Commencement Program
PROCESSIONAL
“Pomp and Circumstance” by Edward Elgar/arr. James Coull
SDSU Symphonic Band
Jacob Wallace, D.M.A., Director
Kevin Kessler, D.M.A., Director
THE NATIONAL ANTHEM
“Star Spangled Banner” By Francis Scott Key/Arr. James Coull
SDSU Symphonic Band
Jacob Wallace, D.M.A., Director
Kevin Kessler, D.M.A., Director
INTRODUCTIONS
David L. Chicoine, Ph.D., President Of The University
HONORARY MARSHALS
Ruth Harper, Ph.D., Professor, Counseling and Human Development
RL Erion, Ph.D., Professor, Teaching, Learning and Leadership
RECOGNITION OF LEADERSHIP TO SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
David L. Chicoine, Ph.D., President Of The University
COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
“#YourFutureHealth”
David Pearce, Ph.D.,
President, Sanford Research
COMMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE GRADUATING CLASS
Valerie Kleinjan, Counseling and Human Resource Development
PRESENTATION OF GRADUATE CLASS
Kinchel Doerner, Dean of the Graduate School
CONFERRING OF DEGREES AND PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS
David L. Chicoine, Ph.D., President of the University
and College Deans
RECESSIONAL
“Academic Recessional” By James Coull
SDSU Symphonic Band
Jacob Wallace, D.M.A., Director
Kevin Kessler, D.M.A., Director
International Sashes
International graduates participating in today’s commencement ceremonies are wearing sashes that allow them to proudly
represent their countries. The colors within each sash represent the colors of their nation’s flag.
1
David Pearce, Ph.D.
Guest Speaker
An active researcher on juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, or Batten disease, David Pearce
is Sanford Health’s president of research.
Pearce, who started his research on the disease in 1997, has published more than 100 papers
on the topic. He also oversees a national registry for rare diseases known as the Coordination
of Rare Diseases at Sanford. He has served on numerous National Institutes of Health review
committees, has organized rare disease workshops for the National Institute for Neurological
Disorders and Stroke arm of the NIH and is currently a member of the executive committee for
the International Rare Diseases Research Consortium.
In his role at Sanford, he is responsible for overseeing the development of research programs
that impact patients. In the current era of personalized medicine, we are learning to apply
genetics and genomics to an understanding of the “human genome” and how all 3.2 billion
letters of this DNA code relates to our health and predisposition to certain health conditions. With
this information, additional treatment options often termed clinical trials are provided on top of
standard of care to patients.
Pearce completed his undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree with honors in biological
sciences at Wolverhampton Polytechnic in 1986. He gained his doctorate of philosophy in 1990
at the University of Bath in the United Kingdom and did postdoctoral training at the University of
Rochester and Oxford University.
2
Valerie Kleinjan
Guest Speaker
Being busy is second nature for Valerie Kleinjan. After earning a master’s degree in
communication studies from State in 2014, she started pursuing a master’s degree in counseling
and human resource development. These academic pursuits came following her bachelor’s
degree in psychology while starting as the point guard for Northwestern College’s three-straight
NAIA Division II national champion teams.
Kleinjan has been a graduate teaching assistant for the College of Education and Human
Sciences, the Van D. and Barbara B. Fishback Honors College and the Department of
Communication Studies and Theatre. She has taught Speech 101 (classroom and online), FirstYear Seminar, Interdisciplinary Group Processes, and Honors Lifespan Development. In addition
to her teaching duties, she also is a coach for LeadState, coordinated the Fishback Honors
College Peer Mentoring Program and developed mental health workshops for the Fishback
Honors College.
Kleinjan, who has accepted an instructor position in the Department of Counseling and Human
Development, hopes to continue her teaching career and be a strong advocate for collegiate
student mental health.
She is the daughter of Russ and Barb Kleinjan. Her father farms near Lake Oakwood and her
mother is a lecturer for communication and Honors courses. Her brother, Andy, also a State
graduate, teaches and coaches basketball at Harrisburg High School.
3
Ruth Harper, Ph.D.
HONORARY MARSHAL
B.A., CORNELL COLLEGE, 1973
M.ED., UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-OSHKOSH, 1977
PH.D., KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY, 1987
One who treasures the ongoing relationships with her students, Ruth Harper will step away from
her full-time academic career later this year.
A professor in counseling and human development at State, Harper has delivered more than 50
national invited or refereed presentations on college student mental health and Native American
student success. Her talks have taken her to China and allowed her to receive many honors.
The American College Personnel Association has awarded her its Annuit Coeptis Award for
meaningful mentoring over many years while that organization’s Native American Indigenous
Network honored her with the Danielle Terrance Award “for courage and perseverance in
advancing Native American Higher Education.”
At State, Harper has received the following: the Award for Scholarship in 1999, 2003, 2007 and
2011; the Excellence in Teaching Award in 2000 and 2009; the Graduate School Teacher of the
Year by the Students’ Association in 2010 and the Outstanding Advisor Award in 2014. She also
presented Sewrey Lectures in 2000 and 2016.
She is the first author on “More Than Listening: A Casebook for Using Counseling Skills in
Student Affairs Work,” co-authored “Assisting Students with Disabilities,” and recently submitted
a manuscript on the topic of pedagogy skills for student affairs professionals in a variety of
contexts.
Harper earned a B.A. from Cornell College (Iowa), an M.Ed. at the University of WisconsinOshkosh, and a Ph.D. from Kansas State University. Before beginning her faculty career
at SDSU, Harper worked as a counselor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and as an
administrator at Nebraska Wesleyan University.
Dr. Harper advises Chi Sigma Alpha, the honor society in student affairs professional
preparation. For many years, she has co-advised SDSU’s Gay-Straight Alliance and served on
the Tiospaye Council of the American Indian Education & Culture Center. She has chaired or
served on innumerable search committees, as well as a large number of standing committees at
SDSU.
