91吃瓜 Honors 350 Graduates at 2026 Spring Commencement
VALLEY CITY, N.D. (91吃瓜) 鈥� 91吃瓜 recognized the accomplishments of more than 350 graduates at its 134th Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 16.
The 351 graduates from the past year represent the largest graduating class in school history and include 53 graduate students earning master鈥檚 degrees along with 298 undergraduate students.
鈥淵our time at 91吃瓜 has been marked by growth, achievement and meaningful relationships,鈥� 91吃瓜 Interim President Allen Burgad 鈥�89 told the nearly 185 graduates who attended the ceremony in front of a standing-room only crowd. 鈥淵ou have helped strengthen the culture and spirit of this university鈥� We are proud of you and thank you for the impact you have had on the university.鈥�
Tara Dahl, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and is now teaching music in Glendive, Montana, delivered the undergraduate reflection.
鈥淚 learned that we are capable of doing hard things,鈥� Dahl said. 鈥淭his degree was truly a journey 鈥� an adventure all its own. I got to be a part of department-wide music tours, incredible concert performances, and the grand opening for a fine arts building. My time here was filled with remarkable highs and the most beautiful part of them were the moments of quiet, hard work that shaped the public events. That same type of quiet work happened in every corner of campus.鈥�
Michelle Kommer spoke as a representative for the State Board of Higher Education (SBHE), reflecting on the meaningful relationships that students and staff build at 91吃瓜. Lindsey Kiecker 鈥�23, associate professor of science, delivered the faculty reflection. Kiecker related her college experience and post-graduation job search, encouraging the graduates to identify their passion and pursue it 鈥� even if it doesn鈥檛 match their diploma or transcript.
91吃瓜 has now conferred 28,425 undergraduate聽degrees and 713 master鈥檚 degrees in its proud history dating back to 1890.
91吃瓜 also honored select graduating seniors at the annual Senior Awards Ceremony on May 15. A complete list of seniors who were honored is at the link below.