CHADRON -- Particularly among the Spring 2023 graduates, it may be almost impossible for anyone to have longer, stronger ties with Chadron State College than Mickey Douglas. Those ties even go back to the old Chadron Congregational Academy that closed in 1910 but was in the same general location where the college has operated since the following year.

The academy provided high school and college training for the sons and daughters of many pioneer families a couple of decades before CSC opened in 1911. Mickey’s grandmother, Nellie Lockett Jones, was a student there.

Mickey’s personal association with Chadron State began in the fall of 1961 when Coach Bill Baker recruited her husband, George Douglas, to play football for the Eagles. She had grown up at Newcastle, Wyoming, and he was from nearby Upton. Since funds were limited, only George enrolled at the college while Mickey took a job working at the Bump Law firm. However, she took a few courses from CSC before George earned his bachelor’s degree in 1965 and began his long career as a teacher, coach and school administrator. She also took a few more CSC courses in 1976, when the family returned to the college while George earned a master’s degree and they also served as the High Rise Dormitory parents.

Now, nearly a half century later, at age 81, Mickey, whose first name is actually Doris, fulfilled a long-time dream and received a bachelor’s degree on Saturday in interdisciplinary studies. She said she's proud it happened. So is her family. All three of her children are CSC graduates, and they and their families will be in attendance. It was the first time they’ve been together since George died in April 2010.

Mickey explains that she always wanted a college degree. Whenever possible, while also caring for their children and working to supplement the family’s income, she took a few courses. Therefore, her transcript includes credits from the University of Wyoming, Murray State in Oklahoma, the National College of Business in Rapid City and both Western Wyoming and Central Wyoming Colleges.

It was in the spring of 2021, when the pandemic was still causing havoc, that Mickey decided to find out if she could finally earn a degree. Then as now, she was living in Sheridan, Wyo., with her daughter Bridget and son-in-law Alan Dubberley when she made the decision. 

“I couldn’t see wasting the pandemic in front of the TV,” she said. “I contacted Chadron State to find out what I needed to do to finally graduate. I wanted my degree to come from Chadron State because of all of our family’s connections there. It was quite a process to locate all of my transcripts and figure out what I still needed. I have to credit my ex-daughter-in-law, Sherry Douglas (a long-time CSC employee), and Jacqueline Buhr (a CSC advisor) for helping do that.

“I took two online courses each semester, including summers, and am finishing the last one this spring,” Mickey said. “I would have finished sooner, but had some health problems in the fall of 2022 that set me back. That included a heart attack, but with four stents, I’m as good as new. I’ll be a first-generation graduate in my family of Joneses.”

While completing her degree, Mickey has taken 11 courses from Chadron State, a significant portion of them in English literature taught by Dr. Matt Evertson and Dr. Kimberly Cox, whose support she said she greatly appreciates.

“I wanted to earn my degree a long time ago, but life always got in the way,” she said. “It’s going to be a thrill to receive it. The main reason I am coming to Chadron for commencement and walking to get my degree is because all my family members said they would attend if I did that.”

Ivy Day celebrates students’ achievements

CHADRON – Chadron State College seniors were honored during the annual tradition of Ivy Day in Memorial Hall Friday.

Ivy Day Royalty, consisting of Blue Key and Cardinal Key members, were announced. The King is Phillip Soto of Scottsbluff, Neb., and the Queen is Abigail Tidball of Edgemont, S.D. Attendants included Treyvin Schlueter of Ainsworth, Neb., and Kelli Schoch of Columbus, Neb., Joshua Kruse of Gurley, Neb., and Micaiah Vrbka of Brainard, Neb., Sage Konicek of Burwell, Neb., and Lydia Connell of Arnold, Neb., and Ian Papenfus of Scottsbluff, Neb., and Jadelyn Beyer of North Platte, Neb.

Winners of the Platinum Eagle, a prestigious award for seniors, were Olivia Bryant of Anselmo, Neb., and Konicek. Runners up were Kelsey Crock of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Sullivan Jones of Papillion, Neb.

Dr. Kurt Kinbacher, Professor of History, was the faculty greeter. The Blue Key orator was Konicek and the Cardinal Key orator was Vrbka.

Departmental Awards

Outstanding Work in Accounting with a CPA Path: Drew Applegarth of Alliance, Neb.

Outstanding Work in Journalism: Aubrie Lawrence of Alliance, Neb.

Outstanding Work in Radiologic Technology: Josie Mantooth of Alliance, Neb.

Outstanding Work in Public Relations: Olivia Bryant of Anselmo, Neb.

Outstanding Work in Theatre: Jarret Buchholz of Arnold, Neb.

