Spring Commencement 2025 Program by University of Maryland Eastern Shore

FactaNonVerba

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) has been known by a series of names reflective of its location, evolving role and mission over a period spanning three centuries. It opened September 13, 1886 under the auspices of the Delaware Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Benjamin and Portia Bird welcomed nine students that first day to a converted farmhouse on 16 acres at what was envisioned to be a feeder school for Baltimore’s Centenary Biblical Institute, which in 1890 became Morgan College. Thirty-seven students were enrolled in the Delaware Conference Academy at the end of the first year.

African-Americans of that era could not enroll in the Maryland Agricultural College in College Park, which offered advanced instruction in farming techniques and related trades commonplace in the 19th century. So when Congress enacted the Second Morrill Act of 1890 committing funds to historically black colleges and universities, the state of Maryland formalized a partnership with Morgan to help pay for “land-grant” education for African-Americans studying in Princess Anne.

By the turn of the 20th century, the school was widely known as Princess Anne Academy, although in some circles it also was referred to informally as Morgan’s “Industrial Branch.” The unique public-private partnership between the state and Morgan inspired yet another change in nomenclature, at least according to state government archives: the Eastern Shore Branch of Maryland Agricultural College.

In the midst of the Great Depression, Maryland courts directed the state to admit qualified AfricanAmerican applicants to its publicly funded law school in Baltimore, a ruling historians believe hastened Princess Anne Academy’s transition to becoming a public institution.

Fifty years after it opened, the school formally passed from Maryland Episcopal Church control to state ownership with the first of four $25,000 installment payments – just as it was evolving into a baccalaureate degree-granting college. Maryland’s flagship campus in College Park was responsible for administrative oversight. In 1948, the Eastern Shore branch of the University of Maryland, alternately known as Princess Anne College, was renamed Maryland State College, a division of the University of Maryland.

Maryland State College became the University of Maryland Eastern Shore on July 1, 1970. By an act of Maryland’s legislature in 1988, UMES joined the 12-institution University System of Maryland, and today is a vibrant, “high-research activity” doctoral university on 1,138-acres preparing its graduates for the 21st century.

Heidi M. Anderson 2018

Mickey L. Burnim²

Juliette B. Bell

Mortimer H. Neufville

Thelma B. Thompson

JackieThomas 2

DoloresMargaretR.Spikes

WilliamPercyHytche,Sr.

2018 - 2018

2012 - 2018

2011 - 2012

2002 - 2011

2001 - 2002

1997 - 2001

1975 - 1997

ArchieLeeBuffkins....................................

HowardEmeryWright2

JohnTaylor Williams

RobertAlexander Grigsby

Frank J. Trigg, Jr.

PezaviaO’Connell

ThomasHenry Kiah......... 1

PortiaE.LovettBird

BenjaminOliverBird

¹succeeded her husband ²interim 2

1971 - 1975

1970 - 1971

1947 - 1970

1936 - 1947

1910 - 1936

1902 - 1910

1900 - 1902

1897 - 1899

1886 - 1897

Governor Wes Moore

Wes Moore is the 63rd Governor of the state of Maryland. He is Maryland’s first Black Governor in the state’s 246-year history, and is just the third African American elected Governor in the history of the United States.

Born in Takoma Park, Maryland, on October 15, 1978, to Joy and Westley Moore, Moore’s life took a tragic turn when his father died of a rare, but treatable virus when he was just three years old. After his father’s death, his family moved to the Bronx to live with Moore’s grandparents before returning to Maryland at age 14.

Moore is a proud graduate of Valley Forge Military Academy and College, where he received an Associate’s degree in 1998, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Afterward, he went on to earn his Bachelor’s in international relations and economics at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa.

While at Johns Hopkins, Moore interned in the office of former Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke. Moore was the first Black Rhodes Scholar in the history of Johns Hopkins University. As a Rhodes Scholar, he earned a Master’s in international relations from Wolfson College at Oxford.

