|
Graduation Day
On May 5, 2002, Robert G. Duffett, president of Dakota Wesleyan University, conferred
degrees to 146 graduates during Commencement in the Corn Palace.
One hundred ten students received Bachelor of Arts degrees
in a variety of disciplines. Another 36 received Associate of Arts degrees in nursing,
criminal justice, business administration and general studies.
Please click on the small
"thumbnail" images below to view a larger photo.
 |
College sweethearts Brian Bomar and Renae
Hrbek, both of Madison, Neb., share a good-luck kiss before the ceremony. The couple plans
to marry and move to Terre Haute, Ind., where Hrbek will attend graduate school at Indiana
State University. |
|
 |
Susan Almjeld, music instructor, straightens
graduate Nancy Nedved's cap before the ceremony gets underway. Nedved, Mitchell, majored
in elementary education at Wesleyan and graduated summa cum laude. |
|
 |
U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., addresses the
Class of 2002. Johnson told graduates that a college degree can improve one's material
wealth, but there's more important things to life. "...And that's a strong family and
some role in building a stronger community." |
|
 |
Dr. Gloria Leonard, associate professor of
education and psychology, embraces graduate Shirley Dreyer, an elementary education major
from Winner. |
|
 |
Education is a family affair. Graduates Ray
and Dawn Peterson, Deer Lodge, Mont., celebrate with their 4-year-old daughter, Breanna. |
|
 |
Dean Russell Willis stands with graduates
Paula Larson of Flandreau, Danita Thomas of Kimball and April Larson of De Smet. April
Larson received the Bishop Armstrong Peace and Justice Award at Baccalaureate earlier in
the day. |
|
 |
Dan Nelson, senior class president, practices
his speech once more before Commencement. |
|
 |
Cedrick Wright's family couldn't make the
trip from Miami for his graduation so he did the next best thing and called them. His
family was able to hear his name being called and shared his joy through his cell phone. |
|
 |
Collette Punt of Mitchell, Sarah Newton of
Highmore, and Lindi Meyer of Hyannis, Neb., are this year's female graduates from the
sports medicine with athletic training concentration program. |
|
 |
Vladimir Micic of Sarajevo leaves the stage
after receiving his degree. During his years at Wesleyan, Micic spoke out about the
troubles that plague his country and brought a new perspective to life on campus. |
|
 |
This year's Miss Wesleyan and Scotchman pose
with DWU President Bob Duffett. Paula Larson of Flandreau is the 73rd Miss Wesleyan
and Dan Nelson of Irene is the 64th Scotchman. |
|
 |
Graduates Connie Souhrada, Louie
Schoenfelder, Carol Riggen and Ruth Rice listen as Sen. Johnson addresses the graduating
class. All four students received Associate of Arts degrees. Nontraditional students are
part of every Commencement ceremony at Wesleyan. |
|
 |
Ruth Blume Rice ex'44, AA'02 receives her
degree during Commencement ceremonies. Rice began as a student at DWU during World War II,
and received her associate's degree half a century later. The morning of graduation, she
made an appointment with the dean to talk about a bachelor's degree program. She lives in
Memphis, Tenn. |
Dakota Wesleyan University
1200 W. University Ave
Mitchell, SD 57301
800-333-8506 |
