Hays Post – Page 149 – Hays Post Archive

Satellite study of Amazon rainforest land cover gives insight into 2019 fires

Posted on September 22, 2019September 21, 2019

KU NEWS SERVICE

LAWRENCE — Throughout August and early September 2019, media around the world have reported on the extensive forest fires ravaging Brazil’s Amazon rainforest. Much of the concern stems from the Amazon’s significance to regulating the world’s climate. According to the Associated Press, the Amazon absorbs 2 billion tons of carbon dioxide every year — about 5% of global emissions. Thus, fires in the region eat away at this carbon-absorbing capacity while at the same time adding carbon to the air through burning.

A recent study in the peer-reviewed journal Ecohydrology headed by University of Kansas researcher Gabriel de Oliveira gives important context to the fires burning big swaths of the Amazon today, most of which were set intentionally by farmers and ranchers to convert forest into land suitable for grazing animals or growing crops. The researchers sought to discover how these changes to land cover affect the exchange of water and heat between the surface of the Amazon and the atmosphere overhead.

“This is the first study to examine the biosphere-atmosphere interactions in the Amazon with such high spatial resolution satellite imagery,” said de Oliveira, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Geography & Atmospheric Science at KU. “We tried to understand the impacts of land-cover changes and deforestation in general. When you clear-cut the forests, and you convert it either to pasture or agriculture — or cut the forest, but for some reason don’t plant anything and then have a type of vegetation called ‘secondary succession’ — our idea was to try to understand how that impacts energy, like the radiative fluxes and water fluxes, or evaporation in general.”

In the paper, de Oliveira and his colleagues analyzed information from both satellites in space and weather stations on the ground in the Amazon. With data from the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) and Large‐Scale Biosphere‐Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia (LBA), they examined surface energy and water changes over different land‐cover types in one wet year and one drought year in eastern Rondônia state, Brazil. The team also found statistically significant differences in several important measures prior to and after one year of deforestation.

“Using NASA satellite images with high spatial resolution (15m) obtained by the ASTER sensor in Rondônia state, in the south-western Brazilian Amazon, we found that deforestation and consequent transition to pasture or agriculture to grow soybean tend to increase in two to four times the soil and air temperatures in the region,” de Oliveira said. “We also observed an approximately three times higher evapotranspiration over forested areas in comparison with nonforested areas.”

The researchers discovered significant variances between areas on opposite sides of the Ji-Paraná River, one side of which had suffered more deforestation than the other side, located within the Jaru Biological Reserve protected area. They measured spatial variation of albedo (or the fraction of the incident sunlight that the surface reflects), net radiation (or the total energy, derived from sunlight, that’s available at the surface), soil and sensible heat fluxes (or how much heat is transferred from the surface to the atmosphere), and evapotranspiration (the process by which water is transferred from the land to the atmosphere by evaporation from the soil and by transpiration from plants).

De Oliveira, who was raised in Brazil, said the rest of the world depends on the Amazon region to help moderate global climate.

“It’s important because it’s the largest rainforest in the world,” he said. “Precipitation in the tropics, all the water fluxes that go on in the tropics, affect the whole world. The Amazon has a very important role in that. There’s no other area in the world like the Amazon’s unique ecosystem. It’s pretty fascinating. I’m from South Brazil, a totally different environment than the Amazon. You could compare it with Kansas. But when I started studying for my master’s degree, my adviser told me, ‘You’re going to work in the Amazon rainforest.’ And I told her I’d never been there. But I spent two months in the rainforest doing research. And of course, you know, I fell in love. I’m very passionate about the Amazon and have been there so many times since then, so I have a lot of experience and stories of things that have happened there.”

The KU researcher cautioned that although forest fires in the Amazon have received attention in the media this year, the fires happen to a greater or lesser degree every year.

“Fires in the Amazon happen every year during the dry season,” de Oliveira said. “We have agricultural areas, areas that were deforested in the past — but in order to clear the area for the next year, or to make the soil a little bit better for the next year, they set a fire. They claim they’re only setting fire to burn agricultural lands. But sometimes the fire gets out of control, and it plays a part in more deforestation. Fires get out of control in agricultural land and reach the forest and burn the forest. But these fires happen in the Amazon every year, so it’s pretty straightforward. The worst years were in 2005, 2010 and 2015 because of severe drought events. Everything was really dry, and the fires would get out of control. There are no natural fires in the Amazon. They’re all set by human beings.”

De Oliveira’s co-authors on the study were Nathaniel Brunsell, professor and chair of KU’s geography & atmospheric science department; Elisabete Moraes, Yosio Shimabukuro, Celso von Randow and Luiz E.O.C. Aragao of the Brazilian National Institute for Space Research; Thiago dos Santos of the University of Michigan and Renata de Aguiar of the Federal University of Rondônia.

Court upholds conviction in murder of Salina teen

Posted on September 21, 2019September 21, 2019

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Supreme Court Friday affirmed Stephen Gentry’s convictions in Saline County District Court first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, criminal discharge of a firearm at an occupied vehicle, and conspiracy to commit aggravated battery in the May 2015 death of 17-year-old Allie Saum in Salina.

The court held a statutory error in failing to offer lesser included offense instructions on the two forms of reckless homicide was harmless. It also held there was no statutory error in failing to instruct the jury on lesser included offenses of voluntary manslaughter, attempted unintentional but reckless second-degree murder, attempted reckless involuntary manslaughter, and attempted voluntary manslaughter.

Additionally, the court affirmed the district court’s denial of Gentry’s motion for a continuance.

The Kansas Supreme Court, however, held the district court erred when it ordered Gentry to pay restitution to the Saline County Attorney’s Office for expenses related to witnesses and trial exhibits. The Kansas Supreme Court vacated that portion of the order, a news release from the state court noted.

Life sentence for Kansas City man who murdered daughter

Posted on September 21, 2019September 21, 2019

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A 43-year-old Kansas City man has been sentenced to two life sentences after being convicted of murdering his teenage daughter.

Jerry Bausby was sentenced Friday for the March 21 2016 death of 18-year-old Daizsa Laye Bausby. Prosecutors say Bausby sexually assaulted his daughter before suffocating her. She was found dead in a Kansas City motel room.

The life sentences will run consecutively.

Bausby was found guilty in July of second-degree murder, sodomy, incest and sexual abuse of his daughter, who was a Southwest High School honors student.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker asked the court to set maximum sentences for Bausby, in order to “demonstrate that evil will be matched by justice.”

KDWPT: Kansas hunters, anglers spend $629M in 2018 supporting state’s economy

Posted on September 21, 2019September 21, 2019

KDWPT

TOPEKA – For many outdoor enthusiasts, any day they can spend hunting or fishing is a day to celebrate. Now there is one more reason to observe our hunting and fishing opportunities. Governor Laura Kelly has proclaimed Saturday, September 28 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Kansas to celebrate Kansas’ sportsmen and women and to recognize the many and varied social, cultural, economic, and ecological benefits of our time-honored traditions of hunting and angling.

Kansans have enjoyed a rich and storied tradition of hunting and angling since before Kansas became the 34th state in January 1861. The state’s sportswomen and men were among the first conservationists to support establishing the predecessors of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) to conserve fish, wildlife and their habitat. Through their license fees, outdoor enthusiasts have funded state efforts to provide for healthy and sustainable natural resources.

