Wayne State College hosted a banquet for 70 seniors and their families April 23 to recognize the achievement.
Wayne State College celebrated the third class of graduating seniors from its Career Scholars Program’s Norfolk cohort on April 23 at The Stables Event Center in Norfolk. The event marked the culmination of a four-year journey through Wayne State’s unique cooperative education program.
The evening’s festivities included 70 seniors and their families along with remarks from Dr. Marysz Rames, president of Wayne State; Dr. Katie Machovsky, executive director of cooperative education and industry liaison at Wayne State; and a keynote address from Austen Hagood, president and CEO of the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce.
“The Career Scholars senior graduation dinner highlights the workforce partnerships between employers, students, community, and Wayne State College,” said Machovsky. “We extend our sincerest gratitude to the Norfolk co-op employers for their commitment and dedication in providing meaningful learning experiences for our Career Scholars.”
The Career Scholars Program was created in 2020 to address workforce needs. The scholarship program offers an accelerated, hands-on learning experience for students in business, education, computer science, computer information systems, criminal justice, electronic media, journalism, or industrial technology. Students in the program spend their first three years at Wayne State, then complete their senior year living and working full time with a partner employer in Norfolk or Grand Island.
Seniors graduating from the Career Scholars Program’s Norfolk cohort are listed below with their hometown, major, and the employer that provided their internship:
Jess Babcock
Juniata, Neb.
Business Administration (Accounting)
McMill CPAs & Advisors
Tatum Baker
Stromsburg, Neb.
Business Administration (Management)
Madison County Bank and Wayne State College Athletics
Eden Broberg
Columbus, Neb.
Elementary Education
Washington Elementary School
Luz Cabrera Rios
South Sioux City, Neb.
Computer Information Systems (Networking and Cybersecurity)
Wayne State College Network and Technology Services
Corinne Choyeski
Juniata, Neb.
Business Administration (Finance and Economics)
Retirement Plan Consultants
Nick Christiansen
Creighton, Neb.
Criminal Justice
District 7 Probation
Bailey Clements
Martell, Neb.
Business Administration (Marketing)
BankFirst
Paige Cloyd
Bellevue, Neb.
Elementary Education
Norfolk Public Schools
Braxton Dalton
Raymond, Neb.
Business Administration (Marketing)
Faith Health
Tyler Dawe
Burwell, Neb.
Industrial Technology (Construction Management)
Theisen Construction
Kobe Edwards
Omaha, Neb.
Industrial Technology (Construction Management)
Levander Construction LLC
Madeline Elworth
Hoskins, Neb.
Elementary Education
Jefferson Elementary School
James Erickson
Albion, Neb.
Business Administration (Marketing)
Tanner Lancaster State Farm Insurance
Drew Ferris
Omaha, Neb.
Business Administration (Finance)
Retirement Plan Consultants
Bria Gale
Neligh, Neb.
Elementary Education
Norfolk Public Schools
Annamae Gardner
Norfolk, Neb.
Business Administration (Marketing)
Courtesy Ford of Norfolk
Benjamin Gathje
Omaha, Neb.
Business Administration (Management)
Intersect Coworking and Incubator
Veronica Gomez
Madison, Neb.
Elementary Education
Norfolk Public Schools
Benjamin Gusse
Elkhorn, Neb.
Business Administration (Management)
Northwestern Mutual
Lucia Hall
Blair, Neb.
Business Administration (Marketing)
Midtown Health Center
Jalyssa Hastreiter
Humphrey, Neb.
Business Administration (Accounting)
Iron Horse CPAs & Advisors
Jose Hernandez
South Sioux City, Neb.
Business Administration (Professional Accountancy)
Mead Lumber
Lucy Hilger
Lincoln, Neb.
Computer Information Systems (Programmer/Analyst)
Tandem Cyber Operations
Trevor Hoegerl
Surprise, Neb.
Computer Science
Wayne State College Network and Technology Services
Timothy Hoffman, Jr.
Norfolk, Neb.
Computer Science
Nebraska Public Power District
Hazel Kaliati
Wayne, Neb.
Computer Information Systems (Programmer/Analyst)
Faith Health
Kyle Kasik
Leigh, Neb.
Industrial Technology (Construction Management)
Beckenhauer Construction
Jaylen Kile
West Point, Neb.
Computer Information Systems (Networking and Cybersecurity)
The Next Level Media & Promotions/Entrepreneurship
Cale Kinney
Petersburg, Neb.
Business Administration (Marketing)
Vector Marketing/Entrepreneurship
Gretta Kinnison
Columbus, Neb.
Elementary Education
Jefferson Elementary School
Conner Klein
Tilden, Neb.
Elementary Education
Bel Air Elementary School
Emily Kleinschmit
Wausa, Neb.
Business Administration (Economics)
Tanner Lancaster State Farm Insurance
Paul Konechne
Yankton, S.D.
Business Administration (Management)
Pinnacle Bank of Madison
Madeline Kunz
Omaha, Neb.
Industrial Technology (Construction Management)
Beckenhauer Construction
Kiley Laible
Emmet, Neb.
