North Central University Commencement Program

commencement 2020 north central university friday, december 12, 2020

presidential greetings Welcome to the 2020 North Central University Commencement exercises. I’m thrilled you have chosen to be here to support our graduates today and create incredible shared memories that we will talk about for the rest of our lives.

If you are a parent, family member, or friend of a graduate, I want to thank you for the role you have played in his or her life. You have sacrificed to provide love, guidance, prayers, and financial help. All of you have supported these students, and we have dedicated ourselves to produce leaders with the skills, vision, and humility to impact the world.

Your work, and ours, may be done, but the work of these students is really just begun—and they will need our prayers. We pray, with you, that they are now prepared to live lives in service to God, and that He will use them for His Kingdom and for His glory.

Today’s graduates join thousands of students who have attended NCU, dispersed throughout the world utilizing their gifts and talents for the common good. Join us in praise and thanks today for the good work God has done, as we honor the graduates of the Class of 2020.

Sincerely,

Scott Hagan, Ph.D.

our heritage Located in the heart of Minneapolis, North Central University is a coeducational, undergraduate, primarily residential college owned and operated by 11 Assemblies of God districts of the upper Midwest. Founded in 1930 as North Central Bible Institute, program offerings were expanded in 1955 to include a four-year degree.

In keeping with the vital and growing character of the school, enrollment has more than tripled from 401 students in 1975 to present enrollment of approximately 1,100 in the resident program.

In 1957, the name was changed to North Central Bible College and in 1964, North Central was accredited by the American Association of Bible Colleges.

Recognizing its commitment to the needs of its constituents, North Central continued expanding its offerings and was accredited in 1986 by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of College and Schools.

At the spring 1998 meeting of the Board of Regents, the college’s name was changed to North Central University.

academic apparel history

The history of academic apparel dates back to medieval European universities of the fourteenth century. European universities continue to follow varied patterns in cut and color of gown and type of headdress. In the United States, colleges and universities have standardized the academic attire so its features are common and uniform throughout the country. Academic apparel lends dignity to commencement and other university ceremonies and indicates academic achievement through the style of gowns, hoods, medals, tassels, and colors. The standard attire in the United States is as follows:

gowns

The pattern of the gown varies with the degree held: pointed sleeves for the bachelor’s degree; long, closed sleeves with a slit for the arms for the master’s degree; and round, open sleeves for the doctor’s degree. The doctor’s gown is faced down the front with velvet and three bars across the sleeves.

hood

Hoods are the most significant conveyors of degree identification.

Hoods are lined with the colors of the school granting the degree. The velvet color trim designates the subject of the degree: Arts and Letters is white; Theology is scarlet; Music is pink; Library Science is lemon; Philosophy is dark blue; Science is gold/yellow; Education is light blue; Journalism is crimson; and Business Administration is drab.

cap

The standard cap is the Oxford cap, better known as the mortarboard. The cap is an essential part of academic attire and is retained on the head throughout all academic exercises except during prayer.

medals

Medals signify special honors from Psi Chi Honor Society, Sigma Tau Delta Honor Society, Enactus, ASLHS, and Alpha Chi Honor Society.

honor cords

The gold cord is worn in recognition of superior scholastic achievement.

british academic attire

The standards for academic dress in the United Kingdom vary from those observed in the United States. Robes are traditionally worn open at the front, and colors may designate different disciplines than those described above.

For example, a degree in Theology may be designated by an electric blue trim.

honors and honor societies american sign language honor society

The American Sign Language Honor Society (ASLHS) was established by the American Sign Language Teacher’s Association. Participants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher and must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher in ASL courses, complete at least five hours of community service per year, and complete at least four semesters of ASL studies. American Sign Language Honor Society participants will earn a medallion in honor of their work.

antioch society

The Antioch Society is a society of students dedicated to giving every people group access to Jesus and His Good News. Its members commit to weekly prayer, monthly giving to a missionary, community service at least two times a month, and reading a missiological book once a semester. Members of the Antioch Society wear an Antioch Society Medallion.

kappa delta pi

This international honor society in education is committed to the pursuit of excellence in education – gathering elite educators and providing them with innovative resources to help them make a difference in the world. Students must have a declared major in education, 30 credits of collegiate course work, at least 12 credits in education course work, a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater, and have demonstrated leadership and character in their time at NCU.

lambda pi eta

Lambda Pi Eta is the National Communication Association’s honor society and represents what Aristotle described in Rhetoric as three ingredients of persuasion: logos (Lambda), meaning logic; pathos (Pi), relating to emotion; and ethos (Eta), defined as character, credibility, and ethics. Eligibility includes completion of four semesters of college and 12 semester hours in Communication and related courses.

