2026 Drake University Law School and Main Commencement Programs
DRAKE UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT
two thousand twenty six des moines, iowa
The One Hundred and Fifty-Ninth Commencement of Drake University
May Seventeenth, Two Thousand Twenty-Six
associate, bachelor degrees
Sunday Morning at Ten O’clock
master, specialist, doctorate degrees
Sunday Afternoon at Two O’clock
knapp center — des moines, iowa
drake university’s mission is to provide an exceptional learning environment that prepares students for meaningful personal lives, professional accomplishments, and responsible global citizenship. The Drake experience is distinguished by collaborative learning among students, faculty, and staff and by the integration of the liberal arts and sciences with professional preparation.
Undergraduate Program
may seventeenth, two thousand twenty-six, ten o’clock in the morning
the academic processional ...............
Land of Hope and Glory:
Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1, Edward Elgar
the call to order
the national anthem
the drake hymn ........................
introduction of platform
Paul Schickler Board of Trustees
Olivia Tice Class of 2027
Olivia Tice Class of 2027
Marty Martin party and remarks
conferring of the honorary degree
madelyn m. levitt awards
2025–2026 oreon e. scott award
President of the University
President Martin
Sue J. Mattison Provost of the University
Emerson Whittemore recipient remarks Class of 2026
the presentation of candidates
the conferring of bachelor degrees
the conferring of associate degrees
the presentation of diplomas
alumni welcome
the academic recessional
Provost Mattison
President Martin
President Martin
President Martin and Deans of the Colleges and Schools
Kris Covi as ‘95
Pomp and Circumstance March No. 4, Edward Elgar
Dr. Katelyn Jetelina
Honorary Doctor of Public Service
Dr. Katelyn Jetelina is a distinguished epidemiologist, educator, and a leading voice in global scientific communication. As the founder and CEO of Your Local Epidemiologist, Dr. Jetelina has revolutionized the way public health information reaches the world. Launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, her newsletter serves as a vital bridge between complex scientific data and the general public, translating ever-evolving research into actionable insights that have reached more than 500 million readers across 133 countries. Her scientific communication company is now moving beyond a flagship by creating tools and feedback loops to harness real-world listening data and behavioral insights, empowering healthcare systems, state agencies, and public health institutions to build more trustworthy, responsive, and evidence-driven relationships with the communities they serve.
Beyond her unwavering commitment to ethical, evidence-based communication, Dr. Jetelina’s expertise has guided national conversations and informed institutional policies. She has served as a Senior Advisor to three former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) directors. Her commitment to systemic change is further evidenced by her role as the co-founder of The Evidence Collective and her work as an adjunct professor at the Yale School of Public Health, where she helps shape the next generation of health leaders.
Dr. Jetelina’s impact has been recognized with numerous prestigious honors, most notably being named one of the TIME100 Most Influential People in Health. She holds a Master of Public Health and a PhD in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the University of Texas Health Science Center, as well as an honorary doctorate from SUNY. Dr. Jetelina’s exceptional and enduring contributions to public health and to the global good, exemplify Drake University’s commitment to the pursuit of truth, moral integrity, and global responsibility. Today, Drake University is honored to confer upon Dr. Jetelina the degree of Doctor of Public Service, honoris causa, with all the privileges, rights, and responsibilities pertaining thereto.
Excellence in Mentor and Teaching Awards
the madelyn m. levitt mentor of the year award 2026
In 1994, the Madelyn M. Levitt Mentor of the Year Award was created in honor of Madelyn Levitt’s commitment to Drake and her ongoing interest in faculty and staff achievement and academic excellence.
This award honors commitment to student success on the Drake campus and recognizes faculty and staff who exhibit:
• An outstanding commitment to student success in and out of the classroom
• Integrity in personal relationships
• Typifying the ideal student mentor
the madelyn m. levitt teacher of the year award 2026
Since 1994, the Madelyn Levitt Teacher of the Year Award has recognized a faculty member for his or her superior teaching. The award is named in honor of Madelyn Levitt’s commitment to Drake and her ongoing interest in faculty achievement and academic excellence.
This award recognizes the Drake University faculty member who best demonstrates excellence in teaching, inspirational leadership, and intellectual rigor through:
• An informed mind in inspirational dialogue with students
• Integrity in personal relationships
• Rigor in intellectual endeavors
• Contagious enthusiasm for her/his subject matter
the madelyn m. levitt scholar of the year award 2026
The Madelyn M. Levitt Scholar of the Year Award was created in honor of Madelyn Levitt’s commitment to Drake and her ongoing interest in faculty achievement and academic excellence.
This award recognizes a faculty member whose scholarly work demonstrates:
• Excellence in academic rigor, with scholarship disseminated through recognized peer-reviewed outlets
• A meaningful impact on society beyond the academic sphere
• Rigor in intellectual endeavors
• A sustained commitment to advancing knowledge in ways that benefit both the academic community and the broader public
marshal of the university and master of ceremonies
Craige C. Wrenn
Professor of Pharmacology
assistant marshals of the university
Rachel Paine Professor of Political Science
Kelly B. Bruhn
Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication/Associate Dean
Stacy Gnacinski
Associate Professor of Health Sciences
Thomas H. Root Associate Professor of Finance
faculty marshals
Jerrid Kruse Professor of Education
John P. Rovers
Professor of Pharmacy Practice
announcing of graduates
Charles Phillips
Professor of Pharmacy Administration/Associate Dean
bachelor degrees
Shukri Abdirahman
B.S.E., Elementary Teacher Education
Henry R. Ahn
B.S.E., Elementary Teacher Education
Shaniece Alford
B.S.E., Elementary Teacher Education
Katelynn Michelle Bender
B.S.E., Elementary Teacher Education
Savannah Boggs
B.S.E., Secondary Teacher Education
Joshua A. Boswell
B.S.E., Secondary Teacher Education
Sarah Capps
B.S.E., Secondary Teacher Education
Samuel Carpenter
B.S.E., Secondary Teacher Education
Tess Combs
B.S.E., Elementary Teacher Education
Sabra Crock
B.S.E., Elementary Teacher Education
Avery Elizabeth Dolphin
B.S.E., Secondary Teacher Education
Lauren Elyse Dragon
B.S.E., Secondary Teacher Education
Natalie Dziubinski
B.S.E., Elementary Teacher Education
Ava Evans
B.S.E., Secondary Teacher Education
Samantha Marie Fitzgerald
B.S.E., Elementary Teacher Education
Kaylee Johanna Fornoff
B.S.E., Elementary Teacher Education
school of education
Candidates Presented by Dean Ryan M. Wise
Professor Tom Buckmiller and
Associate Professor Jen Thoma, Marshals
Macy Gram Gardner
B.S.E., Secondary Teacher Education
Paityne Angela Gehring
B.S.E., Elementary Teacher Education
Grace Hegard
B.S.E., Elementary Teacher Education
Erika Holmberg
B.S.E., Secondary Teacher Education
Sierra Noelle Howland
B.S.E., Elementary Teacher Education
Megan J. Huberty
B.S.E., Elementary Teacher Education
Van B. Iang
B.S.E., Secondary Teacher Education
Tinessa L. Janssen
B.S.E., Secondary Teacher Education
Traci Kelly
B.S.E., Elementary Teacher Education
Joshua J. Kelly
B.S.E., Secondary Teacher Education
Tyler McKinney
B.S.E., Secondary Teacher Education
Colby A. Oppold
B.S.E., Secondary Teacher Education
Chloe Elizabeth Roller
B.S.E., Elementary Teacher Education
Jayme Scheck
B.S.E., Elementary Teacher Education
Logan Schlueter
B.S.E., Secondary Teacher Education
college of arts and sciences
Candidates Presented by Dean Gesine Gerhard
Associate Professor Rob Collis and
Professor Jennifer McCrickerd, Marshals
bachelor degrees
Abigail Aalsma
B.A., Sociology
Ruweyda Abdi
B.S., Computer Science
B.A., Psychology
Madilyn Adams
B.S., Kinesiology
Reys Aden
B.S., Computer Science
Samra Aksamovic
B.A., Law, Politics & Society
Ava Angelakis
B.A., Sociology
Sterling R. Angeroth
B.A., Environmental Sustainability & Resilience
Bradley Douglas Antholz
B.S., Data Analytics
Ella Appelbaum
B.F.A., Musical Theatre
Tatum Aragon
B.A., Psychology
Paige Evelyn Armstrong
B.S., Psychology
Claudia Aschenbrenner
B.A., Psychology
Michael Alan Avendt
B.M., Music with Business Emphasis
Rediet Ayalew
B.S., Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science
Kate Bachmann
B.S., Environmental Science
B.A., Environmental Sustainability & Resilience, Law, Politics & Society
Haily Jo Backer
B.A., Law, Politics & Society
Isabella Barreto
B.S., Kinesiology
Addison Beagle
B.A., Law, Politics & Society
Eli Benson
B.A., American Politics, Law, Politics & Society
Maia Ann Bentley
B.S., Computer Science
Molly Berglund
B.A., Law, Politics & Society
Anna Blader
B.M., Music with Business Emphasis
Jennifer Bobillo
B.F.A., Theatre: Acting
Savannah Boggs
B.A., Writing
Joshua A. Boswell
B.A., History
Delaney Rose Brackin
B.A., English
Zachary David Bradford
B.S., Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Zoe Brown
B.A., English
Aalanah Buckingham
B.A., International Relations
Enisa Buljubasic
B.A., Law, Politics & Society
Donald Jacob Arnold Burns
B.A., Theatre
Jacob Byers
B.S., Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science
Kristen E. Byrne
B.A., Biology
Colleen Barbara Cain
B.A., Rhetoric, Media & Social Change, Environmental Sustainability & Resilience
Sarah Capps
B.A., English
Isaiah Carr
B.A., Psychology
Monique Castelli
B.S., Psychology
Michael Lorenzo Castro
B.S., Computer Science
Rachel Chambers
B.S., Kinesiology
Cael Cheeseman
B.M., Music with Business Emphasis
Hui Mei Chen
B.A., Neuroscience
B.S., Psychology
Madelyn Therese Christian
B.S., Environmental Science
Tyler Cloutier
B.S., Computer Science
B.A., Mathematics
Anastasia Conerty
B.A., Law, Politics & Society, Rhetoric & Media Studies
Francesca Conner
B.A., Anthropology & Sociology, Law, Politics & Society
Lucas Conrad
B.S., Computer Science
Caleb Cookie
B.A., Law, Politics & Society, Psychology
Andrew William Corrow
B.A., International Relations, History
Christian Costanza
B.A., Artificial Intelligence
B.S., Computer Science
Kaylee A. Counter
B.A., Law, Politics & Society
Berkeley Coyne
B.A., Anthropology & Sociology, Drawing
Hayden C. Crawford
B.A., History, Politics
Kloey Ray Crawford
B.S., Zoo & Conservation Science
Mitchell Preston Davis
B.A., Law, Politics & Society, History
Sarah K. Davis
B.A., Law, Politics & Society
Grayson De Lisle
B.A., Biology
Raul De Los Rios
B.A., Philosophy
Caitlyn Dean
B.M., Vocal Performance
Emily Devick
