The graduate and undergraduate ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, in Rice Auditorium.
Wayne State College will hold a commencement ceremony for graduate and undergraduate students at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, in Rice Auditorium. A total of 245 degrees will be conferred. Those students receiving their diplomas will include 172 undergraduates and 73 graduate students from the college’s Master of Science in Education, Master of Science in Organizational Management, Master of Business Administration, and Education Specialist programs.
The ceremony will be livestreamed.
Download the Winter 2025 Commencement Program (PDF) (includes list of candidates for degree)
Winter 2025 Commencement speakers
Ellie Patera, Invocation Speaker
Ellie Patera of Springfield, Neb., will deliver the invocation. She is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with Reading and Writing PK-6 endorsements. She is the daughter of Erin Patera of Springfield, Neb., and Michael Patera of Guthrie Center, Iowa.
Patera was on the Dean’s List in Spring 2024, Fall 2024, and Spring 2025.
Patera’s father, Michael, is also a Wayne State graduate.
After graduation, Patera plans to continue her work in the field of education in the Omaha area.
Quentin Dreyer, Undergraduate Commencement Address
Quentin Dreyer of Manning, Iowa, will deliver the undergraduate commencement address. He is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Skilled and Technical Sciences Education. Dreyer is the son of Jay Dreyer of Longmont, Colo., and Kristin Dreyer, recently deceased.
Dreyer’s activities at Wayne State included Cross Country, Track and Field, Student Athletic Advisory Committee, Student Senate, SkillsUSA, and membership in Epsilon Pi Tau, the International Honor Society for the Computing and Information Disciplines.
Dreyer was on the 2022-23, 2023-24, and Fall 2024 WSC Dean’s List. As a member of the WSC Track and Field team, Dreyer received the 2023 Cross Country Elite 18 Award, 2025 Track and Field Elite 18 Award, and the Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction Award.
After graduation, Dreyer plans to begin teaching and coaching in the Midwest.
Gary Richards, Graduate Commencement Address
Gary Richards of York, Neb., will deliver the graduate commencement address. He is graduating with a master’s degree in School Administration 6-12.
Richards earned his bachelor’s degree in science and education in 1989 from Concordia College and his master’s degree in 2006 in Curriculum and Instruction from Peru State College.
Richards’ professional experience includes nine years as a 7-12 grade science teacher in San Perlita, Texas, where he was head girls basketball coach and head girls volleyball coach; secondary science teacher, Sutton High School, in Sutton, Neb., where he was head girls volleyball coach; and his current position as secondary science teacher, Hampton High School, in Hampton, Neb., where he serves as assistant boys basketball coach, head girls basketball coach, quiz bowl sponsor, robotics sponsor, and various other leadership and advisory roles.
Richards has one daughter and three sons: Rayvn (27), Ketch (25), Branic (22), and Pitch (13).