COMMENCEMENT • DECEMBER 14, 2023
ORDER OF CEREMONY
Introductory Musical Selections Processional
Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 Composed by Sir Edward Elgar
National Anthem* Welcome
Dr. Derek Stone Interim Dean, School of Education
Dr. Jann L. Joseph President
Dr. Diane E. White Dean, School of Health Sciences
Harrison Clark
Dr. Teresa Winterhalter Dean, School of Liberal Arts
Dr. Jann L. Joseph
Commencement Address Nick Masino President and CEO, Gwinnett Chamber and Partnership Gwinnett Presentation of Gift
Ona Garrett Vice President 2023-2024, Student Government Association
Alumni Association Greetings
Dr. Tyler Yu Dean, School of Business
The Star-Spangled Banner Composed by Francis Scott Key
Graduate Reflections Introduction of Guest Speaker
Presentation of Degree Candidates Dr. George S. Low Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs and Provost
Tom Willard, ’11 Chair, Alumni Association Board
Dr. Chavonda Mills Dean, School of Science and Technology Conferral of Degrees
Dr. Jann L. Joseph
Presentation of Diplomas
Dr. Jann L. Joseph
Georgia Gwinnett College Alma Mater* Closing Recessional
Persons with disabilities requiring assistance with seating, please see an usher.
*Audience is requested to stand.
Dr. Jann L. Joseph Triumphal March from Aida Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
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Congratulations, Georgia Gwinnett College Class of 2023! The past year has been remarkable, and each of you deserves every accolade and outpouring of well wishes for today’s accomplishment. Your diploma represents the breadth of knowledge, skills, experiences and perspectives you gained at Georgia Gwinnett College that will lay the foundation for a successful life. And remember, you did all of this and earned your diploma even though your earliest college years were impacted by a pandemic. To earn a college degree is an impressive achievement, and I encourage each of you to reflect on the fact that the challenges you surmounted make you more resilient and better prepared for what comes next in your journey. We are very proud of you, and we look forward to hearing about your successes. I personally look forward to meeting you at future events hosted by the GGC Alumni Association. Through the conveniences of modern technology, we have gathered together here in the arena, as well as online from across the region, state and even the world to celebrate and honor YOU! Your determination to succeed is an inspiration to all present and future Grizzlies. Go be great! Dr. Jann L. Joseph President
COMMEN CEM EN T • FA L L 2 02 3
C A N D I D AT E S F O R G R A D U AT I O N ASSOCIATE IN NEXUS SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS NEXUS IN PRODUCTION FOR FILM AND TELEVISION Meaghan Elisabeth Covington BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION SCHOOL OF BUSINESS MAJOR IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Yeabsira Z. Abebe Cierra Alexis Adams Miranda Bliss Adcock Babita Adhikari Desmond Borketey Alabi Milton Joel Alfaro Danish Ali Eloy Salvador Altamirano Elizabeth Lauren Apple Kyara Armenta s William Bradley Arnold s Diana Owusua Bamfo Wesley Michael Bargatze Katrina Monique Barnett Tarik Basaeed Richard Gantt Bauer Starr Emily Benitez Robert L. Bowers II Ki-jani Alim Browne
