Northern Kentucky University honored more than 2,000 graduates over two ceremonies during the university’s 52nd commencement on Dec. 14.
NKU professor Julie Olberding gave the commencement address at both ceremonies. Olberding is the director of NKU’s Master of Public Administration program and received the Frank Sinton Milburn Outstanding Professor Award in 2024.
Before her more than 20-year career at NKU, she worked in government and nonprofit organizations. Her research focuses on nonprofit management, local government, community events, community development, economic development and student philanthropy.
Mikayla Griffith served as a student speaker in the morning ceremony for the college of education, college of arts and sciences and the college of informatics. Griffith graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree from the college of education, specializing in middle school math and social studies. Harrison Perin served as a student speaker in the afternoon ceremony for the Haile college of business and the college of health and human services. Perin graduated summa cum laude with a Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling.
