WSC Commencement Graduates
SCHOLARSHIP HONORS
Based on the student’s cumulative GPA at the end of the semester prior to their semester of graduation.
High Honors in the Major – 12 hours of honors courses and complete a junior/senior honors project.
Honors in the Major – 6 hours of honors courses and complete a junior/senior honors project.
Scholar in the Major – complete a junior/senior honors project.
JOHN G. NEIHARDT SCHOLARS PROGRAM
The John G. Neihardt Scholars Program provides special academic and scholarship opportunities for outstanding students enrolling at Wayne State College.
Each year the Scholarship Council selects a limited number from the qualified applicants to participate in the program, which offers special classes, colloquia, and advisement.
Students accepted into the program, who maintain their eligibility, are awarded a four-year scholarship for tuition up to 128 total credit hours, eight semesters of room waiver, and an annual stipend of $500.
John G. Neihardt Scholars
Blair: Daniel Norman Bidne, Magna cum Laude with High Honors in the Major Business Administration/
International Business
Senior Research Project: Calling Business to a Greater Purpose than Profits
Colloquium Advisor: Dr. Patricia Lutt
HONORS PROGRAM STUDENTS
Columbus: Cody Robert Fleischacker, Summa cum Laude with Scholar in the Major Social Sciences Education
Senior Research Project: The Sixties in Nebraska
Colloquium Advisor: Dr. Joseph Weixelman
Laurel: Katherine Turena Victor, Summa cum Laude with High Honors in the Major Middle Grades Education 4-9
Senior Research Project: The Evolution of the American Middle School
Colloquium Advisor: Dr. Timothy Sharer
Sioux City, Iowa: Brandon Kyle Geary, Honors in the Major Industrial Technology/Construction Management and Safety Management
Senior Research Project: Orthostatic Intolerance and Its Place in Fall Protection
Colloquium Advisor: Dr. Jeffrey Allen
Summa cum Laude
Based on the student’s cumulative GPA at the end of the semester prior to their semester of graduation.
Cumulative grade point average between 3.90 to 4.00
Bloomfield: Stacy Lynn Pedersen
Bow Valley: Kelsie Elizabeth Higgins
Columbus: Cody Robert Fleischacker
Emerson: Kaci Jaye Hart Walczak
Giltner: Nolan Douglas Janzen
Gresham: Jordan Lukas Anderson
Laurel: Katherine Turena Victor
Leigh: Jennifer Lynn Hanna
Norfolk: Blaine S. Greenough
Norfolk: Morgan Christine Hoferer
Omaha: Amber Nicole Hoss
Pierce: Haley Nicole Oestreich Thayer
Ponca: Jonathan Paul Larsen
South Sioux City: Laurie B. Alesch
Stromsburg: Anna Louise Kutschkau Loper
West Point: Erica Paige Wimer
Sioux City, Iowa: Autumn Delanie J. Bos
Nkararo, Rift Valley, Kenya: Francis Koisikir Kantai
Magna cum Laude
Based on the student’s cumulative GPA at the end of the semester prior to their semester of graduation.
Cumulative grade point average between 3.80 to 3.89
Battle Creek: Presley Jeanne Darlene Thompson
Blair: Daniel Norman Bidne
Cody: Taryn Erwin Ostransky
Columbus: Jamie Lynn Palensky
LaVista: Ashley Nicole Hammond
Madison: Kendra M. Donner
Norfolk: Lacey Jade Prusa
Wayne: Derek Jordan Jareske
Wayne: Hortencia Linda Jech
Grundy Center, Iowa: Rachel Elizabeth Riesberg Hinton, Iowa: Rileigh Michele Burke Sioux City, Iowa: Jennifer Ann Murphy
Treynor, Iowa: Justine Renay Hiebner
cum Laude
Based on the student’s cumulative GPA at the end of the semester prior to their semester of graduation.
