VCSU celebrates graduates during commencement ceremony

170 students to receive degrees including 153 undergraduates

Valley City, ND – Valley City State University (VCSU) today conferred 170 graduate and undergraduate degrees and three certificates or minors at the spring commencement ceremony held earlier this morning.

The ceremony was the 132nd commencement ceremony at VCSU, and 153 undergraduate diplomas were awarded. This includes five Bachelor of Arts degrees, 62 Bachelor of Science degrees, four Associate of Arts degrees, 77 Bachelor of Science in Education degrees, five Bachelor of University Studies degrees, and one Minor.

“It’s exciting to see our undergraduate students take this important step forward,” Vice President for Academic Affairs Larry Brooks said. “Many of our graduates have accepted a job in their career field before they even walk across the stage. This is a great day to be a Viking.”

The graduate degrees awarded included one Master of Arts in Teaching, 15 Master of Education, one Master of Science, and two certificates.

Commencement was at the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse. A recording of the entire ceremony is available at  www.youtube.com/vcsuvikings. The program is also available online.

Photos from the ceremony are available online at VCSU’s Flickr page.

“Our graduates are top notch – we have many young professionals, who today, are ready to enter the workforce and make a difference,” President Alan LaFave said. “VCSU attracts incredible students who excel in their academic careers, often times alongside athletics, student government, or other commitments. We are so proud of all our students who graduated today and wish them the very best.”

For more information about commencement or to schedule an interview, contact Tammy Jo A. Taft by emailing tammyjo.taft@vcsu.edu or by calling (701) 845-7227.

* Completed requirements July 28, 2023
** Completed requirements December 15, 2023

MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING

James Edward Day, Devils Lake
Jana Michelle Hathaway,** Bismarck
Lana M Held,** Hazelton
Darce Key Holcomb, *Cooperstown
Timothy Obstar, **Bozeman, Montana
Kara Lois Sharff, *Bismarck
Kurtis Lavell Walls, *Phoenix, Arizona

MASTER OF EDUCATION

Daulton Bartholomay,** Sheldon
Jeremiah Bundrage Jr, Covington, Georgia
Lyndsay Burns, Aneta
Weston Cockley, Rock Springs, Wyoming
Janessa Ashley Dockter,* Medina
Mackenzie Jade Dougherty,** Alexandria, Minnesota
Jessica Anne Eaton,** Minot
Renee Ann Galvan,** La Barge, Wyoming
Edynn Dawn Glatt, Bismarck
Kayla Mae Grizzle,** New Town, Wyoming
Jessica Haut, Fingal
Katherine Rose Heidt, Dickinson
Hannah Hoenhause, Lisbon
Megan R Hotten, Devils Lake
Melissa Jason,* Fargo
Troy Daniel Kuntz, Dickinson
Renae Elizabeth Lehman, *Bismarck
Krystle Marie Leidholm, Fargo
Sanessa Lea Lindemann, Aberdeen, South Dakota
Jeffrey Scott Moe, *Walhalla
Jamel Mohammedi Bouzina Hollister, California
Chanda Morgel,* Tioga
Summer Olsen, Fargo
Kennedy Olson,**Park River
Kirsten Lee Perry,** Eldred, Pennsylvania
Alyssa Beth Peterson,* Bismarck
Melissa Port,** Fargo
William Tyler Scott, Fargo
Hailey Ann Strauss,** Arthur
Amer Vatres, Fargo
Kadie Lynne Walls, *Linton
Stacey Elisha Wiltse, Fargo
Jolene Daley Woodbury,** Watford City
Victoria Yahn, Watford City

