Concordia University, Nebraska confers degrees to May 2023 graduates

On May 6, Concordia University, Nebraska awarded undergraduate and graduate degrees to more than 300 graduates. The class of 2023 was honored during undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies. 

At the ceremony, Concordia Nebraska President Dr. Bernard Bull encouraged graduates to embrace opportunities with a combination of boldness and humility while using their gifts, talents and abilities to serve God and others.  

“You are now and forever will be a Concordian, one who takes what you have learned in the classrooms, concerts, courts, chapel and fields and nurtured through your many valued friendships and beyond…use all of that to be a blessing to those around you,” said Bull.  

He reminded students to heed God’s call to learn and lead in the church and in the world, always seeking to serve with wisdom, clarity of conviction and character. 

“It is my prayer that you leave here knowing that while you are an imperfect person who sins and falls short, you have a God of justice, grace and mercy who loves you more than you can possibly imagine,” he added. “May God bless each of you as you embark on what He has in store for you.” 

Concordia Nebraska alumnus Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Ehlers ’79, chairman and CEO of Garuna Ministries and 2023 recipient of the Concordia University Nebraska Crest of Christ award, presented the commencement address. 

He reminded graduates that in the midst of a busy, loud and crazy world, it is important to listen to the voice of Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd, whose trustworthy and correct message is found in His Word. He also encouraged graduates to remember that we have great hope and joy because of Jesus’ great love for us.  

“We have His promise that He is preparing a place for us – our eternal home with Him in paradise – that fact changes how we think and make decisions,” said Ehlers. “He loves us, He is with us, so no matter what vocation in life He calls us into, He will be with you. This gives us strength and confidence for daily life.” 

Concordia University, Nebraska graduates earning degrees from Aug. 31, 2022, through Aug. 31, 2023 (listed in alphabetical order by state [exception: Nebraska first and international locations last], city and last name):  

Note: Appearance of a name in this news release is not an official acknowledgment of completion of the degree, certificate or diploma indicated.  