Brooke Bullard Andrea Carol Calvin Alicia Estefany Candelario- Santos Daniel Antonio Castillo Kaitlyn Castrejon s Ashanti Georde Charles Diana Chanthala Chokbengboune Jean Chung Angie Geraldine Clavijo Jathan Cruz s Gabriela M. Davidson Tanner Charles Derloshon Michael J. DiFilippo Jr. Joshua R. Farber s Juan Felicie Desiree Lashaun Forest Austin Michael Hamilton Mallory Summerlynn Hammonds l Mawia Ismail Haroun Sr Gabriela Heredia F Oluwaseyi Sam Hodonu Parker Scott Hudson Anabel Quisqueya Garcia-Castillo Brandon Ivan Garcia Caitlin Garcia-Diaz F Cristian Hiraldo Garcia Sabrina Kanitha Giang Alex Derek Gilmore Gabriela Giraldo Cynthia Isabel Gomez
Brandon Eduardo Gramajo Patrick John Haller Bernard Hangi Octaviuna Tamaya Hartzog Tamiyah Anne Heard Gracie Marcella Hogg Sothea Houl l Walaa Satar Jassem Jada Elisha Jean-Paul Zachary C King F Martina Kirubakaran Jordyn Marie Kortman F Sanjin Kostic Vicente Lagos Perez Chau Thi Bao Le F Jessy Marbella Lopez Moncada Jonathan Lorensen s Logan Phetnakhone Luangrath s Gustavious M. Maddox F Naomi Ashley Mafah Lisa Pulami Magar Prativa Magar Alejandra Maldonado Tavera William G. Manigault Jonathan Martinez l Shirley Mayfield Kilpatrick Rosine Mfuamba Ignacio Mendez Jr F Alexis Hosmin Menjivar s Zachary Owen Mize
List and academic standing at press time. F Cum laude l Magna cum laude s Summa cum laude n Honors Program v Awarded Posthumously
Daniela Moctezuma Lara Adali Evenor Molina Deissy Vanesa Molina Jonathan Bobby Montgomery Hunter Lee Moorer Jared Alexander Munday Diana Jacklyn Najar Jaimes Steven Neira Julia Nghi Nguyen Thach Nguyen Thi Quynh Giao Nguyen l Seykhat I. Nuriyeva Grace Kanyinda Nyunga Ashley Evone-Marie Odoms Lechandt Opperman Kevin M. O’reilly Kevin Osorio Leonardo Paez F Franco Pagano Posso Nicholas Paul Jeyson Edgardo Perdomo Hernandez Justin Perdum Karina Perez Kelly Perez Santana Lucky Nguyen Pham Alexis Saymone Phillips Rafael Antonio Portillo-Hernandez Kayla Marie Puzas Hassan Feroz Qureshi Maryam Rahimi Abkenari
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C A N D I D AT E S F O R G R A D U AT I O N (continued) Janet Rivera-Torres Sebastian Rivera Edwin Rizo Jaquelin Rocha Andrea Rojas l Brandon Romo Sadiq Isiah Ross Sofia Ruggieri Vanessa Sofia Ruiz Bailey Dawson Rungruang F Leonardo Daniel Sabas l Elio Salas F Safi Saleem F Jackeline Salgado-Candia Hannah Elisabeth Schneider F Sara Jean Schult F Stephan I. Silva III Destiney Sierra Simmerman s Marcus Anthony Sisco Ralph Walker Sius Vonnetta V. Smalls Devin Charles Smith Odin Solheim Peyton Marie Sullivan Jose Ignacio Tamayo May Tcha l Dendrick Isaac Thomas Jr. Gregory Thomas Moses Thomas Argelia Ticas Thach Chi Tran COMMEN CEM EN T • FA L L 2 02 3
Chikerendu Brian Uduma Liana Valero Tyler Vang Dennis Vega F Noelle Grace Weatherford l Brian Gage Wilkins Daniel Austin Williams Martina Fédelis Ame Woods Mely Ya Katherine Marissa Zaino Mayra Lizete Zuniga Martinez
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS MAJOR IN MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS Ravee Chea Matthew Dean Thomas Tam Minh Hoang F Mona Mehdikhani F Omezue S. Onyiri Donovan A. Wright F BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION SCHOOL OF EDUCATION MAJOR IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION Kimesha Laton Goldsmith F Abeeba Sayeda Qadeer
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES MAJOR IN HEALTH SCIENCE Shakil Ahmed Francisca Ulunma Anosike Cathy Bui F Reagan Mackenzie Coleman Donna Patricia Edwards Jennifer Nicole Gruman l Davetta Danielle Johnson- Ashley Fatima C. Lainez Monioluwa Abisola Ogunkunle F Tainayai Jakia kenshae Porter Javon Savage Britney Karishma Seecharan l Shivani Nidhi Upadhya Rafid Asef Yeahia BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES MAJOR IN NURSING Natasha V. Atheortua F Sophia Grace Beers s Shailee Bhatt Jennifer S. Brett F Maria Juliana Calero Timothy Ryan Cox Emily Esmeralda Cruz F Gabrielle Marie Diaz F Leo Dowlatkhah