Ruth treasures ongoing relationships with her current and former students, follows their careers
and lives with interest, and delights in their many successes. She will retire from SDSU August 1,
and will continue part-time at SDSU next year, working with a project to expand American Indian
graduate education.
4
RL Erion, Ph.D.
HONORARY MARSHAL
B.S. INTER AMERICAN UNIVERSITY, 1972
M.A.ED. INTER AMERICAN UNIVERSITY, 1975
PH.D. TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY, 1985
After teaching in the teacher education and graduate education programs at South Dakota for
31 years, Ralph Erion will retire following the Spring 2016 semester. He has taught educational
technology, assessment and research-related courses at State and was one of its earlier
implementers of online education.
In addition to teaching, Erion led the Department of Educational Leadership from 1995-1999 and
oversaw the creation of an English as a New Language endorsement program. He remained
actively involved in that program for a number of years.
Erion earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from InterAmerican University in Puerto Rico
before obtaining his doctorate from Texas A&M University. He is a member of Phi Delta Kappa.
5
South Dakota Board of Regents
Honorable John W. Bastian
Honorable Randy Schaefer
President
Honorable Harvey C. Jewett
Honorable Bob Sutton
Vice President
Honorable Kathryn Johnson
Honorable Kevin Schieffer
Secretary
Honorable Pam Roberts
Honorable Jim Morgan
Honorable Joseph Schartz
Student Regent
Michael G. Rush
Executive Director and CEO
General Administration
David L. Chicoine, Ph.D.
President
Laurie Stenberg Nichols, Ph.D.
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Mary Kay Helling, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
Michael Adelaine, Ph.D.
Vice President for Information Technology & Safety
Kathleen Fairfax, M.A
Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs:
International and Outreach
Kevin D. Kephart, Ph.D.
Vice President for Research & Economic Development
Dean Kattelmann, M.S.
Assistant Vice President for Facilities and Services
Douglas Wermedal, Ph.D.
Interim Vice President for Student Affairs
Jeff Siekmann, M.B.A.
Assistant Vice President for Finance and Business
Wesley G. Tschetter, M.B.A.
Vice President for Finance and Business
Sam Jennings II, Ph.D.
Dean of Students
James Doolittle, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President for Research
Aaron Aure, Ph.D.
Director of Enrollment Services
Deans
Lewis F. Brown, Ph.D.
Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering
Dennis Hedge, Pharm.D.
College of Pharmacy
Keith W. Corbett, Ed.D.
University College
Timothy Nichols, Ph.D.
Van D. and Barbara B. Fishback Honors College
Kinchel C. Doerner, Ph.D.
Graduate School
Dennis R. Papini, Ph.D.
College of Arts and Sciences
Barry H. Dunn, Ph.D.
College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences
Jill M. Thorngren, Ph.D.
College of Education and Human Sciences
Nancy Fahrenwald, Ph.D.
College of Nursing
Kristi M. Tornquist, Ph.D.
Chief University Librarian
6
The Ceremonial Mace
The Ceremonial Mace is traditionally carried by a university marshal at all
formal academic occasions. The staff, which stands thirty-six inches high
from top to bottom, is made of walnut with a mahogany finish. It is trimmed
in 14k plated gold. At the top of the Mace is the great seal of South Dakota
State University. The engraved inscription reads “South Dakota State
University founded 1881.” The Mace was presented to the University as a
gift from the SDSU Alumni Association and was used for the first time at
President Peggy Gordon Miller’s inauguration, September 19, 1998.
The Ceremonial Mace has an ancient history as a symbol of authority.
In medieval times it was a studded,clublike weapon, made of iron and
capable of breaking armor. It became associated with the protection of
the king in France and England and was carried by the king’s sergeant-atarms. In the thirteenth century it was used for civil purposes and figured in
the processions of city mayors and other dignitaries. Eventually the Mace
became a symbol also for academic institutions, an emblem of order and
authority in the pageantry of ceremonial occasions.
The University
Presidential Medallion
The University Presidential Medallion, a traditional symbol of authority of the
Office of the President, is a 14k gold replica of the University Seal, is three
inches in diameter, and is cast as a single piece.
The reverse side of the Medallion is engraved with the names the University
has formally held since its inception: Dakota Agricultural College, 1884-1889;
South Dakota Agricultural College, 1890-1907; South Dakota State College
of Agricultural and Mechanic Arts, 1907-June 30, 1964; and South Dakota
State University, July 1, 1964-Present.
The University Presidential Medallion was designed by Sioux Falls artist
Jurek Jakowicz and was presented as a gift to the University by the SDSU
Foundation. The Medallion is part of the University’s heritage and will pass
to future presidents. It is traditionally worn by the University president at
important ceremonial occasions.
7
Conferring of Graduate Degrees
Spring 2016
President David L. Chicoine, Ph.D.
The Candidates Will Be Presented By
Kinchel C. Doerner, Ph.D.