Upon realizing that license fees alone were insufficient to restore and sustain healthy fish and wildlife populations, sportsmen and women supported self-imposed federal excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, fishing equipment and motorboat fuel to raise additional conservation funds. To this day, wildlife conservation in Kansas and other states is funded primarily by sportswomen and men, through this American System of Conservation Funding – a “user pays – public benefits” approach that is widely recognized as the most successful model of funding fish and wildlife management in the world.

In fiscal year 2018 alone, Kansas’ sportswomen and men generated more than $32 million in license and permit fees through this system to support the conservation efforts of the KDWPT. What’s more, Kansas’ 527,000 hunters and anglers support the state’s economy through spending more than $629 million while engaged in their pursuits which supports more than 9,331 jobs and generates $69 million in state and local taxes.

National Hunting and Fishing Day was established in 1972 to celebrate and recognize hunters and anglers for their immense contributions to fish and wildlife conservation, and to our society. The KDWPT is grateful for the passion of hunters and anglers in supporting the state’s conservation programs that provide sustainable habitats benefitting all the species of wildlife and fish that Kansans enjoy.

Jobless rate in Kansas lowest in 20-plus years

Posted on September 21, 2019September 21, 2019

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is reporting that unemployment in the state dropped to 3.2% in August and was at its lowest rate in more than 20 years.

The state Department of Labor said Friday that the state gained private-sector jobs during the month and over the past year. Labor economist Emilie Doerksen said the state has seen broad economic growth, and Gov. Laura Kelly hailed the report as good news for Kansas.

The department said the unemployment rate declined from 3.3% in July. It was also 3.3% in August 2018.

It was the lowest unemployment rate since May 1999. The rate has been below 4% since January 2017.

Kansas had nearly 1.18 million private, nonfarm jobs in August, up about 4,200 since July and 17,800 from August 2018. The over-the-year growth was 1.5%.

Husband, wife sentenced for illegally selling fish caught in Kansas

Posted on September 21, 2019September 21, 2019

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska man and wife who sold fish they had illegally caught in public waters in Kansas and other reservoirs have been sentenced to probation.

Federal prosecutors for Nebraska say 49-year-old Phong Duong and 46-year-old Oanh Pham were each sentenced Friday to two years’ probation for illegally taking, transporting and selling fish. They were also ordered to pay $16,000 in restitution.

Prosecutors say that between May 2013 and July 2016, Duong and Pham exceeded the limits on catching fish from the Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge in northern Kansas and other reservoirs. To avoid detection, the couple would routinely change fishing spots, stash fish at off-site locations, and use “straw fishermen” — including children — to conceal fish taken in excess of limits. They’d then take the fish back home to Nebraska and clean and bag them at their Lincoln home before selling the fish.

Woman charged in deadly Kansas trailer park shooting

Posted on September 21, 2019September 21, 2019

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A 19-year-old woman has been charged in the deadly shooting of a man at a Kansas City Kansas, trailer park over Labor Day weekend.

Alexia Lasha Hendricks is jailed on $150,000 bond on charges of second-degree murder and aggravated robbery in the death of 30-year-old Maurice Hunter Jr. No attorney is listed for her in online court records.

The district attorney’s office alleges in charging documents that Hendricks took a Chevrolet Trailblazer from Hunter “by force or by threat of bodily harm” and killed him. He was pronounced dead at the scene on Sept. 1.

Groups needed for Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat

Posted on September 21, 2019September 16, 2019

Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat is Oct. 8.

The annual Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat canned food drive is set for Tuesday, October 8, 2019 in Hays.

Volunteers will be going door to door collecting non-perishable food items from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Food items such as canned meats, canned vegetables, canned fruit, and boxed meals are much needed at this time.

To assure residents that the items collected are for the Community Assistance Center, all volunteers will be wearing an identification badge with “Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat” clearly printed. Please leave items on the porch if you will not be home or do not want someone ringing the doorbell. Youth and adult volunteers from Hays give of their time to make this food drive a success.

Any house missed or those living in a rural area may take food items to the Community Assistance Center in Hays located at 12th and Oak until noon October 31, 2019.

Hays High DECA still needs groups and organizations to assist with this year’s collection. Please contact Shaina Prough at Hays High School, 623-2600, if you are interested in helping or need further information.

– SUBMITTED –

KSU study confirms possible danger of imported feed contamination

Posted on September 21, 2019September 18, 2019

K-STATE NEWS

MANHATTAN — A new study conducted by veterinary researchers at Kansas State University sheds new light on a threatening swine disease: African swine fever.

The research team, headed by Megan Niederwerder, assistant professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine, looks at the degradation of African swine fever virus in animal feed ingredients to understand the potential for disease spread through contaminated feed.

Up to now, data has been limited. Niederwerder’s latest study, “Half-Life of African Swine Fever Virus in Shipped Feed,” is now available online in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. It examines the possible risk of African swine fever virus spreading to the United States through imported feed. The study provides more accurate half-life measurements that confirm the virus can survive a simulated 30-day transoceanic voyage in contaminated plant-based feed and ingredients.

“This study provides additional evidence supporting the potential risk that feed may play in the transboundary movement of African swine fever,” Niederwerder said. “Our latest work provides robust half-life estimates, which include standard errors and confidence intervals, and characterizes the stages of viral decay over time for African swine fever virus in animal feed ingredients.”

Detailed analysis shows that the half-life of African swine fever virus in feed ranges from 9.6 to 14.2 days after exposure to varying temperature and humidity conditions simulating transoceanic shipment. This means it would take approximately two weeks for the total viable virus concentration to decay by half its original count under the conditions of a transatlantic voyage. Niederwerder said that all feed matrices provided a more supportive environment for viral stability when compared to media, where the shortest half-life was calculated.

The new study expands on Niederwerder’s previous work confirming the likelihood of African swine fever transmission through feed and can be used to implement science-based management practices such as storage time to reduce this risk.

“Transmission of swine viruses through feed has been recognized as a risk since around 2013, but the probability of African swine fever virus infection through plant-based feed was unknown until our publication earlier this year,” Niederwerder said. “Our research reports novel data and important quantitative information that can be incorporated into risk models for introduction and mitigation of African swine fever virus through imported feed ingredients.”

Over the last year, African swine fever virus has emerged on new continents and spread to historically negative countries. If the virus can survive shipments overseas, this provides an opportunity to infect swine in the United States and other countries through imported feed, which would be devastating to U.S. pork production.

“African swine fever virus is a rapidly spreading and emerging transboundary animal disease that threatens pork production and human food security worldwide,” Niederwerder said. “The emerging threat of African swine fever virus being introduced into the United States is staggering and significant efforts are focused on preventing entry.”

African swine fever is now considered endemic in China, where the world’s largest population of pigs live. Chinese production of pork is estimated to be cut by 25% by the end of the year. The disease has also spread to several other Asian countries and recently to Western Europe.

Funding for the study was provided by the Swine Health Information Center and the State of Kansas National Bio and Agro-defense Facility Fund. Co-authors on the publication include Ana Stoian, doctoral student in pathobiology at Kansas State University; Jeff Zimmerman, professor at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine; Ju Ji, doctoral student in statistics at Iowa State University; Trevor Hefley, assistant professor of statistics at Kansas State University; Scott Dee, veterinarian with Pipestone Veterinary Services; Diego Diel, associate professor at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine; and Bob Rowland, professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology at Kansas State University.

