December College of Business graduates followed a shared path through involvement in clubs and organizations creating new friendships and lifelong relationships to carry with them in their future pursuits. The graduates start their next chapters with those strong connections following the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Commencement activities being held this weekend.
Samantha Braun from Columbus, Nebraska, holds the distinction of being the first from her family to graduate from college. She participated in Residence Life and played for the Nebraska Women’s Rugby Club while majoring in marketing. She plans on attending graduate school at Chadron State. “As a first-generation college student, I was very excited to go to a Big Ten school so close to home and cheer on the Huskers,” Braun said.
Also hailing from Columbus, Shannon Raitt graduates with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a minor in Clifton Builders Management. She became a Clifton Builder in the Clifton Strengths Institute during her sophomore year and will work at Ameritas as a vendor relations coordinator.
Raitt praised her Clifton Builders experience, “By surrounding myself with individuals who act on their high leadership and entrepreneurial potential, I found myself more engaged in my classes. I continue to aspire to change the world by building new businesses, teams or communities through leadership and involvement. With the experience and relationships I've built in the Clifton Builders program, I feel like I can do just about anything moving forward.”
Rok Krizaj, a management major with a minor in psychology, traveled more than 5,000 miles to attend Nebraska from his home in Idrija, Slovenia. He played tennis for the Huskers and was involved in Global Nebraska and the Big Red Investment Club.
“My experience as an athlete and student leader prepared me to strive in an environment that entails hard work, taking responsibility and delivering results. I got the chance to mentor younger players to help them with cultural transition and adaptation to a college environment. While in the College of Business, I was given the opportunity to help lead teams as outside consultants for Union Pacific and Ameritas and work on projects with each company’s top executives,” said Krizaj, who plans to return to Slovenia, to work in management consulting.
In contrast to Krizaj, Wyatt Packard stayed in his hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska, to immerse himself in the Big Red experience. Packard becomes one of the early recipients of the new law and business minor while earning his degree in management. He served as a peer career coach in the Business Career Center, competed in the 3-2-1 Quick Pitch Competition and was a member of the Society for Human Resource Management.
“Graduating from Nebraska means a great deal to me. Not only have I had the opportunity to receive an excellent education in my home state that has prepared me for my career, but I am privileged to be a part of the Nebraska Business community and the University of Nebraska alumni. To graduate as a Chancellor's Scholar is a testament to the amazing faculty and staff that make the University so great,” said Packard, who will attend graduate school in Missouri while working for the Lincoln City Libraries.
Taggart Bailey, from Pierce, Nebraska, played on numerous intramural teams, including a nationals-bound flag football team. He also interned at Northwestern Mutual in Lincoln, which turns into a full-time job as a financial advisor after graduating Saturday. His thoughts upon being a Husker sum up the greater purpose of getting involved in collegiate activities.
“The best thing about being a Husker is the friends and connections I made while attending the University of Nebraska and living in Lincoln,” said Bailey.