B.F.A., Musical Theatre
Ashley Crisali Diaz-Alegria
B.A., Biology
Reece Dickerson
B.S., Computer Science
B.F.A., Musical Theatre
Emma Dighton
B.S., Kinesiology
Sara Divine
B.A., Neuroscience
Avery Elizabeth Dolphin
B.S., Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology
Lauren Elyse Dragon
B.S., Math for Secondary Education
Armarion V.D. Draper
B.S., Neuroscience
Jeryn K. Drewes
B.A., Law, Politics & Society
Colby Drown
B.A., Music
B.S., Computer Science
Michael Dunham-LaGree
B.A., English
Will Dutchuk
B.A., Politics
Camden Eckhoff
B.A., International Relations, Politics
Amelia Eibert
B.S., Computer Science
Dakota Eiselstein
B.F.A., Musical Theatre
Abigail Marie Engles
B.A., Law, Politics & Society
Sophia C. Ernst
B.A., Painting
Ada E. Fender
B.A., Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science
Christina Fischer
B.A., Music
Savannah N. Fisher
B.F.A., Musical Theatre
Sarah Foley
B.A., Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology
Alan Fox
B.A., Law, Politics & Society, International Relations
Leah Fox
B.S., Neuroscience, Kinesiology
Emily M. Fredin
B.A., American Politics
Kennedy Lynn Freeman
B.A., Law, Politics & Society
Spencer Patrick French
B.S., Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics
Professor Nate Newman and Assistant Professor Katie Scott, Marshals
Aidan Keefe
B.S., Health Sciences: Clinical & Medical
Magnus Keswani
B.S., Health Sciences: Clinical & Medical
Elyse L. Landever
B.S.N., Nursing
B.S., Health Sciences: Clinical & Medical
Cynthia Lara Estrada
B.S.N., Nursing
Kaylyn Le
B.S., Health Sciences: Clinical & Medical, Kinesiology
Kaitlyn Le
B.S.N., Nursing
Rose Pibtshiab Lee
B.S., Health Sciences: Clinical & Medical
Addison Lemke
B.S.N., Nursing
Denaé McElrath
B.S., Health Sciences: Clinical & Medical
Maggie O’Brien
B.S., Health Sciences: Public Health
Lindy Odegard
B.S., Health Sciences: Clinical & Medical
Leah Olinger
B.S., Health Sciences: Clinical & Medical
Brittany Kaley Ortega Acosta
B.S., Health Sciences: Public Health
Aaryan S. Patel
B.S., Health Sciences: Healthcare Administration
Trung Phu
B.S., Health Sciences: Clinical & Medical
Ajvi Poshnjari
B.S., Health Sciences: Clinical & Medical
Areigna Ralston
B.S., Health Sciences: Healthcare Administration, Health Sciences: Public Health
Briana Rodriguez
B.S., Health Sciences: Public Health
Samantha See
B.S.N., Nursing
Carleen Jamilly Sierra
B.S., Health Sciences: Healthcare Administration
Armin Sinanovic
B.S., Health Sciences: Healthcare Administration
Kirsten Small
B.S.N., Nursing
Grace Stegen
B.S., Health Sciences: Clinical & Medical
Zing Sung
B.S., Health Sciences: Clinical & Medical
Abigail Tillotson
B.S., Health Sciences: Public Health
Dieula Toussaint
B.S., Health Sciences: Clinical & Medical
Ella Troja
B.S., Health Sciences: Clinical & Medical
Rachel Ariela Varshavsky
B.S., Health Sciences: Clinical & Medical
Allison Vegoe
B.S., Health Sciences: Clinical & Medical
Sarah Wall
B.S., Health Sciences: Clinical & Medical
Brooke Willis
B.S., Health Sciences: Public Health
Olivia Jane Yang
B.S., Health Sciences: Clinical & Medical
school of journalism and mass communication
bachelor degrees
Rebekah Benoit
B.A.J.M.C., Sports Media & Communication
Maria Boldinova
B.A.J.M.C., Magazine & Brand Media
Katie L. Butler
B.A.J.M.C., Public Relations
Grayce Elizabeth Conley
B.A.J.M.C., Public Relations
Liam H. Crowley
B.A.J.M.C., Public Relations
Isabella Day-Suhr
B.A.J.M.C., Advertising, Public Relations
Elizabeth Dick
B.A.J.M.C., Advertising
Katherine Alma Elstrom
B.A.J.M.C., Public Relations, Digital Media Production
Dashae Engler
B.A.J.M.C., Magazine & Brand Media
Amanda Christine Favazza
B.A.J.M.C., Multimedia Journalism
Taedyn Elizabeth Gray
B.A.J.M.C., Public Relations
J.J. Gruettemeyer
B.A.J.M.C., Multimedia Journalism
Jelena Paige
B.A.J.M.C., Strategic Political Communication
Andrew J. Grogg
B.A.J.M.C., Public Relations
Raya Hoppe
B.A.J.M.C., Strategic Political Communication
M. Shanna Joseph
B.A.J.M.C., Advertising
Rachel Kohl
B.A.J.M.C., Multimedia Journalism
Adelaide Kuehn
B.A.J.M.C., Multimedia Journalism
Melanie Kure
B.A.J.M.C., Magazine & Brand Media
Jinessa Lewis
B.A.J.M.C., Advertising
Jenna E. Liakos
B.A.J.M.C., Multimedia Journalism, Magazine & Brand Media
Joshua Livingood
B.A.J.M.C., Digital Media Production
Emmett McMenamy
B.A.J.M.C., Multimedia Journalism, Public Relations
Grace Miller
B.A.J.M.C., Digital Media Production
Madison Moro
B.A.J.M.C., Magazine & Brand Media
Cruz Muntz
B.A.J.M.C., Digital Media Production
Ben Murphy
B.A.J.M.C., Digital Media Production, Advertising
Candidates Presented by Dean Catherine Staub
Professor Sandy Henry and Associate Professor Ryan Stoldt, Marshals
Natalie Jayce Onkst
B.A.J.M.C., Magazine & Brand Media
Zakariyya Osman
B.A.J.M.C., Advertising
Natalie Elena Parkins
B.A.J.M.C., Strategic Political Communication
Keila Perez Serrano
B.A.J.M.C., Digital Media Production, Magazine & Brand Media, Multimedia Journalism
Kylie Petty
B.A.J.M.C., Magazine & Brand Media
Abigail J. Richard
B.A.J.M.C., Public Relations, Advertising
Sophia Elizabeth Roberts
B.A.J.M.C., Public Relations, Strategic Political Communication
Elizabeth Rosa
B.A.J.M.C., Magazine & Brand Media
Ryley Mckenna Roudabush
B.A.J.M.C., Digital Media Production
Shylee Umaseetha Saladi
B.A.J.M.C., Multimedia Journalism
Marra Catherine
B.A.J.M.C., Public Relations, Advertising
Tyler Schroeder
B.A.J.M.C., Public Relations
Tayelon Scott
B.A.J.M.C., Digital Media Production
Catherine Shepard
B.A.J.M.C., Advertising
Chyann Shockley
B.A.J.M.C., Advertising
Caroline Siebels-Lindquist
B.A.J.M.C., Multimedia Journalism
Michael Stupi
B.A.J.M.C., Public Relations
Nicholas Thaut
B.A.J.M.C., Digital Media Production
John Villarreal-Muñoz
B.A.J.M.C., Advertising, Public Relations
Morgan Paige Volk
B.A.J.M.C., Multimedia Journalism, Magazine & Brand Media
Eirik Wærnes
B.A.J.M.C., Public Relations
Owen Walters-Kramer
B.A.J.M.C., Digital Media Production
Lily Wasserman
B.A.J.M.C., Multimedia Journalism
William Joaquin White
B.A.J.M.C., Digital Media Production
Clara Willette
B.A.J.M.C., Public Relations
Anika Loren Wise
B.A.J.M.C., Public Relations, Digital Media Production
Kaitlyn Wood
B.A.J.M.C., Digital Media Production
Melodie Yang
B.A.J.M.C., Magazine & Brand Media
john dee bright college
Candidates Presented by Dean Megan Brown
Professor Kevin Lam and Faculty Development Specialist Bret Sikkink, Marshals
associate degrees
Abdimalik Hassan Aden
A.A., Business, Organization, & Professional Studies
Mandela Adhanom
A.A., Integrated Arts, Sciences, & Humanities
Baylor Eve Bloomer
A.A., Integrated Arts, Sciences, & Humanities
Nicholas Brandt
A.A., Business, Organization, & Professional Studies
Torianna Sage Buttrey
A.A., Integrated Arts, Sciences, & Humanities
Jasmine B. Carter
A.A., Integrated Arts, Sciences, & Humanities
Zamiratu J. Dainkeh
A.A., Business, Organization, & Professional Studies
Joselyn Dowling
A.A., Integrated Arts, Sciences, & Humanities
Jayselyn M. Fuller
A.A., Integrated Arts, Sciences, & Humanities
Felicity Patterson
A.A., Integrated Arts, Sciences, & Humanities
Quincy Hill
A.A., Integrated Arts, Sciences, & Humanities
Trashae Denise Johnson
A.A., Integrated Arts, Sciences, & Humanities
Avery Lawler
A.A., Integrated Arts, Sciences, & Humanities
Emilia Carolina Macedo Alvarez
A.A., Business, Organization, & Professional Studies
Jadea Delila Mandosia
A.A., Business, Organization, & Professional Studies
Nadia McClaflin
A.A., Business, Organization, & Professional Studies
Aubrey McFarlin
A.A., Integrated Arts, Sciences, & Humanities
Grace F. Muelhaupt
A.A., Business, Organization, & Professional Studies
Susan Par
A.A., Business, Organization, & Professional Studiess Abraham Ramirez
A.A., Integrated Arts, Sciences, & Humanities
Karen M. Rosario-Garcia
A.A., Business, Organization, & Professional Studies
Anne-Marie Tuyishime
A.A., Business, Organization, & Professional Studies
Olivia Wandick
A.A., Integrated Arts, Sciences, & Humanities
Princess Winters
A.A., Business, Organization, & Professional Studies
Honors at Graduation
Students who have attained academic excellence and high scholastic achievement on the basis of cumulative grade point average of 60 or more undergraduate hours at Drake University are recognized with the following honors:
cum laude — Students who have achieved a grade point average between 3.50 and 3.69
magna cum laude — Students who have achieved a grade point average between 3.70 and 3.89
summa cum laude — Students who have achieved a grade point average of 3.90 and above
Transfer students who have fewer than 60 hours may receive honors based on criteria outlined in the Drake catalog.
The Honors Program
The Honors Program is an all-University concentration with an interdisciplinary curriculum that allows students to supplement their personal educational goals by exploring unique subjects and pursuing special projects.
Students in the Honors Program earn University Honors by completing 19 credit hours in honors seminars, conducting and presenting a three-credit Honors senior thesis project, and achieving a 3.2 or higher cumulative grade point average.
honor societies
Alpha Kappa Delta — Sociology
Beta Alpha Psi — Business
Beta Beta Beta — Biology
Chi Omega Lambda — Chemistry
Kappa Delta Pi — Education
Kappa Mu Epsilon — Mathematics
Kappa Tau Alpha — Journalism
Lambda Alpha — Anthropology
Nu Rho Psi — Neuroscience
Omicron Delta Epsilon — Economics
Order of Omega — Greek
Phi Alpha Theta — History
Phi Beta Kappa — Scholarship
Phi Delta Epsilon — Pre-Medicine
Phi Lambda Sigma — Pharmacy Leadership
Pi Alpha Alpha — Public Administration
Pi Kappa Lambda — Music
Pi Sigma Alpha — Political Science
Pi Theta Epsilon — Occupational Therapy
Psi Chi — Psychology
Rho Chi — Pharmacy
Sigma Tau Delta — English
IAPLS — Undergraduate Research
Academic excellence; outstanding performance; leadership; upholding the highest standards and ideals, character, personality, and promise of success; and a high level of ability, talent, and potential are the various criteria for membership in these organizations.
The honors designations are based upon grades earned through the Fall 2025 semester and are subject to change based upon grades earned thereafter. Names listed in honor societies may include December 2025 graduates.
This commencement program does not constitute an official list of confirmed graduates or confirmed academic honors for the May 17, 2026, commencement at Drake University. Participation in the commencement ceremony does not signify that degrees and academic honors have been awarded unless all pertinent academic requirements have been met.
the honors program
university honors
Isabella Ansani
Julianne Caceres
Sarah Capps
Berkeley Coyne
Mitchell Preston Davis
Raul De Los Rios
Leah Dillon
Ava Evans
Ada E. Fender
Aria Fisher
Isaiah Hulshof
Natasia Vantrice Johnson
Patricia B. Kowalkowski
Elizabeth L. Lampe
Chloe Jade Lepak
Jordan Martin
all-university honors
oreon e. scott award
This award is presented to students receiving the baccalaureate degree, who have attended Drake University for at least four semesters, and who have been of the greatest service to the University during their years at the University.
