The University of Nebraska–Lincoln conferred 1,149 degrees during commencement exercises Dec. 20 and 21 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Full list of graduates | Program | Photos
The degrees were earned by 1,132 graduates from 41 countries, 40 U.S. states and 150-plus Nebraska communities.
In his address during the undergraduate ceremony Dec. 21, Chancellor Rodney D. Bennett noted that many of the graduates started at the university during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Nevertheless, you persisted, earned your degrees and now possess the tools to contribute to communities all across the state of Nebraska and beyond,” he said. “Congratulations are always in order each commencement day, but today is notable because of your exceptional determination to persevere through extraordinary obstacles.”
Two honorary degrees were awarded during the graduate and professional degree ceremony Dec. 20: Ken M. Bird, longtime educator and founder of the nonprofit Avenue Scholars, received a Doctor of Education; and Marion LaVerne (Patton) Larmon, a 103-year-old Lincoln resident who attended the University of Nebraska from 1939 to 1941 but did not graduate, received a Doctor of Fine Arts.
Among the graduates Dec. 21 was Isabella Kessinger of Omaha, who earned a Bachelor of Science in nutrition and health sciences with highest distinction. She was recognized as a Chancellor’s Scholar for maintaining a 4.0 grade-point average on all collegiate work.
Childhood experiences and more than 900 volunteer hours in various health and child care settings are propelling her toward a career in medicine.
“I have celiac (disease), so going to the doctor from a young age was a regular part of my routine,” she said. “I’ve seen numerous doctors — both good and not so good — and the good ones really stuck out to me because of their ability to work with patients. They have a high level of education, training and intelligence, but they were also unique in the way they made active changes in patients’ lives.”
Kessinger will now turn her attention to finishing up medical school interviews, choosing a school and pursuing a longtime goal: living abroad. She will spend three months in Spain as an au pair and school volunteer.
“I have always wanted to spend some time in Europe,” she said. “I’ve always known that if I had any appreciable amount of time off, I wanted to go there. I definitely would have studied a semester abroad, if my coursework had allowed it, but being pre-med, it didn’t really work.”
Throughout college, Kessinger volunteered in hospice settings, with children in intensive care, at local elementary schools, in Nebraska 4-H programs and more. With the perspectives she has gained through these experiences, she has her eye on a career in pediatrics or family medicine, though she’s leaving her options open for now.
“I would like to have that kind of longitudinal care, getting to know my patients and working with them and building relationships,” she said. “I think that’s very important and probably not something you’d get in a hospital setting.” Read more.
Also graduating Dec. 21 was Sydney Linse, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication. She is the first to receive the degree as part of a new joint agreement between Nebraska and Chadron State College, and she said the program gave her an alternate path to her future career.
Under the 3+1 program, students can take three years at Chadron, transfer for one semester to UNL’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, then complete their student teaching in northwest Nebraska for their last semester.
Linse grew up on her family’s ranch near Springview, Nebraska, and participated in FFA at Keya Paha County High School. She said both of those experiences, along with her mother’s career as a teacher, inspired her to pursue a career in ag education.
“My direct connection to agriculture has played a big role in why I am so passionate about advocating for agriculture,” she said. “My goal is that every student will leave my classroom as an informed consumer so they can also advocate for agriculture.”
When Linse initially settled on a college path, she said she didn’t feel prepared to move straight from her hometown of about 250 people to Lincoln. She began her college career at Wayne State College to study elementary education. While she was there, she missed being involved in agriculture and decided to transfer to Chadron State College. Through this transition, she realized that she could combine her passions for agriculture and teaching.
A degree specializing in agriculture education was not available at Chadron State, so she got in touch with Matt Kreifels, associate professor of practice in agricultural leadership, education and communication, to explore a transfer. The new 3+1 program ended up being the perfect fit.
Linse student taught in Valentine, Nebraska, this fall, and she said she enjoyed experiencing the strong agriculture community in that town. She will work on her family’s ranch this spring while looking for jobs in ag education in north-central Nebraska.
Excited and feeling the love
Top left: Amanda Ottersberg of Lincoln wears a mortar board decorated by her preschool students during the graduate and professional degree ceremony Dec. 20 at Pinnacle Bank Arena. She earned a Master of Science. Bottom left: Heath Howard of Wylie, Texas, pumps his fist after receiving his Master of Arts. Right: Héctor de Jesús Palala Martínez of Guatemala smiles as he displays the phrase “Gracias Mama y Papa” before receiving his doctoral hood. (Craig Chandler and Jordan Opp/University Communication and Marketing)
Linse said she is most looking forward to connecting with students, her favorite part of student teaching. She said the 3+1 program allowed her a level of freedom she needed to get to the finish line of commencement.
“I think there are several students in the same shoes as me,” she said. “They don’t want to go to the university right away, so I think creating another option like Chadron State College is a great opportunity. We will always need more agriculture education teachers, and my hope is that this program will provide an opportunity for more agriculture education teachers to enter this amazing career field.”
Also graduating in December:
> Elli Richardson, Master of Professional Accountancy, who earned her second degree from the university in just two years and helped recruit future Huskers.
> Jordan Westenbroek, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with highest distinction, who honed her leadership and entrepreneurial skills at Nebraska and is graduating as a Chancellor’s Scholar.
> Luke Vie, Bachelor of Journalism, who grew as a journalist through his work for News Channel Nebraska and the Experience Lab’s Nebraska Nightly.
The December graduating class earned four new Juris Doctor degree, 306 other new graduate and professional degrees and 839 new baccalaureate degrees. The university has awarded 323,331 degrees since it was founded in 1869.
