Commencement English Program 2025

2025

CO M M E NC E M E NT

A S E RV I C E O F C O M M E N C E M E N T April 26, 2025

GATHERING 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

Dr. Kristi Kirk, ‘95 President and Chief Executive Officer

SENDING Words of Gratitude and Encouragement Benediction

Dr. Kristi Kirk President and Chief Executive Officer Rev. Dr. Jake Boessling Campus Pastor, Vice President of Faith Identity and Culture

Recession

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.

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CONCORDI A U NI V ER SIT Y TEX AS COM MENCEMENT

Z I E L K E P R O C E S S I O N A L M AC E 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.

ABOU T DR. M ARY K AY 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.

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DEGR EE EXPLANAT IONS

Doc tor of Educat ion

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.

Acad e mic Honor s 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.

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COM M ENC EM EN T NOT E S 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

Nursing Apricot

Commerce, Business Drab

Oratory (Speech) Silvery Gray

Economics Copper

Philosophy Dark Blue

Education Light Blue

Physical Education Sage Green

Fine Arts, incl. Architecture Brown

Public Administration Peacock Blue

Journalism Crimson

Public Health Salmon Pink

Law Purple

Science Science Gold

Library Science Lemon

Social Work Citron

Music Pink

Theology Scarlet

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HONOR SOCIET IES AND ST U DENT ORGANI ZAT IONS Α Χ | Alpha C hi

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 P i 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 T heta

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 C hi

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 | Sig ma 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 | Sig ma 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 St ud e nt U nion K e nte 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.

C hr ist ian Mission D ist inc t ive P in

The Christian Mission Distinctive pin is awarded to those who served on a mission trip during their time at Concordia University Texas.

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HONOR SOCIET IES AND ST U DENT ORGANI ZAT IONS Concordia Vete ran s Cor ps 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.

Fir st – Ge n e rat ion 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.

Tor nado Trailblaze r s P rog ram 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.

Lat in Am e r ican St ud e nt O r ganizat ion S e rape 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.

L ead e r s w ith Impac t 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.

St ud e nt Gove r nm e nt & L ead e r s hip A ssoc iat ion 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.

Honor s Medal

The purple and gold honors medal is worn by students who received awards within their college or school.

S c hool of Minist r y Stole

Graduates who are completing degrees or programs within the School of Ministry wear purple stoles with white lettering.

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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)

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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 Melissa Torres (Psychology) Lora Tresco (Psychology) magna cum laude Cristina Vizcaino Castro (Multidisciplinary Studies)

CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES Spring 2025

College of Arts & Sciences School of Ministry

Dr. Grant Carey, Director BACHELOR OF ARTS Chad Kelly (Religious Education) summa cum laude Hannah McIntyre (Religious Education) Major Smith (Religious Education) summa cum laude

School of Natural & Applied Sciences Dr. Eric Staron, Director

BACHELOR OF ARTS Shaun Willett (Computer Science)

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE 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

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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

Brian Morgan Jacob Naiser Rhonda Nassar Nischal Nepal Russell Neuwirth Darneshia Smith Zack Smith

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)

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

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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

CONCORDI A U NI V ER SIT Y TEX AS COM MENCEMENT

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

Vanessa Malo

Michael Burch

Victoria Moore

Programs in Texas

Culturally Responsive Pedagogy

C-R-I-P Title: Enhancing Career Readiness through Micro-Credentialing in Higher Education

Dissertation Title: A Qualitative Case Study of Funding Models of Promise

Chad Burnett

Dissertation Title: Rural Texas Principals: Quantitative Study of Experience, Demographics, School Context, And Student Performance Effects on Self-Efficacy

Dissertation Title: A Quantitative Assessment of Theoretical Practices Behind Work-Based Learning to Facilitate Student Career Readiness

Dissertation Title: Middle School Science Teachers’ Perceptions of

Cassaundra Romo

Dissertation Title: What Parent Misperceptions Impact School Choice

Angenet Wilkerson

Rachel Gregory

Dissertation Title: Beliefs of Educators in an Urban School District About

Dissertation Title: An Analysis of Outcome for Military-Connected Students on Postsecondary Readiness Indicators

Preparedness for School Shootings

MASTER OF EDUCATION Joe Alvarado Vicktor Arnick Tommy Castillo Samantha Clark Rebecca Dacke Watkin Davies Kevin Fleming Mallorie Hanna

Zachary Hanna Melissa Herman Stacy Howard Jay Jordan Shawantra Lee Melissa Marines Angelo Milicia Lathavis Miller

Aliza Munson Lareka Richardson Bryan Sager Gabriel Sanchez Monica Soto Jonathan Tate Alexandra Taveras

BACHELOR OF ARTS Krystal Gundy (Education Content Curriculum) summa cum laude Kareleen Lakamp (Interdisciplinary Studies) Elizabeth Rivard (Interdisciplinary Studies)

Theresa Skelley (Interdisciplinary Studies) magna cum laude Grace Walsh (Interdisciplinary Studies) magna cum laude

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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

Zachary Seigrist Nicholas Zamora 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

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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

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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

CONCOR DI A U N I V ER SI T Y T EX A S B OA R D O F R E G E N T S 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.

V ISION We are the premier university where the adventure of faith, learning, and life-changing experiences leads to meaningful work.

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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

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STAY CONNECTED - Stay connected with CTX by updating your contact info at concordia.edu/alumni/stay-connected.

Receive invitations to special events, keep in touch with friends and build new connections within a network spanning nearly 100 years of alumni.

SHARE YOUR EXCITEMENT - Use #CTXGrad to share your commencement memories.

alumni@concordia.edu | 512.313.4321

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W I TH G O D W E SH A LL D O VA LI A N TLY. PSALM 60:12