Emerson Whittemore
order of omega
Aspen J. Ball
Eli Benson
Molly Berglund
Katerine Alma Elstrom
Sarah Foley
Clayton Gustafson
Josie Hildreth
Chloe Jade Lepak
Grace Miller
Hannah Moseley
Keira O’Brien
Abigail Presley
Marcus Thurm
Emerson Whittemore
Margaret Wightman
Keira O’Brien
Bradley Padavic
Megan Palmer
Natalie Elena Parkins
Carissa Lauren Phan
Samantha V.M. Pollack
Rain Rakers
Elizabeth Rosa
Evan Scherrer
Reese Shannan
Divyanshi Srivastava
Reid James Stevens
Leah Noelle Tornow
Dieula Toussaint
Lily Wasserman
school of education honors
summa cum laude
Sarah Capps
Avery Elizabeth Dolphin
Lauren Elyse Dragon
Kaylee Johanna Fornoff
Paityne Angela Gehring
Erika Holmberg
Sierra Noelle Howland
Tinessa L. Janssen
Traci Kelly
Logan Schlueter
magna cum laude
Shukri Abdirahman
Henry R. Ahn
Shaniece Alford
Ava Evans
Grace Hegard
Megan J. Huberty
Jayme Scheck
cum laude
Katelynn Michelle Bender
Tess Combs
Sabra Crock
Natalie Dziubinski
Macy Gram Gardner
Joshua J. Kelly
Tyler McKinney
departmental honors
Henry R. Ahn
Sarah Capps
Avery Elizabeth Dolphin
Lauren Elyse Dragon
Ava Evans
Kaylee Johanna Fornoff
Macy Gram Gardner
Paityne Angela Gehring
Grace Hegard
Erika Holmberg
Sierra Noelle Howland
Megan J. Huberty
Tinessa L. Janssen
Traci Kelly
Joshua J. Kelly
Tyler McKinney
Jayme Scheck
Logan Schlueter
kappa delta pi
Shaniece Alford
Katelynn Michelle Bender
Savannah Boggs
Lauren Elyse Dragon
Ava Evans
Kaylee Johanna Fornoff
Paityne Angela Gehring
college of arts and sciences honors
summa cum laude
Abigail Aalsma
Sterling R. Angeroth
Ella Appelbaum
Kate Bachmann
Kristen E. Byrne
Colleen Barbara Cain
Sarah Capps
Hui Mei Chen
Tyler Cloutier
Anastasia Conerty
Francesca Conner
Berkeley Coyne
Mitchell Preston Davis
Raul De Los Rios
Caitlyn Dean
Emily Devick
Avery Elizabeth Dolphin
Lauren Elyse Dragon
Abigail Marie Engles
Ada E. Fender
Savannah N. Fisher
Sarah Foley
Alan Fox
Leah Fox
Emily M. Fredin
Spencer Patrick French
Abigail Gilbertson
Joslyn Gillette
Nico Gonnella
Kate Hagemeier
Nicholas J. Haisler
Rachel Hallock
Laila Hasanovic
Ava Hess
Josie Hildreth
Avery Hjelm
Erika Holmberg
Raya Hoppe
Chloe Isbell
Saiheed Jah
Courtney M. Johnson
Emilia Karolina Jurzyk
Aidan Keefe
Britt Kjorlien
Vanisha Krishnani
Adelaide Kuehn
Melanie Kure
Chloe Jade Lepak
Jenna E. Liakos
Antonia Abene Lindner
Michelle Alexandra Macias
Reveles
Jordan Martin
Haris H. Mehuljic
Sophie Meronek
Khalid A. Mohammed
Vaisnavii Mohanraj
Hannah Moseley
James Neal
Kurtis Nethington
Bradley Padavic
Jennah Maris Partsch
Eric Pfaffenbach
Carissa Lauren Phan
Morgan K. Ryan
Evan Scherrer
William Scott Schumacher
MaryElizabeth Seaman
Reese Shannan
Carson Smith-Marty
Makenna Staack
Kendall Starcevich
Jenna Renee Steffl
Reid James Stevens
Madison Tarr
Rezin C. Tempero
Marcus Thurm
Leah Noelle Tornow
Stevie Uthe
Emily Vollmer
Lily Wasserman
Lily Weaver
Emerson Whittemore
Clara Willette
Jordan H. Wyer
Olivia Jane Yang
Joseph Zollar
magna cum laude
Rediet Ayalew
Addison Beagle
Eli Benson
Jennifer Bobillo
Delaney Rose Brackin
Jacob Byers
Cael Cheeseman
Andrew William Corrow
Grayson De Lisle
Reece Dickerson
Jeryn K. Drewes
Dakota Eiselstein
Christina Fischer
Jazmynn Good
Maura Frances Hanley
Leona Hannan
Haley Elizabeth Harves
Alyssa Hendricks
Damary A. Henriquez
Mendoza
Jacob Hughes
Isaiah Hulshof
Carson Jeffery
Natasia Vantrice Johnson
Zachary Johnson
Carter Le Jin Jones
Rachel Kohl
Kaylee M. Krapfl
Elizabeth L. Lampe
Bailey Lehnert
Alejandro Lobo
Olivia Jean Long
Rosemary Lopez Dorantes
Jackson Malinski
Claire Martin
Eliana Ray Mascareñas
Kaleb J. Mayers
Johnathan M. Miller
Harun Mujic
Centaine L. Noom-Duckworth
Keira O’Brien
Evan C. Orme
Megan Palmer
Sui Par
Faviola M. Paz Luna
Adam Phillips
Madeline Phillips
Samantha V.M. Pollack
Autumn Poston
Betsy Richardson
Julianna Renee Richardson
Ella Rother
Ryley Mckenna Roudabush
Nyah Ranice Rouse
Wren Royer
Shylee Umaseetha Saladi
Sophia Schmidt
Caroline Siebels-Lindquist
Grace Smith
Anna Snyder
Mason D. Sommers
Olivia Soppa
Divyanshi Srivastava
Kira Mikhailovna Strashko
Olivia Swaney
Lydia Thompson
Justin A. Vis
Madilin J. Vrieze
Emily Warfield
Jack Watts
Maya Wennekamp
Margaret Wightman
Lilian Zeleny
cum laude
Samra Aksamovic
Tatum Aragon
Paige Evelyn Armstrong
Molly Berglund
Enisa Buljubasic
Lucas Conrad
Caleb Cookie
Christian Costanza
Kaylee A. Counter
Hayden C. Crawford
Amelia Eibert
Macy Gram Gardner
Jada M. Gruhn
Salwa Hamade
Mitchell Hardy
Emma Hutchison
Lejia Jukic
Isatu Kallay
Elizabete Klavinska
James D. Koehler
Patricia B. Kowalkowski
Nirdosh Kumar
Cadence Lowery-Hart
Angela Milakovich
Adalee Miller
Grace Miller
Lynne Moeller
Madison Moro
Eliot Mulholland
Anthony Muñoz
Adeline Murray
Alec Nole
Coleman Pagac
Lawton L. Peng
Madilyn Rester-Hamilton
Konrad Gerhard Rohlf
Ujan RoyBandyopadhyay
Nolan Scibor
Lindsey Siebert
Astrid Emma Kristina Smith
Braedon Stapelman
Chase Stephens
Anna Elizabeth Sturgis
Eirik Wærnes
Daniel Wanderer
Max Weiss
Kennedy Christine Wells
Benjamin A. Wilson
Eli Zafar
departmental
honors
Abigail Aalsma
Sterling R. Angeroth
Ella Appelbaum
Kate Bachmann
Addison Beagle
Eli Benson
Jennifer Bobillo
Delaney Rose Brackin
Enisa Buljubasic
Kristen E. Byrne
Colleen Barbara Cain
Sarah Capps
Hui Mei Chen
Tyler Cloutier
Anastasia Conerty
Francesca Conner
Andrew William Corrow
Berkeley Coyne
Mitchell Preston Davis
Raul De Los Rios
Caitlyn Dean
Emily Devick
Reece Dickerson
Avery Elizabeth Dolphin
Lauren Elyse Dragon
Jeryn K. Drewes
Dakota Eiselstein
Abigail Marie Engles
Ada E. Fender
Christina Fischer
Savannah N. Fisher
Sarah Foley
Alan Fox
Leah Fox
Emily M. Fredin
Spencer Patrick French
Abigail Gilbertson
Joslyn Gillette
Nico Gonnella
Jazmynn Good
Kate Hagemeier
Nicholas J. Haisler
Rachel Hallock
Laila Hasanovic
Damary A. Henriquez Mendoza
Ava Hess
Josie Hildreth
Avery Hjelm
Erika Holmberg
Raya Hoppe
Isaiah Hulshof
Chloe Isbell
Saiheed Jah
Carson Jeffery
Courtney M. Johnson
Natasia Vantrice Johnson
Carter Le Jin Jones
Emilia Karolina Jurzyk
Aidan Keefe
Britt Kjorlien
James D Koehler
Rachel Kohl
Vanisha Krishnani
Adelaide Kuehn
Nirdosh Kumar
Melanie Kure
Elizabeth L. Lampe
Chloe Jade Lepak
Jenna E. Liakos
Antonia Abene Lindner
Alejandro Lobo
Olivia Jean Long
Rosemary Lopez Dorantes
Michelle Alexandra Macias Reveles
Jordan Martin
Eliana Ray Mascareñas
Kaleb J. Mayers
Haris H. Mehuljic
Sophie Meronek
Angela Milakovich
Adalee Miller
Johnathan M. Miller
Khalid A. Mohammed
Vaisnavii Mohanraj
Hannah Moseley
Eliot Mulholland
James Neal
Centaine L. Noom-Duckworth
Keira O’Brien
Evan C. Orme
Bradley Padavic
Megan Palmer
Jennah Maris Partsch
Faviola M. Paz Luna
Eric Pfaffenbach
Carissa Lauren Phan
Adam Phillips
Samantha V.M. Pollack
Autumn Poston
Madilyn Rester-Hamilton
Ella Rother
Julianna Richardson
Nyah Ranice Rouse
Wren Royer
Morgan K. Ryan
Evan Scherrer
Sophia Schmidt
William Scott Schumacher
Nolan Scibor
MaryElizabeth Seaman
Reese Shannan
Astrid Emma Kristina Smith
Grace Smith
Carson Smith-Marty
Anna Snyder
Mason D Sommers
Olivia Soppa
Divyanshi Srivastava
Makenna Staack
Kendall Starcevich
Jenna Renee Steffl
Reid James Stevens
Kira Mikhailovna Strashko
Olivia Swaney
Madison Tarr
Rezin C. Tempero
Lydia Thompson
Marcus Thurm
Leah Noelle Tornow
Stevie Uthe
Emily Vollmer
Madilin J. Vrieze
Daniel Wanderer
Emily Warfield
Lily Wasserman
Jack Watts
Lily Weaver
Maya Wennekamp
Emerson Whittemore
Clara Willette
Jordan H. Wyer
Olivia Jane Yang
Joseph Zollar
alpha kappa delta (sociology honor society)
Jada M. Gruhn
Chloe Jade Lepak
Angela Milakovich
MaryElizabeth Seaman
Astrid Emma Kristina
Smith
Olivia Soppa
Ayanna Trinidad
Emerson Whittemore
beta beta beta (biology honor society)
Leah Fox
Maura Frances Hanley
Bailey Lehnert
Joici Lal Suan Par
