More than 120 spring graduates receive Latin honors
Luther College announced that 268 students graduated in the spring of 2025. They were honored at the 2025 Commencement ceremony on May 25.
Of the graduating class, 124 received Latin honors across a variety of majors and 18% were first-generation college students. Approximately 4% of the graduates were transfer students, 14% were international students and nearly 20% of students were double majors.
Watch a video featuring highlights from Commencement.

Luther College announced that 268 students graduated in the spring of 2025. Of the graduating class, 124 received Latin honors across a variety of majors and 18% were first-generation college students.
Congratulations to the following graduates:
Ryan Richard Adams, Osage, Iowa
Chemistry, cum laude
Raul Alfonso Ferrández, Alicante, Spain
Management
Allie Anderson, New Ulm, Minnesota
Communication Studies, Visual Communication, summa cum laude
Mara Anderson-Skelly, Lemont, Pennsylvania
Environmental Studies, summa cum laude
Charlotte Appel, Lynnwood, Washington
Music Education, summa cum laude
Noah James Arndt, Northfield, Minnesota
Biology
Gabriel James Atkins, Castle Pines, Colorado
Management
Victor Azih, Mbabane, Eswatini
Management
Aidan Christopher Bailey, Dripping Springs, Texas
Management
Rosie Baldus, Charles City, Iowa
Theatre, cum laude
Anna Barbknecht, Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Accounting, Management, cum laude
Emma Elizabeth Kastl Barness, Aurora, Colorado
International Studies, Political Science, Nordic Studies, magna cum laude
Milan Bartelt, Denver, Colorado
Biology
Soren Basnet, Kathmandu, Nepal
Computer Science
Abigail Bates, Belmond, Iowa
Environmental Studies, summa cum laude
Ava Catherine Bednarz, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Psychology
Jack Bell, Madison, Wisconsin
Exercise Science, magna cum laude
Fiona Bennett, Lisle, Illinois
Nursing
Casey Berg, Austin, Minnesota
Accounting, Management
Alyssa Rae Blankenship, Columbia Falls, Montana
Biology
Samuel Blomme, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Nursing, cum laude
Mary Brady, Eldora, Iowa
English, magna cum laude
Patrick Brognano, Oregon, Wisconsin
Chemistry, cum laude
Vershon Brooks, Brighton, Colorado
Exercise Science–Allied Health
Kayla Brummer, Ankeny, Iowa
Biology
Vincent Buchner, La Crosse, Wisconsin
Computer Science, summa cum laude
Thuy Tram Bui, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Mathematics/Statistics, magna cum laude
Michelle Thi Bui, Vietnam
Accounting, Economics, magna cum laude
Maia Bumgardner, Urbandale, Iowa
Chemistry
Brady Burkheimer, Ames, Iowa
Biology
Michael Burns, Forest City, Iowa
Visual Communication
Chanyanuch Butsayaturt, Thailand
Political Science, International Studies
Jessica Campos Arzate, Decorah, Iowa
Communication Studies
Leif Carey-Odden, Mount Vernon, Washington
Nursing, magna cum laude
Toby Carls, St. Paul, Minnesota
English
Christopher Cevallos, El Salvador
Political Science, International Studies
Signe Christiansen, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Elementary Education, magna cum laude
Cody Clark, Wayzata, Minnesota
Religion, Identity Studies
Kendall Clausen, Rochester, Minnesota
Psychology, cum laude
Alfred Adade Cobbinah, Decorah, Iowa
Neuroscience, cum laude
Sabina Dahal, Lalitpur, Nepal
Computer Science, cum laude
Makenzie Dahlstrom, Packwood, Iowa
Law and Values
Kaitlyn Dailey, Utica, Minnesota
Social Work, summa cum laude
Jerrianne Dannenmueller, Osceola, Wisconsin
Psychology
Anastasia Violet Davidson, Cedar Falls, Iowa
