More than 970 students will don a cap and gown for NDSU's spring commencement ceremonies on May 14 and 15 at the Fargodome. The graduate/professional ceremony is planned for Friday at 4 p.m. and the undergraduate ceremony is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m.
"This is truly an exciting time as we prepare for spring commencement," Rhonda Kitch, associate registrar, said. "We have 42 doctoral and 58 professional doctoral students who are expected to participate, which is a new NDSU record. We are conferring the first Doctor of Education degree at the graduate/professional ceremony, as well as recognizing the first Doctor of Philosophy graduate in English practical writing."
As of May 4, Kitch said 723 students indicated they intend to participate in the undergraduate ceremony. Nearly 250 students said they intend to participate in the graduate/professional ceremony. A total of 1,290 undergraduates and 286 graduate students are eligible to participate.
At the undergraduate ceremony, NDSU alumna Esther Myers is set to receive an honorary doctorate. She is the chief science officer at the American Dietetic Association. Her efforts focus on research activities needed for the development of the dietetics profession and the initiative "Healthy Weight for Kids." She joined the association in 2000, after a 25-year career in the Air Force. Her last position was Director of Nutritional Medicine and Military Consultant to the Air Force Surgeon General, stationed at David Grant Medical Center in California and Malcolm Grow Medical Center in Maryland.
The student speaker for the undergraduate ceremony is Sarah Schmitcke, a native of Hazelton, N.D., who is receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and management. She has participated in Beta Gamma Sigma honor society, the Society for Human Resource Management, Accounting Club and National Society for Collegiate Scholars.
The graduate/professional commencement student speaker is Najla Ghazi Amundson, who is receiving a Doctor of Philosophy degree in communication. She is the media relations director for NDSU University Relations. Her dissertation is titled "Prophet vs. Profit: Perspective by Incongruity and Mary Kay Ash's Corporate Rhetoric," and her doctoral adviser is Mark Meister, Walter F. and Verna Gehrts Endowed Professor. During her career, Amundson has held positions in television news, public relations, advertising, higher education and freelance media consulting.
The soloist for the undergraduate commencement is Lisa Ann Widner, daughter of Neil and Leslie Widner, of Stephen, Minn. She is receiving a Bachelor of Music degree in music education. Her student activities include the NDSU Concert Choir, NDSU Varsity Band, Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, the NDSU Chapter of National Association of Music Education and the American Choral Directors Association.
The soloist for the graduate/profession commencement is Nicki Bakko Toliver, who is receiving a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting. She is the music coordinator for Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Barnesville, Minn., and the conductor of Bel Canto, one of Concordia College's women's ensembles.
In addition, two posthumous degrees will be awarded. At the graduate/professional ceremony, a Master of Science degree will be awarded to Kevin Kelly, whose program was health, nutrition and exercise science. At the undergraduate ceremony, a Bachelor of Science degree will be awarded to Lindsey Cunningham, whose program of study was child development and family science.
Both ceremonies will stream live on the Internet. For more information, go to www.ndsu.edu/commencement.
