Mayville State graduate Nick Storhaug, Lisbon, N.D., will deliver the annual commencement address at Mayville State University Saturday, May 14. The commencement ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. at the Mayville State University Lewy Lee Fieldhouse. The event is open to the public.
Current graduates Liza Hoglo, Thief River Falls, Minn., and Leigh Dean, Mulwala, NSW, Australia, will speak on behalf of the graduating class. Emma Tufte, Valley City, N.D., member of the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education, will bring greetings on behalf of the Board; and Pastor Karen Seifert from Aurdal Lutheran Church will deliver the invocation.
Mayville State’s graduation day festivities will begin with the traditional graduation brunch, hosted by the MSU Alumni Association. A sit-down meal and program will begin at 11 a.m. in the Campus Center Luckasen Room. Graduates Felicia Gonzales from Yucca Valley, Calif., Jacob Allam from Renton, Wash., and Emmanuel Rasberry from Houston, Texas will speak on behalf of the MSU Class of 2016. The members of the graduating class will be the guests of honor at the event. The brunch is also open to MSU faculty and staff and friends and family of the graduates.
Following the commencement ceremony, Mayville State faculty, staff, and administration will host a reception to honor of the graduates. The reception will be held at the Luckasen Room in Mayville State’s Campus Center. The reception is open to the graduates and their guests.
Mayville State University Graduation Brunch Student Speaker Biographies:
Felicia Gonzales transferred to Mayville State from College of the Desert in Palm Desert Calif. In the spring of 2014. While at Mayville State, she has been a member of the women’s softball team, and also served as a residence hall assistant at Agassiz Hall and a member of the Student Activities Council. She participated in the Mayville State choir and was a scholarship recipient. Felicia will complete the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree in July of 2016. She will earn a major in applied psychology and a minor in sociology. Felicia’s parents are Corinna and Tony Gonzales.
Emmanuel Rasberry came to Mayville State as a transfer student in the spring of 2013. On campus, he has been a member and officer of the Student Senate. At the state level, Rasberry served as Director of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs for the North Dakota Student Association. Rasberry co-founded the Mayville State Afrikan Club. A member of the MSU football team, Emmanuel received the North Star Conference Champion of Character Award. He is graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree, and has earned a major in health and a minor in fitness and wellness. His parents are Ketina Willis and Kevin Rasberry.
Jacob Allam has become well-known on campus and in the Mayville-Portland community for his extensive work as a co-founder and member of the Cometeers student volunteer organization. He founded the organization together with fellow-graduate Brady Eichelberger, and has personally donated hundreds of hours of community service. Allam was extremely active in the work of the Cometeers with Common Time at May-Port CG Middle School, as well as at the Rainbow Garden, Summerfest, after-prom parties, and much, much more. A scholarship recipient, Jacob will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree, and has earned a composite social science major with a middle school endorsement. His parents are Carla and Jeffrey Barry and Doug and Melissa Allam.
Mayville State University Commencement Speaker Biographies:
Keynote Speaker
Nick Storhaug is a Certified Public Accountant and the sole proprietor of an accounting and tax firm. An active member of the Lisbon, N.D. community, he has developed numerous real estate ventures, mostly in smaller communities throughout North Dakota. He had a leadership role in the successful renovation of the Lisbon Opera House. Prior to becoming a CPA in 1986, Storhaug was employed by the Lisbon High School for 23 years as a teacher and coach. He coached several outstanding wrestling teams and individual wrestlers. Nick was honored as North Dakota Class B Wrestling Coach of the Year three times and is a member of both the North Dakota Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame and the North Dakota High School Coaches Hall of Fame. While at Mayville State, Nick was a four-year letter-winner in football and two-year letter-winner in wrestling. In 1974, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree, with a major in business education. Nick and his wife LaVonne are the parents of two sons, Brady (wife Jan) and Tyler, and grandparents to Nicholas and Elizabeth.
Student Speakers
Liza Hoglo has been a leader on the Mayville State women’s basketball team. A team captain in 2015-2016, she was named to the all-conference teams in 2014, 2015, and 2016 and was named an NAIA All-American in 2015. She received the Champions of Character Award in 2016. Liza has been named to the university’s dean’s list in every semester as a Mayville State student and is graduating with magna cum laude honors. In addition to being an outstanding student and athlete, she was a Peer Leader, co-founder of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, worship member for CRU, and member of the Science Club, Pre-Professionals Club, and choir. She was part of a mission trip to Poland in 2015 and plans to return in July. Liza is graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree, earning majors in biology and mathematics and a minor in chemistry. Her parents are Angie and Jim Hoglo of Thief River Falls, Minn.
Leigh Dean was a member of the Mayville State men’s basketball team for three years, and was named a Daktronics NAIA Scholar Athlete, as well as a North Star Athletic Association Scholar Athlete. He has been an active participant in the Collegiate DECA chapter and has won awards on the state and international levels. A residence hall assistant, Leigh also served as a consultant with the university writing center and as editor of The Orbit, Mayville State’s student newspaper. He was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Leigh is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He has earned majors in communications and business administration. He is the son of Marie and Paul Dean from Mulwala, NSW, Australia.