The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is conferring 3,680 degrees during commencement exercises May 3, 16 and 17.
Ceremony details | Livestream (begins 30 minutes before each ceremony | Full list of graduates | Program
The degrees were earned by 3,590 graduates from 57 countries, 46 U.S. states and 250-plus Nebraska communities.
“As students, you have raised our level of critical thinking and creative activity as a world-leading institution of higher learning, adding to the legacy of alumni who have earned their degrees at Nebraska,” Chancellor Rodney Bennett told the graduates in the morning ceremony May 17 at Pinnacle Bank Arena. “We are proud of you.”
Among the graduates May 17, he called special attention to chancellor's office interns Makenna Henning and Meredith Maassen; triplets Drew, Josh and Paige Ferguson; and Herbie Husker and Lil’ Red performers Brady Moylan and Ben Hastreiter.
‘Connections are what got me through’
Also graduating May 17 was Furqan Mahdi, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Systems Engineering.
Mahdi said relationships with a series of mentors fostered her growth throughout her college career. As she moves on to the next chapter, she wants to provide the same support and guidance to others.
“Connections are what got me through college,” she said.
Mahdi, a first-generation college student, grew up in Baghdad, Iraq, before moving at age 12 to Fargo, North Dakota, where she attended high school. Living in Baghdad when it wasn’t always safe to get an education, she said, helped her recognize how important education is.
“I realized it is such a privilege to be able to get educated, and when I was fortunate to come to the U.S., it was a goal for me to continue to take advantage of that privilege and help others,” she said.
Mahdi has worked on numerous research projects at the university, starting not long after she arrived in Lincoln. She participated in the First Year Research Experience program, Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research Experience, Nebraska INBRE program and most recently in the lab of Rebecca Wachs, adjunct associate professor of biological systems engineering.
In Wachs’ orthopedics lab, Mahdi developed a more timely and cost-effective method of analyzing macrophages to determine if they are pro- or anti-inflammatory without destroying the cell, which can be useful in a variety of scientific fields.
Mahdi was the first author on a paper about this method, which was published in the journal Cells Tissues Organ. She also received an award for the research at a national conference, the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists.
In moments when Mahdi questioned her abilities, her mentors became a support system and inspired her to continue working. She plans to attend the University of Minnesota Twin Cities this fall for graduate school. She hopes to pursue a career in higher education and eventually join the faculty at a university so she can include mentorship and instruction of the next generation in her work.
“If I did not have mentors who told me, ‘You can do it,’ I don’t think I would have made it this far,” she said. “Having that push from mentors was really important for me, and I would like to continue to do it with my mentees.” Read more.
‘The best decision I ever made’
Kai Waddell of Lincoln will receive a Bachelor of Science with distinction during the afternoon ceremony May 17.
A microbiology major, Waddell hurled himself into his classes and took on extra responsibilities as a freshman with an eye toward medical school, but following a study abroad experience, he realized he needed to slow down.
“Freshman me — he thought he had to do everything right away,” he said. “Thank goodness he was gung ho. I appreciate it because he got a lot done, but that was the thought I had — get everything done, fast.”
Eventually, through the support of his parents; mentor Lindsey Crawford, assistant professor of biochemistry; friends; and fellow undergraduate researchers, Waddell found a healthier balance. He continued his undergraduate research in Crawford’s lab, earning a spot in the National Institutes of Health’s INBRE Scholar Program, and spent a semester in South Africa.
And he started making more time to experience all that undergraduate life had to offer, from hanging out with friends regularly to attending football games.
Coming to Nebraska started as a financial decision, but Waddell reflected on all he has gained from the university.
“I think it was the best decision I ever made,” he said. “I've met a great group of friends. I have connections that will last a lifetime. And everybody at UNL was helping me succeed. When you have a support system like that — it absolutely has helped me do everything that I’ve been able to do, and I couldn’t be more thankful.”
With a healthier work-life balance in mind, Waddell will defer pursuing medical school for a year and work for a Wisconsin health care company. Read more.
‘That personal connection meant something’
Heather Haratsis, who earned a Juris Doctor on May 3, never imagined she’d spend the last three years in Nebraska.
A Fort Worth, Texas, native and Texas A&M alumna, she originally applied only to law schools in her home state. But a waived application fee — and a personal phone call from the University of Nebraska College of Law — changed everything.
“I always like to joke that luck brought me to Nebraska,” she said. “It was the only school that called to tell me I was accepted. That personal connection meant something. And once I visited, I fell in love with the community.”
Along the way, Haratsis found more than a legal education — she discovered a passion for litigation, built lifelong friendships and found a second home in Lincoln.
At Nebraska Law, she fully immersed herself in student life. She served as vice president of the third-year class’s Student Bar Association, contributed to the Nebraska Law Review and was a leader in the Inclusive Leadership Fellows program. She also helped launch the college's Nebraska Journal on Advancing Justice while serving on the board of another journal.
“I don’t like just sitting still,” she said. “And I was on a mission to give back to Nebraska Law everything it was giving to me.”
Haratsis will now clerk for Judge Michael W. Pirtle at the Nebraska Court of Appeals. She sees the opportunity as a moment to reflect, refine and grow before fully diving into civil litigation.
“I want to keep learning,” she said. “I want to get close to being the best brief writer, the best oral advocate I can be. Watching appellate arguments and reading briefs — that’s how I’ll keep getting better.” Read more.
Warm fuzzies
Left: Mallory Schuh and Alvan Tran pet Cash the therapy dog before the graduate and professional degree ceremony May 16 at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The graduates each earned a Master of Professional Accountancy. Top right: Jordan Ambrose yells back to family members during the ceremony. He earned a Master of Arts in journalism and mass communications. Bottom right: Charlotte Middleton (left), Sara Alfieri (center) and Dominique Ellis take a selfie onstage after the ceremony. They each earned a Master of Fine Arts. (Photos by Kristen Labadie/University Communication and Marketing)
Also graduating in May:
> Victoria Chin, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with highest distinction, whose experience in the Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management led to a full-time role with Microsoft.
> Tyler Hurst, Bachelor of Journalism, who ventured outside of his comfort zone at the university and landed a job with the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights.
> Dominick Naegele, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, who used a capstone project to help his hometown of Sidney, Nebraska.
> Baden Brumbaugh, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, who overcame severe animal allergies to pursue a veterinary career.
> Caden Simon, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with distinction and Bachelor of Science in Regional and Community Forestry with distinction, who forged a unique degree path among his graduating class.
The May graduating class earned 139 new Juris Doctor degrees, 523 other new graduate and professional degrees and 3,018 new baccalaureate degrees. The university has awarded 327,011 degrees since it was founded in 1869.
University Communication and Marketing staffers Troy Fedderson, Deann Gayman, Sean Hagewood and Kristina Jackson contributed to this article.
