Hastings College held its 135th Commencement on Saturday, May 15, 2021. During the ceremony, the College awarded degrees to 215 undergraduates and 13 Master of Arts in Teaching graduates. Graduates represented 23 states and four countries.
Baccalaureate photos are available here and are free to download; the video is here.
Commencement photos are available here and are free to download; the video is here.
The student speaker was graduating senior Andy Streck, an elementary education and special education major from Alda, Nebraska. He was selected to speak by a vote of members of the Class of 2021. Streck is a member of the Nebraska State Education Association – Aspiring Educators, where he has served as treasurer, has been a member of the Bronco Marching Band and is a dean’s list student. Streck has accepted a position teaching fourth grade at Harvard Public Schools in Harvard, Nebraska.
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
Alabama
Hoover
Maggie Rogers — D in Community Engagement & Leadership
Pelham
Hasaan Nehemiah Goodjohn Hawthorne — Communication Studies
Arizona
Goodyear
Tylin DeVon Rodgers — Communication Studies
San Tan Valley
Race Lee Traynor — Psychology
California
El Cajon
Elvin Imil Hormiz — Political Science
Garden Grove
Leonel Perez — Spanish
Oakdale
Jacob Abeyta — Criminology
Salinas
Francisco Alejandro Arevalo — Cum Laude with HD in Business Administration
Richard Hernandez — Business Administration
Robert Ramiro Hernandez — Cum Laude with HD in Biochemistry
Jesus Enrique Parra — Business Administration
Tracy
Tommy Landeros — Business Administration
Yorba Linda
Olivia Arden Nelson — Studio/Digital Art, Marketing
Colorado
Berthoud
Hannah Rosanne Langer — Biochemistry
Burlington
David Lee Howell — Exercise Science
Myranda Jenae Soncksen — Summa Cum Laude with HD in Art Education, Secondary Education
Castle Rock
Logan John O’Neill — Business Administration
Centennial
Mariama Sidiatu Sesay — Digital Design & Development
Central City
Rachel Christine Schmalz — D in History, Political Science
Colorado Springs
Emma Rachel Anuhealani Johnson — D in Health Systems
Elizabeth Rae Lee — English, HD in Theatre
Conifer
Luke Liffengren — D in Digital Design & Development
Denver
Thomas J. Burdette — Political Science
Samantha Keller Burke — HD in Communication Studies
Danielle Bright Lizarraga — Health Systems, Sociology
Amanda Lynn Marcotte — Wildlife Biology
Elizabeth
Ryder Thomas Ghidotti — Business Administration, Recreation Management
Fort Collins
Kacie Gwendline Hasting — D in Elementary Education, Special Education
Justin James Laut — Construction Management
Kayla Caroline LaMar — Community Health & Wellness
Griffin Roberts — Exercise Science
Grand Junction
Ryan Corbett Biggs — HD in Business Administration, Economics, Finance
Gavin Brown — D in Accounting, Business Administration
Greenwood Village
Elaria Walker — Psychology
Highlands Ranch
Michaela Bailey — Magna Cum Laude with HD in Elementary Education, Special Education
Alexis Rose Langenhorst — Health Systems, HD in Psychology
Littleton
Amelia Isabel Amicarella — History, D in Theatre
Tyler John Hobbs — Mathematics
Karliena Maye Norton — Psychology, HD in Studio/Digital Art
Loveland
Charles Rollins Olson — Psychology
Monument
Veronica A. Schermerhorn — Health Communication
Parker
Jared C. Case — History Education
Tyler James Huntsman — History, Theatre
Kody Michael Johnson — D in Biology
Coral Springs
Alexander Cadelus — Health Systems
Florida
Fort Lauderdale
Jarius Stuart — Broadcasting
Wesley Chapel
Shailyn Elaine Brillon — Theatre
Idaho
Castleford
