NDSU’s winter commencement is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 19, in Festival Concert Hall.
Three separate ceremonies will be held at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The schedule will be as follows:
11 a.m.
- All graduate and professional candidates
- College of Business undergraduate candidates
- College of Pharmacy, Nursing and Allied Sciences undergraduate candidates
- College of University Studies undergraduate candidates
1 p.m.
- College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources undergraduate candidates
- College of Engineering undergraduate candidates
3 p.m.
- College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences undergraduate candidates
- College of Human Development and Education undergraduate candidates
- College of Science and Mathematics undergraduate candidates
Students are encouraged to limit guests to four due to seating limitations.
According to Jackie Schluchter, associate registrar, 560 graduate, professional and undergraduate students have indicated they plan to participate in the ceremony, as of Dec. 15. She said a total of 1,111 students are eligible.
Three commencement speakers have been selected to address each ceremony.
Graduate student Heather Bergan Roller was selected to be the commencement speaker for the 11 a.m. ceremony. The Bismarck, North Dakota, native is receiving a Doctor of Philosophy degree in cellular and molecular biology. Roller is active on campus, the community and within a variety of professional organizations. She was the instructor for the Endocrinology course at NDSU and twice organized the Northern Plains Biological Symposium. She served as treasurer, vice president and president for the Biological Science Graduate Student Association. Roller’s local volunteer activities range from serving as a health instructor at the Fargo YMCA to walking dogs for the Homeward Animal Shelter. Roller earned a bachelor’s degree in zoology from NDSU in 2010.
Katie Scholl, will speak at the 1 p.m. ceremony. The Brainerd, Minnesota, native is receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering. Active in the Society of Women Engineers, she held leadership positions as secretary and banquet chair. In addition, Scholl was the society's TechGYRLS representative, helping to organize the program to stimulate interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics among girls in third through seventh grade. She also was active in the Institute of Industrial Engineers and participated in intramural volleyball. In addition, Scholl completed internships with Sanford Health, Walt Disney World and Ecolab.
Maddie Van Beek, who grew up in Perham, Minnesota, will be the commencement speaker for the 3 p.m. ceremony. She is receiving a Bachelor of Science in English education. Van Beek was an outstanding member of the Bison women's cross country and track teams, and holds NDSU records for the steeplechase and indoor 5K. She was the Most Valuable Player at the 2013 Summit League Indoor Track Championship, and was named to the Capital One Academic All-District and second-team Academic All-American for her cross country, indoor track and outdoor track seasons. She participated in the Bison Blood Drive and volunteered at high school track meets. Van Beek also was a representative on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and a member of Blue Key National Honor Society, where she volunteered at TNT Kids Fitness; Wags, Whiskers and Wine; and the Dorothy Day Food Pantry.
Michael Peyto III of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, was selected to be the commencement soloist. He is receiving a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal music education, with a minor in instrumental music education. He was the vice president of the NDSU Concert Choir during the 2013-14 academic year. His many other student music activities include the NDSU Madrigal Singers, BisonArts Singers and NDSU Opera. He played the role of Sarastro in the 2013 opera production of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute.” In addition, he earned three first place titles in North Dakota National Association of Teachers of Singing competitions.
More information about the NDSU commencement ceremony is available at www.ndsu.edu/commencement/. The ceremony will be streamed live, with an archive video available the week following the ceremony.
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