Class of 2021 Commencement Program - Ruskin, FL Campus

2021

COMMENCEMENT

SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021 | BRADENTON, FLORIDA

2021

COMMENCEMENT Graduates and members of the audience are asked to remain in their seats throughout the ceremony so that they do not interfere with the special moments of others. During the ceremony, please turn off all cell phones and mobile devices. Thank you.

COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM Order of Procession The Faculty and Administration of the University The Graduates of the University The Dais Party

Dais Party Keith Taylor, Ph.D. President Julie Kleber ’11 Oncology Nurse, Bone Marrow Transplant Unit Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Commencement Speaker Walter Iwanenko, Ph.D. Provost and Vice President for Student Experience Rev. Michael T. Kesicki ’83 Chaplain and Associate Vice President for Mission and Ministry Sarah J. Ewing, Ph.D. Dean, Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences

GANNON UNIVERSITY | COMMENCEMENT 2021

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Order of Exercises Processional* Pomp and Circumstance: March No. 1 Sir Edward Elgar National Anthem* “The Star-Spangled Banner” Francis Scott Key Call to Commencement Walter Iwanenko, Ph.D. Provost and Vice President for Student Experience Invocation* Rev. Michael T. Kesicki Chaplain and Associate Vice President for Mission and Ministry Welcome Keith Taylor, Ph.D., President Presentation of Honorary Degree Keith Taylor, Ph.D., President Introduction of Commencement Speaker Keith Taylor, Ph.D., President Commencement Address Julie Kleber ’11 Oncology Nurse, Bone Marrow Transplant Unit Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Presentation of Degree Candidates Sarah J. Ewing, Ph.D. Dean, Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences Conferral of Degrees Keith Taylor, Ph.D., President Prayer of Sending Forth Rev. Michael T. Kesicki Chaplain and Associate Vice President for Mission and Ministry

All who are able are asked to stand.

*

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GANNON UNIVERSITY | COMMENCEMENT 2021

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER Julie Kleber ’11 Julie Kleber ’11BSN, RN, BMTCN graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2011 from Gannon University, where she was also a student-athlete on the women’s basketball team. Following graduation, Kleber moved to New York City to pursue a career as an oncology nurse on the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Kleber said she has fond memories of her time at Gannon. In 2010, she and her teammates played in the NCAA Division II Regional Championship. Being a student-athlete and nursing student allowed Kleber to form important friendships and bonds.

Kleber said “everyone I interacted with at the University was authentic and genuine” and that she has felt valued as a member of the Gannon family since her first day as a student.

Kleber said her time at Gannon instilled her with a spirit of caring for others and for giving back. This has become woven into the fabric of her hard work, adaptability and resiliency that she learned while managing athletics, education and personal time.

Kleber advises current students to “be comfortable being uncomfortable” and adds that “it is important to put yourself in new situations. Gannon, and college in general, is your training ground for life and there are many uncomfortable situations that will happen post-graduation.

This will help inspire and fuel you, while also allowing you to develop the habits that will cement your foundation of life.”

Kleber returned to Gannon to present “Lessons from the Bedside: Adaptability and Intentionality” during the University’s 2020 Distinguished Alumni Nursing Lecture Series. She is also a proud member of the Gannon University National Alumni Board of Directors.

Kleber earned an environmental health certificate in May 2018 from the University of Maryland School of Nursing and is currently pursuing her master’s in nursing leadership and healthcare systems from the University of Colorado.

In her free time, Kleber enjoys traveling, pursuing health and wellness, and sampling delicious varieties of cheese.

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CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences DOCTORAL STUDIES Occupational Therapy Doctorate Mesha Ela Alexander T’keyah Jajuan Anderson Folake O. Ayegbusi Emilie Rose Barbosa Rachel Bryant Maria L. Ciabattoni Taylor Elisabeth Dake Morgan Alexis Dougherty Sierra Nichole Freid Amy C. Gehner Hillary Jayne Leipold ToniAnn Lentini Shaylynn Nicole McGrath Anna Caroline Morgan Kamal Nebhrajani

Katelin A. Nelson Shivaniben A. Patel Sylvia Przywalny Humma Qureshi Martia Chernice Reid Teresa Ann Repetny Kadeshia Ribeiro Kaitlyn Santelli Jamie Schnabel Bobby P. Thrush-Louis Maria-Heilsyme Asuncion Tiongson Brookelyn L. Tucker Jessica Lynn Veneziano