Nicholas Inciso Ellema Marie Louise Fagan F Allison Frederick Mistie Gilreath Tiara Gonzales F Megan Elizabeth Kelley l Teresa Klein F Christian Alexa Lopez Elena N. Mai Mario Alberto Martinez Jr. Faustino Mendoza F Daniel De Jesus Molina Villalta F Katelynn Elizabeth Mowe F Eric Bradley Nash Thanh Nga T. Nguyen F Said Baheer Pasoon Marian Perales F Nermala-Devi Shania Pundruwillow F Majenta Marie Rivera F Nicole Esperanza Rodriguez F Suhayla Hassan Saudin Dayana Thomas F Darlene Trejo-Rojo F Arianna Joy Villiers
BACHELOR OF ARTS SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS MAJOR IN CINEMA AND MEDIA ARTS PRODUCTION Nicholas Paul Abraham
List and academic standing at press time. F Cum laude l Magna cum laude s Summa cum laude n Honors Program v Awarded Posthumously
C A N D I D AT E S F O R G R A D U AT I O N (continued) Daniel Aaron Bayonne F Aztrid Melissa Benavides-Barrios Collin Jamelle Boddie Andrew Vincent Brackens l Marissa Shayna Devore Michael Harrison Dula II Christopher Jordan Fisher Darius C. French Seifu Micheal Gorge F William E. Hanley F Eleanor Grace Herbert F Autumn Destiny Johnson Miguel Angel Maldonado-Benitez Nadia Iman Martin Nicholas Donnell Mason Jaazaniah Jane Mcclure Francis Fiorela Mejia s Michael Angel Mendez-Reyes Karen Victoria Ramos F Katie Ann Rasque s Brandon Tyler Robinson Daniel Arthur Robinson Karen Tovar Sanchez s Micaiah Chanise Slaughter Andrew Ryan Stewart l Tonisia Deshon Tutt Jalon Harold Watkins Jonathan Deandre Winfro
BACHELOR OF ARTS SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS MAJOR IN ENGLISH
BACHELOR OF ARTS SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS MAJOR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
Safiya Yaasmiyn Abdul-Ali Brielle J. Cade Brooke Michal Cartwright F Alyssa Marie Cosby Christopher Nathaniel Crews F Jasmine Nicole Marrero Kiley Amico Olchaskey F Emma Noel Reynolds Gabriela Sanchez -Linares l Chandler Elise Smith
Karen Paola Aguirre Serrano Nicole Cassandra Alvarez F Robert Edward Benca Gabriela Castro s Amalek James Forster Anzules Jadiel Gomez Jr s Jordan Tifvon Grant Jaelon Stepheon Harris Maria Hernandez Mora F Celine Andrea Moreno-Leandro Ana Izabel Nolasco Roblero Taylor Nicole Owens Evan Woods Sligar Sabrina Veillard
BACHELOR OF ARTS SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS MAJOR IN HISTORY Austin Michael Bibb Brian Austin Davis Jennifer Martinez Langham Bryce Scott Martin Charis Joy Wilkinson s n BACHELOR OF ARTS SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS MAJOR IN HISTORY WITH TEACHER CERTIFICATION David Cervantes Do s Jongmin Gabriel Mafuku
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS MAJOR IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE Bobby Keith Amerson Abasiamami Lois Ansa Emily Aquino s Hannan Ba-Saeed Brooklynn Renea Batts Hailey Lucia Benalcazar D’arne Boato l Ryan Jacob Campbell Man S. Cing Rachel Collins
List and academic standing at press time. F Cum laude l Magna cum laude s Summa cum laude n Honors Program v Awarded Posthumously
