The NDSU spring commencement ceremonies are slated for Saturday, May 13, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Fargodome.
NDSU’s spring commencement ceremonies are scheduled for Saturday, May 13, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Fargodome.
The 10 a.m. ceremony is for the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; College of Engineering; College of Human Sciences and Education; and interdisciplinary studies.
The 2 p.m. event is for the College of Agriculture, Food Systems and Natural Resources; College of Business; College of Health Professions and College of Science and Mathematics.
As of Tuesday, May 2, a total of 1,384 students have indicated they intend to participate of the 1,942 who are eligible.
“The campus community is excited to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduating class,” said Jackie Schluchter, NDSU associate registrar. “We look forward to the contributions our students will make as NDSU alumni.”
Graduating senior and class representative Molly Puhrmann will speak at the 10 a.m. ceremony. Puhrmann is receiving her Bachelor of Science in management communication. She was active in student government and participated in several organizations throughout her NDSU academic career. She was president of the NDSU Red Cross Club, Director of Recognition and Alumni for the National Residence Hall Honorary, a board member for the Mortar Board Senior Honor Society and American Red Cross Eastern Minnesota and Dakota Region, chair of the NDSU Student Media Board and member of Women in Business. Puhrmann said she’s slated to conclude an internship at the end of May and plans to move to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area to be closer to family. She is the daughter of Michael and Allison Puhrmann.
Graduating senior and class representative Ian Manock will speak at the 2 p.m. ceremony. Manock will receive his Bachelor of Science degree in finance. A highly active student, Manock was a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society, NDSU Marksmanship Club, NDSU Writing Club, NDSU Bison Fund, Churchill Hall Government and College of Business Student Advisory Board. He also was a sandbagging volunteer during Fargo-Moorhead flooding, volunteered at Hope Blooms and was a member of the NDSU Move-in Crew. Manock was an excellent student, earning Dean’s List honors every semester of his college career and accumulating a 4.0 GPA. After graduation, Manock plans to begin a full-time position in the Scheels corporate office in Fargo. A native of West Fargo, he is the son of Craig and Stephanie Manock.
Tasha Meyer, a vocal music education major from Hawley, Minnesota, is set to be the soloist for the 10 a.m. ceremony. She is earning her Bachelor of Music in vocal music education. Meyer has performed in many different capacities, including the NDSU Concert Choir, Madrigal Singers, University Chamber Singers and sang the NDSU school song “The Yellow and the Green” at Bison football games. As a member of the NDSU Gold Star Marching Band, Meyer was piccolo section leader from 2020-22. She also was an active member of student organization NDSU Cru. Her career goal is to make a difference in student lives and positively impact them through music.
The soloist for the 2 p.m. ceremony will be Natalie Harrison, who is earning her Bachelor of Music in vocal performance and French. Harrison has been involved in NDSU Concert Choir, Madrigal Singers, Bison Arts Singers and Opera program. This year, she was the secretary for the NDSU Concert Choir. She has performed leading and ensemble roles in NDSU’s Theatre and Opera productions, including Emma Carew in “Jekyll & Hyde” and Papagena in “Die Zauberflöte.” She also participated in Fargo-Moorhead Opera choruses. In addition to her studies, Harrison participates in voice competitions. She received first place in the Collegiate Musical Theater Minnesota NATS Voice Competition. She has studied under Lemieux-Wottrich, adjunct professor of voice and French and Karisa Templeton, assistant professor of voice, in the Challey School of Music. Harrison will continue her voice studies as a master’s degree student at McGill University in Canada. She hopes to finish her education and continue pursuing a vocal music career in both musical theater and opera. Her goal is to live and work in Europe.
During the 10 a.m. ceremony, philanthropist and longtime NDSU donor Sheila Challey is scheduled to be presented an honorary doctorate of humane letters.
Challey’s interest in supporting NDSU has been focused on providing scholarship aid to young people aspiring to earn a college degree. Not having the family support and financial wherewithal to pursue her own college degree was a major motivating factor. One area of focus has been the Division of Performing Arts, where Sheila and her family have supported numerous students pursuing music degrees. In 2014, the program was renamed the Robert and Sheila Challey School of Music to recognize their philanthropic impact.
Sheila and husband, Bob, were co-chairs of the NDSU Foundation’s “In Our Hands: The Campaign for North Dakota State University,” which raised a record-setting $586.7 million from 2016 to 2021. The Challeys provided leadership gift support to the campaign, including the establishment of the Sheila and Robert Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth in the College of Business.
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