HASTINGS — Hastings College held its 138th Commencement on Saturday, May 18, 2024. During the ceremony, the College awarded degrees to 219 undergraduates and five Master of Arts in Teaching graduates. Graduates represented 19 states and seven countries.
Photos, which are free to download, and video of Commencement and the College’s Baccalaureate service are available at hastings.edu/commencement.
The student speaker was graduating senior Ally Banks ‘24. Banks, an English major from Shawnee, Kansas, is the daughter of Patricia and Darrell Banks. The Dean’s List and Scott Scholar student was named a Bronco Award recipient at the Celebration of Excellence Convocation this spring. She has been an active member of Alpha Chi; the forensics team, where she was awarded All-American honors at nationals this year; the Multicultural Student Union; and Student Senate. She also served as president of the Student Association during the 2023-24 academic year and as secretary during the 2022-23 academic year.
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.
Students who graduated with High Distinction in their major(s) earned a 3.85-4.0 grade point average, while students awarded Distinction 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 – United States, Master of Arts in Teaching – International.
Listings are by state and city.
Bachelor Degrees – United States
Arizona
El Mirage
Kiara Ruthy Coquese Anderson — Organizational/Strategic Communication, Sociology
Gilbert
Kimberly Michelle Pollak — Economics
Prescott
Carley Diane Davis — Cum Laude with High Distinction in Marketing and Studio/Digital Art
Surprise
Ikeah Mahari Cuff — Exercise Science
California
Castro Valley
Gabriella Vinciguerra — Cum Laude with Distinction in Business Administration and High Distinction in Sociology
Colorado
Alamosa
Cole Joseph Christensen — Business Administration
Arvada
Alexandrya Elizabeth Jacobs — Studio/Digital Art
Aurora
Noah C. Greco — Wildlife Biology
Berthoud
Isabel Rose Gittings — Elementary Education
Brighton
Evan James Enright — Business Administration, Marketing
Broomfield
Eastan Joel Rolfe — Business Administration, Marketing
Brush
Benjamin Garrett — Exercise Science
Cañon City
Rylee Marie Reid — Exercise Science
Castle Rock
Elizabeth Rose Baade — Cum Laude with High Distinction in Psychology
Centennial
Brady Joshua Kaufmann — Economics
Colorado Springs
Kendall Rose Greene — Music Education, Secondary Education
Delta
KC Dean Carlson — Cum Laude with High Distinction in Elementary Education
Denver
Jake Walker Levinson — Cum Laude with High Distinction in History and Distinction in Criminology
Lindsey Cairn Pratt — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Elementary Education and Special Education
Daniel Ray Wisor — Business Administration
Elbert
Jordyn Delaney Duffy — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Biochemistry
Fort Collins
Christopher Andrew Sedmak — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Chemistry and Music
Fort Lupton
Cheyenne Ashleigh Clements — History
Fort Morgan
Citlaly Alejandra Quiroz — With High Distinction in Communication Studies, Sociology
Gill
Rhys Nichole Maxey — With Distinction in Studio/Digital Art, Business Administration
Grand Junction
Aislynn Grace Davis — With Distinction in Criminology
Greeley
Robert William Noffsinger IV — Business Administration
Highlands Ranch
Kenedie Morgan Dailey — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Art Education and Secondary Education
Madison M. Hemphill — Business Administration
La Salle
Tyler James Kissler — Business Administration, Marketing
Littleton
Lauryn Marie Metz — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Criminology and Spanish
Emily Grace Nevins — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in English and Marketing
Chloe Frances Tiel — With Distinction in Secondary Education, English Education
Longmont
Kailee Rose Lunzer — Cum Laude with Distinction in Biology
Loveland
Elana Beth Gerhard — Cum Laude with High Distinction in Special Education