Quavious Stephon Crawford Kalissa Alexandria Monique Davis Michelle Diaz Brandee Morgan Dydensborg Dashley Espinosa Rafel Basmal Estefan Kaylee Shane Farr Danely Aileen Galarza Evan Kenneth Gilbert F Vance Rueben Hall-Williams Demecia Zenay Harmon Kabrina Makila Hunter Max J. Lewis Sheyla Martinez Sonia Martinez Gonzalez Exauce Moses Mbunsu I Francis Irene Membreno-Nunez Kailey Meregildo Enojhia Leigh Mills F Melisa Muhic Charissa Miriam Pittman Carlos Puebla Zujey Ramirez F Mariah Leigh Rodriguez Genesis Isabella Sierra l Dorianne Leigh Smith Janya D. Thompson Dajyana Nikole Vinson Adam Clayton Whitehead Gage Addison Williams Lielle Anna Zaremsky PAGE 7
C A N D I D AT E S F O R G R A D U AT I O N (continued) BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS MAJOR IN HUMAN SERVICES
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS MAJOR IN PSYCHOLOGY
Anihya Shanise Alderman Teneshia Lashia Bryant Clinton Monte Campbell III Cheryl Levonda Davis F Colleen Ingrid Edwards F Tayler Nicolle Hardy l Cynthia Frazier Hurst F Aundria Nicole Johnson Kayla Shantelle McKinnon Jessica Lorena Ramos Angel April Vanessa Yanes s
Hannah Brooke Ayers Zarria Faith Barlow Hayley Joanna Boes Heidi Ann Bolte l Emily Renae Brand l Wentra Lachele Broxton Mariam Nadeem Butt Dwayne Harris Campbell Kaylee Ashton Carter-Brodnax Athipong Chaisiri Sephora Daniel Julia Lauren DeCarvalho Ronald Dejesus Diego Eun Ha Kim Doe Tia Jenae Dowell Annie Luvenia Fischer Joshua Rhowan Forbes Manuel Garcia Sarabia Bryan Eloy Gutierrez Alexis Nicole Henderson Brooke Elise Hunter Jessica Rachel Johnson s n Selah Ayanna Johnson Javier Juarez Kayla Alexis Ketring Delano Kirby Rudie Kirkland
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS MAJOR IN INTEGRATIVE STUDIES Frederico Bonacia Megan Tyler Burton Harrison Morgan Clark F Lonnell Marcell Higgins Jr. Rosangela Michelle Munguia Natalie Michelle Nobles Florence Abena Owusu Alana Renee Smith William Glenn Stoltzfus
COMMEN CEM EN T • FA L L 2 02 3
Zachary Thomas Lakebrink Andy Josue Lemus s Jordyn M. Lewis Latrice Olivia McGhee Kendal Shana Melton Miguel Mena l Kiara Middleton Unique D. Montgomery F n Rebekah Caroline Morales David Mwambi Mukendi Chantal Christina Murray Faith Hope Nestlehutt Lizeth Aracely Ordonez Anais Ortiz Stephanie Nicole Padilla l Marco Panaccione Nirvanie Persaud Anna DuPre Isabel Pittman F Redwanur Syed Rahman Maiya Kirsten Rodgers F Kaila Koleen Rosetti Skala Majeed Saleh Ashley Alia Sigman Sommer A. Smith Mariandrea Sotillo F Alexis C. Stearnes Tatianna Le-Ann Thorpe Kiana Andrea Tyler F Michelle van Rooyen s Estefany M. Vera Romero
Shaniya K. Washington F Isaiah Nicholas Wilcoxson Dajaneira Wilson Erieal LaNay Young Zachary Isaiah Young Sanotta Nichole Zeigler Jasmine Zuniga-Alvarez
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MAJOR IN BIOLOGY Nabil Ahmed Ruqia Hussain Ahmed Ayat Mohammed Al-asadi Colin Michael Baker Laila Belpalme Aaron Joshua Brown F Devin McGregor Childress Tabitha Faye Davidson s Melissa Delvalle-Onofre Yogita Raveena Dhanpal Stephanie Diaz William Patrick Duffey F Icahn Izuchukwu Eze Sochi B. Ezenagu s Kori Z. Gilchrist Mark Allin Hallum Carol Stephanie Hernandez Fatimah NAJEEM Higgins
List and academic standing at press time. F Cum laude l Magna cum laude s Summa cum laude n Honors Program v Awarded Posthumously
C A N D I D AT E S F O R G R A D U AT I O N (continued) Sydney Latea Grant Hill Brandon Nicolas Hinds Nawed M. Jan s Dahlia D. Johnson Tiara Monet Johnson Patricia Juarez Stefani Lara Christian Denton Patrick Larson Marilyn Aracely Lopez Diamilet Martinez Raphael McIntyre Dallas Jakeel McKithen Jasmin Gabrielle Mena l Angela Valeire Menendez Zainab Naqawe Chukwujike B. Otiji F Patricia Margaret Paladie Sindisiwe Awotu Patani Maitri Patel Thinh Michael Pham-Hoang Daniela Andrea Ponce Solomon Jared Purdon Shebreanna Danielle Randle Jennifer Marie Regnier F Landon Michael Rogers F Miriam Khalil Saad Jade Nicole Sanderson Jasdine Brandhyze Shelmon Benjamin Royce Shepard F Samira Deshaun Simmons Benjamin David Zhan Tong Stewart s
