Welcome Dan Gregory, ‘06 Vice President of Finance & Administration Procession
WORD
Invocation
Rev. Dr. Jake Boessling Campus Pastor, Vice President of Faith Identity and Culture
Reading: John 15:1-5 Ray Kym Board of Regents
Commencement Address Dr. Mary Kay Johnston Professor of Biology
Faculty and Staff Awards
Presented by Dr. KC Pospisil, MBA, ‘12 Vice President of Academics
CELEBRATING
Presentation of the Candidates and Conferring of the Degrees
SENDING
Dr. Kristi Kirk, ‘95 President and Chief Executive Officer
Words of Gratitude and Encouragement
Benediction
Recession
Dr. Kristi Kirk President and Chief Executive Officer
Rev. Dr. Jake Boessling Campus Pastor, Vice President of Faith Identity and Culture
We ask that you be courteous to others by turning off all cell phones and electronic devices and refrain from standing in the aisles. While it is appropriate to rejoice at this festive moment, the use of air horns and other disruptive devices is not permitted. Following the service, please remain in your seats until our graduates recess and exit.
ZIELKE PROCESSIONAL MACE
The Zielke Processional Mace is a gift of the Lutheran Church in Tanzania. Carved from ebony by the Makonde people of Southeast Tanzania, the mace illustrates Proverbs 4:13, “Always remember what you have learned. Your education is your life—guard it well” (TEV). Carved on the mace are students in various roles of study and worship. The symbol of the Trinity and the cross in the world are also carved on the mace. Maces have been used as symbols of authority by governmental and educational entities for centuries. At Concordia University Texas, the mace represents the symbol of authority of the faculty to grant degrees. The mace is named after Dr. Donald Zielke who served as University Marshall for 21 years. Concordia Texas celebrates the life of Dr. Donald “Don” Zielke, who passed away in 2021 after more than 50 years of faithful service to Concordia Texas.
ABOUT DR. MARY KAY JOHNSTON
Commencement speaker
Dr. Mary Kay Johnston is a Professor of Biology and Environmental Science & Conservation at Concordia University Texas. Her vocation is to help students explore their relationship with God, with each other, and with the diverse life found in nature.
Rooted in faith and scientific curiosity, her work reflects the wisdom of Job 12:7–8: “Ask now of the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.”
Originally from Oklahoma, Dr. Johnston developed an early love for the natural world while exploring the region’s shortgrass prairies and Cross Timbers. Childhood memories of bobwhite quail and horned lizards continue to fuel her passion for education and conservation.
She earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Oklahoma, where her research took her from local insect ecology studies to the tropical forests of Barro Colorado Island in Panama. There, she investigated leaf litter insect communities—including army ants—within the Forest Dynamics Plot.
During her master’s work, she also began researching freshwater systems and developed a lasting fascination with the freshwater crustacean Daphnia, which became central to her doctoral studies at the University of Texas at Austin.
Her Ph.D. research took her to the prairie pothole wetlands of South Dakota’s Prairie Coteau, where she studied how waterfowl connect wetlands by transporting small organisms and nutrients between them.
Since joining Concordia University Texas in 2011, Dr. Johnston has taught courses in both biology and environmental science. She especially values the opportunity to take students outdoors to observe and experience nature firsthand
Dr. Johnston is grateful for Concordia Texas’s natural resources, including its vibrant campus, access to the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, and the Friesenhahn Cave. These unique environments offer students hands-on research opportunities and a deeper understanding of their role in conservation and creation care.
DEGREE EXPLANATIONS
Doctor of Education
Concordia University Texas confers the Doctor of Education upon students who have advanced their practical and theoretical knowledge in the field of education through post-master ’s-level coursework, which includes researching, writing, and defending a doctoral dissertation. Candidates for the Doctor of Education degree wear black academic gowns with purple velvet and academic hoods. Hoods are the same color(s) of the college or university conferring the degree (purple and white). Binding or edgings for the hoods are light blue Education.
Master of Business Administration, and Master of Education
Concordia University Texas confers master’s degrees upon students who have successfully completed the required credit and have fulfilled all other obligations. Candidates for the Master of Business Administration, Master of Education, and Master of Public Health degrees wear black academic gowns with academic hoods. Hoods are the same color(s) of the college or university conferring the degree (purple and white). The binding or edgings for the hoods reflect the color distinctive of the subject to which the degree pertains.
Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Concordia University Texas confers the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees upon students who have completed at least 120 semester hours of valid credit and have fulfilled all other obligations. Candidates for the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees wear black gowns.
Academic Honors
Degree-seeking undergraduate students who have earned at least 30 credit hours at Concordia University Texas and have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.50 are eligible to graduate with honors awarded as follows: summa cum laude 3.900 – 4.000, magna cum laude 3.750 – 3.889, and cum laude 3.500 – 3.749. Latin honor graduates wear purple and white cords with their academic gowns.
COMMENCEMENT NOTES
Tradition of Academic Dress
The history of academic dress dates from at least the 12th century, when long gowns were needed for warmth in the unheated buildings used by medieval scholars. Today, gowns from different institutions vary in color, but most are black, except the associate gown, which is gray. Neither the bachelor’s nor the master’s gown features trim, but doctoral gowns are faced down the front with velvet and hold three horizontal bars of the same fabric across the sleeves. Hoods for master’s and doctoral attire are the same color(s) of the college or university conferring the degree. The binding or edgings for the hoods reflect the color distinctive of the subject to which the degree pertains. For academic purposes, the color associated with the different academic subject fields are as follows:
Arts, Letters, Humanities White
Commerce, Business Drab
Economics Copper
Education Light Blue
Fine Arts, incl. Architecture Brown
Journalism Crimson
Law Purple
Library Science Lemon
Music Pink
Nursing Apricot
Oratory (Speech) Silvery Gray
Philosophy Dark Blue
Physical Education Sage Green
Public Administration Peacock Blue
Public Health Salmon Pink
Science Science Gold
Social Work Citron
Theology Scarlet
HONOR SOCIETIES AND STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Α Χ | Alpha Chi
Alpha Chi - Alpha Chi is a nationally affiliated honor society for juniors and seniors with a GPA of 3.50 or greater and who rank in the top 10% of their classes. Members wear blue and green cords with their academic gowns.
Λ Π Η | Lambda Pi Eta
Lambda Pi Eta (LPH) is the National Communication Association’s official honor society at four-year colleges and universities. Membership is open to juniors and seniors who have completed at least 12 semester credit hours in communication studies, have a minimum 3.0 overall cumulative GPA, and have a minimum 3.25 GPA for all communication courses.
P L Q | Pi Lambda Theta
Pi Lambda Theta is a nationally affiliated honor society for junior or senior undergraduate, graduate, and certificate/diploma Education students with a GPA of 3.50 or greater. Members wear gold cords with their academic gowns.
Ψ C | Psi Chi
Psi Chi is an international honor society with the purpose to encourage, stimulate, and maintain excellence in scholarship of the individual members in all fields, particularly in psychology, and to advance the science of psychology. To be eligible, students must rank in the upper 35% of their respective classes in general scholarship, earn an overall cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, and demonstrate superior scholarship in psychology by earning a GPA of least 3.0 or better in psychology courses. Members of Psi Chi wear platinum and dark blue cords or a platinum sash with their academic gowns.
S B D | Sigma Beta Delta
Sigma Beta Delta is the highest nationally recognized honor society for junior or senior undergraduate and graduate students of business management and administration. Members must rank in the top 20% of the class and be invited to membership by the faculty officers. Members wear green and gold cords with their academic gowns.
Σ Τ Δ | Sigma Tau Delta
Sigma Tau Delta is an international academic honor society, with service components in 11 countries and the 50 United States. Members represent all majors as undergraduates and English programs as graduate students. Undergraduates meet a GPA of 3.0 or greater in English, and graduate students meet a GPA of 3.3 or greater. Members wear red and black cords or stoles with their academic gowns.
Black Student Union Kente Stole
Graduates who adorn the Black Student Union Kente stole are members of the Concordia University Texas Black Student Union, a student-run organization committed to sharing and celebrating the African Diaspora with the campus community. Kente cloth is a symbol of African heritage, and the wearing of the Kente stole during commencement is in recognition of students as members of the Black Student Union and as graduates of Concordia University Texas.