Cumulative grade point average between 3.70 to 3.79
Albion: Alexa Lea Johnson
Bennington: Morgan Marie Valeika
Carroll: Grace Gabriella Woods Kenny
Columbus: Sarah Emma Bierman
Columbus: Klarissa Rae Johnson
Elgin: Marin Elizabeth Heithoff
Emerson: Taylor Lee Jensen
Kearney: Michaela Marie Mestl
Lindsay: Camron Jay Groenke
Lynch: Jadon Noel Fisher Nelson
South Sioux City: Elizabeth Hannah Peralez
Yutan: Hannah Marie Pogue
Wayne: Jessica Marie Von Fange
Honorable Mention
Based on the student’s cumulative GPA at the end of the semester prior to their semester of graduation.
Cumulative grade point average between 3.50 to 3.69
Ainsworth: Ashley Victoria Murphy
Allen: Stephanie Lynn Jorgensen
Beatrice: Creighton Gates Ronquillo
Blair: Rachel Jane Sweeney
Butte: Andrew Francis Lechtenberg
Cairo: Michelle Dawn Irvine
Culbertson: Laura Jo Miller
Elkhorn: Megan L. Balz
Kenesaw: Jora Katherine-Autumn Jackson-Brown
Nebraska City: Ellen Cate Wulf
Norfolk: Tyler A. Bacon
Norfolk: Derek Lane Siedschlag
Papillion: Isiah Keith Martin
South Sioux City: Andrianna Marie Aleman South Sioux City: Maria D. Torres Herrera
Wayne: Narelle E. Naeve
Wayne: Zachary Craig Thomsen
Wisner: Alexis Jean Dixon
Langley, British Columbia, Canada: Nathan Rocco Ackerman
Correctionville, Iowa: Kaitlyn Michele Brown
Sioux City, Iowa: Andre Daniel Fracisco Camp
Lejeune, NC: Mckenzie Hope Hallstrom
Clovis, NM: Megan Andrea Allison
CANDIDATES FOR DEGREE
Majors follow hometowns, minors/supplemental endorsements in italics Graduation contingent upon successful completion of the current semester.
++May or August 2016 Graduate.
Cords worn by graduates indicate membership in various societies and honoraries within their majors.
Color designations are listed on the inside back page.
Bachelor of Arts
Beatrice: Tyler Daniel Brauch Music/General Music
Giltner: Nolan Douglas Janzen Criminal Justice, Speech Comm./Organizational Leadership and Public Relations
Kenesaw: Jora Katherine-Autumn Jackson-Brown English Writing and Literature,
International Studies, Spanish
LaVista: Ashley Nicole Hammond Computer Information Systems/Web Analyst, Spanish, Criminal Justice
Brasilia, Federal
District, Brazil: Natalie Maues Ribeiro Business Administration/International Business
Studies, Spanish
Bachelor of Science
Ainsworth: Ashley Victoria Murphy Language Arts Education
Albion: Alexa Lea Johnson Elementary Education
Albion: Terri Lynn Molt Business Administration/Management
Allen: Stephanie Lynn Jorgensen Criminal Justice/Corrections
Ames: Eric John Kloke Health and Physical Education PK-12, Coaching
Arlington: Morgan Elizabeth Bentley Art/Studio Art
Bancroft: CharLee Midge Weborg Early Childhood Inclusive Birth-Grade 3
Battle Creek: Matthew James Henery++ Business Administration/Marketing, Management, International Business Studies, Broadcast
Battle Creek: Presley Jeanne Darlene Thompson Early Childhood Inclusive Birth-Grade 3
Beatrice: Creighton Gates Ronquillo Business Administration/Management
Beatrice: Brandy Lee Worster Geography, International Studies
Bennington: Brandon Todd McMullen Industrial Technology/Construction Management
Bennington: Morgan Marie Valeika Family/Consumer Science-Interior Design
Bertrand: Danielle Jenae Benson Criminal Justice, Sociology
Blair: Daniel Norman Bidne Business Administration/International Business Studies
Blair: Brittney Rose Andersen Petersen Middle Grades Education 4-9
Blair: Rachel Jane Sweeney Music/Vocal K-8 & 7-12 Education, Coaching
Bloomfield: Stacy Lynn Pedersen Elementary Education, Special Education K-6, Reading/Writing P K-6
Bow Valley: Kelsie Elizabeth Higgins Applied Human/Sport Physiology, Coaching
Burwell: Matthew L. Graves Health and Physical Education P K-12, Coaching
Butte: Andrew Francis Lechtenberg Industrial Technology Education, Drafting
Cairo: Michelle Dawn Irvine Family/Consumer Sciences Education