 Nebraska 

Olivia Leising, Arapahoe, Neb., B.A. 
Kenzie Strate, Ashland, Neb., B.S.Ed. 
Zoe Sjuts, Bancroft, Neb., B.S.Ed. 
Matthew Harvey, Beatrice, Neb., MBA 
Wyatt Loga, Bee, Neb., B.A. 
Olivia Buschow, Blue Hill, Neb., B.S. 
Daniel Campbell, Bellevue, Neb., B.A. 
Sarah Henkel, Campbell, Neb., B.S.Ed. 
Allison Owings, Champion, Neb., B.S. 
Katherine Birtell, Columbus, Neb., B.A. 
Mary Nibbe, Cowles, Neb., B.S. 
Emma Hoyer, Crete, Neb., B.A. 
Sabrina Reed, Crete, Neb., B.A. 
Zachary Skala, Crete, Neb., B.A. 
Garret Schardt, Davenport, Neb., B.S. 
Zachary Bennetts, Denton, Neb., B.S. 
KyLee Nutsch, Deshler, Neb., M.P.H. 
Madison Koch, Doniphan, Neb., B.S.Ed. 
Averie Lambrecht, Eagle, Neb., B.S. 
Leah Werner, Edgar, Neb., M.Ed. 
Julie Gorup, Elkhorn, Neb., M.Ed. 
Lauren Moes, Elm Creek, Neb., B.A. 
Taylor Moes, Elm Creek, Neb., B.S. 
Julia Witt, Elwood, Neb., B.A. 
Madalynn Fousek, Exeter, Neb., M.A. 
Raven Gerths, Fairbury, Neb., M.H.A. 
Jayson Klaumann, Fairbury, Neb., B.S.Ed. 
Alia Hurst, Fairmont, Neb., B.S. 
Olivia Alberts, Filley, Neb., M.Ed. 
Noah Larson, Gothenberg, Neb., B.S.Ed. 
Sarah Atchity, Grand Island, Neb., B.S.Ed. 
Kalee Wiltfong, Grand Island, Neb., B.S.Ed. 
Evan Beran, Gretna, Neb., B.S. 
Quinton Janecek, Gering, Neb., B.S.Ed. 
Benjamin Coldiron, Gretna, Neb. 
Breanna Green, Gretna, Neb., B.S.Ed., B.A. 
Mara Hjermstad, Gretna, Neb., B.S.Ed. 
Zipporah Brown, Hastings, Neb., B.A.  
Nathan Birtell, Holdredge, Neb., B.A. 
Brynna Bruxellas, Humboldt, Neb., B.A. 
Jaclyn Paisley, Imperial, Neb., M.A. 
Elizabeth Gaunt, Kearney, Neb., M.Ed. 
Camden Sesna, Kearney, Neb., B.S. 
Casey Arnold, Lexington, Neb., B.A. 
Daniel Kuefner, Lexington, Neb., B.A. 
Alyssa Barnhouse, Lincoln, Neb., B.S.Ed. 
Cayden Beran, Lincoln, Neb., MBA 
Kayla Boellstorff, Lincoln, Neb., M.Ed. 
Raymond Bretthauer, Lincoln, Neb., MBA 
Anna Briggs, Lincoln, Neb., M.A. 
Qyalan Clay, Lincoln, Neb., B.S.Ed. 
Logan Eschliman, Lincoln, Neb., B.S. 
Lauren Feekin, Lincoln, Neb., MBA 
Mackenzie Ferrel, Lincoln, Neb., M.Ed. 
Tara Ferrel, Lincoln, Neb., B.S. 
Steve Fisher, Lincoln, Neb., MBA 
Melanie Gibson, Lincoln, Neb., M.Ed. 
Lydia Grimpo, Lincoln, Neb., B.A. 
Rebekah Guilford, Lincoln, Neb., B.Mus. 
Lauren Havlat, Lincoln, Neb., B.S. 
Tice Jenkins, Lincoln, Neb., B.S. 
Ian Kollipara, Lincoln, Neb., B.S.Ed., B.S. 
Caelen Kay, Lincoln, Neb, B.A. 
Ashleigh Lange, Lincoln, Neb., M.Ed. 
Erin Mapson, Lincoln, Neb., B.A. 
Colton Meyer, Lincoln, Neb., B.S. 
Nathan Pennington, Lincoln, Neb, B.Mus.  
Adler Rickords, Lincoln, Neb, B.A. 
Jack Rolland, Lincoln, Neb., B.S.Ed. 
Emma Ruwe, Lincoln, Neb., B.S.Ed. 
Jamalee Scaggs, Lincoln, Neb., M.H.A. 
Chloe Schumacher, Lincoln, Neb., B.S.Ed. 
Tyler Scholz, Lincoln, Neb., B.S. 
Matthew Schultz, Lincoln, Neb., B.S. 
Isaiah Shaddick, Lincoln, Neb., B.S. 
Sophie Simonsen, Lincoln, Neb., M.Ed. 
Grace Soenksen, Lincoln, Neb., B.S. 
Kennedy VanScoy, Lincoln, Neb., B.A. 
Kadin Vrbas, Lincoln, Neb., B.S.Ed. 
LeighAnn Miller, Litchfield, Neb., M.A. 
Adrianna Sims, Malcolm, Neb., B.S.Ed. 
Andrea Happel, McCool Junction, Neb., M.Ed. 
Tiffany Hovendick, Milford, Neb, B.A., B.F.A. 
Tabitha Ristvedt, Milford, Neb., B.S., B.A. 
Taylor Wiltfong, Milford, Neb., M.Ed. 
Daniel Warneke, Nebraska City, Neb., B.S. 
Amber Epley, Nelson, Neb., M.A. 
Brendan Ingram, Newport, Neb., B.A. 
Jayden Brosius, North Platte, Neb, B.S. 
