Commencement Resources
Submit a shout-out, see what's next for our upcoming graduates, or share your accomplishments with our press release template!
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Fall 2025 Graduate Features
Gavin Bohanon
Physical Education major from Rozet, Wyoming
How has BHSU prepared you to achieve your future goals?
BHSU has prepared me to achieve my goals by their curriculum. They have amazing P.E.
and Health Classes that allow us to go out into the field and really learn first hand
about teaching and the small things you can’t learn in a book.
Was there a professor, mentor, or staff member who made a difference in your journey?
Tell us about them.
Dr. Derby has been an amazing mentor, and professor. She always has an amazing attitude
everyday and she pushes us to be the best teachers we can be. I love how creative
she is when it comes to lessons and how she is always so welcoming to every student
she meets. I’ve seen her create relationships with other students that makes an impact
on their lives and they always remember her whether it’s from a quick pass by in the
hall to any of her P.E. classes.
What advice would you give to an incoming freshman?
One piece of advice I would give to an incoming freshman is to say yes to things.
You are in most likely the easiest and most difficult position in your life but, don’t
let it stop you from making memories and friends. Say yes to that invite to pickup
basketball, say yes to being in that group in class, say yes to that part time job,
say yes to volunteering for Educators Rising! There is so many “what if’s” and life
is to short to have any regrets so be busy and go enjoy your time.
Jessie Elmshauser
Political Science major from Sidney, Nebraska
What's your favorite memory at BHSU?
My favorite memory would have to be the time I went to London England with a group
of professors and other students. This got me to get out of the fear of traveling
out of the U.S. and to realize to explore the world not just learn about it in the
classroom. From this trip I got to make new friends, experience a new culture along
with expand my learning of the history I learned about England.
What advice would you give to an incoming freshman?
If you don’t know what you want to do or you know what you want to do, take all gen-ed
classes because you never know what class will speak you the most and help you realize
what your true calling will be.
Audrey Fouras
Business Administration with specializations in Accounting and Economics major from Jackson, Wyoming
Was there a professor, mentor, or staff member who made a difference in your journey?
Tell us about them.
Professor Laura Prosser made an impact in my college career. She is enthusiastic,
supportive and truly wants students to succeed in the classroom and in their accounting
career.
What advice would you give to an incoming freshman?
I advise incoming freshman to try anything that interests you. Whether it's an organization
on campus or a class that you're considering, try it!
Noah Westergaard
Photography major from Rapid City, SD
What was your favorite class and why?
My favorite class would certainly be Studio Photography (1 & 2). It's when we finally
got access to the commercial photography studio on campus. Getting to craft images
in the studio has been an outlet for me and has also been a great way to bring my
creativity to light. In the class, we learned studio etiquette, how to pose people,
and how to use high-end photography lighting.
What advice would you give to an incoming freshman?
Advice I'd give to an incoming Freshman - don't take this time for granted. Don't
go home every weekend because you're bored. Get outside, go enjoy Spearfish, the Canyon,
and the plethora of coffee shops in town. These four years will fly by, and it's up
to you to make the best out of them. Get involved, and take your assignments seriously,
especially in the BFA world - these assignments turn into portfolios, and stellar
portfolios are what get you jobs. But most importantly, have fun. Make new friends,
and become the best version of yourself.
Was there a professor, mentor, or staff member who made a difference in your journey?
Tell us about them.
My photo professors are amazing. They're friendly and always around when you have
questions. The photo program is a tight-knit group, and our professors really curate
that relationship. We can laugh together, but also do some really incredible work
thanks to them. Ponder wouldn't be the magazine it is today without the constant support
of Professors Skott Chandler, Justin Bergh, and Allen Morris. Additionally, I wouldn't
be the designer he is today without Professor Erin Sedra. Erin taught me so much,
and I'm thankful for the small but worthwhile time I spent in Erin's design courses
and Ponder mentorship.
Anna Mueller
English major from Rapid City, SD
What clubs, organizations, or sports were you involved in?
Throughout my time at BHSU, I was given the opportunity to be immensely involved on
campus and in the community of Spearfish. My journey began at the Buzz FM radio station
during my freshman year. My older brother, Christian Mueller, worked for the station
and suggested that I begin a radio show as a way to connect with others. Over the
semester, I witnessed firsthand that clubs and organizations have the capacity to
empower students. Not only was I able to form meaningful connections, but I was inspired
to take on leadership roles in areas that I cared about. In doing so, I became a consultant
at the Writing Assistance Center, took on a role as the student representative for
the BHSU AI Literacy Working Group, and served as the Co-president and Co-editor-in-chief
of Three Peaks Review literary journal. My desire to make an impact on others extended to my engagement
with the community of Spearfish. My participation in a creative writing summer camp
for young writers and my collaboration with the Black Hills Writers Collective integrated
me into a wonderfully supportive literary community that I cherish. In each role,
I was able to enrich the lives of those around me, strengthen the clubs and organizations
that I care about, and encourage other students to maintain the work that has been
done by the BHSU students who came before them. While all of these pursuits have been
independently meaningful to my life, their collective impact on others has been the
most rewarding. In everything I am involved in, I hold the purpose of leaving things
better than I have found them. In pursuing this mission, I have also become a better
friend, a better advocate, and a better leader than I was when I came to Black Hills
State University.
