Hastings College held its 133rd Commencement May 20, 2019. During the ceremony, the College awarded degrees to 212 undergraduates and 13 Master of Arts in Teaching graduates. Graduates represented 17 states and three countries.

Tyler Keyser, a 2009 graduate of Hastings College, delivered the Commencement Address. After graduating, Keyser served as chief of staff to the CEO of a large, multi-state nonprofit based in New York City. Tyler then attended Harvard Law School, graduating in 2014. He practiced corporate law at Ropes & Gray LLP, an international law firm, for four years before leaving to join the staff of a political campaign where he has responsibilities in the policy and political departments.

This year’s Commencement continued a newer tradition at the college, with Geena Piper ‘19 speaking on behalf of her class as senior speaker. Piper was a biology major from Norfolk, Nebraska. She served as Student Association president, a resident assistant, leader in the Alpha Phi sorority and InterGreek Council and member of the Student Health Advisory Council. In April, she was named the recipient of the Bronco Award, Hastings College’s highest non-academic award for students. She plans to pursue a medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Graduation honors are awarded to those students with outstanding academic records in their undergraduate work. Degrees with distinction are awarded as follows: Summa Cum Laude, overall GPA of 3.97 or higher; Magna Cum Laude, overall GPA of 3.94 or higher; and Cum Laude, overall GPA of 3.85 or higher.

In the list below, high distinction is awarded to graduates who have earned 3.85-4.0 grade point average, while distinction is awarded to those who have earned at least a 3.7 grade point average in their major(s).

Colorado Students

Aurora

• Elizabeth Kadence Forbes — Psychology
• Alexandrea Lauren Meeker — Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Anthony Lamar Murray — Sociology

Bennett

• Jonathan Ray Wallace —Sociology and High Distinction in Religion and Distinction in Philosophy

Berthoud

• Dakota Wayne Burns — Distinction in Business Administration

Castle Rock

• Dylan Jacob Jaure — Biology
• Karsen Nicole Keech — Cum Laude with High Distinction in Psychology
• Brenna Nicole Tripp — History Education

Centennial

• Elisabeth Nicole Mundy — Distinction in Exercise Science

Colorado Springs

• Janine Elizabeth Lahey — Distinction in Health Systems
• Heather Rene Ryan — Recreation & Sport Management
• Nathan Joseph Starke — Business Administration

Denver

• Justin Toshiro Akiyama — Exercise Science
• Tahjlon Wesley Willingham — Exercise Science

Eads

• Eboni Rayne Nash — Psychology and Distinction in Religion/Sociology

Firestone

• Avery Caroline Sears — Magna Cum Laude with High Distinction in Exercise Science

Golden

• Jarad Walker Johnson — Economics
• Jon Strotz — Magna Cum Laude with High Distinction in Business Administration

Greeley

• Harper Grace Sheets — Business Administration and Human Resource Management
• Highlands Ranch
• Jenna Katherine Jaeger — Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and High Distinction in Spanish

Lakewood

• Kaylyn Joy Schoen — Health Systems

Louisville

• Zane Preston Eddy — History

Mancos

• Andie Elizabeth Paschal — Magna Cum Laude with High Distinction in Religion/Sociology

Parker

• Daniel Louis Mastrobuono — Economics and Distinction in Business Administration/Marketing

Peyton

• Maleia Elaine Lark — Health Systems

Severance

• Caroline Joyce Black — Psychology

Woodland Park

• Jenny Kay Sells — High Distinction in English/Publishing