Morgan Fischer, North Platte, Neb., B.A. 
Jacob Gosnell, North Platte, Neb., B.S. 
Matthew Odle, North Platte, Neb., M.H.A. 
Garret Seagren, Oakland, Neb., B.S. 
Jose Garcia, Ogalalla, Neb., B.S. 
Brayden Adams, Omaha, Neb., B.S. 
Emily Allison, Omaha, Neb., M.Ed. 
Janelle Benson, Omaha, Neb., M.Ed. 
Grace Boganowski, Omaha, Neb., B.A. 
Kimberly Brown, Omaha, Neb., M.Ed. 
Lukas Coe, Omaha, Neb., B.A. 
Carrie Cunningham, Omaha, Neb., M.Ed. 
Kelly Cunningham, Omaha, Neb., M.Ed. 
Dawn Darrell, Omaha, Neb., M.Ed. 
Madison Ellis, Omaha, Neb., B.A. 
Jennifer Faiman, Omaha, Neb., M.Ed. 
Taylor Farrell, Omaha, Neb., B.A. 
Kacey Francis, Omaha, Neb., M.A. 
Megan Garbe, Omaha, Neb., B.A. 
Rachel Houghton, Omaha, Neb., M.Ed. 
Abby Kepplin, Omaha, Neb., B.S. 
Maureen Kinyon, Omaha, Neb., M.Ed. 
Irene Kuvetakis, Omaha, Neb., M.Ed. 
Kendall Ludwick, Omaha, Neb., B.A. 
Jacob Lycan, Omaha, Neb., B.S. 
Morgan James, Omaha, Neb., MBA 
Chelsea Oliver, Omaha, Neb., M.P.H.  
Kalvin Page, Omaha, Neb., B.S.Ed. 
Lee Perez, Omaha, Neb., M.Ed. 
Audrey Sado, Omaha, Neb., M.Ed. 
Emily Timm, Omaha, Neb., M.Ed. 
Mariana Urquidez Dominguez, Omaha, Neb., M.Ed. 
Ivan Yabut, Omaha, Neb., B.A. 
Lizbeth Vargas-Tapia, Omaha, Neb., B.A. 
Allie Ray, Osceola, Neb., M.Ed. 
Kathleen Boyle, Papillion, Neb., M.A. 
Haley Compton, Papillion, Neb., B.S.  
Drew D’Ercole, Papillion, Neb. B.A. 
Caden Johnson, Papillion, Neb., B.A. 
Brandi Neujahr Kosek, Papillion, Neb., M.Ed. 
Korrell Koehlmoos, Pilger, Neb., B.A. 
Michelle Gramling, Scottsbluff, Neb., M.Ed. 
Becky Jo Wylie, Scottsbluff, Neb., M.Ed. 
Rachel Bender, Seward, Neb., B.S.Ed. 
Chase Berry, Seward, Neb., B.A. 
Faith Brown, Seward, Neb., B.S. 
Abigail Dawson, Seward, Neb., B.A 
Owen Dawson, Seward, Neb., B.A. 
Kassidy Fanning, Seward, Neb., B.S.Ed. 
Kylahn Freiberg, Seward, Neb. B.S.Ed. 
Marc Freiberg II, Seward, Neb., B.S. 
Alayna Goldsmith, Seward, Neb., B.A. 
Jennifer Horne, Seward, Neb., B.Mus. 
Marlee Hubach, Seward, Neb., B.S.Ed. 
Ethan Ideus, Seward, Neb., B.S. 
Hanna Kirst, Seward, Neb., B.S. 
Jonathan Landrey, Seward, Neb., B.A. 
Hannah Mars, Seward, Neb., B.A. 
Nathaniel Mars, Seward, Neb., B.Mus. 
Gillian Mettenbrink, Seward, Neb., B.A. 
Ella Moll, Seward, Neb., B.S. 
Benjamin Moll, Seward, Neb., B.S. 
Nathaniel Moore, Seward, Neb., B.A. 
John Myers, Seward, Neb., B.S. 
Morgan Nibbe, Seward, Neb., B.S. 
Tobias Novak, Seward, Neb., B.A. 
Katherine Rickords, Seward, Neb., B.A. 
Malia Rolf, Seward, Neb., B.S. 
Daniel Royuk, Seward, Neb., B.A. 
Matthew Sherman, Seward, Neb., B.S. 
Jacob Spidell, Seward, Neb., B.A. 
Rebekah Stadler, Seward, Neb., B.S.Ed. 
Joao Pedro Verissimo, Seward, Neb., MBA 
Kelly Vyhnalek, Seward, Neb., B.S. 
Morgan Bowman, South Sioux City, Neb., B.S.Ed. 
Hanna Spearman, Springfield, Neb., B.A. 
Bree Burtwistle, Stanton, Neb., B.A. 
Emily Agena, Sterling, Neb., B.S.Ed. 
Kenna Holtzen, Stromsberg, Neb., B.S. 
Tyler Bartels, Tecumseh, Neb., B.A. 
Haden Richters, Utica, Neb., B.S.Ed. 
Shiloh Richters, Utica, Neb., B.S. 
Caitlyn McGarvie, Valparaiso, Neb., B.S. 
Wyatt Ehlers, Waco, Neb., B.S. 
Jackson Hirschfield, Waco, Neb., B.S. 
Tara Munter, Wausa, Neb., M.Ed. 
Jayden Adams, Waverly, Neb., B.S. 
Mollie Grosshans, Waverly, Neb., B.A. 
Wyatt Cast, York, Neb., B.S. 
Kylee Nixon, York, Neb., B.S.Ed. 
Camryn Opfer, York, Neb., B.S. 
Madayln Woodburn, York, Neb., B.S. 
Shelby Ziegler, York, Neb., B.S. 

