140th Year of
COMMENCEMENT
Spring 2024
Commencement Program Introduction
Warner College of Natural Resources Commencement
May 12, 2024
Order of Ceremony
Processional ¹ – Big Thompson Brass
National Anthem ² – Madelynn Flanagan
Introduction of Platform Party – Dr. Monique Rocca
Opening Remarks –Dean A. Alonso Aguirre
Commencement Address –Michael A. Fitz
Recognition of Honors Program Graduates and Honorary Society Initiates –Dr. Shawn Bingham
Charge to the Class and Conferring of Degrees –Dr. Marion Underwood
Awarding of Diplomas –Dean Aguirre, Rocky Coleman, and Department Representatives
Graduating Senior Address –Claire Walther
Closing Remarks –Dean Aguirre
Alma Mater ² – Madelynn Flanagan
Recessional – Big Thompson Brass
1 Audience will stand
2 Audience may remain seated
On the Platform
Dr. Marion Underwood, Provost, Colorado State University
Dr. A. Alonso Aguirre, Dean, Warner College of Natural Resources
Dr. Monique Rocca, Associate Dean, Warner College of Natural Resources
Claire Walther, Graduating Senior, Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology
Michael A. Fitz, Alumnus, Warner College of Natural Resources
Dr. Shawn Bingham, Director, University Honors Program
Eric Ray, Vice President, Human Resources
Dr. Eric Toman, Department Head, Forest and Rangeland Stewardship
Dr. Brett Bruyere, Professor, Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
Dr. Ed Hall, Professor, Ecosystem Science and Sustainability
Dr. Rick Aster, Department Head, Geosciences
Dr. Chris Myrick, Professor, Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology
Rocky Coleman, Master Instructor Emeritus
Dr. Rickey Frierson, Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, Warner College of Natural Resources
Dr. John Moore, Director, Natural Resource Ecology Lab
Dr. David Anderson, Director, Colorado Natural Heritage Program
Matt McCombs, Director, Colorado State Forest Service
Nicole Stafford, Director, Environmental Learning Center
Marshals
Shimon Watanabe, Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology
Jacqie Hasan, Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
Dr. Wilfred Previant, Forest and Rangeland Stewardship
Elizabeth Tulanowski, Ecosystem Science and Sustainability
Dr. Lisa Stright, Geosciences
The Mace
The mace, originally a weapon of offense, has long been the insignia of authority. The mace carried in today’s ceremony was presented to Colorado State University by the College of Natural Resources in 1981. The three-and-half-foot black walnut staff, surmounted by a carved rams head, is embellished in silver with the emblems of Colorado State University and the State of Colorado.
Michael A. Fitz, Commencement Speaker
Michael A. Fitz is retired after a career of 32 years with the Gates Rubber Company in Denver working as a Regional Sales Manager and Marketing Director.
Michael graduated from the College of Forestry and Natural Resources at Colorado State University with a degree in Wildlife Biology and a minor in Rangeland Management in 1972.
He served in the U.S. Army in Germany from 1973-76 where he worked for the Armed Forces Recreation Center in Berchtesgaden. While there, he acquired the skills to be an accomplished ski mountaineer resulting in ski descents from more than 50 peaks over 14,000 feet in elevation in Europe, Alaska, Colorado, and the Pacific NW.
Currently Michael and his brother Howie are deeply involved in wildlife conservation and habitat restoration in their native state of Nebraska. They are purchasing farmland and taking it out of production to return it to natural grasslands. They are significant supporters and donors to the largest habitat conservation group in the U.S., Pheasants Forever, where they are donating their land to be managed as grasslands and eventually opened for public access forever.
Michael and Howie have also established an endowment for the Warner College of Natural Resources to support a graduate student in the field of conservation on public lands.
Michael continues to enjoy skiing, hunting, hiking, golf and global adventure travel.
Warner College of Natural Resources
Candidates for University Honors Scholar
Spring 2024
Justin Arndt, Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology major and Leadership Studies minor with Wildlife Biology concentration. Thesis title: Sustainable Funding Sources for the CSU Nordic Ski Club: A Plan for Future CSU Nordies.
Elliot Batta, Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology major and Leadership Studies minor with Wildlife Biology concentration. Thesis title: The Current State of White-Nose Syndrome in the United States.
Kendal Berasley, Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology major with Wildlife Biology concentration and Zoology major. Thesis title: A Molting Mystery: The Role of Leucine Rich Repeat G-Protein Coupled Receptors’ Role in the Crustacean Molt Cycle.
Bella Bert, Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology major and Business Administration minor with Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences concentration. Thesis title: Evaluating Cyprinus carpio (Common Carp) Swimming Performance in a Simulated Rock Ramp.