MASTER of SCIENCE

Bridget Marie Blunck, Valley City

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION

Alex Aker, West Fargo
Hailee Altringer, **Jamestown
Alyssa Annette Ames, Spiritwood
Ambyer Ames, Granger, Wyoming
Hannah M Anderson, Prior Lake, Minnesota
Hannah Elizabeth Bailly, Fargo
Malayna Marie Barendt, Webster
Lacey Bassett, Lovell, Wyoming
Izabelle Beck, ** Gwinner
Lindsey Rae Belmonte, **Cheyenne, Wyoming
Alondra Daniela Benavides Carol Stream, Illinois
Toriana Rose Berg, ** Valley City
Josie Kathleen Berntson, **Valley City
Lindsey Summer Bertagnole, Valley City
Christina Bertram, Milnor
Cassie Michelle Boelke,** Wahpeton
Damianna Hazel Byerly, Fargo
Hannah Marie Cooper,** Cheyenne, Wyoming
Marta Luisa Cuartero Enamorado, Williston
Macie B Danielson, Harwood
Dahlia Rosa Diegel, ** Wishek
Theodora Rose Dimmer, West Fargo
Riley Ann Dodd, Lovell, Wyoming
Jill Dollinger, Bismarck
Stephen Joseph Dora, ** Bismarck
Holly Ebner, **Mott
Sam Erickson,** Fargo
Ashley Evenson, ** Fargo
Hunter Michael Feil, Langdon
Hannah Elizabeth Flaa, Valley City
Saige Isabelle Forseth, Valley City
Dylan Dorene Frederick, **Gwinner
Hannah Elizabeth Fried, Bismarck
Christina Friel, Rock Springs
Lindsay Joy Friend, ** Rock Springs, Wyoming
Andrew Michael Givler, Coatesville, Pennsylvania
Brooke Morgan Graalum, **Jamestown
Samantha Graber, ** Valley City
Hunter Todd Greenmyer, Oakes
Matthew Alexander Hall, Pasadena, California
Rylee Renae Halvorson, West Fargo
Kaylee Harles, Lidgerwood
Hunter L Heck, Cavalier
Abigail Heggeness, Fargo
Taylor Grace Henry, Maple Grove, Minnesota
Allison Rose Hilde, Harwood
Rachel A Hoff, **LaMoure
Kaytlin Ann Hoffman,** Fargo
Amber Rose Hoffner,** Minot
Casey Corbell Holman, Verndale, Minnesota
Kaitlyn J Houle, Valley City
Cassidy Kay Hoyt,** McHenry
Kindra Emma Jacobson, Sheyenne
Brandon Michael Jenkins, **Wilton
Taylor Nicole Johnson, Bismarck
Grace Olivia Kilwein, Hazen
Mason Patrick-Allen Kinn, Devils Lake
MaKenzie Ryan Knight, Montpelier
Harley Knodel, Valley City
Abigayle Ashe Karoline, Kramer ** Bismarck
Michelle Renae Krahn, Crystal City, Manitoba, Canada
Elizabeth Marie Krogen, West Fargo
Maddison Lyn Lachtara,** Moorcroft, Wyoming
Joelle Renee Lamontagne Oxbow, Saskatchewan, Canada
Madelynn Jo Langemo, Valley City
Cynthia Elizabeth Lara,** Rock Springs, Wyoming
Sidney Janae Leier,** West Fargo
Sabine Livingston,* Denver, Colorado
Jennifer Luehring, **Fargo
Amy Kathleen Marsh, **Carnduff, Saskatchewan, Canada
Kaylee McClary, Fargo
Abigail Meyer, **Valley City
Madison Ann Momerak, Bismarck
Cade Morse,** Olivia, Minnesota
Marlis Christine Mueller, Fargo
Preston Marvin Myers,** Valley City
Breanna Kay Nelson,** Maxbass
Chloe Marie Nelson,** Fergus Falls, Minnesota
Mikayla Ann Nelson,** Valley City
Samantha Nelson,** Valley City
Kobe R Newton, Bismarck
Emma Nielsen,** Barnesville, Minnesota
Lindsey Carly Noeske, Valley City
Jocelyn Ellen Ochowicz, Pine City, Minnesota
Tara Jean Okerson, Rolla
Mya Olin,** Williston
Elizabeth Mary Olmscheid, Breezy Point, Minnesota
Miranda Marie Olson, Wyoming, Minnesota
Hannah Marie Osland, Argusville
Julia Michael Pearson, **Valley City
Loren Alese Perry, **Villa Park, Illinois
Alison Peterson, Andover, Minnesota
Kylee Lynn Peterson, Champlin, Minnesota
Suvanna Ponjun, Honolulu, Hawaii
Kade Stephen Queen, Seattle, Washington
Elizabeth Grace Reuter, St Louis Park, Minnesota
Samuel James Rieger, Lisbon
Kelby Mae Rinas, Mandan
Grace Lila Robinson, Fargo
Kayla Roper, **West Fargo
Lillian A Rother, Woodbury, Minnesota
Tai Ann Ryan,** Cedar Crest, New Mexico
Kevin William Schramm, New Brighton, Minnesota
Afrah Sharif, Glendale Heights, Illinois
Lauren Romayne Shekore, Moorhead, Minnesota
Rebekah Grace Shorma, Fargo
Allison Skwira,** Holdingford, Minnesota
Kristin Lynn Spickenreuther, West Fargo
Sarah Marie Stanelle, Greenbush, Minnesota
Indigo Hailey, Stankiewicz Bismarck
Ryan Scott Thiele, Naperville, Illinois
Emmie Lou Thompson, Westhope
William Lee Tinjum, **Stacy, Minnesota
Gracie Renay Tjernlund, Kulm
Adriana Elena Torres, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota
Alexis Brooke Trujillo,** Cheyenne, Wyoming
Danyel D Turner, Afton, Wyoming
Janessa Madonna Volk, Fargo
Taylor L Webster, **Fargo
Alycia Dianne Justice Wiese, Barnesville, Minnesota
Abigail J Wolter,** Fergus Falls, Minnesota
Madison Nicole Wrobleski, Benson, Minnesota
Madison Joy Yoder, Dickinson
Maggie Zieske Hibbing, Minnesota