Dong Huyn Suh F Irene D. Vargas-Chavez s Allison Paige Waller F Fapronia Ashraf Wasif Tawana Williams Jacob Kyle Wren
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MAJOR IN CHEMISTRY Romy Doan Christopher Gamboa Derek J. Kiddoo Melissa Molina Katherine Victoria Moody Corina Paun s Dieu Nhan Pham s Jacie Renee Russell Regina N. Thomas Favor Breann Tolen
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MAJOR IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Christin Elizabeth Cain l Isabel Medrano-Cervantes l Alexis Ramona Hernandez María Del Carmen Ramirez-Peralta s
Lesly L. Romero BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MAJOR IN EXERCISE SCIENCE Lauren Michelle Bridges Janyne Florence Bryant Jenny Dies Nekaybaw Olive-Lois Evans F Katelyn Victoria Fortune Zahra S. Harris l Julius Samuel Hunt Sariah Nicole James David Minjun Kang Beilul Tsegai Kesete Shannon J. Lewis Kristin Nicole Morris MyNeisha Kiana Roberson F Shene Jalil Showan Gershavia D’Avion Sims Cameron Deion Torres Joshua James Webb F
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MAJOR IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Nicholas Addington l Ebenezer Ayooluwa Adekeye Nathanael Berar s
Thomas Berar Biruk Zeleke Binchamo Edwin Alexander Bonilla Sorto Begum Cengiz F David Davon Collier Gregory Myles Dagnan l Kevin Omar Figueroa s Joshua Clayton Frost Carina Alisa George Rediat Mulugeta Godana F Jonathon Andrew Granger l Michael Keil Gravely Matthew Aaron Green Jordan K. Harrison Noah Fox Harrison Nicholas Allan Bryce Haswell I Bradley Ford Haynes Jessica Paulette Cuenca Hernandez Boris Kenyam Inokoh Faith M. Johnson I s Jaylen Christopher Johnson Matthew Kaufman Omer Sohail Khan F Justin Kim Rohan Krishnamurthy Jonathan Leon Jonathan Mortimer Lindie Hugo H. Lopez Jeancarlo Masciotti Kelan McNally Szavior Nathon McRae F Carl Joseph Mickiewicz III F n PAGE 9
C A N D I D AT E S F O R G R A D U AT I O N (continued) Ahmed N. Mohamed Connor Douglas Murdock F Carlton Mark Napier Nathan Nguyen F Khamilah Enjoli Nixon s Sheihou Mouhammad Njai Jonathan Nketsiah Luis Manuel Nunez Temiloluwa Babajide Odeyemi Kenechukwu Odunayo Oduah Chizoba Okeke Ifeanyi David Okereke Alan Jair Oliver Santiesteban F Angel C. Ozoadibe Kush Jayeshkumar Patel Baldwin Alexander Pemberton II F Ignacio Antonio Perez Chiaromonte l Terrance Jared Perry Kevin Pham Moises Elias Pineda Andres Ramirez Robert Corjuc Recalo F Tylor Gordon Rowe Nikazia Ruiz Aroosa Saeed F Andres Omar Sanchez Justin Douglas Sandman Anna Schmidt Saif Shaikh F TreMya Shardea Sheats
COMMENCEM EN T • FA L L 2 02 3
David L. Shirley Jr. Samuel John Simonca F Brian Smithers F Ethan Michael Stokes Kevin Tran l Aaron St. Martin Tulloch Daniel Alexis Valencia Kevin Vera Chester Lee Waye Fahao Wen F Leighton Reed Wilkinson Kyle Vincent Yancey Kelvin Willliam Zetino
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MAJOR IN MATHEMATICS Tek Nath Dahal
List and academic standing at press time. F Cum laude l Magna cum laude s Summa cum laude n Honors Program v Awarded Posthumously
LEADERSHIP
F O U N D AT I O N B O A R D O F T R U S T E E S
ADMINISTRATION
Chair K. Carlton Buchanan, Jr. M.D.