Courtney Jae Poulson — D in Exercise Science
Cocolalla
Sandra Irene Crossett — Studio/Digital Art
Illinois
Chicago
Norman W. McKissack Jr. — Sociology
Grayslake
Taylor Marie Lipinski — History, Publishing
Iowa
Brooklyn
Caitlin Elizabeth Smith — HD in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography
Clive
Benjamin Andrew Juhl — Business Administration
Elk Horn
Haley Quinn Ashton — Summa Cum Laude with HD in Health Systems, Psychology
Rockwell
Tyler Jacob Summers — Exercise Science
Waukee
Jacob Talbott Rau — Cum Laude with HD in Business Administration, Finance
Kansas
Liberal
Tim A. Fitzgerald — Business Administration
Olathe
Sarah Kathryn Carpenter — Chemistry
Lucy Annamarie Skoch — Summa Cum Laude with HD in Elementary Education, Special Education
Overland Park
Kirsten Lynn Abbott — Health Systems
Madison Marie Taylor — Biology
Pratt
David Porter Loomis — Business Administration, HD in Recreation Management
Louisiana
Baton Rouge
Joshua Abram Stansell — Recreation & Sport Management
Minnesota
Eden Prairie
Carter James Mason — D in Marketing
Owatonna
Aidan Michael Buryska — Business Administration
Missouri
Independence
Joshua Allen Merithew — Culinary Arts Management, Exercise Science
Montana
Shelby
Allisa Kay Buck — Music Education, HD in Secondary Education
Nebraska
Adams
Emily A. Lenners — Health Systems
Alda
Andrew Stephen Streck — Summa Cum Laude with HD in Elementary Education, Special Education
Arik Jay Streck — HD in Elementary Education, Special Education
Aurora
Bryce Donald Bontz — Computer Science
Michael George Wanek — Computer Science
Axtell
Zoe Marie Dahlgren — Secondary Education, Music Education
Ayr
Ciara Renee Figgins — Psychology
Beatrice
Brady Michelle Achtemeier — Digital Design & Development, HD in Studio/Digital Art
Bellevue
Alexis Rose Elaine Leonard — Music
Bennington
Ian Edward DeBoer — Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Biology
Blue Hill
Kameron Laural Bumgardner — Accounting
Rebecca Eileen Cox — Biology
Broken Bow
Samuel Bryan Duncan — Business Administration
Josey Allen Evans — Cum Laude with HD in Health Systems
Ryan Cassidy Nielsen — D in Business Administration
Central City
Andrew James Winsterman — Construction Management
Columbus
Kobe Blane Paczosa-Hall — Exercise Science
Cortland
Wyatt McClain Kile — Chemistry
Enders
Josie Cass Peterson — Biochemistry
Fairbury
Madison Lyn Black — Agri-Business
Evelyn Elizabeth Deras — Business Administration
Patrick Dean Ondrak — Cum Laude with HD in Agri-Business
Farwell
Bailey Glane Lukasiewicz — Business Administration
Firth
Dylan Cain Hafer — Biochemistry
Fremont
Trenton Michael Anderson-Johnston — Criminology , Sociology
Fullerton
Halle Jenae Plumbtree — Health & Physical Education
Gothenburg
Shae L. Brown — Health Systems, Psychology
Collin Hahn — Business Administration
Kylie Koehler — Magna Cum Laude with HD in Art Education, Secondary Education
Jayden Miller — Recreation Management
Bryse Avery Young — Psychology
Grand Island
Christy Guadalupe Acevedo — Magna Cum Laude with HD in Elementary Education
Hilario Alcorta III — Health Systems
Jessica Lynn Hoffman — Cum Laude with HD in Psychology
Jora Katherine-Autumn Jackson-Brown — HD in Publishing
Allyssa Marie Klinger — Health Systems
Elizabeth Maria Perez — Biology
Jadyn Tayler Rodenbaugh — Exercise Science
Kaitlynn Marie Schreiner — HD in Voice Performance
Jaydn Ronald Smith — History, Political Science
Leigh Rose Uhing — Cum Laude with HD in Secondary Education, Science Education
Megan Marie Vaughn — Magna Cum Laude with HD in Digital Design & Development