KDA to host multistate African swine fever exercise

Posted on September 21, 2019September 20, 2019

KDA

MANHATTAN — The Kansas Department of Agriculture will be one of 15 states participating in a functional exercise the week of Sept. 23-26 focused on the states’ plans for African swine fever (ASF) response and mitigation. The functional exercise, led by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will test participants’ abilities to respond to a simulated animal disease event.

KDA conducts an annual statewide exercise to practice the state’s response plan to a foreign animal disease event, typically with a simulation of foot-and-mouth disease. This month’s multistate exercise is focused instead on ASF, which has been confirmed in China and several other countries in eastern Asia, but has not occurred in the United States. Members of the KDA Division of Animal Health have been actively working with federal partners, state agencies of neighboring states, and representatives from the pork industry to enhance the state’s response plan with specific focus on ASF.

This four-day functional exercise, which will be based out of KDA headquarters in Manhattan, will enable KDA and its partners in other state agencies, federal and local government, industry, university and 14 other states to practice this response plan.

The functional exercise will attempt to simulate a real-world response as much as possible, including actual veterinarian testing and laboratory results, along with planning and resource coordination, disease mitigation, public educational information, and permitted movement to allow continuity of business for non-infected operations.

African swine fever is a highly contagious virus that affects pigs, causing high fever, loss of appetite and vomiting, and usually resulting in death. Other livestock species are not susceptible to ASF. There are no human health risks from ASF; it does not affect humans and is not a public health threat. An ASF outbreak in the United States would, however, have the potential to cause enormous economic losses not only to pork producers but to the entire production chain as well as to consumers.

For more information about the multistate ASF exercise, contact KDA at 785-564-6700. Media wishing to monitor the exercise should contact KDA director of communications Heather Lansdowne at [email protected] or 785-564-6706 for more information.

In Kansas, Shifting The Power Balance Between Renters And Landlords

Posted on September 21, 2019September 20, 2019

By NOMIN UJIYEDIIN

Mold. No heat in the winter. Leaking roofs.

The most common complaints Teresa Baker hears about rental housing in Kansas revolve around poor living conditions that violate state law.

As part of her job for the nonprofit Housing and Credit Counseling Inc., Baker serves as an advice guru for low-income residents in about 20 Kansas counties.

Tenants come to her if they’ve received eviction notices, forfeited security deposits or can’t get landlords to make repairs. Sometimes, she counsels landlords, too.

“Of course, it’s the landlord’s business to understand what the law says and his obligations,” Baker said. “The tenants are coming at this blindly.”

Kansas law sets some rules for inevitable disputes between renters and property owners. Yet some tenants and advocates contend landlords too often end up on top because they have more money and familiarity with the rules. The imbalance is leading some tenants to take action.

Housing experts also say Kansas lacks protections that other states offer to renters.

For example, state law prohibits cities and counties from establishing rent control and other rental regulations. Another tactic allowed by other states but banned in Kansas: withholding rent to force a landlord to make repairs. State law allows a landlord to evict tenants for being three days late on the rent.

“That’s one of the Number One things that we deal with, with tenants,” Baker said. “They call us when it’s too late, but they withheld rent and they’re going to court tomorrow.”

Ed Jaskinia, a Kansas City-area landlord and lobbyist for the Associated Landlords of Kansas, says the laws fairly balance the interests of both sides — renters who need to be guarded from predatory landlords, and landlords who want to maintain their properties and make money.

Ed Jaskinia, lobbyist for the Associated Landlords of Kansas.
CREDIT NOMIN UJIYEDIIN / KANSAS NEWS SERVICE
“We’ve got the best laws in the country because it protects everybody equally,” said Ed Jaskinia, a Kansas City-area landlord and lobbyist for the Associated Landlords of Kansas. “It tells us what the rules and regulations are, what we can and can’t do.”

He says tenants should take up their proposed reforms to the cities they live in.

In the meantime, he says tenants already have protections. For example, if a landlord won’t make repairs, tenants can call their city’s code enforcement division to make an inspection. And state law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who do so.

But it’s hard to prove retaliation in court, Baker said. And she said many rural towns don’t have the budget to enforce housing codes.

“Even if they have some type of code on the books,” Baker said, “they don’t enforce it because they can’t.”

Legal Options

Another option for tenants is suing a landlord in small claims court for not completing repairs, exorbitant utility bills or not returning a security deposit.

State law requires landlords to return deposits within 30 days with an itemized list of charges taken out. Otherwise, tenants can sue for one-and-a-half times the amount of the original deposit.

“It’s very common for landlords to keep your security deposit for expenses that I don’t think would be legal,” said Casey Johnson, an attorney for Kansas Legal Services who counsels low-income people on housing. “Those are some good protections for tenants.”

But small claims lawsuits often turn out in favor of the landlord.

“It’s very difficult to get evidence and time to present into a court case,” Johnson said. “Kansas, I would say, is fairly landlord-friendly.”

Tenant Activism

Some residents of Lawrence, Manhattan and Kansas City — where renting is more common than in the rest of the state — are trying to change that. They say there’s a shortage of quality and affordable housing.

Data from the Census Bureau shows that the overall rental vacancy rate in Kansas in 2017 was 7.5%. In Kansas City, it was 8.5%, in Manhattan, it was 10.6% and in Lawrence, it was 6.7%. In the U.S. overall, 6.1% of rental units were vacant in 2017.

Generally, cities in Kansas have a higher proportion of residents who are rent-burdened — defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as spending 30% or more of their income on rent. More than 53% of Lawrence and Manhattan residents are rent-burdened, compared to 44% of all Kansans and 50.6% of Americans overall.

A group called Renters Together, in Manhattan, formed earlier this year, holds weekly meetings with the goal of increasing the number of rental units that the city inspects.

“We’ve noticed that landlords have been retaliating against tenants that do call code services here,” said Jonathan Cole, lead organizer for the group. “We’ve also noticed that people just don’t know that they can call.”

A similarly named group in Lawrence, Renters Together LFK, recently hosted a meeting to tell tenants how to get their security deposits back. The group has knocked on doors and spoken to hundreds of local tenants, said organizer Yoshi Stout.

“At the end of the day,” Stout said, “the tenants need to have some sort of agency for themselves.”

The group encouraged Lawrence resident Kayla Marks to sue her landlord, Manhattan-based company McCullough Development, Inc., in Douglas County small claims court.

In August 2018, Marks and her boyfriend moved into an apartment in Lawrence that she says was a mess. The place was dirty. A window was broken. There was a hole in a bedroom door and the linoleum floor needed to be replaced.

She tidied up and let her landlord know about the repairs. A few months later, the floor and the window were fixed, but by then, she had to move out. She and her boyfriend had broken up, and she couldn’t afford the apartment by herself. Her depression got so bad that she was hospitalized. She got a note from her doctor saying she could no longer live by herself.

Former Lawrence resident Kayla Marks sued her landlord in Douglas County small claims court.
CREDIT NOMIN UJIYEDIIN / KANSAS NEWS SERVICE
In February 2019, Marks applied for a legally required accommodation for her disability, asking to move out of her apartment. Her landlord granted it, but said she owed another month’s rent and sent her a bill for cleanup after she moved out. The company charged her an additional $258, which she disputed.

McCullough Development, Inc., declined multiple requests for comment.

“I’m a clean freak, so this place was spotless,” Marks said. “So I just didn’t think that that was right.”

She sued, asking for money back on her rent and deposit. She didn’t get any money back, but a judge ruled that she didn’t owe her landlord money either.

Marks said she wouldn’t have known how or why to sue without the help of Renters Together.