Jenna Renee Steffl
Anna Elizbeth Strugis
Divyanshi Srivastava
Marcus Thurm
kappa mu epsilon (mathematics honor society)
Sophie Meronek
Eric Pfaffenbach
Lauren Elyse Dragon
lambda alpha (anthropology honor society)
Berkeley Coyne
Chloe Jade Lepak
Angela Milakovich
nu rho psi (neuroscience honor society)
Paige Evelyn Armstrong
Hui Mei Chen
Maura Frances Hanley
James Neal
Divyanshi Srivastava
Elizabeth Wipfler
omicron delta (economics honor society)
Carson Smith-Marty
Reid James Stevens
phi alpha theta (history honor society)
Andrew William Corrow
William Joaquin White
Lily Wasserman
Josie Hildreth
phi beta kappa (national honor society)
Isabella Ansani
Julianne Caceres
Mitchell Preston Davis
Ada E. Fender
Alan Fox
Emily M. Fredin
Rachel Hallock
Chloe Isbell
Antonia Abene Lindner
Michelle Alexandra Macias
Reveles
Jordan Martin
Jennah Partsch
Faviola M. Paz Luna
Divyanshi Srivastava
Reid James Stevens
Kira Mikhailovna Strashko
Leah Noelle Tornow
Emily Vollmer
Lily Wasserman
Emerson Whittemore
Lilian Zeleny
phi delta epsilon (pre-medicine honor society)
Aidan Keefe
Patricia B. Kowalkowski
Olivia Jane Yang
Rhea Bajwa
Alyssa Hendricks
Divyanshi Srivastava
Kristen E. Byrne
Ainsley Jurgens
Damary A. Henriquez Mendoza
Anna Elizabeth Sturgis
Grace Stegen
pi kappa lambda (music honor society)
Caitlyn Dean
Avery Hjelm
Courtney M. Johnson
Emilia Karolina Jurzyk
William Scott Schumacher
Olivia Jane Yang
pi sigma alpha (political science honor society)
Eli Benson
Andrew William Corrow
Alan Fox
Emily M. Fredin
Rosemary Lopez Dorantes
Johnathan M. Miller
Adeline Murray
Jennah Partsch
Carissa Lauren Phan
Michelle Alexander
Macias Reveles
Carson Smith-Marty
Reid James Stevens
Kira Mikhailovna Strashko
Olivia Swaney
psi chi (psychology honor society)
Ruweyda Abdi
Paige Evelyn Armstrong
Kate Hagemeier
Maura Frances Hanley
Autumn Poston
Bradley Padavic
Lydia Thompson
sigma tau delta (english honor society)
Jennifer Bobillo
Patricia B. Kowalkowski
Madison Tarr
Lily Wasserman
zimpleman college of business honors
summa cum laude
Jacob D. Aldridge
Ian M. Altekruse
Matthew J. Bell
Ian Carlson
Alexander Cox
Macy Daufeldt
Adam Ehler
Bethany Meelan Erkel
Caitlin Figge
Duke Malcolm Frye
Megan Garrison
Emily Hazzard
Samuel Hurley
Emma Ihrig
Britt Kjorlien
Ryan Lindner
Gabe Meier
Gavin Neely
Quynh Kim Hai Nguyen
Joseph S. Nicholas
Parker Pederson
Caroline Schultz
Samuel William Sheedy
Levi Sneller
Rezin C. Tempero
Gracyn R. Wollmer
Elliot Matthew Zent
Essie Reece Zoot
magna cum laude
Allyson Afrank
Andrew M. Alia
Vartan Avedoumian
James Phillip Axe
Sundeep Singh Ballagan
Addison Beagle
Joseph R. Bettle
James Arden Campbell
Gabriel Chang
Benjamin Denly
Leah Dillon
Dylan Dunham
Erin Gannon
Madison Geise
Clayton Gustafson
Anna Klimpel
Nathan Kujawa
Charles Robert May
Nathan Oelsner
Nick Ortman
Megan Palmer
Mason Pfarrer
Abigail Presley
Julianna Renee Richardson
Thomas Robertson
Ella Rother
Robert Schleicher
Sarbagya Sharma
Marten Shears
Anna Snyder
Olivia A. Stout
Kira Mikhailovna Strashko
Mason Van Krevelen
Brett Welsing
Caden Winterboer
Ethan Woodman
Melodie Yang
cum laude
Elizabeth Adamson
Jacob Auen
Reagan Lynn Cobb
Parker Cohen
Amelia Eibert
Rylee Heryford
Jaxon D. Hicks
Benjamin Jackels
Jia Wen Khong
Nolan Korzeniowski
Rayce Meyer
Bridget Claire Moran
Esmeralda Muñoz
Castañeda
Tyler Nansel
Yuktha Rajakumar
Erika Autumn Elisa Roehrs
Maxwell Wayne Slinden
Grace Tollefson
Hanh Vo
departmental honors
Jacob D. Aldridge
Ian M. Altekruse
Vartan Avedoumian
James Phillip Axe
Sundeep Singh Ballagan
Addison Beagle
Matthew J. Bell
Ian Carlson
Alexander Cox
Macy Daufeldt
Benjamin Denly
Adam Ehler
Bethany Meelan Erkel
Caitlin Figge
Duke Malcolm Frye
Erin Gannon
Megan Garrison
Madison Geise
Clayton Gustafson
Emily Hazzard
Rylee Heryford
Samuel Hurley
Emma Ihrig
Britt Kjorlien
Anna Klimpel
Ryan Lindner
Gabe Meier
Bridget Claire Moran
Gavin Neely
Quynh Kim Hai Nguyen
Joseph S. Nicholas
Nathan Oelsner
Nick Ortman
Parker Pederson
Mason Pfarrer
Abigail Presley
Julianna Renee Richardson
Ella Rother
Robert Schleicher
Marten Shears
Samuel William Sheedy
Levi Sneller
Anna Snyder
Olivia A. Stout
Rezin C. Tempero
Mason Van Krevelen
Caden Winterboer
Gracyn R. Wollmer
Elliot Matthew Zent
Essie Reece Zoot
beta alpha psi
Jacob D. Aldridge
Elizabeth Adamson
Reagan Lynn Cobb
Bethany Meelan Erkel
Caitlyn J. Erland
Emma Ihrig
Anna Klimpel
Gavin Neely
Megan Palmer
Abby Presley
Olivia A. Stout
Elliot Matthew Zent
college of pharmacy and health sciences honors
summa cum laude
Isabella Ansani
Rhea Bajwa
Felicity Budelier
Adeline Cunningham
Ainsley Jurgens
Aidan Keefe
Areigna Ralston
Samantha See
Grace Stegen
Ella Troja
Olivia Jane Yang
magna cum laude
Aspen J. Ball
Ava Bruckner
Julianne Caceres
Magnus Keswani
Kirsten Small
Allison Vegoe
Sarah Wall
cum laude
Mohammed Alhatimi
Allison Anderson
Ryley Covington
Kaylyn Le
Addison Lemke
Maggie O’Brien
Lindy Odegard
Brittany Kaley Ortega
Acosta
Armin Sinanovic
Dieula Toussaint
Rachel Ariela Varshavsky
departmental honors
Isabella Ansani
Rhea Bajwa
Felicity Budelier
Julianne Caceres
Adeline Cunningham
Ainsley Jurgens
Aidan Keefe
Magnus Keswani
Areigna Ralston
Samantha See
Grace Stegen
Ella Troja
Allison Vegoe
Sarah Wall
Olivia Jane Yang
student leadership development series
purple and teal cord
Rhea Bajwa
Health Sciences: Clinical & Medical
Genesis Hernandez-Cruz
Health Sciences: Clinical & Medical, Nursing
school of journalism and mass communication honors
summa cum laude
Rebekah Benoit
Dashae Engler
Amanda Christine Favazza
Raya Hoppe
Adelaide Kuehn
Melanie Kure
Jenna E. Liakos
Emmett McMenamy
Kylie Petty
Abigail J. Richard
Lily Wasserman
Clara Willette
magna cum laude
Isabella Day-Suhr
Rachel Kohl
Jinessa Lewis
Natalie Elena Parkins
Elizabeth Rosa
Ryley Mckenna Roudabush
Caroline Siebels-Lindquist
John Villarreal-Muñoz
Owen Walters-Kramer
Melodie Yang
cum laude
Jelena Paige
M. Shanna Joseph
Grace Miller
Madison Moro
Ben Murphy
Natalie Jayce Onkst
Sophia Elizabeth Roberts
Tyler Schroeder
Eirik Wærnes
Kaitlyn Wood
departmental honors
Rebekah Benoit
Dashae Engler
Amanda Christine Favazza
Raya Hoppe
Rachel Kohl
Adelaide Kuehn
Melanie Kure
Jinessa Lewis
Jenna E. Liakos
Emmett McMenamy
Natalie Elena Parkins
Kyle Petty
Abigail J. Richard
Elizabeth Rosa
Tyler Schroeder
John Villarreal-Muñoz
Lily Wasserman
Clara Willette
Melodie Yang
kappa tau alpha national honor society
Rebekah Benoit
Abigail J. Richard
Emmett McMenamy
Lily Wasserman
john dee bright college honors
summa cum laude
Jasmine B. Carter
Zamiratu J. Dainkeh
Quincy Hill
Avery Lawler
Jadea Delila Mandosia
magna cum laude
Joselyn Dowling
Aubrey McFarlin
Abraham Ramirez
Princess Winters
Graduate Program
may seventeenth, two thousand twenty-six, two o’clock in the afternoon
the academic processional ............... Land of Hope and Glory: Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1, Edward Elgar
the call to order Craige C. Wrenn University Marshal
the national anthem
Kelly Kretschmer as ‘12, mse ‘16, edd ‘26
the drake hymn ........................ Sarah Florian as ‘12, ms ‘26
introduction of platform
Marty Martin party and remarks President of the University
remarks
the presentation of candidates
the conferring of ......................
Alicia Chilton Class of 2026
Sue J. Mattison Provost of the University
President Martin doctoral degrees
the conferring of President Martin other degrees
the presentation of diplomas
the academic recessional
President Martin and Deans of the Colleges and Schools
Pomp and Circumstance March No. 4, Edward Elgar
*D rake University Law School held its own commencement ceremony on May 16, and Law School graduates are listed in their commencement program.
