55 Huskers to Graduate Saturday

Lincoln ? The <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>University of Nebraska athletic department is pleased to announce that a total of 55 current or former student-athletes will graduate during commencement activities this weekend. The 2004 Spring Commencement ceremonies take place Saturday, May 8, at 9:30 a.m. at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

Saturday’s class of graduating student-athletes includes student-athletes from nearly all of Nebraska’s 23 athletic programs. The list is highlighted by NCAA track champion Carl Myerscough, who will receive his degree in art. In all, eight other All-Americans among all sports will graduate, including football player Kyle Larson (business administration), soccer player Amy Walsh (nutritional science and dietetics), gymnast Julie Houk (management), rifle standout Melissa Downsbrough (physics and biological sciences) and track and field athletes Shelley-Ann Brown (English), James Bowler (geography), David Davis (communication studies) and Krisztina Kovesi (business administration).

 

Larson leads the 15 football student-athletes scheduled to graduate. A Ray Guy Award finalist, he is joined by starting offensive lineman Dan Vili Waldrop (psychology) and Josh Sewell (finance) in receiving their degrees on Saturday. After Saturday’s graduation ceremonies, 28 of 34 football seniors from last season will have earned their degree. In addition, fullback Steve Kriewald (construction management) will already have his degree before the start of the 2004 football season.

 

Other standout athletes include men’s basketball players Brian Conklin (English education) and Andrew Drevo (business administration), women’s hoops standouts Keasha Cannon-Johnson (criminal justice) and Alexa Johnson (economics), soccer players Paige Phillips (communication studies) Christy Harms (community health education), softball players Kim Ogee (family and consumer sciences) and Amanda Buchholz (middle grades education/coaching), volleyball players Jenae Dowling (finance) and Sara Westling (elementary education) and baseball players Justin Pekarek (management) and Josh Birmingham (economics).

 

Special recognition goes to Bowler (geography) and fellow track athlete Kelly Bowen (business administration), who will be receiving their master’s degrees during commencement exercises.

 

In all, 90 percent of Husker student-athletes who complete their eligibility receive their degree from the University of Nebraska, a total that leads the Big 12 Conference.

 

A private graduation reception for student-athletes and their families will be held at Memorial Stadium following Saturday’s commencement ceremony.