Briar Cliff University Hosts 89th Commencement Ceremony
September 27, 2020
On Sunday, Briar Cliff University hosted their 89th Commencement Ceremony at the Tyson Events Center. During the ceremony, over 130 graduates commemorated their academic achievements by walking across the stage along with classmates, while professors, coaches, family, and friends joined the celebration.
“Thank you, Briar Cliff for everything that you have done for me and for all of my classmates,” said student speaker, Abigail Brinkman. “I can’t believe how fast these four years have gone and how many memories I have made. I am so honored to have classmates who became my best friends, to have professors and staff members who are like second parents, and to have a place that was once just a thought transform into my home.”
Briar Cliff’s original May 2020 commencement ceremony was rescheduled due to the pandemic. The event was celebrated virtually through program-specific email announcements, on-campus displays, and social media recognition until arrangements could be made to bring graduates back safely. With some slight adjustments to the traditional pomp and circumstance to allow for CDC and local health recommendations, Briar Cliff University finished its Homecoming Weekend by finally celebrating the Class of 2020.
“Class of 2020 - words cannot express how wonderful it is to see each of you again – and to finally give you this well-deserved, overdue recognition,” said Dr. Rachelle Karstens, President of Briar Cliff University. “We are truly honored to have the chance to reflect on your growth as a student at Briar Cliff, honor your achievements, and celebrate this exciting milestone with you.”
The Class of 2020 included 292 candidates from Briar Cliff University’s many undergraduate, master, and doctoral degree programs. Andrea Norton, who suddenly passed away in 2019, also received a posthumous degree and a San Damiano Cross, accepted by her parents, along with her cap and gown.
The following is a list of this year’s candidates divided by program. The list includes hometowns and significant honors and recognitions.
Candidates for Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree
Juliana Nkea Atem Grand Prairie, TX
Ifan Sandra Chen Jabre Sioux City, IA
Kellie Crowl Sheldon, IA
Mary Grieder Council Bluffs, IA
Monique Manderson Glen Carbon, IL
Shannon Merk Kingsley, IA
Asongtia Ntonghawah Bowie, MD
Ijeoma Ogbonnaya New Brighton, MN
Odochi Onungwa Dallas, TX
Felicia Onyeuku Fayetteville, GA
Heather Jo Stehr Sac City, IA
Candidates for Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree
Bradley Beardt Rapid City, SD
Alyssa Besch Edina, MN
Christine Beune Wisner, NE
Brett Black Durand, WI
Aubree Blake Hesperia, CA
Alexander Boyer Cottage Grove, MN
Jon Byers Green Bay, WI
Sierra Chapman Springfield, IL
Samantha Covington Vacaville, CA
Andrew Deiter Ankeny, IA
Isaiah Faas Rochester, MN
Gewiria Fadl Des Moines, IA
Eric Gross Atlantic, IA
Brady Harr Spearfish, SD
Samantha Hoebelheinrich Orange City, IA
Tessa Hubert Menno, SD
Danielle Ishii Omaha, NE
Megan Johnson Lake Mills, IA
Brittany Kleist Ingleside, IL
Rafael Lopez Casa Grande, AZ
Grant Moravec David City, NE
Michael Rykaczewski Trappe, PA
Nathan Sieler Carroll, NE
Lauren Solseth Altoona, IA
Joseph Stangl Prior Lake, MN
Mitchell Steffensmeier Cedar Rapids, IA
Taylor Sterling Grand Blanc, MI
Kelsey Svehla Lincoln, NE
Jacob Tuholsky Big Lake, MN
Blake Van Maanen Oshkosh, WI
Dylan Wills Springfield, NE
Candidates for Master of Health Administration Degree
Samantha Dodd Clinton, IA
Katie Halda Rochester, MN
Amanda Harris Sioux City, IA