Members must also have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, have a GPA of 3.25 or higher for all Communication courses, and rank in the top 35% of their class.

latin honors

Latin honors are granted to graduating students who have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher and taken more than 45 credits in residence at North Central University. The categories are Summa Cum Laude: 3.8 to 4.0; Magna Cum Laude: 3.65 to 3.79; Cum Laude: 3.5 to 3.64. Recipients of this honor each wear a gold cord while Magna Cum Laude wears a black and gold tassel and Summa Cum Laude honor recipients are distinguished by wearing a gold tassel.

psi chi

Psi Chi is the national honor society in Psychology. This organization’s purpose is to encourage, stimulate, and maintain excellence in scholarship of the individual members in all fields, particularly in Psychology. Members must complete three semesters of college, nine semester hours of Psychology coursework, and rank in the top 35% of their class. Participants of this group wear a Psi Chi medallion and cord.

sigma beta delta

Sigma Beta Delta is the international honors society for business, management and administration students, who are at least junior status and rank in the upper 20 percent of their class. The purpose of the society is to encourage and recognize high scholarship and accomplishments, good moral character, and to promote aspirations toward personal and professional improvement and a life distinguished by honorable service to humankind. Members wear the Sigma Beta Delta lapel pin, honor code or stole, and honor medallion.

sigma tau delta

Sigma Tau Delta is an International English Honor Society. Members must have completed at least three semesters of college work and a minimum of two college courses in English beyond the minimum requirement. They must also have a 3.0 GPA in English and rank in the top 35% of their class. Recipients of this award wear a Sigma Tau Delta medallion.

theta alpha kappa

Theta Alpha Kappa was established in 1972 to recognize the academic achievements of religion and theology students. To date, Theta Alpha Kappa is the highest national honor a religious studies or theology can earn. To be eligible for nomination, students must be in the top 35% of their class, have a 3.5 GPA in Religion and Theological Studies, and have an overall GPA of 3.0.

commencement ceremony Friday, December 12, 2020 — North Central University

Prelude and Processional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Professor Joshua Tompkins College of Fine Arts Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vice President Greg Leeper Academic Affairs Congregational Worship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dean Larry Bach College of Fine Arts President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . President Scott Hagan Senior Class Response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kenneth Schrock Student Body President Presentation of Candidates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vice President Greg Leeper Academic Affairs Awarding of Degrees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . President Scott Hagan Prayer of Dedication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dean LaToya Burrell College of Graduate Studies and Professional Education

candidates for graduation * Summa Cum Laude

† – Magna Cum Laude

‡ – Cum Laude

college of graduate and professional education Smith, Emma BS, Applied Studies: Arts

college of arts & sciences Ballinger, Isaiah BA, Communication Arts: Media Communications Benson, Courtney BA, Social Work Boike, Jordan BS, Education: Secondary Communication Arts and Literature *

Brandon, Jasmine BS, Educational Studies Burd, Liliana AA, Humanities Castonguay, Jaime BS, Social Work Clarke, Danielle ‡ BS, Education: Music Coffman, Katelyn * BA, American Sign Language Interpreting BA, Elementary Education Cole, Juliann † BS, Social Work BS, Business Administration Constantino, Brian BA, American Sign Language Interpreting

Falk, Paige BA, American Sign Language Interpreting Gitzel, Abbey * BS, Social Work Glader, Rebecca * BS, Educational Studies Hall, Samson * BA, English: Creative Writing Haseltine, Grace BA, English: Creative Writing Haugen, Haley BS, Educational Studies: Elementary Hofstede, Celeste * BS, Social Work Hoover, Amy * BS, Educational Studies Hunter, Sierra * BA, Social Work Johnson, Mya * BS, Elementary Education Jones, Hannah * BA, Social Work Kari, Adaira ‡ BS, Elementary Education

Cregut, Weston BA, Communication Arts: Media Communications

Loukinen, Riley * BS, Mathematics

Dettmer, Hannah * BA, English: Creative Writing

McDonough, Jalen * BS, Elementary Education

Dietzel, Austin BA, Elementary Education

Meyer, Sarah † BA, American Sign Language Interpreting

Duncan, Faith † BS, Psychology

Morrisroe, Annabel † BS, Social Work

Eberhardt, Jessica * BA, American Sign Language Interpreting

Newbauer, Noah BA, Communication Arts: Media Communications

Engstrom, Bethany † BA, American Sign Language Interpreting

Nitz, Makayl * BS, Education: Social Studies

Sonsalla, Brittny BS, Elementary Education

Offner, Zachary † BA, American Sign Language Interpreting

Spratt, Ashley ‡ BS, Education: Secondary Communication Arts and Literature

Okerstrom, Theodor BS, Education: Social Studies Ryan Olsen BA, English: Creative Writing †

