2022

Commencement: Celebrating Our August and December 2022 Grads

Northern Kentucky University would like to recognize its graduates for their personal commitments to their classwork, the university and the surrounding communities.

Commencement Speaker: Abbygail Wright

Abbygail Wright is graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in Public Relations and History. During her time at NKU, she had multiple President’s and Dean’s List appearances. She was involved in the Public Relations Student Society of America, and Alpha Phi Omega and has held leadership roles in both organizations.

Commencement Speaker: Kasey Duncan

Kasey Duncan is graduating with a Bachelor of Social Work degree, minors in both Social Justice and Human Services and Addictions, as well as micro-credentials in Gerontology and Forensic Social Work.

Turning Spare Change into Subscribers

"I really just want to keep building and turn this into a media empire.”

Frank Sinton Milburn Award Winner: Dr. Jonathan S. Cullick

“In English, whether through writing, literature or teaching, we’re learning how to understand and communicate with other people. We learn through stories and communicate through stories.”

Sara Moore Wagner's Poetry Earns National Accolades

“You can do it all. You can be a loving mom. Maybe the house won't be as clean. But it's important to fight for your identity and your passions and your dreams, even as a mother."

Keys to Success

"At the end of the day, they lean and depend on us to give and teach them not only academics but love and the ways of the world."

Loch Norse and SOTA Collaborate on Elevated Open Mic Night

Student-run literary magazine Loch Norse experiments with new formats and inter-college collaboration to create hybrid art.

Student Spotlight: Hannah Miller

“NKU is what you make of it. Dream big, put yourself out there and create your story. If you want to have a new experience and learn more about yourself, go for it—this is the perfect time and place!”

We'll Always Have Northside

When Ashley Beaufille Cook purchased Cincinnati’s Casablanca Vintage store in 2013 with their business partner Tim Willig, they aimed to look beyond the trendier, more recent decades that many other vintage shops specialize in to develop their own niche.

NKUmbrella Keeps Students Dry Across Campus

“If you have a student on campus who doesn’t have an umbrella, they might not get to class. As simple as it may seem talking about not getting wet, the class was thinking about things in terms of student success."

Creating a Culture of Care

“There are some students that I’ve seen come through our process that are now in their senior year or have graduated. I’m proud to know that I’ve been a part of helping them understand what they value, how that aligns with the university’s values and how they can move forward in attaining a degree.”

Summer Successes in the College of Education

The College of Education was busy this summer! Our faculty, staff, and campus and community partners collaborated to provide several summer programs to incoming Norse, P-12 students, and teachers in the community.

NKU's First-Year Robotics Team Places Fourth in World Championship

NKU's student robotics team — NUKE Robotics — returns from the 2022 VEX Robotics World Championship ranked fourth overall in head-to-head competition within the technology division in the team's first full year of competition.

Commencement: Celebrating Our May 2022 Grads

There are a handful of outstanding graduating seniors who Northern Kentucky University would like to recognize for their personal commitments to their classwork, the university and the surrounding communities.

University Service Award Winner: Mia Derks

"I have had the opportunity to learn from people at NKU and in my community, which has provided me with an education that goes beyond just academics."

Excelsior Award Winner: Aryan Shrestha

"My parents always wanted me to get a degree, and I am very happy that my parents’ wishes are going to come true."

Faculty Senate Award Winner: Samuel "Sam" Bauer

"I’m getting closer and closer to achieving my goals of getting the chance to work with animals and educate the public."

NKU Foundation Award Winner: Katelyn "Katie" Clough

"My greatest passion is learning and understanding how the world works. Whether that is learning new things about the brain or learning the process by which a band wrote an album, I just love finding and figuring stuff out."

Morning Commencement Speaker: Elise Bezold

"The opportunities, faculty and people we meet help mold us into new versions of ourselves. We don’t grow without the help of others, especially those who have pushed us out of our comfort zone...I am not the same person I was four years ago because of what NKU has offered.”