BACHELOR OF ARTS

Sierra Lynn Crocker,Napa, California
Joseph Brannon Littleton, **Pike Road, Alabama
Benjamin Jacob Mahaney, Roseville, California
Hillary Marie Orban, Ethan, South Dakota
Michelle Lotoya Shotlow, Valley City
Hannah Rose Wetterich Tucson, Arizona

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

Jacey Lyn Alber,** Marion
Jens Robert Anderson, Park Rapids, Minnesota
Taylor Jean Arens,* Valley City
Kenny Excel Azoadam Ayongaba, Valley City
Tyler Bacsi, Lincoln, California
Lily Marie Baldwin, Lidgerwood
Francisco Paco Baltazar, El Paso, Texas
Derek Robert Bear, Valley City
Connor Adam Beck, Wolford
Cleveland Bedgood, Cutler Bay, Florida
Melissa Janet Bennett,** Riverside, California
Justice Mykal Bice,** Bonifay, Florida
Lindy Marie Bjurstrom, Valley City
Makayla Lillian Bopp,** Forman
Brooks Markey Brown, Valley City
Kennedy Jane Brown, West Fargo
Keeton Clark, Great Falls, Montana
Erik John Patrick Darling, Fargo
Bryan Patrick Delaney,** Fargo
Allison Dennis,** Cando
Carter Scott Dodd, Fargo
Colby Dows,** Page
Austin Ebach, Valley City
Cauy Jacob Ellingson,** Edgeley
Kasha Efermina Fernandes, **Dubai, United Arab Emirates
William Ray Gieser, Mandan
Jessica Ann Gylden, Valley City
Isabel Jain Grueneich,** Ellendale
Michaela Kate Halvorson, Twin Valley, Minnesota
Garrett Trent Alfred Hanson, Enderlin
Jace Willis Hanson, Edgeley
Zachary T Hanson, Jamestown
Jacob Joel Hanson,** Berthold
Nicholas Gene Harberts,**Buckley, Washington
Addison Lee Harms, Bismarck
Arthur Harris, Fargo
Ashantai Teonne Harris, Surrey
Jacob Alan Harstad,** Rogers
Megan Lynn Haugrud,** Moorhead, Minnesota
Clarissa Hilary, Ramsey, Minnesota
Melissa Kathleen Holub,** Valley City
Nicholas P Horner,* Valley City
Robert Jackson Ingstad, Valley City
Hope Masako Ishizaka, Mililani, Hawaii
Xavier Cole Jacobson,** Page
Clinton Don Jewett,** Valley City
Grant Haydn Paul Jones, Valley City
Cody Lane Jundt, Valley City
Ian Xavier Keyes,** Jamestown
Grace Chiaohwa-hwa Kiang,* Moorpark, California
Alex Mason Klever, LaMoure
Clay Allen Kummer, Surrey
Mason Ann Kuntz, Dickinson
Heather Sharon Lobley, Derry, New Hampshire
Jennifer Jean Louise Lockwood, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Shayden Luna,** Towner
Russell Glenn Marker,* Valley City
Jacob J Marx, Brooklyn Center, Minnesota
Ashley Taylor McKittrick, Valley City
Taylene Mirrya Apatang Mendiola, Dededo, Guam
Matthew Wayne Mills, Powers Lake
Tayla Mullings, Redditch, United Kingdom
Machaela Audrey Mund, ** Milnor