Jordyn Blaha, Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology major with Wildlife Biology concentration. Thesis title: Regenerative Family Farming in the Western U.S.: A Best-Practices Review.
Bianca Blasquez, Human Dimensions of Natural Resources major with Integrated Visual Studies concentration and Art major. Thesis title: A Comprehensive Study of Bears Ears National Monument’s Historical and Cultural Significance.
Madzie Boyles, Ecosystem Science and Sustainability major and Diversity and Inclusion minor and Geospatial Information Science minor. Thesis title: Addressing Climate Migration in Houston, Texas.
Leah Bradstreet, Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology major with Wildlife Biology concentration. Thesis title: Effect of Town Access on the Diet of Elk in Estes Park, Colorado.
Tomas Dardis, Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology major with Wildlife Biology concentration. Thesis title: Undergraduate Research at the Bird Genoscape Project.
Kyra Dart, Human Dimensions of Natural Resources major. Thesis title: A Klamath Salmon’s (Ney-puy) Journey from River to Sea and Back again.
Riley Dils, Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology major with Conservation Biology concentration and Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences concentration. Thesis title: Progression of Renibacterium salmoninarum Through Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Tissues Using Histology and qPCR.
Emma Halaburt, Forest and Rangeland Stewardship major and Global Environmental Sustainability minor and Rangeland and Forest Management concentration. Thesis title: Frontlines of Climate Change: Teaching Climate Adaptation in Colorado.
Maddy Hasstedt, Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology major with Conservation Biology concentration. Thesis title: Queer Representation in Fairy Tale Retelling Graphic Novels.
Kajsa Holland-Goon, Geology major and Geospatial Information Science minor with Geophysics concentration. Thesis title: Evaluating Snow Depth Measurement Accuracy in the Boreal Forest: Comparing Ground-Penetrating Radar, Probes, and Trench Data.
Sydnee Monson, Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology major with Wildlife Biology concentration. Thesis title: Quantifying Anthropogenic Influence on Behavioral Dynamics in Wildlife: A Statistical Investigation of Habituation in Urban Ecosystems.
Morgan Murphy, Human Dimensions of Natural Resources major and Diversity and Inclusion minor. Thesis title: Impact of a Wildlife Conservation Immersion Event on BIPOC Youth.
Daniel Rice, Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology major and Geospatial Information Science minor with Wildlife Biology concentration. Thesis title: Green Pathways: Drawing Connectivity Between Forest Habitats for Endangered Species Management.
Lucas Roy, Watershed Science major and Geospatial Information Science minor. Thesis title: Forest to Faucets: A Watershed Science-Based STEM Kit for Middle and High School Students.
Mena Sherer, Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology major with Conservation Biology concentration. Thesis title: Inspiring Conservationists: Fortification of Conservation Outreach at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
McKenna Skokos, Ecosystem Science and Sustainability major and Global Environmental Sustainability minor. Thesis title: Upcycled Foods.
Kelsey Sonius, Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology major with Wildlife Biology concentration. Thesis title: Wildlife Conservation in La Bendición: Exploring the Role of Indigenous-Led Stewardship and Knowledge Sharing in Shaping Conservation in the Tropics of Guatemala.
Bodie Spinner, Ecosystem Science and Sustainability major and Geospatial Information Science minor. Thesis title: Thermal and Microspatial Variations, Not Food Availability, Affect Mass in a Hibernating Squirrel.
Jana Stich, Ecosystem Science and Sustainability major and Geospatial Information Science minor. Thesis title: Site Suitability Analysis and Feasibility of Forestry Carbon Offset Projects in Larimer County, CO.
Cameron Tolar, Ecosystem Science and Sustainability major and Watershed Science minor. Thesis title: Spatial Analysis of 2017-2018 Drought and Its Impact on Aspen Tree Populations in Southwest Colorado.
Warner College of Natural Resources
Candidates for Baccalaureate Degrees
Spring 2024
WARNER COLLEGE OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Dean A. Alonso Aguirre
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
Ecosystem Science and Sustainability
Bandor, Evan *
Blessing, River Soleil =
Border, John Patrick *
Boyles, Madeleine Ruth *
Brady, Aidan Michael *
Brandel, Sean Leonard
Conboy, John M.
Courtney, McKenna Erin *
Daniel, Sarah C. *
Davis, Kristie Mae * ^
Ducharme, Ashlee Marie *
Ericson, Joshua Alan *
Finley, Kayla Lynn * ^
Flood, Sierra Amber *
Garcia, Alec Jackson
Glick, Chase T. *
Guerrero, Gabriella Julianne
Hall, Anna L. *
Harbour, Zöe Grace *
Heiden, Aaron R.
