Special to The Hays Daily News

EMPORIA -- Emporia State University conferred degrees on more than 1,100 graduates during the institution's 142nd commencement May 16.

Approximately 760 students were candidates for undergraduate degrees, which they will receive either this month or at the conclusion of summer classes in August. Graduate degrees were awarded to 350 students.

Commencement speakers included Dick Hedges, a member of the Kansas Board of Regents. The commencement address was delivered by Gen. Art Bloomer, a 1955 ESU graduate. Bloomer is now chief executive officer and board chairman of Integrated Data Corporation. He and his wife, Sue, live in Wichita, and Bloomer serves as a trustee for the Emporia State University Foundation.

Undergraduate degrees were awarded to the following area students:

Hays: Anna Marie Meyerhoff, bachelor of science; Brock Matthew Nehls, bachelor of science; Mackenzie Jane Raburn, bachelor of science; Stacie Renee Zimmerman, Master of Science, Cum Laude.

Oakley: Courtney Nichole Thompson, bachelor of science in Nursing.

Stockton: Blaise Daniel Kriley, bachelor of science, Summa Cum Laude.

La Crosse: Lindsey Renee Bartlett, bachelor of arts; Sarah Hyatt, Master of Arts; Kelly Elizabeth Launchbaugh, bachelor of science in Business.

Liebenthal: Nicholas Allen Starkey, bachelor of science.

Dorrance: Lorie Deanne Betts, master of science.

Selden: Jesse A. Colson, bachelor of science in education.

Kensington: Courtney Layne George, bachelor of science.

Smith Center: Tasha S. Schoen, bachelor of science.

Colby: Siobhan Lynn Cassidy, bachelor of science in Nursing; Teresa M. Morgan, master of science.