(Fargo, ND) -- It's another semblance of normal set to take place this coming Saturday in Fargo.
On May 15th, NDSU will hold it's first in-person graduation ceremony since the pandemic began at the Fargodome.
At 10 a.m, students in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; College of Engineering; College of Human Sciences and Education; and College of Interdisciplinary Studies will all be honored. While then at 2 p.m, students in the College of Agriculture, Food Systems and Natural Resources; College of Business; College of Health Professions; and College of Science and Mathematics will be honored.
During the 10 a.m. commencement, Zeina Abouelazm, who grew up in Cairo, Egypt, will be the special speaker. She is receiving a Bachelor of Science degree with dual majors in emergency management and management communication. She was a highly active and involved student during her time on campus, serving as a resident assistant, campus service representative for the Emergency Management Student Association, president of the American Red Cross Club, philanthropy chair for the National Blue Key Honor Society, president of the Arab Student Association and event planner for the International Student Association. She earned several academic honors, including the IAEM Robert Bohlmann Scholarship for Service in Emergency Management, Communication Department Scholarship, George A. Youngs Jr. Emergency Management Scholarship, DEMNDSU Community Service Award, Lorraine Murphy Global Diversity Scholarship and Academic and Cultural Sharing Scholarship. She had four internship experiences including one at the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services, and was a career mentor at the NDSU Career and Advising Center. In August, Abouelazm will continue her education at American University, Washington, D.C., where she will pursue her master’s degree in international development and work as a graduate assistant in the School of International Services.
Then, at the 2 p.m commencement, Marian Taiwo will speak. She is an outstanding student-athlete who is earning her Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences with a minor in chemistry. A native of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, she earned a full-ride athletic scholarship to play women’s soccer at NDSU. Taiwo was a research assistant in the NDSU Department of Biological Sciences and was the recipient of the Academic and Cultural Sharing Scholarship. She was named three times to the Summit League Academic Honor Roll and twice was selected for the Summit League Commissioner’s List of Academic Excellence. She also was named a Border States Electric Student-Athlete of the Week on March 2, 2021, after she scored three goals against the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Following graduation, she plans to attend medical school, earn a Doctor of Medicine degree and practice as a family physician. She is the daughter of Emmanuel and Alice Taiwo.
A total of 1,245 graduate, professional and undergraduate students have indicated they will participate in the event. There are 2,166 eligible students.
COVID-19 Precautions at the Fargodome will include:
- Face coverings are mandatory for all participants and guests.
- Venue social distancing guidelines will be followed.
- Students needed to RSVP for the ceremony and pick up a participation card ahead of time.
- Students are limited to 4 guests. Each guest is required to present a ticket upon entry.
- Doctoral students will not be hooded on stage, rather students will wear their hoods to the ceremony.
The ceremony will be live-streamed here for individuals who are unable to attend but wish to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates.
