Hastings College held its 133rd Commencement on Saturday, May 20, 2019. During the ceremony, the College awarded degrees to 212 undergraduates and 13 Master of Arts in Teaching graduates. Graduates represented 17 states and three countries.
Photos of the Baccalaureate service are available here, and are free to view and download. A video of the service is available here.
Photos of Commencement are available here, and are free to view and download. A video of the ceremony is available here.
Tyler Keyser, a 2009 graduate of Hastings College, delivered the Commencement Address. After graduating, Keyser served as chief of staff to the CEO of a large, multi-state nonprofit based in New York City. Tyler then attended Harvard Law School, graduating in 2014. He practiced corporate law at Ropes & Gray LLP, an international law firm, for four years before leaving to join the staff of a political campaign where he has responsibilities in the policy and political departments.
This year’s Commencement continued a newer tradition at the College, with Geena Piper ‘19 speaking on behalf of her class as senior speaker. Piper was a biology major from Norfolk, Nebraska. She served as Student Association president, a resident assistant, leader in the Alpha Phi sorority and InterGreek Council and member of the Student Health Advisory Council. In April, she was named the recipient of the Bronco Award, Hastings College’s highest non-academic award for students. She plans to pursue a medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She is the daughter of Leisa (Smedra) ’92 and Les Piper and older sister to a brother and twin sisters.
Degree Recipients
Degree recipients are included below.
Graduation honors are awarded to those students with outstanding academic records in their undergraduate work. Degrees with distinction are awarded as follows: Summa Cum Laude, overall GPA of 3.97 or higher; Magna Cum Laude, overall GPA of 3.94 or higher; and Cum Laude, overall GPA of 3.85 or higher.
“HD” designates those students who graduated with high distinction in their major(s), while “D” indicates the students who graduate with distinction in their major(s). High distinction is awarded to graduates who have earned 3.85-4.0 grade point average, while distinction is awarded to those who have earned at least a 3.7 grade point average in their major(s).
Note: The order of the list below is Bachelor Degrees – United States, Bachelor Degrees – International, Master of Arts in Teaching.
Listings are by state and city.
Bachelor Degrees – United States
Arizona
Avondale
Jada Nicole Smith — Sociology
Chandler
Elizabeth Rielyn Hoffman — Biology
Glendale
Shantinique Denise Cunningham — Sociology
Mesa
Austin Stuart Moyer — Accounting
Phoenix
Benjamin Carl Wahlberg — Business Administration
California
Clovis
Sara Specht — D in Communication Studies
Fairfield
Dany Cook — Cum Laude with HD in Broadcasting/Journalism
Lemon Grove
Ula Tausaga — Sociology
Martinez
Summerlin Jade Dyckes — Hospitality Management and Marketing
Murrieta
Jordan O’Neal Johnson — Communication Studies
San Juan Capistrano
Clark Clinton Livingston — Sociology
Whittier
Frank Manuel Vierra Jr. — Sociology
Colorado
Aurora
Elizabeth Kadence Forbes — Psychology
Alexandrea Lauren Meeker — Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Anthony Lamar Murray — Sociology
Bennett
Jonathan Ray Wallace —Sociology and HD in Religion and D in Philosophy
Berthoud
Dakota Wayne Burns — D in Business Administration
Castle Rock
Dylan Jacob Jaure — Biology
Karsen Nicole Keech — Cum Laude with HD in Psychology
Brenna Nicole Tripp — History Education
Centennial
Elisabeth Nicole Mundy — D in Exercise Science
Colorado Springs
Janine Elizabeth Lahey — D in Health Systems
Heather Rene Ryan — Recreation & Sport Management
