Hastings College held its 139th Commencement on Saturday, May 17, 2025. During the ceremony, the College awarded degrees to 192 undergraduates and 10 Master of Arts in Teaching graduates. Graduates represented 19 states and 14 countries.
Baccalaureate photos are available here and are free to download; the video is here.
Commencement photos are available here and are free to download; the video is here.
The student speaker was graduating senior Tymia Thompson ‘25, a history & philosophy and political science double major from Nassau, The Bahamas. Named to the Who’s Who list during Honors Convocation, Thompson is a Dean’s List student who has been an active member of the Hastings College Choir and Choral Union, Pi Sigma Alpha, Phi Alpha Theta, Student Senate, student media and Black Student Alliance. A member of the Forensics team, Thompson has also served as a resident assistant, Campus Connect worker, campus tour guide and won the campus Big Idea competition.
Degree Recipients
Degree recipients are included below.
Graduation honors are awarded to those students with outstanding academic records in their undergraduate work. Degrees with distinction are awarded as follows: Summa Cum Laude, overall GPA of 3.97 or higher; Magna Cum Laude, overall GPA of 3.94 or higher; and Cum Laude, overall GPA of 3.85 or higher.
Students who graduated with High Distinction in their major(s) earned a 3.85-4.0 grade point average, while students awarded Distinction earned at least a 3.7 grade point average in their major(s).
Note: The order of the list below is Bachelor Degrees – United States, Bachelor Degrees – International, Master of Arts in Teaching – United States, Master of Arts in Teaching – International.
Listings are by state and city.
Bachelor Degrees – United States
Arizona
Casa Grande
Cynthia Lizbeth Chaparro Belloc — Exercise Science
Douglas
Isabel Shakira Tanabe — Cum Laude with Distinction in Chemistry
Glendale
Riley Suzanne Lanning — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in History & Philosophy and Psychology
Marana
Joshua Charles Hendrickson — With High Distinction in Exercise Science
Shania Monèt Santos — Psychology
Mesa
Tatum Walter Jelleberg — Computer Science
Queen Creek
Breanna Celine Jonaitis — Wildlife Biology
Sahuarita
Gabriel Escalera — History
Tucson
Olivia Nicole Gilbert — Health Systems
Tyler Joseph Welsh — Community Health & Wellness
Arkansas
Bentonville
Alyssa Morgan Baker — Biology
California
Glendora
Jack William Morton — With Distinction in Finance
Lone Pine
John Michael Shepherd — Business Administration, Marketing
Colorado
Arvada
MaraMay Kathryn Stone — Health Systems
Aurora
Tristyn Haley DiPentino — Psychology
Angel Marie Lizarraga — With High Distinction in Business Administration
Berthoud
Jonah Carl Doyle — With Distinction in Exercise Science
Broomfield
Elijah James Merritt — Business Administration
Castle Rock
Lauren Marie Schneider — Cum Laude with High Distinction in Health Systems
Dekota Kay Schubert — Biology
Centennial
Noah Ronald Sullivan — History
Craig
Joseph Hunter Smilanich — Business Administration
Denver
Sebastian Ivan Reese — Psychology
Bemnet Tesfa — With Distinction in Health Systems
Firestone
Allison Seery — Exercise Science
Fort Collins
Kaelyn Joyce Pontes — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Computer Science and Mathematics
Blake Vaughn — Finance
Fort Lupton
Alondra Anahi Becerra — Criminology
Georgetown
Kiefer Daz Zabel — Communication Studies
Golden
Maximilian Alexander Crosbie — Summa Cum Laude with Distinction in Business Administration
Thomas Wubin Jeffries — With Distinction in Business Administration and High Distinction in Political Science
Greeley
Tyler Wayne Call — Business Administration
Caitlin Janae Harr — Cum Laude with Distinction in Criminology
Claire Eunice Elaine Wiegert — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Business, Marketing & Information Technology Education and Secondary Education; Business Administration
Highlands Ranch