Callaway: Britni Jo Patterson Elementary Education
Carroll: Grace Gabriella Woods Kenny Family/Consumer Science-Interior Design, Drafting, Business Administration
Center: Shelby Lynn McManigal Business Administration/Human Resource
Management
Cody: Taryn Erwin Ostransky Industrial Technology/Construction Management
Coleridge: Joshua Stephen Lewis Computer Information Systems/Programmer-Analyst
Columbus Sarah Emma Bierman Life Sciences/Biology
Columbus Dennis James Bouc Elementary Education
Columbus: Cody Robert Fleischacker Social Sciences Education
Columbus: Klarissa Rae Johnson Elementary Education, Reading/Writing PK-6
Columbus: Jamie Lynn Palensky Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education P K-3, Reading/Writing P K-6
Crofton Zachary Zane Crawford Business Administration/Management
Culbertson: Laura Jo Miller Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education P K-3, Reading/Writing P K-6
Dakota City Carrie Lynn Cravens English
David City: Allison Marie Hilfiker Family/Consumer Science-Interior Design, Business Administration
Elgin: Ashlee Michelle Adair Human Service Counseling
Elkhorn: Megan L. Balz Elementary Education, Special Education K-6
Education
Elgin Marin Elizabeth Heithoff Early Childhood Inclusive Birth-Grade 3
Elgin: Connor R. Kinney Business Administration/Human Resource Management
Elgin: Jennifer Marie Tharnish Business Administration/Office Administration,
Human Resource Management
Elm Creek: Katie Mae Meier Natural Science Education, Coaching
Emerson: Taylor Lee Jensen Health and Physical Education PK-12, Coaching
Emerson: Kaci Jaye Hart Walczak Early Childhood Inclusive Birth-Grade 3
Emerson: Patrick Thomas Wendte Business Administration/Management
Firth: Nathaniel Reuben Acton Music/Vocal & Instrumental K-12 Education
Fremont Anthony Blanco Industrial Technology/Construction Management,
Drafting
Fremont: Gabriel Ross Flanagan Art/Studio Art
Fremont: Marissa Kaye Watson English Education
Fremont: Christopher John Wrich Business Administration/Finance
Gresham: Jordan Lukas Anderson Business Administration/Finance
Gretna: Thomas Lincoln Reece Machal Business Administration/Public Accounting
Hartington Katelyn Ann Brandow Art/Studio Art
Hastings Daniel James Birnie Industrial Technology Education
Hebron: Jasmine Leanne Kovacs Criminal Justice, Sociology
Hordville: Nathan Thomas Bankson Criminal Justice, Sociology
Kearney: Michaela Marie Mestl Business Administration/Finance
Laurel: Mandy Gayle Nelson Business Administration/Accounting
Laurel: Katherine Turena Victor Middle Grades Education 4-9
Leigh: Jennifer Lynn Hanna Middle Grades Education 4-9
Lincoln: Erin Carly Landon Business Administration/Human Resource
Management
Lincoln: Sarah Marie Post Business Administration/Agri-Business
Lincoln: Nickolas Walter James Schneider Business Administration/Management, Human
Resource Management
Lindsay: Camron Jay Groenke Natural Science Education, Coaching
Litchfield: Joseph Neil Ernst Criminal Justice, Geography, Speech Communication
Lynch: Jadon Noel Fisher Nelson Industrial Technology/Construction Management, Computer Information Systems
Madison: Kendra M. Donner Elementary Education
Monroe: Taylor Marie Sprunk Family/Consumer Science-Interior Design, Music
Nebraska City: Ellen Cate Wulf Natural Science Education, Coaching
Neligh: Morgan Ann Ruterbories Mass Communication/Electronic Media, Online Media
Norfolk: Tyler A. Bacon Psychology, Sociology
Norfolk: Erika Ann Beltz Special Education K-12
Norfolk: Christopher William Garder Social Sciences Education, Criminal Justice
Norfolk: Blaine S. Greenough Computer Information Systems/Programmer-Analyst
Norfolk: Morgan Christine Hoferer Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education PK-3
Norfolk: Michael J. Menish Language Arts Education