Alaska 

Mallory Karp, Anchorage, Alaska, M.A. 
Rachel Peter, Dutch Harbor, Alaska, M.Ed. 

Arkansas 

Blake Benson, Springdale Ark., B.S.Ed. 
Rosanna Scott, West Fork, Ark., B.A. 

Arizona 

Jayzen Armstrong, Casa Grande, Ariz., B.A. 
Cade Peterson, Peoria, Ariz., B.S. 
Kadyn Lane, Phoenix, Ariz., B.S. 

California 

Ashley Mejia, Arleta, Calif., MBA 
Jakob Faulk, Atwater, Calif., B.A. 
Benjamin Toenjes, Bakersfield, Calif., B.S.Ed., B.S. 
Jake Fosgett, Carlsbad, Calif., MBA 
Laurisa Stuart, Folsom, Calif., M.Ed. 
Deborah Ramaty, Long Beach, Calif., M.Ed. 
Matthew Wahlers, Napa, Calif., B.S.Ed. 
Dagne Buck, Plumas Lake, Calif., B.S. 
Justin Reynolds, Riverside, Calif., MBA 
Samuel Adjei, San Diego, Calif., MBA 
Aliya Aldama, Torrance, Calif., B.A. 
Tahnee Martinez, Tracy, Calif., M.Ed. 

Colorado 

Alexis Riley, Colorado Springs, Colo., M.Ed. 
Christopher Shelton, Colorado Springs, Colo., B.A. 
Logan French, Fort Collins, Colo., B.A., B.S.Ed. 
Lisa McClain, Fraser, Colo., B.A. 
Caitlin Davis, Hot Sulphur Springs, Colo., B.S. 
Ashley Gerczynski, Kiowa, Colo., B.S. 
Shaina Danile, Longmont, Colo., B.A. 

Connecticut 

Katherine Bautista, Wallingford, Conn., M.P.H. 

District of Columbia 

Donnalee Hinds-Coger, Washington, D.C., M.Ed. 