Nathan Joseph Starke — Business Administration
Denver
Justin Toshiro Akiyama — Exercise Science
Tahjlon Wesley Willingham — Exercise Science
Eads
Eboni Rayne Nash — Psychology and D in Religion/Sociology
Firestone
Avery Caroline Sears — Magna Cum Laude with HD in Exercise Science
Golden
Jarad Walker Johnson — Economics
Jon Strotz — Magna Cum Laude with HD in Business Administration
Greeley
Harper Grace Sheets — Business Administration and Human Resource Management
Highlands Ranch
Jenna Katherine Jaeger — Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and HD in Spanish
Lakewood
Kaylyn Joy Schoen — Health Systems
Louisville
Zane Preston Eddy — History
Mancos
Andie Elizabeth Paschal — Magna Cum Laude with HD in Religion/Sociology
Parker
Daniel Louis Mastrobuono — Economics and D in Business Administration/Marketing
Peyton
Maleia Elaine Lark — Health Systems
Severance
Caroline Joyce Black — Psychology
Woodland Park
Jenny Kay Sells — HD in English/Publishing
Florida
Riverview
Carlos Carmona — Biology
Hawaii
Waipahu
Makana Kekaulike — Physical Education
Illinois
Elgin
Bianca Ravelle Tripicchio — D in Elementary Education
Indiana
Arcadia
Dianna Marie Rulon — History and Political Science
Kansas
Hutchinson
Austin Michael Heinlein — History and HD in Theatre
Kansas City
Hayley Lynn Griess — Health Systems
Newton
Jerod Thomas Fox — Broadcasting
Phillipsburg
Grant Connor Wickham — Agri-Business
Michigan
Leroy
Mary Frances Ware — Wildlife Biology
Minnesota
Albert Lea
Cesar Herrera — Recreation & Sport Management
Plymouth
Carly Rae Spotts-Falzone — Summa Cum Laude with HD in Communication Studies
Missouri
Nevada
Emily Louise Thorp — Elementary Education
Nebraska
Ainsworth
Kirsten Nicole Gilliland — D in English Education
Alda
June Marie Atkins — Elementary Education
Alliance
Bethany Jeanne Baker — Summa Cum Laude with HD in Elementary Education
Ashland
Holly Jean Haswell — HD in Sociology
Beatrice
Tyler Brooks Parthemer — Physics
Beaver Crossing
Wesley Jardim de Paula — Sociology
Bellevue
Sage Meyer — Business Administration
Bennington
Jacob Matthew Arnett — D in Studio/Digital Art
Savanna Kay Rosenbaum — Summa Cum Laude with HD in Biology
Blue Hill
Kortney Ann Allen — Cum Laude with HD in Elementary Education
Mackenzie Irene Willicott — Special Education and Elementary Education
Bruning
Grant Tedman Norder — Agri-Business
Garrett Dallas Stricklin — Physical Education
Cairo
Casey Megan Krolikowski — Cum Laude with HD in Exercise Science
Kylie Alexa Luth — History
Central City
Ty Djernes — HD in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology
Clarkson
Jenna Nicole Schmitz — Wildlife Biology
Clay Center
Justin Eric Minton — Studio Art
Columbus
Stratton Jessup Discoe — Business Administration
Cozad
Jason Daniel Finnegan — Summa Cum Laude with HD in Physics
Janice Monserrat Garcia-Revelo — Recreation & Sport Management
Brian Lane Messersmith — Business Administration
David City
Davianne Elizabeth Czarnick — Magna Cum Laude with HD English/Publishing
Deshler
Ashton Steven Oakman — Physics
Ron Roskilly — Broadcasting
Doniphan
Adam Robert Fitzgerald — Marketing
Elyssa Marie Kohmetscher — Math Education
Kelbie Lin Lyon — D in Exercise Science
Alexander Scott Michael Rieflin — HD in Theatre
Edgar
Courtney Elizabeth Shuck —Psychology and HD in Exercise Science
Elkhorn
Marissa Lee Mindrup — Marketing and D in Recreation & Sport Managment
Corrin Noel Ziepke — Marketing and Recreation & Sport Management
Elmwood
Aaron Michael Spracklin — Music Education and Voice Performance
Exeter
Jordyn Brandt — Music and Studio Art
Fairbury
Kouper Ethan Griffin — Business Administration and Music
Friend
Taylor Menke — Summa Cum Laude with HD in Business Administration/Computer Science
Gering
Wyatt Duane Powell — Recreation & Sport Management
Giltner