Music, summa cum laude
Vicky Davis, Davenport, Iowa
Neuroscience
Tristan Day, Clearlake, California
Psychology
Jackson Decker, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Chemistry, cum laude
Kellen DeKok, Archer, Iowa
Economics, Spanish, cum laude
Ethan Allen Ducklow, Carver, Minnesota
Exercise Science–Strength and Conditioning
Noah Dutler, Plainfield, Illinois
Management
Abigail Jean Dykstra, Chandler, Arizona
Nursing, magna cum laude
Katelyn Elisabeth Egan, Dubuque, Iowa
Nursing
Nour El Kassem, Beirut, Lebanon
Neuroscience, Nordic Studies
Britta Elsbernd, Mason City, Iowa
Music, Visual Communication, summa cum laude
Olivia Engler, Atlantic, Iowa
Accounting, Nordic Studies, magna cum laude
Zoe Epple, Edina, Minnesota
Environmental Studies
Anthony Marco Esposito, Plymouth, Minnesota
Data Science
Bitijula Esther Bitijula, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo
Social Work, Psychology
Jay Fjelstul, Decorah, Iowa
Management, Nordic Studies
Mac Kenzie Rose Frame, Farmington, Minnesota
Exercise Science–Allied Health, cum laude
Jack Henry Fritz, Johnston, Iowa
Psychology, summa cum laude
Logan Daniel Fritz, Johnston, Iowa
Biology, summa cum laude
Mallory Fynaardt, West Des Moines, Iowa
Biology, Anthropology, magna cum laude
Kamina Gager, Woodbury, Minnesota
History, summa cum laude
Peyton Gallt, Ames, Iowa
Nursing, magna cum laude
Cameron Gallt, Ames, Iowa
Exercise Science
Rafael Gamballi, Cuiaba, Brazil
Management
Ellie Gardner, Edina, Minnesota
Biology, summa cum laude
Benjamin Ryan Gillikin, Long Valley, New Jersey
Nursing, cum laude
Jose Giménez, Santiago, Chile
Economics
Susmita Giri, Sangachok, Nepal
Data Science, Economics, magna cum laude
Joseph Gorman, Santa Rosa, California
Environmental Studies
Janette Gowdy, Melbourne, Iowa
English, Nordic Studies, summa cum laude
Lauren Gray, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Biology, summa cum laude
Alyssa Gray, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Biology
Talia Anessa Grier, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Management
Emily Groppoli, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Allied Health Sciences, magna cum laude
Owen Gruenwald, Ankeny, Iowa
Data Science, Theatre
Lydia Gruenwald, Lombard, Illinois
History
Ethan Grunewald, Fairmont, Minnesota
Computer Science, Mathematics, magna cum laude
Olivia Grace Gustafson, Edina, Minnesota
Biology, summa cum laude
Avery June Hagstrom, Alexandria, Minnesota
Elementary Education, summa cum laude
Rawan Hannoon, Gaza, Palestine
Neuroscience
Kressin Hartl, Cannon Falls, Minnesota
Music Education
Alexys Harwood, Spring Valley, Minnesota
Exercise Science–Allied Health
Jonas Haugland, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Chemistry
Cade Hawkins, Batavia, Illinois
Chemistry
Elizabeth Steele Heim, East Dubuque, Illinois
Social Work, magna cum laude
Garren Heinert, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Law and Values
William Heithoff, Winterset, Iowa
Exercise Science–Allied Health
Braeden Hendel, Mankato, Minnesota
Nursing
Keely Shea Hermanson, Decorah, Iowa
Psychology, Social Work, cum laude
Chase Heying, Sartell, Minnesota
Anthropology, Sociology–Criminology Track, cum laude
Ryan Daniel Hinderaker, Ames, Iowa
Music Education
Ryan Lucas Holt, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
Music, Physics, Mathematics, magna cum laude
Katelyn Hosking, Slinger, Wisconsin
Exercise Science–Allied Health, magna cum laude
Foster Hull, Dubuque, Iowa
Visual Communication, magna cum laude