Jann L. Joseph, Ph.D., President George S. Low, Ph.D., Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs and Provost Frank Hardymon, Vice President for Business and Finance/CBO Michael Poll, Ed.D., Vice President for Enrollment Management Services and Institutional Research Christine Miller Divine, Ph.D., Vice President for Information Technology Sloan Jones, Chief of Staff Terrance Schneider, Associate Vice President for Operations and Chief of Police Jennifer Hendrickson, Associate Vice President for Advancement S. Rebekah Myers, J.D., General Counsel and Chief Legal Affairs Officer Darin Wilson, Ed.D., Associate Vice President of Athletics and Director of Athletics
Vice Chair Jann L. Joseph, Ph.D. President Jennifer Hendrickson Secretary Marsha Anderson Bomar Treasurer R. Lee Tucker, Jr.
Trustees Reza Abree Thomas J. Andersen Susie Collat Jay Dennard, Jr. Om Duggal Larry Ebert Anthony Ferrari Brandon Hartley Gregory W. Hayes Clarence Lockett
Wayne H. Mason Bartow Morgan, Jr. José R. Pérez Norberto Sanchez David E. Snell Mitch Stephens Deon Tucker Tom Willard
A L U M N I A S S O C I AT I O N B O A R D M E M B E R S
PRESIDENT EMERITUS Daniel J. Kaufman, Ph.D. DEANS Tyler Yu, Ph.D., Dean, School of Business Derek Stone, Ph.D., Interim Dean, School of Education Diane E. White, Ph.D., RN, Dean, School of Health Sciences Teresa Winterhalter, Ph.D., Dean, School of Liberal Arts Chavonda Mills, Ph.D., Dean, School of Science and Technology Kara Latopolski, Ph.D., Dean of Students Chris Matz, MLIS, Dean of Library Services Justin Jernigan, Ph.D., Dean of Student Success
Chair Tom Willard, ’11 Vice Chair Malik Cooperl, ’20 Secretary Darnell Clarke, ’18
Inaara Babwani, ’19 Luis Montanez Cerna, ’21 Benjamin Coker, ’19 Kolton DeFoor, ’21 Andrew Detherow, ’20 Cole Hembree, ’19 Nabilah Lasker, ’18 Asad Khan, ’17 G. Brandon Powers, ’05 Andrew Stephenson, ’12 Fatima Syed, ’13 Harsha Vinoy, ’20 James Wilson, ’18
PAGE 11
Dr. Jann L. Joseph has spent her career working to increase educational opportunities for students. Joseph was born in Trinidad, West Indies, as the youngest of five siblings. Although neither parent completed elementary school, they valued the power of education to transform lives for generations. Her parents’ encouragement and sacrifices inspired Joseph to serve in higher education. Joseph graduated from the University of the West Indies - St. Augustine with a bachelor’s of science in agriculture and a master’s of philosophy in plant science. She began her education career as a teacher of agricultural science in Trinidad and Tobago. Dr. Jann L. Joseph President, Georgia Gwinnett College
She later graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Madison with a doctorate in curriculum and instruction in science education. Her teaching, research and administrative experience included positions at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan, at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti and Indiana University - South Bend, where she served as executive vice chancellor and interim chancellor. In spring 2019, Joseph was named president of Georgia Gwinnett College. Joseph’s professional affiliations include a variety of state and regional education-focused organizations, several of which she served in leadership capacities. Her record of community service is similarly hallmarked by leadership and volunteerism. She currently serves as chair of the University System of Georgia Council on General Education. Joseph also serves on the boards of: Atlanta Regional Council for Higher Education, Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Hispanic Chamber, Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful, Rainbow Village, and The Water Tower at Gwinnett.
