KEARNEY Graduate and undergraduate degrees for 681 will be conferred at University of Nebraska at Kearney commencement exercises at 10 a.m. Friday (May 4).
Daniel J. Kritenbrink, U.S. Ambassador to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is featured speaker. Kritenbrink is a UNK alumnus and career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor. He has served as an American diplomat since 1994. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to be the next U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam on Oct. 26, 2017, and presented his credentials to President Trn ai Quang on Nov. 6, 2017, becoming the seventh U.S. ambassador to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Kritenbrink has completed multiple assignments related to Asia. Most recently, he was the Senior Adviser for North Korea Policy at the Department of State. Kritenbrink speaks Chinese and Japanese and is the recipient of 10 notable State Department awards for his performance. He earned his Master of Arts from the University of Virginia in 1993 and his bachelors degree in political science from UNK in 1991.
Makenzie Cuba of Silver Creek will be a summa cum laude graduate on Friday, with a degree in business administration comprehensive. She will give the senior class reflection. She is a member of the Honors Program, Mortar Board, Student Government, and Beta Gamma Sigma and Phi Eta Sigma honor societies. She has held leadership positions in organizations including Enactus and Honors Student Advisory Board, Student Diplomat, New Student Enrollment Leader and Blue and Gold Welcome Coordinator.
University of Nebraska Board of Regents Chair Robert Schafer will address the graduates. Degrees will be conferred by UNK Chancellor Douglas Kristensen.
The University Wind Ensemble directed by Duane Bierman, UNK Director of Bands, will provide the processional Konigsmarsch by Richard Strauss; and Pomp and Circumstance by Edward Elgar. The national anthem will be performed by a trio of graduates: Cole Chancellor, Cayla Cuba and Alexandra Lieb. A special performance of Eclipse, composed by UNK alumnus Jonathan Jaworski, will be performed by the University Wind Ensemble.
Richard and Barbara Bush of Kearney are recipients of the Cope Cornerstone of Excellence Award. They will be recognized at Fridays commencement at UNK.
Because of the number of graduates participating in the exercises, guests should plan to arrive early and to anticipate overflow for late-comers. Doors to the UNK Health and Sports Center will open at 8:30 a.m.
Parking in the west lots is encouraged. Visitors with handicap parking permits can park east of the Health and Sports Center. Family members transporting a handicapped person will have access to drop off the person on the east side of the complex but will need to move their vehicle to another lot.
Visitors with wheelchairs can sit in the corner seating sections on the main floor or use the elevator in the northeast corner of the building to sit in the designated section on the arena floor. Individuals who have difficulties with steps should arrive at least an hour early to have access to seats just below the railings on the main floor or to obtain seating on the arena floor. Overflow areas will be available for watching in the HPER gym and HSC 150-151.
For those unable to attend in person, UNK commencement ceremonies are webcast at www.unk.edu
This link is the full Graduation list.