Holpp, Sydney Claire *
Hoyberg-Nielsen, Patrik
Huber, Hannah Elizabeth *
Johnson, Emily Quinne + =
Johnson, William Brian
Kahn, Grace Estes
Kubelka, Max S.M. *
Lage, Alexander J. *
Leinen, Avery A. *
Lerma, Jamison Cruz
Lewis, Graeson W.
Lichtensztajn, Jed Ari *
Logan, Jared Cole *
Matier, Mikaela Winter + *
Mead, Shelby M. =
Mendoza, Haley Marina * ^
Milton, Liam Eli ^
Mister, Nicole Marie *
Nelson, Lily Rae *
Orozco, Emily
Pasowicz, Monica
Pawlowski, Ryan Jonathan
Perkins, Kai S.
Ramstead II, John Harold + #
Romine, Ashlyn Kay
Schmidt, Matthew
Skokos, McKenna * ^
Spinner, Bodie J. *
Stevens, Flannery * ^
Stich, Jana Peace * #
Strausser, Sophie Anne * =
Sundstedt, David Frazier
Szulc, Calvin Michael =
Thompson, Nathan Ian *
Tolar, Cameron J. *
Turk, Hanna Elizabeth *
Valenta, Joseph Alexander
Vieira, Gabriella Maria #
Walker, Em *
Wenzel, Tanner J.
Wilson, Ian Thomas
Wolf, Charlotte Susan +
Woodworth, Matthew Ryan * ^
Fire and Emergency Services Administration
Eckles, Bailey V.
Oakland, Joseph Johnson
Pisarik, Anthony J.
Weslosky, Jase Terry
Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology
Aguilar, Ava L.
Allen, Jack Koch
Arndt, Justin Bridger * #
Ballard, Sutton Makenzy *
Batta, Elliot Theodore Danger *
Berasley, Kendal +
Bitzer, Taylor
Blaha, Jordyn Nicole
Bradstreet, Leah Celeste
Candelaria, Lance Modesto
Castaneda, Elias
Christensen, Gabriel D.
Crews, Luke Joshua
Cruz, Calea Jade *
Cruz, Jorome Carl Salalila
Daniel, Cole
Dardis, Tomas David
DeWalt, Halley B.
Dils, Riley E. ^
Distel, Colton Michael
Ericson, Tyler W.
Finnigan, Elizabeth Ann * ^
Frank, Noah Robert
Freihaut, Michael
Gaines, Amanda ^
Goreham, Maximus J.
Grady, Aspen Summer
Halford, Riley Alexa
Hasstedt, Madeleine G. ^
Heindl, Hannah K.
Heitsman, Alan D.
Hibbard, Seth B.
Hobbs, Ethan Clifton
Holder, Bryce J.
Iverson, Aliya Marie
Jagim, Nicholas Ryan
Jensen, Klayton T. *
Kearney, Thomas Patrick
Keller, Ava Grace
Lashua, Quinn Robert Nicholas *
Lavey, Alyssa Jayne
Lee, Zhi Mei Maria + #
Lovato, Tyler J.
Lynch, Morgan Elizabeth * =
Maez, Darius Alexander Paul
Manna, Joanna P.
Marino, Juliana Elizabeth
McCoy, Gray
McMackin, Sarah Jean
Mertz, Hannah Joy
Milton Jr., Daniel Eric
Pelletier, Ethan Francis
Porter, Ethan M. *
Powers, Ethan Michael *
Rice, Daniel Eryn *
Robenhymer, Liam J.
Roberson, Zachary Taylor
Rogers, Justice Noel *
Ross, Helen Clare
Ruehr, August Benno
Schepman, Jackson Douglas
Sherer, Mena Rae =
Shuey, Emma Jean *
Skinner, Jonathan Lawrence
Small, Jack C. *
Smith, Caroline Jane
Sonius, Kelsey #
Stapp, Benjamin Galeled Botengan
Tribelhorn, Gunnar Wyn *
Trumble, Cole Patrick *
Tucker, Katie E.
Wagoner, Lily Ann *
Woyt, Abby Elizabeth
Zinn, Riana M. * ^
Forest and Rangeland Stewardship
Bohinski, Eliza Mae + *
Conlon, Derek Russell *
Dowden, Taryn Kimbry *
Goeser, Tessa Claire
Halaburt, Emma Grace * =
Huston, Jacob Logan *
Kalbow, Amanda Louise *
Minard, Madeline Nicole +
Parish, Alec Ronald
Pisano, Paul Michael Davey
Ross, Jared Douglas
Saavedra, Kyle Nicholas
Towner, Jake Andrew
Vargas, Zachary Paul
Geology
Agudelo, Pablo
Broeder, Hunter Joseph
Buchko, Jules J.
Chapin, Tucker J.
Crocker, Maecey L.