“I didn’t even know what the actual verdict was until I had to ask somebody,” she said. “But knowing that the verdict was that I don’t owe anything, I’m very pleased.”

Nomin Ujiyediin reports on criminal justice and social welfare for the Kansas News Service. Follow her on Twitter @NominUJ or email nomin (at) kcur (dot) org.

Fort Hays State University announces 534 summer graduates

Posted on September 21, 2019September 19, 2019

FHSU University Relations

A total of 534 students completed associate, bachelor’s or graduate degrees at Fort Hays State University in the summer 2019 term.

Graduates are listed with their degrees and majors and, in parentheses, areas of concentration. The university conferred 137 graduate degrees (master’s, Education Specialist and Doctor of Nursing Practice) and 397 undergraduate degrees (associate’s and bachelor’s). Graduates who requested privacy are included in the count but omitted from this listing.

FHSU does not release degree lists until transcripts have been verified as having met all requirements for graduation.

Kansas graduates are arranged alphabetically by home county, city and ZIP. Graduates from other states are listed alphabetically by state, city and ZIP. International students are listed by country and city.

Barton
Albert (67511): Colin James Regan, a Bachelor of General Studies (general business).
Claflin (67525): Patricia Cauthon, a Bachelor of General Studies (child development).
Ellinwood (67526): Heather Dawn Panning, a Master of Science in health and human performance.
Great Bend (67530): Brandon Michael Ball, a Bachelor of Science in Technology Studies (technology education).
Blake Allen Hinson, a Bachelor of Science in Technology Studies (construction management).
Hoisington (67544): Robert Joseph Brungardt, a Master of Science in education administration.

Bourbon
Fort Scott (66701): Kayla Michel Guilfoyle, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.

Butler
Andover (67002): Shauna Kracke, a Bachelor of General Studies (general business).
Carson Christiane Lopez, a Bachelor of Science in psychology.
Augusta (67010): Carmen I. Carson, a Master of Science in special education (high incidence).
Katie G. Crowdis, a Master of Science in Education (reading specialist).
El Dorado (67042): Tia Paige Keplinger, a Bachelor of Science in psychology.
Rose Hill (67133): Andra Kirsten McKenna, a Master of Science in education administration.
Kaleigh Anne Melander, a Master of Science in instructional technology.

Cherokee
Columbus (66725): Brandy Arlene Muller-Pierce, a Master of Science in education administration.

Clark
Ashland (67831): Eric Lalicker, a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice.
Minneola (67865): Alexis R. Bruner, a Bachelor of Science in tourism and hospitality management.
Ruth A. Knox, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Clay
Clay Center (67432): Tori Irene Ihnen, a Bachelor of Arts in English (writing).
Stefanie Marie Lane, a Master of Science in education administration.

Cloud
Concordia (66901): Megan Nicole James, a Master of Science in Education (reading specialist).

Cowley
Winfield (67156): Kevin Lann-Teubner, a Master of Professional Studies (information assurance management).

Crawford
Pittsburg (66762): Brenna Nicole Robertson, a Bachelor of Science in psychology.
Shawn W. Seematter, a Master of Science in education administration.

Douglas
Lawrence (66046): Meaghan Lindsay Orlando, a Master of Science in Education (reading specialist).
Kirsten Eve Tidd, a Bachelor of Arts in English (literature).
Lawrence (66047): Corbin David Robinson, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in art (graphic design).

Edwards
Great Bend (67563): Miranda L. Brown, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Ellis
Ellis (67637): Brandon L. Groff, a Bachelor of Science in geosciences (geology).
Jared Dean Pfeifer, a Bachelor of Science in health and human performance (sport management).
Garrett Thomas Sander, a Bachelor of Arts in political science.
Haley Jo Wolf, a Master of Science in Education (transition to teaching).
Hays (67601): Bader Mahd Abukhodair, a Master of Science in Education.
Max E. Befort, a Bachelor of Music (theory and composition).
Sydney Lauren Beougher, a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance (financial planning).
Jordan James Brown, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in art (studio art).
Madeleine Rose Brungardt, a Bachelor of Science in biology.
Yiming Chen, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Daniel Thomas Cory, a Bachelor of Science in Technology Studies (construction management).
Yangyang Cui, a Master of Professional Studies (Web and mobile applications).
Taissa T.V. Dasilva-Carvalho, a Bachelor of Science in psychology.
Joslynn L. Davis, an Associate of General Studies (criminal justice).
Casey Lee Dinkel, a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing.
Blake Joseph Dreher, a Bachelor of Science in Technology Studies (construction management).
Frederick Moise Ebalebitondo, a Bachelor of General Studies (general business).
Jared Gunnar Engelbert, a Master of Science in biology.
Jensen Michael Farrington, a Bachelor of Science in tourism and hospitality management.
Anthony K. Fox, a Master of Science in health and human performance.
Jayme Leigh Goetz, a Master of Science in Education (mathematics).
Ana Rachel Goodlett, a Bachelor of Arts in history.
Shayla A. Haselhorst, a Bachelor of Science in psychology.
Zewei He, a Bachelor of General Studies (general business).
Caleb J. Hecker, a Bachelor of Science in Technology Studies (construction management).
Makinlie Jade Hennes, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in art (graphic design).
Gabrelle Violet Hoard, a Bachelor of Science in health and human performance.
Cash Reagan Hobson, a Bachelor of Science in geosciences (geology).
Hayden Thomas Hutchison, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Trystan Dawn Knapp, a Bachelor of Science in health and human performance.
Tayler J. Kriss, a Master of Science in biology.
Anna Stella Nalumansi, a Master of Liberal Studies (global management).
Lauren Elise Pallister, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Kimberly A. Reel, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Robert J. Sanderson, a Master of Science in health and human performance.
Kelsey L. Todd-Anton, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Brady Werth, a Bachelor of Science in geosciences (geology).
Victoria (67671): Ryan Andrew Bleske, a Bachelor of Science in Technology Studies (construction technology).
Logan Joseph Braun, a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance (banking).
Justin Michael Hertel, a Bachelor of Science in Technology Studies.

Ellsworth
Wilson (67490): Kaci C. Nichols, a Master of Science in counseling (school).

Finney
Garden City (67846): Steven Allen Hoyt, a Bachelor of Science in psychology.
Sasha Yvette Morales, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Jessica Ortiz, a Bachelor of Science in tourism and hospitality management.
Jacob Wade Waller, a Master of Science in education administration.
Holcomb (67851): Emily C. Watkins, a Master of Science in psychology (school).

Ford
Dodge City (67801): Nicholas Stjohn Banks, a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing.
Dalton Daniel Burkhard, a Master of Science in education administration.
Jonathan N. Hansen, a Master of Science in education administration.
Abraham White, a Master of Science in Education (English for speakers of other languages).

Geary
Junction City (66441): Brianna Brooke Green, a Master of Science in special education (high incidence).
Angela Dianne Kruse, a Master of Science in special education (high incidence).
Otis Cortez Nunn, a Bachelor of Science in health and human performance.
Cortney Ann Youngers, a Master of Science in Education (reading specialist).

Graham
Hill City (67642): Judy Marie Sansom, a Master of Arts in English.

Grant
Ulysses (67880): Laura Jewel Sarracino, a Bachelor of Science in business education (training and development).
Lundon Mikal Wiginton, a Bachelor of Science in Technology Studies (industrial technology).

