The Lynx Way
From classroom to
community: Students lead Brookings cancer
awareness campaign
Students, including Alicia Garrow of Brandon, in the South Dakota State University School of Communication and Journalism have been honing their skills both inside and outside the classroom through the Brookings Colorectal Cancer Awareness Program. This initiative aims to educate the community about colorectal cancer and promote preventive health measures.
The initiative is the focus of coursework in the Integrated Marketing Communications course, where students apply classroom knowledge directly to a communitywide project.
Launched in 2021, the Brookings Colorectal Cancer Awareness Program was inspired by a personal loss experienced by Marina Hendricks, an assistant professor of journalism. She envisioned a program that would not only educate the public about colorectal cancer but also provide students with tangible skills in public relations.
Every task within the course contributes to the planning, development and execution of the campaign. The class this semester had 15 students, each assuming a unique role to ensure the project’s success.
65 Husker students
earn certificate
in sales excellence
Sixty-five University of Nebraska-Lincoln students have earned undergraduate certificates in sales excellence and were honored at a May 2 luncheon hosted by the Center for Sales Excellence. Among the group were two students from Sioux Falls, Sabren Bortnem, a senior marketing major, and Anna Engels, a junior advertising and public relations major.
The students completed 15 credit hours of sales coursework that sharpened their communication and relationship-building skills. Students can opt to take another three credit hours to earn an advanced certificate.
Two Brandon students are MSU-Mankato grads
Minnesota State University, Mankato awarded 2,454 degrees to 2,179 students at the end of the spring 2025 semester. Among the graduates are two from Brandon: Kaitlyn Bannwarth, MS, College Student Affairs, Cum Laude; and Annabelle Schultz, BS, Marketing.
Commencement ceremonies were held Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10.
Undergraduate students receiving recognition included 378 students graduating summa cum laude (3.8 grade point average and higher), 286 students graduating magna cum laude (grade point averages of 3.6 to 3.79) and 293 students graduating cum laude (grade point averages of 3.4 to 3.59).
Brandon students graduate from Northwestern College
Noah Bertsch, Abigail Blok and Jeffrey Burch, all of Brandon were among 270 graduates to receive bachelor’s degrees at Northwestern College during commencement ceremonies on May 10.
Bertsch graduated with a major in criminal justice. Blok graduated Magna Cum Laude (3.70-3.89 GPA) with a major in business administration/marketing. Burch graduated with a major in business administration/management and marketing.
USF announces spring dean’s list
The University of Sioux Falls has named 515 students named to the Spring 2025 Dean’s List. Area students include: Brandon – Emma DeWitt, AA graphic design; Ellie Erickson, criminal justice; Elizabeth Kopp, exercise science; Ashley Olsen, AA graphic design; Sherilyn Sifuentes, social work; Shane Thompson, business administration; Garretson – Raegen Altman, exercise science; Kalista Graham, elementary education; Madden Lardy business administration and media studies; Elizabeth Olson, exercise science; Renner – Brandon Havlovic, criminal justice; Sioux Falls – Mara Nelson, business administration and media studies; Ryan Presler, history and political science and applied mathematics; Valley Springs – Rachael Vogel, AA graphic design.
Local students are
U of N-Lincoln grads
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln conferred 3,681 degrees during commencement exercises May 3, 16 and 17.
The 3,591 graduates are from 57 countries, 46 U.S. states and 250-plus Nebraska communities.
Among the area graduates are: Brandon – Hannah Pearce, Colleg of Arts and Sciences, Bachelor of Science; and Braiden Petersen, College of Law, Juris Doctor.
Schroder named to
University of Jamestown dean’s list
Gabriella Schroder, of Brandon, earned Dean’s List distinction at the University of Jamestown. Students are named to the list for a earning a 3.5 GPA while taking at least 12 credit hours for the semester.