Palmer, Megan BS, Interdisciplinary Studies in ASL Peters, Nicole BA, American Sign Language Interpreting Porter, Holli BS, Educational Studies Rayfield, Brooke BS, Alcohol & Drug Counseling Redenbaugh, Lexy † BA, Social Work Riley, Heaven BS, Social Work Rodriguez, Alexandra * BA, Elementary Education Russ, Leah * BA, American Sign Language Interpreting Russ, Sarah * BS, Psychology Sheneman, Lydia * BS, Elementary Education Sieh, Jessica * BS, Education: Music

Tennison, Faith BA, Elementary Education Thalacker, Emily BA, English: Creative Writing Thompson, Elliana AA, Humanities Vacek, Mikel * BS, Elementary Education: Mathematics Vanden Langenberg, Rachel AA, Humanities Vorpahl, Ashley † BS, Elementary Education Watson, Kayla * Education: Secondary Communication Arts and Literature Wickersheim, Serena BS, Psychology Winkel, Rebekah BA, Communication Arts: Media Communications Wollman, Bethany * BS, Education: Music Xiong, Bea * BS, Social Work Zanter, Shelly BS, Interdisciplinary Studies in ASL

college of business and technology Anthony, Alec BS, Business Administration

Boutouli, Josue BS, Business Administration

Au Yeung, Fiona ‡ BS, Accounting & Finance

Brown, Cheyenne ‡ BS, Business Administration

Baker, Jessica BS, Entrepreneurship

Carmody, Kayla AA, Business

Barrett, Addison BS, Business Administration

Colestock, Mason BS, Sports Management: Sales & Marketing

Berg, Brendon BS, Business Administration

Cortes Flores, Veronica BS, Accounting & Finance

Boeke, Bridgett * BS, Marketing

Cortese, Victoria * BS, Entrepreneurship

Dehn, Elijah * BS, Management Information Systems

Major, Brandon BS, Marketing

Donohoe, Robert BS, Sports Management: Sales & Marketing

Mellendorf, Paul BS, Computer Science

Dressel, Jessa † BS, Marketing

de Mendoza, Rodrigo * BA, Marketing

Drill, Chase BS, Sports Management: Sports Coaching

Merwin, Andrew ‡ BS, Computer Science

Ellerbusch, Lucas * BS, Accounting & Finance

Meyers, Jamie BS, Entrepreneurship

Ferreira, Blazsen BS, Business Administration

Neff, Colton † BS, Business Administration

Furr, Kasidy * BS, Marketing

Palmer, Brian BS, Sports Management: Sports Coaching

Garcia, Hannah ‡ BS, Business Administration

Parker, Christopher * BS, Accounting & Finance BA, Pastoral Studies

Gonzalez, Jacqueline BS, Business Administration Handley-Tiegs, Satori † BS, Business Administration Hanson, Seth † BS, Entrepreneurship Her, Kabao BS, Business Administration Jimenez, Kethlin BS, Business Administration Johnson, Ben BS, Marketing Juve, Noah * BS, Business Administration Knier, Paige * BS, Business Administration Kvale, Benjamin † BS, Marketing Lewerenz, Logan BS, Accounting & Finance Libengood, Landon * BS, Accounting & Finance Lobner, Tucker BS, Accounting & Finance

Printy, Morgan * BA, Business Administration Quinon, Edwin BS, Computer Science Rose, Brett BS, Marketing Schrock, Kenneth BS, Accounting & Finance Shnowske, Will * BS, Business Administration Skorykh, Elona AA, Business Swanson, Nicole * BS, Accounting & Finance Vakula, Brady ‡ BS, Entrepreneurship Willenbring, Jenna BS, Marketing Williams, Josiah * BS, Business Administration Zugschwert , Kyle BS, Business Administration

college of church leadership Andreasen, Ashlyn * BA, Youth, Children, & Family Studies

Badour, Kara * BA, Intercultural Studies BS, Music

Barcelon, Raen Mae BA, Biblical & Theological Studies

Hoeppner, Moriah BA, Intercultural Studies: Children & Youth

Bartlett, Aaron BA, Biblical & Theological Studies

Houser, Jonathan BA, Biblical & Theological Studies

Biffert, McKenzie BA, Pastoral Studies

Howell, Deborah BS, Interdisciplinary Studies in Church Leadership

Binish, Elizabeth BA, Youth Ministry Blanchard, Shannon BS, Interdisciplinary Studies in Church Leadership †

Hyland, Macy † BA, Church Leadership Johnson, Grahm † BA, Pastoral Studies

Boutin, Melika BA, Intercultural Studies

Leen, Andrea BA, Youth, Children, & Family Studies

Brooks, Brandi AA, Biblical & Theological Studies

Majerle, Benjamin BA, Youth Ministry

Carik, Gabrielle BA, Pastoral Studies

Martinez, Nazaret * BA, Intercultural Studies: Children & Youth

Coder, Josiah BA, Biblical & Theological Studies: Biblical Languages

McPherson, Isaac ‡ BA, Pastoral Studies

Cregut, Destiny † BA, Youth, Children, & Family Studies Cruse, Caleb BA, Church Leadership †

