MSU graduates and alumnus to speak at commencement
Graduate student Emily Gordon, undergraduate student Cameron McBeth and alumnus Nathan Conway addressed the Class of 2015 at Minot State University’s commencement ceremony May 15.
MSU graduate students participated in a hooding ceremony at 8 a.m. in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall. The commencement ceremony for graduate and undergraduate students began at 10 a.m. in the Dome.
Gordon, a Dickinson native, attained a Master of Science degree in communication disorders (speech-language pathology) after completing a Bachelor of Science in communication disorders in 2013. She was involved with the National Student Speech, Language, and Hearing Association while an undergraduate student. She founded “Miles for Smiles,” a fundraising walk to benefit Operation Smile, an international organization that provides reconstructive surgeries to children with cleft lip and palate. Her efforts helped to raise approximately $9,000 and inspired the entire Department of Communication Disorders to raise money for more than 100 surgeries during the MSU Centennial Celebration. She is marrying Kyle Stephen, an alumnus, in August and becoming the new speech-language pathologist at Nedrose Public School in the fall.
McBeth, a Towner native, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and finance. He has a 4.0 grade point average and is graduating with summa cum laude honors. Initially, he attended Dakota College at Bottineau, completing an associate degree in accounting. While at DCB, he was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and was elected its president in 2011. While at MSU, McBeth has been an exceedingly engaged student. He joined the Mu Sigma Tau Fraternity and served as a supplemental instructor for introductory accounting courses. He participated in the Voluntary Income Tax Assistant program and was the president of the Phi Beta Lambda business club. McBeth is also involved with his hometown as a Zion Lutheran Church council member and the Layton Township treasurer. He plans to take the certified public accounting exam after graduation and continue working at Accounting Solutions in the spring and on his family farm for the rest of the year.
Westhope native Conway is the chief executive officer of Fortis Energy Services, a Bloomfield Hills-based oil and gas service company with operations in Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, West Virginia and Maryland. Conway’s primary focus is on strategic acquisitions and organic growth. Prior to taking on this position, he was chief operations officer of Ward Williston Oil Co. A third-generation oilman, Conway grew up in the North Dakota oilfields and earned an accounting degree from Minot State University, followed by an MBA at the University of Michigan.
Terry Hjelmstad represented the State Board of Higher Education, which he chairs. Appointed to the board in 2011, the retired Minot educator’s term expires June 30. For questions, contact Rebecca Porter, registrar, at rebecca.porter@minotstateu.edu.
About Minot State University
Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through
rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.
| Published: 05/08/15 |