Florida 

Tavoris Smith Jr., Pinellas Park, Fla., B.A. 

Georgia 

Richard Hockaday, Mount Airy, Ga., M.Ed. 

Idaho 

Jennifer Collins, Soda Springs, Idaho, M.A. 

Iowa 

Cailey Person, Adel, Iowa, B.S. 
Madison Owen, Arcadia, Iowa, B.S.Ed. 
Laura VonKampen, Atkins, Iowa, B.S. 
Alexandria Downing, Bronson, Iowa, B.A. 
Benjamin Berg, Caroll, Iowa, B.S.Ed. 
Kalina Schoenfeld, Carroll, Iowa, MBA 
Annah Heck, Coon Rapids, Iowa, B.S. 
Katie Severt, Coralville, Iowa, B.A. 
Kendra Johnson, Council Bluffs, Iowa, B.Mus. 
Brooke Brown, Denison, Iowa, B.A. 
Clarissa Spiehs, Hubbard, Iowa, B.S.Ed. 
Teyt Johnson, Indianola, Iowa, B.S. 
Sarah Weber, Manchester, Iowa, B.A. 
Keaton Candor, Merill, Iowa, B.S. 
Morgan De Jong, Orange City, Iowa, MBA 

Illinois 

Ariana Saunder, Marengo, Ill., B.S.Ed. 

Indiana 

Jessica Gavrun, Decatur, Ind., M.Ed. 
Jill Gramzow, Fort Wayne, Ind., B.A. 
Kathryn Castens, New Haven, Ind., B.S.Ed. 
Bethany Zeckzer, New Haven, Ind., B.Mus. 

Kansas 

Brandon Vega, Emporia, Kan., B.S. 
Naomi Postier, Newton, Kan., B.A. 
Neal Patron, North Newton, Kan., B.S. 
Brayden Becker, Sabetha, Kan., B.S. 
Nathan Leonard, Topeka, Kan., B.A. 
Emma Taylor, Topeka, Kan., M.Ed. 
Ariana Steinbach, Wamego, Kan., B.A. 

Maine 

Kalen Garrett, Topsham, Maine, B.S.Ed. 

Maryland 

Olajumoke Owati, Ellicott City, Md., M.P.H. 
Clarissa Wright, Severna Park, Md., M.Ed. 

Michigan 

Hannah Cmeyla, Bay City, Mich., B.A. 
Alana Mundy, Livonia, Mich., M.Ed. 
Benjamin Newcomb, Milan, Mich., M.Ed. 

Minnesota 

Dezaray White, Champlin, Minn., M.P.H. 
Emma Holthus, Dayton, Minn., B.S.Ed. 
Alexa Swenson, Garrison, Minn., B.A. 
Nicole Harpel, Glencoe, Minn., M.H.A. 
Benjamin Boll, Ham Lake, Minn., B.A. 
Matthew Boll, Ham Lake, Minn., B.S.Ed., B.A. 
Emma Dangers, Isle, Minn., B.A. 
Anthony Tolefree, Lake Elmo, Minn., M.P.H. 
Sierra Geistfeld, Saint James, Minn., B.S.Ed. 
Bennett Shane, Truman, Minn., B.S.Ed. 

Missouri 

Amie Martin, Arnold, Mo., B.S.Ed. 
Tyler Linneman, Carrolton, Mo., B.A. 
Jerelle Jones, Columbia, Mo., M.Ed. 
Victoria Ritzma, Concordia, Mo., B.S.Ed. 
Amy Kearney, Farmington, Mo., M.A. 
Emily Gast, Jefferson City, Mo., M.A. 
Jacob Brandt, Knob Noster, Mo., B.F.A. 
Hannah Mundt, Lees Summit, Mo., B.S.Ed., B.A. 
Abigail Joers, Lees Summit, Mo., B.A. 
Jacob Davey, O’Fallon, Mo., B.A. 
Ashley Craig, Saint Charles, Neb., B.A. 
Brynna Walgate, Saint Charles, Mo., B.S. 
Faith Jonas, Saint Louis, Mo., B.S.Ed. 
Monica Taylor, Saint Louis, Mo., M.P.H. 
Tiffany Herman, Springfield, Mo., M.A. 
Emily Wanner, Springfield, Mo., B.S.Ed. 