Outstanding Work in Human Biology: Lydia Connell of Arnold, Neb.

Outstanding Work in Psychological Sciences: Angela Patterson of Bayard, Neb.

Outstanding Academic Achievement on a National Exam in Business: Cody Harlan of Beatrice, Neb.

Outstanding Work in History: Kaylie Elliott of Chadron

Outstanding Academic Achievement on a National Exam in Business: Jordan Grasis of Chadron

Outstanding Work in Molecular Biology: Beau Jersild of Chadron

Outstanding Work in Family and Consumer Science with an Emphasis in Food and Nutrition: Maria Negreira of Chadron

Outstanding Work in Theatre: Levi O'Dell of Chadron

Outstanding Work in Accounting: Bailey Steinke of Chadron

Outstanding Work in Social Work: Serenity Sterkel of Chadron

Outstanding Work in English Studies: Kayliegh Sughroue of Chadron

Top Score on a National Exam in Business 2022: Courtney Thurlow of Chadron

Outstanding Work in Chemistry: Kelli Schoch of Columbus, Neb.

Outstanding Work in Organismal Biology: McKenna Juhlin of Crawford, Neb.

ACBSP Outstanding Leadership Student Award for 2022: Janessa Carly of Dalton, Neb.

Outstanding Work in History: Jace Demeranville of Gering, Neb.

Outstanding Work in Chemistry with an Emphasis in Research: Joshua Kruse of Gurley, Neb.

Outstanding Work in Secondary Education – Field Science with a Biology Concentration: Spencer Knuth of Holdrege, Neb.

Outstanding Work in Family and Consumer Science with an Emphasis in Child Studies: Yesenia Ramirez of Minatare, Neb.

Outstanding Work in Music: Ashley Jackson of Mitchell, Neb.

Outstanding Work in Business Information Systems: Jistina Haselhorst of Norfolk, Neb.

Outstanding Work in Agribusiness: Morgan Timmerman of Norfolk, Neb.

Outstanding Work in Human Biology: Jadelyn Beyer of North Platte, Neb.

Outstanding Pre-Law Student: Zachary Kring of North Platte, Neb.

Outstanding Work in Management: Jenny Lim of North Platte, Neb.

Outstanding Work in Psychological Sciences: Gavin Peitzmeier of Omaha, Neb.

Outstanding Work in Mathematics: Lakita Thomsen of Ord, Neb.

Outstanding Justice Studies Student: Sullivan Jones of Papillion, Neb.

Outstanding Legal Studies Major: Micah Stouffer of Rushville, Neb.

Outstanding Work in Theatre: Zackary Wellnitz of Rushville, Neb.

Outstanding Work in Rangeland Management with an Option in Livestock Management: Garrett Ragonese of Schuyler, Neb.

Outstanding Work in Business, Marketing, and IT Grades 6-12: Joshua Harnish of Scottsbluff, Neb.

Outstanding Work in Family and Consumer Science with an Emphasis in Education: Yazmin Marquez of Scottsbluff, Neb.

Outstanding Work in Chemistry with an Emphasis in Pre-Medicine: Ian Papenfus of Scottsbluff, Neb.

Outstanding Student in Business: Phillip Soto of Scottsbluff, Neb.

Outstanding Work in Psychological Sciences: Meaghan Adams of Sidney, Neb.

Outstanding Work in Interdisciplinary Studies: Katelyn Hecht of Sutherland, Neb.

Outstanding Work in Special Education: Nicole Mitzel of West Point, Neb.

Colorado

Outstanding Criminal Justice Major: Brooke Kramer of Aurora, Colo.

Outstanding Work in Psychological Sciences: Rylee Greiman of Windsor, Colo.

ACBSP Outstanding Leadership Student Award for 2023 and Outstanding Work in Marketing: Kinsey Smith of Windsor, Colo.

South Dakota

Outstanding Work in Communication: Olivia Newton of Black Hawk, S.D.

Outstanding Work in Psychological Sciences: Coe Nehl of Brookings, S.D.

Outstanding Work in Rangeland Management with an Option in Ecology: Robert Hansen of Camp Crook, S.D.

Outstanding Work in Chemistry with an Emphasis in Pre-Veterinary Medicine: Marcus Herber of Kadoka, S.D.

Outstanding Work in Rangeland Management with an Option in Wildlife Management: Savannah Solon of Kadoka, S.D.

Outstanding Work in Technical Occupations: Christal Whetstine of Mitchell, S.D.

Outstanding Work in Creative Writing: Carl Hinman of Rapid City, S.D.

Outstanding Work in Organismal Biology: Madisen Grenstiner of Wasta, S.D.

