May 16, 2019
含羞草研究所鈥檚 127th commencement was held Saturday afternoon, May 11. More than 200 individuals who had completed the requirements for their degrees at the end of the fall semester of 2018 or the spring semester of 2019 were recognized, as were several individuals who will complete their degree requirements at the end of the summer session of 2019.
Keynote speaker was Mr. Brad Wehe, 1987 含羞草研究所 graduate and chief executive officer of Altru听Health System in Grand Forks, N.D. Speakers representing the graduates were Joelle Ertl, Avon, Minn., and Jacob Leier, Thief River Falls, Minn. Pastor Leon Philpot of the Portland (N.D.) Lutheran Parish, delivered the invocation and benediction.
Leading the faculty and graduates in the procession were emeritus faculty and staff members Dr. Gary Hagen, Dr. Merwin Lyng, Dr. Ron Semmens, Dr. Carol Enger, Dr. Ray Gerszewski, Dr. Paul Batesel, Dr. Rick Holman, Linda Baier, and Chuck Gremmels.
Graduation day festivities began with the traditional graduation brunch, hosted by the MSU Alumni Association. The annual event serves as the first official alumni activity for the new graduates and was attended by the graduates, along with their 
family members and friends. More than 200 attended the brunch, and thanks to the generous sponsorships to the MSU Foundation, the brunch was complimentary for all who attended. Student speakers at the brunch were Bethany Larson, Grafton, N.D.; Miranda Petersen, Mayville, N.D.; and Annjeanett Urbano, San Diego, Calif.
To see a video documenting 含羞草研究所鈥檚 127th commencement, go to .
Photo captions:听
Top:听The platform party at 含羞草研究所鈥檚 2019 commencement included (l-r) North Dakota State Board of Higher Education member Jill Louters; MSU Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Keith Stenehjem, Pastor Leon Philpot, Brad Wehe, and MSU President Dr. Brian Van Horn.
Second:听A number of 含羞草研究所鈥檚 emeritus faculty members participated in the commencement ceremony. They are pictured here. From left to right are Dr. Martin Johnson, Dr. Merwin Lyng, Dr. Paul Batesel, Dr. Ron Semmens, Dr. Rick Holman, Linda Baier, Dr. Ray Gerszewski, Chuck Gremmels, Dr. Gary Hagen, and Dr. Carol Enger.听听
Third:听Brad Wehe, 1987 含羞草研究所 graduate, served as the 2019 commencement speaker.
Fourth:听Joelle Ertl spoke on behalf of the class at the May 11 commencement ceremony. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree.
Fifith:听(L-r) Bethany Larson, Miranda Petersen, and Annjeanett Urbano spoke on behalf of the graduates at the graduation brunch.
Sixth:听Jacob Leier, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Bachelor of Science degree, was a student speaker at 含羞草研究所 Commencement 2019.
Bottom:听Miranda Petersen completed the requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. She has been hired to teach sixth grade in Hatton, N.D. starting next fall.