Watch the live stream of graduate commencement activities on Friday, December 20, at 3:00 p.m. and undergraduate activities, Saturday, December 21, at 9:00 a.m.: https://commencement.unl.edu/.
Fall 2019 graduates from the College of Business include:
Master of Business Administration
Tadashi Andrew Abe, Omaha—Business
Andrew John Batten, Omaha—Business
Alexandre Jacques Gerard Beaussart, Omaha—Business
Vladimir Bernard, Bay Shore, NY—Business
Bradley John Cain, Lincoln—Business
Jason Daniel Campbell, Circle Pines, MN—Business
Andrew Carman, Gilbert, AZ—Business
Kelsi KahleRae Carrell, Lincoln—Business
Fouy Kok Chau, Fountain Valley, CA—Business
Dain Joseph Christensen, Lincoln—Business
Thomas Jordan Cramer, Omaha—Business
Matthew Tyler Davis, APO, AE—Business
Sean Marcus DeLancey, Jacksonville, FL—Business
Katelyn Rebecca Dvorak, Lincoln—Business
Zeid El Jundi, Calgary, Canada—Business
Paul Matthew Embree, Lincoln—Business
Rogelio Martin Estrada, Rancho Santa Fe, CA—Business
Corey Robert Evans, Jordan, MN—Business
Avinash Gandamala, Lincoln—Business
Brett A. Gay, Nebraska City—Business
Vincent Gutgsell, Omaha—Business
Heather Ashley Hastings, North Bend, WA—Business
Jacob Michael Havranek, Lincoln—Business
Randy James Hert, Katy, TX—Business
Robert James Hotovy, Columbus—Business
Kevin Michael Juhl, Urbandale, IA—Business
Richard David Karas, Lincoln—Business
Grayson Michael Kielhold, Lincoln—Business
Chad Allen Kilpatrick, Lincoln—Business
Marcia Marie Kimler, Coburn, PA—Business
Qianqi Li, Lincoln—Business
Rhonda Sue Lundgren, Geneseo, IL—Business
Bandana Maharjan, Kathmandu, Nepal—Business
Riaj Mahmud, Dhaka, Bangladesh—Business
James Lawrence McDonald, Lincoln—Business
Jacqueline Marie Meyer, Reno, NV—Business
Joseph Mark Nixon, Winter Garden, FL—Business
William Howard Nosal, Lincoln—Business
Steven Noskin, Frisco, TX—Business
Meghan Ann O’Callaghan, Lincoln—Business
Cheryl D. O’Dell, Lincoln—Business
Anders Lee Olson, Lincoln—Business
Timothy Dwight Onkst, Harker Heights, TX—Business
Erika Prucha, Lincoln—Business
Dominik Tyler Redden, Lincoln—Business
Douglas Michael Rood, Rockton, IL—Business
Heidi Louise Ruedisili, Cannon Falls, MN—Business
Jesse Edward Staley, Brighton, CO—Business
Orsolya Toth, Ann Arbor, MI—Business
Thomas Tam Tran, Richmond, TX—Business
Joshua Aaron Twente, Oskaloosa, IA—Business
David Van Allen, Bloomington, IL—Business
Patrick Joseph Wright, Lincoln—Business
Gongda Xie, Lincoln—Business
Che Hyon Yi, Centennial, CO—Business
Master of Professional Accountancy
Patricia Jane Altenbach, Lincoln—Accountancy
Danielle Breen, Lincoln—Accountancy
Andrea Leigh Exstrom, Holdrege—Accountancy
Karli Maurice Flanders, North Platte—Accountancy
Claire Marie Hasty, Omaha—Accountancy
Amanda Marie Heinicke, Lincoln—Accountancy
Cassandra J. Munoz, Lincoln—Accountancy
YiBing Shen, Lincoln—Accountancy
Leanna Leota Smith, Lincoln—Accountancy
Lindsay Marie Weber, Cook—Accountancy
Yusi Xie, Xi’an, China—Accountancy
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Alexander James Abbott, Wahoo
Parker Lewis Abena, Edina, MN
Andrew Kent Adelson, Stromsburg
(With Highest Distinction)
Asim Ali Saif Al Abri, Ruwi, Oman
Withab Khalid Khalaf Al Amri, Lincoln
(With High Distinction)
Abdul Sallam Issa Mohammed Al Balushi, Ruwi, Oman
Hamed Mohamed Khamis Al Hajri, Ruwi, Oman
Sara Ramadhan Al Huraizi, Ruwi, Oman
Emmanuel Aldana, South Sioux City
Grant Stephen Alley, Chesterfield, MO
Emily Lynn Almgren, Omaha
Daniel Ang, Taman Desa, Malaysia
Andrew Jon Arend, Alexandria, SD
(With High Distinction)
Taggart Cole Bailey, Pierce
David Nath Bartle, Tulsa, OK
Patrick Nicholas Bates, Omaha
Kyle Robert Bauer, Crete
Michael Aaron Bebout, Schuyler
Brent Austin Beethe, Elk Creek
Kyle Anthony Bender, Naperville, IL
Quincey Thomas Bernard, Delmas, Haiti
Kaitlyn Anne Berner, Sidney
(With Distinction)
Vanja Bilinac, Lincoln
Rebekah Christine Birch, Burwell