Elementary Education
Norfolk Public Schools
Adah Mahoney
Lincoln, Neb
Computer Information Systems (Programmer/Analyst)
Wayne State College Network and Technology Services
Ellie Mahony
Lincoln, Neb.
Elementary Education
Norfolk Public Schools
Elizabeth Mayer
Hemingford, Neb.
Business Administration (Management)
Faith Health
Sara McKenna
Omaha, Neb.
Mass Communication (Electronic Media)
Flood Communications
Trey McQuay
Randolph, Neb.
Computer Science
Madison County Bank
Alexander Miller
Omaha, Neb.
Industrial Technology (Construction Management)
Timberlyne
Kelsey Moore
La Vista, Neb.
Elementary Education
Norfolk Public Schools
Amy Murray
North Bend, Neb.
Elementary Education
Norfolk Public Schools
Zachary Myers
Shelton, Neb.
Computer Information Systems (Networking and Cybersecurity)
Nebraska Public Power District
Jonathan Nissen
Wausa, Neb.
Computer Science
The Well
Olivia Perske
David City, Neb.
Industrial Technology (Drafting/Design)
Nucor
Morgan Pfeifer
Madison, Neb.
Elementary Education
Grant Elementary
Jagger Plevel
Plattsmouth, Neb.
Business Administration (Marketing)
The Meadows
Cheyenne Pokorny
Bartlett, Neb.
Elementary Education
Norfolk Public Schools
Kinley Riesselman
Gretna, Neb.
Elementary Education
Jefferson Elementary School
Michael Robinson
Omaha, Neb.
Industrial Technology (Manufacturing Management)
Michael Foods, Inc.
J.R. Schaaf
Broken Bow, Neb.
Business Administration (Finance)
Pinnacle Bank of Columbus
Elijah Schroeder
Ravenna, Neb.
Computer Information Systems (Networking and Cybersecurity)
Norfolk Iron & Metal
Tyler Scott
Wayne, Neb.
Computer Information Systems (Integrated Technology Support)
Wayne State College Network and Technology Services
Tori Shatto
Wayne, Neb.
Elementary Education
Norfolk Public Schools
Breck Swanson
South Sioux City, Neb.
Industrial Technology (Safety Management)
Nucor
Ashlyn Szaro
Omaha, Neb.
Computer Science
Faith Health
Sam Taylor
Elkhorn, Neb.
Computer Information Systems (Programmer/Analyst)
Elkhorn Valley Bank
Gabe TerWee
Larchwood, Iowa
Mass Communication (Electronic Media)
Northeast Community College
Zach Tesarek
Murray, Neb.
Business Administration (Management)
Mead Lumber
Ariel Thompson
Sloan, Iowa
English Language Arts Education
Norfolk Public Schools
Logan Voss
Omaha, Neb.
Business Administration (Management)
Mead Lumber
Matthew Vrbka
Brainard, Neb.
Computer Science
Butler County Health Care Center
Joseph Wach
Wymore, Neb.
Business Administration (Professional Accountancy)
Apex Advisors & CPAs PC
Jack Wall
Seward, Neb.
Computer Science
Daycos, Inc.
Luke Walters
Garland, Neb.
Computer Information Systems (Networking and Cybersecurity)
Applied Connective
Hannah Widstrom
Spencer, Neb.
Business Administration (Professional Accountancy)
Power Sports Nation
Emily Woockman
Wausa, Neb.
Business Administration (Agribusiness)
Midwest Peterbilt Group
Jayden Yost
Omaha, Neb.
Business Administration (Finance)
Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce
Josie Zach
Humphrey, Neb.
Business Administration (Human Resources)
Midwest Bank
Several of the seniors were recognized with awards highlighting their work in the program.
Ellie Mahony of Lincoln, Neb., received the Career Scholars Peer Award, which recognizes a student nominated by their peers for their demonstrated leadership, unwavering selfless support of others, and impact on the future of the program. Recipients embody the values of being in the Career Scholars Program and serve as exemplary role models, leaving footprints for others to follow while making significant contributions to academics and the broader community.
Jalyssa Hastreiter of Humphrey, Neb., received the Growing Together Powered by Aksarben Award, which recognizes a student who emulates the program’s initiative to live and thrive in Northeast Nebraska.
Braxton Dalton of Raymond, Neb., was awarded the Career Scholars John Dewey Award, which is awarded to a student who embodies the philosophy of John Dewey’s principle of learning by doing and displaying a passion for education, academics, learning, and employer engagement. Recipients also demonstrate a strong work ethic, innovative thinking, grit, tenacity, and dedication to the real-world application of their academic pursuits.
Benjamin Gathje of Omaha, Neb., received the Career Scholars Legacy Award. It honors a student who has not only demonstrated outstanding leadership, but who has also left a lasting legacy through their actions and contributions to the program, institution, and community.
Dr. Janet Lebeda, director of strategic initiatives and special projects at Wayne State, was also recognized for her contributions to the Career Scholars Program while serving as its interim director.
Graduating seniors were also presented with the President’s Challenge Coin, which marks the completion of four years in the program and recognizes the graduates’ individual tenacity and achievements.
For more information, contact Dr. Katie Machovsky, Wayne State’s executive director of cooperative education and industry liaison, at [email protected] or 402-375-7101.