Vincent Edward Byrne — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Communication Studies
La Junta
Karl R Ludwig — Philosophy & Religion
Lakewood
Matthew Joseph Lucero — With Distinction in Finance
Jessica Desirae Strock — Health Systems
Rennick Macleod Turner — With Distinction in Chemistry
Littleton
Thomas William Hartman — Business Administration
Dylan Robert Otto — Cum Laude with Distinction in Business Administration
Loveland
Cecilia Marie Velarde — Magna Cum Laude with Distinction in Communication Studies and High Distinction in Marketing
Sedgwick
Darrien Lee Miller — Cum Laude with High Distinction in Business Administration and Distinction in Political Science
Sterling
Trey Michael Kuntz — Business Administration
Thornton
Elizabeth Grace Billings — Exercise Science
Savana Grace Kascak — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Political Science
Windsor
Dakota Lea Pritchard — With High Distinction in Art Education and Secondary Education
Florida
Fort Pierce
Henry Jones — Criminology
Idaho
Castleford
Zailee Sky Poulson — Exercise Science
Wilder
Savannah Renee Turner — With Distinction in Business Administration
Illinois
Bartlett
Xander Keith Salyers — Business Administration
Bloomington
DJ Lee Schroeder — With High Distinction in Exercise Science
Iowa
Missouri Valley
Alec Matthew Fichter — With High Distinction in Exercise Science
Monroe
Caleb Wayne Duinink — Magna Cum Laude with High Distinction in Criminology
Panora
Shey Lynn Storesund — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Sociology
Kansas
Arlington
Elizabeth Carroll Miller — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in History and Political Science
Cambridge
Logan Dean Braun — Business Administration, Finance
Lawrence
Grace Elizabeth Branson — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Exercise Science and Psychology
Liberal
Millyzient Mays McClure — Cum Laude with High Distinction in Mathematics, Physics
Olathe
Alexis Paige Linnebach — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Studio/Digital Art
Overland Park
Anya Olga Myers — Wildlife Biology
Smith Center
Alexandria Leann Schmidt — Studio/Digital Art, History
Topeka
Marissa Rai Patterson — Studio/Digital Art, Business Administration
Ulysses
Wyatt Lee Harland — Exercise Science
Winfield
Stephanie Lanae Bloyer — With High Distinction in English Language Arts Education and Secondary Education
Michigan
Oxford
Rory Michael Vince — Communication Studies
Paw Paw
Mariah Daniele Bradley — Business Administration
Missouri
Saint Joseph
John Austin — Business Administration
Keilan J Caton — Community Health & Wellness
Montana
Hardin
Nicole Ruth Green — Community Health & Wellness
Missoula
Heidi Michelle Sherman — Elementary Education
Nebraska
Alliance
Chloe Grace Blumanthal — Criminology
Alec Michael Garcia — Communication Studies
Bennington
Cullen Michael Buscher — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Accounting and Finance
Lauren Marie Buscher — Business Administration
Blair
Gunnar Lewis Ogle — Wildlife Biology, Exercise Science
Boys Town
Hannah Grace Stromer — With High Distinction in Health Systems
Brainard
Maria Sue DeBoer — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Music Performance
Broken Bow
Majesta Lee Valasek — With Distinction in Exercise Science
Central City
Grant Alexander Blodgett — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Business Administration and Marketing
Alyssa Jean Broman — With High Distinction in Studio/Digital Art
Charles Jackson McGinnis — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Elementary Education and Special Education
Tanner William Schneiderheinz — Business Administration
Columbus
Madison Grace Henderson — Biology
Crete
Victoria Gayle Vondra — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Biology
Culbertson
Torrington Abraham Ford — Exercise Science
Doniphan
Kyle Lukas Frederick — Business Administration
Elkhorn
Kaitlin Nicole Thiebauth — Magna Cum Laude with High Distinction in Health Systems
Elm Creek
