2021 Fall Commencement

C O M M E N C E M E N T • D E C E M B E R 7, 2 0 2 1

ORDER OF CEREMONY

Introductory Musical Selections Processional National Anthem*

Welcome

Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 Composed by Sir Edward Elgar

Introduction of Guest Speaker

Dr. Jann L. Joseph

Alumni Association Greetings

Dr. Bernard Oliver Dean, School of Education Dr. Diane E. White Dean, School of Health Sciences

Dr. Jann L. Joseph President Morgan K. George

Presentation of Gift

Dr. Tyler Yu Dean, School of Business

The Star-Spangled Banner Composed by Francis Scott Key Performed by Janae Gray

Graduate Reflections

Commencement Address

Presentation of Degree Candidates Dr. George S. Low Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs and Provost

Judge Veronica Cope State Court of Gwinnett County Naiya Patel Acting President, Student Government Association Tom Willard, ’11 Vice Chair, Alumni Association Board

Persons with disabilities requiring assistance with seating, please see an usher.

Dr. Teresa Winterhalter Dean, School of Liberal Arts 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

*Audience is requested to stand.

Performed by Janae Gray Dr. Jann L. Joseph Triumphal March from Aida Composed by Giuseppe Verdi

PAGE 1

Congratulations, Georgia Gwinnett College Class of 2021!

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 GGC that will lay the foundation for a successful life. And remember, you did all of this and earned your diploma during 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 1

C A N D I D AT E S F O R G R A D U AT I O N BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION SCHOOL OF BUSINESS MAJOR IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Emily Noemi Arreguin Ana Lizbeth Arreola Sanchez F Zehra Aslam F Enoh Faith Ataga Hudson Chase Baker Lena Yvonne Balck s Kendra Daniela Barquero Giovanni Anselmo Benitez Nicholas Theodore Berounsky Teodora Zhivkova Betancourt s Blake Charles Bishop Hannah Elizabeth Blumen Joey Lee Boatright, Jr. Dillon Matthew Bobb Manlessi Cynthia Bodet Olga Lorena Boyzo Patino Meldisa Bozic Manisa Bradberry William David Bredow F Aliyah Tyler Brevard Vernethia Monique Brooks James David Broome Tyler Hadley Carpenter Kamryn Ariel Carr Michael Chacon Jairo Chanci Marulanda Marisa Justine Chegireddy Jesse Lyle Cheney l Caroline J. Christy Krishna Clarke F

Jordan Kenneth Cody Nicole Alexis Cook Courtney Elizabeth Cothran Garrett Michael Cox Sara Elizabeth Crowe Aubrea Revian Davenport Devon Davis Mikias Debesay William Thomas Dekle Carlos David Delarosa Dalia Denova Cameron Ross DiCarlo F Destry Lee Dispain Kiziah Elizabeth Dixon Edita Doglod Athalia Elizabeth Dominguez Diaz Danique A. Doolam Shanika Loriel Douglas Alice Ann Durniat Jordan Edward Edgerson July C. Enel Adolfo Escalera Valenzuela Maryam Eshai Svafarson Fernand Etheleau Madeline Jacobs Farol Joshua Richard Feeley Rachel Amoy Forbes Uniqwa Forbes Max Anel Garcia Sr. Tonii Kasean Gladden Pentia Mery-Belle Senami Gnansounou Bryana Alexia Graham Shackeel Oniel Graham Devonjay Angelo Grant David John Francis Gray

Sarah Hope Grimmett Cesar Alejandro Gutierrez Hunter Randall Haynes F Marlee Hunter Heavern Nialasha Hehr Lucila Hernandez Cruz F Claudia Liliana Herrera Venegas F Ivan Hilario Barinas Logan Mitchell Hinson l Jaelen Hogan William Boone Holman Aerial Breyanna Hopson Kiara LaShea Howard Jacarri Domminique Billal Howell Shehzeb Imam Nathaniel Andrew James Darren Malik Johnson Ja’da Denise Johnson Hayley Danielle Jones William Reinhard Jones s Kyle James Kanhai Samuel Karcha Christy Kelley Razib Khan Andrew C. Kim Mina Leigh Kinjo Yacouba Konate Jeremy Joseph Koovakada Samia Kulo Jailan Rashaun Lawton Brenda Van Le F Elena Thuy Le Benjamin Joseph Llena Erickson Arturo Lopez Monica Loredo Gutierrez Trinita Lumengo Kalukuta