Norfolk: Lacey Jade Prusa Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education P K-3
Norfolk: Amanda Taylor Ramberg Exercise Science P K-3
Norfolk: Derek Lane Siedschlag Elementary Education, Coaching
Norfolk: Cody James Stowe Criminal Justice, Sociology
Norfolk: Cesar Valle Business Administration/Management
North Bend: Samantha Jo Kreikemeier Early Childhood
Oakland: Preston Davis Johnson Applied Human/Sport Physiology, Coaching
Omaha Joshua Zachary Danon Sport Management
Omaha: Amber Nicole Hoss Education, Early Childhood
Education P K-3
Omaha: Zackary Keith Leighton Sport Management, Business Administration
Papillion: Albert Hjalmer Johnson Industrial Technology/Construction Management
Papillion: Isiah Keith Martin Computer Information Systems/Networking
Papillion: Nathan Patrick Sievers Industrial Technology Education
Papillion: Lindsay Nicole VanDerwerken Elementary Education, Early Childhood
Education P K-3
Pender: Zack S. Johnson Business Administration/Finance
Petersburg: Kelly Ann Spieker English Education
Pierce: Haley Nicole Oestreich Thayer Elementary Education, Early Childhood
Education P K-3
Pilger: Zachary Lynn Johnson Life Sciences/Mortuary Science, Business Administration
Plainview: Keylyn John Anderson Business Administration/Agri-Business
Plainview: Heather Marie Holton Mathematics Education, Coaching
Plainview: Tyler Joseph Holton Mathematics/Pure Mathematics, Industrial
Technology/Construction Management
Ponca: Jacob T. Bell Speech Communication/Organizational Leadership
and Public Relations
Ponca: Dale Patrick Krause History Education, Geography Education, Coaching
Ponca: Andrew Nickolaus Larsen Elementary Education, Reading/Writing PK-6,
Coaching
Ponca: Jonathan Paul Larsen Computer Information Systems/Programmer-Analyst
Randolph: Joseph Lynn Pfanstiel Business, Marketing and Information Technology
Education, Coaching
St. Paul: Jenna Rene Derner Chemistry/Health Sciences
Sargent: Tanner J. Balfour Industrial Technology/Construction Management
Schuyler: Lance John Kruse Criminal Justice, Computer Information Systems
Schuyler: Brandon Michael Sobota Social Sciences Education
Schuyler: Samantha Rae Vanicek Criminal Justice, Psychology
Shelby: David Robert Frey Business Administration/Human Resource
Management, Psychology
Sidney: Sean Andrew Neal Science Education, Coaching
South Sioux City: Adrianna Marie Aleman Elementary Education
South Sioux City: Laurie B. Alesch Business Administration/Professional Studies
South Sioux City: Maria D. Torres Herrera Elementary Education, Reading/Writing P K-6
South Sioux City: Kourtney Nicole Owens Business Administration/Professional Studies
South Sioux City: Elizabeth Hannah Peralez Early Childhood
Spencer: Cameron John Rust Industrial Technology Education
Stanton: Nichole Elizabeth Race Human Service Counseling
Stromsburg: Austin James Berck Business Administration/Finance
Stromsburg: Anna Louise Kutschkau Loper Human Service Counseling, Criminal Justice
Sutton: Matthew William Cody Boettcher Criminal Justice, Environmental Studies, Biology
Syracuse: Alyx Lynette Beckmann Business Administration/Management
Thurston: Robbie James Thomsen++ Business Administration/Agri-Business
Tilden: Drew Wayne Smith Criminal Justice, Biology
Wakefield: Devin Michael Anderson Business Administration/Agri-Business
Wakefield: Janet Rodriguez Speech Communication/Organizational Leadership and Public Relations
Wausa: Kaitlyn Marie Knox Music/Vocal and Instrumental K-12 Education, Business Administration
Wayne: Diana Rubidia Fernandez Criminal Justice, Speech Communication
Wayne: Jessica Rae Henderson Elementary Education, Special Education K-6
Wayne: Mary Katherine Hoskins Criminal Justice, Sport Management, Coaching
Wayne: Derek Jordan Jareske Elementary Education Non-Certified
Wayne: Hortencia Linda Jech Family/Consumer Sciences Education