Montbello
Marcus Keysean Rice — Business Administration
Sanford
Victoria Rose Scheibe — Magna Cum Laude with High Distinction in Criminology
Strasburg
Cody Dean Wilson — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in History & Philosophy and Political Science
Stratton
Andrea Elaine Hornung — Cum Laude with High Distinction in Psychology
Florida
Riverview
Oliver Quentin Cushman — Criminology
Sanford
Lance High — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Computer Science, Mathematics and Physics
Georgia
Peachtree City
Madeleine Ariann Ballay — Personalized Program – Special Education Studies
Idaho
Wilder
Kaydince Maree Turner — Business Administration
Illinois
Bolingbrook
Tyrique Anthony McMurrin — Community Health & Wellness
Anthony Thompson — Community Health & Wellness
Mascoutah
Emmeline Macie Herman — With Distinction in Business Administration
Iowa
Clarinda
Madelyn Evelyn Pulliam — Business Administration
Council Bluffs
Jay Caskey — Studio/Digital Art
Peyton Kvammen — With Distinction in Elementary Education
Elexianna Jade Rowland — Studio/Digital Art
Grimes
Jillian Kaye Rants — Magna Cum Laude with High Distinction in Psychology
Indianola
Macie Rae Mays — Health Systems
Malvern
Hope Taylor Uhing — Music Education, Music, Secondary Education
Kansas
Beloit
Isaac Hampton Hicks — Sociology
Shawnee
Allison Banks — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in English
Topeka
Jake Patterson — Business Administration
Nebraska
Alliance
Diana Renee Kollars — Health Systems
Arlington
Aiden Dean Foreman — Physics
Aurora
Carter Alan Pursley — Music Education, Music, Secondary Education
Julia Faye Yllescas — With High Distinction in Secondary Education, English Language Arts Education
Axtell
Zachary Douglas Hinrichs — Finance
Ayr
Emily Elizabeth Boyd — Cum Laude with High Distinction in Studio/Digital Art
Beatrice
Jayden Erica Baete — Cum Laude with High Distinction in Business Administration and Marketing
Veronica Anne Pinkerton — Magna Cum Laude with High Distinction in Marketing and Studio/Digital Art
Bellevue
Maggie Ann Price — With Distinction in History
Bennington
Caitlin Marie Birk — Psychology, Criminology
Grady Goa Corrigan — Business Administration
Owen James DeBoer — Physics
McKenzie Mae Heater — With Distinction in English
Ayden Sue Ridder-Koch — With High Distinction in Psychology
Blair
Eva Wren Dunker — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Business Administration
Ian Joshua Groninga — With High Distinction in Finance, Business Administration
Blue Hill
Lacy Jo Bonifas — Wildlife Biology
Broken Bow
Morgan Lynn McMeen — Physics
Burwell
Jase Ryan Williams — With Distinction in Elementary Education
Carroll
Peyton May French — Business Administration
Central City
Michael Duane Rutherford — Elementary Education
Columbus
Sofia Gomez-Garcia — Exercise Science
Carstin Jay Olson — Business Administration, Marketing
Cozad
Samantha Kaye Myers — Computer Science
Gillian H Torres — With Distinction in Studio/Digital Art
Sienna Ki Torres — Chemistry
Deshler
Andi Marie Collins — Biology
Doniphan
Madyson Jean Ludwig — Biology
Logan Daniel Schuldt — History
Jacob Bradley Stulken — Communication Studies
Karly Elizabeth Varah — Elementary Education
Elkhorn
Abigail Grace Dallegge — With Distinction in Studio/Digital Art
Brody Henry Ortmeier — Physics
Cole Rees Peterson Business Administration
Allison McKenzie Stratton — With Distinction in Psychology and High Distinction in Studio/Digital Art
Elm Creek
Elizabeth Alexandria Lange — Studio/Digital Art
Elmwood
Sydney Michelle Anderson — Business Administration, Finance
Jenna Marie Davison — Accounting
Fairbury
MaKenzie Mae Berns — Magna Cum Laude with High Distinction in Criminology, Psychology
Fairfield
Gavin James Lipovsky — Business Administration
Hannah Jade Wenske — Health Systems
Falls City
Kade William Bredemeier — With High Distinction in Secondary Education and Distinction in Social Science Education
Braden Joseph Oliver — Health Technology
Firth