Whitney Ann Bauer — Cum Laude with Distinction in Business Administration
Fremont
Abigail Claire Beeck — Wildlife Biology
Camden Charles McKenzie — With High Distinction in Elementary Education and Special Education
Nathan Paul Stinemates — Business Administration
Rea Nicole Weidemann — With High Distinction in Studio/Digital Art
Geneva
Claire Jannine Kimbrough — Magna Cum Laude with High Distinction in Accounting
Gering
Lily Sophia Teeple — Summa Cum Laude with Distinction in Business Administration and High Distinction in Marketing
Gibbon
Alissa Jeanette Bailey — Biology
Giltner
Eliana Grace Hogan — English Education, Secondary Education
Grand Island
Myah Danielle Brown — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Biology
Nicole Dawn Halsey — Magna Cum Laude with High Distinction in Elementary Education
Jackson Ryan Hansen — With Distinction in Exercise Science
Jaden Michael Jurgensmier — With Distinction in Exercise Science
Reid James Martinez — Exercise Science
Christian Wiegert — Biology
Gretna
Ansley Connolly — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Art Education and Secondary Education
Breken Christopher Heiman — Business Administration
Trent Nafzinger — Business Administration
Hampton
Melinda Johanna Montoya — Cum Laude with High Distinction in Studio/Digital Art and Marketing
Hastings
Julio Alejandro Carreto López — Community Health & Wellness
Kerisha Tiffany Darling — Biochemistry
Abby Engel — Health Systems
Chelsey Espinosa — Community Health & Wellness
Taylor Ann Esser — Mathematics
Shimar Sheffield Gibson — With Distinction in Computer Science
Katharine Grace Hamburger — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Elementary Education
Dulce Marisol Lopez — Biology
Janison Sean Majors — Theatre
Evan Christopher Morara — Exercise Science, Community Health & Wellness
Sara Ariel Pedroza — Health Systems
Connor Riepke Riley — With Distinction in Finance
Dacey Jean Sealey — Cum Laude with High Distinction in Psychology
Zachary Michael Sodorff — With Distinction in Business Administration and High Distinction in Finance
Nolan Michael Sughroue — With Distinction in Secondary Education; Business, Marketing & Information Technology Education
Maxxwell Steele Uecker — Marketing
Koltan Andrew Wademan — Business Administration
Olivia Rose Willy — Psychology, Sociology
Hayes Center
Addison Katheryn Broz — With High Distinction in Criminology
Kenesaw
Jaden Andrew Nehls — Health Systems
La Vista
Aynsley Suzanne Brink — Cum Laude with High Distinction in Theatre
Kara Dale Longe — With Distinction in Psychology
Amber Rose Renter — Cum Laude with High Distinction in Psychology
Lincoln
Morgan Marie Krinke — Wildlife Biology
Olivia Joyce Kugler — With High Distinction in Exercise Science
Mason Victor Masur — Business Administration
Litchfield
Lindsi Loos — Cum Laude with Distinction in Health Systems
Louisville
Cadance Stenger — Cum Laude with High Distinction in Health Systems
Martell
Elijah Lynn Heusinkvelt — Health & Physical Education, Secondary Education
McCook
Xander Dean Hazen — History
Isaiah Timothy Wiemers — Business Administration
Nebraska City
Renee Elizabeth Williams — With High Distinction in Studio/Digital Art
North Platte
Katelyn Ann Marie Bowers — Business Administration
Baylee Ann Duryea Evarts — Health Systems
Jackson William Lake — Health Systems
Jasmine Elena Smith — With Distinction in Spanish Education and High Distinction in Secondary Education
Omaha
Paul Avery Bierman — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Accounting and Business Administration
Grace Catherine Henry — Biology
June Robert Johnson Houlihan — Magna Cum Laude with High Distinction in Sociology
Shayna Lynn Larson — Psychology
Josephine Marie Parker — Business & Community Development
Brady Scheiding — Studio/Digital Art
Sophia Elizabeth Stevens — Health Systems
Saint Paul
Kaila Isabella Kaleolani Botts — Biology
Utica
Cooper Preston Gierhan — With Distinction in Business Administration
Verdigre
Gavin Chohon — Wildlife Biology
Walton
Miriam Elizabeth Miller — Cum Laude with High Distinction in Health Systems