In 2005, Moore deployed to Afghanistan as a lieutenant with the 82nd Airborne Division, leading soldiers in combat. Immediately upon returning home, Moore served as a White House Fellow, advising on issues of national security and international relations.

In 2010, Moore wrote “The Other Wes Moore,” a story about the fragile nature of opportunity in America, which became a perennial New York Times bestseller. He went on to write other best-selling books that reflect on issues of race, equity, and opportunity, including his latest book “Five Days,” which tells the story of Baltimore in the days that followed the death of Freddie Gray in 2015.

Moore built and launched a Baltimore-based business called BridgeEdU, which reinvented freshman year of college for underserved students to increase their likelihood of long-term success. BridgeEdu was acquired by the Brooklynbased student financial success platform, Edquity, in 2018.

It was Moore’s commitment to taking on our toughest challenges that brought him to the Robin Hood Foundation, where he served for four years as CEO. During his tenure, the Robin Hood Foundation distributed over $600 million toward lifting families out of poverty, including here in Maryland.

While the Robin Hood Foundation is headquartered in New York City, Wes and his family never moved from their home in Baltimore.

Moore has also worked in finance with Deutsche Bank in London and with Citigroup in New York.

Moore and his wife, First Lady Dawn Flythe Moore, have two children – Mia and James – and a dog, Tucker Balti.

The audience is requested to stand during the Processional for faculty and students. Distinguished undergraduates receiving recognition will be wearing braided cords as a part of the academic regalia.

Summa Cum Laude: Gold Braided Cord Magna Cum Laude: Silver Braided Cord Cum Laude: White Braided Cord

PRELUDE

UNIVERSITY MARSHALS

Robert C. Mock, Jr., Ed.D., Chief Marshal

Rondall Allen, Pharm.D., Grand Marshal

Joseph Bree, MLIS, Faculty Marshal

D. Jamar Simmons, Ph.D., CSAEd, CSAEd-SC, Student Marshal

Reginald Garcon, Ed.D., Flags of Nations Marshal

PROCESSIONAL

THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

Triumphal March from Aida Giuseppe Verdi

The Star Spangled Banner

Francis Scott Key

LiftEv’ryVoiceand Sing

James Weldon Johnson

John Rosamond Johnson

INVOCATION

OPENING PROCLAMATION AND REMARKS

GREETINGS

STUDENT COMMENTARY

UMES Gospel Choir

Preston Gross II

UMES Choir Director

The Reverend Jamar K. Jackson, Pastor Metropolitan United Methodist Church

Dr. Heidi M. Anderson, President University of Maryland Eastern Shore

William T. “Bill” Wood, Assistant Treasurer Board of Regents, University Systemof Maryland

Latina L. Wilson

University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Board of Visitors

Kristian D. Francis

UniversityofMarylandEasternShore,2025 Degree Candidate

MUSICAL SELECTION

INTRODUCTION OF COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER

CONFERRING OF DEGREES COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS

The Vision

Patrick Love

The A.L Jinwright

Mass Choir

UMES Gospel Choir

Preston Gross II UMES Choir Director

Oluwanifemi Mercy Faniyi

56thMissUMES,2025 Degree Candidate

The Honorable Wes Moore Governor of Maryland

Dr. Heidi M. Anderson, President

Dr. Rondall E. Allen,

Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs

SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES

LaKeisha L. Harris, Ph.D., Dean

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

Carissa L. Jackson, Princess Anne, MD Annette Leinoda Kenney, Marion, MD

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Jamelle Erica Banks, Gaithersburg, MD