Dean of the Graduate School
Doctor of Philosophy
Amadou Dieye, Geospatial Science & Engineering
Major Advisor: David Roy
Dissertation: Land Cover, Land Use, Change, and Soil Organic Carbon
under Climate Variability in the Semi-Arid West African Sahel (19602050)
Chowdhury Abdullah, Pharmaceutical Sciences
Major Advisor: Omathanu Perumal
Dissertation: Role of T Lymphocytes Trafficking in Diabetic
Cardiomyopathy
Ishwary Acharya, Biological Sciences
Major Advisor: David Casper
Dissertation: Three Overlooked Issues: Water Quality, Forage Quality,
and Forage Blends Impacting the Feed Efficiency of Dairy Cows
†Hytham Elbohy, Electrical Engineering
Major Advisor: Qiquan Qiao
Dissertation: Urea Pre-Treatment of some N-Type Metal Oxides for
High Efficient and Cost Effective Counter Electrodes of Dye Sensitized
Solar
Sajag Adhikari, Plant Science
Major Advisor: Senthil Subramanian
Dissertation: Transcriptional and Post-Transcriptional Regulation of
Root Nodule-Specific Gene Expression in Soybean
Enifome Eto, Sociology
Major Advisor: Diane Kayongo-Male
Dissertation: Government Policy and Initiatives on Maternal Mortality
Reduction in Nigeria
Guoqiang Ai, Pharmaceutical Sciences
Major Advisor: Jayarama Bhat Gunaje
Dissertation: Novel Cellular Targets of Aspirin in Chemoprevention
Nuria Garcia-Fernandez, Biological Sciences
Major Advisor: Sanjeev Anand
Dissertation: Role of Exopolymeric Substances in Biofilm Formation on
Dairy Separation Membranes
†Siddhi Bhusal, Plant Science
Major Advisors: David Wright & Jose Gonzalez
Hooding: Jose Gonzalez
Dissertation: Identification and Mapping of Soybean Aphid Resistance
Loci in Early Maturing Soybean Germplasm Accessions
†Ashim Gurung, Electrical Engineering
Major Advisor: Qiquan Qiao
Dissertation: Engineering of Photo-Rechargeable Energy Storage
Ananya Biswas, Biological Sciences
Major Advisor: Lloyd Metzger
Hooding: Sanjeev Anand
Dissertation: Impact of Cheese Colorants and Coagulants on the
Physicochemical Functional and Rheological Characteristics of Natural
and Process Cheese
Adam Janke, Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences
Major Advisor: Joshua Stafford & Michael Anteau
Dissertation: A Physiological Assessment of Wetland Habitats for
Spring-Migrating Ducks in the Agricultural Landscapes of the Southern
Prairie Pothole Region
†Eric Boakye, Chemistry
Major Advisor: Douglas Raynie
Dissertation: Lignin Transformation and Characterization of Pyrolytic
Products
†Tylor Johnson, Biological Sciences
Major Advisor: William Gibbons
Dissertation: Enhancing the Industrial Potential of Filamentous
Cyanobacteria
Robin Brown, Nursing
Major Advisor: Kay Foland
Hooding: Linda Herrick
Dissertation: Determining the Relationship Among Change Fatigue,
Resilience, and Job Satisfaction of Hospital Staff Nurses
†Cynthia Johnson-Edler, Chemistry
Major Advisor: James Rice
Dissertation: Self-Assembled Architecture of Natural Organic Matter
†Praveena Kanchupati, Biological Sciences
Major Advisor: Yajun Wu
Dissertation: Expression Analysis of Genes Involved in Abiotic Stress
Response and Flowering Time Control in Plants
Santosh Chalise, Electrical Engineering
Major Advisor: Reinaldo Tonkoski
Dissertation: Power Management of Remote Microgrids Considering
Battery Lifetime
†Bishal Kasu, Sociology
Major Advisor: Guangqing Chi
Hooding: Mary Emery
Dissertation: The Impact of Freight Rail on Regional Development in
the United States, 1970-2010
†Ghana Challa, Biological Sciences
Major Advisor: Wanlong Li
Dissertation: Genome and Transcriptome Analysis of Important Traits
in Wheat and Soybean Using Next Generation Sequencing Technology
8
† Indicates subsequent semester graduation candidate
†John Kiratu, Chemistry
Major Advisor: Douglas Raynie
Dissertation: Use of Response Surface Methodology Experimental
Approach in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction of Essential Oils
†Jarrett Pfrimmer, Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences
Major Advisor: Joshua Stafford
Dissertation: An Integrated Evaluation of the Conservation Reserve
Enhancement Program in South Dakota
Julie Kittelsrud, Nursing
Major Advisor: Barbara Hobbs
Dissertation: Depression Outcomes in Care Coordination, Primary
Care, and Psychiatry Patients after Pharmacogenetic Testing
Jon Pretz, Biological Sciences
Major Advisor: David Casper
Dissertation: Improving Feed Efficiency Through Forage Strategies for
Increasing Dairy Profitability and Sustainability
†Neeh Lhayea, Sociology
Major Advisor: Jacob Jantzer
Dissertation: Application of Routine Activities Theory to the Study of
Residential Armed Robbery in Ghana
Changling Qiu, Chemistry
Major Advisor: Douglas Raynie
Dissertation: Use of Extraction Technologies in Food Safety Studies
Kelli Rolfsmeyer, Sociology
Major Advisor: Donald Arwood
Dissertation: Identity Theory and Women’s Choice of Medical
Specialties
Zhengpeng Li, Geospatial Science & Engineering
Major Advisor: Shuguang Liu
Dissertation: Simulating the Impacts of Land-Use Land-Cover Changes
on Cropland Carbon Fluxes in the Midwest of the United States
Erik Lindquist, Geospatial Science & Engineering
Major Advisor: Michael Wimberly
Dissertation: Monitoring Global Forest Land-Use and Change
†Logan Sanow, Chemistry
Major Advisor: Cheng Zhang
Dissertation: Mechanistic Studies of the Structure-Photostability
Relationship of Organic Conjugated Polymers
Umesh Lohani, Agricultural, Biosystems, & Mechanical Engineering
Major Advisor: Kasiviswanathan Muthukumarappan
Dissertation: Understanding the Impact of Non-Thermal Processing
and CO2 Assisted Extrusion on Antioxidant, Textural, and Functional
Properties of Corn, Sorghum, and Apple Pomace Based Extrudates
†Marcia Scherer, Nursing
Major Advisors: Linda Herrick & Lynnette Stamler
Dissertation: The Learning Experiences of Immigrants Who Have
Graduated from an Entry-Level Baccalaureate Nursing Program in
Minnesota
†Angela Manthey, Biological Sciences
Major Advisor: Jill Anderson
Dissertation: Growth Performance, Nutrient Utilization, and Metabolic
Profile of Dairy Heifers Fed Diets High in Distillers Grains with Different
Forage to Concentrate Ratios
†Umit Shrestha, Sociology
Major Advisor: Meredith Redlin
Dissertation: Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Mainstreaming
within Ministry of Urban Development in Nepal: Representation of a
New Concept or Re-Presentation of an Old Concept in a New Package?