school of education
Candidates Presented by Dean Ryan M. Wise
Professor Todd Hodgkinson and Associate Professor Michelle Krogulski, Marshals
doctorate degrees
Kevin G. Biggs
Ed.D., Leadership
capstone title: Alternative Educational Programming: A Comprehensive System of Academic and Emotional Support for At-Risk Middle School Students in Grades Six Through Eight adviser: Dr. Ryan Wise
Aric Glen Bishop
Ed.D., Leadership
dissertation title: LGBTQIA2S+ Homeschooled Youth Experiences Regarding Access, Support, and Inclusion in the Midwest adviser: Dr. Robyn Cooper
Brian J. Christiansen
Ed.D., Leadership
capstone title: The Impact of Principal Leadership on the Implementation of Social-Emotional Learning Practices in the Classroom: Based on Teachers’ Perspectives adviser: Dr. Brian Coleman
Molly M. Crock
Ph.D., Principal Licensure
dissertation title: Leading Educational Change: A Case Study of a District’s Implementation of a Fifth-Day Enrichment Program in a Four-Day School Week
adviser: Dr. Amber Graeber
Kathleen Davenport
Ed.D., Leadership
capstone title: Art for All: Planning for Inclusive and Culturally Relevant adviser: Dr. Jill Caton Johnson
Christine L. Denniston
Ph.D., Education
dissertation title: From Academic Dean to Fundraiser: A Multiple Case Study on the Impact Of Colliding Forces During a Comprehensive Campaign advisers: Dr. Robyn Cooper & Dr. Lindsay Woodward
Jill Dykstra
Ed.D., Leadership
capstone title: Addressing Teacher Recruitment and Retention through Grow Your Own Programs
advisers: Dr. Ryan Wise & Dr. Amber Graeber
Beverly Dawn Eck
Ph.D., Education
dissertation title: Amplifying the Voices of Black Girls: A Study of Black Girls’ Experiences in Midwest Schools
adviser: Dr. Jill Caton Johnson
Jill M. Edgerton
Ph.D., Education
dissertation title: “Do We Really Even Need Libraries Any more?”: A Phenomenological Study of the Lived Experiences of Academic Librarians adviser: Dr. Tom Buckmiller
Wesley Wadsworth Franklin
Ph.D., Education
dissertation title: Impacting Health Equity and Access to Care for Rural and Underserved Communities in Iowa: A Post-COVID-19 Case Study adviser: Dr. Robyn Cooper
Andrew M. Genz
Ed.D., Leadership
dissertation title: The Belonging Blueprint: Designing And Igniting Middle School Engagement And Connectedness Beyond Academics
adviser: Dr. Brian Coleman
Julie González
Ph.D., Education
dissertation title: Navigating The Labyrinth: A Phenomenology Examining Retrospective Interpretations of Educational Pathways and Career Choices Among Women in Biotechnology adviser: Dr. Robyn Cooper
Jessica Goodenow
Ed.D., Leadership
dissertation title: Permissible or Prohibited? The Lived Experiences of Secondary Teachers Navigating Cell Phone Bans
adviser: Dr. Jill Caton Johnson
Emma Heitritter Copeland
Ed.D., Principal Licensure
capstone title: Reducing Chronic Absenteeism in Urbandale High School
adviser: Dr. Amber Graeber
Jordan K. Holub
Ph.D., Education
dissertation title: Investigating the Effect of a Culturally Relevant Master’s Program on Teacher Pedagogy in Elementary Education adviser: Dr. Jerrid Kruse
Danette S. Kenne
Ph.D., Education
dissertation title: Mattering: Examining the Experiences of Women Aged 55 and Older in Leadership Roles in Higher Education
adviser: Dr. Robyn Cooper
John Richard Kippes
Ph.D., Education
dissertation title: Success for the Trailblazers: A Multi-Case Study of Academic Advisors’ Perceptions of Success in First-Generation College Students at Private Institutions of Higher Education In One Midwest State adviser: Dr. Lindsay Woodward
Christy Kuhl
Ed.D., Leadership
capstone title: Evaluating Instructional Coaches: A Comprehensive Rubric for Authentic Assessment and Constructive Feedback adviser: Dr. Jill Caton Johnson
Jason K. Lampe
Ed.D., Leadership
capstone title: The PATH-QL Model: A LeadershipGuided, AI-Assisted Process for Improving Instructional Coherence with Locally Individualized Instructional Frameworks in Iowa School Districts
adviser: Dr. Ryan Wise
Alexandra Jean Young Lancaster
Ed.D., Leadership
dissertation title: Beyond the Numbers: A Multiple Case Study of Early Warning System Indicators for At-Risk Students
adviser: Dr. Tom Buckmiller
Sherry Leksell
Ph.D., Education
dissertation title: Refusing to be Limited: Construction of Learner Identities
adviser: Dr. Jenn Thoma
Emilie M. LeLaCheur
Ph.D., Education
dissertation title: Crossing Borders for Healing: A Case Study of the Lived Experiences of Families with Adolescents in Out-of-State Residential Treatment for Eating Disorders
adviser: Dr. Robyn Cooper
Skylar Linnett
Ed.D., Leadership
dissertation title: Between Inclusion and Resistance: Elementary Educators’ Perceptions of LGBTQ-Inclusive Curriculum and Heteronormativity in Elementary Education adviser: Dr. Tonia Land
Beverley McPherson
Ed.D., Leadership
dissertation title: Exploring School Discipline: A Study on Restorative Practices, Teacher Perspectives, and Referral Data at McCombs Middle School adviser: Dr. Lindsay Woodward
Noemi Mendez
Ed.D., Leadership
capstone title: Supporting School-Family Partnerships to Improve Academic Outcomes for Long-Term Multilingual Learners
adviser: Dr. Ryan Wise
Jake M. Mohling
Ed.D., Leadership
dissertation title: An Integrated Framework of Social Cognitive Learning Theory and Organizational Socialization For Early-Career Teacher Mentorship
adviser: Dr. Robyn Cooper
Kenneth Wayne Morris, Jr.
Ed.D., Leadership
capstone title: Resilience and Resistance: The Role of Chief Diversity Officers and Equity-Oriented Leaders of Color in Shaping Iowa’s Educational Future adviser: Dr. Ryan Wise
Kelsie Poshi Mouchka
Ed.D., Leadership
capstone title: Student Agency: Leveraging Work-Based Learning in CTE to Advance Educational Equity adviser: Dr. Tonia Land
Angela Olson
Ph.D., Superintendent Licensure
dissertation title: Supports for Early-Career Catholic School Principals: A Qualitative Case Study adviser: Dr. Lindsay Woodward
Olivia Orichiella
Ed.D., Leadership
capstone title: Language Acquisition and Healing: A K-5 Culturally Responsive Framework for Multilingual Learners
adviser: Dr. Jen Thoma
Stephenie Elliott Ovrom
Ph.D., Education
dissertation title: An Examination of Educators Who Worked Full-Time During Covid: Their Experiences, Future Career Intentions, and Perceptions About Job Satisfaction
adviser: Dr. Lindsay Woodward
Ryals Parker
Ph.D., Education
dissertation title: From Schoolhouse to State House: Do the Lived Experiences of Legislators Shape Education Policy?
adviser: Dr. Doug Stilwell
Timm E. Pilcher
Ed.D., Leadership
dissertation title: Nothing is Ever Finished, It Only Meets a Deadline: A Phenomenological Study of College Journalism Students Navigating Standards-Based Grading and Deadlines
adviser: Dr. Tom Buckmiller
Lauren M. Plum-Ortiz
Ph.D., Education
dissertation title: Gatekeeping the Gait-Keepers: Exploring the U.S. PT Program Admissions Committee
adviser: Dr. Robyn Cooper
Kean Roberts
Ph.D., Education
dissertation title: Investigating the Effect of Instructional Practices on Environmental Literacy Development in Public Schools Secondary Students
adviser: Dr. Jerrid Kruse
Kelly Ann Kretschmer Schnackenberg
Ed.D., Leadership
capstone title: Professional Learning Communities: Supports for Leaders and Facilitators adviser: Dr. DeDe Small
Elizabeth H. Sheridan
Ed.D., Leadership
capstone title: Aligning Pre-Service Teaching With District Priorities: A Model For Onboarding And Professional Growth adviser: Dr. Lindsay Woodward
Jessica Lynn Soukup
Ed.D., Leadership
capstone title: Professional Learning Communities: Building and Implementing a Sustainable Framework at Dallas Center-Grimes Community Schools
adviser: Dr. Kevin Lam
Megan Thomsen
Ed.D., Leadership
capstone title: Empowering Educators, Elevating Culture: A Plan for Sustained and Equitable PBIS Implementation
adviser: Dr. Jill Caton Johnson
Donte T. Todd
Ed.D., Leadership
dissertation title: A Qualitative Study: Exploring the Lived Experiences of Novice and Veteran Educators in K-6 Classrooms with Scripted Literacy Curriculum and Pedagogical Creativity
adviser: Dr. Lindsay Woodward
Andrew Trout
Ph.D., Education
dissertation title: “I’m Still Learning English”: An Interpretative Phenomenology Exploring the Lived Experiences of Long-Term English Learners adviser: Dr. Leah Shepard-Carey
Kelsey Vail
Ed.D., Leadership
capstone title: Enhancing MTSS-A Implementation: The Impact of Ongoing Professional Development and Continuous Improvement in a K-5 Elementary Setting
adviser: Dr. Tonia Land
Kara Wendelin Carnahan
Ph.D., Education
dissertation title: An Investigation Into the Experiences of College Students with Disabilities in Online Learning and the Faculty Who Teach Them
adviser: Dr. Tonia Land
Ehren L. Whigham
Ph.D., Education
dissertation title: Investigating Self-Efficacy and Questioning Practices of Undergraduate Teacher Assistants
Assistant Professor Wiranthe Herath and Associate Professor Brian Sweeney, Marshals
master degrees
Jude Aboagye
M.S., Business Analytics
Elizabeth Adamson
M.A.C., Accounting
Reagan Adjei
M.B.A., Business Administration
Kristen Nicole Alford
M.B.A., Business Administration
Brianna Lyn Anderson
M.B.A., Business Administration
Chloe Ashley
M.A.C., Accounting
Ashley Atkin
M.B.A., Business Administration
Sarah Baraks
M.P.A., Public Administration
Camden Barta
M.S., Business Analytics
Dalton Bates
M.B.A., Business Administration
Ashley Becker
M.S., Business Analytics
Ali Kay Bestell
M.B.A., Business Administration
Matthew Blake
M.B.A., Business Administration
Nathan Vincent Catalano
M.S., Business Analytics
Alicia Chilton
M.B.A., Business Administration
Caleb R. Christiansen
M.B.A., Business Administration
Camelin Cochran
M.P.A., Public Administration
Benjamin Cooprider
M.B.A., Business Administration
Noah Ryan Crist
M.B.A., Business Administration
Gregory B. Crocker
M.P.A., Public Administration
Nicole R. Dacus
M.B.A., Business Administration
Felicity Aku-Sika Danquah
M.B.A., Business Administration
Benjamin Dardick
M.B.A., Business Administration
Amelia Drake
M.B.A., Business Administration
Dylan Dunham
M.A.C., Accounting
Shane Dunning
M.B.A., Business Administration
Jessica T. Eason
M.P.A., Public Administration
Melissa M. Edwards
M.B.A., Business Administration
Benjamin Ensor
M.S., Business Analytics
Caitlyn J. Erland
M.B.A., Business Administration
Ashley Evans
M.P.A., Public Administration
Alexi Fernandez
M.A.C., Accounting
Laurin Nicole Fierce
M.B.A., Business Administration
Arber Frakulli
M.B.A., Business Administration
Cade Friedrichsen
M.S., Business Analytics
Ryne Keith George
M.P.A., Public Administration
Meredith Thomas Gill
M.B.A., Business Administration
Natalie Gillett
M.P.A., Public Administration
Tyler Gilmore
M.B.A., Business Administration
Mueng Goshit
M.B.A., Business Administration
Melissa Ann Haukap
M.B.A., Business Administration
Nichole Heaverlo
M.B.A., Business Administration
Alicia Henderson
M.B.A., Business Administration
Isaac House
M.B.A., Business Administration
Julie Anne Huggins
M.B.A., Business Administration
Amanda Huisman
M.P.A., Public Administration
Emma Lynne Ihrig
M.A.C., Accounting
Enrique Jimenez
M.B.A., Business Administration
Jim A. Johnson
M.B.A., Business Administration
David Victor Jones
M.B.A., Business Administration
Brian J. Joynt
M.P.A., Public Administration
Michele Kearney
M.P.A., Public Administration
Anthony Henry Julius Leo
M.S., Business Analytics
Jordan Z. Lewinsky
M.B.A., Business Administration
Margot Rae McComas
M.P.A., Public Administration
Morgan McLaughlin
M.B.A., Business Administration
Conner McMurphy
M.S., Business Analytics
Diane Michelle Metzger
M.S., Business Analytics
Quinn G. Millerd
M.B.A., Business Administration
Audrey Elizabeth Moon
M.B.A., Business Administration
Jordon M. Mortensen
M.S., Business Analytics
Julie Ann Olinger
M.P.A., Public Administration
Leah Olinger
M.B.A., Business Administration
Aidan Palmer
M.A.C., Accounting
Yeo Yoon (Rebecca) Park
M.B.A., Business Administration
Danielle M. Peterson
M.P.A., Public Administration
Devin Perry
M.P.A., Public Administration
Abigail Presley
M.A.C., Accounting
Lauren Faith Castillo Rana
M.B.A., Business Administration
Jamisha Reece
M.B.A., Business Administration
Chloe Kay Reicherts
M.B.A., Business Administration
Kitri Reimer
M.B.A., Business Administration
Grayson Riley Rowlet
M.P.A., Public Administration
Spencer Ruths
M.B.A., Business Administration
Bailey Skallerud
M.B.A., Business Administration
Olga Sklavenitis
M.B.A., Business Administration
Cole J. Smith
M.P.A., Public Administration
Dyllan Sparks
M.S., Business Analytics
Andrew Standley
M.B.A., Business Administration
William M. Storm
M.S., Business Analytics
Ethan C. Swain
M.P.A., Public Administration
Christian Anthony Lion Swoop
M.S., Business Analytics
Hayden C. Thomas
M.B.A., Business Administration
Tyler B. Trout
M.P.A., Public Administration
Adam Uhl
M.S., Business Analytics
Rory Charles Van Gorp
M.P.A., Public Administration
Hali Jo VanVelzen
M.P.A., Public Administration
Maria Elena Valdez Guerrero
M.P.A., Public Administration
Aaron Wedo
M.B.A., Business Administration
Levi Wessel
M.B.A., Business Administration
Kristof Wüthrich
M.P.A., Public Administration
Elise Maia Renee Young
M.B.A., Business Administration
Hmingthan Zama
M.S., Business Analytics
zimpleman college of business honors
Camelin Cochran
Gregory B. Crocker
Jessica T. Eason
Ashley Evans
Ryne Keith George
Natalie Gillett
Daniel Grauerholz
Amanda Huisman
Brian J. Joynt
Michele Kearney
Natasha Lewerke
Margot Rae McComas
Julie Ann Olinger
Tyler B. Trout
Rory Charles Van Gorp
Hali Jo VanVelzen
Kristof Wüthrich
school of journalism and mass communication
Candidates Presented by Dean Catherine Staub Associate Professor Ryan Stoldt, Marshal
master degrees
Molly C. Bath
M.A.C., Brand Communication
Taylor Danielle Boland
M.A.C., Brand Communication
Savannah Blake Dame
M.A.C., Communication Leadership
Madison Fear
M.A.C., Public Affairs & Advocacy
Eduardo Alberto Flores
M.A.C., Public Affairs & Advocacy
Blenda Haxhiu
M.A.C., Communication Leadership
Samuel Heeren
M.A.C., Public Affairs & Advocacy
Claire Caitlin Muselman
M.A.C., Brand Communication
Jennifer A. Myers
M.A.C., Brand Communication
Jake F. Richardson III
M.A.C., Communication Leadership
Nicole Rybak
M.A.C., Brand Communication
Meghan Satterstrom
M.A.C., Communication Leadership
Skylar Lauren Vanden Bosch
M.A.C., Brand Communication
school of journalism and mass communications honors
kappa tau alpha national honor society
Madison Fear
Molly C. Bath
Claire Caitlin Muselman
Nicole Rybak
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Program
may sixteenth, two thousand twenty six, three o’clock in the afternoon
the academic processional
the call to order
the national anthem
the drake hymn
university honors ......................