Bailey Nelson, **Argusville
Tory Sidney Nelson, Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada
DeAnna Renee Nolan, Cheyenne, Wyoming
Sanden O’Connell,** Lake Park, Minnesota
Ann Marie Olson, Lisbon
Macy Olstad, Valley City
Madison Joleen Peters * Cando
Alayna Christine Proctor **Champlin, Minnesota
Kiara Sue Radke Milnor
Riley Tatum Roberts Resnick Twin Valley, Minnesota
Ryan Alec Reynolds * West Fargo
Cayden Joseph Rickard Fargo
Andrea E Rodriguez, Austin, Texas
Austin Ryan Rogelstad, Valley City
Bennett Adam Rogelstad, Valley City
Anthony John Russell,** Enumclaw, Washington
Jennifer Rose Sandberg,** Valley City
Macey Schlenker, Ellendale
Mardi Lynn Scutchings,** Kelvington, Saskatchewan, Canada
Jacob Dylan Segars, Toccoa, Georgia
Dale Tyler Skalicky,** Bowman
Dalton M Sougstad, Mandan
Clay Christian Sporer,** Bismarck
DelRae Steiner, West Fargo
Zachary Robin Swinbourne, *Surprise, Arizona
Mitchel Jon Taylor, Valley City
Adam Davane Thompson, *Menahga, Minnesota
Austyn Thornton,** Valley City
Brook Lynn Tibke, **Wilton
Kyler Dane Allan Tichkowsky, St Paul, Alberta, Canada
Zachary A Veneman, Whitefish, Montana
Jahidi Malik West,** Stockton, California
Colton Wayne Wetch, Valley City
Neeleigh Anne Wollenzien, Towner
Mason Fletcher Wurst, Anchorage, Alaska
Austin Young,** Breezy Point, Minnesota
Karissa Renea Yturralde, El Paso, Texas
Alexander Kazuma Zacek, **Surprise, Arizona
Jacob Zetocha, Lincoln

BACHELOR OF UNIVERSITY STUDIES

Laritza Noyola Barcenas Mendoza,** Gillette, Wyoming
Aaron Bohnenstingl, Lidgerwood
Vance Justin Dumas, Renton, Washington
Garrett Daniel Foss,* Casselton
Riley Michael Gerhardt, ** Valley City
Larry Herzog Jr, Valley City
Kaelie Dawn Kosiak, Wishek
Shane Nixon,* Markham, Ontario, Canada
Cora Marie Potts,** Valley City
Krystal Villalobos, Wahpeton

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS

Ava Corrin Baasch, Fort Ransom
Betsy Ann Brimhall,** Tioga
Keagan Chey Dailey, Valley City
Abby Ann Haberman, LaMoure
Emma Marie Leatherman, El Paso, Texas
Charleigh Manley,** Sacramento, California

DAKOTA COLLEGE AT BOTTINEAU ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING

Erin Elizabeth Belile, Jamestown
Andrea Edinger, Spiritwood
Heather Hansen Owens, Sanborn
Connor Ryan Pfenning, Valley City

CERTIFICATE IN PRACTICAL NURSING

Emily Elise Hoff, Jamestown
Madison Ann Kemniz, Rosholt, SD
Madison Ann Maley, Valley City
Jolene Lane Miller, Jamestown
Taylor Shane Olson, Jamestown

MEDICAL ASSISTANT

Marieclaire Mutoni, Jamestown