†Jerry Mensah, Biological Sciences
Major Advisor: Heike Bucking
Dissertation: Cooperation & Punishment in the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal
Symbiosis: Implications for Resource Exchange & Biological Market
Dynamics
Sushil Singh, Agricultural, Biosystems, & Mechanical Engineering
Major Advisor: Kasiviswanathan Muthukumarappan
Dissertation: Understanding the Effect of Extrusion Processing
Parameters on Physical, Nutritional, and Rheological Properties of Soy
White Flakes Based Aquafeed in a Single Screw Extruder
Anton Mighty, Sociology
Major Advisor: Diane Kayongo-Male
Dissertation: Causes of Alienation among Black Students at a
Predominantly White University
†Christopher Solis Ocampo, Biochemistry
Major Advisor: David Cartrette
Dissertation: Activation of the Cardiac Thin Filament by Myosin
Milton Thomas, Biological Sciences
Major Advisor: Radhey Kaushik
Dissertation: Swine Influenza Virus: Innate Immune Responses and
Vaccine Development
†Thumbiko Mkandawire, Plant Science
Major Advisor: Karl Glover
Dissertation: The Efficacy of Allopurinol Compound in Suppressing
Hypersensitive-Reaction Like Symptoms in a Lesion Mimic Line of
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and in suppressing Sunflower Rust
(Puccinia helianthi) Disease Development in Sunflower (Helianthus
annuus L.) Near Isogenic Lines (NILs)
Yang Yang, Pharmaceutical Sciences
Major Advisor: Xiangming Guan
Dissertation: Benzofurazan Sulfides as Fluorogenic Reagents for Thiol
Quantification Through Flurescence Microscopy
Maria Moutsoglou, Biochemistry
Major Advisor: David Cartrette
Dissertation: A FRET Investigation into Molecular Mechanisms of
Cardiac Troponin Activation in Reconstituted Thin Filaments
Kari Peterson, Chemistry
Major Advisor: Jihong Cole-Dai
Dissertation: Perchlorate Variations Over 300-Years: Influence of
Human Activities, Volcanic Eruptions, and Bolide Events
† Indicates subsequent semester graduation candidate
9
Doctor of Nursing Practice
The Candidates Will Be Presented By
Nancy Fahrenwald, Ph.D.
Dean of the College
Michelle Ahnberg
Major Advisor: Cynthia Elverson
Doctor of Pharmacy
The Candidates Will Be Presented By
Dennis Hedge, Pharm.D.
Dean of the College
Tyler Aldren
Cassandra Dirks
Sungha Joshua Kim
Jenna Ryan
Stacy Lynn Anderson
Leah Eckstein
Jessica J. Klehr
Bethany Saffert
William Anderson
Eddy Ekobena
Hubert John Lahr
Josh Satlak
Cody Michael Baker
Kelsey R. Eneboe
Lynsee Rae Lanners
Hilary Ann Schilla
Laura Gail Bakker
Amanda Faye Felten
Claire C. Larson
Angela Schultz
Cynthia Bartha
Rose Fitzgerald
Mindy Lucklum
Dawn Schuster
Colton Lee Bass
Andrea Lee Flanagan
Laura Lee Martin
Alyson Ann Schwebach
Tyler Bertsch
Jared Paul Gilliland
Cody Maxwell
Stacy Jo Senske
Kaitlin Marie Bottelberghe
Kassandra M. Grimes
Larissa Kay Miller
Mollie Regien Sloot
Bryan James Bower
Keith Gunn
Kevin David Nelson
Mikaela Smedsrud
Haylee Marie Brodersen
Mindy Hanten
Janelle Lynn Nissen
Mindy Sue Stewart
McKenzie Bruer
Megan Patricia Heyer
Patrick J. Novak
Dylan Stoebner
Nicholas Buschette
Brandon David Hubert
Amber Rose Olson
Emily Joy Swanson
Mackenzie Byron
Kayla Jeanne Huls
Ashley Elizabeth Pederson
Jacquelyn N. Thomas
Rachel Eddy-Byrum
Haleigh Ann Hunsucker
Wesley J. Pederson
Katherine Belle Tierney
Catherine Creech
Kiley Hyland
Chelsy Podoll
Briana Van Noort
Sarah Marie Dady
Amanda Janisch
Emily Ann Rogers
Chance D. Wachholtz
Brittney Kay Dandurand
Katherine Marie Kaufman
Bradley Rotert
Kyle Weiss
Lauren Dartois
Scott Kelley
Alyson Rose Ryan
Brittany Williams
10
Conferring of Master’s Degrees
President David L. Chicoine, Ph.D.
College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences
The Candidates Will Be Presented By
Barry Dunn, Ph.D.