Gray
Ingalls (67853): Isaac Matthew Baxa, a Bachelor of Science in geosciences (geology).

Harper
Attica (67009): Marissa Grace Rucker, a Bachelor of Science in psychology.

Harvey
Hesston (67062): Amelia Fabrizius, a Master of Science in education administration.

Haskell
Satanta (67870): Nathaniel James Lee, a Bachelor of Arts in music.

Jackson
Hoyt (66440): Delaney Silva, a Bachelor of Science in tourism and hospitality management.

Jefferson
Meriden (66512): Darian Elaine Housworth, a Bachelor of Arts in English (writing).

Johnson
Gardner (66030): Ben Hernandez Jr., a Bachelor of Science in information networking and telecommunications (Web and mobile application development).
Robert Kameron Ridley, a Master of Science in education administration.
Lenexa (66227): Lydia Lee Vasquez, a Master of Science in Education (reading specialist).
Olathe (66061): Steven Alan Bolin, a Master of Science in psychology (school).
Tanner W. Rainbolt, a Master of Science in education administration.
Olathe (66062): Brittany Leigh Blankenship, a Bachelor of Science in sociology.
Overland Park (66204): Lydia Pine, a Bachelor of General Studies (education).
Roeland Park (66205): Hillary Nicole Allison, a Master of Science in Education (reading specialist).
Shawnee (66226): Cody Allen Bonnel, a Bachelor of General Studies (general business).
Spring Hill (66083): Sarah Alexis Ackerman, a Master of Science in instructional technology.

Kearny
Deerfield (67838): Dena L. Walck, a Bachelor of General Studies (general business).

Kingman
Kingman (67068): Maggie Sue Adelhardt, a Bachelor of Science in Technology Studies (construction management) and a Bachelor of Science in geosciences (geography).
Tanner Hageman, a Master of Science in education administration.

Lane
Dighton (67839): Cale A. Farber, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management (human resource).

Leavenworth
Basehor (66007): Katelynn Hoyt, a Bachelor of General Studies (education).
Madalyn Elizabeth Laurita, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management (human resource).
Tonganoxie (66086): Cody Lewis McCoy, a Master of Science in education administration.
Jessica Renae Painter, a Master of Science in Education (transition to teaching).
Jenna Marie Tate, a Bachelor of Arts in sociology.

Lincoln
Garden City (67486): Kayla Rene Henningsen, a Master of Science in Education (English for speakers of other languages).
Lincoln (67455): Dawn M. Harlow, an Associate of General Studies (general business).

Lyon
Emporia (66801): Autumn Lynn McCullough, a Master of Science in Nursing (nursing education).

McPherson
Inman (67546): Whitney Werth, a Master of Science in health and human performance.
Marquette (67464): Autum Marie Lustfield, a Bachelor of Science in sociology.
McPherson (67460): Collin Michael Baldwin, a Bachelor of Science in Technology Studies (construction management).
Meghan Kathleen Mai, a Master of Science in special education (high incidence).

Meade
Fowler (67844): Boyd Matthew Peterson, a Master of Science in health and human performance.
Meade (67864): Emily Boyd, a Master of Science in counseling (school).

Miami
Osawatomie (66064): Drew Daniel Needham, a Bachelor of General Studies (education).

Mitchell
Simpson (67478): Kalli Jo Kruse, a Master of Science in education administration.

Montgomery
Coffeyville (67337): Melanie Jean Savage, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Independence (67301): Amy Elizabeth Barnhart, a Master of Science in special education (high incidence).

Nemaha
Seneca (66538): Kayce Lynn Feldkamp, a Master of Business Administration.

Neosho
Chanute (66720): Lindsey Donovan, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.

Ness
Utica (67584): Madeline Nicole Withington, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management (human resource).

Osage
Carbondale (66414): Dayna Janel Luksa, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management (human resource).

Ottawa
Minneapolis (67467): Kylie Jai McKinney, a Bachelor of General Studies (education).

Pawnee
Larned (67550): Austin E. Landgraf, a Bachelor of General Studies (biological).

Phillips
Agra (67621): Grant M. Rahjes, a Bachelor of Arts in political science.
Long Island (67647): Dakota Hilburn, a Bachelor of Science in psychology.

Pottawatomie
Wamego (66547): Denise Suzanne White, a Master of Science in Education (reading specialist).

Pratt
Pratt (67124): Brett Michael Forshee, a Bachelor of Science in Technology Studies (construction management).

Reno
Buhler (67522): Andrew W. Epp, a Bachelor of General Studies (networking).
Hutchinson (67501): Courtney B. Eales, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Hutchinson (67502): Katie Elaine Ellegood, a Bachelor of Science in biology (education) and a Bachelor of Science in secondary education.
Megan D. Yoder, a Master of Science in health and human performance.

Republic
Scandia (66966): Jaid Lynne Runft, a Bachelor of Arts in communication.

Rice
Lyons (67554): Jamie Lee Ash, a Bachelor of General Studies (biological).
Kyler Michael Cox, a Bachelor of Science in Technology Studies (construction management).
Sterling (67579): Kylie Ann Dean, a Master of Science in health and human performance.

Riley
Manhattan (66502): Kelsey L. McCarthy, a Bachelor of General Studies (health promotion).
Manhattan (66503): Jared Graber, a Bachelor of Science in agricultural business.

Rooks
Damar (67632): Kolt Brian Newell, a Bachelor of Science in health and human performance (sport and exercise therapy).

Rush
Otis (67565): Spencer M. Romeiser, a Master of Professional Studies (information assurance management).

Russell
Luray (67649): Sawyer Bair Ptacek, a Master of Science in counseling (school).

Saline
Assaria (67416): Brock Long, a Master of Science in health and human performance.
Brookville (67425): Miranda Lynn Merrill, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Gypsum (67448): Kinsy Wayne McVay, a Master of Science in instructional technology.
Salina (67401): Candy Lynnette Fitzpatrick, a Master of Science in counseling (school).
Morgan Alexandra Long, a Master of Science in Education (English for speakers of other languages).
Jessica Steele, a Master of Science in Education (English for speakers of other languages).
Shane Ryan Wesley, an Associate of General Studies (biological).

Scott
Scott City (67871): Kelly Allison Wycoff, a Bachelor of Science in health and human performance (sport and exercise therapy).

Sedgwick
Andale (67001): Katie Marie Sheahon, a Master of Science in Education (reading specialist).
Derby (67037): Dawnell Linn Cohen-Hendricks, a Bachelor of General Studies (psychological).
Larry J. Similton, a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice.
Amy Elizabeth Steadman, a Master of Science in education administration.
Goddard (67052): Maria Isabel Casenove, a Bachelor of Arts in art.
Renae Louise Huff, a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice.
Maize (67101): Carlos Alonso Castaneda, a Bachelor of Science in Technology Studies (construction management).
Brian D. Williams, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Park City (67219): Wenuje Sampath Dissanayake, a Bachelor of Science in health studies.
Valley Center (67147): Chelsea F. Jackson, a Master of Science in health and human performance.
Wichita (67204): Cortney Alise Crandon, a Master of Science in education administration.
Wichita (67205): Brandon Lynn Nelson, a Master of Science in instructional technology.
Wichita (67206): Haley Nicole Burpo, a Bachelor of Science in psychology.
Ricky Trena Jacques, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Wichita (67207): Joktan Tanui, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Wichita (67208): Monica Claire Talbott, a Master of Liberal Studies (gerontology).
Wichita (67212): Kayla Bethany Demel, a Master of Science in health and human performance.
Nicole Hanschu, a Bachelor of General Studies (general business).
Kaitlin Marie Powell, a Master of Science in special education (high incidence).
Kara Lynn Shideler, a Master of Science in Nursing (nursing education).
Mikayla M. Zaring, an Associate of General Studies (general business).
Wichita (67217): Rebecca Suzanne Barton, a Master of Science in education administration.
Wichita (67220): Elizabeth A. Tinch, a Master of Professional Studies (organizational leadership).
Wichita (67226): Matthew Reed, a Master of Science in health and human performance.