Alejandra Maldonado Tavera Nathan Edward Manders s Sabrina Mangru Luis Martinez Jovanna Marcela Martinez Muriel Sydni F. Matthews Keith Christopher McClain Christopher James McFarland Sharon Medina Aliyah Mencia Nedim Merina F Sladjana Misic Freshta Mohebi Rubi Mondragon Briana Desire Monzon Crystal Ann Morales Geselle Morales F Jesenia Corona Morales F David Matthew Morgan Devon Shelby Morgan Ilona Moroz F Meghan Ann Morris Pablo Mota Nebiyu Belayneh Mulat Elihu Fabricio Munoz s Karla Lizeth Munoz John Thomas Murphy Joel Muyej l Clarissa Camille Nagel Alexzander Van Nguyen Hong Chau Thi Nguyen Loan Thi Kim Nguyen Phu Minh Nguyen F Thuy Tien Thi Nguyen George Stephen Nickels Phebean Mahota Olayemi-Cole, Jr.

List and academic standing at press time. F Cum laude l Magna cum laude s Summa cum laude n Honors Program v Awarded Posthumously

Logan A. Orange Jason Alfonso Ortiz William Blake Outler Jennifer Jadira Padilla Dhruvjumar R. Patel Abraham Patricio Ricardo Perez, Jr. Minh N Pham Craig Alexander Phillips Shakerra Laquise Plant Jonathan Procopoi F Jhans Azabama Quintanilla Jacob Durbin Raines Karina Victoria Ramirez l Farhan Rashid F Beatrice Christine Ratiu Chase Jordan Ridley Andres Felipe Rios l Joshualyne Victoria Roberts Matisha Robinson Benjamin Rodriguez F Matthew Joel Rodriguez Omar Rubio Luis Alejandro Rubio Gomez s Daniel Ruiz-Diaz Hani Robert Safadi Jose Emmanuel Sanchez Guevara Carina Janet Santos F Mark F. Schaeffer F Christine Seeton l Israel Seka Brendan Alexander Senecal Marilyn Margaret Sincevich F Calynn Loréal Singleton l Reginald Terrell Singleton Kaley Nicole Smith F PAGE 3

C A N D I D AT E S F O R G R A D U AT I O N Nathan Anthony Snyder Karissa Gabrielle Sorto l Kadeidra Jasmeen Staton Caroline Frances Steinocher Brandon Tackett Saniya Tariq Johan Romeo Tobar Hannah Nicole Towe F Anthony Lam Tran Anthony Louis Valvo Julissa Vargas Vaca Heather Vu Kell Devin Waddell Charles Jordan Waites Aukira Hadiya Walker Jasmin T Walker Kelvin Lindral Walker Brian Matthew Warner l Tyrique Rashad Warren Amanda Wilkerson F Charles Jacob Williams Tricia K Williams Cheyanne Talani Williams Osborne F Anitra L Willingham Myles Richard Woodard Kevin Vue Xiong, Jr. Madellin Fohnn Yangnouvong Delaney Sarah Young Jackson Kent Young Weese Madai Guadalupe Zavaleta Morga l Madian Aranza Zavaleta Morga

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BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION SCHOOL OF EDUCATION MAJOR IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION Fred Anderson IV l Mackenzie Raven Boler Deborah Lindsey l Winky Kadric Memisevic Savanna Rodriguez BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES MAJOR IN NURSING Rahama Ismael Abdulkadir F Corina Julia Anghelescu Jonathan Douglas Baxter Christina Yvette Beahan Katherine Elizabeth Beck F Janay S. Bondswell Sarah Dee Brinson F Brendan Burns Amanda Rae Byrd Kayla Gabriela Cruz l Joseph Drew Davis F Darlene Diaz ∆ Wendmarie Figueroa F Sarah Imran Khan Kenya Ashlee Knowles Joshua Ryan Kreisel Ancuta Kusovschi F Joel Nkulu Kyungu Lauren Cayla McMichael F