What advice would you give to an incoming freshman?
There were so many things that I was concerned about when I was a freshman. Some of
my worries included nerves about my classes, about meeting friends, and whether I
should have brought more art for the walls of my dorm. I worried my way through move-in
day, the first day of classes, and the first nights spent away from home. Looking
back, I can say one thing for certain: I wish I would have embraced the newness. This
can apply to anything and trust me, it will. Embrace the newness, but also embrace
the embarrassments, the moments where you are unsure, and the anxiety that comes with
beginning. It is uncomfortable at first, but this is what leads to growth. My next
piece of advice is to read Todd Dillard’s “How to Live.” Just as Dillard suggests,
I believe that it is in every person’s best interest to “quit loving / with difficulty.”
Open yourself up to the possibilities that college provides. Be interested. In fact,
be the most passionate person in the room. Love the people around you, love what you
are studying, and put that love into the issues that you care about. Lastly, let yourself
grow. Do not hold on to the versions of yourself that no longer serve you. Use this
time to let your experiences shape you into who you are supposed to become and remember
that everything that you invest will come back to you in some way.
Cristian Fierro
Political Science major from Lead, SD
What are your plans after graduation?
Currently after graduation I will continue working my job at the Rapid City hospital
as a Lab Assistant drawing blood, part-time. I will also be working as the West River
Field Organizer for the South Dakota Democrat State Party, part-time. Together working
full-time and doing my best to make a positive difference in this world.
What clubs, organizations, or sports were you involved in?
While at BHSU I was involved in many clubs, Student Senate, Psychology Club, Chess
Club, BHSU Dems Club, I even attempted to make a Crochet club. Primarily I was President
of Chess club for about two years and President of BHSU Dems Club for about two years
as well.
Mackenzie Gill
Psychology major from Rapid City, SD
Was there a professor, mentor, or staff member who made a difference in your journey?
Tell us about them.
Dr. Call and Dr. Weyant both made a huge impact on my time here at BH. They were extremely
supportive both inside and outside of the classroom in helping me achieve my goals
whether it was related to coursework, or taking the next steps and getting into grad
school. I am very grateful for everything that they have done for me over the last
four years.
What advice would you give to an incoming freshman?
My advice to an incoming freshman would be to go to all of the events on campus and
make friends with those around you! The time you spend here goes by SO quickly so
take advantage of everything that campus, your professors, friends, and Spearfish
has to offer!
To mark this important milestone, we encourage you to email a personalized news release to your local newspapers, town/city website, high school alumni office, or workplace. You can use the template below to develop a customized news release about yourself (or your student), including major(s), academic honors, volunteer or internship experiences, study abroad trips, and/or plans for the future.
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Copy the sample news release below.
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Replace bracketed information with your personal details.
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Prepare an email with the subject line “Local resident graduates from Black Hills State University.”
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Paste the personalized release directly into an email message addressed to the media or other places you wish to notify. Don’t forget to include a photo!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[Name of your city] Resident Graduates from Black Hills State University
[City, STATE – May XX, 20XX ] — [First and Last Name] of [City, State] graduated from
Black Hills State University (BHSU) with [a/an Degree or Certificate] in May 20XX.
While at BHSU, [Last name’s] activities included [clubs, sports, volunteerism, service
learning, work, jobs, honor societies, etc.] In addition, [s/he completed a senior
thesis, titled…, or s/he studied abroad at XYZ institution in X country].
[Last name] plans to [work at ABC Company in City, State, or attend XYZ graduate school,
or travel, volunteer, etc.] after graduation.
OPTIONAL: A [year] graduate of [Name of High School] in [City, State], [Last name] is the [son/daughter]
of [parents’ names].
About Black Hills State University
Black Hills State University, located in Spearfish, S.D., is a masters-level state
university with more than 3,400 students. The campus maintains top academic programs
in business, education, exercise science, natural sciences, social sciences, the arts,
mass communication, and health sciences. The University, founded in 1883, leads the
region in sustainability efforts and has been recognized nationally for outdoor recreational
opportunities. BHSU, a member of NCAA Division II athletics, offers 16 athletic programs.
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Contact: [Your name, phone number and email address – so media may reach you if they are interested in asking questions.]