Emily Jane Wiegert — Summa Cum Laude with HD in Agri-Business
Kara Sue Wiegert — D in Business Administration, Marketing
Gretna
Mason Michelle Hjermstad — Cum Laude with HD in Psychology
Hastings
Brian Stephen Alvarado — HD in Finance
Bailly Len Ballard — Social Science Education
Michael A. Beahm — HD in Studio/Digital Art
Samuel Alan Bosle — D in Computer Science, Digital Design & Development
Austin Edward Craig — Business Administration
Austin William Esch — Marketing
Parker Nash Fleming — Biology
Erin Foster — HD in Special Education
Naomy Dahen Gomez — Elementary Education, Special Education
Austin James Heikkinen — Physical Education
Jordan Ramsey Ismaiel — Philosophy & Religion, HD in Studio/Digital Art
Matt Krontz — Business Administration
Abigail Susan Kryzsko — Cum Laude with D in Elementary Education, Special Education
Annastasha Lashae Meyer — Psychology
Brianna Marie LeBar — Summa Cum Laude with HD in Business Administration
Dominic Xavier Martinez — Biology
Jasmine Mendoza — Criminology
Joshua Jordan Peterson — Biology
Emma Javae Redinger — Cum Laude with HD in Digital Design & Development, Communication Studies
Bailey Alexa Richman — Health Systems
Roma Dianna Rodriguez — Biology
Gabrielle Elizabeth Sadd — D in Psychology
Kyler Christian Samples — English
Vincent Johnathan Schmidt — D in Biology
Gregg Allen Smith — Psychology, D in Health Systems
Jaydi Starling — Psychology
Hope LeAnn Thelander — D in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology
Sarah Lynn Truong — Magna Cum Laude with HD in Biology
Nicole Marie Williamson — D in Special Education
Hershey
Clay Garrett Frels — D in Exercise Science
Holdrege
Karli Jean Hale — Math Education, HD in Secondary Education
Juniata
Taraesha Mae Cole — Exercise Science, Psychology
McKenna Rae Lamoree — Studio/Digital Art
Kearney
Nathan Andrew Howe — Chemistry
Kenesaw
Zachry Kyle Huffaker — Psychology
Preston Red Johnson — D in Health & Physical Education
Kennard
Garris Geird Karr — Computer Science
Lawrence
Wyatt Leroy Heikkinen — History
Lincoln
Megan Marie Dlouhy — Magna Cum Laude with HD in Business Administration, Mathematics
Benjamin Luke Friend — Art History, Studio/Digital Art
Colin Jacob Green — Sociology, D in Criminology
Josie Lynn Knapp — Business Administration, Psychology
Kylie Marie Lierz — Studio/Digital Art
Ethan Christopher Onatolu Molifua — HD in Elementary Education, D in Special Education
Caleb Alexander Osmond — Physics
Cody Rae Selvage — Exercise Science, Psychology
Noah Joe Thiessen — Criminology
Rebecca Vanhpeng Weber — Elementary Education, Special Education
North Bend
Mackenzie Marie Daniels — HD in Elementary Education, Special Education
North Platte
Miranda Lyn Gerdes — D in Elementary Education, HD in Special Education
Avah May Irene Jacobson — HD in Health Systems
Omaha
Elise Sophia Baumann — D in Marketing
Zachary Charity — Wildlife Biology
Courtney Jo Doeschot — HD in Health Systems
Nicholas James Edwards — Exercise Science
Paul Erickson — D in Business Administration
Hannah Claire Gehle — English
William Patrick McGuire — Cum Laude with HD in Biology
Trent Taylor McMullen — D in Exercise Science
Antonio Marcus Zach — D in Business Administration
Kaitlyn Josephine Schmit — Summa Cum Laude with HD in Community Health & Wellness, Health Systems
Dave Stirling Shields — Health & Physical Education
Mackenzie L. Waltemath — Business Administration, HD in Communication
Palmer
Claira Mae Thede — Summa Cum Laude with HD in Accounting, Business Administration
Papillion
Brendon Stephen Boatwright — Biochemistry
Phillips