Jared Daniel Hastings — Summa Cum Laude with HD in Agri-Business
Gothenburg
Ross Ostendorf — Agri-Business
Grand Island
Taylor Marie Carkoski — English
Megan Rylee Ellis — Cum Laude with HD in Elementary Education
Kelli Nicole Hesselgesser — Cum Laude with HD in Accounting
Alexandria Kaelyn Holmes — English
Ty Andrew Johnson — Agri-Business
Amber Eileen Lewandowski — Health Systems
John Mabus — Business Administration
Hugo Madera — Music Education and Voice Performance
Max Moreno — HD in Marketing
Blaine Kyle Morrow — Summa Cum Laude with HD in Social Science Education
Marisa Jane Najera — Cum Laude with HD in Special Education/Elementary Education
Robin Pearson — Psychology
Rebecca Marie Riley — D in Music/Political Science
John Michael Rohweder — Applied Reason and Logic
Harvard
Jennifer Marie Callahan — Exceptionality Studies
Hastings
Alan Botasso Botaro — Agri-Business
Kelsey Delaina Brown — Wildlife Biology
Josie Marie Bumgardner — Health Systems and Psychology
Rhiannon Elizabeth Castle — Recreation & Sport Management
Andrew Brook Chase — Broadcasting and Journalism
Nicholas Christen — Computer Science
Augustine Richard Clark — Health Systems
Kevin Cruz — D in Accounting/Economics
Mattison Desiree Dabovich — Business Administration
Charley James Dukes — Business Administration and D in Recreation & Sport Management
Kelsey Sue Flaherty — Special Education and Elementary Education
Allyssa Marie Garner — Health Systems
Daniel Kevin Garnhart — Mathematics
Hannah Noel Goss — Summa Cum Laude with HD in Art Education
Jordan Kaye Graviette — Summa Cum Laude with HD in Elementary Education
Clare Elizabeth Hamburger — Cum Laude with HD in Elementary Education
Brooke Ann Hinrichs — D in Accounting
Sarah Marcella Johnson — Biology
Katherine Bowman Kingsley — Music and Psychology
Hannah Sue Knapp — Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Nicholas John Knapp — Health Systems
Jenna Kulwicki — Art Education
Rylee Lane — Sociology
Beatriz Ana Marino-Jachim — Health Systems
Laura Susan LaFollette McCarthy — Business Administration and Marketing
Kevin Miller — Sociology
Bruno Moreira — Psychology
Billie Mae Nelsen — Culinary Arts
Thu Hoang Anh Nguyen — Cum Laude with HD in Mathematics
Albert Pedroza — Biology
Katie Sue Ruth — D in History
Andrew John Rutt — Physics
Kennedy Claire Sander — Elementary Education
Nathanael Boaz Sass — Theatre
Alexandra R. Schmidt — Health Systems
Janessa Lynn Schroeder — D in Business Administration/Marketing
Miranda Leigh Scoggins — HD in Theatre
Alyssa Marie Smith — Summa Cum Laude with HD in Psychology/History
Walter Suarez Crespo — Economics and D in Business Administration
William James Thompson — History
Huy Xuan Truong — Physical Education
Siarra Vickinovac — Special Education and Elementary Education
Devon Reed Weinman — Math Education
Daniel Steven Whitehall — Marketing
Brittani Lee Wiseman — Biology
Karlee Wright — D in Special Education/Elementary Education
Samuel Young — Sociology
Jessica Ann Zach — Elementary Education
Hebron
Brooklyn Jo Hergott — Health Systems
Henderson
Taylor Renee Heinrichs — D in Elementary Education
Humphrey
Joseph A. Babl — Psychology and D in Sociology
Juniata
Walker William Hermann — Human Resource Management and Psychology
Nolan Laux — D in Physical Education
Kenesaw
Alisha Louise Hellner — Accounting
Lincoln
Mandy Marie Amberg — Magna Cum Laude with HD in Biology
Austin Robert Bretting — Marketing
Caleb Rollo Cowling — Psychology
McKenzie Katherine Currey — Magna Cum Laude with D in Biology
Alexis Anna Mae Harris — Recreation & Sport Management
Madison Rose Knapp — Business Administration
Cory James Liesch — Exercise Science
Alexander William Munro — Exercise Science
Austin Steven Nelson — Exercise Science
Gabrielle Danae Rodgers — Music Composition and Music Performance
