York University held its spring commencement on Saturday, April 26 in the Campbell Activity Center. Over 100 students crossed the stage to receive their degrees—the seats and bleachers filled with proud parents, excited family members, and friends. Interim President Jared Stark welcomed everyone to the event and addressed graduates, stating, “This moment has been a long time coming. You’ve invested years of dedication, attended countless classes, written papers, completed projects, and grown both academically and personally. Today, all of that effort culminates in this important milestone.”
“I am excited for you. The people who sit in these bleachers are excited for you. The hard-working men and women behind me who have invested so much into you are excited for you. As you walk out of these doors, you won’t just leave as students—you’ll leave as graduates. Master’s degree recipients. Professionals prepared to enter a new world and influence our culture for the better.”
Senator Jana Hughes was the featured speaker at this year’s spring commencement. Senator Hughes currently serves as a Nebraska state senator. She has been in the Nebraska Legislature for three years. York University’s interim president, Jared Stark, introduced Senator Hughes, stating, “Education has remained a cornerstone of her legislative work. Her passion in this area is evident through her continued leadership and advocacy."
Senator Hughes opened her address by sharing a story about an amateur golfer named Sam Bennett. She told of a tattoo he had inscribed on his forearm that said, “Don’t wait to do something.” This tattoo was a tribute to his father, Mark Bennett, who had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimers at the age of 45.
“Don’t wait to do something,” echoed Hughes. “As you move forward from this campus, I want you to carry that message with you. Now is the time to apply the knowledge and skills you’ve spent the last few years developing. Don’t wait to lead, to love, to try–and maybe fail–and try again.”
Senator Hughes also shared a passage from Ecclesiastes 11 that reads, “As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God.” Senator Hughes went on to say, “That scripture is a powerful reminder that if you wait, you may never begin. Don’t wait to become the person you were created to be, to take that first step, to make a difference, or to live with boldness, intention and love. Don’t wait to do something; you are ready.”
After Hughes’ address, Interim President Stark presented the Dale R. Larsen Teacher of Achievement Award. Given annually to a full-time faculty member who has made outstanding contributions to York University, this year’s recipient was Jared Leinen.
“The recipient of this year’s award has served York University with distinction for the past 12 years,” added Stark. “Throughout that time, he has consistently gone above and beyond in the performance of his duties. He exemplifies servant leadership and quiet perseverance. He does not seek the spotlight, but those who work alongside him know his efforts are impossible to overlook.”
Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. R Wayne White then presented the Bloom Award in honor of the late Dale McNeill, a local florist, former YU adjunct professor and long-time friend of the university. The recipient of the award this year was Jared Stark.
“Dale McNeill was a florist who had the ability to make simple elements into beautiful works of art–in other words, the ordinary into extraordinary,” said Dr. White. “Today we recognize a person who did just that. While we’re looking for a new president, who’s going to guide the ship while we’re looking? Asking our vice president of advancement to accept the challenge made the most sense. He’s led the university with insight, courage, but also a great deal of humility. His hard work, his determination to serve York, his commitment to see York thrive, and his dedication to the University all kept us moving.”
Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. R Wayne White then presented the Bloom Award in honor of the late Dale McNeill, a local florist, former YU adjunct professor and long-time friend of the university. The recipient of the award this year was Jared Stark.
“Dale McNeill was a florist who had the ability to make simple elements into beautiful works of art–in other words, the ordinary into extraordinary,” said Dr. White. “Today we recognize a person who did just that. While we’re looking for a new president, who’s going to guide the ship while we’re looking? Asking our vice president of advancement to accept the challenge made the most sense. He’s led the university with insight, courage, but also a great deal of humility. His hard work, determination to serve York, his commitment to see York thrive, all kept us moving.”
Provost Dr. Shannon Leinen recognized some of the academic achievements of the graduating seniors, calling attention to those who were wearing honor medallions inscribed with the university seal. Asking each group to stand, the audience applauded for those who graduated Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Cum Laude. Leinen also recognized both master and bachelor graduates who were wearing a medallion with a gold ribbon signifying cumulative 4.0 grade point averages for all their time at York University.