Seward
Kismet (67859): Tyler Bruce, a Master of Science in education administration.
Liberal (67901): Jasmine Hernandez-Garcia, a Bachelor of Science in athletic training.
Lisa Marie Owens, a Master of Arts in history.

Shawnee
Topeka (66604): Michael Aaron Peoples, a Bachelor of Science in computer science (networking).
Topeka (66609): Casey Jane Cunningham, a Master of Science in Education (reading specialist).
Topeka (66614): Sarah Ann Harris, a Master of Science in Education (reading specialist).
Joseph Micah Phelps, a Bachelor of Science in information networking and telecommunications (health informatics).
Andrew James Weese, a Master of Science in special education (high incidence).

Smith
Smith Center (66967): Mark Alan Nebel, a Bachelor of General Studies (general business).

Stafford
St. John (67576): Meagan Feril, a Master of Science in Education (mathematics).
Erin Koelsch, a Bachelor of Science in agricultural business.

Stanton
Johnson City (67855): Darbi Kae Cook, a Bachelor of Science in health and human performance (fitness programming).
Dyani Rhea Palmer, a Bachelor of Science in psychology.

Stevens
Hugoton (67951): Petronella Christina Pretorius, a Master of Science in special education (high incidence).

Sumner
Belle Plaine (67013): Keith D. George, a Master of Science in education administration.

Thomas
Colby (67701): Robert John Alexander, a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice.

Wallace
Weskan (67762): Alexis Rose Bergquist, a Bachelor of Science in general science (biology).

Wichita
Leoti (67861): Abby Cahn, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management (entrepreneurship).

Wilson
Neodesha (66757): Justin Michael Pierce, a Master of Science in counseling (school).

Wyandotte
Bonner Springs (66012): Kyle Aaron Zink, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Kansas City (66103): Xochitl Galves-Gallegos, a Bachelor of General Studies (education).
Brian Scott Hastert, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Kansas City (66104): Cristal Marisol Ugarte, a Master of Business Administration (finance).

GRADUATES SERVING in the ARMED FORCES
John Sim, a Master of Science in health and human performance.
Laura Tiglao, a Master of Science in Education (higher education student affairs).

GRADUATES FROM OTHER STATES and TERRITORIES
ALASKA
North Pole (99705): Meg Romersberger, a Bachelor of General Studies (education).

ARIZONA
Laveen (85339): Vitaly Valentine, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Phoenix (85035): Mary Nyuyfone, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

CALIFORNIA
Fountain Valley (92708): Rosa Bui, a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.
Hanford (93230): Thurman Roy McDowell, a Bachelor of General Studies (organizational leadership).
Laguna Niguel (92677): Dominic Phillip Briones, a Bachelor of General Studies (general business).
Long Beach (90805): Raquel Marie Suarez, a Bachelor of General Studies (general business).
Palos Verdes Estates (90274): Brian S. Hults, a Master of Science in instructional technology.
Rancho Mirage (92270): Chad Andrew Rous, a Bachelor of Science in health and human performance (health promotion).
San Diego (92127): Derek Armstrong, a Bachelor of Arts in political science.
San Jose (95136): Elizabeth Sandra Villavicencio, a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.
Vallejo (94590): Timothy Michael Jacobs, a Bachelor of General Studies (human services).
Wildomar (92595): Tyler G. Moore, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.

COLORADO
Arvada (80007): Casey C. Arzola, a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice.
Centennial (80015): John Ryan Grasser, a Bachelor of Science in health and human performance (sport management).
Colorado Springs (80909): Stuart Jacob Rhodes, a Master of Science in instructional technology.
Colorado Springs (80925): Brenda L.A. Conner, a Bachelor of General Studies (business).
Evergreen (80439): Sarah Christine Kay, a Bachelor of Science in health and human performance.
Flagler (80815): Marcus Roy Cross, a Bachelor of Arts in communication.
Greeley (80634): Deidra Adriane Smith, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Parker (80134): Hayley Ferguson, a Master of Science in instructional technology.
Pueblo (81006): Lisa Renee Medved, a Master of Science in education administration.
Sterling (80751): Kaitlyn Feather, a Bachelor of Science in health and human performance (sport and exercise therapy).
Strasburg (80136): Charles Gudka, a Bachelor of Science in health and human performance.
Timnath (80547): Sarah Simpson, a Master of Science in psychology (school).
Westminster (80021): Kristin Elizabeth O’Day, a Master of Science in special education (high incidence).

CONNECTICUT
Bristol (06010): Anthony Vincent Scotti, a Master of Science in health and human performance.
Ridgefield (06877): Tammy Friedman, a Master of Science in instructional technology.
Terryville (06786): Erik Bryant Kowalski, a Bachelor of General Studies.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Washington (20011): Brad Matthew Johanson-Smith, a Bachelor of Science in psychology.

FLORIDA
Jacksonville (32257): Sherly Denis, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Joshua Andrew Yunos, a Master of Business Administration (human resource management).

IDAHO
Boise (83706): Martin Phillip Tuttle, a Master of Science in instructional technology.
Boise (83709): Kendall Paige Baghott-Salmon, a Master of Science in instructional technology.
Nampa (83686): Elisabeth Martin, a Bachelor of General Studies (networking).
Victor (83455): Ann-Marie Luekenga Kunz, a Master of Science in education administration.

ILLINOIS
Belleville (62226): Tradale De’von’ce Hayes, a Bachelor of Science in sociology.
Chicago (60645): Rivka Barron Cohen, a Bachelor of General Studies (child development).
Ellsworth (61737): Molly Barr, an Associate of General Studies (general business).
Kildeer (60047): Nicole Dawn Leiter, a Master of Business Administration (international business).
Leland (60531): Sarah Johnson, a Bachelor of Science in agricultural business.
Lombard (60148): Aurora Susan Iasillo, a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.
Plainfield (60544): Marius Vanias, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Steeleville (62288): Lindsey Cowan, a Bachelor of General Studies (communication).

IOWA
Ames (50014): David Luke Greenfield, a Master of Science in instructional technology.
Des Moines (50317): Tabitha Kaye Aplin, a Bachelor of General Studies (general business).
Huxley (50124): Christopher Alan Deason, a Master of Science in education administration.
Manson (50563): Riley Marie Bleam, a Master of Science in Education (higher education student affairs).
Moravia (52571): Nicole Renee Holden, a Bachelor of Science in agricultural business.

LOUISIANA
Baton Rouge (70807): Kaitlin Harris, a Master of Professional Studies (human resource management).
Lafayette (70508): Joddea Sheatelle Fisher, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.

MASSACHUSETTS
Hull (02045): Russell Sears, a Master of Science in instructional technology.

MICHIGAN
Hancock (49930): Sherry Wyeth, a Bachelor of General Studies (psychological).
Rockwood (48173): Christian Randall Peltier, a Master of Arts in history.
Saginaw (48602): Jerico Scott Hayward, a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice.