South Dakota Corn Utilization Council Endowed Dean
Krishna Acharya, Plant Science
Tyler Holmquist, Economics
†Sarah Adams Inkoom, Economics
†Chad Kaiser, Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences
Ashley Adamski, Biological Sciences
†Todd Kaufman, Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences
†Abidemi Akinyemi, Economics
Pramod Khadka, Biological Sciences
†Mani Awale, Plant Science
Jeremy Kientz, Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences
†Sara Berg, Plant Science
†Kyle Kopplin, Economics
Albara Binothman, Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences
John Lorenzen, Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences
†Ethan Blom, Animal Science
Jigyasha Mishra, Biological Sciences
Henry Brown, Economics
†Emmalee Northrop, Animal Science
Jesse Cameron, Plant Science
Martha Ohnstad, Biological Sciences
†Shuvo Chakraborty, Economics
†Charlotte Owusu-Smart, Economics
†Ahmed Charif, Plant Science
Stephanie Perkins, Animal Science
Md Niaz Chowdhury, Economics
†Prakash Poudel, Biological Sciences
†Ryann Cressey, Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences
†Archibold Quaye, Economics
Bibha Dahal, Biological Sciences
†William Radigan, Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences
†Tyrel Deutscher, Biological Sciences
†Saroop Sandhu, Plant Science
†Maverick Fiene, Animal Science
Nicholas Schiltz, Plant Science
†Thomas Fishback, Economics
†Vivek Shrestha, Biological Sciences
†Kelly Froehlich, Biological Sciences
Melinda Sommer, Economics
Jesse Fulton, Animal Science
Kristin Sternhagen, Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences
†Victor Garrett, Biological Sciences
†Munia Sunjid, Economics
†Heather Gessner, Economics
†Janine Swartz, Animal Science
Dustin Grossbier, Biological Sciences
†Gregory Thompson, Biological Sciences
†Abiskar Gyawali, Biological Sciences
Michaellong Tran, Biological Sciences
†Kyle Hain, Biological Sciences
Brandon Tycz, Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences
†Nina Herrera, Biological Sciences
† Indicates subsequent semester graduation candidate
11
College of Arts and Sciences
The Candidates Will Be Presented By
Dennis Papini, Ph.D.
Dean of the College
Olivia Bellamy, Mass Communication
Sulaiman Mustafa, Architecture
Daniel Bilka, Architecture
†Elizabeth Nayebare, Rural Sociology
Natasha Bordeaux, Communication Studies & Journalism
Thomas Odeen, Sociology
Priyanka Chatterjee, Sociology
†Matthew Pullen, English
Shaun Davis, Architecture
Aaron Quinley, Sociology
Jennifer Dobias, Communication Studies & Journalism
†Anthony Reiss, Mass Communication
†Julia Easton, Mass Communication
Sushmita Shrestha, Architecture
†Christopher Giese, Chemistry
Mandira Sigdel Phuyal, Geography
†Joshua Grover, Chemistry
Brian Skrovig, Architecture
Alex Krug, Architecture
Thomas Squires, Architecture
Li Li, Sociology
Sarah Stertz, Sociology
Nujud Maslamani, Chemistry
Benjamin Stout, Communication Studies & Journalism
†Francey McOwen-Standart, Sociology
Dana Strong, English
†April McPherson, Chemistry
Jacob Urban, Architecture
Randi Mihajlovic, English
Joshua Wagner, Architecture
Brandon Milam, Chemistry
Jeanette Wallace, Chemistry
Emile Milam, Chemistry
Garrett Walter, Architecture
College of Education and Human Sciences
The Candidates Will Be Presented By
Jill Thorngren, Ph.D.
Dean of the College
Joseph Albert, Sport & Recreation Studies
Alyson Drooger, Nutrition, Exercise, & Food Science
Rehab Ali, Curriculum & Instruction
†Shanda Easley, Human Sciences
Rachael Anello, Sport & Recreation Studies
Jonathan Elm, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Vincent Benedetto, Sport & Recreation Studies
Robert Essig, Educational Administration
Sara Berreth, Dietetics
Jill Flegel, Human Sciences
Jennifer Botsch, Counseling & Human Resource Development
†Berlyn Ghost, Counseling & Human Resource Development
†Cassie Brewer, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Holly Hafemeyer, Nutrition & Exercise Science
†Andrea Brown, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Benjamin Hasche, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Lindsey Carmon, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Jeffrey Hegge, Educational Administration
Jodi Carr, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Brittany Henry, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Melissa Cole, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Asha Hertler, Counseling & Human Resource Development
†Amy Cook, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Alicia Hibbison, Counseling & Human Resource Development
†Krista Creager, Nutrition, Exercise, & Food Science
†Alex Jardine, Nutrition & Exercise Science
Erik Curry, Athletic Training
Wanda Jeffcoat, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Robert Daigle, Nutrition, Exercise, & Food Science
Jessica Jencks, Human Sciences
Sara Damjanovic, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Karen Johnson, Educational Administration
Molly Davis, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Anne-Marie Junker, Human Sciences
Shelby Dilla, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Andrew Kandell, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Deanna Dowlin, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Harriet Kandell, Counseling & Human Resource Development
12
† Indicates subsequent semester graduation candidate
Gungeet Kaur, Nutrition, Exercise, & Food Science
Mara Riedel, Nutrition, Exercise, & Food Science
†Joyce Kepford, Educational Administration
†Jason Rockwell, Human Sciences
Hope Kleine, Nutrition, Exercise, & Food Science
Ray Rothe, Educational Administration
Valerie Kleinjan, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Jason Ruppelt, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Lara Langelett, Counseling & Human Resource Development
†Derek Schmidt, Counseling & Human Resource Development
†Heather Larsen, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Carrie Schwing, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Amanda Makley, Counseling & Human Resource Development
†Gregory Seefeldt, Educational Administration
Marissa Mann, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Ann Solinsky, Educational Administration
†Ashley McConnell, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Chelsea Sorensen, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Bradley McDonald, Educational Administration
Christa Spaeth, Dietetics
Lindsey McNeill, Curriculum & Instruction
†Nick Stansbury, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Chase Merfeld, Nutrition & Exercise Science
Erin Stephan, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Tabitha Meza, Counseling & Human Resource Development
D’Anne Thompson, Educational Administration
Shelley Mitchell, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Tiffany Trachte, Nutrition, Exercise, & Food Science
Clinton Nelson, Educational Administration
Jonathan Treiber, Sport & Recreation Studies
†Diedra Nissen, Educational Administration
Jordan Trumbo, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Margaret Orris, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Shane VanDamme, Sport & Recreation Studies
Karl Osterman, Athletic Training
Heather Westerling, Human Sciences
Alex Parker, Sport & Recreation Studies
Tanner Wolf, Human Sciences
Jessica Partridge, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Brigett Wookey, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Haley Petterson, Athletic Training
Amanda Wynia, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering
The Candidates Will Be Presented By
Lewis Brown, Ph.D.