Afternoon Commencement Speaker: Lily Gamel

"I came to NKU to just get a degree, and I am coming out with so much more. I feel that I am not the same person I was when I first started at NKU because it has been such a transformative journey.”

Salmon P. Chase Award Winner: Aurielle March

Graduating student Aurielle March will receive the 2022 Salmon P. Chase Award for her advocacy for others.

Graduation Spotlight: Sierra Corn

Following graduation, Sierra Cornn plans to teach eighth-graders this coming fall.

Graduation Spotlight: Antwi Boateng

Antwi Boateng was one of over 1,900 students recognized at the Spring 2022 Commencement. Antwi said he has plans to search for career opportunities following graduation.

Graduation Spotlight: Leon Elam

Following graduation, Leon Elam and his wife will be traveling across the United States. The two are members of the band, The Pickin' Pear, and will be performing throughout the summer.

College of Health and Human Services Graduate Spotlight: Kellye Emerson

Kellye Emerson, who majored in health science, plans to find a job in health management following graduation.

College of Health and Human Services Graduate Spotlight: Grant Warren

After graduation, Grant Warren plans to work in the Office of Admissions as an Americorp vista with New Student Orientation.

College of Business Graduate Spotlight: Katelyn Estes

With her degree in business administration with an entrepreneurship focus, Katelyn Estes plans to work for the government of Hardin County, Kentucky, where she is from.

College of Business Graduate Spotlight: Rudy Morales

Rudy Morales, who plans on becoming an accountant after graduation, says the diversity and the Latino community is his favorite thing about NKU.

NKU Magazine Winter 2022

This issue of NKU Magazine features a cover story on alumni entrepreneurs, an interview with professor and cancer survivor Brant Karrick and a special civil rights trip. Plus, we talk with mural artist Gina Erardi, Milburn Award winner and professor Kimberly Clayton-Code and nurse practitioner Kadori Ngirabakunzi.

Entrepreneurial Spirit

From a one-of-a-kind dessert studio to an IT company, here are just a few examples of what our alumni entrepreneurs have created.

Sculpted from Life

“Growing the flowers and then sculpting them bridges even further into an art direction. I always wanted this to be seen as art and not craft. I think they are sculptures. I sculpt and paint as any artist would.”

An Industrious Drive

“You have to take risks to be in business. Never be afraid of failing. Try new things, and if they don’t work out, learn from them and move along.”

A Risk Worth Taking

"There was an opportunity for me to work with those who needed to have their voices be heard. How could I pass it up?”

Humble Beginnings

“What drives me to get out of bed is the opportunity to lead and inspire a group of people who are providing exceptional, one-of-a-kind service to our clients each and every day while delivering the science that makes life better."

Rock On!

“I’ve always been into music. If I can’t be an artist, I might as well use the talents that I do have to help those who do have those musical talents.”

Leap of Faith

"I’m able to use my platform to impact others...Knowing that my art is making a difference in the world—big or small—is all I can ask for as an artist."

Highs and Lows

"The most gratifying thing is watching them grow and creating a real, successful musical experience because you positively motivated them, created opportunities for them, pushed them.”

Turning Lemons into Lemonade

"Not every campus has that feel of putting students first and doing what it takes. One day at a time, one student at a time, to get them across the line.”

The Family Tradition

"NKU was always my goal, and I got to be here with my dad having him as a trusted adviser on campus. And now my sons are here. I love it, and I love what I do. And, I guess I need to find a new goal now because I’m living it.”

A Renaissance Woman

“Art can be a catalyst for community, for dialogue and for progress. "It can help us form a deeper understanding of each other, of our neighbors and where we find ourselves in this crazy world.”

Lightening the Load

"I’ve always had the spirit of taking care of people. I was never meant to be a pharmacist. I was born to do what I do.”

31 Wise Women of NKU

This year’s Women's History Month theme is "Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope," which honors the work of caregivers and frontline workers during the pandemic.

