The graduate ceremony will be held Friday, May 8, and the undergraduate ceremony will be held Saturday, May 9.
Wayne State College will hold commencement ceremonies for graduate students Friday, May 8, in Rice Arena and for undergraduate students Saturday, May 9, in the college’s historic Willow Bowl amphitheater.
The graduate student ceremony will be at 6:30 p.m., and the undergraduate ceremony will be at 10:30 a.m. In case of inclement weather, the undergraduate ceremony will be held in Rice Arena.
The ceremonies will also be livestreamed.
Visit the Livestream page Download the commencement program (PDF)
A total of 637 degrees will be conferred by Wayne State President Marysz Rames. Those students receiving their degrees include 482 undergraduates and 155 graduate students. Graduates include students from nine countries: Aruba, Australia, Canada, Curacao, Japan, Malawi, Morocco, South Africa, and The Netherlands.
Graduate students are earning their degrees from the college’s Master of Science in Education, Master of Science in Organizational Management, Master of Interdisciplinary Studies, Master of Business Administration, Master’s in Counseling, and Education Specialist programs.
The graduate ceremony will feature an invocation by master’s candidate Avriana Ault of Hickman, Neb.; Carter “Cap” Peterson, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State College System, will bring greetings from the board; and master’s candidate Sarah M. Castaños of Omaha, Neb., will deliver graduation remarks.
The undergraduate ceremony will feature an invocation by bachelor’s candidate Kaitlin Meiergerd of Austin, Minn.; Carter “Cap” Peterson, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State College System, will bring greetings from the board; Faith King of Clearwater, Neb., will deliver a commencement address; Don and Diane Soukup, 1971 graduates of Wayne State, will receive the Alumni Achievement Award; and Dr. Robert Eric Colvard, professor of history, will receive the State Nebraska Bank & Trust Teaching Excellence Award.
Graduate invocation speaker: Avriana Ault
Avriana Ault of Hickman, Neb., will deliver the invocation for the graduate ceremony. She is graduating with a master’s degree in Business Administration. She is the daughter of Tamara and Jason Ault of Hickman.
Ault earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Wayne State in December 2024. During her time as an undergraduate at WSC, she was involved in Delta Sigma Pi business honor society, American Red Cross Club, Dean's List, softball club, intramurals, and National Honor Society.
After graduation, Ault plans to attend nursing school to build a career helping others through healthcare. She said she hopes to combine her passion for nursing with her background in business to open her own practice or healthcare-related business, allowing her to make a meaningful impact while also leading and managing her own organization.
She is engaged to Carter Ossian, a 2023 graduate of Wayne State, with whom she has a son, Merrick.
Graduate speaker: Sarah Castaños
Sarah M. Castaños of Omaha, Neb., will deliver the graduate commencement address. She is graduating with a PK-12 School Administration master’s degree.
Her prior education includes a bachelor’s degree from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, an ELL Endorsement from Concordia University, and a master’s degree from University of Nebraska-Omaha.
Castaños enjoys gardening, baking, fundraising, writing, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
She said she plans to continue to serve and grow as the Program Director/Principal for Heartland Family Service Therapeutic School
She is the daughter of Barb and John Dagerman of Omaha, Neb. She is married to Mark Castaños, with whom she has two children: Raeya (16) and Omi Castaños (13).
Baccalaureate invocation speaker: Kaitlin Isabelle Meiergerd
Kaitlin Meiergerd of Austin, Minn., will deliver the invocation at the baccalaureate ceremony. She is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication, with a concentration in Agricultural Communication and Leadership and a minor in Business Administration. She is the daughter of Alan and Michelle Meiergerd of Austin, Minn.
Meiergerd was a Neihardt Scholar, Honors student, and recipient of the Dale L. Riehart Annual Broadcasting Scholarship. Her activities included service as a Resident Assistant, student worker and phonathon manager for the Wayne State Foundation, Theta Phi Alpha sorority, PR in ACTion Club, and Honors Club.
Meiergerd has accepted a full-time position with Frontier Cooperative in Lincoln, Neb., as a marketing and communications specialist.
Baccalaureate speaker: Faith King
Faith King of Clearwater, Neb., will deliver the undergraduate commencement address. She is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. She is the daughter of Brian and Chantel King of Clearwater.
King was a member of the college’s Rural Law Opportunities Program; achieved High Honors in the Major; and was inducted into the Alpha Phi Sigma criminal justice honor society, Pi Gamma Mu social and behavioral sciences honor society, and Phi Kappa Phi honor society.
King served as president of Legal Minds, secretary of Wayne State Honors Club, historian for Philomathean President’s Honor Society, Pi Gamma Mu vice president, Phi Kappa Phi vice president, as a member of the Criminal Justice Association, and a volunteer for the Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Seminar.
King plans on attending the University of Nebraska - Lincoln College of Law to obtain her Juris Doctorate degree.
King’s father, Brian, graduated with a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from Wayne State.
Alumni Achievement Award: Don and Diane Soukup ’71
Don and Diane (Massman) Soukup, proud 1971 graduates of Wayne State College, exemplify the values of hard work, perseverance, and lifelong achievement fostered at WSC. Both worked their way through college - Don returning to complete his degree and Diane graduating in less than three years - setting the tone for their future success.
They built distinguished careers in the insurance industry, advancing from claims adjusters to leadership, sales, and business ownership, while simultaneously serving in the U.S. Army Reserves - Don retiring as a Sergeant Major and Diane as a Master Sergeant. Their entrepreneurial spirit also led to the creation of a highly successful real estate enterprise, growing from a single property to a portfolio of 46 properties across California and Nevada.
For nearly four decades, the Soukups have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to Wayne State through scholarships and service. Their support has grown from five to 11 annual scholarships, expanding opportunities for students, and their leadership includes long-standing involvement with the Wayne State Foundation.
Their journey - from humble beginnings to remarkable professional success - reflects not only business excellence, but also a deep dedication to service, family, and giving back. In recognition of their accomplishments and enduring support of Wayne State College, Don and Diane Soukup are honored with the Alumni Achievement Award.