Commencement Address Speaker
Mr� Scott Garvin, Founder/President Garvin Design Group
Scott Garvin is the founder and President of Garvin Design Group, an architecture, planning, and interiors firm based in Columbia, South Carolina. Born and raised in Aiken, Garvin earned both his Bachelor in Design and Master in Architecture from Clemson University and spent a semester at the villa in Genoa, Italy.
Garvin began his professional practice in Greenville and established his firm in 2003. In his career, Garvin has been involved in the design and management of more than $1 billion worth of projects all over the state and beyond. Garvin's namesake firm has earned numerous awards for contributions to the profession and the community, including the American Institute of Architects – South Carolina’s 2019 Firm Award, the Columbia Chamber’s 2020 Small Business of the Year Award, Columbia Business Monthly’s SC Best in Business Award in 2021, 2022, and 2023, and Columbia Metropolitan Magazine’s 2024 Best Commercial Architecture firm.
Garvin's work has also earned him numerous personal accolades. Garvin was the Executive Association of Greater Columbia’s Outstanding Businessman of the Year in 2018, winner of the Columbia Chamber’s Impact Innovation Award in 2018, and winner of Historic Columbia’s Preservation Leadership Award in 2022. Garvin was named among Columbia Business Monthly’s 50 Most Influential in 2016, 2017, and 2018, and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2024.
Garvin is an active community leader and philanthropist, Tigers fan, fisherman, and father of four very accomplished daughters.
Student Speaker
Mrs� Brooke Bruner, Undergraduate Student
When Bruner graduated high school in 1998, she intended to head straight to college. However, life took her on a different path. She married her husband, Andrew, began working as an administrative assistant for an international company and became the mother of two boys. Over the next 25 years, she advanced in her career through hard work and a commitment to excellence, ultimately becoming a marketing and admissions manager. Despite her professional success, completing a college degree remained an unfulfilled goal.
At 40, she decided to return to college while balancing a full-time job and a busy family life. The journey to graduation was challenging, but today, she proudly graduates with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing, achieving a 4.0 GPA. Brooke has always been dedicated to community service, initiating numerous projects to support youth and underprivileged children. In 2020, she launched Devotions4Teens, a free Bible app for youth that has been translated into 41 languages and has reached over a million readers worldwide.
Today, she shares this achievement with her husband, children, and family.
Platform Party
Dr. John H. Dozier, President of Columbia College
Dr. Kristine Barnett, Provost & Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs
Rev. Fadetra Boyd, Chaplain & Director of Spiritual Life
Dr. Ruby Fielding '91, Vice President of Finance & Administration
Mr. Scott Garvin, Founder/President of Garvin Design Group
Ms. Nan Cannon LaFitte ’87, President of the Alumni Association
Mr. Ben Rex, Chair of the Board of Trustees
Board of Trustees
Mr. Ben Rex, Chair
Ms. Robin Waites, Vice Chair/Secretary
Ms. Cathy Callaway Adams
Mr. Timothy G. Arnold
Rev. Tiffany Knowlin Boykin '03
Ms. Missy Underwood Caughman '95
Ms. Ruth Anne McCarter Collins ‘68
Rev. Vivia Lawton Fowler ‘76
Mr. W. Scott Graves
Dr. Terri Grieb '93
Bishop L. Jonathan Holston
Marshals
Ebony Johnson
Kayla Kort
Mr. W. Anthony Jackson
Mr. Thomas C. Keith
Mr. Marion A. Knox, Jr.
Mr. John Marshall Mosser, Esq.
Mr. Rodrick Shiver, CPA
Dr. Ershela L. Sims
Mr. Mark Timbes
Hon. Kaymani D. West '97
Ms. Jada Willis
Ms. Nan Cannon LaFitte ‘87
Mr. M. Edward Sellers, Trustee Emeritus
Christopher Robinson
Members of the Columbia College Choir
Lennae Sox
Jada Bates
Andrea McKelvin
Denali Middleton
Loretta Martin
Nicolas Ayeni
Logan Robertson
Nicolas Monaco
Deshawn Mungo
Professors
Tamara L. Burk, Ph.D.
Tracy N. West, Ph.D.
Karen C. Thompson, Ph.D.
Kirt E. Moody, Ph.D.