Land of Hope and Glory:
Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1
Edward Elgar
Craige C. Wrenn
2026 College Marshal
Keaton Auwerda
Pharm.D. Class of 2027
Keaton Auwerda
Pharm.D. Class of 2027
Erik Maki
Dean, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
presentation of candidates
Erik Maki
Dean, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
conferral of degrees and
Sue J. Mattison, Provost of the University academic hoods
Erik Maki, Dean
Chuck Phillips, Associate Dean
Michael Nelson, Assistant Dean
oath of a pharmacist
oath of an occupational therapist
oath of an athletic trainer
alumni welcome
the academic recessional
Victoria Miller & Sydney Sears
Pharm.D., Class of 2026
Lauren Osborn & Ashley Tupy
O.T.D., Class of 2026
Madi Adams
M.A.T., Class of 2026
Sanela Bilic
Pharm.D., Class of 2003
Pomp and Circumstance March, No. 4
Edward Elgar
college of pharmacy and health sciences
Candidates Presented by Dean Erik Maki Professor Anisa Hansen, Associate Professor Richelle Williams and Assistant Professor Ashley Murray, Marshals
occupational therapy doctorate
Caley Backstrom
O.T.D., Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Emma Marie Beierlein
O.T.D., Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Cole Brockman
O.T.D., Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Ashley Buckland
O.T.D., Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Trinity Bunkusol
O.T.D., Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Alexa Coller
O.T.D., Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Emilee Danner-Borneman
O.T.D., Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Alexis R. Georgia
O.T.D., Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Madysen Klebenow
O.T.D., Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Nelson Le
O.T.D., Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Emma Laura Nagel
O.T.D., Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Lauren Osborn
O.T.D., Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Kristen Paige Phillips
O.T.D., Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Annabella Grace Roberts
O.T.D., Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Alexis Sleiter
O.T.D., Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Ashley Tupy
O.T.D., Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Riley Marie Uthe
O.T.D., Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Gwenyth Elaine Wollner
O.T.D., Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Jessie Woodyard
O.T.D., Occupational Therapy Doctorate
doctor of pharmacy
Madelynn Aeilts
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Kristen Nicole Alford
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Haris Ali
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Laura Kay Almeida
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Brianna Lyn Anderson
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Mackenzie Beam
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Courtney Becker
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Sophia Bell
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Dara Brandt
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Zoe Maureen Bryant
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Georgia Bunkers
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Olivia Carter
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Nicole R. Dacus
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Ayla Danabasoglu
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Abby Ditsworth
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Armin Dogic
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Tiffany Flohr
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Alexander Frank
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Eric James Gallagher
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Elaina Hines
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Samuel E. Karrick
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Anastasia Kirillov
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Ryan Krumholz
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Olivia Kube
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Emma Kuss
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Tom M. Le
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Olivia Lenz
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Elma Lidjan
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Grace A. McCollum
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Victoria Miller
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Emra Oglecevac
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Yeo Yoon (Rebecca) Park
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Homeen Shailesh Patel
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Zeel Patel
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Kitri Reimer
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Ava Gabrielle Ressler
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Haley Rupert
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Megan Seiler
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Seth Simonson
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Isabella Smith
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Sydney Grace Sears
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Eric Minh Thai
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Alexa Lee Tinder
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Irma Vlahovljak
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Kaitlyn J. Wallace
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Abbygail Weiler
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
Elise Maia Renee Young
Pharm.D., Pharmacy
master of athletic training
Madilyn Adams
M.A.T., Athletic Training
Carlin Rae Betts
M.A.T., Athletic Training
Megan Brandmeyer
M.A.T., Athletic Training
Elena Dibble
M.A.T., Athletic Training
Emma Dighton
M.A.T., Athletic Training
Lily Evan-Cook
M.A.T., Athletic Training
Reese Olivia Fuller
M.A.T., Athletic Training
master of science
Madelynn Aeilts
M.S., Health Informatics & Analytics
Courtney Becker
M.S., Health Informatics & Analytics
Edward A. Bos
M.S., Clinical Psychopharmacology
Ashley Comer
M.S., Health Informatics & Analytics
Ayla Danabasoglu
M.S., Health Informatics & Analytics
Ava B. Hawthorne
M.S., Health Informatics & Analytics
Samuel E. Karrick
M.S., Health Informatics & Analytics
Emma Kuss
M.S., Health Informatics & Analytics
Abigail Linkhart
M.S., Health Informatics & Analytics
Alyssa Jahr
M.A.T., Athletic Training
Aziz Jdai
M.A.T., Athletic Training
Abby Onwiler
M.A.T., Athletic Training
Madelyn K. Smith
M.A.T., Athletic Training
Anya Thigpen
M.A.T., Athletic Training
Faith Ashley Ventura
M.A.T., Athletic Training
Khushi Makhija
M.S., Health Informatics & Analytics
Marshall Chisare Ndhlovu
M.S., Health Informatics & Analytics
Rita M. Rivera Varela
M.S., Clinical Psychopharmacology
Rina S. Santiago-Guia
M.S., Clinical Psychopharmacology
Eva Jeanette Sherman
M.S., Health Informatics & Analytics
Eunja P. Talbot
M.S., Clinical Psychopharmacology
Jordyn Tentinger
M.S., Health Informatics & Analytics
Payten Watson
M.S., Health Informatics & Analytics
college of pharmacy and health sciences honors
highest academic honors
gpa: 3.9 – 4.0 gold cord
occupational therapy doctorate
Lauren Osborn
high academic honors gpa: 3.7 – 3.89 silver cord
occupational therapy doctorate
Caley Backstrom
Emma Marie Beierlein
Cole Brockman
Alexa Coller
Emilee Danner-Borneman
Annabella Grace Roberts
Ashley Tupy
Jessie Woodyard
academic honors gpa: 3.5 – 3.69 white cord
occupational therapy doctorate
Alexis R. Georgia
Madysen Klebenow
Kristen Paige Phillips
Alexis Sleiter
Riley Marie Uthe
Gwenyth Elaine Wollner
doctor of pharmacy
Dara Brandt
Georgia Bunkers
Nicole R. Dacus
Ayla Danabasoglu
Samuel E. Karrick
Anastasia Kirillov
Olivia Kube
Emma Kuss
Victoria Miller
Yeo Yoon (Rebecca) Park
Ava Gabrielle Ressler
Sydney Grace Sears
Isabella Smith
Abbygail Weiler
master of athletic training
Anya Thigpen
doctor of pharmacy
Mackenzie Beam
Courtney Becker
Olivia Carter
Tiffany Flohr
Olivia Lenz
Zeel Patel
Kitri Reimer
doctor of pharmacy
Madelynn Aeilts
Kristen Nicole Alford
Sophia Bell
Ryan Krumholz
Emra Oglecevac
Elise Maia Renee Young
master of athletic training master of athletic training
Madilyn Adams
Emma Dighton
Alyssa Jahr
Madelyn K. Smith
master of science master of science
Edward A. Bos
Ayla Danabasoglu
Samuel E. Karrick
Emma Kuss
Rita M. Rivera-Varela
Rina S. Santiago-Guia
Madelynn Aeilts
Courtney Becker
Ava B. Hawthorne
Abigail Linkhart
Khushi Makhija
Marshall Chisare Ndhlovu
Jordyn Tentinger
Payten Watson
Megan Brandmeyer
Lily Evan-Cook
Reese Olivia Fuller
Aziz Jdai
Abby Onwiler
master of science
Ashley Comer
student leadership development series
purple and teal cord
Madelynn Aeilts
Pharmacy
Cole Brockman
Occupational Therapy
Ayla Danabasoglu
Pharmacy
Elaina Hines
Pharmacy
Anastasia Kirillov
Pharmacy
Kitri Reimer
Pharmacy
Alexa Lee Tinder
Pharmacy
iota tau alpha (athletic training academic honor society)
red, yellow, and royal blue cord
Anya Thigpen
Alyssa Jahr
Madelyn K. Smith
phi lambda sigma (pharmacy leadership society) green and gold cord
Madelynn Aeilts
Sophia Bell
Nicole R. Dacus
Ayla Danabasoglu
Olivia Kube
Olivia Lenz
Zeel Patel
Kitri Reimer
Abbygail Weiler
pi theta epsilon (occupational therapy academic honor society)
navy blue and gold cord
Caley Backstrom
Emma Marie Beierlein
Cole Brockman
Emilee Danner-Borneman
Alexa Coller
Lauren Osborn
Annabella Grace Roberts
Alexis Sleiter
Ashley Tupy
Jessie Woodyard
rho chi society (pharmacy academic honor society) purple ribbon medallion
Dara Brandt
Georgia Bunkers
Nicole R. Dacus
Ayla Danabasoglu
Victoria Miller
Samuel E. Karrick
Anastasia Kirillov
Olivia Kube
Emma Kuss
Yeo Yoon (Rebecca) Park
Ava Gabrielle Ressler
Isabella Smith
Abbygail Weiler
Oath of an Occupational Therapist
• I understand all individuals are unique and I will assist with realizing their potential with understanding, kindness and respect.
