Graduate and USAF Colonel to speak at Minot State University commencement
In looking ahead to Minot State University’s centennial in 2013, this year’s commencement will highlight a key goal within the institution’s strategic plan, "Vision 2013." On May 14, graduate students will participate in a hooding ceremony at 8 a.m. in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall. The commencement ceremony for graduate and undergraduate students will begin at 10 a.m. in the Dome.
Minot State alumni Tom and Gloria (Urness) Myhra will be special guests at commencement. The relationship between Gloria, an Alkabo native, and Tom, a Crosby native, blossomed while they were college students, and they married in August 1955. In June 1957, they were the first married students to receive their degrees at the same Minot State commencement ceremony. The Myhras had very successful teaching careers. Now retired, they live in Fridley, Minn.
The 2010 commencement speakers, senior Jillian Cenaiko and Colonel Robert M. Walker, the 91st Operations Group commander at Minot Air Force Base, will address Vision 2013’s fourth strategy, "Building a Diverse and Multicultural University Climate."
"Commencement marks one of the biggest transitions in our lives. While some of us are pursuing further education, others are beginning careers," Cenaiko said. "Nonetheless, Minot State University has prepared us all to be competent, ethical and successful professionals."
Cenaiko, a native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, has completed a Bachelor of Science degree in communication disorders within three years, while earning a summa cum laude distinction. As part of the communication disorders program, she received clinical experience in pediatrics. She exemplifies student engagement with her involvement at the university and within the community.
Cenaiko participated in the National Students Speech Language Hearing Association, the MSU Dance Team, the MSU Cheer Team and Red Alert, a new student group established to ignite school spirit and rekindle tradition on the Minot State University campus. In the community, she served as cheer coach for Surrey High School and the Minot High School junior varsity team. During last year’s flooding, she also assisted in the sandbagging effort.
In fall 2010, Cenaiko will begin working toward a master’s degree in speech-language pathology at State University of New York at Geneseo.
At Minot Air Force Base, Walker is responsible for the safe, effective operation and maintenance of 150 Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles from 15 remote missile alert facilities and seven UH-IN aircraft used in support of missile-field activities dispersed over 8,500 square miles.
Walker entered the United States Air Force in August 1981, and he has served in a number of operations and staff positions to include test and evaluation, officer assignments and joint operations. His test and evaluation experience includes assignment to Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., in Strategic Air Command's Top Hand program. As chief of the Space and Missile Officer Assignment Team at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, Walker led the space and missile career field during the most dramatic period in career field history.
Walker’s operational experience includes missile combat crew duty at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo.; a tour of duty in the National Military Command Center, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., in space operations, nuclear command and control, contingency operations and as Single Integrated Operational Plan advisor to the deputy director for operations, NMCC. He commanded the First Aces, 10th Missile Squadron, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., and served as deputy commander, 460th Operations Group, Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. Walker is a fully qualified joint specialty officer. Prior to assuming his current position, Walker was the chief of the Operationally Responsive Space Division, Directorate of Requirements, and Headquarters Air Force Space Command.
For additional information about the commencement ceremony, contact Jennifer Sick, registrar, at 858-3126 or jennifer.sick@minotstateu.edu.