Adrienne Yingling Oxley, Ph.D.
Kristine E. Barnett, Ed.D.
David McCracken, Ph.D.
Marla Sanders ’98, Ph.D.
Tywana C. Hemby, Ph.D.
Marlee Marsh, Ph.D.
Leigh Ann Spell, Ph.D.
Associate Professors
Scott Smith, Ph.D.
Edward R. Sharkey, Ph.D.
Shirley Huisman, Ph.D.
Diana Amos, D.M.A.
Alexandru Atim, Ph.D.
Christine LeBlanc, Ph.D.
Carole Sox, Ph.D.
Laurel Whisler, M.L.S.
Elaine Swain, Ph.D.
A. Brennan Davis, Ph.D.
Jesika Brooks ’09, M.L.I.S
Assistant Professors
Erin Merchant, Ph.D.
MaryJon Barrineau ’06, Ph.D.
Amanda Ling ’10, M.F.A.
Chakia McClendon, Ph.D.
Traci Dingle ’06, Ph.D.
Claire Lenviel, Ph.D.
Atinut Inthajak, Ph.D.
Ahmet Aksoy, Ph.D.
Gretchen Whitman, Ph.D.
Ga Kyung Jeong, Ph.D.
Alexandra Szarabajko, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Jessica Moore ‘06, M.F.A.
Vinayak Bhat, Ph.D.
Cornell Sneed, Ed.D.
Jennifer Watson, Ph.D.
Martin Lang, M.F.A.
Rebecca Raab, Ph.D.
Lindsey Carman Williams, Ph.D.
Alexandra Jenkins, Ed.D.
Katherine DeVivo, M.P.H.
Asole TaQue’sa McLeod, Ph.D.
Laurel Archie, M.F.A.
Donna Moore, Ed.D.
Senior Lecturers
Vida Mingo, Ph.D.
Jennifer Dollar, M.S.W.
Jill Eversmann, M.S.
Lisa Assante, Ph.D.
Lecturers
Aletha Jacobs, M.A.
Keisha Pearson ’06, M.Ed.
Carl Moore, D.H.A
Karen Beaman, Ed.S.
Jeffrey Bowe, D.B.A.
Joseph P. Mililli, M.A.
Ralph Lawson, M.A.
Alexis Scurry, M.S.W.
Barbara Russo, Ph.D.
Jennifer Bailey ’07, M.F.A.
Erin Carlson ’03, Ph.D.
Renee Just, Ph.D., Ed.D.
Julie Porth Smith '98, M.C.D
James Sullivan, M.F.A.
Kaitlyn Evans, M.A.
master of arts
Athletic coAching
Julia Nakayla Johnson
master of arts
criminAl Justice
Castran Agnes Aiken
Shelby Madison Flynn
Zachary Tyler Hentz
Jared Hunnicutt
Beontae Holmes Nowell-Brown
Hakeisha Roshay Parks
Joey Joshua Pittman
Sha'Nya Amber Stephens
Chevpnne Workman
Chloe Ann Zike
master of arts
heAlthcAre AdministrAtion
Karen Morrow Ellington
Caldwell Jaheim Guinyard
Blaine Steven Hudson, Jr.