Lauren Eve Stull — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Biology
Wauneta
Haylee Elizabeth Sandman — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Health & Physical Education and Secondary Education
Waverly
Anna Christine Bultman — Cum Laude with Distinction in English and High Distinction in Studio/Digital Art
Weeping Water
Nash Isaac Callahan — Criminology
Wood River
Kiernan Jerice Paulk — With High Distinction in Exercise Science
Yutan
Caden Scott Egr — Business Administration, Computer Science
Nevada
Carson City
Brandon David Engels — Business Administration
New Mexico
Fort Sumner
Jaylee Reece Bradley — Sociology
Roy
Riley Jo Clavel — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Business Administration and Exercise Science
New York
Oneida
Tanner Dager — Wildlife Biology
North Dakota
Bismarck
Jilee Ameila Golus — Criminology
Oregon
Beaverton
Ethan Wilborn — Community Health & Wellness
Texas
El Paso
Marcus Allen Nicholson — Community Health & Wellness
Fort Worth
Jaydon Cole Rogers — Communication Studies
Houston
Bruce Lewis — Psychology
Marble Falls
Nicholas Sergey Smeltzer — Wildlife Biology
Mesquite
Mackenzie Rose Reich — With High Distinction in Psychology, Computer Science
Sherman
Tabitha Elizabeth Wood — With Distinction in Business Administration
Bachelor Degrees – International
The Bahamas
Nassau
Jermaine Tarveas Francis Jr. — Health Systems
Dante Nicholas Johnson — Community Health & Wellness
Diashanell Devonia Juanita Rhiney — Business Administration
Isaiah Joel Strachan — With High Distinction in Psychology, Biology
Tymia Thompson — History & Philosophy, Political Science
Upper Bogue
Kyle Edward Vincent Collins — Cum Laude with High Distinction in Economics and Distinction in Mathematics
The Netherlands
Groningen
Casper Feijen — Criminology
Scotland
Livingston
Lewis Cameron Bowes — Business Administration
Serbia
Novi Sad
Danilo Matović — Computer Science
Spain
Girona
Júlia Vilanova-Bonvehí — With High Distinction in Exercise Science
Madrid
Mireia Del Val Fernández — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Business Administration, Economics and Finance
Nicaragua
Managua
Joshua Agustin Amaya Rodriguez — Business Administration, Computer Science
Mexico
Victoria
Pablo Arce Salinas — Business Administration
Monterrey
María Andrea García Elizondo — Magna Cum Laude with Distinction in Biochemistry
Italy
Biella
Alessandro Urlati — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Political Science
Denmark
Roskilde
Jackson Pedersen — With High Distinction in Studio/Digital Art, Biology
England
London
Joe Stefan Vokins — Exercise Science
Maidenhead
Ruben Kielty Bande — Business Administration
Stockton-On-Tees
Chayten Srai — Summa Cum Laude with High Distinction in Business Administration, Accounting
Warfield
Lewis Albert — Biology
Master of Arts in Teaching Graduates – United States
Colorado
Aurora
Nicholas Keith Moss — Master of Arts in Teaching – Business, Marketing & Information Technology Education
Berthoud
Isabel Rose Gittings — Master of Arts in Teaching – Special Education
Loveland
Elana Beth Gerhard — Master of Arts in Teaching – Elementary Education
Nebraska
Bennington
Kyleigh Boever — Master of Arts in Teaching – Special Education
Grand Island
Shiyue Wang — Master of Arts in Teaching – Math Education
Hastings
Margareth Alexia Collantes Choque — Master of Arts in Teaching – Biology Education
Master of Arts in Teaching Graduates – International
Canada
Ottawa
Gareth Luke — Master of Arts in Teaching – History Education
Chile
Santiago
Cristhofer Monje — Master of Arts in Teaching – Business, Marketing & Information Technology Education
South Africa
Johannesburg
Brendan Alexander Dally — Master of Arts in Teaching – Biology Education
Spain
Malaga
Matthew Stanley James — Master of Arts in Teaching – Health & Physical Education
Hastings College is a four-year residential college that focuses on student academic and extracurricular achievement. Discover more at hastings.edu.