Wyoming

Outstanding Work in Social Science Education: Colton Bell of Cheyenne, Wyo.

Outstanding Work in Elementary Education and Outstanding Work in Health and Physical Education: Kelsey Crock of Cheyenne, Wyo.

Outstanding Academic Achievement on a National Exam in Business: Garett Avery of Dayton, Wyo.

Outstanding Work in English Education and Clyde Bond Memorial Award Winner: Harley Rhoades of Douglas, Wyo.

Outstanding Work in Interdisciplinary Studies: Doris Mickey Douglas of Sheridan, Wyo.

Other States and Countries

Outstanding Academic Achievement on a National Exam in Business: Taylor Bowen of Barrow, Alaska

Outstanding Work in Psychological Sciences: Rachel Daniel of Goldston, N.C.

Outstanding Work in Psychological Sciences: Emily Galindo of Edmond, Okla.

Top Score on a National Exam in Business: Matthew Klosterman of Celina, Texas

Outstanding Work in Finance: Siddhant Shelke of McKinney, Texas

Outstanding Work in Sport, Fitness and Recreation Management: Emily Achter of Melbourne, Australia

HONORS GRADUATES

Summa Cum Laude

Nebraska

Anselmo: Olivia Bryant

Arnold: Jarret Buchholz, Lydia Connell

Chadron: Levi O'Dell

Clarks: Roxana Davila

Columbus: Kelli Schoch

Dunning: Carlie Collier

Holdrege: Spencer Knuth

McCook: Brolin Morgan

Norfolk: Jistina Haselhorst, Morgan Timmerman

North Platte: Zachary Kring, Jenny Lim

Omaha: Gavin Peitzmeier

Ord: Sage Konicek, Lakita Thomsen

Oshkosh: Morgan Smith

Papillion: Sullivan Jones

Rushville: Micah Stouffer, Zackary Wellnitz

Scottsbluff: Yazmin Marquez, Ian Papenfus, Phillip Soto

Ulysses: Cole Martinez

Utica: Peyton Johansen

West Point: Nicole Mitzel

South Dakota

Edgemont: Abigail Tidball

Kadoka: Marcus Herber, Savannah Solon

Rapid City: Alyssa Wingler, Dillon Woods

Wyoming

Cheyenne: Kelsey Crock, Robyn Merz

Douglas: Harley Rhoades

Powell: Heather Allred

Ranchester: Mackenzie Aksamit

Other States

Taylor Bowen: Barrow, Alaska

Emily Achter: Melbourne, Australia

Brooke Kramer: Aurora, Colo.

Makenna Metzler: Otis, Colo.

Magna Cum Laude

Nebraska

Beatrice: Cody Harlan

Brainard: Micaiah Vrbka

Bridgeport: Kylee Rahmig

Chadron: Sydney Brown, Beau Jersild, Kaylie Mason, Josie Nelson, Bailey Steinke, Joseph Talley, McKenna Juhlin

Dalton: Jeremy Carley

Fullerton: Christian Pickrel

Gering: Anna Thompson

Gurley: Joshua Kruse

Mullen: Haley Jones

North Platte: Jadelyn Beyer, Jefferson Cox

Omaha: Cole Westfall

Oshkosh: Osiel Cano

Tryon: Aubrey Schultis

Other States

Sierra Mercer: Chino Hills, Calif.

Ebawnee Smercina: Craig, Colo.

Abbygail Schaefer: Greeley, Colo.

Devyn Volz: Parker, Colo.

Janae Kuenzi: Topeka, Kan.

Calyn Degnan: Hot Springs, S.D.

Daniel Hormandl: Knoxville, Tenn.

Stephanie Myers: Casper, Wyo.

Colton Bell: Cheyenne, Wyo.

Kamryn Kozisek: Kaycee, Wyo.

Cum Laude

Nebraska

Ainsworth: Mackenzie Kovar

Bridgeport: Curtis Freeze, Delenn Rodriguez

Chadron: Serenity Sterkel

Elsie: Cameron McClintock

Gordon: Jace Stumpff

Minatare: Maddison Schlosser

Ogallala: Makayla Denbo

Oshkosh: Osvaldo Cano, Celestina Dean

Pilger: Levi Otten

Taylor: Jaron Meeks

Woodlake: Treyvin Schlueter

Other States

Yazmin Piceno: Rosamond, Calif.

Chase Mestas: Colorado Springs, Colo.

Peyton Johnson: Kersey, Colo.

Margaret Wilson: Petal, Miss.

Colton Brienza: Buffalo, S.D.

Dallas Wik: Douglas, Wyo.

Olyvia Pacheco: Rawlins, Wyo.