Maryville University Graduate Hooding and Commencement
Spring
Two Thousand Twenty-Five
Board of Trustees
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Christopher M. Chadwick, ’99, Chair
James Whalen, Vice Chair
Keith M. Alper
Gloria G. Bahn, ’80
Jean M. Bartunek, RSCJ, ’66
Stuart L. Block
Andrew J. Clyne
Robert W. Cockerham
Michael R. DeBaun
William A. Donius
Louis DuBuque
Norman L. Eaker
Flint W. Fowler
Richard C. Goldman
Paula S. Gruner, RSCJ
Dennis L. Hummel
Maria Lynne Lieux, RSCJ
Mark Lombardi, PhD
Ann Cuiellette Marr
Ernest R. Marx
Gary R. Olson
Mary E. Rudden
Carlotta Sansone, ’80
Paul E. Schwetz
C. Sheridan Smith, RSCJ
James M. Stolze
Margaret E. Strom, RSCJ, ’69
Anthony Thompson
Mary E. Walker
TRUSTEES EMERITI
Thomas M. Boudreau, ’73
Ann Caire, RSCJ, ‘57
Patricia L. McCaskill, ’70
Marguerite (Cookie) Kaulakis Potter-Feinberg, ’71
Mary Patricia Rives, RSCJ
James D. Switzer
Commencement Speaker
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
GRADUATE CEREMONY
MAY 4, 2025
MARCY BURSAC, MA, MBA
Author,
Founder and CEO
The Forgotten Adoption Option
Marcy Bursac, MA, MBA and 2025 Missouri Mother of the Year, is a nationally recognized social entrepreneur and foster care adoption advocate who leads this movement as a volunteer. By day, Marcy serves as a senior scrum master at a Fortune 100 company in the tech industry, where she brings agility, strategy and heart to cross-functional teams. She used a stimulus payment to found The Forgotten Adoption Option, simplifying the adoption process for families and helping children in foster care find forever families. Her impact includes a national reading program, multiple books, a podcast and a research study focused on barriers faced by non-kin adoptive families — efforts that earned her the 2022 G2 Overachievers Grant from Pilot Pen on The Kelly Clarkson Show
Student Speaker and Ringing of the Maryville Bell
STUDENT SPEAKER
RYAN ALEXANDER WAINZ
JOHN E. SIMON SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Master of Business Administration
RINGING OF THE MARYVILLE BELL
SOPHIA RAED
SAFI
MYRTLE E. AND EARL E. WALKER COLLEGE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS
Master of Science Speech-Language Pathology
Presentation and Conferral of Honorary Degrees
PRESENTATION AND CONFERRAL OF HONORARY DEGREES
MARK LOMBARDI, P h D Maryville University President Emeritus
DOCTOR OF EDUCATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION LEADERSHIP,
DOCTOR OF HUMANE LETTERS
For nearly two decades as Maryville University’s 10th president, Dr. Lombardi revolutionized access to higher education through bold leadership, innovative digital education, tuition freezes, and targeted investments in cutting-edge technology and student success.
His legacy includes unprecedented enrollment growth; national awards for diversity, innovation and leadership; the addition of over 40 new academic programs; community engagement; and transformative contributions to Maryville and beyond. His work inspires access, opportunity and excellence in education. For this, we honor Dr. Lombardi with the degrees, Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership and Doctor of Humane Letters.
Honorary Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership recognizes significant contributions and leadership in the field.
Doctor of Humane Letters is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to society through philanthropic, humanitarian or other exceptional efforts, recognizing their contributions to the betterment of humanity.
PRESENTATION AND CONFERRAL OF HONORARY DEGREES
EDWARD F. RYAN
Former Chair, Maryville University Board of Trustees
DOCTOR OF HUMANE LETTERS
For a remarkable career in private equity, leading businesses with revenues exceeding $600 million, executing over 50 acquisitions and fostering success across diverse industries, as well as for dedicated service on corporate boards and six terms on the Maryville University Board of Trustees, including as chair from 2019 to 2025, Ryan has demonstrated exceptional leadership and vision. His unwavering commitment to access and opportunity in education, innovation and philanthropy has profoundly impacted Maryville University and inspired future generations, earning him the degree, Doctor of Humane Letters.
Doctor of Humane Letters is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to society through philanthropic, humanitarian or other exceptional efforts, recognizing their contributions to the betterment of humanity.