Doctor of Physical Therapy Abdallah Aburizeg Drew Eléna Anderson Brett Jon Boehne Ashlie Brewer Christopher Michael Frost Olivia Paige Garvin Jason A. Goulding Lynn Anna Handle Sydni Joy Harris Kenyata Thomas Devin James Kalck Luke Alan Keller Kalyn Alissa Kowalski Tyler Joseph Kuzma Chelsea Janetta McLendon Brittany Taylor McNair Niki Mendoza

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Amira Murtazaeva Robert Victor Peck Tahreem Fatima Rizvi Stephen Rodriguez Alyson N. Roth Ariel Shea Rudd Sandy V. Shulca Sang Ho Son Drake Stevens Andrew Lee Vevoda Tyler J. Volovsek DivinaMecca Tiffany Wallace Lekita A. Werts Alexandra Wetherholt Loren Elizabeth Whitmore Shaden Yousef

GANNON UNIVERSITY | COMMENCEMENT 2021

GRADUATE STUDIES Master of Athletic Training Julie Anne Dobiac Ryan Esenwein Derek Logan Mattingly Abigail Rose McGurrin

Emily Nicholls Devin Eugene Smith

Master of Physician Assistant Science Brianna A. Barrett Rebeka Jeannette Brouillard Kellie Christine Brown Maria Christine Bustamante Stevie Nicole Dailey Julia Dudkiewicz Paola N. Garcia Sean Michael Gast Kelcie Jagodzinski Jamie Kazar Kristina M. Kininmonth Kayla Christine Long Bethany Joy Martin Chancelor McColley

Taylor Joelle Mitchell Jasmine Naik Natalya C. Nannen Angela Nowacki Sydney Pratt Alejandro Thomas Racines Marissa Rizzo Lindsay Scully Kiran Singh Maria Paige Sturdivant Noelle Marie Vallimont Amanda K. Woodhouse Ryan Christopher Zahran

Master of Science Tiesha Henley Kevin McNamara

Michael Paul Salerno

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ACADEMIC AWARDS Graduate Studies For Excellence in...

Athletic Training Ryan Esenwein Occupational Therapy Doctorate Jessica Lynn Veneziano Doctor of Physical Therapy Sydni Joy Harris Physician Assistant Natalya C. Nannen Sport and Exercise Science Michael Paul Salerno

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GANNON UNIVERSITY | COMMENCEMENT 2021

Prayer of Sending Forth Rev. Kesicki: God, our Heavenly Father, we praise you for creating us in your image and likeness. In your generous Providence, you allow Gannon University to be a community where this great truth of human dignity is proclaimed, learned and lived. You wish Gannon to be a place where our students can seek and find you. With grateful hearts, we thank you for sustaining our graduates with your love and your truth.

All respond: Amen Rev. Kesicki: Lord Jesus Christ, by your death and resurrection you redeemed a fallen human family. Be with our graduates as they continue to discern what is right and good and true in the midst of the confusion and tensions in our world.

Help us to build a culture where each human life, no matter how vulnerable, may be respected and protected from degradation and violence. Lord, be our way, our truth and our life.

Faculty, Staff, Parents recite together: Lord God, You accompany us at each moment of our journey through life.

Continue to guide our graduates in the paths they have chosen.

May your truth purify their values.

May your wisdom enlighten their decisions. May your goodness be the foundation of their relationships.

May your love be the consolation of their souls. Be at their side in difficulty.

Prompt their generosity in prosperity.

Deepen their humility in success.

All respond: Amen Rev. Kesicki: May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

All respond: Amen

All respond: Amen Rev. Kesicki: Come, Holy Spirit, bestow upon our graduates soundness of mind and holiness of life. With the aid of your spiritual gifts, prompt them to integrate their faith into their lifestyles, their work, and their relationships. Help them to value the service of others over selfish gain. Come, O Spirit, enkindle in them the fire of your love.

All respond: Amen

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GANNON UNIVERSITY | COMMENCEMENT 2021

GANNON UNIVERSITY MISSION Gannon is a Catholic, Diocesan university dedicated to excellence in teaching, scholarship and service. Our faculty and staff prepare students to be global citizens through programs grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and professional specializations. Inspired by the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, we offer a comprehensive, values-centered learning experience that emphasizes faith, leadership, inclusiveness and social responsibility.

The list of graduates included on the commencement program is not intended to be used as an official indication of graduation. The diploma of the University and the official transcript, signed and sealed by the proper officers, provide authentic testimony to the conferring of a degree.

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