The ceremony continued as graduates lined up to walk across the stage to receive their diplomas from Interim President Stark with a smile, a handshake, and occasionally, a hug.
The University Singers, conducted by Dr. Clark Roush, closed out the ceremony by performing “Deo dicamus gratias” and “Neither the Moon by Night,” before leading the audience in the singing of the Alma Mater.
2025 Graduates
M.A. Education: Anna Colleen Beard***, Brandon Joseph Christian Burke***, Ryan Glenn Callan***, Kathy Lynn Degner***, Michael Ingemansen***, Natalie Kay Janssen***, Carrie L. Kreber, Parker J. Myers***, Whitney Nightingale***, Madelyn Renee Royal***, Kathryn S. Sadowski***, Karen M. Schmidt***.
M.A. Organizational and Global Leadership: Charlene Elizabeth Allmer***, Alexa Ann Blackburn***, Gretchen Haley Brosman, Jose Ignacio Calderon Jorquera, Faviola Valerie Canfield***, Kamrie M. Dillan, Cole Doebele, Johnetta Barmadia Flomo***, Ashley Ann Hoskinson***, Ethan Hughes***, Harrison David Ramsey, Ryan Thomas Romero***, Miguel Sarubbi, Ascha Faith Utter***, Jackson Curtis Van Roekel***, Lexis Mariah Antonia Vasquez***, Marce Douglas Vasquez***, Alec Venegas***, Austin Wheeler***.
*** 4.0 GPA
Bachelor's Degree: Bryson Adams, Jennifer Aguilar, Kennedie Paige Anderson***, Andrew R. Bennett Jr., Clay Lawrence Berry, Aubrey Bostick**, Jorge Boto Hernandez*, Madeline Margaret Bressler*, Dylan Joseph Bridwell*, Matthew David Bridwell*, Dominique Carrillo, Ruben Colliander, Samantha Kay Cook, Nathaniel J. Dalizon, Nicholas DeMonte, Tyren Dorrance***, Mariafernanda Erives, Ross Fraser, Cesar Andrew Galvan, Andres Garza IV, Austin Grant**, Breno Prado Grossi, Vanessa Gutierrez, Tanner Hawkins, Andrew Heinrichs, Blanca Hernandez, Rhino Hernandez, Dylan Holston, Pasiko Hvichiani***, Tynika Deaundria Irvin**, Alphonse Willie Jackson, Gracie K. Jackson*, Abbegayle Nicole James-Grant*, Brent Jamison, Garrett Michael Johnson**, Candice Jones, DJ Leaks, Victor Wayne Lewis II, Amaris Longoria, Amanda Gabriela Macias*, Carla Martinez***, Jose Martinez, James Daryl McCown*, Logan Allen McDonald, Delanie Namuth*, Jordan Marcellous Norton, Kinzie Norton*, Sofia Perez**, Vinicius Dornelles Pie, Aubri Plummer, Rodrigo J. Preto*, Pacey Queen, Kiara Ray**, Trey Reed, Cameron Andrew Reeve*, Levi Jack Relph**, Kaitlyn Roberts-Roe, Clara Romero, Ashley Rubio, Joshua Schloss, Britney Mae Schroer***, Brayden T. Smith, Barrett Stickelman, Riley Mae Stuhr***, Kenna Jean Tarnowski**, Celeste Tellez McGill, Carl Thorpe, Simeon Mark Tremaine***, Esperanza Villatoro*, Jonathan Vincent, Ethan C. Webb, Kadelia Wilkins*, Mason Yarbrough*, Elizabeth Ann Zaiger***.
***Summa Cum Laude - GPA of 3.85 or higher ^4.0 GPA
**Magna Cum Laude - GPA of 3.60 or higher
*Cum Laude - GPA of 3.40 or higher
Associate’s Degree: Katie Renea Isham, Zippora Nigg, Hayley Alexis Rothermich, Cole A. Sweley.