The Lynx Way
South Dakota State announces spring 2026 graduates
A number of Brandon Valley area students graduated after the spring 2026 semester at South Dakota State University. More than 1,600 students completed all requirements for a degree and/or certificate program.
Overall, students from 32 states and 27 nations graduated, and more than 90 students received two or more degrees or certificates from a college.
Among the local graduates are: Brandon – Matthew Becker, Bachelor of Science; Cheyenne Dodds, Associate of Arts; Reagan Doll, Master of Science-Engineering; Maiya Duncanson, Summa Cume Laude, B.S.-Nursing; Kazi Ellingson, B.S.-Education and Human Sciences; Carter Ellsworth, Magna Cum Laude, B.S.-Education and Human Sciences; Max Faber, B.S. Arts Humanities and Social Sciences; Kaden Hanzel, Cum Laude, B.S.-Nursing; Garret Hennen, Summa Cum Laude, B.S. Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Danae Johnson, Summa Cum Laude, B.S.-Education and Human Sciences; Emma Kirlin, Cum Laude, B.S., Education and Human Sciences; Ella Kjenstad, B.S., Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Ethan Kjenstad, Master of Science-Engineering; Valentyna LaBrie, Master of Science, Natural Sciences; Ashley Linn, B .S., Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Lauren Moller-Welynn, Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Tristin Pliska, B.S., Natural Sciences; Jackson Schlagel, B.S., Engineering; Hannah Sprecher, Magna Cum Laude, B.S. Education and Human Sciences; Makenzie Tekrony, Magna Cum Laude, B.S. Arts, Humanities and Human Sciences; Cael Weber, B.S., Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Jared Zerr, B.S., Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions;
Garretson – Jaivyn DeBoer, B.S., Engineering; Lauren Fick, B.S., Engineering; Ryan Flanagan, Cum Laude, Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Jayde Halverson, Magna Cum Laude, B.S. Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions; Alexander Stephenson, B.S. Education and Human Sciences;
Renner – Berklee Erickson, Summa Cum Laude, B.S. Education and Human Sciences; April Nelsen, graduate certificate, Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions; Benjamin Sorum, B.S., Social Sciences;
Sioux Falls – Isabela Anders, Magna Cum Laude, B.S., Natural Sciences; Logan Kelling, B.S., Education and Human Sciences;
Valley Springs – Karson Beyer, Magna Cum Laude, B.S., Natural Sciences; Olivia Bork, B.S., Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences.