DOCTOR OF EDUCATION IN EDUCATION LEADERSHIP

Atoya Mesha Coker, Suitland, MD

Ashleigh Rutledge-Council, Burtonsville, MD

Erin Rutledge-Council, Laurel, MD

Tamara Joyner Roberts, Laurel, MD

MASTER OF EDUCATION IN CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION

Michael John Capozzoli, Pylesville, MD

Shavonte' Nicole Lewis, Cambridge, MD

Ralph Austin Rogers, Baltimore, MD

Won Song, Montgomery Village, MD

MASTER OF EDUCATION IN COUNSELOR EDUCATION

Mahnoor Khan, Salisbury, MD

MASTER OF EDUCATION IN SPECIAL EDUCATION

Riley Thomas Horner, Dames Quarter, MD

Brittany Lynn Jackson-Hutt, Salisbury, MD

Afua Agyei Mensah, Ocean City, MD

Cheryl Lynn Prosper, Eden, MD

MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING

Sunday Zeal Bala, Narayi, Nigeria

Kelli Nicole Green, Temple Hills, MD

Jordan Rose Riddleberger, Stockton, MD

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED COMPUTER SCIENCE

Qicheng Liu, Salisbury, MD

Aboelgassim Khalid Mohamed, Fruitland, MD

Daniel E. Rice, Salisbury, MD

Shaza Ugool, Princess Anne, MD

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CHEMISTRY

Tnaisha K. McLean Addison, Princess Anne, MD

Richard M. Cordor, Gaithersburg, MD

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CYBERSECURITY ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

Armani Aliyah Dunkley, Effort, PA

India M. Jameson, Fort Washington, MD

Antonio Chester Johnson, Towson, MD

Ulysses Antonio Luciano, Bronx, NY

Derrick Mayes, Cincinnati, OH

Imani Ailise Payne, Cambridge, MD

Mya N. Thomas, Chesapeake, VA

Joshua Philip Wilder, Ocean Pines, MD

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN FOOD & AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

Dev P. Gurung, Princess Anne, MD

Dipendra Gurung, Kathmandu, Nepal

Ryan J. Howe, Dagsboro, DE

Ian Malale Kalama, Princess Anne, MD

Sahil Ojha, Princess Anne, MD

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MARINE ESTUARINE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Seyedeh Fardis Pourreza Ahmadi, Salisbury, MD

Gillen Curren, Wilmington, DE

Angel M. Reyes Delgado, Trujillo Alto, PR

Katrina V. Kelly, Princess Anne, MD

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN REHABILITATION COUNSELING

Tyrrell Brewington, Salisbury, MD

Jonathan M. Drone, Elkton, MD

Andre Hampton, Cambridge, MD

Genesis Iman Levy, Bowie, MD

Stephanie Pinchback, Princess Anne, MD

MASTER OF MEDICAL SCIENCE IN PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES

Nana Nyamenjo Nsom Kweh, Gainesville, FL

SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND HEALTH PROFESSIONS

T. Sean Vasaitis, Ph.D., Dean

DOCTOR OF PHARMACY

Queeniva Angum Acha, New Carrollton, MD

Dana Jones Adams, Ellicott City, MD

Deborah Agyapong, Takoma Park, MD

Oluwatoniloba Esther Alabi, Hyattsville, MD

Justin Taylor Anbiah, Silver Spring, MD

Chloe Ashby, Crisfield, MD

Zanib Fazal Azaz, Salisbury, MD

Bria Janee' Patrice Bagley, Bowie, MD

Clayton Alan Baker, Berlin, MD

Vanessa Jade Calling, Oakland, MD

Jaimini Desai, Mahwah, NJ

Torell Grant, District Heights, MD

Juliet Imoit, Silver Spring, MD

Taylor Lynn Jones, Woolford, MD

Kenneh Sese Koker, Mitchellville, MD

Mark Stephan Mallonee, Westminster, MD

Steven Mbagwu, Princess Anne, MD

Jeremy Moore, Salisbury, MD

Clodiale Mbounguen Nanda, Silver Spring, MD

Nicole A. Paradis, Elkton, MD

Grace Marie Penzenstadler, La Plata, MD

Melanie Annette Raum, Salisbury, MD

Ayisha Sohail, Federalsburg, MD

Sabrina I. Stokes, Hebron, MD

Maeva Stephanie Singuep Wandji, Lanham, MD

Destiny Walker, Newark, DE

Amar Yasir Yousif, Princess Anne, MD

* Cum Laude

** Magna Cum Laude

*** Summa Cum Laude

# Richard A. Henson Honors Program

! Dual Degree

In order to distinguish graduates receiving recognition, the University authorizes the wearing of braided ropes as a part of the academic regalia at Commencement.

