Music

Colin Strine

Assistant Professor of Biology

STAFF Todd Hauf

Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Services

Carrie Knudson

Coordinator, Student Health Services

Trent Myran

Director, Facility Operations

Stacy Wilkinson

Academic Affairs Coordinator

Kim Thiel

Assistant Director, Information Technology Services

Kathleen Meyer

Director, Academic Records

Johnna Douthit

Assistant Director, Academic Records

Vidya (Sagar) Kondru

Network and Database Manager

Gayle Mork

Assistant Director, Financial Aid

Sharon Kilzer

Project Manager, Theodore Roosevelt Center

Christopher Meek

Director, Financial Aid

Krissy Kilwein

Director, Human Resources

Nicole Kadrmas

Lead Programming Specialist Collaborative Coordinator

Joshua Nichols

Creative Services Specialist

Ty Orton

Executive Director, DSU Heritage Foundation

Elena Stickel

Graphic Design and Publication Coordinator

Jacinta Splichal

Information Specialist, Academic Records and Financial Aid

Sandra Steckler

School of Education Coordinator

Jason Watson

Director of Athletic Marketing & Communication Biesiot Activity Center Coordinator

Annika Plummer

Administrative Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Technical Studies page 23

Faculty and Staff Edward Striefel

Emergency Mangement Coordinator

Kayla Noah

Dean of Students

Laura Fetting

Technology Education Coordinator

Samantha Wohletz

Online Professional Advisor Testing Center Coordinator

Dale Dolechek

Custodian

Taylor Thiel

Information Systems Specialist

Alecia Dukart

School of Business and Entrepreneurship Coordinator

Andreea Evenson

Administrative Assistant, Department of Arts and Letters Administrative Assistant, Department of Social Sciences

Stephanie Osborne

Director, Admissions

Ruizhe Jiang

Data Analyst

Kathleen Geisen

Director, Special Projects Title IX Coordinator

Alan Gatheridge

Heat Plant Operator

Tammy Krebs

Budget/Accounting Specialist

Sheri Landenberger

Verification Specialist

Monica Struck

University Librarian

Erik Johnson

Digital Collections Cataloger

Feifei Zhong

Student Accounts Coordinator

Kelly Hyland

Digital Collections Cataloger

Rachel Goslinga

Athletic Communication Specialist

Stephen Easton

President, Dickinson State University

Marlo Sexton

Remote Course Delivery Coordinator

Monica Watson

Professional Advisor Tutoring Center Specialist

Kent Anderson

Chief Financial Officer

Michelle Davis

Senior Admissions Counselor

Sagan Osborne

Professional Advisor Career Services Specialist

Kyle Smith

Development Officer - Athletics and Rodeo

Salena Loveland

University Communication Specialist

Samantha Sheesley

Online Learning Technician

Jaci Kolm

Transfer Evaluation Specialist

Michael Landblom

Admissions Counselor

Mackenzie Hicks

Campus Activities Specialist

Russell Kiser

Director, International Programs

Eric Holbrook

Director, Campus Life

Kim Dressler

Controller

Catie Loftsgaard

Admissions Counselor

William Hansard

Digital Collection Specialist - Social Media/Education page 24

Academic Attire HISTORY Academic regalia generally consist of cap, gown, and hood worn on formal occasions at institutions of higher learning. It originated in the medieval period when the vast majority of scholars were of the clergy.

The gown evolved from what most likely was the cape of the clergy. The gown was originally black, but color was introduced as institutions left ecclesiastical control. The hood originated as the skull cap worn by the clergy to protect their heads from the elements.

The hood served a three-fold purpose: head covering, shoulder cap, and bag for alms. King’s College, now known as Columbia University, was established in 1754 and imported many British regulations for academic dress.

The end of the 19th century found widespread use of academic dress in the United States. It is estimated that 95 percent of the colleges and universities abide by the intercollegiate code which oversees academic dress.

STYLES AND COLORS The bachelor’s gown is worn closed and is distinguished by its pointed sleeves. A master’s gown is designed to be worn closed with long, crescent shaped sleeves. The doctoral gown may be worn open or closed with velvet panels down the front and three bars on the round, bell-shaped sleeves. The color of the velvet may be distinctive of the field of study to which the degrees pertain. The Dark Blue of the Doctor of Philosophy degree is predominant but other representative degree colors are distinguished in the following manner: Arts, Letters, Humanities — White

Business — Drab

Economics — Copper

Education — Light Blue

Fine Arts — Brown

Law — Purple

Library Science — Lemon

Music — Pink

Nursing — Apricot

Physical Education — Sage Green

Public Administration — Peacock Blue

Science — Golden Yellow

Social Work — Citron

Theology — Scarlet

The most distinguishing feature of the academic attire is the hood. The size and shape of the hood designates not only the college degree of the wearer but also the university he or she attended. The master’s hood is three and one-half feet in length, while the doctoral hood is rounded and measures four feet in length. Hoods are lined with the official colors of the institution conferring the degree. The binding around the hood is velvet with the color indicative of the major field of study.