Jonah Doyle Reed — With Distinction in Secondary Education and Science Education
Haley Ann York — Chemistry
Fremont
Allison Marie Peyton — With High Distinction in Studio/Digital Art
Genoa
Mac Whitlow — Personalized Program – Art Entrepreneurship
Glenvil
Aaron Dean Ochsner — Business Administration
Gothenburg
Bryce W. Ryker — Wildlife Biology
Grand Island
Ana Elizabeth Acevedo — Art Education, Secondary Education
Britiney Marie Baker — Math Education, Secondary Education
Jordyn Loomis Flynn — Health Systems
Turner Riley Griffin — Biology, Theatre
Samantha Elizabeth Hansen — Biology
Lauren Elizabeth Hauser — Cum Laude with Distinction in Biology
Morgan Skye Hillman — Art Education, Secondary Education, Studio/Digital Art
Wyatt Mitchell Elliott Kohles — Cum Laude with High Distinction in Business Administration and Music
Ethan Bradley Ruff — With High Distinction in Studio/Digital Art
Ayden Lee Ruzicka — Psychology
Effy Widdifield — Cum Laude with High Distinction English Language Arts Education and Secondary Education
Cassandra Ann Wing — History
Guide Rock
Tia Patrice Gonzales-Hunter — Magna Cum Laude with High Distinction in Marketing
Hallam
Morgan Marie Wohl — Biochemistry
Hartington
Alison Jo Karnes — Wildlife Biology
Harvard
Celina Edean Chrisman — Cum Laude with High Distinction in English Language Arts Education and Secondary Education
Hastings
Makenna Jae Asher — Cum Laude with High Distinction in Exercise Science
Morgan Jade Carver — Exercise Science
Abby Gayle Engel — Health Technology
Brandon Lee Hamel — History
Daelene Rae Hinrichs — Cum Laude with Distinction in Psychology
Jacob Anzel Jarzynka — Mathematics
Logan Thomas Johnson — Biochemistry
Lakyn Olivia Kimmer-Steffen — Psychology
Kelsie Arin Kohl — Health Systems
Adynn Michael Kusek — Business Administration
McKenzie Lyn Lloyd — With High Distinction in Elementary Education
Emma Nicole Markle — Marketing
Carey McGehee — Spanish
Naomi Nicole Pedroza — Exercise Science
Alexandra Julia Komissarova Richards — With Distinction in Psychology
Tate John Schmidt — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Business Administration and Spanish
Rilee Marie Silvain — Health Systems
Ainsley Jane Stewart — Health Systems
Emily Elaine Struss — Magna Cum Laude with High Distinction in Elementary Education
Cale Oliver Uhrmacher — With Distinction in Special Education
Thane Henry Waite — With High Distinction in Criminology
William Wallace — With Distinction in Elementary Education
Audrey Elizabeth Diane Weeks — English Language Arts Education, Secondary Education
Yohan-Steve Yebga — Political Science
Henderson
Emily Sue Nunnenkamp — With High Distinction in Studio/Digital Art
Hickman
Emma Grace Severson — With High Distinction in Biochemistry
Lexington
Trystan John Berry — Psychology
Dylan James Richman — Business Administration
Lincoln
Elijah Wayne Baker — Business Administration, Finance
Anna Kristine Bryan — Studio/Digital Art
Catherine Elaine Heller — Cum Laude with Distinction in Biochemistry
Cruise Andrew Tylar Trumbley — Business Administration
McCook
Mary Elizabeth Baum — With Distinction in Studio/Digital Art
McCool Junction
Madison Elizabeth Gerken — With High Distinction in Secondary Education, Science Education
Minden
Alyse Catherine Anderson — Cum Laude with High Distinction in Exercise Science
Nelson
Erin Elizabeth Cannaday — Sociology
Taylor Paige Harrington — With Distinction in Accounting
Jacob Levi Sharp — Health & Physical Education, Secondary Education
Norfolk
Jaden Bud Driscoll — Computer Science
North Bend
Jaxon Lee Wietfeld — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Business Administration and Finance
North Platte
Taylor Paige Empfield — Chemistry
Ryan Christopher Farley — Business Administration, Marketing
Ogallala
Jayden Joseph Gonzalez — Exercise Science
Madeline Grace Ketcham — Cum Laude with Distinction in Criminology
Trey Austin Rezac — Health & Physical Education, Secondary Education
Omaha
Ayriel Jolee Brown-Love — Exercise Science
Jacob Michael Darling — Music
