Fall 2020 Virtual Commencement Ceremony

College of Education & Human Services

Friday, December 18, 2020 | 10 a.m.

Stream Ceremony

Order of Ceremony


Welcome | Dr. Ok-Hee Lee, Dean of the College of Education & Human Services
Introduction | Dr. Anne E. Blackhurst, President of Minnesota State University Moorhead
Commencement Address | Dr. Andrew Burklund*, Doctor of Education, Educational Leadership, Class of 2020
Conferring Degrees & Presentation of Diplomas | Dr. Anne E. Blackhurst & Dr. Arrick L. Jackson, Vice President of Academic Affairs
College of Education & Human Services| Dr. Ok-Hee Lee
Bachelor of Arts; Bachelor of Science; Bachelor of Social Work
Student Speaker | Ms. Kylee Fode, B.S. Early Childhood Education, Class of 2020
Graduate Studies | Dr. Lisa I. Karch, Dean of Graduate & Extended Learning
Doctor of Education, Master of Science, Specialist
Closing | Alma Mater
Performed by MSUM University and Concert Choir
Produced by MSUM Student Colton Cook

Dr. Andrew Burklund, Doctor of Education, Educational Leadership, Class of 2020

*Alumni speaker bio:
Dr. Andrew Burklund is an Assistant Professor in the College of Education & Human Services and a proud graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead’s first Educational Leadership Doctoral cohort. Dr. Burklund received his undergraduate degree in 5-12 Communication/Language Arts Teaching from St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN, and received his master’s degree in Educational Leadership – Higher Education Administration from Minnesota State University Moorhead. His research interests include online educator training, pedagogical practices to improve adult learning satisfaction, and distance learning management and curriculum design.  Throughout his professional career, he has worked as a high school English teacher, college student services advisor, and most recently, as a corporate learning and development consultant for a Fortune 100 worldwide financial institution.  His passion for teaching and helping others grow has been a consistent thread throughout his career and was a key focus of his dissertation studying learning satisfaction in synchronous online classrooms. Dr. Burklund describes himself as being driven by the 5 Cs: creativity, curiosity, collaboration, compassion, and coffee. Outside of his professional career he enjoys spending time with family and friends, running, gardening, home DIY projects, traveling, and attending community and professional theatre productions.