Dorothy Sierra Jackson
Makaila Renee Jenkins
Jacob Allen Rowe
Amy Starin Russell
LaTasha Nicole Weston
master of arts
orgAnizAtionAl leAdership
Jammie Levern Burgess
Christi Onita Burns
April Altman Duvall
Jonnieka Kendra Perry Farr
Sarah France
Kyrie Krystal Gerhart
Kiara Desiree Harry
Adrienne C. Hurst-Morris
Elizabeth Koehler
Calandra Mack
Lara Lott Moore
Lamaz Sharay Robinson
Bernardra Ja'Neice Scott
master of Business administration
Larry Orvin Carson III
Trent W. Frye
Brandon Douglas Griffin
Kiara Leigh Johnson
Sydney Madison McNulty
Adiyana Maleah Potts
Mary-Catherine Nell Sanders
Shatavias Kalyse Shivers
Kristin Raelee Wemes
Jacob Andrew Wetherington
master of eduCation
educAtionAl AdministrAtion And leAdership
Sophia Lajennia Brown
Denise Adrian Carter-Mobley
Tomeika Elizabeth Dekine
Darius Evans
Tony E. Harris
Katherine Elizabeth Hayes
Talaia Monique Johnson-Walters
Elizabeth Johnson Lilienthal
Lisa C. Malone
Brianna Summer Martin
Rebecca Elise McChesney
Spencer Robinson Oliver
Rebecca Pearson
Kayla McKenzie Prevatte
Jennifer Prince
Lillian Ashlee Quesada
Allison Faye Monique Rouse
Victoria A. Woods
master of eduCation
higher educAtion AdministrAtion
Aaliyah Katrice Dingle
NaTaishja Renee Odessa Hymes
Nia Marie Jackson
Yeiszmen Nicole Johnson
Tanita S. Middleton
Lauren Mikayla Reese
Jacasia Jackeria Rowe
master of eduCation
innovAtion And divergent leArning
Amy Adams-Bobseine
Pamela Denise Barnes
Dori Leigh Lucas Boatwright
Kanesha Jalonda Bowman
Ronnette Briggs
Aliya Monique Byrd
Zaida Carlissa Carson
Haley Christiansen
Kimberly Morgan Conyers
Rochanda Tymeka Flood
Tammy Sharonn Foster
Kayla Thomas Garrett
Jamie M. George
Karena Nicole Griffin
Rory L. Jones Gist
Valerie Kathrin Lashley
Tania Elena Leach
Victoria Alqueen Leonard
Allison Belle Maynard
Victoria Amber Metcalf
Kirsten Marie Neely
Jamie Marie Rankin
Marcelle Gasque Reid
Jennifer Christin Rivera
Tiffany Renee Squirewell
Kimberly Dawn Stoner
Elizabeth Rachel Venugopal
Kailah Jenkins Williams
Asia Danielle Workman
master of eduCation
trAumA-informed educAtion
Patricia D. Alston
Audrey Lynn Anderson
Douglas William Baker
Tory Leigh Baker
Andrea Bishop
Courtney Blain
Christine Marie Bowers
Shauna Brackett
Karen Bures
Bethany Cameron
Tiara Lacey Clark
Allison Marie Coit
Denise Ann Davis
Jennifer Carolyne Derrick
Nicole Lynn Dillehay
Lindsey Duquette
Chance Eigenauer
Hannah Emmanuel
Nicole Monique Fape
Abby Marie Forsythe
Andrea Dolores Fuentes
Sarah Gearon
Alison Jessica Gill
Katherine Hadley Gordon
Sarah Rachel Gore
Bethany Harrell
Lydia Elise Hartman
Destinee Mahogany Hicks-Powell
Andrea Marie Hill
Lucy Kathryn Scott Hogg
Chesney Faith Holcombe
Elyse Ellen Hood
Haevyn J. Hug
Tess Marie Humowitz
Randa Lynnae Jennings
Haley Nicole Kent
Hannah Rose Krueger
Amanda Jeanine Lanford
Shelby Letthand
Shannon Lea Stinger Leveton
Andra Shea Mack
Abigail Lyn Malafronte
Joseph Robert Malafronte
Kristi Lynn McAllister
Jama L. McCawley
Kathryn Elizabeth McGrady
Janet McRae
Emily Katherine Morrison
Dawn C. Murdaugh
Elisabeth Ann Newman
Dorothy Norrington
Kathryn Nicole Pelton
Elizabeth Pennington
Mary Katheryn Peterson
Brenda Margaret Phelps
Meagan Lisa Pitcher
Katelyn Marie Porter
Cortney Danielle Ragsdale
Kori Elizabeth Randow
Michelle Lynn Schmidt
Lisa Scott
Rebecca Abraham Silva
Kelcee Danielle Singleton
Fiona Dimitrie Sotelo
Krislynne Leanna Stowe
Amy Melissa Tebecio
Rachel Jean Tessier
Jennifer Marie Thompson
Ann Margaret Utt
Caitlin Leigh Whitlow
Theresa Chainer Wilson
Tammy Faith Young
BaChelor of arts degree
Ja'Nee Cy'Mone Abraham, Speech-Language Pathology
Batula Abdiaziz Ahmed, Business Administration
Jennifer Nicole Arauz, Speech-Language Pathology
