Names & Notables

Oct. 7—Partners in Policymaking

Shannon Peterson, of Springfield, has completed a comprehensive advocacy training course offered by Partners in Policymaking.

Monthly two-day sessions covered the history of disability and self-advocacy movements, inclusive education, supported living, and competitive employment. Individuals consider how to influence county, state, and federal legislative processes.

Peterson and her husband are raising two teenagers with a range of cognitive and emotional disabilities ranging from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome to dyslexialete homework assignments.

The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities introduced the Partners in Policymaking program in 1987.

Des Moines University

Garrett Rabenhorst, of Mankato, Katelyn McCabe, of Le Center, and Hannah Roux, of Courtland, were among the 431 Des Moines University students in five clinical programs who participated in the university's White Coat Ceremony Sept. 15 at Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Des Moines, Iowa.

The ceremony is a rite of passage for students as they begin their medical education and prepare to become health care providers. Participating in DMU's ceremony were 149 students in the College of Health Sciences' Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, Doctor of Occupational Therapy and Doctor of Physical Therapy programs; 56 students in the College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery's Doctor of Podiatric Medicine program; and 226 students in the College of Osteopathic Medicine's Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program.

Rabenhorst earned a doctor of osteopathic medicine degree; McCabe and Roux earned a master of science degrees in physician assistant studies.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, students recited the White Coat Ceremony Student Oath, in which they pledged to focus their efforts on "the ultimate goal of serving my future patients." The students' white coats were provided by an endowed fund and donations.

Pacific University

Elijah James Hill, of Nicollet, graduated Aug. 12 from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon.

Hill earned a doctor of psychology degree in clinical psychology.

MSU-Moorhead

Lucas Zollner, of North Mankato, graduated from Minnesota State University-Moorhead in December.

Zollner, whose cumulative grade-point average is 3.947, graduated with summa cum laude honors and a bachelor of science degree in operations management.

Cumberlands University

Robert Martens, of New Ulm, earned a doctorate degree in May from the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky.

Martens' doctorate is in leadership studies.

Marquette University

Isaac Peterson, of North Mankato, graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee in June.

Peterson earned a bachelor of science degree in middle/secondary education.

SDSU

South Dakota State University, Brookings, held its annual Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Day April 20 in the University Student Union's Volstorff Ballroom.

Among the student honorees were:

Kylie Rosenau, of Blue Earth; Rebecca Morgan, of Janesville; Abigail Riesgraf, of Mankato; and Trey Heiderscheidt, of Sleepy Eye.

URSCAD is organized by SDSU's Van D. and Barbara B. Fishback Honors College. In addition to selecting top student performances, the university announced the recipients of the Schultz-Werth Awards and the Joseph F. Nelson Undergraduate Research Mentorships.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Natali Fellows, of Blue Earth, received a master of science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee during May 21 commencement exercises in Milwaukee.

Fellows studied at the university in the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare.

Concordia-Nebraska

Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska, awarded undergraduate and graduate degrees to more than 300 graduates. The class of 2023 was honored during undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies in May.

Bennett Shane, of Truman, and Sierra Geistfeld, of St. James, earned bachelor of science degrees in education.