Dean of the College
Nilu Acharya, Mechanical Engineering
†Casey Janisch, Civil Engineering
†Ahmed Alhosini, Mechanical Engineering
†Lekh Kafle, Electrical Engineering
Salem Alrehaili, Mechanical Engineering
Vinod Kumar Reddy Kallam, Data Science
†Ali Alruwaili, Electrical Engineering
Credo Kaninda, Operations Management
Austin Amdahl, Statistics
Ravi Kasaudhan, Computer Science
†Labi Bajracharya, Electrical Engineering
Sadiq Khafoori, Mechanical Engineering
Lakshmi Bavirisetty, Data Science
†Md Riaz Ahmed Khan, Electrical Engineering
Veerasekhara Bondalapati, Civil Engineering
Kenneth Lewno, Operations Management
†Shane Brink, Operations Management
Siva Krishna Maddineni, Mechanical Engineering
Adam Buskirk, Mathematics
Kingsley Mbonu, Data Science
†Alyssa Clemen, Civil Engineering
Fahad Obaid, Mechanical Engineering
Spencer Dockter, Civil Engineering
†Manashi Paul, Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering
Jordan Duxbury, Mathematics
†Shiva Poudel, Electrical Engineering
Deepak Goundla, Mechanical Engineering
†Michael Preheim, Mathematics
†Xiaoyu Guo, Operations Management
Badr Qablawi, Civil Engineering
†Md Mehadi Hassan, Mechanical Engineering
Anand Rajendran, Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering
Mitchell Hoesing, Mechanical Engineering
Sasi Rajulapati, Mechanical Engineering
†Zarina Ismailova, Operations Management
†Nicholas Rock, Civil Engineering
†Nawrin Jahan, Mechanical Engineering
†Shaheed Shihan, Data Science
† Indicates subsequent semester graduation candidate
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†Bijen Shrestha, Electrical Engineering
†Wei Wang, Statistics
†Dipesh Shrestha, Electrical Engineering
Andrew Weismantel, Operations Management
†Mahesh Shrestha, Electrical Engineering
Cody Zarn, Civil Engineering
†Sadhana Shrestha, Electrical Engineering
†Fangyu Zhang, Computer Science
Luke Stangler, Mechanical Engineering
†Peng Zhou, Computer Science
†Md Habib Ullah, Electrical Engineering
Ali Zubayar, Mechanical Engineering
†Daniel Vellek, Statistics
College of Nursing
The Candidates Will Be Presented By
Nancy Fahrenwald, Ph.D.
Dean of the College
†Jessica Cavender, Nursing
John Mills, Nursing
Cassy Hultman, Nursing
Thomas Munce, Nursing
Lacy Maher, Nursing
Randi Peacock, Nursing
Janice McGuire, Nursing
Erin Telander, Nursing
Anneka Mikel, Nursing
Summer 2015 and Fall 2015 Graduate Degrees
Doctor of Philosophy
Emily Collin, Biological Sciences
Major Advisor: Christopher Chase
Dissertation: Influenza D Virus: Investigation of the Newly Proposed
Influenza Genus
Henok Alemu, Geospatial Science & Engineering
Major Advisors: Gabriel Senay and Michael Wimberly
Dissertation: Contemporary Evapotranspiration Changes and Drivers
in the Nile Basin
David Deslauriers, Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences
Major Advisor: Steven Chipps
Dissertation: Development and Application of a Spatially-Explicit
Model for Estimating Growth of Age-0 Pallid Sturgeon in the Missouri
River
Amanda Appel, Chemistry
Major Advisor: Brian Logue
Dissertation: Development of Liquid Chromatography-Mass
Spectrometric Methods for the Analysis of Nerve Agent Hydrolysis
Products from Hair and Nail for Long-Term Verification of Nerve
Agent Exposure
Francisca Essel, Biochemistry
Major Advisor: Suvobrata Chakravarty
Dissertation: Discovery of Novel Readers for Interpretation of the
Epigenome
Audrey Auer, Nursing
Major Advisor: MaryLou Mylant
Dissertation: The Lived Experience of a Radical, Unexpected, or
Unpredicted Healing of a Life-Altering Illness
Gopinathan Meletharayil, Biological Sciences
Major Advisor: Lloyd Metzger
Dissertation: Clean Labels: Capitalize on the Structure Building
Properties of Dairy Proteins in Acid Gels
Ferouz Ayadi, Agricultural, Biosystems, & Mechanical Engineering
Major Advisor: Erin Cortus
Dissertation: A Processed-Based Nutrient Model for the Bedded
Manure Pack of Confined Beef Systems
Marion Mugisha, Sociology
Major Advisor: Diane Kayongo-Male
Dissertation: Commercial Motorcycle (Boda Boda) Riders and the
Production of Space in Kampala City, Uganda
Michele Brandenburger, Nutrition, Exercise, & Food Science
Major Advisor: Elizabeth Droke
Dissertation: Gathering Stories: The Use of Culturally Relevant
Nutrition and Physical Activity Curriculum in South Dakota Native
American Children
Kimberly Nerud, Nursing
Major Advisor: Nancy Fahrenwald
Dissertation: Make a Move: An Intervention to Reduce
Childhood Obesity
Nayef Bumaryoum, Biological Sciences
Major Advisor: C.Y. Wang
Dissertation: Kidquest Childhood Obesity Prevention Program:
Analysis of its Influence on Health of Rural South Dakota 5th and 6th
Grade Children
Meghan Potthoff, Nursing
Major Advisor: Mary Minton
Dissertation: Go Wish-Pediatrics: Pilot Study of a Conversation Tool
in Pediatric Palliative Care
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† Indicates subsequent semester graduation candidate
Corey Selland, Nutrition, Exercise, & Food Science
Major Advisor: Jessica Meendering
Dissertation: Fitness Testing in Youth: A Study of Cardiorespiratory
Fitness, Physical Activity, and Sedentary Time
Rita Velez-Ruiz, Plant Science
Major Advisor: Paul Johnson
Dissertation: A Revision of the Bee Genus Ptiloglossa Smith
(Hymenoptera: Colletidae: Diphaglossinae)
Maheshwar Shrestha, Electrical Engineering
Major Advisor: David Galipeau
Dissertation: Structural, Optical, and Electrical Characterization of
Materials for Low-Cost Photovoltaic Devices
William Weich, Biological Sciences
Major Advisor: David Casper