Emily Hursh, St. Charles, Minnesota
History, magna cum laude
Elise Lynnée Ilsley, Springfield, Illinois
Nursing, cum laude
Ashley Imdieke, Northfield, Minnesota
English, magna cum laude
Redempta Iratunganye, Musanze, Rwanda
Neuroscience
Mason Irving, Iowa City, Iowa
History, magna cum laude
Chelin Isaacson, Superior, Colorado
Elementary Education, magna cum laude
Cassiah James, Evansville, Wisconsin
Communication Studies
Piper Marie Jensen, Stoughton, Wisconsin
Biology
Christian Jensen, Madison, Wisconsin
History, Theatre, cum laude
Blake Jondle, Long Beach, California
Exercise Science –Strength and Conditioning
Taiyo Kakegawa-Fernandez, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Psychology
Morgan Kane, Lake City, Minnesota
Nursing, magna cum laude
Alyssa Keller, Rochester, Minnesota
Visual Communication
Casey Kellett Whitwham, Essex, England/Navan, Ireland
Data Science
Piper Kellner, Austin, Minnesota
Biology, cum laude
Jillian Kaye Kipp, Plymouth, Minnesota
Environmental Studies
Katy Klein, Elgin, Minnesota
Accounting, magna cum laude
Jacob Aaron Klingsten, Waterford, Wisconsin
Music Education, summa cum laude
Leo Kloos, St. Paul, Minnesota
Visual Communication
Leah Koenig, Lakeville, Minnesota
English, cum laude
Emma Kowalczyk, Colgate, Wisconsin
Management
Will Kuelbs, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Social Work
Audrey Kuhn, Madison, Wisconsin
Nursing, magna cum laude
Ethan Kunka, Great Falls, Montana
Music Education, cum laude
Hannah LaBonte, Lake City, Minnesota
Nursing, magna cum laude
Gislaine Lainfiesta Lopez, St. Paul, Minnesota
Anthropology
Courtney Landgrebe, Rosemount, Minnesota
Elementary Education, magna cum laude
Claire Larson, Golden Valley, Minnesota
Art
Claudia Larson, Golden Valley, Minnesota
Environmental Studies
Nicole Larson, Lakeville, Minnesota
Nursing, magna cum laude
Asli Joelle Lawrence, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania
Music, magna cum laude
Katherine Lawson, Cedar Falls, Iowa
Music Education, summa cum laude
Diep Le, Hanoi, Vietnam
Accounting, Data Science, magna cum laude
Carl Jamison Lee, Lewiston, Minnesota
Political Science
Tancrède Lefort, Golbey, France
International Studies, Political Science, magna cum laude
Noah Lindeman, St. Paul, Minnesota
Exercise Science–Strength and Conditioning
Quinn Lohse, Waukee, Iowa
Elementary Education
Awate Elizabeth Elisama Loma, Juba, South Sudan
Economics, International Studies, cum laude
Sullivan Lucy, St. Paul, Minnesota
Mathematics/Statistics
Justin Maas-Espinoza, Tracy, California
Sociology
Madi Major, Golden, Colorado
Biology, Environmental Studies
Ryan Malecha, Northfield, Minnesota
English, magna cum laude
Hernan Jesus Manzanet, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Data Science
Evan Jordan Marinov, Toronto, Canada
Computer Science
Amara Kyri Marks, Urbandale, Iowa
Law and Values
Ellanor Elizabeth Marti, Chaska, Minnesota
Environmental Studies, cum laude
Delaney Estrella Martinez-Wilson, Mead, Colorado
Exercise Science
Owen Matzek, Hastings, Minnesota
Environmental Studies, magna cum laude
Mark McCollor, Minnetonka, Minnesota
Visual Communication
Adam McDonald, Cold Spring, Minnesota
Music
Hannah McFarland, Winterset, Iowa
Nursing
Erin McGrath, Woodbury, Minnesota
Psychology, Neuroscience
Grace McIlrath, Grinnell, Iowa
Anthropology, Nordic Studies, magna cum laude
Mitchell McManus, Cannon Falls, Minnesota
Music
Bruna Costa, Brasilia, Brazil
Visual Communication, magna cum laude
Raul Medrano III, Madera, California
Management
Jordan Melendez, Worthington, Minnesota
Computer Science