Leah Lappe Griswold, IA
Courtney Vinsand South Sioux City, NE
Candidates for Master of Arts in Management Degree
Megan Glover Sioux City, IA
Danya Hangman Moville, IA
Taylor Henningsgard Buxton, ND
Shannon Keller Sioux City, IA
Jose Gregorio Lugo Ramirez Maracaibo, Venezuela
Kelly Merkle Highland, MI
Marcus McCorkle Lawrenceville, GA
Karina Pedroza South Sioux City, NE
Kimberly Phillips Estherville, IA
Jerome Anthony Reicks Jr. Sioux City, IA
Anne Schaffer Sloan, IA
Kelsey Wattenhofer Litchfield, MN
Dustin Wozniak Stevens Point, WI
Candidate for Master of Science in Kinesiology and Human Performance Degree
Chase Lester Clear Lake, IA
Candidates for Master of Science in Nursing Degree
Heather Abels Sioux Falls, SD
Derek Belt Omaha, NE
Theodore Bollard Fort Dodge, IA
Carmen Bot Minneota, MN
Michelle Crary Waukon, IA
Michelle Cuddeford Lincoln, NE
Alicia Drotzman Tea, SD
Matthew Garred Whiting, IA
Krishna Hanson Lake Mills, IA
Maria Hawkins Sanborn, IA
Jill Hunt Council Bluffs, IA
Jennifer Johnson Remsen, IA
Lisa Layne Davenport, IA
Kristen Leonhardi Emmons, MN
Tara Liddiard Jefferson, SD
Alison Lombardo Iowa City, IA
Chibwe Lupambo Otsego, MN
Stephanie Meinerts Luverne, MN
Dawn Miller Fort Dodge, IA
Megan Ng Ankeny, IA
Natalie Rosenboom Sioux Center, IA
Jessica Slaba Centerville, SD
Gregory Studer Sioux Falls, SD
Savannah Woltering Wellman, IA
Candidates for Bachelor of Arts Degree
Art
Mai Nguyen Sioux City, IA
Accounting
Scott Dollison Jacksonville, FL
Valerie Fakler Algona, IA Magna Cum Laude
Harrison Jestel Davenport, IA Cum Laude
Brandon Johnson Sioux City, IA
Zachary Ryan Moville, IA
Gertrude Timblin Sioux City, IA Summa Cum Laude
Business Administration
Catherine Birk Sioux City, IA
La'Darrian Bowman Lakeland, FL
George Delaney Spencer, IA
Scott Dollison Jacksonville, FL
Ana Maria Freire Quito, Ecuador Summa Cum Laude
Andrew Geelan Ruthven, IA
Kathleen Glover Sioux City, IA Magna Cum Laude
Alexander Johnson Los Angeles, CA
Carlos Mesias Quito, Ecuador
Brandon Meyer Algonquin, IL
Andrew Miller St. Louis, MO
Cindy Moreno Sioux City, IA
Leonardo Jin Onoe Sao Paulo, Brazil Magna Cum Laude
Natalie Peters Auburn, IL
Arianna Presilla Weston, FL
Awais Rizvi Karachi, Pakistan
Raul Perez Ruiz Toluca-Mexico
Yannick Rwamahe Kigali, Rwanda
Shauna Semon Sioux City, IA
Stacie Sorenson Omaha, NE
Ivan Trifunovic Nis, Sebia
Theresa Trudeau Sergeant Bluff, IA Magna Cum Laude
Brooke Westcott Elk Point, SD
Michael Williams Mesa, AZ
Entrepreneurship and Small Business Administration
Austin Roetman Pocahontas, IA
Human Resource Management
Barb Larimer Sergeant Bluff, IA
International Business
La'Darrian Bowman Lakeland, FL
Marketing
George Delaney Spencer, IA
Ana Maria Freire Quito, Ecuador Summa Cum Laude
Arianna Presilla Weston, FL
Raul Perez Ruiz Toluca, Mexico
Ivan Trifunovic Nis, Serbia
Operations Management
Dawn Pearson Duluth, MN
Oluwaseyi Salami Le Mars, IA
Sport Management
Casandra Anderson Lookout Mountain, TN
Rahman Burton Calument, IL
Aubury Coleman Mason City, IA
Kathleen Glover Sioux City, IA Magna Cum Laude
Taylor Harden Omaha, NE
Brandon Meyer Algonquin, IL
Bailey Nichols Carroll, IA
Jared Samms Plainfield, IL
Jovon Woods Stockton, CA
Criminology
Jaydn Barnett Okoboji, IA
Bailey Bright Sparks, NV
James Buckhanan Muskugee, OK
Khamren Davenport Los Angeles, CA
Montique Edwards Federal Way, WA
Tristan Egbarts Valley, NE
Tyler French Mobile, AL
Agustin Gutierrez IV San Antonio, TX
Tyler Hill Peoria, AZ
Jared Sikora Ruthven, IA
D'earion Stokes Calumet Park, IL
Nathan Villalobos Vacaville, CA
Sociology
Peyton Bailey Fairfield, CA Magna Cum Laude