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Carissa Brenna Meek F J Scott Nimtz Rebekah Elaine Ray Jessica Lilliana Ridgeway F Tizeta Hailemariam Rustin F Bernice Sam Caleb Wesley Sheppard Harrison James Tobin Jacob Elijah VanderVelde F Jessica Caroline Wells F Sarah Catherine Wellwood Aleicia Marie Womble F BACHELOR OF ARTS SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS MAJOR IN CINEMA & MEDIA ARTS PRODUCTION Phillip David Benfield III l Patrick Daniel Cheek F Monet Shontel Chapman F Yasmeen Azil Cooper l Benjamin Owen Dillingham F Luke Philip Dobeck Megan Elizabeth Floress s Sean Paul Gardner Andrew Sterling Hawkins John Matthew Higgins Christopher Devon Ingram Chrishell Maura Harrison Reid Miller Carl Patrick Mills, Jr. Luis Antonio Montanez Cerna Duy Hoang Minh Nguyen s Nahji Tiarah Noel Kristin Marie Paganini

Syed Muhammad Saqib Qadri Cassandra Moesha Richemond F Jaslyn Andya Thompson Ramy Wassef F Miranda Opal Williams Gerardo Zarate BACHELOR OF ARTS SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS MAJOR IN ENGLISH Michelle Sharon Bielkiewicz F Shontaye Sibone Bryant Emily Rose Cartwright Chelsea Camille Cochran Christopher John Davis Timothy Doniel Davis, Jr. s n Aliza Kinterra Leslie l Ashley Macarages F William Cody Mixon Adasha Nellisse Plunkett Charlotte Anna Caroline Reames s n Stephany Naomi Rosales Jason Adam Towhey BACHELOR OF ARTS SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS MAJOR IN HISTORY Jonathan Raymond Bell Caullen Colbert William Mitchell Goode s Akeem Majid Muhammad Denise Norton Marcus Andrew O’Rear

Jose Orozco F Lauren Elizabeth Parker Matthew Scott Powell Joshua Richard Radermacher BACHELOR OF ARTS SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS MAJOR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE Ariana Kamaile Bustillo Castro Chelsea Marie Conner Savannah Jordan Duda Inaara Shafiq Jiwani F Jordan Bradford Kemp Evelyn Lemus Gabriela Montes Beatrix Badoura Owusu-Ansah F Hamza Samiuddin Samantha Nichole West BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS MAJOR IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE Brennen Stone Berger Samuel Drew Blake Mireya Natali Bugarin Chelsea Thi Dieu Celine Ivory Ellis Christine Obinuju Eze F Corey Galon Forde Donovan Gonzalez Khalilah Graham Matthew Gerard Henderson F Maria Camila Huertas Sabrina Marie Hunt

List and academic standing at press time. F Cum laude l Magna cum laude s Summa cum laude n Honors Program v Awarded Posthumousl

C A N D I D AT E S F O R G R A D U AT I O N Eric Randall Johns Emily Kaufman Myra Yeboah Kyeremeh Medina Levic F Ariana Lopez Marhisa Lynn Meeks s Bryce Alexander Novak F Joel J Oroian Korine Paul Lisa Marie Pelletier ∆ Ternishia Latrice Philpot Amara Grace Pich Niya W. Price Devorah Beatris Renderos Yana Elizabeth Reynolds Miguel Salgado Leslie Guadalupe SerranoLorenzo Jessica Ann Shultz l Arlette Silva Marquia Slater Daniel Harrison Smith Chyana Shawn Watts BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS MAJOR IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND AGING SERVICES Griselda Garcia Aslami Raquel Claudia Ariyo Gabrielle Aliesse Brown Daniela Dominguez l Kelly Margaret Egan l Jaylen Lamont Eley F

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Leana Estephani Martinez F Joshua Ray Minor Jenny Malaika Mupendwa Lillian Rhaney Parham Claudia Razzetto Lennox A. P. Smith Casseyann Sisilla Sookhai BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS MAJOR IN PSYCHOLOGY Hajir Al-Abbasi Ansley Elizabeth Allen Khaoula Flo Alloul Fabiola Berenice Alvarado Perez Marcos Antonio Andrade II Ayotorimide Kikioyin Ariyo Destiny Loraine Babb Deaiddra Nakeela Barnett Alyssa May Blair Janice Bradshaw Bolton Breanna Marie Boyd Tiffany Marie Britton Kimberly Reneé Burzon Rafaella Simonet Cárcamo Landa Christina Coffee F Kyla Amber Collins Franchesca Trinity Davis Jasmine Kery Diaz Angel Marilyn Do Mirela Dontu F Rachel Etienne Kyle Ray Farrand l Vivian Gaither l Madeline Margaret Gill

