Former All-American to be Commencement Speaker

Dr. Danna (Kelly) Herrick, a Truman alumna and decorated runner, will give the commencement address, Dec. 18.

In an accomplished student career, Herrick was a four-time Academic All-American, earning a bachelor’s degree in exercise science with a minor in Spanish. Following her time at Truman, she graduated with a doctorate in physical therapy from Des Moines University. She practices in the orthopedic setting and specializes as a women’s health and pelvic floor physical therapist.

Athletically, Herrick was a two-time All-American in cross country and track and field. She received multiple all-conference and all-region honors and competed at nationals in the steeplechase in 2007 and 2009 where she finished in the top three. Herrick was named the Truman Female Athlete of the Year for 2009, and her time of 10:49 in the steeplechase remains the school record.

After competing in her second marathon, Herrick qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2012, 2016 and 2020. In addition to her medical career, she trained at an elite level with Hansons Brooks Original Distance Project and received sponsorship from Brooks Running from 2016 to 2020. During her time as a professional runner, she finished as a top 20 female in four Abbott World Majors Marathons – twice in New York as well as once each in Boston and Chicago. She also raced internationally in Japan and Germany and improved her marathon time by nearly 20 minutes from her debut to a personal best of 2:32:19.