The Lynx Way
MSU-Mankato awards 2,917 degrees
Minnesota State University, Mankato awarded 2,917 degrees to 2,463 students at the end of the spring 2026 semester. Commencement ceremonies were held Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9.
Among the area graduates are: Brandon – Paige Buss, BS, Biology, Cum Laude (3.4-3.59 GPA), and Sarah Krogman, BS, Exercise Science, Summa Cum Laude (3.8 and higher GPA); Valley Springs – Krista Bjorum, BS, Exercise Science, Summa Cum Laude (3.8 and higher GPA).
SE Tech President’s List includes area students
Southeast Technical College has recognized academic excellence by naming 815 students to the President’s List for the spring 2026 semester. To earn this recognition, students must be seeking a degree and have a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher. Area students include: Brandon – Landon Becker, Construction Management Technician; Amber Broomfield, Registered Nurse; Haley Carmody, Surgical Technology; Nova Denton-Parry, Computer Programming; Jordan Dewitte, Licensed Practical Nursing; Saddler Elkin, Sports Turf Management; Maggie Ely, Business Administration; Kyla Garrett, Business Administration; Katelyn Gray, Licensed Practical Nursing; Spencer Hanson, Licensed Practical Nursing; Paris Hayes, Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Abdominal/OB/GYN; Isaiah Jansen, Mechatronics Technology; Megann Kessler, Medical Assistant; Macyn Kolseth, Early Childhood Specialist; Sarah Morrison, Business Administration; Mason Permeh, Digital Media Production Technology; Tori Perry, Licensed Practical Nursing; Emily Rakus, Civil Engineering Technology; Annabelle Schultz, Media Design Technology; Evie Weingartz, Licensed Practical Nursing; Valley Springs – Audrey Clyde-Koscielski, Surgical Technology; Blaine Lentz, Law Enforcement Science; Ethan Schleicher, Automotive Technology; Garretson – Jackie Jamison, Marketing; Eh Ku Shee, Medical Lab Technician; Noah Stoks, Automotive Technology; Sioux Falls – Carter Reindl, Law Enforcement Science; Georgia Wardlow, Dental Assisting; Corson – Julia Roy, Licensed Practical Nursing.
USF announces spring Dean’s List honorees
The University of Sioux Falls congratulates 534 students who made the Spring 2026 Dean’s List. Students from Brandon named to the list are: Emma DeWitt, Graphic Design and Social Media Marketing; Izabella Kirlin, Elementary Education; Elizabeth Kopp, Exercise Science and Psychology; Arianna Schlekeway, Elementary Education and Special Education; Caleb Steffel, Art and Theology & Biblical Studies; Shane Thompson, Business Administration; and from Valley Springs, Luke Smart, Business Administration.
Area students are STC graduates
Southeast Technical College congratulates its students completing their AAS, diploma and certificates at the end of the spring 2025 semester. Area students include: Brandon – Landon Becker, A.A.S., Construction Management Technican; Logan Brunick, A.A.S., System and Network Security; Saddler Elkin, A.A.S., Sports Turf Management; Ben Gonseth, diploma, welding; Teygan Harstad, A.A.S., Applied Science in Marketing; Isaiah Jansen, Summa Cum Laude, A.A.S., Mechatronics Technology; Gavin Klapperich, A.A.S., Mechatronics Technology; Sarah Morrison, Magna Cum Laude, A.A.S., Business Administration; Cesia Niyondagiye, A.A.S., Business Administration; Emily Rakus, A.A.S., Civile Engineering Technology; Valley Springs – Matthew Danielson, diploma, HVAC/R; Wuentin Gunderman, A.A.S., Business Administration; Caden Marko, A.A.S., Law Enforcement Science; Ethan Schleicher, Summa Cum Laude, A.A.S., Automotive Techn ology; Andrew Walton, A.A.S., Collision Repair and Refinish Technology; Garretson – Taylor Cable, diploma, Licensed Practical Nursing; Jackie Jamison, .A.A.S., Marketing; noah Stoks, A.A.S., Automotive Technology; and Renner – Gabriel Drury, diploma, Computer Technician; Nataliya Shkinder, A.A.S., Marketing.
Local students are Northwestern College grads
Five local students were among 272 graduates to receive bachelor’s degrees at Northwestern College, Orange City, Iowa, during commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 9. Twenty-two students received Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees, while the rest of the graduating seniors were granted Bachelor of Arts degrees.
The graduates from Brandon are: Peyton Carroll, Business Administration/Management; Kyle Foss, Biology-Health Professions, Summa Cum Laude (3.90 GPA or above); and Benjamin VanDeBerg, Actuarial Science; from Valley Springs: Nichole Hansen, Public Relations, Cum Laude (3.50-3.69 GPA); and Allison Sjaarda, Music, Magna Cum Laude (3.70-3.89 GPA).