(With Highest Distinction)
(University Honors Program)
Megan L. Blome, Lincoln
Andrew John Blum, Lincoln
Ethan Paul Bohn, La Vista
Dicaprio Dwight Bootle, Miami, FL
Jack Raymond Borden, Naperville, IL
Toby Davis Boyer, Ham Lake, MN
Samantha JoElle Braun, Lincoln
Reid Scot Brost, Lincoln
Wade Robert Brugger, Plattsmouth
Jessica Forrest Brummell, Elkhorn
Caroline Abbey Buelt, Polk City, IA
Jon Charles Burmeister II, Lincoln
Jason Alfonso Calderon, La Vista
Daniel James Cappo, Munster, IN
Joshua Jay Carlson, Fremont
Asmir Cavalic, Lincoln
Shengjie Chen, Lincoln
Xin Chen, Beijing, China
Yu Leong Chen, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Walker Claussen, Lincoln
Adam Jackson Claypool, Lincoln
Christian Cleberg, Lincoln
(University Honors Program)
Madison Elizabeth Clements, Country Club, MO
(With High Distinction)
(University Honors Program)
Reid John Dalton, Waverly
Trey Thomas Dodson, North Platte
Zihan Du, Leshan, China
Austin Pauer Dupler, Lincoln
Courtney Brooke Eastman, Lincoln
(With Highest Distinction)
Jose Luis Fajardo Sanchez, Lincoln
Sabin Felea, Henderson, NV
(With High Distinction)
Austin James Ferguson, Lincoln
Bailey Marie Fitzgerald, Crete
Kelvin Chieng Jien Gan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Hui Gao, Lincoln
Tyler Jonathan Gargano, Omaha
Kathryn Grace Gay, Papillion
Milkias Yebrah Gebremariam, Lincoln
Chengyin Geng, Beijing, China
Ting Guo, Lincoln
(With Highest Distinction)
Matthew Jarrod Hamilton, Lincoln
Robert George Hansen, Lincoln
Tyler David Hattan, Lincoln
Nicholas Carl Healey, Lincoln
Eric Marshall Herr, Lincoln
(University Honors Program)
Andres Alberto Herrera, Jr., Lincoln
Alex John Hoffman, Elk Point, SD
(With Distinction)
Weiguan Hua, Lincoln
(With High Distinction)
Madison Linn Huismann, Grand Island
Joseph Abbott Jeanetta, Bellevue
Ziliang Jiang, Mianyang, China
Yucheng Jin, Hangzhou, China
Kennedy Alexa Stanla Johnson, Lincoln
Sloan Phillips Johnson, Cambridge
Christian Lee Jones, Elkhorn
James Tyler Kating, Barrington, IL
Ryan Thomas Kennedy, Palatine, IL
Hyun Tae Kim, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Trevor Allen Klein, Lincoln
Benjamin Mark Klenke, Malcolm
Alysa Rae Knutson, Lincoln
Xin May Kok, Selangor, Malaysia
Ching Long Kong, Falls City
Rok Krizaj, Idrija, Slovenia
(With Highest Distinction)
Wyatt Michael Lantry, Valley
Riley Earl LaRue, Lincoln
Thomas Henry Lassek, Fremont
Heting Li, Changchun, China
Yu He Lian, Klang, Malaysia
(With High Distinction)
Garrett Michael Lien, Lincoln
Poh Ling Lim, Selangor, Malaysia
Hao-Yu Lin, Taipei City, Taiwan, Province of China
Leitianyu Lin, Hangzhou, China
(With Distinction)
Anqi Liu, Hangzhou, China
Austin Russell Lober, Albuquerque, NM
Brenden Marlon Lofgren, Omaha
(Chancellor's Scholar)
(With Highest Distinction)
Eduardo Lopez, Columbus
Coy Gerhard Ludwig, Mukwonago, WI
Chase W. Lueckenhoff, Walton
Ted Russell Maline, Oakland
(With Highest Distinction)
Anna Marie Malone, Lincoln
Hannah Marie Malone, Lincoln
Grant Mitchell Mantell, Phoenix, AZ
(With High Distinction)
Christopher Michael Margiotta, Omaha
Meghan Spence Matt, Chaska, MN
(With Distinction)
Patrick James McCarthy, Lemont, IL
Brett Lloyd McConnell, Lodgepole
Megan Kelly McLain, Omaha
Madison Renee Meacham, Omaha
Sinclaire Morgan Miramontez,
Lenexa, KS
Andrew Kolacia Mitchell, Maple
Valley, WA
Sean Terique Mitchell, Omaha
Ryan Alan Moline, Imperial
Kyle James Morbach, Lincoln
Brady Lee Moser, Lincoln
Maluba Mudundulu, Lincoln
Danielle Jane Mukusha, Lincoln
Megan Mulchrone, Maple Grove, MN
Jacob Cole Muraskin, Omaha
Serene Ahmad Nabulsi, Omaha
Gerardo Naranjo, Lincoln
Samuel Ronald Nelson, Omaha
Nixon Thomas Nerud, Dorchester
Olivia Lynn Nesja, Lincoln
Anh Huy Nguyen, Lincoln
Anh Vu Minh Nguyen, Hai Phong,
Viet Nam
(With High Distinction)
Nathan Nguyen, Omaha
Steve Nguyen, Lincoln
Vincent Nguyen, Lincoln
Jack David Nibert, Wichita, KS