Dissertation: Improving Nitrogen Utilization through Amino Acid
Supplementation and Optimizing Dietary Protein Sources
Jason Stoker, Geospatial Science & Engineering
Major Advisor: David Roy
Dissertation: A National-Scale Assessment of Vegetation Canopy
Height Using Airborne Lidar and Landsat Data
Emma White, Geospatial Science & Engineering
Major Advisor: David Roy
Dissertation: Changing Arable Field and Farm Sizes of the
Conterminous United States, A Decennial Assessment
Michael Stutelberg, Chemistry
Major Advisor: Brian Logue
Dissertation: Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry of
Next-Generation Cyanide Antidotes, 3-Mercaptopyruvate and
Cobinamide, with the Pharmacokinetic Analysis of
3-Mercaptopyruvate
Jane Wrede, Nursing
Major Advisor: Nancy Fahrenwald
Dissertation: A Multi-Media Preventative Reproductive Health
Intervention in a Family Planning Setting
Xianhui Zhao, Agricultural, Biosystems, & Mechanical Engineering
Major Advisor: Lin Wei
Dissertation: Develop Hydrocarbon Biofuel from Non-Food Oilseeds
through Catalytic Cracking Pathways
Jianyuan Sun, Chemistry
Major Advisor: Cheng Zhang
Dissertation: Organic Pi-Conjugated Materials: Photochemical
Stability and Photovoltaic Cell
Doctor Of Nursing Practice
Amy Albrecht
Major Advisor: Nicole Gibson
Abbey Kitto
Major Advisor: Thomas Stenvig
Lindsey Barthel
Major Advisor: Robin Peterson-Lund
Megan Larsen
Major Advisor: Robin Arends
Audrey Bickerdyke
Major Advisor: Robin Peterson-Lund
Katie Poppen
Major Advisor: Jo Gibson
Lacey Bonte
Major Advisor: Jo Gibson
Danielle Reiff
Major Advisor: Polly Hulme
Lesley Cook
Major Advisor: Kay Foland
Kimberly Schmidt
Major Advisor: Robin Arends
Jean Cunningham
Major Advisor: Robin Arends
Cynthia Stocks
Major Advisor: Kay Foland
Nicole DeVoe
Major Advisor: Lori Hendrickx
Bobbi Vandendriessche
Major Advisor: Robin Arends
Karissa Getting
Major Advisor: Nicole Gibson
Wendy Vander Kooi
Major Advisor: Christina Lammers
Patricia Heinricy
Major Advisor: Linda Burdette
Brittany Wangsness
Major Advisor: Nicole Gibson
Grant Jaspers
Major Advisor: Nicole Gibson
Nadia Yusufi
Major Advisor: Robin Peterson-Lund
Jennifer Kingery
Major Advisor: Jo Gibson
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Master’s Degrees
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Magdalene Abbey, Economics
Simon Maina, Economics
Subash Acharya, Biological Sciences
Kara Marley, Animal Science
Victor Ajaero, Economics
Heidi Myer, Plant Science
Jill Alms, Plant Science
Diane Narem, Biological Sciences
Naomi Amugeh, Economics
April Nelsen, Biological Sciences
Mada Ashkan, Biological Sciences
Jesper Nielsen, Plant Science
Joe Bennett, Biological Sciences
David Ordosch, Plant Science
Justin Carothers, Animal Science
Cody Oswald, Plant Science
Stephen Crego, Animal Science
Jamie Parham, Animal Science
Jason Croat, Biological Sciences
Bimal Paudel, Biological Sciences
Jacquiline Danso, Economics
Juan Perilla Lopez, Plant Science
Brianna Ford, Biological Sciences
Jordan Purintun, Biological Sciences
Somil Gupta, Biological Sciences
Yinjie Qiu, Biological Sciences
Emily Helms, Biological Sciences
Megan Quast, Biological Sciences
Kayla Hultquist, Biological Sciences
Brittany Richardson, Animal Science
Mo Jia, Animal Sciences
Erin Rife, Animal Science
Pratik Katwal, Biological Sciences
Tait Ronningen, Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences
Kaleigh Kerns, Animal Science
Philip Rozeboom, Plant Science
Wyatt Kirwan, Biological Sciences
Adolf Sackey, Animal Science
Rhea Lawrence, Biological Sciences
Courtney Schaefer, Economics
Brianna Lind, Biological Sciences
Dustin Schulz, Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences
Moses Luri, Economics
Zachary Smith, Animal Science
Christopher Luther, Biological Sciences
Ethan Thom, Economics
COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCE
Abdelrahim Abulbasher, Sociology
Anay Kudire, Chemistry
Whitney Adler, Sociology
Dan Liu, Chemistry
Md Rajibul Al Mamun, Geography
Courtney McCleery, Chemistry
Layla Aljehani, Geography
Jamie Nagy, English
Tanvir Amit, Chemistry
Marcelline Ndekelu, Geography
Jessica Andrews, Communication Studies & Journalism
Stephanie Paluch, Sociology
Billy Boyd, English
Stephanie Raney, Chemistry
Mark Brenden, English
Brad Richardson, Geography
Tawney Eisenbraun, Mass Communication
Barbara Soderlin, Communication Studies & Journalism
Jamie Flint, Chemistry
Beth Thibodeau, Mass Communication
John Green, Communication Studies & Journalism
Emily Vernlund, Communication Studies & Journalism
David Herbener, English
Viola Waln, Mass Communication
Justin Heubrock, Rural Sociology
Shih Woon, Chemistry
Matthew Johnson, Geography
Julie Young, Sociology
Cole Krehbiel, Geography
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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN SCIENCES
Awad Aljadani, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Brooke Noble, Dietetics
Saleh Aljehani, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Benjamin Norton, Human Sciences
Mitchell Allen, Nutrition, Exercise, & Food Science
Hilary Overby, Nutrition, Exercise, & Food Science
Allison Bertram, Curriculum & Instruction
Jordan Paula, Educational Administration
Kaitlin Bolles, Sport & Recreation Studies
Samantha Perry, Sport & Recreation Studies
Megen Bukowski, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Naqaa Qaddoori, Curriculum & Instruction
Nathan Bylander, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Bailey Raml, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Christopher Comstock, Nutrition, Exercise, & Food Science