Cum Laude..........................................White braided rope

Magna Cum Laude...........................Silver braided rope

Summa Cum Laude............................Gold braided rope

SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURAL AND NATURAL SCIENCES

Moses Kairo, Ph.D., Dean

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT

**Kpardeh Daddyboy Boayue, Germantown, MD

**Mouhamadou Lamine Diack, Princess Anne, MD

Van E. Spencer, Marion Station, MD

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOCHEMISTRY

**Kamaya De'Asia Collins, Baltimore, MD

***#Ryan R. More, Salisbury, MD

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY

Fayanne Abankwah, Elkridge, MD

***#Hope-Abigail Mamguem Mbanga, Prince Frederick, MD

***Jadia Adam, Princess Anne, MD

**Kayla C. Adams, Baltimore, MD

***Manhal K. Amer, Princess Anne, MD

Doaa F. Barri, Princess Anne, MD

*Alexa Marie Beauford, Pasadena, MD

**#Niya K. Booker, Parkville, MD

Aryonna T. Braxton, Waldorf, MD

Vanessa Debrosse, Milford, DE

Ehimwenma Pearl Ehana, Brunswick, MD

***Chikeluba Izugha, Owings Mills, MD

*Isaiah Cantrell Jackson, Centreville, VA

***#Samara D. Kellam, Accokeek, MD

Angel Marie Mansfield, Harrisburg, PA

***#Nola Reece Mountain, Surrey, BC

***#Theresa Akunna Ogbonna, Salisbury, MD

Brianna Cheryl Pulliam, Orange, NJ

**Kyrisa Ann Russell, Riverdale Pk, MD

***#Oluwatomisin E. Salami, Ellicott City, MD

Stephanie M. Solloso, Bethesda, MD

Matthew H.T. Stanciel, Edgewater, MD

***Lesley D. Thomas, Browns Summit, NC

Carter Thorn, Cockeysville, MD

Kalin Toogood, District Hts, MD

Kayla Monae Waters, Baltimore, MD

**Audrey Angoran Yapi, Laurel, MD

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Mikaela Blackwood, Germantown, MD