Wayne: Laura Ann Muren Business Administration/Marketing, Music
Wayne: Narelle E. Naeve Special Education K-12
Wayne: Dana Loring Clark Ormiston Early Childhood, Business Administration
Wayne: Dominic Reinke Speech Communication/Organizational Leadership and Public Relations, Sociology
Wayne: Zachary Craig Thomsen Health and Physical Education PK-12, Coaching
Wayne: Jessica Marie Von Fange Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education
West Point: Jared Daniel Meister Sport Management, Coaching
West Point: Erica Paige Wimer Elementary Education, Early Childhood
Education PK-3
Wisner: Peter Edward Bonenberger Criminal Justice, Psychology
Wisner: Alexis Jean Dixon Special Education K-12
Yutan: Hannah Marie Pogue Elementary Education
Irvine, Calif.: Katelyn Renee Stevens Elementary Education
Anthon, Iowa: Mikayla Mae Fleck Psychology, Criminal Justice
Aurelia, Iowa: Aaron Scott Krier Business Administration/Management
Avoca, Iowa: Terrence Tyler McGurren Industrial Technology Education
Clearwater, Fla.: Shawn Leslie Barker Criminal Justice, Coaching
Correctionville, Iowa: Kaitlyn Michele Brown Elementary Education
Hinton, Iowa: Rileigh Michele Burke Elementary Education, Special Education K-12, Coaching
Minden, Iowa: Ryan John Messerschmidt Industrial Technology/Drafting, Planning and Design
Missouri Valley, Iowa: Emily Anne Monzu Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education P K-3, Reading/Writing P K-6
Sioux City, Iowa Autumn Delanie J. Peck Bos Elementary Education
Sioux City, Iowa Mikaela Anne Cale Life Sciences/Biology, Chemistry
Sioux City, Iowa: Andre Daniel Fracisco Life Sciences/Biology Education, Physical Education 7-12
Sioux City, Iowa: Brandon Kyle Geary Industrial Technology/Construction Management,Safety Management
Sioux City, Iowa: Jennifer Ann Murphy Early Childhood Education Unified Birth-Grade 3
Spirit Lake, Iowa: Brandon James Hofstra Mass Communication/Electronic Media
Spirit Lake, Iowa: Kelly Marie Hutchins Psychology, Biology
Treynor, Iowa: Justine Renay Hiebner Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education P K-3
Whiting, Iowa: Colton Robert Holtz Elementary Education
Leota, Minn.: Jordan William Gunnink Elementary Education
Camp Lejeune, NC: McKenzie Hope Hallstrom Health and Physical Education PK-12
Communication
Clovis, NM: Megan Andrea Allison Psychology, Sociology
Las Vegas, NV: Kevin Camacho Computer Information Systems/Networking
Langley, British Columbia, Canada: Nathan Rocco Ackerman Business Administration/Management
Nkararo, Rift Valley, Kenya: Francis Koisikir Kantai Political Science, Philosophy
Grundy Center, Iowa: Rachel Elizabeth Riesberg Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education P K-3, Coaching
Elk Point, S.D.: William Fletcher Wiseman Business Administration/Professional Studies
CANDIDATES FOR DEGREE
Graduation is contingent upon successful completion of the current semester.
++May or August 2016 Graduate
Listed by program of study
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Genoa: Brent Michael Eaton++ Business Administration
B.S., Grace University, Omaha, 2011
Lincoln: Michael Robert Ramos Business Administration
B.S., University of Nebraska, Lincoln, 1996
Norfolk: Elba Joanna Ayala Borboa Business Administration
B.S., College of Saint Mary, Omaha, 2013
North Platte: Cami Lee Barner O’Brien Business Administration
B.S., University of Nebraska, Kearney, 2008
Omaha: Cameron Gregory Business Administration
B.S., Bellevue University, Bellevue, 2003
Omaha: Amanda Ellen Johnson Wiese Business Administration
B.S., Wayne State College, 2009
Peoria, Ariz.: Murugan Ramalingam Business Administration
B.E., University of Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, 2003
Colorado Springs, Colo.: Rebecca Lynn Berg Business Administration
B.A., University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 1994