A total of 426 students, as of Dec. 11, have indicated they will participate in the NDSU commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 10 a.m. in the Fargodome. According to Rhonda Kitch, associate registrar, 732 graduate and undergraduate students are eligible to participate.
Honorary doctorates will be presented to Maj. Gen. (ret.) Darrol G. Schroeder and his daughter, Maj. Gen. Terry L. Scherling. Schroeder had a decorated 39-year career of combined active duty and National Guard service and has continued with distinguished leadership on both state and community levels. Scherling is special assistant to the Chief, National Guard Bureau, Arlington, Va. Acting on his behalf, she directs Army and Air resources, plans and programs for more than 460,000 personnel in 54 states and territories, with an annual budget in excess of $22 billion.
Calli Wold, who is majoring in animal science and minoring in agribusiness, will be the student commencement speaker. The Watford City, N.D., native plans to speak about goals and dreams, and hopes her fellow graduates seek a career they are passionate about. Wold is a member and former officer of NDSU Agriculture Ambassadors, Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, Saddle and Sirloin Club and Post-Secondary Agricultural Students/Collegiate FFA. She works as a student assistant at the NDSU Animal Nutrition and Physiology Center and 4-H Club recruiter for the Cass County Extension office.
LeeAnn Urlacher, a native of Bismarck, N.D., will be the student soloist for the ceremony. She will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “Spring Day” and “The Yellow and the Green.” She will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in vocal music education with a minor in instrumental music education.
Kitch said all guests are welcome to attend the ceremony. Parking for the event is free at the Fargodome. Guests may enter through any general entrance of the Fargodome, with the east and west doors opening at 8:30 a.m. All seating is on a first-come, first-served basis and restricted to the concourse level.
In addition, NDSU colleges have scheduled a reception for graduates and their guests in the Fargodome’s main lobby immediately following the ceremony. Light refreshments will be served.
For more information, go to www.ndsu.edu/registrar/commencement. Kitch can be contacted at 1-7987 or rhonda.k.kitch@ndsu.edu.
Dec. 12, 2008