April 22, 2016

NDSU commencement set, alumnus to receive honorary degree

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NDSU’s spring commencement ceremonies are scheduled for Saturday, May 14, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Fargodome. 

The 10 a.m. event will feature graduates from the Colleges of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Engineering; Human Development and Education; University Studies; and Interdisciplinary Studies. The 2 p.m. ceremony is for graduates of the Colleges of Agriculture, Food Systems and Natural Resources; Business; Health Professions; and Science and Mathematics.

According to Jackie Schluchter, associate registrar, 1,317 graduate, professional and undergraduate students have indicated they intend to march in the ceremony, as of April 22.

A total of 2,131 students are eligible to participate.

“Commencement is an exciting day on campus,” Schluchter said. “The ceremonies provide an opportunity to celebrate the academic achievement of our students.”

Mackayla Headlee, a senior majoring in electrical engineering from Nisswa, Minnesota, has been selected to speak as the student representative for the 10 a.m. ceremony. She is a third-generation electrical engineer to graduate from NDSU. During her collegiate career, Headlee was highly involved with many organizations on campus. She was active in NDSU club tennis, NDSU Engineering Ambassadors and Student Government, where she was Executive Commissioner of Academic and Student Affairs. Headlee served as president of Society of Women Engineers and vice president of the Blue Key Honor Society. Her hometown is Nisswa, Minnesota.

Jon Lipp, a senior majoring in business administration from Fargo, is set to speak during the 2 p.m. ceremony. A Fargo native, Lipp was a member of the Memorial Union Advisory Board, Greek Life Advisory Board, Parking Appeals Board and served on two search committees. In addition, he held positions with the Volunteer Network and The Spectrum student newspaper. In Student Government, he served as Executive Commissioner of the Congress of Student Organizations. Lipp also was president of Blue Key Honor Society, member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity and the emcee for NDSU's Dance Marathon and the Bison Brevities talent show.

Senior Alexander Hovey is set to be the soloist for the 10 a.m. ceremony. He is receiving his Bachelor of Music degree in vocal music education. Originally from Grand Forks, North Dakota, he is a baritone who has been active in the NDSU Concert Choir, serving as president during 2014-15. He also was a member of the Madrigal Singers, Statesmen and BisonArts Singers. In addition, Hovey was a performer and musical director for both the NDSU Little Country Theatre and NDSU Opera. As an incoming freshman, he received the four-year Bill Euren Fellowship through the Challey Scholarship Fund, an award based on performance. Hovey hopes to become a choir teacher in North Dakota.

Senior Briana Moynihan is scheduled to be the soloist for the 2.p.m ceremony. She is a mezzo-soprano from Woodbury, Minnesota, and is receiving her Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance. During her time at the NDSU Challey School of Music, she participated in the NDSU Concert Choir, NDSU Madrigal Singers and NDSU Opera Theatre. She also has performed in the ensembles of the Fargo-Moorhead Opera and Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra. Moynihan was an NDSU Music Academy instructor of voice from 2014-16. She is a recipient of the Theodore Presser Scholarship and a member of the College Music Society. This fall, Moynihan will begin her Master of Music studies at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

During the festivities, NDSU alumnus Myron D. Johnsrud, BS ’57, will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Agriculture. Johnsrud, a Watford City, North Dakota, area native, was NDSU Extension director, administrator for the Extension Service USDA and director of Extension and outreach for the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges. He retired in 2002, concluding a 37-year career in Extension. 

Additional information about the NDSU commencement ceremony is available online. The ceremony will be streamed live, with an archive video available the week following the ceremony.

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