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POWELL, WYOMING – Commencement exercises at Áñ—†Ö±²¥ are scheduled for Saturday, May 10, beginning at 10:30 a.m. in Cabre Gym. The ceremony will be live streamed on the and YouTube, or viewers can watch directly from the college website at nwc.edu.

This year’s guest speakers include Dr. Astrid Northrup (2025 Distinguished Faculty Award winner), Jennifer DeWitt Walsh (2025 Distinguished Alumna), and Haylee Baver (student representative).

Professor of Engineering & Mathematics Astrid Northrup is completing her 28th year at Áñ—†Ö±²¥ and has served as the STEM division chair for more than a decade. During her tenure at NWC, she’s helped develop several new academic programs, including an A.S. in Software Development, and B.A.S. in Professional Studies, and has a statewide presence, currently serving on the Wyoming NASA Space Grant Board, the Professional Teaching Standards Board, and the University of Wyoming College of Education Advocacy Board.

Dr. Northrup earned a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering, and a Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering from Montana Technological University (Montana Tech) and holds two skills certificates as well. Most recently, she earned a Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction, with a major in Science Education and a minor in Quantitative Research Methods, from the University of Wyoming. She is also a registered Professional Engineer in Colorado and Wyoming.

Jennifer DeWitt Walsh graduated from Áñ—†Ö±²¥ in 1984 before earning a B.A. in History from the University of Wyoming in 1986 and a B.S. in Education from Eastern Montana College (now MSU Billings) in 1988. After working as a staff assistant on Capitol Hill, a barmaid in London, and a middle school teacher in Medellin, Colombia, she completed her M.A. in Public History at Arizona State University in 1996, and upon graduation joined History Associates, Inc., as a research historian.

In January 1997, Walsh joined the Foreign Service of the United States as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Diplomatic Corps and has served in numerous overseas locations such as Havana, Shanghai, Caracas, and Cairo. Walsh has been the recipient of multiple Department of State Superior and Meritorious Honor Awards and was promoted to the Senior Foreign Service while serving as the Consul General in Amsterdam. She is currently the Deputy Consul General at America’s largest consulate in Frankfurt, Germany.

Coming to Áñ—†Ö±²¥ from Absarokee, Montana, Haylee Baver is graduating with an A.A. in Art and Secondary Education. She is planning to continue her education at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, and later pursue a master’s degree in art. Baver has been an active member of Áñ—†Ö±²¥ campus life by participating in the swing dance club, Campus Ventures, leading yoga, while also serving as a resident assistant. She has served as a peer mentor for TRiO, is a member of the student activities staff, and regularly participates in art sales and shows.