College of Arts and Sciences
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
Master of Arts
Sandra Marie Spangler
Master of Science
Sherjeel Bin Aamir
Andrea Marie Giovannoni Adams
Shahal Algunaid
George Kofi Amuah
Felix A. Asare
Gregory Philip Ballard
Shiva Prasad Bomminayini
John Edward Bumgarner
Matthew Christopher Calhoun
Jeffrey T. Cammarata
Benny Chen
Shanmuka Srinivas Chilakala
Melissa Crombie
Scott Becker Davis
Paul Desmond Jr.
Evan McBride Drane
Angela Gao
Ganesh Kumar Goud Gattu
Russell Guyer
Trevor James Halliburton
Jason Robert Hull
Cameron Austin Hutchison
Krupa Jacob
Ryan T. Johnson
Jeanne Bebe Kayiba
Maisie Kincaid
Venumadhava Reddy Kunareddy
Aaron Jacob Manley
Dylan Lee McDowell
Miguel Montes Jr.
Kyle A. Mueller
Rakesh Neredupalli
Mubeen Afshan Khan Rayachoti
Meaghan Thornton Rogers
Jothika Sai Nadukula
Akhil Reddy Salibindla
Joshua John Salmon
Kelvin Addo Sarkodie
Jaya Lakshmi Siddavatam
Sai Suresh Kumar Sirigineedi
Sudha Rani Tallapally
Calvin Nguyen Tran
Carolina Velazquez
Silpa Veluru
Russell Elbert Whitworth
Myrtle E. and Earl E. Walker College of Health Professions
MYRTLE E. AND EARL E. WALKER COLLEGE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS
Rachel Leah Dautenhahn
Leonard DeFabio IV
Miriam Elizabeth Grither
Marsha A. Kassa
Master of Health Administration
Sengpheth Nikki Khotsyphom
Frances Yeuk Sze Lee
Alexa Mackenzie Miedona
Camille Angela Palmer
Master of Music Therapy
Susanna Leigh Brown
Meghan Dee Cordes
Evonda L. Richardson
Jenna Maye Swiney
Jaimie Lynn Young
Braylee Elizabeth Vasquez
Jessica Allen
Sydney Marie Bampton
Paula Jo Barnabee
Mabry Renee Basler
Abby Leanne Beyer
Sophie Kathryn Blanco
Joslyn Elizabeth Brown
Alexis Elaine Bryant
Anaice Michelle Carpio
Heather Denise Christensen
Madison Linn Crawford
Alexis Anne Davis
Grace Marie-Jeon Distler
Caitlyn Faith Dumey
Katherine Ann Eyer
Alexandria D. Faralli
Master of Science
Carli Rae Fields
Kacey Margaret Flanagan
Skyler Elizabeth Garcia
Abbey Goslin
Caroline Grisafi
Abigail June Hall
Angelene Marie Heller
Walter Glenn Herbst III
Alexis Ann Jacobsmeyer
Olivia Kay Kastens
Katey Kroeger
Hattie Jane Kurk
Malena Baby Lacanlale
Samantha Shiree Lewis
Bailey Lindstrom
Justine Loreatta Midcalf
Makayla Michelle Morman
Lea Nadine Mueller
Curran Elizabeth O’Riley
Leah Paige Perkins
Shayla Elizabeth Potts
Crystal J. Rekowski
Sophia Raed Safi
Carolyn Rose Sinak
Theresa Marie Solari
Rylee Erin Sundquist
Kaitlin Renee Trame
Brooke Renea Viox
Alexandria Michelle Walter
Jessica L. Wright
Sarah Margaret Wyble
CATHERINE M c AULEY SCHOOL OF NURSING
Elvin M. Achenchi
Kathryn Ajami
Jonah Austin Behrmann
Cassidy Victoria Bellville
Natalie Brooke Benson
Frédéric Besnard
Jayme Ann Boyer
Briley Alexis Bradley
Scott A. Brady
April Brooks
Reagan Samone Brown
Margret Lynette Callahan
Courtney Laura Campbell
Teresa Campbell
Madison Montrel Clark
Jason Lee Comeau
Anastacia Marie Coon
Molly Ellen Cudney
Lydia Noel Davis
Jamie Mae Dexter
Amanda R. Dietrich
Maria Diana Dopel
Alexia Lynn Dudoit
Haydan Fahrenholtz
Danielle Shaina Feigenbaum
Master of Science in Nursing
Tammy Lynn Ferreira
Rachel Elizabeth French
Brianna Danae George
Celiene Marie Gonzalez
Sarah Marie Gries-Thomas
Asia M. Hamlin
Jilian Elise Hammond
Rachael M. Harmon
Jessica N. Harrington
Madison Harris
Dillon B. Hendrick
Macaela Ann Henkel
Sierra Suzanne Hiestand
Melinda Gale Hipp
Stephanie Lashae Holt
