Minot State set to celebrate its 111th Commencement Exercises

MINOT, N.D. - Minot State University is proud to continue its long-standing tradition of celebrating its graduating class with the 111th Commencement Exercise on Friday, May 15. The tradition dates to the University's first graduating class in 1914.

"MSU's Commencement represents a wonderful day of celebration when our campus gathers to recognize our newest class of graduates alongside their family and friends," said Minot State President Dr. Steven Shirley. "We look forward to officially honoring all of our students who represent the MSU Class of 2026."

The University will begin the day with a traditional Hooding Ceremony for students completing a master's degree at 8 a.m. in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall. MSU will hold the Spring Commencement Ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Minot State Dome.

For individuals unable to attend the two live events, the Hooding Ceremony and Commencement will be broadcast via the Minot State YouTube channel. Access both online at the Graduate Hooding Ceremony broadcast and the Commencement Ceremony broadcast.

MSU is also pleased to announce this year's Commencement speakers including Dr. Jeffrey Sather '94, executive medical director and emergency physician at Trinity Health; Kale Smith, a current student in the Master of Science in Special Education program with a concentration in education of the Deaf; and Conner Meldrim, a current undergraduate student majoring in exercise science and rehabilitation. Representing the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) with a greeting is Tim Mihalick '81, former chair and current member of the SBHE and a senior vice president at First Western Bank & Trust.

Sather brings more than four decades of experience across clinical care, system leadership, and statewide health initiatives. Along with his role at Trinity Health, he serves as the state EMS medical director for the North Dakota Department of Health. Since joining Trinity Health in 1992, Sather has led and contributed to numerous quality and performance improvement initiatives across the health system. His leadership roles have included chief of staff for Trinity Health's more than 300 credentialed medical staff members, and he currently serves on the Trinity Health Board of Directors.

Sather began his career in emergency services in 1979, first training as an EMT at the U.S. Air Force Hospital in Minot and later as a paramedic at United Hospital in Grand Forks. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Minot State University, a Doctor of Medicine from the University of North Dakota, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee. He completed his emergency medicine residency at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio, and is board-certified in emergency medicine. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians.

In his role as State EMS Medical Director since 2014, Sather provides medical oversight for the Division of Emergency Medical Systems, including prehospital EMS, statewide cardiac and stroke systems of care, and emergency preparedness.

"Our annual tradition of including both student and alumni speakers is a special part of Commencement each year at MSU," Shirley said. "Kale and Conner are outstanding student representatives from this year's graduating class, and Dr. Jeff Sather is an esteemed MSU alum with an inspiring message to share with our graduates."

Minot State will host a special graduation homepage with additional information on the ceremony, events, gift ideas, social media posts, videos, senior spotlights, and a wall of graduates. Access all MSU graduation content at MinotStateU.edu/grad and use hashtag #MSUclassof26 in all social media posts.