Mary Anna Greene Eman Ronette Hazel F Trinity Rose Hernandez Esgar Roberto Hernandez Lopez Laurie Anne Hicks s Breana Denise Hill Kabrea Janae Holiman Diana Laura Jarquin s Chazmin Nicole Jefferson NaShi Monique Johnson Sydney Taylor Jones l Blayne Mary Kliesrath Yetta Knight Hasnain Suleman Lakhani Rachel C. Lentz Erica Marie Lindsey Alyssa Nicole Mack Daniel Ross Martin F Daisy Noemi Mendez Abby Leigh Moore Jonique Ashley Toni-Ann Murray Ajahnay Nyesha Narcisse Ryan Austin Norsworthy I Kiera Raven Olin s Iafit Ortiz Munoz l Ibironke Olabisi Osinowo Joshua Tyler Payne Catherine Z. Perez Ramos Danielle Bridget Ponder Ashley Cherrelle Pullium Cristen Anne Ragan Samantha Alexis Sanchez Alicia M Savage Patricia Ann Stahmer Lauren Powell Standridge

Kelli Kendall Stone Elena Marie Tate s Latessa Louise Taylor Nahamah Carmen Tessier Alondra Torres Herrera Angela Rachelle Unger F Katie Vongkhamchanh Patricia Ann Watkins Jordan Elise White s Nicolleen Natalia Wilson BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MAJOR IN BIOLOGY Tamunodiepreye Emmanuel Ada-Wilson Tsion Tilahun Adula Muna Ahmad Mariam Jamal Ahmed Jennifer Aseye Akakpo F n Elsa Owusuaa Ampaw F Elsie Owusuaa Ampaw F Samiha Ashraf F n James Patton Bennett s Jenifer M. Berry Lamar Yaw Fosu Bonsu Abigail Ampofoa Budu F Ernesto Cruz Alexa Noelle D’Alonzo Miaya Synclaire DeVoe Leekasey G. Djedje Felix Dogbe Ramshah Mona Eliza s Marthlynn Enselm Florestal

List and academic standing at press time. F Cum laude l Magna cum laude s Summa cum laude n Honors Program v Awarded Posthumously

Divya Rachel George l Shannyn Noel Griffin Austin Russell Hallock Felicia Symone Hamilton Sydney Elaine Johnson Catherine Zoe Korom F Alina Kukharenko Clarissa Maribelle Landaverde l Stefani Lara F Tuong Vi Ngoc Le F Esperanza Delia Lopez Monica Macias Esparza s Faizal Firoz Mamani l Corey Alan Massey F Allegra Joanna Mbwetshangol Ebony Gabrielle Pauline McWaynson Sydni Anielle Morgan Shaily Guadalupe Nieves Adame Leslie Amaris Orduno F Emmaline Rose Priger Giselle Puebla Jordan Eric Pullins Nya’ S. Ross F Audry J Rubia Natasha Sahid Lauren Powell Standridge My Kim Thi Tang Jazmene Kitahna Kajlila Turner Courtney Michelle Williamson Paula A. Contreras Yamileth De Los Santos Aimee Joella Nsengiyumva Caridad Monét Robinson Winny Jane Tony

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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 BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MAJOR IN CHEMISTRY Mariatou Ceesay Sierra Voncile Chafin s Azfar M. Dhanani s n Tyler Joseph Donnelly Madeline Lee Faass F Kelly Tiana Hong l Vital Y Mbala Arec Phanthapanya Anthony James Ross II BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MAJOR IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Omer David Ahmed Williams Nzenwa Anosike April Riana Fowler Jonah Paul Genge F Morgan K. George Robert Zachary Kerr Walker Levi Rabun Brandon Michael Seay Miracle D. Stanford BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MAJOR IN EXERCISE SCIENCE Walid Abdulrahman Addish

(continued)

Rubyselia Aquino l Griselda Bailon Edith Maria Bartolon-Morales Lava Bashar Barwari Grace Caitlin Bullock Alexis Campbell Cinthya S. Cherian F Leslie Valeria Del Aguila Lindsey Michelle Evans Alexis Favors Courtney Talia Ford Jacquelinne Jeamillette Garcia Mendez Betelhem Girmay Justin Robert Huggins Allison Kiara Jackson Christopher Quintin Jones Ashley Nicole Landrum Yana Patricia Lee-Fong Griffin Keith Lewallen Stephanie Martinez n Hunter Elizabeth Masters Milagro D. Mejia Juwon William Merritt Adriana Danae Miller F Rachel Elizabeth Millhof Yamel Morales Munoz Emely Quintero Nevarez Cynthia Kasarachi Nwoke Adanna Chidinma Okoro Anmol Rajendra Patel F Sandy Phan F Norberto Quinones II Emina Ramic Williams Javier Reyes F

