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
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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
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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