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.

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 

Learn More