Five years after first visiting campus, Edwards, whose time on campus was lengthened due to COVID-19, and four other ASTEP students, Kamyrien Gillies, Tanner Holman, Seth Grady, and Michael Dufner, will be graduating with their fellow seniors at the 108th Minot State Commencement at 10 a.m. today.

ASTEP, a partnership between Minot State and Dakota College at Bottineau, is a unique program in the state of North Dakota which endeavors to provide students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) with the opportunity to succeed in college. In addition to attending college courses alongside students without disabilities, ASTEP students work with advisers and peer mentors to seek and maintain employment, as well as forging independence and acquiring social skills.

The five ASTEP graduates gathered in Swain Hall with their families, faculty and staff for a recognition ceremony Thursday morning where they were feted for their hard work in the classroom, and the variety of ways they’ve blossomed into campus life, becoming fixtures at sporting, academic, social and other events.

“You have added so much. Those five folks are some of the most visible at MSU. They are so outgoing, so appealing, so friendly and so full of enthusiasm. They’re very active and just a great part of the MSU campus,” said Minot State President Steven Shirley.

Tanner Holman

Jolynn Webster, a former adviser of Grady’s, spoke on his behalf during the ceremony, highlighting his path from his first days on campus to gaining skills and independence in his time on campus. She reminisced about a time she saw Grady participating at an outdoor bingo event as she was walking through campus, highlighting the growth made possible by the program.

“The coolest thing about that was you were engaged. You were interacting. You were totally accepted by your fellow Minot State students, and it made my heart so happy. Because I don’t know if you won a bingo prize that night, but I think you are a winner because of all the ways you were accepted, embraced and a part of the community with your friends,” Webster said.

Nicholas Edward’s grandmother read a statement written by his mother Tammy Edwards, who thanked the university and staff for creating a positive and accepting environment for her son and other ASTEP students.

“It’s been a challenging, thrilling and eventful five years, and now we are anticipating his next step. The next step and the next adventure may be the hardest one,” Tammy Edwards said in her statement, “He has thrived here. This has been his home. A place to learn and grow more independent. He was so accepted and made to feel a part of this campus. The moments he’s had at Minot State University have been the best experience. I’m always going to be grateful that there was an answer to our prayers, that a teacher mentioned ASTEP to my mom.”

Seth Grady

Nicholas Edwards

Michael Dufner