Spring 2021 Commencement Program
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Spring 2021 Commencement Wednesday, May 5, 2021 Pinnacle Bank Arena Lincoln, Nebraska The mission of Southeast Community College is to empower and transform the diverse learners and communities of southeast Nebraska through accessible lifelong educational opportunities. The College provides dynamic and responsive pathways to career and technical, academic transfer and continuing education programs that contribute to personal, community and workforce development. Program Processional Presiding Mr. Bob Morgan, Vice President of Program Development/Campus Director-Beatrice National Anthem Performed by Dr. Jon Gruett, Director, SCC Chorus Welcome Dr. Paul Illich, President, Southeast Community College Commencement Address Honorable Pete Ricketts, Governor of Nebraska Certification of Candidates and Conferring of Degrees Dr. Joel Michaelis, Vice President for Instruction Ms. Nancy Seim, Outgoing 2020 Chairperson, SCC Board of Governors Ms. Kathy Boellstorff, Incoming 2021 Chairperson, SCC Board of Governors Presentation of Diplomas Academic Division Deans Recessional Commencement will be available on the College’s website at https://www.southeast.edu/graduation/ 2 Commencement Speaker Governor Pete Ricketts Governor Pete Ricketts was sworn in as Nebraska’s 40th Governor on Jan. 8, 2015, and reelected to a second term in November 2018. Over the past six years, Governor Ricketts has worked with the Legislature to deliver more than $1.5 billion in direct property tax relief, dramatically reduce the rate of state spending growth, create new workforce development programming, cut unnecessary red tape to bolster Nebraska’s business-friendly climate, and expand international markets for Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers. Thanks in part to the Governor’s leadership, Nebraska won the Governor’s Cup for the most economic development projects per capita three years in a row from 2016 to 2018. Former President Donald J. Trump has appointed Governor Ricketts to serve on the Council of Governors and the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations. Born in Nebraska City and raised in Omaha, Ricketts is the son of an entrepreneur and a school teacher. Governor Ricketts and his wife, First Lady Susanne Shore, have been married for 23 years and live in Omaha. They have three children: Roscoe, Margot, and Eleanor. Ricketts graduated from Westside High School before attending the University of Chicago where he earned his bachelor’s degree in biology and an MBA in marketing and finance. After graduate school, Ricketts returned to Omaha and worked for Union Pacific before working as a customer services representative in his family’s business, a company that would eventually become known as Ameritrade. He went on to hold leadership roles in the company, including Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Development, Senior Vice President of Product Development, Senior Vice President of Marketing, President, and Chief Operating Officer (COO). Prior to his election as governor, he worked to support Nebraska entrepreneurs and startup companies. Ricketts is the founder of Drakon, LLC that supports local entrepreneurs and startup companies. He also is a past board member of TD Ameritrade’s Board of Directors and the Chicago Cubs baseball team. Driven by a desire to give back to his community and create education and job opportunities, Governor Ricketts has taken on leadership roles in local and state associations and organizations. Currently, he serves on the board of the Mid-America Council of the Boy Scouts, as a director of the Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation, a member of the Board of Advisors of Opportunity Education Foundation, a member of the Archbishop’s Committee for Development, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre. Governor Ricketts and his family attend St. Margaret Mary’s church. 3 National Anthem Jon Gruett, Ph.D. Dr. Jon Gruett is director of Southeast Community College’s chorus, After the Storm, and also teaches individual voice lessons at both the Beatrice Campus and at the College’s Education Square location in downtown Lincoln. Dr. Gruett holds a doctor of musical arts degree from the University of Washington at Seattle, a master’s degree from the University of Indiana and a bachelor’s of music education degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His performing credits include appearances with the opera companies of Bremen, Germany; Edinburgh, Scotland; Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, Cleveland, Boston, Seattle, and Milwaukee. He also has sung with the following orchestras: The Minnesota Orchestra, Chicago’s Grant Park Symphony, the Milwaukee Symphony, and the Lansing Symphony. He has conducted and stage-directed more than 40 operas and musicals at the professional, university and high school levels and also has served as a guest director of opera at the Eastman School of Music. 