Cruse, Ethan * BA, Pastoral Studies

Meetz, Madalyn BA, Intercultural Studies: Children & Youth Millard, Natalie ‡ BA, Youth, Children, & Family Studies Morris, Donovan BA, Youth, Children, & Family Studies

Cyr, Adalia BA, Intercultural Studies: Children & Youth

Nickolay, Kara * BA, Intercultural Studies: International Business Development

Deboef, Taylor BA, Biblical & Theological Studies

Nolte, Melissa BA, Youth Ministry

Delaguila, Cristian BS, Interdisciplinary Studies in Church Leadership

Novack, Nicole BA, Youth, Children, & Family Studies

*

Denn, Joshua BA, Pastoral Studies Elliott-Dargan, Mylick AA, Church Leadership Engram, Kory ‡ BA, Biblical & Theological Studies: Ministry Prep Hampton, Cortney BA, Intercultural Studies Heimer, Sable ‡ BA,Intercultural Studies: Children & Youth

Nygaard, Lea * BA, Pastoral Studies Pachtchenko, Elizabeth BS, Interdisciplinary Studies in Church Leadership Pieper, Payge * BS, Youth Development Preble, Mary Anna ‡ BA, Biblical & Theological Studies Sitcler, John BA, Pastoral Studies Sorenson, Tyler BA, Biblical & Theological Studies

Soto, Eric AA, Church Leadership

Tieszen, Ellie AA, Intercultural Studies

Stirbu, Joshua AA, Church Leadership

Weber, Abbigail * BA, Youth, Children, & Family Studies

Thomas, David BA, Church Leadership

college of fine arts Anderson, Cole BA, Music Pastor Berg, Cambria BS, Interdisciplinary Studies in Fine Arts Breitzmann, Hannah AA, Fine Arts

*

Primeau, Paris ‡ BS, Music Pastor

Dee, Caleb BS, Music Pastor

Schmitt, Caleb BS, Music Business

*

Dunavan, Grace BA, Theatre

Pennington, Micah BS, Interdisciplinary Studies in Fine Arts Peterson, Holly † BS, Music Business

Bulthuis, Allison * BS, Music Business

Dettmer, Sarah BA, Music

Liberator, Abigail * BA, Music Performance BS, Theatre

Sieh, Jordan BS, Music Pastor

*

Edwards, Evelyn BS, Music: Worship Leading Erickson, Caleb * BS, Music Pastor Fink, Madeline BS, Music: Worship Leading *

Gerdes, Emily † BA, Music

Svendsgaard, Tera † BS, Music Pastor Sweany, Kimberly BA, Theatre Thao, James BS, Recording Arts Toton, Hannah BS, Music Pastor Vollom, Tess BS, Music Business

Grubbs, Matalyn BS, Music Pastor

Watson, Emelie BS, Music Business

Hanley, Makenzie ‡ BS, Music Pastor Heltemes, Alexander BS, Music Recording Arts: Studio Production *

Johnson, Michael * BS, Music: Worship Leading Joson, Samuel BS, Music

Watson, Robert BS, Music Weaver, Grant BS, Music Pastor Word, Rebekah BA, Theatre Wyre, Moriah ‡ BS, Music Business

college of graduate and professional studies Asplund, Jasmine MA, Strategic Leadership

Ballew, Andrew MA, Strategic Leadership

Barribeau, Amberlyn MA, Strategic Leadership

Hildebrand, Karissa MA, Strategic Leadership

Becker, Jeremy MA, Strategic Leadership

Karow, Christopher MA, Strategic Leadership

Beyene, Jember MA, Strategic Leadership

Lewin, Vienna MA, Strategic Leadership

Briggs, Andrew MA, Strategic Leadership

Lind, Jennifer MA, Strategic Leadership

Brooks, Anne MA, Strategic Leadership

MacK, Nancy MA, Strategic Leadership

Claussen, Zachary MA, Strategic Leadership

Meyer, Daniel MA, Strategic Leadership

De Boef, Benjamin MA, Strategic Leadership

Riley, Robert MA, Strategic Leadership

Forlenza, Robert MA, Strategic Leadership

Spuler, Steve MA, Strategic Leadership

Forte, Ryan MA, Strategic Leadership

Sullivan, Brianna MA, Strategic Leadership

Gifford, Paul MA, Strategic Leadership

Van Proosdy, Isaac MA, Strategic Leadership

Goins, Quatiara MA, Strategic Leadership

Wood, Brian MA, Strategic Leadership