Ryan Els Schrad — Math Education
Alex Huston Stogdill — Summa Cum Laude with HD in Biology
Litchfield
Lindsy Jean Siegel — HD in Agri-Business
Louisville
Natalie Jean Knott — Cum Laude with HD in Business Administration/Marketing
Martell
Jaden Roy Ostrander — Exercise Science
Morse Bluff
Bailey Grace Zeleny — D in Sociology
Norfolk
Caylan Carl Hirschman — Psychology
Geena LaRae Piper —Summa Cum Laude with HD in Biology
North Platte
Kaitlynn Louise Harvey — Magna Cum Laude with HD in Biology
Robert Harridan Kekahbah — Biology
Odell
Austin James Vitosh — Agri-Business
Omaha
Cole Nathan Fisher — Summa Cum Laude with HD in Exercise Science
Anna Dyer Wattles Flairty — Business Administration and Marketing and Recreation & Sport Management
Brittney Mae Loney — D in Elementary Education
Colton Joseph Roach — Exercise Science
Tatum Elaine Stenger — Cum Laude with HD in Biology Education/Elementary Education
Papillion
Samantha Jo Laird — Business Administration
Lyndsay Rose Ruane — Cum Laude with D in Physics
Jacob Tyler Zink — D in Broadcasting/Journalism
Phillips
Taylor Jane Van Pelt — Advertising and Public Relations
Polk
Danielle Allison Shenk — Magna Cum Laude with HD in Broadcasting
Dylan Herschel Shenk — Accounting and Business Administration
Prosser
Natalie Nicole Hoffmann — Cum Laude with HD in Agri-Business
Saint Paul
Alexander John Northam Allen — Business Administration and Recreation & Sport Management
Grant William Jerabek — Biology
Scottsbluff
Emily Rose Snyder — Summa Cum Laude with HD in Elementary Education
Sutton
Melissa Anne Reichert — Summa Cum Laude with HD in Music Education/Voice Performance
Westerville
Courtney Ann Bailey — D in Accounting
York
Ian Richard McDougall — Agri-Business
Yutan
Marc Anthony Sisson — Magna Cum Laude with HD in Political Science
Ohio
Cincinnati
Michael James Leary — Marketing and Recreation & Sport Management
Liberty Township
Devin Syvanus Jackson — Exercise Science
Oklahoma
Edmond
Samuel Steele Rolle — Recreation & Sport Management
Wilburton
Amanda Eileen Hawthorne — HD in Sociology
Texas
Humble
Oscar Zamudio — D in Marketing
North Richland Hills
Sabrina Marie Maxwell — Sociology and HD in Theatre
Pearland
Cornelius Barber — Business Administration
Washington
Sprague
Heidi Lou Hennings — Biology
Wyoming
Cheyenne
Cali Kay Stewart — HD in Elementary Education
Mills
Sarah Gabrielle Rodabaugh — Special Education and Elementary Education
Torrington
Keely Jean Parish — Physical Education
Bachelor Degrees – International
Canada
Langley, British Columbia
Alex Lane — Marketing
United Kingdom
Bridgend, Wales
Mathew Luke Rees — Recreation & Sport Management
Master of Arts in Teaching – United States
Colorado
Castle Rock
Hayden Kenneth Jones — Health & Physical Education
Nebraska
Hastings
Mikayla Noel Bax — Business, Marketing and Information Technology
Alexandria Jo Edwards — Math Education
Andrew Michael Kuta — Physical Education
Mikaelah Daneen Molifua — Physical Education
Kathryn Mary Reynolds — Science Education
Braedon Henry Tovey — Physical Education
Lincoln
Kylie Nanette Gokie — Physical Education
Omaha
Taylor Joseph Mendenhall — Business, Marketing and Information Technology
Oklahoma
Midwest City
Steven Peter Dunham — Elementary Education and Health & Physical Education
Master of Arts in Teaching — International
United Kingdom
Gerrards Cross Bucks, England
Eddie Harrison Keen — History Education
West Yorkshire, England
Ellis James Riley — Health & Physical Education
Hastings College is a private, four-year institution located in Hastings, Nebraska, that focuses on student academic and extracurricular achievement. Hastings College has been named among “Great Schools, Great Prices” by U.S. News & World Report and a “Best in the Midwest” by The Princeton Review. For more, go to hastings.edu.