Jared Thomas Nottlemann, Lincoln
Nicholas Matthew Nylin, Lincoln
Joo Teong Ong, Lincoln
Carlos David Ortega, Lincoln
Eli Chester Ourada, Elm Creek
Wyatt John Birdsall Packard, Lincoln
(Chancellor's Scholar)
Trevor Daniel Pandorf, Columbus
Sydney Ellyn Park, Sioux Falls, SD
Mitchell Riley Parker, Lincoln
Haley Marie Paul, Bellevue
Samuel James Pearson, Cambridge
Haoyu Peng, Fuling, China
Zhiling Peng, Guiyang, China
Adam Todd Perkins, Yutan
Andrew Karl Person, Overland Park, KS
Emily Mae Pick, Lincoln
Samuel Scott Pinkerton, Omaha
Donald Joseph Pistillo, Jr., Morse Bluff
Jennifer Dawn Pitsch, Lincoln
(With High Distinction)
(University Honors Program)
(Nebraska Business Honors Academy)
Christopher Michael Podraza, Omaha
Paige Flannery Pogue, Lincoln
Cole Douglas Prohaska, Prague
Sylvester Pua, Kajang, Malaysia
(With High Distinction)
Hunter Joe Quinn, Oxford
(With High Distinction)
Shannon Jean Raitt, Columbus
Benjamin Joel Remmers, Hastings
(With Distinction)
Ziqi Ren, Shanghai, China
Brandon Michael Robertson, Omaha
Nur Firdaus Binti Roslan, Putrajaya, Malaysia
John Paul Ruhl, Lincoln
Deanna Marie Sanchez, Grand Island
Marcus James Sanders, Lincoln
Mitchell Schenk, Harrisburg, SD
Jacob Michael Schmiedt, Dakota City
Ben Timothy Schnepf, Lincoln
Hannah Rose Schreiner, Hermosa Beach, CA
Nathaniel Paul Schrum, Lincoln
Bailee Ryann Schubauer, Malmo
Trevor Jude Schulte, Omaha
(With Distinction)
Michael Thomas Seeman, Downers Grove, IL
Dillon Ray Sempek, Papillion
Zhoucheng Shao, Guangzhou, China
Qing Shi, Hangzhou, China
(With Distinction)
Bailey Ryann Simms, Plattsmouth
Caleb Michael Sneed, Lincoln
Henley Kerrigan Spicl, Elkhorn
Thomas Daniel Stegman, Omaha
Justine Lynne Steiner, Hastings
Katherine Barry Stephen, Lincoln
Paula Rae Stevens, Omaha
Jared Thomas Stewart, Omaha
David Jeffrey Strang, Lincoln
Austin Alan Strasburg, Grand Island
(With Distinction)
Jordan Michael Strong, Elkhorn
Luke Stufft, Omaha
Keegan Matthew Sullinger, Beatrice
Spencer Daniel Suminski, Lincoln
Xin Yue Tan, Cheras, Malaysia
(With Distinction)
John Matthew Tasler, Lincoln
Aniya Nicole Tate, Omaha
Paul Geoffrey Tindall, Lincoln
Katelyn Louise Trapp, Lincoln
Samantha Jo Turco, Elkhorn
(With Highest Distinction)
(University Honors Program)
(Nebraska Business Honors Academy)
Noelle Elizabeth Turner, Lincoln
Aston Jit Sheng U, Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, Malaysia
(With High Distinction)
Holli Mae Van Wyk, Greene, IA
Rosa Itzel Vazquez, Lincoln
Daniel Anthony Volk, Elkhorn
Jacob David Von Seggern, Wisner
Skyler Pierce Vondra, Plattsmouth
Michael John Waldron, Omaha
Jackson Kelly Walker, Prairie Village, KS
Zachary Chaney Walker, Lincoln
Coby Jay Wallingford, Blair
Tyler Lee Walters, Omaha
ZhiYuan Wan, NanChang, China
Chenlu Wang, Hangzhou, China
(Chancellor's Scholar)
(With Highest Distinction)
Xinrui Wang, Lincoln
Yijie Wang, Lincoln
(With Distinction)
Yufan Wang, Hangzhou, China
Zheng Wang, Beijing, China
Justin Mario-Paul Wells, Omaha
Samuel Joseph Wente, Omaha
Christopher Vollmar Wess, Lincoln
Michael Thomas Wheeler, Omaha
Wyatt Leon Whitaker, Omaha
(With High Distinction)
Blake Richard Wilberger, Lincoln
Jazzarae E’lan Wilkinson, Columbus
Trey Austin Wilson, Central City
James Eduardo Witt, Gibbon
Connor Douglas Worden, Omaha
Emily Marie Wright, Kearney
(With High Distinction)
Dakota Dean Wullenwaber, Utica
Lisha Xie, Chengdu, China
Chenyue Xing, Lincoln
(With Distinction)
Jiahui Xu, Lincoln
Jingyu Yang, Xi’an, China
Yuting Yang, Hangzhou, China
(With Highest Distinction)
Collin Allen Yendra, Lincoln
Kyle Leslie Young, Council Bluffs, IA
(With High Distinction)
Jenna Zeleny, Gretna
(With Highest Distinction)
Xuheng Zeng, Lincoln
Linyi Zhang, Shenzhen, China
Tongtong Zhang, Lincoln
(With High Distinction)
Yujian Zhang, Zhengzhou City, China
Ziyan Zhang, Lincoln
(With Distinction)
Wanqian Zhou, Lincoln
Published: December 19, 2019