COMMEN CEM EN T • FA L L 2 02 3
Nick Masino is the first GenX president and CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber and Partnership Gwinnett. Masino is known for his strong leadership, commitment to Gwinnett, and more than two decades of making an impact in the community and economic development arenas. As president and CEO, Masino has shepherded in the most diverse board of directors in Gwinnett Chamber history, reinvigorated its public policy focus, implemented a new strategic plan and is currently overseeing a massive renovation to Georgia’s largest Chamber of Commerce facility. He also led the Gwinnett Chamber to receive its first-ever five-star accreditation rating from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 2022 and to its first-ever global title as Chamber of the Year by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives in 2023.
Nick Masino President and CEO, Gwinnett Chamber and Partnership Gwinnett
The former chief economic development officer for Partnership Gwinnett and the Gwinnett Chamber, Masino oversaw the business recruitment and retention efforts for Gwinnett and the implementation of the Partnership Gwinnett strategy. The Gwinnett Chamber-led initiative has since delivered roughly 380 company expansions or relocations representing more than 32,000 new jobs and $5.2 billion in private capital investment. Prior to these achievements, Masino was an executive in the recruiting and staffing industry, while serving as Georgia’s youngest mayor in the City of Suwanee. In addition to his day job, Masino serves on a plethora of boards including the Regional Business Coalition of Metro Atlanta, the Council for Quality Growth, the Georgia Chamber and The Water Tower Global Innovation Hub at Gwinnett. His influence in the greater Gwinnett region has earned him many accolades such as Most Notable Georgians, Power 100: Most Influential Atlantans, and 100 Most Influential Georgians. He holds a bachelor’s degree in interpersonal and organizational communication from The Ohio State University and resides with his wife, Suzanne, in Suwanee, Georgia. They are the proud parents of three adult children.
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HONORS REGALIA
SYMBOLISM AND TRADITIONS
Some graduating seniors wear regalia recognizing their memberships in honor societies and/or the GGC Honors Program. In addition to specified GPAs, students must meet other requirements to be considered members of these groups. These students are to be commended for earning the prestigious distinctions represented by their regalia, which may include a cord or stole (sash), with or without a medallion.
Higher education is rich in symbolism and traditions, sometimes involving history that is hundreds of years old. Schools establish their own designs and meanings for aspects of this symbolism, creating imagery unique to each institution.
GGC Honors Program – Interdisciplinary
Green and silver
Alpha Lambda Delta – First Year Students
Maroon and yellow
Alpha Phi Sigma – Criminal Justice Beta Beta Beta – Biology Beta Gamma Sigma – Business
Gold and blue Forest green and red Forrest green and gold
Gamma Sigma Epsilon – Chemistry
Blue and white
Golden Key – Interdisciplinary
Gold and blue
Kappa Delta Pi – Education
Purple and gold
Kappa Mu Epsilon – Mathematics
Rose pink and silver
Kappa Omicron Nu – Exercise Science
Burgundy and gold
National Society of Leadership and Success – Interdisciplinary
Red, silver and black
Omicron Delta Epsilon – Economics
Blue and gold
Phi Alpha Theta – History
Red and blue
Pi Sigma Alpha – Political Science Psi Chi – Psychology Sigma Iota Rho – International Studies
Red, white and black Platinum and dark blue Blue and white
Sigma Tau Delta – English
Cardinal and black
Upsilon Pi Epsilon – Computing and Information
Gold and maroon
COMMEN CEM EN T • FA L L 2 02 3
THE GGC SEAL The GGC seal includes elements representative of the local and state communities, as well as the college’s four pillars of scholarship, leadership, service and creativity. It is used only for official academic or presidential communications and materials. The GGC logo fulfills all other identification needs. THE GGC MACE Derived from ancient weapons, maces were adapted for academic ceremonies and parliamentary occasions during the Middle Ages. GGC’s mace features a combination of materials symbolizing facets of the college and affiliated groups such as students, faculty, staff and the broader community. It is topped by a GGC green torch representing the light of education and its promise of a brighter future. ACADEMIC DRESS The traditions of academic dress or regalia date back to the 12th century when universities emerged from religious orders. Fabrics, patterns, colors, trimmings, robe length, hoods, tassels and other features are based on the wearer’s discipline, degree and granting institution. For formal academic events, GGC’s faculty appear in a wide variety of colorful regalia while college officials wear regalia specific to GGC.
