The University of Nebraska–Lincoln conferred 1,197 degrees during commencement exercises Dec. 19 and 20 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
The degrees were earned by 1,175 graduates from 44 countries, 39 U.S. states and 140-plus Nebraska communities.
“This morning, we are here to celebrate the remarkable achievements, perseverance and dedication that has brought the graduating class of 2025 to this significant milestone in their lives,” Chancellor Rodney D. Bennett said during the undergraduate ceremony Dec. 20. “As students, you have made your mark on our university community and extended the legacy of alumni who have earned their degrees here.”
The December graduating class earned five new Juris Doctor degrees, 357 other new graduate and professional degrees and 835 new baccalaureate degrees. The university has awarded 328,767 degrees since it was founded in 1869.
The following students from the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, grassland systems major and the Doctor of Plant Health program received degrees.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Caitlin Elizabeth DeCoster, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Bachelor of Science in Plant and Landscape Systems with distinction. Advised by Kim Todd.
Xavier Fiala, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Bachelor of Science in Agronomy. Advised by Anne Streich.
Cameron Christian Stone Grabenstein, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Bachelor of Science in Agronomy. Advised by Anne Streich.
Makennen Lee Havlat, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Bachelor of Science in Grassland Systems with distinction. Advised by Bryan Reiling and Sara Winn.
Ryleigh Joel Kirby, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Bachelor of Science in Plant Biology. Advised by Christian Elowsky.
Adam John Kotas, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Bachelor of Science in Agronomy with high distinction. Advised by Anne Streich.
Adilyn Noelle McFarland, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Bachelor of Science in Plant and Landscape Systems with high distinction. Advised by Anne Streich.
Sasha Marie Neal, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Bachelor of Science in Agronomy. Advised by Anne Streich.
Maleah Shae Peak, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Bachelor of Science in Plant and Landscape Systems. Advised by Anne Streich.
Benjamin James Roberson, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Bachelor of Science in Plant and Landscape Systems. Advised by Anne Streich.
Evan Smith, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Bachelor of Science in Agronomy. Advised by Anne Streich.
Cassidy Vacha, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife, Bachelor of Science in Plant and Landscape Systems. Advised by Anne Streich.
Ethan Michael Wilkinson, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Bachelor of Science in Plant Biology. Advised by Christian Elowsky.
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Abraham Akuoko, Graduate Studies, Master of Science in Agronomy. Advised by Nevin Lawrence.
Pratiksha Baishya, Graduate Studies, Doctor of Philosophy in Agronomy and Horticulture. Advised by Dipak Santra.
Carlos Eduardo De Oliveira Martins, Graduate Studies, Master of Science in Agronomy. Advised by Nicholas Cafaro La Menza.
Alyssa Kaye Hall, Graduate Studies, Doctor of Philosophy in Agronomy and Horticulture. Advised by Daren Redfearn.
Dylan M. Kent, Graduate Studies, Master of Science in Agronomy. Advised by Don Lee.
Vipin Kumar, Graduate Studies, Doctor of Philosophy in Agronomy and Horticulture, Specialization in Weed Science. Advised by Amit Jhala.
Stephanie Marie Lugo, Graduate Studies, Master of Science in Agronomy, Specialization in Soil and Water Science. Advised by Carolina Córdova.
Sarah Catheren Magee, Graduate Studies, Master of Science in Agronomy, Specialization in Plant Breeding and Genetics. Advised by Sam Wortman, Blaine Johnson, Becky Young and Jill Motschenbacher.
Erica Lynn Overton, Graduate Studies, Master of Science in Agronomy, Specialization in Range and Forage Science. Advised by John Guretzky.
Bellodgia Danielle Roberson, Graduate Studies, Master of Science in Agronomy, Specialization in Soil and Water Science. Advised by Carolina Cordova and Judith Turk.
Trace Stauble, Graduate Studies, Master of Science in Agronomy, Specialization in Range and Forage Science. Advised by Nicholas McMillan.
Ezequiel Maria Villamil, Graduate Studies, Doctor of Philosophy in Agronomy and Horticulture, Specialization in Soil and Water Science. Advised by Cody Creech.
Thomas Wilbur Davis, Graduate Studies, Doctor of Plant Health. Advised by Jeffrey Bradshaw and Gary Hein.
More details about the commencement ceremonies are available at Nebraska Today.
See the congratulatory video for agronomy and horticulture, grassland systems and Doctor of Plant Health graduates.