Sara Hon
Maci Alexandra Jenkins
Haley Joe Jennings
Carmen Johnson
Gabriella Nichole Jones
Sheana Renee Jones
Emma Covington Kneece
Erica Christine Lampe
Qinghui Liu
Ethan Davis Mallory
Shannon N. Maloney
Jordan A. Maupin
Davis E. McClendon
Kevin Michael McCloskey
Laresa J. Meadows
Melanie Rose Mensing
Libbie Jo Miller
Lisa N. Montenegro
Lisa A. Muir
Jamie W. Muirbrook
Elizabeth Marie Nannini
Katrina Neely
Joan Nyasulu Perisho
Lindsey Shamburger O’Donnell
James Lee Parker
Kajol Upendra Patel
Samuel B. Pehling
MacKenzie Alyse Polochak
Ariana Nicole Prezzie-Blue
Madeline Jeanne Rand
Makenna E. Rathbun
Carissa Marie Reask
Samantha B. Reinarts
Melissa J. Rice
Fernando Rivera
Miranda Lynn Roach
Dorathy Emershia Robert
Taylor J. Rosenhagen
Belle Rowan-Ferris
Alison K. Rudenick
Lindsay Sandberg
Kelly Volk Sawyer
Jennifer Schmidt
Jennifer Lynn Schneider
Makayla Rinea Selvius
Shauna Elizabeth Simpson
Kathleen Marie Smith
Julie Stein
Chelsea Marie Stuckey
Mary C. Svoboda
Jennifer Swintek
Daramfon Elizabeth Thompson
Scott Tiberi
Sarah Nichole Trigg
Steven N. Tucker
Folasade Faith Uhakheme
Amy Dannemiller Vyn
Pamela Yvonne Wallace
Christa J. Werlinger
Lori Marie White
Dustin H. Winterland
Branson S. Worthen
Elisha Danail Yockey
Post-Master of Science in Nursing Certificate
Nikkira R. Barnes-Frazier
Shannon Kelly Baxter
Haley Anna Beaudet
Jana Benda
Samantha Quinn Bush
Amanda Naomi Caplan
Tessa Cappel
Jennifer Clough
Altonette Monique Coney
Marlene Bea Crane
Beatriz Brittany Ulep Bumanglag Darby
Kathleen Marie Grint
Andrea Lynn Helmbach
Emily Catherine Hostetler
Melissa Stark Krisht
Leona Kathryn Lambert
Priscilla Gail Layton
Lavon Jeanine Magruder
Mona Jean Nickerson
Gina Nitti
Benjamin Scott Odom
Audrey Caitlin Oh
Carlos PatinoQuiroz
Thomas Lee Russell
Jessica J. Skidmore
Allison Christine Soetenga
Leslie Stucker
Adekemi Taiwo
Clayton Scott Taylor
Rachel Thomas
Rose Emanuela Thomas
Richard R. Trosper
Joee Quyen Truong
Natalie Esta Tudor
Samantha R. Turcotte
Jennifer Marie Wachowiak
Sharla Monique Renee Walker
Amanda Avalos
Damilola Olufunke Ayoade
Sarah Esther Barney
Brooke O. Briesemeister
Ashley Futrell Davis
Amy M. Falzone
Symone Monyae Franklin-Muodinma
Tandra Arlene Garvin
Nehemi Abraham George
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Sarah Nicole Hanks
Patrice Michelle Hawkins
Kelly Christine Larson
Mikisha Dawn Longie
Benitho Louissaint
Tonya Mischell Lucas
Angela Burnett Martin
Kaila Cherrell Martin
Nolan Mathew Meyer
Bianca R. Nieves
Miranda Gamgah Njante
Jacintha Chinyere Nwoko
Jennifer Lynn O’Connell
Jared A. Rogge
Lauren Grace Thomas
Kacie Dale Whalen
Jill Marie Wors
Cassandra A. Wright
John E. Simon School of Business
JOHN E. SIMON SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Jillian Dolores Ferguson
Master of Arts
Tasha L. Oakes
Master of Business Administration
Aisha Aleeza Alvi
Rara Amori
Kaitlyn C. Anderson
Christina Y. Blen
Tasha K. Bresnehan
Jonathan Michael Carney
Jake Spencer Chartier
Daniel T. Clerke
Bailey Renee Conte
Jeannica Mae Macam Cronin
John Timothy Dalton
Ian De Leon
Ryan Martin Edwards
Elizabeth Ann Fallon
Sheila R. Farias
Alexis Lynn Finlayson
Meghan Brittney Flock
Preslee J. Gass
Robert J. Gass
Jaime Olivie Hayward
Ryan Charles Herman
Kristin Hoff
Jessie Taylor Hynes
Jordyn L. Johnson
Gavin Frederick Kalish
Drisya Kamal
Sara Renee Lawler
Nia Christidianna Lyles
Zachary Felix Niemira