Erin Ruth Armstrong, Speech-Language Pathology
Bridgette D. Arnold, Special Education
Alivia Gayle Ayers, Community & Organizatinal
Leadership and Disaster & Emergency Management
Katelyn Marie Barefoot, Speech-Language Pathology
Mary G. Barradas, Business Administration
Jovany Barraza, Criminal Justice
Catherine Abagail Barrett, Speech-Language Pathology
Ti'erra Lovette Belk, Criminal Justice
Skylar Holt Bernesser, Business Administration
Taylor Nicole Samantha Bess, Psychology
Catherine Marie Bianchi, Speech-Language Pathology
Helen Anne Bishop, Early Childhood Education
Isla James Black, Dance Education
Shannon Virignia Boatwright, Special Education
Daydra M'Liss Brown, Psychology
Kerri Brown, Educational Studies
Leah Suzane Brown, General Studies
Taylor Nicole Brown, Psychology
Brooke Elizabeth Bruner, Business Administration
Catherine Ashley Bubar, Special Education
Tiana Mae Burke, Disaster & Emergency Management
George T. Burris, Criminal Justice
Stana Alice Bursac, Business Administration
Candice Marissa Carter, Dance Studies and Political Science
Kira Monay Carthans, Criminal Justice
Antoinette De'Sha Cheeks, Behavioral Science
Niki Cioppa, Special Education
Sandra Lynn Collins, Special Education
Sonya Collins, Speech-Language Pathology
Pamula Brandy Corbett, Special Education
Leigh Ann Cornwell, Business Administration
Caitlin Skye Cousins, General Studies
Kaitlin Lanier Culler, Political Science
Amariah Teaisia Curry, Computer & Information Science
Alyssa Ann Davis, Speech-Language Pathology
Lameshia Dennis, Speech-Language Pathology
Jasmine M. Edrington, Dance Studies
Morgan Nicole Edwards, Criminal Justice
Anett R. Espinosa, Human Development & Family Studies
Melissa Marie White Etheredge, Psychology
Hannah Elizabeth Farmer, Speech-Language Pathology
Hillary L. Faust, Disaster & Emergency Management
Jacob Fink, Business Administration
Christopher Michael Flynn, Criminal Justice
William Tanner Fralick, Criminal Justice
Brooklyn Jarupon Franco, Business Administration
Julia Cydnee Frye, Elementary Education
Keidy Fuentes Gonzales, Business Administration
Malaysia Andriene Fullwood, Psychology
Anauticah Niontrai Fulton, Business Administration
Ayonna Ja'Keira Gadson, Speech-Language Pathology
Erin LaSarah Gamble, Speech-Language Pathology
Jada Brooklyn Gentry, Communication
Kamya Samone Gibbons, Psychology
Zakiya Yuri Watkins Ginyard, Early Childhood
Education
Cameron Nicole Golden, Criminal Justice
Jada Cierra Gore, Community & Organizational
Leadership
Laura McSwain Graham, Criminal Justice
Ethan Jacob Gray, Criminal Justice
Katie Lynn Grooms, Behavioral Science
Kylie Elizabeth Hackenberg, Speech-Language Pathology
Autumn Lynn Hamilton, Criminal Justice
Jenny L. Hamilton, Special Education
Sydney Brianna Johnson Haney, Educational Studies
Gina Marie Hipp, Special Education
Da'Vante Q. Harper, Business Administration
Honesty Nijay Harris, Biology
Olivia Rae Henderson, Speech-Language Pathology
Hannah Anne-Marie Ellen Hill, Speech-Language Pathology
Breanna Lynn Hilton, Speech-Language Pathology
Saquesta Mcilwain Hood, Business Administration
Madison Rae Hrin, Educational Studies
Jasmine E. R. Huggins, Social Work
Rebecca Lynn Hydrick, Educational Studies
Kary Wrenn Ison, Special Education
Tre'tavia Takeesia Jamie Jackson, Human Development & Family Studies
Jennifer Elizabeth Jeffus, Disaster & Emergency Management
Briana Mia Jirowetz, Criminal Justice
Akiah Sta'Shon Johnson, Criminal Justice
Chiquita Monique Johnson, Special Education
Adrian C. Kershaw, Criminal Justice
Jessie J. King, Criminal Justice
Brittany Nichole Knox, Business Administration
Katie Ellen Kyzer, Special Education