Evelyn Rose Holmstedt — With High Distinction in Studio/Digital Art, Biology
Laura Michelle Hyde — Exercise Science
Kylie Marie Ketelsen — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Studio/Digital Art
Aniya Kreifels — Studio/Digital Art
Makenzie Ann McNeel — Psychology
Elizabeth Noelle Mills — Magna Cum Laude with High Distinction in Psychology
Amanda Dorthy Peterson — With High Distinction in Special Education
Trystan Peter Soby — Community Health & Wellness, Exercise Science
Kierra Emmalee Spurgeon — Biology
Asia Monet’ Tyler — Computer Science
MacGuire Gray Weaver — Business Administration
Aidan Lynn Zimpleman — Computer Science-Digital Media
Ord
Kailey Morgan Bruha — Biology
Orleans
Brooke Orleana Jorgenson — Cum Laude with High Distinction in Studio/Digital Art
Papillion
Brian Jacob Clausen — With Distinction in Exercise Science
Jacob Michael Coldanghise — Business Administration, Marketing
Lane Micheal Harris — Marketing
Allison Joy Knowles — With High Distinction in Secondary Education, History Education
Papillion
Emily McDowell — With High Distinction in Studio/Digital Art
Red Cloud
Kiara Jade Uhrich — Elementary Education
Roseland
Derek Thomas Zubrod — With Distinction in Business Administration
Shickley
Jackson Edward Grote — Accounting
Sutherland
Brooklyn Jolene Elwood — Cum Laude with High Distinction in English Education and Secondary Education
Sutton
Brett Alan Simonsen — Cum Laude with High Distinction in Exercise Science
Taylor
Raif Alexander Ruppert — Business Administration
Valley Miley
Ann Prine — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Studio/Digital Art
Wahoo
Taylor Renee Stuhr — Cum Laude with High Distinction in Accounting and Business Administration
Wood River
Tanner David Hermann — Health & Physical Education, Secondary Education
Yutan
Jenna Jo Krenke — Cum Laude with Distinction in Business Administration
Nevada
Gardnerville
Anthony Joseph Hernandez — With High Distinction in Secondary Education, English Language Arts Education
New York
Harlem
Arjeé Mack-Myers — Accounting, Communication Studies
North Carolina
Elizabeth City
Nísa Kyari Thomas — With High Distinction in Health Systems
Oklahoma
Weleetka
Bailee McCrae Worlow — Criminology
Oregon
Bend
Ty Dwayne Parsons — Criminology, Wildlife Biology
South Dakota
Sioux Falls
Madison Lynn Grove — Cum Laude with High Distinction in Exercise Science and Distinction in Psychology
Texas
Houston
Laython Shamod Shaw — Business Administration
Lubbock
Colby Wade McWilliams — Business Administration
Carli Russell — With High Distinction in Business Administration
Sugar Land
Fareed Olumide Soluade — Finance
Utah
Tooele
Angel Villalobos-Garcia Jr. — Community Health & Wellness
Wyoming
Casper
Emma Christiana Kellick — Criminology
Cheyenne
Tiena Kalei Chu — Magna Cum Laude with High Distinction in Psychology
Morgan Taylor O’Neill – Music
Sarah Kathleen Sutton — Music
Guernsey
Mickayla Anne VanNatter — With High Distinction in Psychology
Bachelor Degrees – International
Brazil
Campinas
Heitor de Oliveira Moreira — With Distinction in Business Administration
Vietnam
Hoi An
Vinh La — With Distinction in Digital Design & Development
Nigeria
Ogidi
Ugochukwu Harrison Udeh — Health Systems
Mexico
Mexico City
Alessandro Rubio — Business Administration
Germany
Rheinbach
Nils Nikolai Schaefer — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Psychology
England
York
William George Turner — Business Administration
Master of Arts in Teaching Graduates – United States
Kansas
Kansas City
Gerald Pena — Master of Arts in Teaching – Health & Physical Education
Nebraska
Kenesaw — Philip Wade Quackenbush Master of Arts in Teaching – Health & Physical Education
Texas
Longview
Tanner Don Cornell — Master of Arts in Teaching – Business, Marketing & Information Technology Education
Wyoming
Rock Springs
Brendan Anthony Kachnowski — Master of Arts in Teaching – Language Arts Education
Master of Arts in Teaching Graduates – International
England
Kings Lynn
Toby Millward — Master of Arts in Teaching – Health & Physical Education