MINNESOTA
Blaine (55449): Roberto Miguel Rodriguez, a Master of Arts in history.
Eden Prairie (55346): Angela Mae Weinheimer, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
White Bear Lake (55110): Jessica Rose Conklin, a Master of Science in Education (higher education student affairs).

MISSOURI
Kansas City (64131): Paul M. Stahl, a Master of Science in instructional technology.
Kansas City (64137): Katelyn Sarah Reilly, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management (human resource).
Kansas City (64155): Jason Lee Kunce, a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice.
Stefanie Marie Will, a Master of Science in Education (reading specialist).
Raymore (64083): Shea Launa Twenter, a Master of Science in education administration.
Reeds (64859): Jacque Lynn McDonald, a Master of Fine Arts in art (ceramics).
St. Louis (63126): Craig S. Chott, a Master of Professional Studies (information assurance management).

NEBRASKA
Bridgeport (69336): Ashley Alan Nielsen, a Master of Science in psychology (clinical).
Elkhorn (68022): Colton Jacob Weinmann, a Bachelor of Science in information networking and telecommunications (computer networking).
Eustis (69028): Michael William Jack, a Bachelor of Science in agricultural business.
Grand Island (68801): Nicholas James Karn, a Master of Science in education administration.
North Platte (69101): Marleine Emanuel, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Omaha (68105): Monroe Gilbert Evans, a Master of Science in counseling (clinical mental health).
Shickley (68436): Treva Nutter, a Master of Science in health and human performance.
Walton (68461): Mikayla Mae Ehlers, a Master of Liberal Studies (literary arts).

NEVADA
Las Vegas (89118): Molly Grace Dudek-Wong, a Bachelor of Arts in sociology.
Las Vegas (89139): Jason Livingston Poyfair, a Master of Science in education administration.
Reno (89521): Steffi Faye Ponce, a Bachelor of Science in computer science (networking).

NEW JERSEY
Hamilton (08619): Jasmine Marie Purnell, a Bachelor of Science in sociology.
Rutherford (07070): Benjamin Charles Ireland, a Master of Science in Education (English for speakers of other languages).
Sussex (07461): Joseph Ciani, a Bachelor of Science in Technology Leadership.
Vineland (08361): Heather Alma Fiori, a Master of Science in education administration.

NEW MEXICO
Albuquerque (87122): Richard James McLaughlin, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

NORTH CAROLINA
Pineville (28134): Lakisha Mychelle Mackie, a Bachelor of Science in computer science (networking).
Raleigh (27617): Eneldelis Edith Urena, a Bachelor of Science in psychology.
Sanford (27332): Adam N. Schaffer, a Master of Liberal Studies (health sciences).
Taylorsville (28681): Joseph John Barone, a Master of Professional Studies (criminal justice).

NORTH DAKOTA
Minot (58703): Kendra Lee Adams, a Master of Science in psychology (school).

OHIO
Batavia (45103): Jared Craig, a Master of Science in instructional technology.
Cincinnati (45245): Michelle Lynn Grau, a Master of Science in instructional technology.
Greenville (45331): Brooke Amber Dedloff, a Bachelor of Science in agricultural business.
Hamilton (45011): Andrew Fredwest, a Bachelor of Science in computer science.
Mansfield (44907): Jeffery James Meyer, a Master of Science in health and human performance.
Tipp City (45371): Angela Lynn Davis, an Associate of General Studies (general business).

OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma City (73108): Jessica Marie Wagoner, a Bachelor of Science in psychology.
South Coffeyville (74072): Catherine Reeves, a Bachelor of General Studies (education).
Tulsa (74106): Kaci Lou Clour, a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.
Yukon (73099): Seanna K. Randall, a Bachelor of Science in political science.

OREGON
Newberg (97132): David Christopher Madrigal, a Bachelor of General Studies (general business).
Salem (97304): Jennifer A. Graham, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

PENNSYLVANIA
Berlin (15530): Kelsie L. Mazanowski, a Master of Liberal Studies (gerontology).
Churchville (18966): Sean Patrick Dougherty, a Master of Liberal Studies (global studies).
Easton (18042): Julna Joseph, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Pittsburgh (15216): Ozan Hikmet Sozuoz, a Bachelor of Science in computer science.
York (17406): Tabetha Anne Green, a Master of Professional Studies (organizational leadership).

RHODE ISLAND
Providence (02907): Olanike Akinjobi, a Bachelor of Science in psychology.
Warwick (02889): Eric Jay Pollock, a Master of Science in education administration.

SOUTH CAROLINA
Blythewood (29016): Andrew N. Washington, a Bachelor of Science in information networking and telecommunications (computer networking).
Columbia (29209): Charles Richard Murphy, a Master of Science in instructional technology.
Kinards (29355): Tyler Dwight Tucker, a Bachelor of Science in Technology Leadership.
Lexington (29072): Mark Edward Dudley, a Master of Science in education administration.
Spartanburg (29301): Kayla Lynn Childers, a Bachelor of Science in health studies.

SOUTH DAKOTA
Aberdeen (57401): Tiffany M. Langer, a Master of Business Administration (digital marketing).
Wolsey (57384): Damien Charles Davis, a Bachelor of Science in biology (rangeland conservation).

TEXAS
Baytown (77522): Sheridan Jenee’ Peterson, a Bachelor of General Studies (mathematics).
Conroe (77301): Oscar Carmona-Ortiz, a Bachelor of Science in health and human performance.
Dallas (75206): Tracy Kimberly Valladares, a Bachelor of Science in information networking and telecommunications (computer networking).
Frisco (75035): Jimmy Lee Acres, a Bachelor of General Studies (leadership).
Houston (77040): Latoiya Foster, a Bachelor of General Studies (general business).
Houston (77066): Abdiwali Farah Abdulle, a Bachelor of Science in medical diagnostic imaging.
Lewisville (75067): Rita Martinez, a Bachelor of General Studies (historical).
Richmond (77407): Chesicka N. Johnson, a Bachelor of Science in medical diagnostic imaging.

VIRGINIA
Arlington (22204): Nanguin Kevin-Hans Coulibaly, a Master of Professional Studies (human resource management).

WASHINGTON
Easton (98029): Anna Kerlee, a Master of Science in instructional technology.

WYOMING
Cheyenne (82005): Derrick Roy Harter, an Associate of General Studies (general business).

GRADUATES FROM OTHER COUNTRIES
CAMBODIA
Phnom Penh: Kanika Montha, a Bachelor of Science in computer science.