*Amari Dupree, Randallstown, MD

***#Cheyenne Elise Murdaugh, Gainesville, VA

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN GENERAL AGRICULTURE

Aja' Tanika Ashton, Clinton, MD

Jaden Tyrese Batson, Federalsburg, MD

**Sophia Rosa Goins, Prince Frederick, MD

Solomon Christopher Hutchins, Hagerstown, MD

**Jonathan Taylor Franklin, Ocean Pines, MD

Ciera Alise Gardner, Parkville, MD

*#Cameron Duane Geddie, Chestnut Hill Cove, MD

***Colin Christopher Glushakow, Hebron, MD

Roszina Jones, Princess Anne, MD

Mark K. Smith, Randallstown, MD

Aliza Dayle Weaver, Salisbury, MD

Knowledge Q. Wells, Columbia, MD

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HUMAN ECOLOGY

***Mckenzie Kaimana Abiley, Sherwood, OR

Jayla Beidleman, Upper Marlboro, MD

Tyler K. Collins, Bordentown, NJ

Howdeja Treshaunda Dickenson, Bowie, MD

Mackenzi D. Evans, Germantown, MD

**Oluwanifemi Mercy Faniyi, Bowie, MD

**#Khamara Annette Logan, Upper Marlboro, MD

Jasmine Lyles, Hebron, MD

**#Jaidyn S. McCullough, Bowie, MD

***#Denesha Palmer, Lanham, MD

***#Tracy Esinam Essi Ewli-Kwakutse, Gaithersburg, MD

Jada Sinclair, Cheltenham, MD

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY

Derrek Dunn, Ph.D., Dean

BACHELOR

OF SCIENCE IN ACCOUNTING

**Joseph Oluwaseyitan Eludoyin, Columbia, MD

Kristian D. Francis, Frederick, MD

Anfernee J. Layne, Greenbelt, MD

Charity Eniola Olabanji, Riverdale, MD

Steve M. Somian, District Heights, MD

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN AVIATION SCIENCE

**Emmanuel A. Burns, Dagsboro, DE

***Khalid Mohamed Elhag, Princess Anne, MD

**Jacob C. Fogan, Columbia, MD

*Elijah Daniel Gregg, Salisbury, MD

Julian Thomas, Springdale, MD

***Elizabeth Iris Thornwall, Boonsboro, MD

Lauren Margaret Tuley, Pasadena, MD

*Britney Elizabeth Wilkin, Salisbury, MD

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Rachel A. Yeboah-Afihene, Bowie, MD

Nyjaye D'Shawn Boyd, Baltimore, MD

*#KaCeia Ashay Bradford, Westminster, MD

Amya Braxton, White Plains, MD

*Tyla Alysse Chase, Towson, MD

Sergio Chofong, Upper Marlboro, MD

Kevin Eudell, Glen Burnie, MD

***Aleah James, Chesterfield, NJ

*Simranpreet Kaur, Dover, DE

Kia L. Poe, Blue Bell, PA

Nerlande Renonce, Salisbury, MD

Ryan Xavier Somerville, Glen Burnie, MD

Kyle Wingate Whitaker, Woodstock, MD

*Sanaa Williams, Salisbury, MD

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE

**William Dimgba, Bowie, MD

Amir Ali Gawish, Burtonsville, MD

Kaleigha Jacole Hayes, Chesapeake Beach, MD

***#Bede I. Nnebedum, Upper Marlboro, MD

*Micheal Olushola Olubode, Landover, MD

***#Isabelle N. Puwo, Silver Spring, MD

**Samrana Sheikh, Parksley, VA

Parker Richard Watts, Odenton, MD

Heath Ramon Wright, Fort Washington, MD

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY

*David Wayne Bridegum, Beltsville, MD

*Siddhant Chakravarthi, Gaithersburg, MD

Agustin Cortes, Rockville, MD

Oscar Allende Farfan, Bowie, MD

Louis Brown Jackson, Princess Anne, MD

Isaiah K. Martin, Columbia, MD

***Christopher Daniel Padilla, Olney, MD

Hamza Ranjha, Salisbury, MD

Carlos Javier Gomez Rivera, Burtonsville, MD

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING

Temitayo Adeniyi Adekoya, Bowie, MD

Ronney E. Copes, Georgetown, TX

*Niderah Goldsborough, Middletown, DE

*#Clerkson Ngolle, Hagerstown, MD

Parker David Wilson, Marion Station, MD

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

***Isaac Benjamin Cullen, Laurel, DE

Khalid Mohamed, Eden, MD

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN FINANCE

***#JalenGerardGourrier, Cockeysville, MD

***#ZacharyB.Solembrino, Hebron, MD

*Elijah Terrell Ross, Upper Marlboro, MD

***Benjamin Scully Wampler, Salisbury, MD

Dante Amahad Williams, Salisbury, MD

**Nana Kwame Ofori Yeboah, Rockaway, NJ

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM MANAGEMENT

Destiny Renee Acevedo, Easton, MD

***Stephanie Beatriz Hernandez, Silver Spring, MD

**Troy Michael Bolling, Upper Marlboro, MD

**#Syniah Rebecca Fitch, Brandywine, MD

***Ly Bao Tran Phan, Laurel, MD

*Justin R. Ring, Germantown, MD

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MARKETING

**Soleil Naomi Cotton, Princess Anne, MD

Allvanson Gaspard, Federalsburg, MD

Darian Brown, Bowie, MD

Derrick Ukhuegbe, Bowie, MD

BACHELOR OF GENERAL STUDIES

**Khalil Nasir Young, Rockville, MD

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION, SOCIAL SCIENCES, AND THE ARTS