Christian Mission Distinctive Pin
The Christian Mission Distinctive pin is awarded to those who served on a mission trip during their time at Concordia University Texas.
HONOR SOCIETIES AND STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Concordia Veterans Corps Cords
Graduates who adorn the Concordia Veterans Corps Cords are recognized as student veterans by the student organization, which serves to provide support, advocacy, and community for student veterans on campus. The wearing of the red, white and blue cords during commencement is in recognition of students as military veterans and as graduates of Concordia University Texas.
First – Generation Cords
Graduates who adorn the purple and gold braided cords are First-Generation college students. A First-Generation student is whom identifies as first in their family to attend college.
Tornado Trailblazers Program Cords
Graduates who adorn the lime green cords were members of the Tornado Trailblazers Program in their freshman year at CTX. Students in Trailblazers are committed to developing their identity as scholars and leaders and exploring their unique contributions to the world.
Latin American Student Organization Serape Stole
Graduates who adorn the serape stole are members of the Concordia University Texas Latin American Student Association, a student-run organization committed to building and sustaining a community of shared heritage and cultural values. The serape is a symbol of the Hispanic heritage, and the purple in the stole represents the Concordia Texas community’s support of our Latin@ graduates.
Leaders with Impact Stole
Leaders with Impact is an honor society which recognizes student leaders who serve 20 or more hours for a minimum of two semesters with the Concordia Texas Service-Learning Program. All eligible service must be done at organizations that are formal service partners of the Service-Learning Program. The purpose of the society is to give students who are passionate about service a place to grow, serve, and build community among each other.
Student Government & Leadership Association Cords
Graduates who adorn the Student Government & Leadership Association Cords are members of the Concordia University Texas Student Government & Leadership Association, the principal student organization on campus that exists to provide a means of effective communication and cooperation between students and the administration, leading to a beneficial exchange of ideas and programs for improving religious, social, and academic life. The wearing of the red and blue cords during commencement is in recognition of students as members of the Student Government & Leadership Association and as graduates of Concordia University Texas.
Honors Medal
The purple and gold honors medal is worn by students who received awards within their college or school.
School of Ministry Stole
Graduates who are completing degrees or programs within the School of Ministry wear purple stoles with white lettering.
CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES
Spring 2025
College of Arts & Sciences
School of Fine Arts
Dr. Kelly Gordon, Director
BACHELOR OF ARTS
Sophie Lee (Music) summa cum laude
School of Humanities & Social Sciences
Dr. Ann Schwartz, Director
BACHELOR OF ARTS
Krissy Ager (Multidisciplinary Studies) magna cum laude
Raquel Alonzo (Multidisciplinary Studies)
Tanzie Berry (Multidisciplinary Studies)
Amanda Carrell (Multidisciplinary Studies)
Jacob Chimal (Multidisciplinary Studies)
Adam Christian (Law and Policy) magna cum laude
Savannah Conley (Behavioral Sciences) magna cum laude
Natalie Framsted (Political Science)
Hannah Galler (Multidisciplinary Studies)
Christina Garcia (Multidisciplinary Studies)
Van Hart (Psychology)
Yamiley Ibarra Ortega (Multidisciplinary Studies)
Ashley Igau (Psychology)
Lexi Janssen (Behavioral Sciences)
Zane Johnson (History)
Kaden Kleinert (Criminal Justice & Criminology)
Li Ma (Multidisciplinary Studies) magna cum laude
