Six student speakers to be featured at SDSU commencement

Six South Dakota State University soon-to-be or recent graduates will be featured speakers at the university's 137th commencement May 6 at the Swiftel Center in Brookings.

SDSU will have three ceremonies as more than 1,600 students plan to walk across the stage for their degrees. The ceremonies will also celebrate SDSU reaching the milestone of 100,000 alumni.

The student speakers at each of the ceremonies include:

 10 a.m. ceremony
Ruchika Kashyap 
Ruchika Kashyap is a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California, Davis. She graduated from South Dakota State University in summer 2022 with a Ph.D. in plant science. She earned a master’s in pathology and bachelor’s in agriculture from Punjab Agricultural University, India.

Kashyap is amazed by plant pathology and is passionate about solving the mysteries behind sick plants and bridging the gap between the lab and land via science communication. She is a South Dakota Discovery Center science communication fellow and has been involved in other science communication programs to inspire the next generation of STEM professionals.

Kashyap called SDSU a close-knit community and said she appreciated finding her home away from home here.

“At SDSU, I learned a lot of skills that prepared me for my future,” she said. “Believe me, friends. If I can be here, you can also be here. So just follow your dreams and your passions. No dream is big enough. … If you don’t give up, I can assure you, you can achieve anything.”

 Bridget Henne
Bridget Henne is from Fargo, North Dakota, and is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in ecology and environmental science. She has minors in both sustainability and sustainable local foods, as well as a certification in agricultural and environmental law.

Henne competed for the South Dakota State University cross-country and track and field teams and was a member of the 2020 Summit League Championship cross-country team, where SDSU placed first. She was a member of the Athletic Commissioner’s List of Academic Excellence and the SDSU Dean’s List throughout her college career.

Henne served as president of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, where she worked with fellow student-athletes to promote community involvement and navigate changes in NCAA legislation. Henne has also participated in Students’ Association and plans on pursuing a career in environmental policy.

She said she feels equipped to make a difference, thanks to SDSU.

“(There’s a lot) I’m going to miss here. … It’s really great to always have a support network and be surrounded by people who want you to succeed,” Henne said.

2 p.m. ceremony
Myah Selland
Myah Selland, a native of Letcher, graduated with an exercise science degree in 2022 and is now completing a degree in community and public health. She will leave South Dakota State with minors in health science, psychology, sociology, and youth and community work.

Selland was a member of the SDSU women’s basketball program for six years, where she helped the Jackrabbits to a number of successes on the court, including Summit League titles and a WNIT championship.

Her passion for inspiring and enabling youth populations led Selland to co-founding a nonprofit organization, Her Turn, which provides opportunities in sports to young girls within the Brookings community. After graduation, Selland plans to continue her nonprofit work while pursuing professional basketball opportunities.

“I think SDSU did a great job of preparing me for my future, especially as a student-athlete,” Selland said. “I had the opportunity to be a part of so many great things. The faculty and administration here really supported me, and so did my coaches. I’ll miss the people the most. SDSU and Brookings are full of such great people.”

 Lezlie Hauck  
Lezlie Hauck grew up on a farm in Roscoe, and her childhood and young adulthood revolved around the family farm.

A trip to Disney World at 10 years old was her first time flying on an airplane. She was terrified at first but slowly became comfortable and realized she loved flying. Fast forward 12 years and she is currently a certified flight instructor for the SDSU aviation program. On May 6, she is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in aviation. She’s not sure what the future holds, but she would like to fly for one of the major airlines or cargo companies.

Throughout her four years at SDSU, Hauck was the treasurer for the Flying Jacks Club and the treasurer, vice president and president of the SDSU Women in Aviation Club.

“I just think it’s important to put yourself outside of your comfort zone. When you do that, the reward is super high. Even me pursuing aviation at SDSU. (At first) I didn’t think that I could do it and was intimidated by it. … It’s been really rewarding, and it’s paid off so far,” Hauck said of her advice to fellow graduates.

 6 p.m. ceremony
Dominic Meyers  
Dominic Meyers is a graduate of the master’s in communication and media studies program at SDSU. Originally hailing from Aberdeen, Meyers received his undergraduate degree in communication studies with a focus in research methods, intercultural communication, computer-mediated communication and rhetoric in 2021 from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota.

Meyers has spent his time at SDSU teaching a variety of public speaking courses, coaching the speech and debate team, and serving as the public relations coordinator for Jack’s Cupboard. Meyers has focused his research on the intersection between video games, narratives and rhetoric. Meyers has already accepted a position at his alma mater, Concordia College Moorhead, as the assistant director of speech and debate.

Meyers credited his mentors at SDSU for preparing him for his future and said he feels equipped to make a difference through advocacy.

“As a graduate student, you really get those one-on-one connections with your professors,” he said. “I know that the lessons that I’ve learned from those one-on-one mentorships are going to continue, even if I’m not on campus anymore.”

 Madison Fitch  
Madison Fitch is a senior nursing major from Rapid City. During her time at SDSU, she has participated in a wide variety of activities including Students’ Association, Alpha Xi Delta, SDSU Council of Trustees, the Van D. and Barbara B. Fishback Honors College, Honors College Student Organization, the Human Physiology teaching team, the Mental Wellbeing Team and Oasis College and Young Adult Ministry.

Fitch found a passion for palliative and oncological nursing care and presented her research at the state Capitol. She was recognized as a 2022 Goodale Scholar, for her exemplary leadership skills and proven vision for the future of nursing.

Following graduation, she will work as a critical care RN at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls with the hopes of pursuing further education in palliative care.

She said she’ll miss all the familiar faces on campus and advises other students to “soak up every moment.”

“My favorite part about being at SDSU has just been the community that I’ve been able to build. From my professors to my friends to different colleagues through organizations I’ve been a part of, everybody has been so supportive and encouraging in whatever I’ve decided to embark on. So for that, I’m very grateful,” Fitch said.

For more information on spring 2023 graduation ceremonies and activities.