Christopher J. Harrington, MFA, Acting Dean

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN APPLIED DESIGN

*Mekhi R. Armstrong, Fort Washington, MD

***Jordan Nicole Garey-Brown, Suitland, MD

*Torrence Lucien Coffin, Parsonsburg, MD

**Kayla Griffin, Reisterstown, MD

*Shadarra Damiya Hamlett, Baltimore, MD

Elise Monyea Johnson, Salisbury, MD

***Kysean L. Johnson, Baltimore, MD

Samuel Etse Kumordzie, Randallstown, MD

Kenyon I. Owens, Clinton, MD

Mekhi E. Reed, Middletown, DE

**Ava Jill Schultz, Salisbury, MD

*Harrel Tomlin, Baltimore, MD

Lawrence Mccoy Wheeler, Baltimore, MD

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Dominque Campbell, Philadelphia, PA

**Kimoria Tiania Chance, Brooklyn, NY

**Ryan Alexander Davis, Bryans Road, MD

Brooke Leslie Driver, Woodbridge, VA

*Kyle Julius Matheny, Perry Hall, MD

Steven Matthews, Jr., Upper Marlboro, MD

Leandra Allen-Miller, New Haven, CT

Nionna Janae Miller, Camden, NJ

*#Jestin Isaiah Purvey, Windsor Mill, MD

Chelsea April Sanders, Rochester, NY

Christian Isaiah Simmons, Joppatowne, MD

Lydia Teclar, Silver Spring, MD

Renaldo A. Tull, Hallwood, VA

Jaden Shamar West, Maryland City, MD

Sarah Wiltshire, Newark, NJ

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN DIGITAL MEDIA STUDIES

**Keera Diane Booker, Essex, MD

Jaylin Jamal Johnson, Joppatowne, MD

Aajaylah D. Lemons, Fort Washington, MD

Kennis Charles Welch, Dundalk, MD

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ENGLISH

Bethany Marie Fosque, New Church, VA

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN HISTORY

Quinton Tyler Smith, Newark, NJ

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN SOCIOLOGY

***Malachi Aiken, Brooklyn, NY

*Desiree D. Gary, Princess Anne, MD

***Brandon Jovanny Gomez, Bronx, NY

Raven Hammond, Federalsburg, MD

**Julian Robert Jimenez, Romeoville, IL

Tiffany Mills, Fruitland, MD

Sydnee Tannea Plater, Gwynn Oak, MD

Brittney Slayton, Salisbury, MD

Taylor Shawnae Towns, Pocomoke City, MD

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL WORK

!Kenesha L. Deshields, Salisbury, MD

*!Denaya Shavonne Freeman, Baltimore, MD

***!Kaleigh Joy Sarah Powell, Brooklyn, MD

***!Cristi Chere Richardson, Salisbury, MD

!Mirella Mendoza-Garcia, Marion Station, MD

**!Alima Hazel Johnson, Bowie, MD

!Maayan Kenny, Catonsville, MD

!Rokiah Elizabeth Sutton, Clinton, MD

*!Sean Justyn Thompson, Pikesville, MD

!Destiny A. Whitt, Nottingham, MD

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION

***Melanie Ruth Elder, Hebron, MD

***Hema Bhargavi Korada, Salisbury, MD

Devenne J. Poole, Hebron, MD

***Brianna Lauren Romersa, Berlin, MD

BACHELOR OF GENERAL STUDIES

***Bryan Randell Hall, West Hartford, CT

James Joseph Ihasz, III, Sykesville, MD

Danny Sadler, Jr., Salisbury, MD

SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND HEALTH PROFESSIONS

T. Sean Vasaitis, Ph.D., Dean

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN EXERCISE SCIENCE

Tirzah Bailey, Middletown, DE

Ryon Austin Banks, Bowie, MD

Alexa Danielle Barnett, Hyattsville, MD

Raynard Isaiah Flowers, Waldorf, MD

Ethan L. Hall, Waldorf, MD

*Taylor Honesty, Indian Head, MD