Ratesh Tahaj Leach, Business Administration
Angela R. Tabb Leyda, Special Education
Bee Han Lim, Speech-Language Pathology
Savannah Grace Louk, Biology
Alicea Grace Manning, Speech-Language Pathology
Christopher M. Maxwell, Business Administration
Zhadaisa Antoinette McDuffie, Healthcare Administration
Brandi Jones Mclean, Speech-Language Pathology
Beatriz Adriana Mendez, Criminal Justice
Meka Janae Mitchell, Computer & Information Science
Danielle Nina-Marie Moore, Psychology
Lenora Denise Cohen Moore, Behavioral Science
Kat Nichols, Psychology
Stacy Anne Novaro, Psychology
Warner Abigael Otto, Early Childhood Education
Dylan Padgett, Criminal Justice
Brittany Payton, Business Administration
Isaira Anabel Perez-Carbajal, Computer & Information
Science
Della Player, Special Education
Laura Katherine Powell, Healthcare Administration
Amanda Elizabeth Puckett, Community & Organizational Leadership
Tajaliya Rappley, Business Administration
Serenity Clarencia Rattley, Studio Art
Alessia Reyes, Psychology
Stephanie Reyes-Lopez, Educational Studies
Caroline James Ridings, Educational Studies
Christopher Robinson, Business Administration
Rebecca Michele Rojas, Criminal Justice
Emelyn Macfie Russell, Speech-Language Pathology
Dylan Christopher Sanchez, Criminal Justice
Rion Mckenzie Skinner, Early Childhood Education
Christine Nicole Smith, Special Education
Garrett Michael Smith, General Studies
Mariah Emoni Smith, Business Administration
Elizabeth Irene Stancik, Criminal Justice
Samantha Allison Stanley, Early Childhood Education
Cierra Kann Steele, Educational Studies
Daniel Thomas Stryffeler, Business Administration
Laura Kenneddy Sudowski, General Studies
Jessica Lynn Tajman, Special Education
Carissa L. Taylor, Criminal Justice
Stacy M. Tench, Special Education
Taylor Nicole Thomas, Early Childhood Education
Jocelyn Tucker-Cain, Criminal Justice
Elaina Lynn Valencia, Business Administration
Ashley Tara Valenzuela, Criminal Justice
Sarah-Ann Vest, Criminal Justice
Katelin Jayne Villarreal, Speech-Language Pathology
Meaghan Diana Waddell, Business Administration
Miriam Green Walker, Psychology
Chelsea N. Walsh, Early Childhood Education
Janae Elise Walton, Psychology
Keyuana Richelle Webber, Business Administration
Shane Whitley, Criminal Justice
Khadija Kai Williams, Psychology
William Jerod Williams II, Special Education
Alicia Jian Wilson, Speech-Language Pathology
Kayla Rene Wilson, Healthcare Administration
Sharon Wingate, Educational Studies
Janeque Shanesha Wright, Psychology
Lauren Danielle Yarborough, Elementary Education
BaChelor of sCienCe degree
Kaleb Bledsoe, Computer & Information Science
Alexus Dobbs, Forensic Psychology
Christopher Fox, Computer & Information Science
William Tanner Fralick, Computer & Information Science
Evelynn Hayden, Forensic Psychology
Signe Lillian Hoffner, Biology and Public Health
Monica Alyse King, Accounting
Emma Linda Matson, Forensic Psychology
Dhara Ketan Patel, Public Health
Tyler Guy Pitsenbarger, Disaster & Emergency
Management: Fire Science
Julia Quattlebaum, Accounting
Alba Denise Quintana-Valdez, Accounting
Junior David Quintana-Valdez, Accounting
Capri Monique Rhodes, Computer & Information Science
Amanda Grace Robertson, Exercise Science
Alexis Mckenzie Robinson, Biology
Kylie Stewart, Exercise Science
Marilyn Elaine Sulejman, Business Analytics
Jennifer Elaine Walling, Public Health
Welcome to the Alumni
Family
Interested in networking events, volunteer opportunities, or want to stay updated with the latest news? There are numerous ways to connect with fellow alumni!
To learn more, scan the QR code above or visit ColumbiaSC.edu/Alumni.
