25 degrees awarded at August commencement

August 16, 2024

Ryan Yetts (’22) celebrates getting his degree at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Dec. 2022. The arena will host a combined graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremony Aug. 17.

Twenty-one College of Journalism and Mass Communications students received their Bachelor of Journalism degrees and four received their Master of Arts degrees during the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s graduate commencement on Aug. 17, 2024 at Pinnacle Bank Arena. 

The college offers four academic majors for a bachelor's degree in journalism: advertising and public relations, broadcasting, journalism and sports media and communication. The CoJMC is committed to preparing graduates to meet the challenges of the rapidly evolving media landscape by offering a challenging and supportive academic environment. 

The comprehensive master's program in journalism and mass communications offers specializations in integrated media and communications and professional journalism. The 36 credit-hour program aims to enhance students' professional skills and knowledge, enabling them to advance in their careers. 

LaDaysia Smith of Lincoln graduated with distinction and with honors, in recognition of outstanding academic excellence. Eligibility for distinction is based upon the cumulative grade point average of all credit hours taken at UNL prior to the beginning of the term in which the student receives his or her degree. A student can elevate their level of distinction through the completion of a thesis or creative project prior to graduation. To learn more about graduating with distinction, see here

The following is a list of Aug. 2024 Bachelor of Journalism graduates, listed alphabetically by last name with their major(s) and hometown:

Name Major(s) Hometown
Jackson Atwell broadcasting Lavista, NE
Carter Bautch advertising & public relations Omaha, NE
Natalie Bender advertising & public relations Lincoln, NE
Ethan Burger advertising & public relations Brookhaven, GA 
Henry Crocker advertising & public relations Elkhorn, NE
Sonja Duval advertising & public relations Lincoln, NE
Caliyah Forte' advertising & public relations Omaha, NE
Jackson Hamlin sports media and communication Clear Lake, IA
Catherine Hinz advertising & public relations Rochester, MN
Nia Johnson broadcasting Omaha, NE
Elaina Jokerst advertising & public relations Kansas City, MO
Kaitlin Kadavy broadcasting Lincoln, NE
Maya Marostica advertising & public relations Sherman Oaks, CA 
Brandon McMiller broadcasting Omaha, NE
Jonathan Melau sports media and communication Belton, MO
Teghan Metcalf advertising & public relations, journalism Lincoln, NE
Kendall Moriarty advertising & public relations, sports media and communication Lincoln, NE
Emily Ortiz-Cantu broadcasting Omaha, NE
Valencia Parra advertising & public relations Grand Island, NE
Teddy Prochazka sports media and communication Elkhorn, NE
Angelina Schutz journalism Lincoln, NE

The following is a list of Aug. 2024 Master of Arts graduates, listed alphabetically by last name with their specialization:

Name Specialization
Marriah Buss Integrated Media Communications
Devon Hike Integrated Media Communications
Elle Stecher Integrated Media Communications
Melissa Villarreal Integrated Media Communications