31 Wise Women: Dr. Holly Attar

"Dr. Holly Attar has made an incredible impact on our campus and community! As director of NKU Music Prep, she works tirelessly to bring opportunities in the arts to the surrounding community, and she mentors undergraduate majors as they learn to work with children and other community members."

31 Wise Women: Julia Bottoms

"Julia has used each moment of her college career to assure that those around her have felt seen, heard, and valued."

31 Wise Women: Dr. Jen Cellio

"She models what she teaches with kindness, and every person who has been influenced by Jen takes that into the world as teachers and humans."

31 Wise Women: Dr. Kimberly Clayton-Code

"Dr. Clayton-Code truly cares about the Norse community. She doesn't miss a single opportunity to inspire, guide, assist or educate a student or colleague in need."

31 Wise Women: Brittany Jackson

"Brittany came in and hit the ground running. She has built relationships with the students she has worked with and is leading the Residence Life team amazingly."

31 Wise Women: Shraddha Dhakal

"She is a role model and has helped students to get the resources that we need to have a fruitful stay at NKU."

31 Wise Women: Jaelynn Gentry

"Jae is an inspirational human and has been a beacon of light, support and warmth for anyone who is lucky enough to interact with her."

31 Wise Women: Britta Gibson

"Her impact on our prospective students and newly admitted students is immeasurable. The NKU community would not be the same without her."

31 Wise Women: Rebecca Hansen

"Rebecca's unquestionable dedication to supporting international students from recruitment through graduation is driven by her belief that empathy and kindness work in tandem with knowledge and training."

31 Wise Women: Jeanine Horner

"These three women have worked tirelessly to make sure NKU faculty, staff and students have had access to COVID testing, vaccinations and information since the beginning."

31 Wise Women: Michele Kay

"These three women have worked tirelessly to make sure NKU faculty, staff and students have had access to COVID testing, vaccinations and information since the beginning. They are the definition of providing healing and promoting hope!"

31 Wise Women: Dr. Tonya Krouse

"She makes the Honors College a thriving learning environment and has been instrumental to the growth and success of so many NKU graduates."

31 Wise Women: Shelby Lillie

"Shelby has always been there to support her campus community whether it's helping her roommate with her networking homework or by providing a community where diverse people can bond over a common interest when she co-created the Disney Fan Club."

31 Wise Women: Kendyl McKeough

"She leads by example on and off the field for her underclassman teammates and strives to push them to greatness. She is a prime example of the grit and determination it takes to be a student-athlete."

31 Wise Women: Emily Miller

"She is a leader in every sense of the word—she is an example of kindness for those around her, allows those around her to become leaders themselves and won't quit until her job is done."

31 Wise Women: Melanie Hartzel

"Melanie's love and passion for the NKU community is palpable. She is a supreme coordinator and wealth of knowledge and information for anything NKU."

31 Wise Women: Shawn Nordheim

"She truly cares about each and every one of her students and helping them to succeed. She is always willing to meet with her students one-on-one and help us discover new ways to study and learn."

31 Wise Women: Kylie Patrus

"She goes above and beyond for our students. She works 10, 12 and even 14-hour days to make sure that our students are receiving the support and programming needed to be successful at NKU."

31 Wise Women: Danielle Polion

"Danielle has impacted NKU in the best of ways. No matter where she goes she leaves people smiling and feeling valued."

31 Wise Women: Toni Schneller

"She gives tirelessly to help the many international students at NKU. She is a wonderful inspiration and example of love for the students and volunteers helping to make study abroad a much better experience for them and their families."

31 Wise Women: Rose Tempel

"She works tirelessly every day and even the weekends to make sure that those who have COVID or are exposed to COVID has the latest updated information, testing and care."

31 Wise Women: Dr. Katherina Terhune

"She goes above and beyond to ensure that her students receive the needed support while also maintaining a very high degree of rigor."

