Over 640 to Receive Degrees at University Commencement

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On Saturday, June 4, more than 640 Bellevue University students are expected to cross the stage at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to receive their diplomas at the University’s 2022 spring commencement ceremony. 

Among the graduates will be Ashlea Rodriguez, student speaker, who has earned a degree. Rodriguez, a Bellevue, Nebraska native, will graduate with her Master of Business Administration degree.  Rodriguez is a U.S. Air Force veteran, a mother, a working adult learner, a first-generation college student and already a Bellevue University alumni, having earned her undergraduate degree  at the university in 2020.

“The individual aspirations that our students have and that Bellevue University enables are truly remarkable,” said University President Dr. Mary Hawkins. “The students we serve best are those who, like Ashlea, have invested in themselves and are motivated to succeed at the next level.”

The commencement ceremony, which begins at 9:10 a.m. with the procession of graduates, will also feature comments from L. Javier Fernandez, President and CEO of Omaha Public Power District (OPPD).  OPPD is a publicly owned electric utility serving an estimated 853,000 people, more than any other electric utility in Nebraska.  Fernandez is also a member of the Bellevue University Board of Directors. 

Five students will also receive their doctoral degrees in a separate hooding ceremony at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, June 3, at the John B. Muller Administrative Services Building located on the campus of Bellevue University.  Alicia Stoermer Clark, Chief Executive Officer of the Seldin Company, will deliver comments at the ceremony. Clark is a  Bellevue University alumni and earned her Ph.D. in Human Capital Management.

According to University Registrar Colette Lewis, the University conferred 767 degrees from Jan. 1, 2022 through March 31, 2022. This includes 500 undergraduate degrees and 276 graduate degrees. Bellevue University now has nearly 60,000 graduates worldwide.

Bellevue University will also host a Commencement Open House event on its main campus on Friday, June 4. For more information, visit https://www.bellevue.edu/student-support/graduation/before-ceremony#gradopenhouse 

The Mid-America Center and Bellevue University are not requiring masks be worn by staff, faculty, graduates and guests at the commencement ceremony, but ceremony participants and guests may choose to wear them.  Hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout the arena. 

The University will stream the commencement ceremony live so those who cannot attend have an opportunity to see students receive their diplomas. Click here to watch the spring commencement ceremony.