COMMEN CEM EN T • FA L L 2 02 1

Madison McKay Roark Gabrielle Robles Nathaly Ruiz Mandujano F Sabrina Nicole Sieber l Oriana Alejandra Sotillo Rojas Briana D. Taylor Rebecca Villarreal Jade Louisa Carvalho Wang s Niguel Anthony White Savannah Sidney Wilkins Angela Yeboah

n

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MAJOR IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Ezekiel Oluwatobiloba Akande Mobowofoluwa Adebusuyi Arise Faisal Qutaibah Badwan Nathaniel Zachary Bannis Oleg Bazylnikov s Dionte Marquiis Biddings I F Thomas Deane Bolick III F Maria Brichikov s Kesa Brown F Dmitri Patrick Brutus Xavier Desean Campbell Chankrishna Chan l Shawn Chappell, Sr. Eric Simon Choummanivong l Dustin Cofer Isaiah Deshaun Dowling Azem Fejzic Dennis Forkuoh F

Joseph Foster Everton Alliston Gardiner, Jr. Josue Fernando Guzman Hannah Tareke Hadgu F Parker Lewis Hayes Sean Maxwell Hetherington Briana Gabrielle Hickson Sedina Zemira Husanovic F Henry Van Huynh Agapitus Joshua Iboro Adhul Scaria Jacob Selma Jelovac Neenah Karima Johnson Tevine Kashoba Manena Taisann Kham s Beau Tsimzoo Khang F Kevin Hyung Kim F Tyree Mekhi King Aaron Daniel Knight Matthew Robert LaFayette Johnathan Lee Isaiah J. Leggs Quentin Alexander Lockey F Hau Luc Ken Luu Isaiah D. Mack Taylor Elizabeth Marsh F Austin Jacob Mathews Joshua Martin Miller Danial Minhaj Valentina Mosquera Reina F n Turner Nalley Kizito Chukwuebuka Ngene F Giau Minh Nguyen s Quang Minh Nguyen l

Proctor Swaid Owens IV Nhan Tran Quach Mohfez Ur Rahman F Christophe A. Ramel F Alexander Alfredo Rivera l Syrone Omare Robinson Anthony Rodriguez Oscar Ramon Romero, Jr. F Kyle Matthew Rutherford Mohamed Sackor F Roberto De Jesus Salas Montoya Keyvan Shabani l Michael Thomas Sleeman Peter Jacob Swift F Thomas Isaac Swift Ayesha Hisan Syeda l Mahir Trumic Le Quang Greatzel Unabia Fabio Alejandro Valenzuela F Andrew Thomas Waldrop Jabree Labrittany Nicole Walker Ronald Lee White F Kello Mitchell Williams Nan Zhou BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MAJOR IN MATHEMATICS Dana Bond l Michael Carsen Brown Ann Jordan Hathcock Henry Allen Patterson

List and academic standing at press time. F Cum laude l Magna cum laude s Summa cum laude n Honors Program v Awarded Posthumousl

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, Vice President for Enrollment Management Services Christine Miller Divine, Ph.D., Vice President for Information Technology Michelle Rosemond, Ph.D., Vice President for Student Engagement and Success Terrance Schneider, Associate Vice President for Operations and Chief of Police Katherine Kyle, Vice President for Human Resources and Chief of Staff Jennifer Hendrickson, Associate Vice President for Advancement Sloan Jones, Associate Vice President for Communications S. Rebekah Myers, J.D., General Counsel and Chief Legal Affairs Officer

Vice Chair Jann L. Joseph, Ph.D. President Jennifer Hendrickson Secretary Marsha Anderson Bomar Treasurer C. Norwood Davis

Trustees Thomas J. Andersen Jay Dennard Ronald H. Garrard Gregory W. Hayes Thomas P. Hughes Wayne H. Mason Bartow Morgan, Jr. José R. Pérez Sasha M. Ruiz Norberto Sanchez

Greg D. Shumate David E. Snell John D. Stephens Perry L. Taylor, Jr. Richard L. Tucker R. Lee Tucker, Jr. Glenn White

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.