4 A Letter from the President Dr. Paul Illich Dear Graduate, Southeast Community College is committed to its mission of providing dynamic and responsive pathways to career and technical, academic transfer, and continuing education programs. SCC seeks to empower and transform the diverse learners and communities of southeast Nebraska. I congratulate you on successfully completing all requirements for graduation. One of our goals at SCC is to promote resiliency among our students by encouraging them to embrace the complexities and challenges associated with learning new and difficult concepts and skills. You have accomplished this goal of resiliency through diligent effort, commitment, and personal integrity. This past year, each of you was given the unique challenge of navigating a pandemic while continuing to pursue your educational journey. I applaud you for your courage, persistence, and adaptability during this time. Your graduation from SCC during a pandemic will be a constant reminder throughout your life that you can achieve anything if you believe in yourself and embrace lifelong learning. You began your journey at SCC as students and will leave as accomplished graduates prepared for employment in the workforce and/or transfer to a four-year college or university. This transformation could not have occurred without the tireless support of friends and family. The dedication and commitment of SCC’s faculty and staff also played a key role in the accomplishments we celebrate this evening. Your graduation from SCC is the perfect thank you for their ongoing support. Your time at SCC has transformed you in several ways. You are more confident by knowing new words, concepts, skills, and ideas about your particular field. According to neuroscience research, we know that studying and learning new information leads to changes in the brain. You now have additional neural connections as a result your decision to enroll at SCC. Depending on your particular field, different parts of your brain have likely changed over the past several months. The decision to enroll at SCC was not just a life-changing decision but, a brain-changing decision. I congratulate you on the transformational decision to enroll in an SCC program. You have created the foundation for a new future for yourself. I encourage you to continue to make positive transformational decisions and to embrace adversity as an opportunity for personal growth and passionate resolve. 5 Graduates Spring, Summer, Fall 2020 & Spring 2021 DIVISION OF ARTS & SCIENCES Sydney Nicole Fisher, Lincoln Presented by Dr. Carolee Ritter, David Allen Frenzel, Lincoln Division Dean Geoffrey Peter Galindo, Lincoln Donna Marie Gardner, Omaha Associate of Arts Emma Rae Towela Gettemy, Lincoln Miguel Alexis Aguilera Ortiz, Lincoln Ashley MarKay Gifford, Kansas City, MO Wyatt Ray Anderson, Eskridge, KS Matthew William Goetzmann, Omaha Adam Bahr, Lincoln Brannan JoAnne Griepentrog, Lincoln Jalen Robert Barker, Kaspar Oliver Haake, Lincoln Wandiligong, Australia Matthew Daniel Halouska, Lincoln Chelsea Nicole Bergonia, Lincoln Kazuha Hamamoto, Lincoln Alexis Best, Lincoln Earlnil Kofi Hamilton, Hannah Marie Bitenieks, Lincoln Phillipsburg, St. Marten Cameron Rhodes Blossom, Omaha Courtney Bryn Hanson, Lexington Marnie Marie Bolen, Anchorage, AK Shelby Lynn Haskell, Pawnee City Chelsea Marie Boltz, Beatrice Stewart Harrison Haszard, Lincoln Amanda Lee Anne Book, Humboldt Morgan P. Henning, Lincoln Cody Lee Boyles, Tamuning, Guam Derek Charles Holtorf, Seward Ashley Brinkman, Lincoln Ashley Marie Hoover, Lincoln Logan Henry Burke, Lincoln Tin Z. Htay, Lincoln Erich C. Carpenter, McCook Sam D. Jacobson, Holdrege Priscilla P. Castillo, Lincoln Matthew Ronald Keating, Omaha Ndayikengurukiye Christine, Lincoln Madison Ellen Kerkman, Columbus Chaquan D. Clarke, Faith Elizabeth Kerl, Geneva Toronto Ontario, Canada Jenna Kay Knickman, Syracuse Chase Colin Crosier, Denver, CO Jayse D. Koehler, Johnson Cristian Jared Cuddeford, Lincoln Logan Q. Koenig, Lincoln MaKenna Elise Cummings, Union Tess Danielle Kohout, Lincoln Ashley Jo Davis, Ossian, IA Rebekah Elisabeth Lockard, Lincoln Braydon Markus Dugan, Columbus Javier M. Luna, Roanoke, TX Weston Todd Duncanson, Lincoln Benjamin Jackson Martin, Bennington Jennifer M. Eilers, Lincoln Gabryelle Elizabeth Massey, Eagle Faten Q. Fanharawi, Lincoln 6 Tyler J. Mattingley, Thornton, CO Amy Jo Standley, Lincoln Bryson P. McCown, Beatrice Sarah Elizabeth Stanosheck, Odell Wil Kiernan McCoy, Syracuse Brett John Stewart, Lincoln Sara Elizabeth McCrimmon, Wymore Jazmine Enicol Topil-Pinto, Lincoln Kiara Joelle McInturf, Grand Island Sonora Esperanza