Minaya Humphries, Baltimore, MD

Emmanuel Joseph, Perry Hall, MD

**Madison Hope Litton, Federalsburg, MD

Tyler Jackson Prather, Frederick, MD

Semaj Roberts, Newark, NJ

*Makayla Sierra Scott, Burlington, NJ

Jordan Valentine, Greenbelt, MD

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN REHABILITATION PSYCHOLOGY

Aniya Z. Broussard, Preston, MD

***Kayla J. Brown, Waldorf, MD

Jayla M. Carr, Chester, VA

Josefina Susana Maqueda-Crosby, MontgomeryVillage,MD

*Shaliyah T. Cooper-Bey, Baltimore, MD

*Amanda Michelle Exantus, Columbia, MD

Tayah Michelle Young, Brooklyn Park, MD

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN REHABILITATION SERVICES

**Melody Akindele, Elkridge, MD

*Tghat Asmelash, Burtonsville, MD

Donabed Cyprien, Silver Spring, MD

**Sajheda Handy, Salisbury, MD

Charnae Laters Staats, Bear, DE

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN SPORTS MANAGEMENT

**Abigail Mya Dyett, Princess Anne, MD

***Ralph Richards, Crisfield, MD

BACHELOR OF GENERAL STUDIES

Isil Naz Yilmaz, Ankara,Turkey

Jadia Adam

Malachi Aiken

Manhal Amer

Kayla Brown

Isaac Cullen

Melanie Elder

Khalid Elhag

Tracy Ewli-Kwakutse

Jordan Garey-Brown

Colin Glushakow

Brandon Gomez

Jalen Gourrier

Bryan Hall

SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Cumulative grade-point average of 3.75 to 4.00

Stephanie Hernandez

Chikeluba Izugha

Aleah James

Kysean Johnson

Samara Kellam

Hema Korada

Hope-Abigail Mbanga

Ryan More

Nola Mountain

Cheyenne Murdaugh

Bede Nnebedum

Theresa Ogbonna

Christopher Padilla

Denesha Palmer

Ly Bao Tran Phan

Kaleigh Powell

Isabelle Puwo

Ralph Richards

Cristi Richardson

Brianna Romersa

Oluwatomisin Salami

Zachary Solembrino

Lesley Thomas

Elizabeth Thornwall

Benjamin Wampler

Kayla Adams

Melody Akindele

Kpardeh Boayue

Troy Bolling

Keera Booker

Niya Booker

Emmanuel Burns

Kimoria Chance

Kamaya Collins

Soleil Cotton

Ryan Davis

MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Cumulative grade-point average of 3.50 to 3.74

Mouhamadou Diack

William Dimgba

Abigail Dyett

Joseph Eludoyin

Oluwanifemi Faniyi

Synyah Fitch

Jacob Fogan

Jonathan Franklin

Sophia Goins

Kayla Griffin

Sajheda Handy

Julian Jimenez

Alima Johnson

Madison Litton

Khamara Logan

Jaidyn McCullough

Nanakwame Oforiyeboah

Kyrisa Russell

Ava Schultz

Samrana Sheikh

Audrey Yapi

Khalil Young

CUM LAUDE

Cumulative grade-point average of 3.30 to 3.49

Mekhi Armstrong

Tghat Asmelash

Alexa Beauford

Kaceia Bradford

David Bridegum

Siddhant Chakravarthi

Tyla Chase

Torrence Coffin

Shaliyah Cooper-Bey

Amari Dupree

Amanda Exantus

Denaya Freeman

Desiree Gary

Cameron Geddie

Niderah Goldsborough

Elijah Gregg

Taylor Honesty

Isaiah Jackson

Simranpreet Kaur

Kyle Matheny

Clerkson Ngolle

Micheal Olubode

Jestin Purvey

Justin Ring

Elijah Ross

Makayla Scott

Sean Thompson

Harrel Tomlin

Britney Wilkin

Sanaa Williams

* Cum Laude

** Magna Cum Laude

*** Summa Cum Laude

# Richard A. Henson Honors Program

! Dual Degree

In order to distinguish graduates receiving recognition, the University authorizes the wearing of braided ropes as a part of the academic regalia at Commencement.

