WAYNE – Wayne State College held commencement ceremonies for graduate and undergraduate students on Saturday, May 10, in the college’s historic Willow Bowl amphitheater. The graduate student ceremony was at 10 a.m., and the undergraduate ceremony was at 1:30 p.m.
A total of 627 degrees were conferred by Wayne State President Marysz Rames. Those students receiving their degrees included 495 undergraduates and 132 graduate students. Graduate students earned their degrees from the college’s Master of Science in Education, Master of Science in Organizational Management, Master of Interdisciplinary Studies, Master of Business Administration, Master’s in Counseling, and Education Specialist programs.
The graduate ceremony featured an invocation by master’s candidate Gwenn Indira Davelaar of Aruba; Carter “Cap” Peterson, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State College System, brought greetings from the board; and master’s candidate Kristi Ann Anderson of Wayne, Neb., delivered graduation remarks.
The undergraduate ceremony featured an invocation by bachelor’s candidate Griffin Ryan of Wahoo, Neb.; Peterson brought greetings from the board; Matt Kneifl, a 2002 graduate of Wayne State, received the Alumni Achievement Award; two retiring faculty were recognized; and Dr. Sean X. Ahern, associate professor of communication arts, received the State Nebraska Bank & Trust Teaching Excellence Award and the Nebraska State College System Teaching Excellence Award.
Among those graduating from WSC were the following (all Osmond except where noted), listed with degree: Austin Vinson of Foster, bachelor of science in business administration and marketing. Austin is a 2021 Osmond High School graduate and the son of Clark and Mary Vinson.
Alexis Beacom, bachelor of science in health and physical education PK12. Alexis is a 2021 graduate of Osmond High School and the daughter of Shane and Cindy Beacom.
Samantha De La Cruz, bachelor of science in early childhood and family studies. Samantha is a 2021 OHS graduate and the daughter of Gerardo and Olga Herrera.
Brady Stech, bachelor of science in business administration and management. Brady is an Osmond High School graduate with the Class of 2021 and the son of Marvin and Mary Beth Stech.
Riley Wagner, bachelor of science in elementary education, with a minor in early childhood education PK-3. Riley is the daughter of Chris and Robin Wagner and a 2022 graduate of OHS.
