Spring 2021 Virtual Commencement Ceremony
College of Education & Human Services
Friday, May 14, 2021 | 10 a.m.
Stream Ceremony Watch on YouTube
Order of Ceremony
• Pomp and Circumstance Opening | Minnesota Orchestra
• 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 | Ms. Amanda George*, B.A. Sociology, Class of 2001
• 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. Amanda Williams**, B.S.W. Social Work, Class of 2021
• Graduate Studies | Dr. Lisa I. Karch, Dean of Graduate & Extended Learning
Doctor of Education, Master of Science, Specialist
• Closing | Alma Mater
*Alumni speaker bio:
Mandy George grew up in Moorhead and graduated from Moorhead High School in 1995. After graduation she attended NDSU for 2 years, and MSUM for 4 years where she completed a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Sociology. After graduation she attended flight school where she completed all of her commercial and instructor ratings. Her first job after school was working as a flight instructor and she would go on to open her own flight school. During this time she volunteered with the Civil Air Patrol and started a local Woman in Aviation chapter. She went on to pursue a career as a freight pilot and flew for both local Fed Ex and UPS feeder companies. She was the only female freight pilot based out of North Dakota during these years. After taking a couple of years off to become a mother, she went back to flying as a corporate pilot for a local company. At the same time she worked her way up to Chief Pilot for a small charter company. For the last 6 years, she enjoys currently being a full-time pilot for Bell Bank.
In 2020 she felt compelled to serve her community and ran for West Fargo City Commissioner. She was elected as the top vote earner, and is the only woman on the Commission. She also serves on the West Fargo Library board, the airport authority, Cass-Clay Food Partners, Metro COG, and continues to bring woman aviators together in the local Woman in Aviation group. In Mandy’s free time she enjoys spending time with her 12-year-old daughter, her 3 cats and dog, camping, hiking, skiing, yoga and traveling.
**Student speaker bio:
Amanda Williams was born in the Bronx, New York, and grew up partially in Manhattan, New York City until moving to Fargo, North Dakota, in 2007. She graduated from Fargo South High in 2014. She grew up with a loving and fiercely tenacious mother, and with the company of a caring older sister, and a comedic younger brother. She enjoys reading, traveling, learning new things, experiencing new foods and cultures; and of course, napping. Academically, she has a passion for human psychology. Professionally, she is passionate about social justice, diversity, and human relationships.