Amari Beal Los Angeles, CA
Aleda Price Sioux Falls, SD
Maike Rasmussen Sioux City, IA
Digital Communications
Cody Aughton Lincoln, IL
Kyle Chinen Mililani, HI
Benjamin Pigg Sacramento, CA
Dylan Speer Lone, CA Cum Laude
Baily Sitzmann Sioux City, IA Magna Cum Laude
Asi Tupua Lake Stevens, WA
Graphic Communications
Tania Caudillo Sioux City, IA
Rachel DeMoss Monona, IA Summa Cum Laude
Yaresi Garza Sioux City, IA
Rachel Knuston Kobold Sioux City, IA Magna Cum Laude
Elementary Education
Elizabeth DeAnda Ramirez Sioux City, IA
Allison Lester Sioux City, IA
Johanna Vaske Bancroft, IA
Secondary Education
Michael Donald Suisun, CA
Nathan Frankman Papillion, NE
Brady Harpenau Remsen, IA Cum Laude
Miles Landingham Bossier City, LA
Noah Marasco-Ayau Honolulu, HI
Grace Paulson Hancock, IA
Anna Taylor Winner, SD Summa Cum Laude
Colin Werner Manchester, IA
English
Timothy Baker Sioux City, IA
Noah Marasco-Ayau Sioux City, IA
Mai Nguyen Pocahontas, IA
Spanish
Isela Enriquez Sioux City, IA
History
Michael Donald Suisun City, CA
Brady Harpenau Remsen, IA Cum Laude
Miles Landingham Bossier City, LA
Sage Lloyd Missouri Valley, IA
Claire Schaefer Sioux City, IA
Anna Taylor Winner, SD Summa Cum Laude
Colin Werner Manchester, IA
Interdisciplinary Studies
Dante Shipman Compton, CA
Jessen Wood Akron, IA
Music
Michael Danner North Sioux City, SD Summa Cum Laude
Behavior Analysis
Summer Williams Raytown, MO
Psychology
Alcala Mireya Jimenez Sioux City, IA
Jadyn Barnett Okoboji, IA
Leonard Bingham III Jacksonville, FL
Chad Blank Farragut, IA
Peyton-Danielle Coffin Salem, IA
Dalton Demers Storm Lake, IA
Collin Glazek Davenport, IA Summa Cum Laude
Nicole Hemelberg Bogota, Colombia
Lucas Koster Pomeroy, IA
Cindy Lastor Sioux City, IA
DeVon Lewis Dakota Dunes, SD
Noel Phillips Honolulu, HI
Darnell Prince Ridgecrest, CA
Summer Williams Raytown, MO
Ashley Yepez Paramount, CA
Candidates for Bachelor of Science Degree
Biochemistry, Molecular Biology
Bernice Semana Kigali, Rwanda
Casey Zoss Letcher, SD Summa Cum Laude and Salutatorian
Chemistry
Viviane Hemedi Kinshasa, DRC
Jenessa Kardell Wayne, NE Cum Laude
Grace Paulson Hancock, IA
Radiologic Technology
Amanda Mace Hawarden, IA
Hannah Nguyen Sioux City, IA
Hailey Reiter Evansdale, IA
Sayge Rosas Hilo, HI
Haley Stafford Pomeroy, IA
Biology
Jorge Albuja Loja, Ecuador
Sarah Dreckman Marcus, IA
Kylie Fox Algona, IA Magna Cum Laude
Christian Gonzalez Sioux City, IA
Victoria Gonzalez San Antonio, TX
Jackson Lamb Greenfield, IA Magna Cum Laude
Samantha Pedroza Sioux City, IA
Grace Whitlaw Fort Calhoun, NE
Nicole Wiles Papillion, NE Magna Cum Laude
Environmental Science
Brooklyn Barnett Milford, IA
Connor Christiansen Ida Grove, IA
Rodney Scarver Prosser, WA
Cassidy Schwab Madrid, IA
Grace Whitlaw Fort Calhoun, NE
Exercise Physiology
Breanna Allen Crofton, NE Summa Cum Laude
Human Performance
Brandon Oswald Highlands Ranch, CO Cum Laude
Kinesiology and Human Performance
Nicholas Cole Topeka, KS
Jeana Hamman Kingsley, IA
Emily Larson Sioux City, IA
Isiah Lysius Miami, FL
Delaney Meyer Kansas City, NO
Leah Perry Clear Lake, IA
Bryan Peters Rio Vista, CA
Analyse Stapleton Sacramento, CA
Ricardo Tovar Panama City, Panama
Mellanie Zamora Buena Park, CA
Health Science
Ashley Gomez San Pedro, CA
Taneshia Morris-Ottley Stockbridge, GA
Mathematics
Erin Gaitsch Huntley, IL Summa Cum Laude
Nathan Frankman Papillion, NE
Casey Zoss Letcher, SD Summa Cum Laude and Salutatorian
Computer Science
Rachel DeMoss Monona, IA Summa Cum Laude
Erin Gaitsch Huntley, IL Summa Cum Laude
Nursing
Jarah Ackerman Iowa Falls, IA
Maria Aguirre Zavala Sioux City, IA
Abigail Brinkman