• I pledge to engage in compassionate, conscientious and evidence based practice within whatever professional role I pursue. I will advocate for persons to live full, occupationally engaged and meaningful lives.
• I will be humble in acknowledging my responsibility to engage in lifelong learning and demonstrate competence to all I serve.
• I will model leadership and uphold the Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics as representatives of this beloved profession.
With dignity and pride, I join my Occupational Therapy colleagues, and promise to preserve the integrity of the profession, to the greater good of persons served.
Oath of a Pharmacist
I promise to devote myself to a lifetime of service to others through the profession of pharmacy.
In fulfilling this vow:
• I will consider the welfare of humanity and relief of suffering my primary concerns.
• I will promote inclusion, embrace diversity, and advocate for justice to advance health equity.
• I will apply my knowledge, experience, and skills to the best of my ability to assure optimal outcomes for all patients.
• I will respect and protect all personal and health information entrusted to me.
• I will accept the responsibility to improve my professional knowledge, expertise, and self-awareness.
• I will hold myself and my colleagues to the highest principles of our profession’s moral, ethical and legal conduct.
• I will embrace and advocate changes that improve patient care.
• I will utilize my knowledge, skills, experiences, and values to prepare the next generation of pharmacists.
I take these vows voluntarily with the full realization of the responsibility with which I am entrusted by the public.
Oath of an Athletic Trainer
• I solemnly pledge to uphold the standards of the profession of athletic training and to strive to be an exemplary athletic trainer in all of the following ways:
• I will learn and maintain a solid foundation of clinical and ethical skills on which to practice.
• I will provide patient-centered care, demonstrate integrity, honesty, confidentiality, and working to the best of my ability.
• I will commit to self-improvement, life-long learning, stress management, and health.
• I will practice with compassion and respect the dignity of all patients, colleagues and faculty. I will do this regardless of gender, race, religion, age, ethnic or national origin, nature of illness, disability, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.
• I will responsibly contribute to whichever aspects of profession I engage in: clinical practice, education, research, or professional advocacy.
• I will follow all professional and legal standards in my practice by complying with all ethical guidelines and continually providing care that is in line with current evidence based medicine I will refrain from practicing in a way that would negatively affect my patients or the profession through conflicts of interest, the pursuit of financial gain, or the provision of false information.
The Academic Costume
The pageantry and dress of the University commencement have been inherited from the medieval universities of the 12th and 13th centuries. Academic life as we know it today began in the Middle Ages, first in the Church and then in the guilds. The teaching guild was the Guild of the Master of Arts, where the Bachelor was the apprentice of the Master and the dress was the outward sign of privilege and responsibility.
Principal features of academic dress are the gown, the cap, and the hood. It early became necessary for universities to set rules to preserve the dignity and meaning of academic dress. Both Cambridge and Oxford since the 15th century have made academic dress a matter of university control even to its minor details, and have repeatedly published revised regulations. American universities agreed on a definite system in 1895. In 1932, the American Council on Education presented a revised code. In 1959, the Council appointed a committee on academic costumes and ceremonies. Since 1960, the revised guidelines have provided guidance for the latest developments in higher education— the Associate in Arts and the Associate in Science degrees granted by the community and junior colleges. The Specialist in Education degree also is recognized and regulated by the latest revisions in the code for academic dress.
the gown
The flowing gown comes from the 12th century. While it originally may have been worn as protection against the cold of unheated buildings, today it has become symbolic of the democracy of scholarship, for it covers any dress of rank or social standing underneath. It is black for all degrees with pointed sleeves for the bachelor’s degree; long closed sleeves with a slit at the arm or wrist for the master’s degree; and full bell double sleeves for the doctor’s degree. Bachelor’s and master’s degree gowns have no trimming. For the doctor’s degree the gown is faced down the front with velvet and has three bars of velvet across the sleeves, in the color distinctive to the faculty or discipline of the degree. The code allows institutions to adopt their own design and color that better expresses the individuality of the institution.
the cap
When Roman law freed the slave, he won the privilege of wearing a cap. And so the academic cap is a sign of freedom of scholarship and the responsibility and dignity with which scholarship endows the wearer. Old poetry records the cap of scholarship as square, to symbolize the book. In the 15th century, some caps were stiff, some soft, some square; and some round with a tuft in the center. The tassel used today is an elaboration of the tuft. While some institutions still use the round cap, most have adopted the mortar board style, which comes from Oxford. A different style, called the Cambridge cap, resembles a large beret and is appropriate for doctorate degrees only. The color of the tassel denotes the discipline. Those holding doctorate degrees are entitled to wear metallic-gold tassels.
the hood
The hood is trimmed with one or more chevrons of a secondary color on the ground of the primary color of the college. The color of the facing of the hood denotes the discipline represented by the degree; the color of the lining designates the university or college from which the degree was granted.
The colors associated with the different disciplines are as follows:
Agriculture — Maize
Athletic Training — Sage Green
Journalism — Crimson
Philosophy — Dark Blue
Arts, Letters, General Studies — White
Law — Purple
Physical Education — Sage Green
Business and Commerce — Drab
Library Science — Lemon
Public Administration — Peacock Blue
Economics — Copper Medicine — Green
The Ceremonial Mace
Science — Golden Yellow
Education — Light Blue
Music — Pink
Social Work — Citron Fine Arts — Brown
Nursing — Apricot
Occupational Therapy — Slate Blue
Speech — Silver Grey Forestry — Russet
Pharmacy — Olive Green
Theology — Scarlet
Since the Middle Ages, the mace has been used in the courts by rulers to signify their power and authority. When placed on the rostrum, it indicated that the governing body was in formal session. The ceremonial mace is carried by a mace bearer or by the beadle, an official in the British university who leads the academic procession. The symbol has been adopted in American higher education and is carried by the marshal of the University at official academic convocations.
The ceremonial mace was carried in the academic procession of Drake’s annual commencement ceremony for the first time in 1983. The mace and stand were created by Professor Emeritus Condon Kuhl, then professor of art at Drake University. The mace is handcrafted from ebony and overlaid and appointed with silver. It measures two and one-half feet in length and weighs about five pounds.
DRAKE UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT
two thousand twenty-six the knapp center — des moines, iowa
The One Hundred and Fifty-Ninth Commencement of Drake University Law School
Saturday Evening at Seven O’clock
May Sixteenth, Two Thousand Twenty-Six
THE KNAPP CENTER — DES MOINES, IOWA
Dwight D. Opperman Hall and Law Library
D wight D. Opperman Hall and Law Library
Program
may sixteenth, two thousand twenty-six, seven o’clock in the evening
academic processional ..................
Drake Brass Quintet
welcome Roscoe Jones, Jr. Dean, Drake Law School
national anthem .......................
remarks
commencement address ..................
presentation of candidates
conferral of degrees and academic hoods
alumni welcome
concluding remarks
drake alma mater
academic recessional
Michael Blankenship, 3l
Dean Jones
Marty Martin, President
William R. Keck
President, Student Bar Association 2025–2026
Judge Henry Hamilton, JO ’88, JD ’92
Ret. Federal Administrative Law Judge
Sue Mattison, Provost
Dean Jones
Marty Martin, President
Dean Jones
John D. Edwards, Associate Dean
Anthony Gaughan, Associate Dean
Danielle Foster-Smith, JD ’00
President, Law School Board of Counselors
Dean Jones
Nicole Frazier, 3l
Drake Brass Quintet
Judge Henry Hamilton
Henry Hamilton is a retired Federal Administrative Law Judge. During his career, he also served as a Magistrate Judge for the State of Iowa; City Prosecutor for the City of Des Moines, Iowa; and as a private practitioner with the Parrish Law Firm, Des Moines, Iowa.
A proud alumnus of Drake University, Hamilton earned his undergraduate degree from Drake University in 1988 and his Juris Doctor from Drake University Law School in 1992
Hamilton served as President of the Iowa State Bar Association (2022-2023), becoming the first African American to hold that office. He serves on the Board of Governors of the National Bar Association and was recently elected to the Board of Governors of the American Bar Association.
He is president-elect of the Drake Law School Board of Counselors and author of the Iowa Manual on Civil Procedure (LexisNexis 2026).
OF THE UNIVERSITY
Alexa Perez
Assistant Professor of Law
2026 Leland Stanford Forrest Outstanding Professor Award Recipient
Cierra Jackson
President, Student Bar Association 2026–2027
MARSHALS
drake university law school
Candidates Presented by Dean Roscoe Jones, Jr.
juris doctor
Sarah Abu-Nameh
RoxSanna Drew Allen
Marisa Anderson
Julie Anderson
Cameron Jean Annis
Samantha Alana Jane Anthony
Anne Matilda Archer
Thomas J. Armstrong III
Sidnie Mae Baier
Johnathan Bartholomew
Ashley Beitelspacher
Ali Kay Bestell - Joint Degree MBA
Sarah Bigley
Michael J. Blankenship
Benjamin R. Bouwkamp
Kameron E. Brown
Delaney K. Buisker
Katherine Christine Chapman
Matthew Clarke
Corbin Cline
Karrecia Crawley
Noah Ryan Crist - Joint Degree MBA
Brooke De Noble
Nicholas DeAngelo
Benjamin DeReus
Kayla Marie Dienberg
Nicholas Downey
Laurin Nicole Fierce - Joint Degree MBA
Andrew Fisher
Daniel Fournier, Jr.
Nicole Delores Frazier
Mikayla Beate Ganan
Margaret L. Garbin
Brookelyn D. George
Marie E. Gernes
Meredith Thomas Gill - Joint Degree MBA
Meghan Elizabeth Gillmore
Katherine Olivia Greenwood
Jack Groepper
Wyatt J. Harlan
Eli Harris
Carter Hartman
Brigid Hecht
Jordan Heeter
Carter R. Holm
John C. Humphrey
Wiley Hunt
Elizabeth Katherine Hurn
Kathryn Husted
Lennon Janes
Lyn Jensen
Seth Jones
William R. Keck
Sydni Christine Kirk
Maci Ellen Kluesner
Ryan Yian Lee
Mercedes Moriah Lundberg
Abrielle Jean Luther
Gregory McGovern
Jacob Cozad McKinney
Samantha Michalczyk
Micheal Milan
Zachary John Miller
Stephen Moehlman
Abigail Lynn Mojeiko
Arturo Montes
Christopher Mouaikel
Clare Muckler
Jack Terrence Norton
Maxwell Oelmann
Kaylee Ranae Olivares
Anna Olson
Tess Paxson
Ellen N. Phillips
Darvin Alejandro
Pineda-Donis
Lauren Danielle Ratliff
Mackenzie Elizabeth Roberts
Nicholas J. Romano
Rachel Alice Rozendaal
Samantha L. Ruhland
Alicia Elizabeth Rupp
Rachel Sams
Pamela Sanders-Booker
Katelyn Schmitz
Jebadiah Schwager
Kaitlyn J. Scott
Kaille A. Simmons
Kelsey J. Sissel
Rylie Smith
Madelyn Rylie Smith
Alexander James Stegen
Jon Sterk
Samantha Stewart
Isaac O. Strohman
Lauren Katherine Sulentic
Joseph Swinton
Hannah Tedrow
Abigayle R. Thomas
Abigail E. Thompson
Ginger Thompson-Schulte
Mitchell Timm
Ryleigh Jane Travers
Allison M. Van
David Wade
Spencer J. Warfield
Isabelle Judith Webber
Mary Katherine H. Wille
Ryan Williams
Mary Wood
Ariel Wooden
Kathryn Zack
master of jurisprudence
Cassidy M. Curl
M.J., Compliance & Risk Management
Whitney Ford
M.J., Compliance & Risk Management
Natalie Gillett
M.J., Compliance & Risk Management
Bridget Hall
M.J., Compliance & Risk Management
John M. D. Hamelly
M.J., Compliance & Risk Management
Philip M. Ireland
M.J., Compliance & Risk Management
Christian Michael Kreger
M.J., Compliance & Risk Management
master of laws
Bérangère Fougère-Ballé
LL.M., Individualized Legal Studies
Virginia Lynde
M.J., Compliance & Risk Management
Chidera Obi-Adegbesan
M.J., Compliance & Risk Management
James Glenn Rankin
M.J., Compliance & Risk Management
Patrick Reilly
M.J., Compliance & Risk Management
Sara-Amber Otila Stegall
M.J., Compliance & Risk Management
Ethan C. Swain
M.J., Compliance & Risk Management
Joint Degree MPA
law school designation of honors *
highest honors
Thomas J. Armstrong III
Sarah Bigley
Michael J. Blankenship
Brooke De Noble
Andrew Fisher
Daniel Fournier, Jr.