Ashley Rausch, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Polly Davis, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Holly Simon, Dietetics
Tiffany Eisenbraun, Counseling & Human Resource Development
April Steffensen, Human Sciences
Ryan Flack, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Andrew Stocks, Nutrition, Exercise, & Food Science
Lacy Foskett, Curriculum & Instruction
Carl Strombom, Counseling & Human Resource Management
Trina Gentile, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Amy Trautner, Human Sciences
Amy Goodrich, Human Sciences
Staci Ullmark, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Mollie Greenway, Dietetics
Tara Van Hout, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Celine Kabala, Nutrition, Exercise, & Food Science
Elizabeth VanOverbeke, Dietetics
Karter Kleeman, Educational Administration
Danae VanRoekel, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Christopher Lee, Educational Administration
James Vollmer, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Danielle Manninen, Human Sciences
Brooke Walker, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Pamela Murry, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Trina Wilcken, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Autumn Neigel, Counseling & Human Resource Development
Adam Wolthuizen, Counseling & Human Resource Development
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Shahnaj Akter, Civil Engineering
Travis Hanson, Statistics
Abdulmajed Almutairi, Computer Science
Zhaoxiang He, Civil Engineering
Ishop Amatya, Electrical Engineering
Joshua Henrich, Data Science
Charles Appiah, Data Science
Yinbin Huang, Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering
Shekhar Awasthi, Electrical Engineering
Jacob Humburg, Civil Engineering
Jeremy Ball, Mathematics
Samuel Johnson, Civil Engineering
Kimberly Bartel, Statistics
Nemica Kadel, Electrical Engineering
Tewodros Bekele, Civil Engineering
Jasmeen Kaur, Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering
Cara Burnett, Mathematics
Devendra Khatiwada, Electrical Engineering
Shanthan Busireddy, Mechanical Engineering
Karishma Kibria, Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering
Daniel Carter, Operations Management
Erick Koech, Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering
Damber Chaudhary, Electrical Engineering
Sudip Koirala, Electrical Engineering
Kuma Chibsa, Civil Engineering
Anna Kurtz, Computer Science
Zachary Combs, Data Science
Adams Kusi Appiah, Statistics
Jessica Derby, Mathematics
Katrina Ladd, Mechanical Engineering
Jessie Duncan-Williams, Operations Management
Brian Lawburgh, Mechanical Engineering
Lance Dyer, Operations Management
James Lawburgh, Mechanical Engineering
Joyce Eduful, Operations Management
Paul LeClaire, Civil Engineering
Sailesh G C, Computer Science
Duanyang Li, Civil Engineering
Santosh Gyawali, Electrical Engineering
Bryan Lipp, Civil Engineering
Austin Hanson, Computer Science
Miao Liu, Statistics
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Shanshan Ma, Electrical Engineering
Philip Remmele, Data Science
Manju Maharjan, Statistics
Luke Rogers, Civil Engineering
Karthik Reddy Mandadi, Mechanical Engineering
Benjamin Roycraft, Mathematics
Thirumala Reddy Mareddy, Mechanical Engineering
Zachary Rykhus, Mechanical Engineering
Abu Mitul, Electrical Engineering
Morgan Salo, Civil Engineering
Lal Mohammad, Electrical Engineering
Md Razaur Shaon, Civil Engineering
Yamini Mohan, Electrical Engineering
Ashish Shrestha, Electrical Engineering
Upendra Neupane, Electrical Engineering
Taylor Suess, Mechanical Engineering
Kofi Oppong, Civil Engineering
Sihan Sun, Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering
Prakash Pandey, Electrical Engineering
Ujjwol Tamrakar, Electrical Engineering
Jyotshna Pokharel, Electrical Engineering
Vijay Chander Thummala, Mechanical Engineering
SM Shamimur Rahman, Civil Engineering
Micah Underberg, Civil Engineering
Ali Rajhi, Mechanical Engineering
Jayasurya Vijayakumar, Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering
Angelinah Rasoeu, Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering
Mo Zhang, Computer Science
COLLEGE OF NURSING
Sandra Bosch, Nursing
Brenda Wolles, Nursing
Jessica Duhachek, Nursing
18
RESERVE YOUR PERMANENT SPOT ON
ALUMNI GREEN
C
ampuses are built brick by brick, year by year, student by student, alumnus by alumnus. South Dakota State
has been built by you, made stronger by you, and we need your help to keep growing. We need your help
to push the Alumni Green project over the finish line. This is your chance to put your name on the Alumni
Green project – a place for you to return and a place to grow the future of SDSU. The outdoor place between the new
University House and the new Alumni Center will include 5-feet-wide by 9 ½-feet tall features of the Campanile,
Jackrabbit and other SDSU iconic symbols carved into original limestone from the Campanile. For a gift of at least
$1,000, your name will be permanently displayed on one of these features. There are limited opportunities available, so
make your commitment today to ensure your permanent spot on the Alumni Green. For generations, visitors will see
the names of those individuals, families and businesses that were responsible for the spectacular area across from our
famed Campanile. For more information, please visit: www.statealum.com/alumnigreen.
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