Celeste Martinez (Multidisciplinary Studies)
Juan Molina (Multidisciplinary Studies)
Kylie Pavlicek (Criminal Justice & Criminology) magna cum laude
Athena Grace Petkas (English) summa cum laude
Emmaly Rape (Multidisciplinary Studies)
Ashley Robinson (Psychology)
Michelle Stehling (Multidisciplinary Studies) magna cum laude
Petros Andarige (Computer Science) magna cum laude
Jasmine Baiocchi (Environmental Science & Conservation) cum laude
Latina Carter (Computer Science) cum laude
Jackson Davis (Computer Science)
Robert Deibel (Computer Science) cum laude
Thomas Hughes (Computer Science)
Tabarek Ibrahim (Computer Science)
Yevgeniy Kim (Computer Science) magna cum laude
Jacob Land (Computer Science) magna cum laude
Caitlyn Lankford (Biology) magna cum laude
De’Juan Leffall (Computer Science)
Addison Lehew (Biology) magna cum laude
Kavon Moore (Computer Science)
Dennis Pigford (Computer Science) magna cum laude
Kaelyn Riley (Mathematics) magna cum laude
Donovan Stafford (Computer Science)
Heaven Thompson (Biology)
Madison Travis (Environmental Science & Conservation) summa cum laude
Brynn Williams (Computer Science) magna cum laude
Kylie Woods (Environmental Science & Conservation) magna cum laude
CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES
Spring 2025
College of Business & Communication
Angela Clements, Director
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Joshua Bode
Pratiyusha Bohara
Ha Bui
Michael Chenoweth
Alison Cooper
Claudia Corrales
Brandi Ferrin
Hunter Green
Jennifer Grimes
Gabriel Hernandez
Rand Khasawneh
Mara Mayland
Patrick Messer
Nara Milfont
BACHELOR OF APPLIED ARTS & SCIENCES
Lilliana Cisneros (Applied Business) magna cum laude
Julia Yanez (Applied Business) magna cum laude
BACHELOR OF ARTS
Krista Burg (Bachelor of Arts Communication) magna cum laude
Kayla Clayton (Bachelor of Arts Communication)
Brian Morgan
Jacob Naiser
Rhonda Nassar
Nischal Nepal
Russell Neuwirth
Darneshia Smith
Zack Smith
Otto Franz (Bachelor of Arts Communication) Caylee Spangle (Bachelor of Arts Communication) cum laude
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Morgan Aase
Ana Barron
Mason Brandenberger
Gary Brown
Jalen Brown Kaderka
Sandra Camacho summa cum laude
Kimberly Canales-Diego cum laude
Justin Chute
Paul Claffey
Amy Closner
Emily Crooks cum laude
Melissa Daniels
Logan Davis summa cum laude
Koke Dolce cum laude
Eliana Flores Hernandez
Erin Folkner
Arlen Garcia
Brendon Hunt
Carolyn Kaderka
Tyler Kelley
David Matthews
Payton Matthews summa cum laude
Mariel Mejia Pedraza cum laude
Ezekiel Mojica summa cum laude
Joseph Ramirez Urizar
Christopher Reitmeyer
Antonio Rios
Reanna Rivera
Ashlee Saathoff cum laude
Fabiola Salazar Gomez cum laude
Logan Shortino
Melissa Sosebee magna cum laude
Brady Staedtler
CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES
Spring
2025
College of Education
Dr. Stephanie Hartzell, Director
DOCTOR OF EDUCATION
Nathan Araya
C-R-I-P Title: Enhancing Career Readiness through Micro-Credentialing in Higher Education
Michael Burch
Dissertation Title: A Qualitative Case Study of Funding Models of Promise Programs in Texas
Chad Burnett
Dissertation Title: Rural Texas Principals: Quantitative Study of Experience, Demographics, School Context, And Student Performance Effects on Self-Efficacy
Rachel Gregory
Dissertation Title: Beliefs of Educators in an Urban School District About Preparedness for School Shootings
MASTER OF EDUCATION
Joe Alvarado
Vicktor Arnick
Tommy Castillo
Samantha Clark
Rebecca Dacke
Watkin Davies
Kevin Fleming
Mallorie Hanna
BACHELOR OF ARTS
Zachary Hanna
Melissa Herman
Stacy Howard
Jay Jordan
Shawantra Lee
Melissa Marines
Angelo Milicia
Lathavis Miller
Krystal Gundy (Education Content Curriculum) summa cum laude
Kareleen Lakamp (Interdisciplinary Studies) Elizabeth Rivard (Interdisciplinary Studies)
Vanessa Malo
Dissertation Title: A Quantitative Assessment of Theoretical Practices Behind Work-Based Learning to Facilitate Student Career Readiness
