May 6, 2025
Dr. Yvonne Cannon, assistant professor of education at Mayville State University, will deliver the annual commencement address at Mayville State University Friday, May 16. The commencement ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. at the Mayville State University Lewy Lee Fieldhouse. The ceremony is open to the public.
Current graduates Mackenzie Hughes, Thompson, N.D., and Connor Fields, also of Thompson, will speak on behalf of the graduating class. Board member Dr. Casey Ryan will bring greetings on behalf of the State Board of Higher Education.
Two Mayville State alumni and friends will receive special recognition during the commencement program. Terry Bachmeier, Mesa, Ariz., will be awarded an honorary Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science in recognition of a lifetime of dedication to personal service. Robert Berg, a 1970 Mayville State graduate, will participate in commencement this year, 55 years after completing the requirements for earning a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. Berg was unable to participate in commencement at the time he completed the degree requirements because he had been drafted and was already in basic training when commencement was held.
Mayville State’s graduation day festivities will begin with the traditional graduation brunch, hosted by the MSU Alumni Association. The event will begin at 10 a.m. in the Campus Center Luckasen Room. Graduate Grant Kocher from Crosby, N.D. will speak on behalf of the MSU Class of 2025. The members of the graduating class will be the guests of honor, and thanks to the generosity of Bell Bank, graduates and their families will attend the brunch free of charge. RSVP is required at www.mayvillestate.edu/gradbrunch.
See more about Commencement 2025 at www.mayvillestate.edu/commencement.
Mayville State University Graduation Brunch Student Speaker Biography
Grant Kocher is graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree. He has earned majors in accounting and business administration and a specialization in banking and finance. Grant participated in Student Senate for three years and served in the offices of treasurer, vice president, and president. He was also the head delegate to the North Dakota Student Association. At Mayville State, Kocher has been a member of numerous university committees and assisted with various projects. His academic success led to his being named to the Dean’s List in each of the semesters in which he has been enrolled. Outside the classroom, Grant played football for four years and was named an NAIA Daktronics Scholar Athlete three times. Grant's parents are Kurt Kocher and Anjelika Kocher-Klang. His hometown is Crosby, N.D.
Mayville State University Commencement Speaker Biographies
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Yvonne Cannon is an Associate Professor at Mayville State University, and this year, she celebrates her thirty-sixth year in education. She received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 1989, a Master of Education in Elementary Education in 1992, a Post-Masters Certificate in College Teaching in 2010, and a Ph.D. in Teacher Education in 2022. On May 16, she will participate in commencement as a recipient of a Master of Education in Adult Teaching and Learning from Mayville State University.
Throughout her time in public education, Dr. Cannon has understood the importance of literacy for all students. This has driven her passion to advocate for students and families, helping them to have the resources needed to navigate the classroom and the world effectively.
In 2015, Dr. Cannon became an adjunct professor teaching reading assessment and intervention courses for Mayville State University and transitioned to full-time employment in 2020. Her mission is to use every opportunity to learn from others and foster academic growth that will lead to the continued success of Mayville State students. Most recently, she received approval for promotion to Associate Professor in the Division of Education.
Yvonne has represented Mayville State on the national platform at the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education conference in Long Beach, Calif., and represented higher education for North Dakota as a member of the ETS Reading Praxis Review Committee in Princeton, N.J. She belongs to the North Dakota Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, the International Literacy Association, the North Dakota Literacy Association, Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society in Education, and the Council for Exceptional Children.
Dr. Cannon’s transition to higher education has provided opportunities to collaborate and act as a change agent for literacy at the state level. At Mayville State University, Dr. Cannon has worked with the North Dakota Education and Standards Practice Board and the National Council for Teacher Quality to align Mayville State literacy courses with appropriate practices and standards to meet licensure requirements.
She has participated as a co-advisor for the campus Student Education Association, a Faculty Senate representative, a Teacher Education Committee member, and an Elementary Education Committee member.
Dr. Cannon’s love of lifelong learning stems from her curiosity and passion for education. Her research interests include pre-service teachers' sense of self-efficacy and effective literacy practices. Her work at Mayville State has profoundly impacted her professional growth and deepened her sense of responsibility for the greater good.
There is no age limit for learning, and Dr. Cannon is proud to add the M.Ed. in Adult Teaching and Learning from Mayville State University to her credentials.
Yvonne resides in Moorhead, Minn., with her husband, Curt. They have three grown children, Austin (Kayla, Paislee, Rudy), Lauren (Tyler), and Leandra (Sam).
Student Commencement Speakers
Mackenzie Hughes is graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree. She has earned a major in business administration and specializations in banking and finance and management. A Dean’s List student, Mackenzie has been a Peer Leader and member of the women’s basketball and softball teams. As a student athlete, Mackenize has been named an NAIA Daktronics Scholar Athlete three times, a North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) First-Team All-Conference player three times, a NSAA Second-Team All-Conference player once, and an NAIA Third-Team All-American once. She is a recipient of the NSAA Gold Glove Award. Mackenzie’s parents are Beth and Jeremy Hughes, Thompson, N.D.
Connor Fields has earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in business administration, a minor in sports management, and a specialization in management. A four-year member of the Mayville State Collegiate DECA chapter, he has been a state and national award-winner. Through his Collegiate DECA affiliation, Connor has spent time volunteering with various community organizations. A Dean’s List student, Fields served as a student football coach for three years and was the coordinator of intramural athletics during the past academic year. Connor is the son of Jolene and Gary Fields, Thompson, N.D.