CHINA
Beijing: Shuying Wang, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Dalian: Shiyue Lin, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Jilinsheng: Qun Nie, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Shanxi: Bo Li, a Master of Liberal Studies (political leadership and public service).
Shenyang: Xing Cao, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Xinmeng Cao, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Yiwen Cao, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Dingzhi Chi, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Jialin Dai, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Jialin Du, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Rongfu Han, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Haiyang He, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Mengying Hu, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Shuyue Huang, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Linqiao Jiao, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Yan Jiao, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Xiaorong Jin, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Shihuan Kong, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Ge Li, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Haoming Li, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Jinshu Li, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Meng Li, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Shengxi Li, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Wenchao Li, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Yixuan Li, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Tianyu Liang, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Xiangyu Lin, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Zinan Lin, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Hanbo Liu, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Jizhe Liu, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Renxuan Liu, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Shengnan Liu, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Wenzhang Liu, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Ye Liu, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Zichao Liu, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Peiru Ning, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Yanhe Niu, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Xintong Pan, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Lujia Pang, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Haozhe Peng, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Xingjian Ren, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Xinhang Song, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Baoxin Sun, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Boxuan Sun, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Rongqian Sun, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Yuan Sun, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Lin Tang, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Jianqi Wang, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Qiao Wang, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Shuxinyu Wang, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Yinan Wang, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Yue Xin, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Runze Xu, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Bowen Xuan, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Sixuan Yan, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Hanming Yang, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Hedong Yang, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Huaimin Yang, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Kangping Yang, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Yimeng Yang, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Yipeng Yue, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Naiwen Zhang, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Xunming Zhang, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Shijie Zhao, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Yiming Zhao, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Weihong Zheng, a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership.
Ruiqi Zhu, a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics.
Xinzheng: Linlin Bi, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Runfa Cai, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Yangtao Chai, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Kening Chen, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Qiangwei Chen, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Sihao Chen, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Xubing Chen, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Gong Cheng, a Bachelor of Arts in global business English.
Liudi Cheng, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Tanqiu Cheng, a Bachelor of Arts in global business English.
Lulu Fan, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Xuhui Fan, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Wei Fu, a Bachelor of Arts in global business English.
Chen Gao, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Yafeng He, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Yukun Hou, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Yuhua Hu, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Chaoying Huang, a Bachelor of Arts in global business English.
Liuyang Ji, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Yinping Ji, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Yinyu Ji, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Chenxi Jian, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Bowen Jiao, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Wenwen Jiao, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Yixin Jing, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Jiayu Lei, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Chaofan Li, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Haibin Li, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Hechao Li, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Jiajie Li, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Jiawen Li, a Bachelor of Arts in global business English.
Longfei Li, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Miaomiao Li, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Muyuan Li, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Runxin Li, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Sanzheng Li, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Te Li, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Tingting Li, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Tong Li, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Xiang Li, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Yange Li, a Bachelor of Arts in global business English.
Yapeng Li, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Yongjie Li, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Yuting Li, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Zixuan Li, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Jing Liang, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Yaling Liang, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Hang Liu, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Junyan Liu, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Lei Liu, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Xuhao Liu, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Yanfei Liu, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Yubin Liu, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Zhenhe Liu, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Mengmeng Lou, a Bachelor of Arts in global business English.
Sijin Lu, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Yunlong Lu, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Jinming Miao, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Huixin Niu, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Wenrui Peng, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Yi Qiao, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Zixuan Qin, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Ruochen Rong, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Xukun Shan, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Quanyou Shang, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Xiaoman Shang, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Yueyue Shao, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Qingyang Shi, a Bachelor of Arts in global business English.
Wenlong Shi, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Yao Sun, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Fangfang Tian, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Yiming Tong, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Baidong Wang, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Bitao Wang, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Dong Wang, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Han Wang, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Liping Wang, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Meng Wang, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Qiushi Wang, a Bachelor of Arts in global business English.
Shiquan Wang, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Shiyu Wang, a Bachelor of Arts in global business English.
Tong Wang, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Wan Wang, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Yingsen Wang, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Yunlong Wang, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Zhengze Wang, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Luxin Wei, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Yuan Wen, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Hao Wu, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Shiyan Wu, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Yibo Wu, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Suning Xi, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Yujin Xie, a Bachelor of Arts in global business English.
Nanhao Xing, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Danyang Xue, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Minggang Yan, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Hao Yang, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Hao Yang, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Jinlong Yang, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Qi Yang, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Yingying Yang, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Liming Yao, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Gaoxiang Ye, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Ruixue Yi, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Wenge Yuan, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Zhengqian Zhai, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Dan Zhang, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Fuhao Zhang, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Hanxiao Zhang, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Heng Zhang, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Hui Zhang, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Kai Zhang, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Lu Zhang, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Mengqi Zhang, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Xiaoxiang Zhang, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Xinyu Zhang, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Yiman Zhang, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Yiming Zhang, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Yingying Zhang, a Bachelor of Arts in global business English.
Yizhuo Zhang, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Zezheng Zhang, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Zhicheng Zhang, a Bachelor of Arts in global business English.
Zijun Zhang, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Ziliang Zhang, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Wenbo Zhao, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Jia Zheng, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Lei Zheng, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Zecheng Zheng, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Yonghua Zhong, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Junyi Zhou, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Yanqi Zhou, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Bing Zhu, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Chenhui Zhu, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Chunyao Zhu, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Zhiyuan Zhu, a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership.
Zhengzhou: Jia Gui, a Master of Business Administration (accounting).
Zhumadian: Tian Ren, a Master of Business Administration (finance).

INDIA
Kolkata: Antara Roy, a Master of Professional Studies (human resource management).

SPAIN
Madrid: Laura Jimenez-Lendinez, a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.

BERGMEIER: Next up for the beef industry?

Posted on September 21, 2019September 20, 2019

By DAVE BERGMEIER
High Plains Journal

The aftermath of the Aug. 6 Tyson Fresh Meats fire that shuttered the Holcomb plant until January 2020 continues to linger in beef country.

Producers took note of the dramatic price drop in futures that seemed to defy cowboy logic at a time of peak summer demand. Those who study the intricacies of the industry recognized within a week the processing side of getting beef into the food chain was resuming some normalcy. Choice beef prices remain vexing and that is what is generating questions. The industry is right to want answers.

As Oklahoma State University Beef Extension Beef Marketing Specialist Derrell Peel noted in a recent High Plains Journal story, the market responded in about a week to get slaughter numbers up. He also asked important questions that should be asked. Is there enough competition so events like the Tyson fire have less influence? Also what needs to happen to fix the marketplace and what changes need to be made to fix the market functions so it is more competitive for producers and consumers?

“These are still legitimate questions,” he said. Producers at all levels would agree.

High Plains Journal columnist Jerry Nine noted in the same story, neither the American consumer nor the rancher benefited from the gyration in prices.

Few disagree that packing plants need to be profitable and pay their employees so they can provide for their families. They do an exemplary job of getting meat safely into the hands of consumers. They have all been good corporate neighbors in their respective communities.

But the four largest packers — Tyson, Cargill, JBS and National Beef — all have plants in the High Plains region, and collectively they harvest more than 80% of the beef in this country. That has left an open-ended question about whether the level of concentration is too high.

That bleeds into questions about the transparency of the pricing system, which is designed to make sure producers are able to receive an equitable long-term return on their investment while recognizing individual events can and do temporarily disrupt markets.

Collectively, the beef price concerns expressed by those throughout the livestock chain caught the attention of Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, who has asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Packer and Stockyards Division to launch an investigation into beef pricing margins. The beef marketing system is a complex one, and finding consensus on changes that the entire industry could accept will be a challenge. From the cow-calf producer, to the feeder to the processing plant and ultimately the consumer, all have diverse, conflicting and fickle interests.

The scope of investigating the entire system should entail the retailer’s role, too.

All of this comes at time when some companies are pursuing strategies for plant-based meat, which has raised the eyebrows of bovine, swine and poultry producers who rightfully should be concerned about how it can impact their bottom line.

Perdue deserves credit for calling for a review of what happened, but any study of how to balance the needs of the entire chain, has to be done in a way to serve the overall free market system.

Dave Bergmeier, managing editor of the High Plains Journal, can be reached at 620-227-1822 or [email protected].

Republished with permission.