Elisa Millán, Plymouth, Minnesota
Economics, Spanish, cum laude
Megan Hyla Miller, Urbandale, Iowa
Economics, Nordic Studies, summa cum laude
Jack Moriarty, Waukee, Iowa
Mathematics, Physics, summa cum laude
Jack Morrison, White Bear Lake, Minnesota
Environmental Studies
Sonnet Mungyeh, Happy Valley, Oregon
Global Health–Plan 1, German
Alexia Murano, Urbandale, Iowa
Elementary Education, Spanish, cum laude
Jorge Murillo Uruñuela, Madrid, Spain
Computer Science
Arnold Mushumbusi Mutasingwa, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Neuroscience
Nev Nelson, Woodinville, Washington
Chemistry, cum laude
Alana Suzanne Newell, Pecatonica, Illinois
Biology
Duy Nguyen, Vietnam
Data Science, Physics
Tapiwanashe (Taps) Nkompilo, Highfields Harare, Zimbabwe
Data Science
Clayton Nowak, Andover, Minnesota
Biology
Riley O’Donnell, Dubuque, Iowa
Neuroscience, cum laude
Emmaleigh Ohrt, Decorah, Iowa
Music, cum laude
Halle Olson, Cottage Grove, Wisconsin
Nursing
Kyah Joann Olson-Sola, Northfield, Minnesota
Nursing, cum laude
Oluwa Victor Olayemi, Lagos, Nigeria
Social Work, Psychology, cum laude
Ava Severina O’Neill, Northfield, Minnesota
Environmental Studies, Political Science
Ahmed Daud Osman, Hargeisa, Somaliland
Economics
Javier Pastor Valls, Alicante, Spain
Economics
Ellen Petersen, Madison, Wisconsin
Psychology
Bryan Peterson, Estherville, Iowa
Communication Studies
Emma Pichelmann, Jacksonville Beach, Florida
Biology, Anthropology, summa cum laude
Amber Pinter, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Nursing, cum laude
Gray Pitsenbarger, Shoreview, Minnesota
Art
Mya Ploor, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Music
Cole Pollock, Ankeny, Iowa
Biology
Stirling Pollock, Grand Marais, Minnesota
Visual Communication
Ricardo Antonio Portilla Ruiz, Quito, Ecuador
Global Health–Plan 1, cum laude
Gracia Powell, Bellingham, Washington
International Studies, Political Science, cum laude
Julia Lynn Praska, St. Paul, Minnesota
Nursing
Mark Prince, San Diego, California
Mathematics, Physics, cum laude
Carlie Prymek, Iowa City, Iowa
Music
Mara Quackenbush, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Communication Studies
Ian McAlister Ramirez, Janesville, Wisconsin
Communication Studies
Montserrat Ramírez Mainou, Queretaro, Mexico
Neuroscience
Dylan Rauser, Ankeny, Iowa
Exercise Science–Allied Health Sciences
Hogan Reuter, Farmington, Minnesota
Exercise Science–Allied Health Sciences
Kaija Elizabeth Rice, Ames, Iowa
Social Work, cum laude
Annika Mary Rice, Ames, Iowa
Nursing
Kelly Ristau, Preston, Minnesota
Psychology, Art
Isaac Roberts, Decorah, Iowa
Nordic Studies
Mateus Rohden, Joinville, Brazil
Computer Science
Christina Rolf, River Falls, Wisconsin
Art, magna cum laude
Juan Pablo Rosaldo, Mexico City, Mexico
Economics
Noel Rosales Jr., Chicago, Illinois
Law and Values
Jax Rosland, Elmhurst, Illinois
Communication Studies
Paige Ross, Faribault, Minnesota
Exercise Science–Allied Health, cum laude
Hannah Roth, Rochester, Minnesota
Music
Ella Rowley, Rochester, Minnesota
Mathematics
Chloe Rozga, Northfield, Minnesota
Communication Studies, Law and Values, summa cum laude
Fernando Ruiz Vega, Chicago, Illinois
Accounting
Abby Russeth, Lakeville, Minnesota
Global Health, summa cum laude
Haakon Rustad, Northfield, Minnesota
Nordic Studies, Accounting
Khalil Saldivar, Houston, Texas
Visual Communication
Junita Sangare, Monrovia, Liberia
Biology, cum laude
Riley Mae Sauser, Ely, Iowa
Exercise Science–Allied Health, magna cum laude
Sarah Schmidt, Bettendorf, Iowa
Mathematics, Biology, summa cum laude