Dayton, Noah Jazz *
Holland-Goon, Kajsa Raine * ^
Kasner, Kyros C. *
Kondracki, Phillip Jay
Pascual, Meaghan Alexandra
Pickerel, Claire
Rang, Adam James *
Suboyu, Nicole A.
Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
Blasquez, Bianca Elizabeth #
Fry, Ryan Benford *
Gillman, Molly Ava
Harrington, Ethan John
Higgins, Lily Marie
Motta, Taryn Lillian
Munson, Noah Michael
Schmidt, Jeffrey Tyler
Shields, Hayden Buck
Natural Resource Tourism
Bayless, Blake Robert *
Beilman, Ally Marie *
Deschamps, Mariah Lynn
Economus, William Blake *
Esp, Dana R.
Gaboriau, Leila Jeanne *
Kraemer, Jackson K. *
McDonald, Virginia L.
Pyle, Sloan Noelle *
Valenzuela, Jacqueline *
Westcoat, Trevor Alan *
Zukerberg, Jesse William
Natural Resources Management
Aksamit, Rylee Annika * ^
Anselman, Kevin Thomas *
Arnspiger, Colton Eugene *
Crider, Emmiann Faith *
Groves, Jeremy Tristin *
Hagerty, Jackson Dane *
Knox, Gunner Jay *
LaPalm, Abby Jeanne *
Lueders, Christa Rebecca *
Miller, Graham *
Nuanes, Jacob J. *
Palermo, Sofia Elena *
Paletta, Mickey A.F. *
Parish, Keegan Mary *
Ryan, Jack Huai Zhi Weyl *
Schales, Caden Rhett *
Sweeney, Madeline Quinn +
Tait, Shannon Elizabeth *
Villard, Allison C. *
Watson, John Patrick *
Yeager, Emma Louise *
Young, Hayley * ^
Restoration Ecology
Branson, Kaitlyn Grace
Caldwell, Bailey Nicole
Gaughan, Maura * ^
Harding, Elias Michael *
Phillips, Zachary Kyle
Risken, Emma T. *
Tyler, Parker
Vida, Karolina Julianna *
Williams, Sarah Elisabeth + * #
Wong, Jason Lucas * #
Watershed Science
Roy, Lucas Andrew * =
Warner College of Natural Resources
Candidates for Baccalaureate Degrees
Summer 2024
WARNER COLLEGE OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Dean A. Alonso Aguirre
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
Ecosystem Science and Sustainability
Dilger, Mitchel Frank *
Galick, Grace Ann *
Madison, Nathaniel James
Paulson, Joseph Hill ^
Schwartz, Benjamin A. *
Troost, Evan James *
Wegner, Elle
Zapp, Dakota Steven
Fire and Emergency Services Administration
Nobbs, Conner R.
Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology
Aziz, Mayrah
Fullmer, Analiese
Hand, Jacob D.
Monson, Sydnee Isabelle
Rodriguez, Perla Yazmin
Shaver, Megan A. *
Trumble, Cole Patrick *
Forest and Rangeland Stewardship
Bogucki, Joseph Glynn
Driscoll, William D.
Geology
Al Hathirami, Saif
Al-Souti, Mahnad *
Limbrick, Samuel Robert
Nordrum, Haakon L. ^
Pearce, Tegan Rose ^
Porter, Joseph Brader
Tarka, Tia Elizabeth
Windingstad, Margaret Victoria *
Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
Allenbach, Ashlynn M.
Culligan, Skylar A.
Dart, Kyra Menna
Drosihn, Kaitlin Elizabeth +
Holmes, Keaton *
Lambert, Anneka Marguerite *
Martin, David Kyle ^
Martin, Riley Elaine
Merfeld, Julia Shannon *
Mumford, Venezia Elizabeth
Murphy, Morgan Olivia * ^
Ostopowicz, Katya A. *
Ralston, Grace R. *
Wakely, Simon James Patrick *
Natural Resource Tourism
Arnot, Jack D. *
Clatterbuck, Anthony
DeYoung, Hailey Grace *
Farrell, Leo Bleue
Fenner, Ezra Slome
Franzen, Allison Elizabeth *
Hodde, Halen R. *
Huss, Mason L.
Klein, Joseph Dante *
Kohl, Brennen Wyeth + *
Lambert, Ashley
McCreedy, Justin James
Tolnai, Aidan Thomas *
Willig, Joseph L.
Natural Resources Management
Baum, Mark Philip *
Towers, Elizabeth Hadley *
Valseca, Emiliano Tonatiuh *
Restoration Ecology
Freed, Grant Amerson *
* Candidates with minor
+ Candidates with second major
^ Candidates for cum laude
# Candidates for magna cum laude
= Candidates for summa cum laude
* Candidates with minor
+ Candidates with second major
^ Candidates for cum laude
# Candidates for magna cum laude
= Candidates for summa cum laude
‡ Awarded posthumously
