Commencement and Honors Week Highlights

The College of Education’s (COE) commitment to the development of dedicated practitioners, reflective scholars, and responsible citizens was on display during spring Commencement and Honors Week. Read more about the COE-connected individuals honored for their achievements and leadership.

Chancellor’s Medal | Dr. Nick Stergiou

Dr. Nick Stergiou is the Assistant Dean of the Division of Biomechanics and Research Development, the Distinguished Community Research Chair and professor in Biomechanics, as well as the Director of the Biomechanics Research Building and the Center for Research in Human Movement Variability at UNO. He is also a professor of the Department of Environmental, Agricultural, and Occupational Health at the College of Public Health at the University Nebraska Medical Center.

His research focuses on understanding variability inherent in human movement. He is an international authority in the study of nonlinear dynamics and has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles. Stergiou’s research spans from infant development to older adult fallers, and has impacted training techniques of surgeons, as well as treatment and rehabilitation techniques of pathologies, such as peripheral arterial disease.

He has received more than $30 million in research funding from the NIH, NASA, NSF, NIDRR/US Department of Education, and many other agencies and foundations.

He has created several inventions and procured a private donation of $6 million to build the 23,000 square feet Biomechanics Research Building that opened in August of 2013. This is the first building dedicated to biomechanics research in the world. It is also the first building on campus exclusively dedicated to research.

Undergraduate Speaker | Elizabeth Lyle

Elizabeth Lyle holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a concentration in Inclusive Practices. In addition to her studies, Lyle is a flute instructor, a girl’s high school basketball team coach, and a professional nanny. She has made Dean’s and Chancellor’s lists every academic year while at UNO. In 2016, she received the Student Motivator Award. This year, she received the STEM Award during Clinical Practice.

During her college career, Lyle has been awarded: the Isaacson Incentive Scholarship, the UNO Alumni Association Scholarship, the Offutt Air Force Base Officer’s Club Scholarship, the Claudia Galloway Scholarship, and the Linda Krause Scholarship.

Lyle graduated summa cum laude. She plans to continue her education as a graduate student in COE’s CADRE program in 2017-2018. She will teach second grade at Prairie Queen Elementary for Papillion La Vista Community Schools.

Honorary Degree | Ruth & Bill Scott

Ruth & Bill Scott are deeply rooted and invested in the Omaha community where they have lived for more than 60 years. The Scotts have contributed greatly to the city’s progress, health, and vitality in a quiet but exceptional way.

The Scotts have supported key projects at the University of Nebraska, particularly those for UNO and UNMC. At the College of Education, these projects have included the redevelopment of Roskens Hall, the Biomechanics Research Building, and establishment of the UNO Distinguished Research Chair in Biomechanics.

In 2009, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents presented Ruth and Bill Scott with its most prestigious award, the Regents Medal, for their extraordinary contributions to the university’s academic programs, scholarships, and facilities. In 2016, the Scotts received an Award of Distinction from the College of Education at the annual Distinguished Alumni Luncheon.

COE Student Marshal | Abby Johnson

Abby Johnson graduated Summa Cum Laude and holds a Bachelor of Science in Education - Speech-Language Pathology. During her time at UNO, Abby was an active member of the National Student Speech-Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) and served as vice president her senior year. She is a registered behavioral technician and works with children and young adults with autism spectrum disorder.

COE Outstanding Graduate Student Award | Maddie Moore

Maddie Moore holds a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. For the last two years, Maddie worked as a Graduate Assistant in the College of Education’s Counseling Department and has presented at several competitive regional and national counseling conferences. Her dedication to the Omaha community includes work with youth and families through College Possible and Girls, Inc. While at UNO, Maddie was involved with many campus activities including treasurer of Upsilon Rho Omicron, member of Chi Sigma Iota, and she has also received several university-sponsored trainings in social justice issues. She is a member of the Counseling for Social Justice Division of the American Counseling Association.

COE Outstanding Graduate Student Nominees

Morgan Busboom
School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation

Samuel Ray
Department of Biomechanics

Molly Schieber
School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation

Other commencement highlights:

This commencement was especially significant for the Department of Biomechanics as Ryan Hartley, Allison Kalina, and Connor Reed were the very first graduates to receive the new Bachelor of Science degree in Biomechanics.

The EL ED Iowa master’s cohort, formed in 2014 by Dr. Becky Pasco and Dr. Kathy Danielson, graduated 19 teachers who came from as far north as Onawa, as far south as Clarinda, as far west as Council Bluffs, and as far east as Altoona. EL ED Iowa is a hybrid master’s program in Elementary Education with a literacy area of concentration.

Outstanding Service Learning Faculty Award | Dr. Mitzi Ritzman

Mitzi J. Ritzman is an associate professor in the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders. She is the co-director of a peer-mediated social learning program for young adults on the autism spectrum. Her philosophy of teaching is grounded in critical thinking, dialogue, and strengthening students’ sense of personal responsibility; the integration of service-learning into each of her courses has been a primary avenue through which these elements have been addressed.

She has presented on the impact of community engagement at local and national conferences, was the recipient of a 2014 Carter Award for Service Learning by the Nebraska State Council for Social Studies, in collaboration with Omaha Public Schools’ Blackburn Alternative Program, and was a 2016 UNO Service Learning Academy Faculty Fellow.

As a part of her Outstanding Service Learning Faculty Award honor, Dr. Ritzman served as the Faculty Marshal for UNO’s May Commencement Ceremony.

Alumni Outstanding Teaching Award | Dr. Jessica Hagaman

Jessica L. Hagaman joined the UNO faculty in 2012 as an assistant professor in the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders. Her interests include academic interventions for at-risk students and those with disabilities, cognitive strategy instruction, Universal Design for Learning/differentiation, and effective teacher preparation. She has authored numerous works, including two books. She teaches instructional methods and assessment related to special education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. She received her PhD and MA from the University Nebraska at Lincoln and her BA from St. Catherine’s University in St. Paul, MN.

Outstanding Service Learning Student Award | Gaby Amador

Gaby Amador is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with an endorsement in English as a Second Language and a minor in Spanish. Her anticipated graduation date is fall of 2018. Her service learning project was the College Prep and Family Learning Project. Her work on this project helped her gain a true appreciation in motivating students to pursue higher education, regardless of the circumstances.

Dean’s Award | Amber Preister

Amber is a Public Health major. She will graduate in December 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and a certificate in Gerontology.

Undergraduate Major Honorees

Honorees selected by departments in which they are majoring must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.33. They are chosen on the basis of academic achievement in addition to their contributions to the university and the community.

Megan Crosson
Elementary Education/Special Education

Kimberly Fiorelli
Elementary Education/Special Education

Rebecca Hansen
Elementary Education

Abby Johnson
Speech-Language Pathology

Stephanie Mace
Athletic Training

Amber Preister
Public Health

Connor Reed
Biomechanics

Samantha Weber
Elementary Education