Kenlin Mae Schmitt, Elgin, Iowa
Exercise Science–Allied Health
Tori Nichole Schnell, Deforest, Wisconsin
Exercise Science–Allied Health
Andie Schrader, Bloomington, Minnesota
Social Work
Erica Schulte, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Accounting, Management, cum laude
Riley Schulte, Plymouth, Minnesota
Management, magna cum laude
Aidan Schultheis, Des Moines, Iowa
Psychology
Mark Severtson, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Music, summa cum laude
Nico Shrestha, Minnetonka, Minnesota
Political Science, Spanish, Law and Values
Elijah Shubatt, Dubuque, Iowa
Law and Values
Matthew Gunner Smith, Decorah, Iowa
History, Political Science
Lizzie Snyder, Petaluma, California
Individualized Interdisciplinary-Ancient Civilizations
Kai Stemm, Roseville, Minnesota
Data Science, German
Anna Stenerson, Maple Grove, Minnesota
Social Work, magna cum laude
Peter Stinar, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Accounting, magna cum laude
Isaac Stivers, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
German
Hannah Isabel Stoutner, Whitehall, Wisconsin
Communication Studies, magna cum laude
Alyssa Strampe, Janesville, Wisconsin
Psychology, magna cum laude
Zed Strom, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Political Science
Sorley Swanstrom-Arnold, Washburn, Wisconsin
History, magna cum laude
Kaleb Thiesse, Kasson, Minnesota
Elementary Education
Allison Thomley, Middleton, Wisconsin
Visual Communication, Art, magna cum laude
Hayden Thompson, North Liberty, Iowa
Psychology, cum laude
Vincent Torgerson, Mabel, Minnesota
Political Science
Elise Trail-Johnson, St. Paul, Minnesota
Visual Communication, magna cum laude
Emma Tran, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Mathematics/Statistics, magna cum laude
Hannah Marie Kerchner, West Branch, Iowa
Music, magna cum laude
Marcus Uthke, Eyota, Minnesota
Management
Soley Valdimarsdottir, Reykjavik, Iceland
Data Science, Management, cum laude
Anastasios Vasileiou, Paiania, Greece
Management
William Foster Vavrichek, Hopkins, Minnesota
Chemistry
Justin Velzke, Owatonna, Minnesota
Management
Zoe Verhey, Dassel, Minnesota
Management
Andre Viveros, Whittier, California
Economics
Anishka Vogl, Austin, Texas
Music
Renee Vorndran, Osceola, Wisconsin
Environmental Studies
Grace Vuckovich, Mokena, Illinois
Sociology
Josh Wackerfuss, Chaska, Minnesota
International Studies, Spanish, Political Science, magna cum laude
Alexander Wagner, Mosinee, Wisconsin
Communication Studies
Emma Walker, Decorah, Iowa
English, cum laude
Finn Wallace, Eagan, Minnesota
Visual Communication
Shulei Wang, China
Computer Science, Religion, magna cum laude
Julia Weiner, Iowa City, Iowa
Psychology, magna cum laude
Jacob Wenger, Manchester, Iowa
Chemistry, summa cum laude
Luke Westholder, Edina, Minnesota
Management
Ava White, Duluth, Minnesota
Communication Studies, summa cum laude
Livia Monet Williams, Coralville, Iowa
Exercise Science–Strength and Conditioning
Clara Wodny, Duluth, Minnesota
Visual Communication, English, summa cum laude
Avery Wrage, Waverly, Iowa
Biology, magna cum laude
Reece Wright, Annandale, Minnesota
Music Education, magna cum laude
Dexter Wright II, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Psychology, cum laude
Sophie Yakes, St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Identity Studies
Eli Young, North Liberty, Iowa
Management, magna cum laude
Judith Zimundi, Harare, Zimbabwe
Chemistry
Ruby Zorn, Little Rock, Arkansas
English, cum laude
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