NDSU’s winter commencement ceremony is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 20, in the Sanford Health Athletic Complex. The procession is set to begin at 1:45 p.m., with the ceremony starting at 2 p.m.
“Approximately 650 students will participate in our winter ceremony,” said Jackie Schluchter, associate registrar, noting that 1,102 students are eligible to take part. “We are looking forward to celebrating the accomplishments of these students with their families, friends and our NDSU community.”
Class representative Patrick Pochant will address his classmates and the audience. He is earning his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering with physics and also a Bachelor of Science in Spanish. Originally from Washburn, North Dakota, he is the son of Clark and Jayne Pochant.
During his time on campus, Pochant was vice president of NDSU’s chapter of Lions Club, a College of Engineering Ambassador, a member of Blue Key honor society and president of the Pride Alliance. He was an active Habitat for Humanity volunteer and an ACE tutor. He also was a king candidate for the 2018 Homecoming Court and served as a co-master of ceremonies for the 2019 Homecoming coronation show.
Pochant received a full-tuition scholarship from the North Dakota Scholars Program. He had internship experiences at John Deere in Fargo and ChatuTech in Barcelona, Spain. He has accepted a software engineering position with Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
In addition, longtime NDSU faculty member Berdell Funke will receive an honorary doctor of science. Funke, who is a professor emeritus of microbiological sciences, served on the faculty from 1964 to 1997.
He is most known as one of three co-authors of the textbook, “Microbiology, An Introduction.” First published by Benjamin-Cummings Publishing Co. and now by Pearson publishing company, the 818-page book has been translated into 12 languages and used by more than one million undergraduate students of microbiology. Funke wrote 16 of the book’s 28 chapters. Originally published in 1982, the textbook is now in its 13th edition.
During his career at NDSU, Funke taught introductory microbiology, including laboratory sections; general microbiology; food microbiology; soil microbiology; clinical parasitology; and pathogenic microbiology. As a research scientist for the Agricultural Experiment Station, he also published numerous papers on soil microbiology and food microbiology.
The soloist for the ceremony will be Danica McDonald, who is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in music and economics with a minor in computer science. She is from Larimore, North Dakota.
McDonald studied under Robert Jones, professor emeritus of voice and opera, and sang alto with the NDSU Concert Choir and Madrigal Singers. She was a soloist for three years in the university’s annual production of Handel’s “Messiah.” McDonald founded the student organization PLACE: An Arts Community, co-produced the 2019 Homecoming coronation show, was treasurer of the Blue Key honor society and performed with To Be Determined Comedy. She plans to pursue her master’s degree in business analytics at NDSU and work at The Arts Partnership.
For more information or if you have questions, contact the Office of Registration and Records at 701-231-7981 or ndsu.registrar@ndsu.edu.
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