Ashley Louise Caudill — Elementary Education, World Language Education
Plattsmouth
Leah Marie Church — D in Sociology
Red Cloud
Timothy Ellis — Music Education, Voice Performance
Saint Paul
Joelle Elise Derner — HD in Design & Visual Communications
Scottsbluff
Tiersa Ann Nicole Darley — Cum Laude with HD in Elementary Education, Special Education
Noah Riley Hergenreder — Cum Laude with HD in Computer Science and D in Mathematics
Seward
Morgan Ester Janet Souchek — Elementary Education, Special Education
South Sioux City
Socorro Marie Topete — HD in Criminology
Sutton
Kesean Rae Mau — Biochemistry
Devin Lee Wagoner — Exercise Science
Trumbull
Jenna Lea Critel — Business Administration, Finance
Rachel Renee Saathoff — Elementary Education, Special Education
Crystal Gale Wall — Health Systems
Valentine
Connor Goodwin — Studio/Digital Art
Waco
Justin L. Heine — Agri-Business
Waterloo
Kelli Brichacek — Summa Cum Laude with HD in Communication Studies
Samuel Walter Plugge — HD in Exercise Science, Recreation Management
Wilber
Dustin Dean Jelinek — Agri-Business
Wymore
Kyra Annette Maguire — Cum Laude with HD in Exercise Science
New Mexico
Las Cruces
Amanda Marie Perez — Biology
North Dakota
Jamestown
Victoria Grace Levin — Cum Laude with HD in Elementary Education, Special Education
Oklahoma
Mannford
Alyssa Jamison Carter — Sociology
Pennsylvania
Coraopolis
Lauren Taylor Newlin — Cum Laude with D in Human Resource Management
South Dakota
Brookings
Courtney Kay Hanson — Cum Laude with HD in Communication Studies, Philosophy & Religion
Sioux Falls
Abigail Dorothy Shaw — Summa Cum Laude with HD in Publishing
Texas
Amarillo
Taygen Jeritt Smith — D in Recreation & Sport Management
Horseshoe Bay
Byron Kyle Cooper — Business Administration
Houston
Steel T. Willis — Marketing
Marietta
Keyuntea Dety-vion Kinney — Sociology
Wisconsin
Nelson
Paige McKenzie Gajewski — Magna Cum Laude with HD in Elementary Education, Special Education
Wyoming
Cheyenne
Jarred Robert Russell — Accounting, Business Administration
Powell
Isaabella Munoz — Elementary Education
Bachelor Degrees – International
United Kingdom
Darlington
Marc Colman — Cum Laude with HD in Elementary Education
Gosport
Will Pointon — Business Administration
Swindon
Dan Wheeler — Exercise Science
Serbia
Belgrade
Nemanja Lazarevic — Business Administration
Vietnam
Long Khanh City
Anh Hoang Minh Nguyen — Chemistry
Master of Arts in Teaching – United States
Colorado
Bennett
Jonathan Ray Wallace — History Education
Berthoud
Dakota Wayne Burns — BMIT Education
Minnesota
Albert Lea
Cesar Herrera — Health & Physical Education
Missouri
Lebanon
Levi McClain Pollreisz — Social Science Education
Nebraska
Fremont
Weston Charles Spalding — Health & Physical Education
Hastings
Bruno Rodrigues Moreira — BMIT Education
Shane Randall Peterson — Social Science Education
Siying Wu — BMIT Education
Lincoln
Momoko Nakamura — Physical Education
Omaha
Cole Nathan Fisher — Health & Physical Education
Brady John Hohl — BMIT Education
South Carolina
North Charleston
Rashard Xavier Alston — Health & Physical Education
Master of Arts in Teaching — International
United Kingdom
Bridgend, Wales
Mathew Luke Rees — Health & Physical Education
Hastings College is a four-year residential college that focuses on student academic and extracurricular achievement. Hastings’ student-centered initiatives include providing books, an iPad and a two-week study away experience at no additional cost. A block-style semester schedule allows professors and students to focus on fewer classes at a time and promotes hands-on experiences. Discover more at hastings.edu.
