Jeffrey Sather

Minot State University will celebrate its 2026 spring graduating class with its 111th commencement exercise on Friday, May 15. The tradition dates to the university’s first graduating class in 1914.

“MSU’s Commencement represents a wonderful day of celebration when our campus gathers to recognize our newest class of graduates alongside their family and friends,” said Minot State President Dr. Steven Shirley. “We look forward to officially honoring all of our students who represent the MSU Class of 2026.”

The university will begin the day with a traditional Hooding Ceremony for students completing a master’s degree at 8 a.m. in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall. MSU will hold the commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. in the MSU Dome.

For individuals unable to attend the two live events, the Hooding Ceremony and commencement will be broadcast via the Minot State YouTube channel.

This year’s commencement speakers are Dr. Jeffrey Sather, class of 1994, who is executive medical director and emergency physician at Trinity Health; Kale Smith, a current student pursuing a Master of Science in special education program with a concentration in education of the Deaf; and Conner Meldrim, a current undergraduate student majoring in exercise science and rehabilitation.

Representing the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education with a greeting is Tim Mihalick, class of 1981, former chair and current member of the SBHE and a senior vice president at First Western Bank & Trust.

Sather brings more than four decades of experience across clinical care, system leadership and statewide health initiatives. Along with his role at Trinity Health, he serves as the state Emergency Medical Services medical director for the North Dakota Department of Health. Since joining Trinity Health in 1992, Sather has led and contributed to numerous quality and performance improvement initiatives across the health system. His leadership roles have included chief of staff for Trinity Health’s more than 300 credentialed medical staff members, and he currently serves on the Trinity Health Board of Directors.

Sather began his career in emergency services in 1979, first training as an EMT at the U.S. Air Force Hospital in Minot and later as a paramedic at United Hospital in Grand Forks. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Minot State University, a Doctor of Medicine from the University of North Dakota, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee. He completed his emergency medicine residency at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio, and is board-certified in emergency medicine. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians.

“Our annual tradition of including both student and alumni speakers is a special part of Commencement each year at MSU,” Shirley said. “Kale and Conner are outstanding student representatives from this year’s graduating class, and Dr. Jeff Sather is an esteemed MSU alum with an inspiring message to share with our graduates.”