31 Wise Women: Emma Walker

"Professor Walker enabled myself and many other business students with tools we need to succeed in the future. She also truly cares about her students and wants them to succeed."

31 Wise Women: Dr. Eileen Weisenbach Keller

""Dr. Weisenbach Keller is an individual who sincerely puts her heart into her work ... NKU is blessed to have a leader like her on our campus."

31 Wise Women: Carolyn Noe

"Carolyn is an inspiring, passionate and proactive force on NKU's campus. Carolyn is a true campus treasure!"

31 Wise Women: Megan Taylor

"Megan is not only a hardworking student and extremely dedicated to the organizations she's in but also a very kind individual who generally just makes you happy to be around."

31 Wise Women: Dr. Caroline Macke

"Caroline is an impactful leader who has stepped into challenging circumstances and provided calm and steady guidance, leadership and effective problem-solving strategies to help ensure student and faculty success."

31 Wise Women: Heidi Waters

"Heidi frequently mentors and supports our graduate students, often guiding them through difficult life challenges so that they are able to successfully complete their degrees."

31 Wise Women: Hannah Miller

"Hannah leads Presidential Ambassadors as the president with grace and inclusion ... Her love for and involvement at NKU is inspiring, and she is a role model for all NKU women."

31 Wise Women: An Thanh Ngo

"Despite only being in America for two years, An Thanh Ngo has already made a great impact on both the campus and local communities."

31 Wise Women: Dr. Charlisa Daniels

"She is passionate about equity and spreads so much joy to those who get the honor of working with her. I have no doubt that she will save the world one day."

Student Spotlight: Elizabeth Rozin

“The first time I toured campus, it felt like home—I could see myself being here. I didn’t get quite the same feeling anywhere else."

Black History Month 2022

In honor of Black History Month, Northern Kentucky University would like to recognize our community of students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Black is Love

"It is a time where we not only celebrate the great work of those who came before us but also recognize what other Black people in our present time have and are achieving."

Keys to Success

"NKU R.O.C.K.S. is important to me because it allows me to be comfortable in a student space that is designed for me to be successful."

Black History Month 2022 Keynote Speaker: April Ryan

White House Correspondent April Ryan has a unique vantage point as the only Black female reporter covering urban issues from the White House—a position she has held since the Clinton era.

Honoring the Past

"Black History Month means honoring our past and reviewing my ancestors’ legacies."

Paving the Way

"My time with NKU R.O.C.K.S. has helped shape my identity and helped me become a more confident African American woman."

Representation Matters

"I can’t say it enough about how representation matters. The programs and services that [African American Student Initiatives] offers provides a safe space for Black/African American students to call home."

A Lifestyle of Empowerment

“I don't consider what I do work. I consider it a lifestyle of empowerment."

Preserving the Legacy

“It’s been on my heart for a very long time. I need to do something. I need to give back. I need to get involved. I need to keep her legacy alive.”

Connecting Cultures

Last semester, students in Yasue Kuwahara’s POP 345 “Japanese Pop Culture” class teamed up with students from Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan to learn more about each other’s cultures through the larger COIL project between Nanzan and NKU.

An Indelible History Lesson

This past July, eight Northern Kentucky University students and two staff members spent a week in the southern U.S. to learn about the Civil Rights movement.

Modern Media Framing

"There’s so much more going on with the things that we consume than we would think. I watch a lot of bad TV, those messages, even though they’re silly and entertainment can change the way I think about things even if I don’t intend for them to."

Alumni Spotlight: Donna Deck ('97, '99)

“One of my biggest motives for writing ‘The Beginning’ was the idea that one of my great-great-grandchildren might bring the book to show-and-tell one day years into the future. It’s a piece of me that will continue on."

Senior Spotlight: Momoka Kinder

"Don’t pass on the opportunities you find at NKU ... The connections I made on the NKU Cyber Defense team landed me my dream internship at Kroger. All of these opportunities I got because of NKU. When I first started them, I had no clue it would lead up to this."