Montana 

Hannah Harris, Bozeman, Mont., M.Ed. 

Nevada 

Clarissa Tekeiaki, Deeth, Nev., M.Ed. 

New Mexico 

Makenna Clovis, Albuquerque, N.M., B.Mus. 

New York 

Rodine Fadael, Brooklyn, N.Y., M.Ed. 
Monica Reed, Carthage, N.Y., B.A. 
Jennie Meher, Gloversville, N.Y., M.Ed. 
Micah Schultz, Scotia, N.Y., B.S.Ed.  
Maria Rita Castrogiovanni, Staten Island, N.Y., M.Ed. 

North Carolina 

Matthew Beaty, Clayton, N.C., B.A. 

Ohio 

Paige Rebber, Antwerp, Ohio, B.A. 

Oklahoma 

Faith Armer, Broken Arrow, Okla., B.A. 

Oregon 

Michelle Peterson, Corvallis, Ore., B.A. 
Jason Normansen, Milwaukie, Ore., M.Ed. 
Jessica Hawney, Newberg, Ore., M.Ed. 
Samuel Scarpelli, Troutdale, Ore., B.S. 

South Dakota 

Zachary Johnson, Aberdeen, S.D., B.A. 
Emma Singer, Spearfish, S.D., B.S. 
Sydney Ingalls, Yankton, S.D., M.H.A. 

Texas 

Gerald Morris, Arlington, Texas, B.A. 
Jorge Ochoa, Beaumont, Texas, MBA 
Austin Boles, Buda, Texas, MBA 
Jennifer Schenaman, Dallas, Texas, M.Ed. 
Cristina Etienne, Edinburg, Texas, M.P.H. 
Jose Sanchez, Greenville, Texas, B.S. 
Zackry Gentry, Helotes, Texas, B.A. 
Johnny Robinson III, Houston, Texas, B.A. 
Hilda Robinson, Midlothian, Texas, M.Ed. 
Rebecca Yox, Mount Pleasant, Texas, B.S. 
Darrell Kundinger, San Antonio, Texas, B.S. 
Kamren Baker, Schertz, Texas, B.S.Ed. 
Kameron Farmer, Tow, Texas, B.A. 
Nathan Kieser, Wylie, Texas, B.A. 

Vermont 

Rachel Bleh, Warren, Vt., M.Ed. 

Virginia 

LaQuita Riddick, Norfolk, Va., M.A. 
Reahgann Harrell, Vienna, Va., B.S.Ed. 

Washington 

Madyson Pinn, Bellingham, Wash., B.A. 
Ellison Eason, Kirkland, Wash., B.A. 

Wisconsin 

Breanna Tarras, Antigo, Wis., B.A. 
Hannah Eatherton, Sheboygan, Wis., B.S.Ed. 

Wyoming 

Angelina Stinson, Cheyenne, Wyo., B.S. 
Rachel Battershell, Wheatland, Wyo., B.S. 

International 

Lilimoeileatuvai Savea, Pago Pago, American Samoa, MBA 
Laura Hellwege, Edmonton, Alberta, B.A.  
Eduardo Jose Rojas Perez, Bogota, Colombia, B.S.  
Kisanet Berhe, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, B.S.  
Max Bisinger, Heiligenzimmern, Germany, B.A.  
Federico Simonetti, Crema, Italy, B.S.  
Manasseh Gbaiyalie, Harbel, Liberia, B.A.  
Callum Goldsmith, Sevenoaks, U.K., B.S.  
Juan Andres Rabellino Franco, La Barra, Uruguay, B.S.  

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