Caps are normally black with the most common the four-point mortarboard. Tassels are worn over the left front quarter after a degree has been conferred. Students graduating with honors from Dickinson State University are distinguished with gold honor cords. Only students earning bachelor degrees may receive honor status.

The Mace In medieval times the mace was often carried by kings or their sergeant-at-arms into battle where it was used as a weapon to protect the king. Centuries later, as armor became stronger, the use of the mace was phased out as a weapon. It was used instead during ceremonial occasions to denote authority in governmental, legislative, church and academic settings. Universities have also used the mace to denote authority, and it is carried in front of the academic procession during each commencement ceremony.

The Dickinson State University mace is carried by David Moody, Assistant Professor of Health and Physical Education for the Department of Health and Physical Education. Moody began his long and distinguished teaching career at DSU in 1990. Moody earned the honor of carrying the mace by virtue of being the senior member of Dickinson State University faculty.

Photos Individual photos of graduates will be available for purchase courtesy of TheGradTeam.

Ordering information will be mailed out by TheGradTeam within the next few weeks following commencement.

Additional commencement photos will be available for free at flickr.com/dickinsonstateuniversity. Photos will be labeled under the name “2022 Spring Commencement.”

If you are having technical difficulties, please email dsu.communications@dickinsonstate.edu, and someone will assist you. page 25

SHARE YOUR PHOTOS Tag DSU @dickinsonstate

Cane of Leadership The Cane of Leadership was started back in 2001 by the DSU Alumni Association as a historical time piece to list the accomplishments of each academic year with a new ribbon. Prior to 2001, the graduating classes had a new metal ring indicating that year added to a cane. The cane is filled with rings from every year dating back to 1926.

HOMECOMING KING AND QUEEN Matt Dey ’22 – Sidney, MT Haylie Oberlander ’23 – Worden, MT STUDENT NURSE OF THE YEAR Macradee Miller ’23 – Gillette, WY OUTSTANDING STUDENTS IN TEACHER EDUCATION AWARD Cassandra McWhorter ’21 – Rock Springs, WY Colton Damjanovich ’21 – Lemmon, SD OUTSTANDING GRADUATES Heather Fahy ’22 – Dickinson, ND Osamudiamen Naomi Uwagbai ’22 – Lagos, Nigeria STUDENT COMMENCEMENT SPEAKERS Luisa Popp ’22 – Heidelberg, Germany Anya Baranko ’22 – Richardton, ND NORTH STAR ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS Football Women’s Cross-Country Women’s Indoor Track & Field SENIOR ATHLETES OF THE YEAR Tyger Frye ’22 – Billings, MT Courtney Olson ’22 – Mandan, ND WOMEN’S AND MEN’S RODEO TEAMS GREAT PLAINS REGION RESERVE CHAMPIONS Champion Breakaway Roper – Lacey Forsness ’22 Walt Garrison Award – Jory Boote ’24 MATT DEY WINS 2022 RIMINGTON AWARD AS NAIA’S BEST FOOTBALL CENTER DSU CHEER PLACES 4TH IN NATIONAL COMPETITION GROUNDBREAKING FOR SANFORD SPORTS COMPLEX AND CHAMPION SOFTBALL FIELD PULVER HALL RENOVATION PROJECT NEARS COMPLETION $10 MILLION DOLLAR ENDOWMENT AND GIFT

BY THE ROB AND MELANI WALTON FOUNDATION – LARGEST IN DSU HISTORY FIRST ENDOWED POSITION Dennis and Vaune Johnson Endowed Chair in Theodore Roosevelt Studies DSU DECLARED A MASTER’S DEGREE GRANTING INSTITUTION

BY THE HIGHER LEARNING COMMISSION Master of Business Administration and Master of Education page 26

Display of Nations In honor of the rich diversity at Dickinson State University, commencement includes the Display of Nations. The national flag of each student graduating is displayed in a salute to the students who have come together to enrich the university.

COUNTRIES

United States

Canada

Germany

Ghana

Nigeria

Philippines

Rwanda

Togo

Ukraine

Zimbabwe TRIBAL NATIONS

Three Affiliated Tribes

Turtle Mountain Chippewa Tribe page 27

Hail to thee! Our Alma Mater, Of the Blue and Gray; Fair to us above all others Is thy name today!

Blue and Gray! Flag we love!

Float and wave alway For DSU. May thine own fore’er be loyal To thy memory.

Lyrics by Mary Jane Alguire Middleton, B.A. '42 Arranged by O.T. Belsheim; Revised in 1987