Chair Sasha Ruiz, ’11

DEANS

Vice Chair Tom Willard, ’11

Justin Jernigan, Ph.D, Sr. Associate Vice President/Dean of Student Success Tomas Fidel Jimenez, MS, Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Barbara Mann, MLIS, Dean of Library Services Chavonda Mills, Ph.D., Dean, School of Science and Technology Bernard Oliver, Ed.D., Dean, School of Education Diane E. White, Ph.D., RN, Dean, School of Health Sciences Teresa Winterhalter, Ph.D., Dean, School of Liberal Arts Tyler Yu, Ph.D., Dean, School of Business

Secretary Andrew Stephenson, ’12

David Durden, ’18 Tyler Fasnacht, ’18 Ashley Flagg, ’17 Ashley Forrester, ’20 Cole Hembree, ’19 Tyler Henry, ’12 Daniel Hernandez, ’17 Ben Hines, ’12 Jonathan MacFarlane, ’16 Iram Mehal, ’14

Shalaya Morissette, ’12 Janaki “KiKi” Patel, ’19 Melissa Penate, ’15 Crystalynn Rodriguez, ’16 Michelle Samson, ’19 Zeneta Taylor, ’14 Jessica Via, ’19

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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 in 1984 and a master’s of philosophy in plant science in 1989. Her education career started in 1990 as a teacher of agricultural science in Trinidad and Tobago.

Dr. Jann L. Joseph President, Georgia Gwinnett College

In 1998, she 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 1

Judge Veronica Cope was elected to the Gwinnett County State Court bench in 2020. A native of Tarboro, North Carolina, she practiced law in the Atlanta area for over 19 years.

She is graduate of the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, earning dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in political science and African and Afro-American studies. She also graduated from the UNC School of Law and served as symposium editor for the North Carolina Law Review.

As an attorney, Cope often handled criminal and juvenile matters on a pro bono or reduced-fee basis to ensure that citizens had equal access to justice. As a general litigator, her diverse practice experience includes both civil and criminal matters in areas such as complex commercial litigation, insurance defense, auto warranty litigation defense and juvenile law.

Judge Veronica Cope State Court of Gwinnett County

Cope is a member of the Gwinnett County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and is actively involved in a number of community service initiatives. She is a charter member of the Gwinnett section of the National Council of Negro Women, which works to lead, advocate for, and empower women of African descent.

Cope is the immediate past president of the 800-member Georgia Association for Women Lawyers (GAWL), which works to enhance the welfare and development of women lawyers.

A past president of GAWL Gwinnett, she also served as president of the GAWL Foundation.

In that role, Cope worked with her board to award grants to nonprofit organizations assisting women and children in the legal system, provide meals and services to the Nicholas House, and award scholarships to young women interested in working in the public interest sector.

Cope is a graduate of Leadership Gwinnett, GLANCE Gwinnett, Leadership DeKalb, GAWL’s Leadership Academy, and the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia’s Leadership Academy.

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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 Alpha Lambda Delta – First Year Students Alpha Phi Sigma – Criminal Justice Beta Beta Beta – Biology Beta Gamma Sigma – Business Gamma Sigma Epsilon – Chemistry Golden Key – Interdisciplinary Kappa Delta Pi – Education Kappa Mu Epsilon – Mathematics Kappa Omicron Nu – Exercise Science

Green and silver Maroon and yellow Gold and blue Forest green and red Blue and gold Blue and white Blue and gold Purple and jade green Rose pink and silver Burgundy and gold

National Society of Leadership and Success – Interdisciplinary

Red and black

Omicron Delta Epsilon – Economics

Blue and gold

Phi Alpha Theta – History

Red and blue

Pi Sigma Alpha – Political Science Psi Chi – Psychology

Red, white and black Platinum and dark blue

Sigma Iota Rho – International Relations

Black, blue and red

Sigma Tau Delta – English

Cardinal and black

Upsilon Pi Epsilon – Computing and Information

Maroon and white

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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 2021

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 workshop series, athletic events, senior sendoff 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,

A L U M NI ASSOCIATION

GIVE BACK

family, friends and mentors for reaching this

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.

important milestone.

CONNECT

On behalf of the GGC Foundation and Alumni

You have joined a rapidly expanding network of more than 9,000 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.

and you are now alumni of Georgia Gwinnett College – congratulations! We applaud you and your proud

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:

Membership in the Alumni Association is free, but we encourage you to give back to the annual fund. 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, Sasha Ruiz,‘11 Chair, GGC Alumni Association Board

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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 1 G R A D U AT E S

PILLAR SPONSORS

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 1

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