Minot State set to celebrate its 110th Commencement Exercises
MINOT, N.D. – Minot State University is proud to continue its long-standing tradition dating back to its first graduating class in 1914 by celebrating its 110th Commencement Exercises on Friday, May 16.
“The annual MSU Commencement ceremony each May is such a special day when the entire campus gathers to celebrate our graduating students along with their family and friends,” said Minot State President Dr. Steven Shirley. “We are thrilled to officially recognize the entire MSU Class of 2025 with the conferring of their degrees on May 16.”
The University will begin the day with a traditional Hooding Ceremony for completion of a master’s degree at 8 a.m. in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall. MSU will hold the Spring Commencement Ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Minot State Dome.
For individuals unable to attend the two live events, the Hooding Ceremony and Commencement will be broadcast via the Minot State YouTube channel. Access the Hooding Ceremony HERE and the Commencement Ceremony HERE.
Guest speakers at Commencement include Veronica Pinnick ’04, a Minot native who is an integration and test manager at NASA Goddard Space Center in Greenbelt, Maryland; Craig Schmich ’24, a current student in the Master of Science in Sports Management program; Emmett Espino, a current undergraduate student majoring in finance and accounting; and North Dakota State Board of Higher Education speaker Tim Mihalick, who is the chair of the State Board of Higher Education and a senior vice president at First Western Bank & Trust.
Pinnick, who will give the keynote address, graduated from Minot High School in 2000 and earned a degree in chemistry at Minot State in 2004. Following graduation, she attended Texas A&M, where she completed her doctorate in analytical chemistry in 2009. She attended Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, where she had a chance to work on developing a mass spectrometer set for Mars, which led to her being hired full time at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in 2011.
“The inclusion of student and alumni speakers is a special tradition with every MSU Commencement ceremony,” Shirley said. “Craig and Emmett are wonderful representatives from this year’s graduating class, and Dr. Veronica Pinnick has had an amazing career with NASA, so I am sure our graduating students and all ceremony attendees will enjoy her message.”
Minot State will host a special graduation homepage with additional information on the ceremony, events, gift ideas, social media posts, videos, senior spotlights, and a wall of graduates. MSU is pleased to announce multiple local hotels offer a Minot State Family and Friends discount of 15% off the standard room rate, with participating properties listed HERE. Access all MSU graduation content at MinotStateU.edu/grad and use hashtag #MSUclassof25 in all social media posts.
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: 05/12/25