For more details on the symbolism and traditions represented by the mace, seal and academic regalia, visit www.ggc.edu/traditions.
Congratulations!
CLASS OF 2023
Welcome to the Alumni Association,
GET INVOLVED
You have worked hard to get to this point in life.
You will always be a member of the GGC family. Enrich your experience by taking advantage of Alumni Association events and programs. Attend virtual and on-campus events like Grizzlyfest, alumni career workshops, athletic events, school mixers, mentoring students, and other opportunities to connect with members of the GGC community. Stay in touch with the Office of Alumni Engagement, and make sure to keep up-to-date with Engage magazine and the monthly alumni e-newsletter. You have invested time and effort in your GGC legacy – share your successes and talents with us to inspire the next generation of Grizzly grads.
In addition to rigorous studies and other aspects of college life, you faced dealing with a pandemic, being isolated for almost a year, and managing new challenges when you returned to campus. Yet you crushed all of these obstacles to complete your college degree. You weathered this unprecedented experience with Grizzly strength and determination,
GIVE BACK
and you are now alumni of Georgia Gwinnett College
If you have contributed to GGC, thank you. We are grateful for this demonstration of your support and your belief in Georgia Gwinnett College. Gifts from friends, parents, faculty, staff, students and alumni are vital to our continued success as a college, and for helping future Grizzlies achieve their dreams. You can also give your time. Join us for dynamic events and programs, or pursue a leadership position on the GGC Alumni Association Board.
– congratulations! We applaud you and your proud family, friends and mentors for reaching this important milestone. On behalf of the GGC Foundation and Alumni Association, we welcome you as our newest alumni members. The mission of the Alumni Association is to build and support lifelong relationships with GGC, alumni and the community through academic excellence, leadership and tradition. Your active participation and support is key to fulfilling this mission. We encourage you to do the following:
CONNECT You have joined a rapidly expanding network of more than 11,000 Grizzly graduates. Interact with your fellow alumni via our online community. “Like” us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and join us on LinkedIn and Networkggc.com. Be a GGC ambassador and advocate in your careers, your communities and among your friends. Lifetime membership in the Alumni Association is free, but we encourage you to give back to the annual fund or support the new GGC Alumni Association Scholarship. In doing so, we directly support the needs of our students and programs, and help our alma mater thrive. On behalf of the GGC Foundation and the GGC family, congratulations on reaching this special day in your life. We look forward to what the future brings for you. Sincerely, Tom Willard, ’11 Chair, GGC Alumni Association Board PAGE 15
T H E F O L L O W I N G A N N U A L E V E N T S P O N S O R S W I S H T O C O N G R AT U L AT E T H E 2 0 2 3 G R A D U AT E S
PILLAR SPONSORS
LEADER SPONSOR
SCHOLAR SPONSOR
PAT R O N S P O N S O R S
G R A D U AT I N G S E N I O R D O N O R S Thank you to the graduating seniors who have supported the college’s culture of philanthropy with a graduation gift.
COMMEN CEM EN T • FA L L 2 02 3
N OT E S
PAGE 17
N OT E S
COMMEN CEM EN T • FA L L 2 02 3
A L M A M AT E R
Lyrics by Dr. Alvina Atkinson and Brittany Dertz-Oakley, Class of 2011 Music by Dr. Thomas Young
We have gained wisdom and honor From our home of green and gray. We will go forth and remember All we’ve learned along the way.
And with knowledge and compassion We will build communities Leading by example And with dignity.
Georgia Gwinnett, we’ll never forget How we have grown, And those that we’ve met. Georgia Gwinnett, love and respect Our alma mater, Georgia Gwinnett.
1000 University Center Lane, Lawrenceville, GA 30043 678.407.5000 • www.ggc.edu