Victoria Moore
Dissertation Title: Middle School Science Teachers’ Perceptions of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy
Cassaundra Romo
Dissertation Title: What Parent Misperceptions Impact School Choice
Angenet Wilkerson
Dissertation Title: An Analysis of Outcome for Military-Connected Students on Postsecondary Readiness Indicators
Aliza Munson
Lareka Richardson
Bryan Sager
Gabriel Sanchez
Monica Soto
Jonathan Tate
Alexandra Taveras
Theresa Skelley (Interdisciplinary Studies) magna cum laude
Grace Walsh (Interdisciplinary Studies) magna cum laude
CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES
Spring 2025
College of Health Sciences
Dr. Amber Shammas, Senior Director
BACHELOR OF ARTS
Jacqueline Vega (Global Public Health)
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN KINESIOLOGY
Jayla Aldridge
Jada Bradford
Cameron Burleson
Adolfo Martinez
Julia Moss cum laude
Vanessa Ruvalcaba summa cum laude
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING
Sharla Ansett
Amy Arce-Rogel cum laude
Shawntrese Aye
Samantha Beach
Samantha Bichlmeier
Rebecca Boulanger
Jazmin Bowdry
Melanie Brown
Krystin Burns
Raegan Carter
Aryanna Celedon
Ella Clements magna cum laude
Madisen Collier
Alexi Coronado
Zharmaine Costa
Leah Day magna cum laude
Isabella Dryer
Abigail Espinosa cum laude
Estelle Faty
Nicole Fetsch summa cum laude
Elise Fischer cum laude
Shae Gentile
Kesia Gonzalez Angel
Rachel Gutierrez
Jennifer Han magna cum laude
Emma Hill
Huy Huynh
Chelsea Krajisnik
Athena LeBaron-More cum laude
Lauren Martinez cum laude
Andrew McGalliard
Lizeth Mendez Gonzalez
Melanie Mollico
Sylvia Montoya
Amy Moravec
Margaret Ngugi
Nadia Nunez
Imelda Obin magna cum laude
Jasmine Owens
Naomi Pegues
Abigail Perry
Widner Pierre-Jean
Zachary Seigrist
Nicholas Zamora summa cum laude
Vidal Pina cum laude
Kayla Richardson magna cum laude
Susana Rodriguez Campero
Bradlee Ross
Raquel Ruiz Monroy
Grace Ruzibiza
Nikolai Saavedra cum laude
Jacqueline Sandoval Duarte
Brighton Schroeder
Reem Sheikh
Mia Terminella
Nhi Trieu
Karen Valenzuela
Stephen Vasko
Kelsey Vautherine
Jackie Vela
Jayci West
Megan Westfall
Kara Whitney cum laude
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY TEXAS
BOARD OF REGENTS
Dr. Michelle Abrego Harlingen, TX
Kristy Carr Austin, TX
Dr. Sandra Doering New Braunfels, TX
Casey Fisher Austin, TX
Dr. Mary Beth Gaertner Magnolia, TX
Rev. Lonnie Gonzales Houston, TX
Peter Hames Willis, TX
Raymond L. Kym Tomball, TX
Scott Linebrink Walburg, TX
Raymond Kym Tomball, TX
David Meade Arlington, TX
Rev. Michael Newman San Antonio, TX
Dr. Denise Patrick Cedar Park, TX
Mike Ratke Farwell, TX
Deborah Rich Herczeg San Antonio, TX
Sylvia Schmidt La Vernia, Texas
Rev. Dr. Stephen Sohns Spring, TX
Lance Thompson Houston, TX
Betty Voshage Austin, TX
OUR MISSION
Concordia University Texas empowers students of all backgrounds to lead lives of critical thought, compassionate action and courageous leadership. As a liberal arts university rooted in the Lutheran tradition and aligned with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Concordia develops the mind, heart, soul, and body, preparing leaders for lives of service.
VISION
We are the premier university where the adventure of faith, learning, and life-changing experiences leads to meaningful work.
Whether it’s funding student scholarships, academic programming, or campus growth and development, you can have a significant impact on the future of this institution by including Concordia University Texas in your will.
For more information on how you can include Concordia University Texas in your estate plans, contact the Office of Philanthropy at 512-313-5101.
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2025
Welcome to the Alumni Association
STAY CONNECTED - Stay connected with CTX by updating your contact info at concordia.edu/alumni/stay-connected.
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