Karleigh Marie Parrish
Joshua Keoni Bartolome Puhek
Dylan Radke
Sarah Sauer Rinne
Samdra Lorraine Rodriguez Pabon
Claire Audrey Schultheis
Ryan Gregory Sigmund
Valerie Christine Starr
Amy Angelene Trokey
Ryan Alexander Wainz
Tamadj Renee Wilson
Lindsay Jean Wright
Amy Denise Adams
Chabi Marc Samuel Ale
Anthony R. Appiani
Jacob Reynold Arends
Alexa Claire Ball
Deshawn T. Battle
Helena Castellanos
Haylee Nicole Chandler
Joshua Van Cofield
Bethony Jeanea Cousin
Susan Lorain Cruz
Jessa Gavrielle Davis
Gary Deken
Madison Driemeyer
Sandeep Dwivedi
Benjamin Kai Erkan
Samuel Vincent Farrell
JOHN
E. SIMON SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Master of Science
Ellen Fleming Hires
Jeremy T. Gaglione
Riley Garner
Caitlin R. Gower
David Joseph Hagan
Alicia D. Hanners
Bradley Austin Jenkins
Evan Jonah Kellogg
Larry Lemons
Laureen J. Lesage-Knight
Anthony Low
Joshua Barrington McKenzie
Allison Michelle Moore
Cherrie L. Mooty
Caitlin Elizabeth Muradian
Samuel J. Powers
Eric Shane Prather
Kaitlyn Roberson
Saba Sadaqat
Brandon J. Schmidt
Mark Anthony Shepard
Tracy Simpson
Jaccob Thomas Stanton
Michael Starks
Kailee A. Stenseng
Tephaney Laura Stewart
Ketura Lami Ugwu
Robert Earl Williams
Jonah David Windle
Britaney Geneva Winston
Tyler L. Womack
Wasan Yotchai
School of Education
Tifani Nicole Allen
Mathew Becker
Lauren Marie Bernhard
Nichole Marie Bolanos
Emily Lynn Branham
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
Master of Arts in Education
Debra LaSundra Casimere
Marcus Allen Christian
Cara Nicole Donze
Erica Marie Grissom
Cotreena R. Jones
Kristin Marie Bennett
Jennifer A. Bordenkircher
Victoria L. Carlson
Jennifer C. Cowgill
Tara Elizabeth Cox
Yasmine Gholami
Theresa Lurene Gillespie
Evelyn M. Gilliam
Tiarra Michelle Hill
Ebonee Nicole Dominique Horn
Doctor of Education
Deshonia M. Irvin
Kaitlyn Ann Kleinschmidt
Chris A. Krueger
Velensia Miyako Latimore
Michelle Frances Lee
Jaclyn Mastroianni
Iris Karen McClendon
Tegan Dreifke Milford
MaryBeth Molz-Chavez
Susan Michelle Niederberger
Marqueitta McBride
Rachel Kathryn McKee
Anissa Noelle Morency
Joseph Lee Smith
Cecelia Marie Wagner
Jessica D. Porter
Diana Michelle Redden
Nance Rosen
Michael David Ross
Christina Salmo
Tanisha Chicole Stanciel
Victoria Kanene Turner
Lauren Rose Weissler
Special Recognition
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
John E. Simon School of Business
Outstanding Graduate Student in Accounting
Alexa Claire Ball
Dr. Rebecca Mann Award for Outstanding MBA Student
Joshua Keoni Bartolome Puhek
Outstanding Graduate Student in Cybersecurity
Tracy Simpson
Outstanding Graduate Student in Data Analytics
Jacob Reynold Arends
Outstanding Graduate Student in Management and Leadership
Jillian Dolores Ferguson
Outstanding Graduate Student in Software Development
Wasan Yotchai
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Myrtle E. and
Earl E.
Walker College of Health Professions
Outstanding residential SPLP Student Award
Carolyn Rose Sinak
Outstanding online SPLP Student Award
Crystal J. Rekowski
Outstanding online Graduate Student Colleague Award
Katey Kroeger
Outstanding residential Graduate Student Colleague Award
Sophia Raed Safi
Master of Health Administration Academic Achievement Award
Rachel Leah Dautenhahn
Elaine Albert Graduate Nursing Research Award
Madison Harris
The Amy Dagenais Innovation in Music Therapy
Susanna Leigh Brown