Marie E. Gernes
William R. Keck
Rachel Alice Rozendaal
Alexander James Stegen
Kathryn Zack
high honors
Sarah Abu-Nameh
Ashley Beitelspacher
Katherine Christine
Chapman
Nicholas DeAngelo
Nicholas Downey
Margaret L. Garbin
Katherine Olivia
Greenwood
Eli Harris
Carter Hartman
Brigid Hecht
Jordan Heeter
John C. Humphrey
Wiley Hunt
Kathryn Husted
Zachary John Miller
Maxwell Oelmann
Kaylee Ranae Olivares
Anna Olson
Alicia Elizabeth Rupp
Katelyn Schmitz
Jebadiah Schwager
Kelsey J. Sissel
Rylie Smith
Jon Sterk
Samantha Stewart
Joseph Swinton
Abigayle R. Thomas
honors
Johnathan Bartholomew
Delaney K. Buisker
Corbin Cline
Karrecia Crawley
Jack Groepper
Wyatt J. Harlan
Abrielle Jean Luther
Gregory McGovern
Jacob Cozad McKinney
Micheal Milan
Tess Paxson
Lauren Danielle Ratliff
Mackenzie Elizabeth
Roberts
Pamela Sanders-Booker
Kaitlyn J. Scott
Kaille A. Simmons
Isaac O. Strohman
Ginger Thompson-Schulte
Mitchell Timm
Ryleigh Jane Travers
Isabelle Judith Webber
Mary Katherine H. Wille
* The degree may be conferred with “Highest Honors” upon a student who graduates in the top 10 of their graduating class, with “High Honors” upon a student whose final cumulative grade point average is 3.5 or above, but is not included in the top 10, and with “Honors” upon a student whose final cumulative grade point average is 3.25 to 3.49. A degree may be conferred “with honors” upon a student only if that student’s final cumulative grade point average places him or her in the top 40 percent of his or her class. The honors designations in the program are based upon grades earned through the Fall 2025 semester, without regard to the top 40 percent requirement and are subject to change based upon grades earned thereafter. This commencement program, therefore, does not constitute an official list of confirmed graduates or confirmed academic honors for the May 16, 2026, commencement at Drake University. Participation in the commencement ceremony does not signify that degrees and academic honors have been awarded unless all pertinent academic requirements have been met.
academic program certificates **
artificial intelligence certificate
Jack Terrence Norton
Kaylee Ranae Olivares
business law certificate
Sarah Abu-Nameh
Cameron Jean Annis
Thomas J. Armstrong III
Ali Kay Bestell
Matthew Clarke
Noah Ryan Crist
Brooke De Noble
Andrew Fisher
Daniel Fournier, Jr.
Brookelyn D. George
Meredith Thomas Gill
Gregory McGovern
Micheal Milan
Arturo Montes
Lauren Danielle Ratliff
Samantha L. Ruhland
Abigail E. Thompson
Allison M. Van
Spencer J. Warfield
Ryan Williams
Kathryn Zack
civil litigation and dispute resolution certificate
Joseph Swinton
constitutional law and civil rights certificate
Kayla Marie Dienberg
Mikayla Beate Ganan
Brookelyn D. George
Ryan Yian Lee
Zachary John Miller
Alicia Elizabeth Rupp
criminal law certificate
Marisa Anderson
Anne Matilda Archer
Sidnie Mae Baier
Katherine Christine Chapman
Corbin Cline
Karrecia Crawley
Katherine Olivia Greenwood
Mercedes Moriah Lundberg
Samantha Michalczyk
Mackenzie Elizabeth Roberts
Hannah Tedrow
food and agricultural law certificate
Julie Anderson
Andrew Fisher
Wyatt J. Harlan
Lyn Jensen
Ellen N. Phillips
Nicholas J. Romano
Jebadiah Schwager
Ryleigh Jane Travers
intellectual property law certificate
Cameron Jean Annis
Nicole Delores Frazier
Carter R. Holm
Jack Terrence Norton Katelyn Schmitz
international law and global citizenship certificate
Matthew Clarke
Meredith Thomas Gill
Zachary John Miller
Rachel Alice Rozendaal
legislative practice certificate
Julie Anderson
Kayla Marie Dienberg
Seth Jones
William R. Keck
Nicholas J. Romano
Rachel Alice Rozendaal
Kaille A. Simmons
Isaac O. Strohman
David Wade
Isabelle Judith Webber
public service certificate
RoxSanna Drew Allen
Ali Kay Bestell
Sarah Bigley
Katherine Christine Chapman
Corbin Cline
Daniel Fournier, Jr.
Carter Hartman
Brigid Hecht
Wiley Hunt
Lennon Janes
William R. Keck
Maci Ellen Kluesner
Abrielle Jean Luther
Zachary John Miller
Kaylee Ranae Olivares
Anna Olson
Tess Paxson
Nicholas J. Romano
Rachel Alice Rozendaal
Samantha L. Ruhland
Jon Sterk
Abigail E. Thompson
Allison M. Van
social justice and public interest lawyering certificate
Brigid Hecht
Lennon Janes
Anna Olson
Tess Paxson
** Students who complete a required set of courses and internships receive a certificate recognizing their area of specialization.
administration
Marty Martin, B.A., J.D., LL.M., President of the University
Roscoe Jones, Jr., B.S., J.D., Dean and Professor Law
Anthony J. Gaughan, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., J.D., Associate Dean and Kern Family Chair in Law and Professor of Law
John D. Edwards, B.A., J.D., M.A.L.S., Associate Dean for Information Resources and Technology, Director of the Law Library and Professor of Law
Elizabeth Battles, B.A., J.D., Assistant Dean for Student Services
Ashley R.A. Madsen, B.A., J.D., Director of Academic Success
J. Kara Blanchard, B.S., M.S., Assistant Dean for Admission and Financial Aid
Matt Johnson, B.S., B.S.B.A., M.P.A., Ph.D., Director of Admission and Financial Aid
Brianna Leistikow, B.A., Assistant Director of Admission and Diversity Initiatives
Laurie Dufoe, B.A., M.A., Assistant Dean of Career Development
Annie Reser-Moorehead, B.M., M.M, J.D., Director of Career Development
Lori Chappell, B.B.A., Director of External Relations (spring administrator)
Theresa Howard, B.A., M.A., Director of Communication, Alumni Relations and Special Events (fall administrator)
Andrea Solomon, B.A., M.P.A., Advancement Officer
faculty
James A. Albert, B.F.A., J.D., Professor of Law
Jerry L. Anderson, B.S., J.D., Richard M. and Anita Calkins Distinguished Professor of Law
Hon. Brent Appel (Ret.), B.A., J.D., Distinguished Lecturer and Jurist in Residence
Sayoko Blodgett-Ford, B.S., M.S., M.A., J.D., Sease Faculty Research Scholar and Associate Professor of Law
Alexandra Brennan, B.A., J.D., Reference and Instruction Librarian and Instructor of Law Librarianship
Hunter R. Clark, A.B., J.D., Professor of Law
Colleen Cullen, B.A., J.D., Director of the Criminal Defense Clinic and Assistant Professor of Law
Steven Foritano, B.A., J.D., Practitioner in Residence
Sally B. Frank, A.B., MAT/CLE, J.D., Professor of Law
Sydney Gangestad, B.A., J.D., Director of the Legislative Practice Center and Instructor of Law
Anthony J. Gaughan, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., J.D., Kern Family Chair in Law and Professor of Law
David B. Hanson, B.A., M.A.L.S., Collection Management and Metadata Librarian and Associate Professor of Law Librarianship
Kristi Harshbarger, B.A., J.D., Director of the Entrepreneurial and Transactional Clinic and Assistant Professor of Law
Christoph Henkel, J.D., LL.M., S.J.A., Professor of Law
Mark S. Kende, B.A., J.D., Director of the Constitutional Law Center, James Madison Chair in Constitutional Law and Professor of Law
Jeremy Kidd, B.A., Ph.D., J.D., Professor of Law
Erin C. Lain, B.A., J.D., Ph.D., Professor of Law
Rebecca A. Lutkenhaus, B.A., M.A., J.D., Reference and Instruction Librarian and Professor of Law Librarianship
Natalie Banta Lynner, B.S., J.D., Dwight D. Opperman Distinguished Professor of Law
Allison McCarthy, B.A., J.D., Director of the Refugee Clinic and Instructor of Law
Nickole Miller, B.A., J.D., Director of the Middleton Children’s Rights Center and Associate Professor of Law
Alexa Perez, B.A., J.D., Assistant Professor of Law
Suzan M. Pritchett, B.A., M.A., J.D., Director of Clinical and Experiential Programs and Professor of Law
Joe Schomberg, B.A., J.D., Assistant Professor of Law
Miguel Schor, B.A., M.A., J.D., Class of 1977 Distinguished Scholar and Professor of Law
Dean Strang, A.B., J.D., Director of the Institute for Justice Reform and Innovation
Danielle M. Shelton, B.A., J.D., Professor of Law
Karen L. Wallace, B.A., M.A., Circulation/Reference Librarian and Professor of Law Librarianship
Melissa H. Weresh, B.A., J.D., Dwight D. Opperman Distinguished Professor of Law and Herb and Karen Baum Chair of Ethics in the Profession
Ellen L. Yee, B.A., J.D., Director of International Programs and Professor of Law
Jennifer Zwagerman, B.S., J.D., LL.M., Director of the Agricultural Law Center and Associate Professor of Law faculty emeriti
James A. Adams, A.B., J.D., Professor Emeritus
Hon. Mark W. Bennett (Ret.), B.A., J.D., Former Director of the Institute for Justice Reform and Innovation
Andrea S. Charlow, A.B., J.D., LL.M., Professor Emeritus
Laurie Kratky Doré, B.A., J.D., Professor Emeritus
Matthew G. Doré, B.A., J.D., Professor Emeritus
Neil D. Hamilton, B.S., J.D., Professor Emeritus
Robert C. Hunter, B.A., J.D., Professor Emeritus
Suzanne J. Levitt, A.B., J.D., LL.M., Professor Emeritus
Russell E. Lovell II, B.B.A., J.D., LL.M., Professor Emeritus
David E. McCord, B.A., J.D., Professor Emeritus
Keith C. Miller, B.A., J.D., LL.M., Professor Emeritus
James R. Monroe, B.A., M.B.A., J.D., LL.M., Professor Emeritus
Robert R. Rigg, B.A., J.D., Professor Emeritus
Maura I. Strassberg, B.A., M.A., J.D., Professor Emeritus
Allan W. Vestal, B.A., J.D., Professor Emeritus
David S. Walker, B.A., J.D., Professor Emeritus
acknowledgment
Drake University and the Law School gratefully acknowledge the Law School Endowment Trust for its financial support of the Law School Commencement.
A reception will be held immediately following the Commencement Ceremony at the Courtside Club in Shivers Practice Facility. Refreshments will be provided. The graduates, their families and friends, alumni, faculty, staff, and other law students are cordially invited to attend the reception.
