May 5, 2008

Bismarck, ND--A total of 60 seniors from five states were honored with the designation Certified Schafer Leader during a special ceremony preceding the University of Mary's 48^th commencement, Saturday, May 3, in the Bismarck Civic Center. This prestigious certification is given to U-Mary seniors who have completed all seven semesters of the university's Harold Schafer Emerging Leaders Academy (ELA) honors leadership program.

The 2008 class of Certified Schafer Leaders in the academy's business, education, health care, and human services tracks were recognized with an honor cord and commemorative gift at a special luncheon preceding the graduation ceremony. (See list, below.) Sheila Schafer, widow of legendary entrepreneur Harold Schafer, whose life and career provided the inspiration for the ELA program, presented the honor cords. Tara Holt, director of the Center for Technology and Business, Bismarck, ND, delivered the keynote address.

The Emerging Leaders Academy began in September of 1998 with a group of 27 business students. It now provides unique intensive leadership training and career- and team-building, and networking experiences in health care, education, and human service areas, as well as in business, to an average of 500 highly motivated students each year.

ELA graduates are successful leaders in their new communities, professions, and graduate schools. Andrew Wikenheiser, 2007 ELA health care graduate, is conducting research in neurology for the National Institute of Health in Washington, DC. His classmate Darius Seidler is attending medical school in the Keith B. Taylor International Scholars program. Emerging Leaders graduates can be found in professional schools, government and research organizations across the nation. Several 2007 business graduates are already working on their MBA degrees. Recent ELA education graduates can be found teaching in California, Florida, Minnesota, North Dakota and Wyoming.

For more information about the University of Mary Harold Schafer Emerging Leaders Academy, visit www.umary.edu/UM/EmergingLeadersAcademy

Adrian J. Austin, Mandan, ND

Heidi Jo Bassen, LaMoure, ND

Kayla Rose Block, Sidney, MT

Kayla Dawn Boschee, Glen Ullin, ND

Zachary A. Dosch, Bismarck, ND

Mindy Lee Goodman, Beulah, ND

Shayne Thomas Haustveit, Tioga, ND

Brooks Peter Hetle, Elgin, ND

Jaclyn Lorraine Johnson, Mohall, ND

Courtney Anne Jones, Bismarck, ND

Jared Lynn Knoll, Bismarck, ND

Jason Conrad Lantz, Mandan, ND

Joseph John Leibel, Glencross, SD

Daniel C. Lubbers, Casselton, ND

Matthew M. Rosendale, Glendive, MT

Stephanie Sandstrom, Minot, ND

RaeAnn Marie Weinreis, Golva, ND

Andrea L. Williams, Mandan, ND

Samantha D. Angermeier, Bismarck, ND

Christina Marie Childress, Newport, WA

Amanda Rae Hubble, Stanley, ND

Anna Elizabeth Joshu, Great Falls, MT

April June Larson, Linton, ND

Meagan Nicole Lewis, Harvey, ND

Ashley Ann McCarty, York, ND

Danielle B. McCleary, Jamestown, ND

Allen James Merrill, Glendive, MT

Jennifer Lee Meyer, Solen, ND

Jesse Jay Nesper, Sidney, MT

Travis M. Peterson, Valley City, ND

Cassandra L. Quintus, Bismarck ND

Nathan M. Rengel, Fergus Falls MN

Sara Anne Roe, Big Timber, MT

Brooke A. Spitzer, Streeter, ND

Brittany G Becker , Streeter, ND

Savannah Renee Doll, New Salem, ND

Alicia Joy Engelhard, Minot, ND

Lindsey K. Gruis, Worthington, MN

Miranda M. Kuntz, Halliday, ND

Aimee Christine Lang, Wilmar, MN

Ashley Marie Maas, Rapid City, SD

Adam J. Motacek, Jamestown, ND

Jennifer Marie Nelson, Yale, SD

Alicia Marie Palmer, Pierre, SD

Carrie E. Pena, Glendive, MT

Kurt Lee Rettig, Medina, ND

Ivy Lee Roe, Kindred, ND

Wesley John Schwartz, Beulah, ND

Jessica J. Seifert, Bismarck, ND

Lindsey Rae Sillerud, Fargo, ND

John Ryan Smetana, Lansford, ND

Amber M. Swanson, Guelph, ND

Kelsey Lee Gentzkow, Bismarck, ND

Krista Marie Heupel, New Leipzig, ND

Sean M. Larson, Wheatland, WY

James Francis Murphy, Steilacoom, WA

Callie Lee Olson, Jamestown, ND

Jessica F. Phelps, Gillette, WY

Kristin Nicole Resch, Shepherd, MT

Karen E. Reulle, Minot, ND