Cum Laude..........................................White braided rope

Magna Cum Laude...........................Silver braided rope

Summa Cum Laude............................Gold braided rope

RICHARD A. HENSON HONORS PROGRAM

Degree Candidates Enrolled in the Richard A. Henson Honors Program

Niya Booker

KaCeia Bradford

Tracy Ewli-Kwakutse

Syniah Fitch

Cameron Geddie

Jalen Gourrier

Samara Kellam

Khamara Logan

Hope-Abigail Mbanga

Jaidyn McCullough

Ryan More

Nola Mountain

Cheyenne Murdaugh

Clerkson Ngolle

Bede Nnebedum

Theresa Ogbonna

Denesha Palmer

Jestin Purvey

Isabelle Puwo

Oluwatomisin Salami

Zachary Solembrino

THE ALUMNI OATH

THE ALMA MATER

By Daniel Lyman Ridout

ITo thee, dear Alma Mater

We raise our grateful song, And through Thy noble teachings, Thou hast made thy children strong. And thousands still shall praise thee. All earth shall hear their swell, and Bind our hearts yet closer To thee we love so well.

(Refrain)

BENEDICTION

RECESSIONAL

Ms. Teonna Wallop, 00, President University of Maryland Eastern Shore National Alumni Association

UMES Gospel Choir

IIWe love thy spacious campus, We love thy tow’ring walls, And noble are thy teachings we've learn’d within thy halls. Stand thou forever glorious. Full-rob’d in living green, shine Thou in endless splendor Beneath thy trees serene.

Maryland, Maryland, home of the Maroon and Gray, Maryland, Maryland, thee we will love always, All hail to thee fair Maryland, all glory be to thee! Grow thou in strength and honor through all eternity!

The Reverend Jamar K. Jackson, Pastor Metropolitan United Methodist Church

Pomp and Circumstance

Sir Edward Elgar

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THE ACADEMIC DEGREES

A degree is awarded for the successful completion of a course of study. There are more than 1,600 different academic degrees currently conferred by American colleges and universities.

The first known degree was a doctorate conferred by the University of Bologna in the middle of the 12th century. Originally, the doctor’s and master’s degrees were used interchangeably, each indicating that the holder was qualified to give instruction to students. The bachelor’s or baccalaureate degree indicated only entrance upon a course of study preparatory to the doctorate or mastership. Gradually, however, the bachelor’s degree came to mean successful completion of one level of study preparatory to the higher degrees.

The degree, Bachelor of Science, was awarded to four graduating members of the class of 1851 of Harvard University, probably the first to receive this degree from any institution. From 1851 to 1905, the degree was conferred only upon students in the Lawrence Scientific School; after 1905, on students of Harvard also.

The master’s degree, as it has evolved in American universities, is an advanced degree representing at least one year of course work beyond the baccalaureate degree. The degree is sometimes granted after a two-year professional program as is common in business administration or a three-year program in the case of fine arts. It may also have additional requirements such as a major thesis and general examination.

THE ACADEMIC COSTUME

The black caps and gowns worn by the students and faculty in the academic procession are of ancient origin. They have been the traditional costume of the scholar since medieval times and probably represent an adaptation of the ecclesiastical dress since many of the scholars of the period were members of the monastic orders.

An intercollegiate commission, in 1893, drafted a uniform code for costumes which has since been adopted by the majority of colleges and universities in the United States. Each of the three academic degrees – bachelor, master, and doctor – has its own distinctive gown and hood. The bachelor’s gown is distinguished by its long point sleeve. The master’s gown has a long, narrow, closed sleeve, extending below the knee; the arm is passed through a slit at the elbow. In contrast, the doctor’s gown has a full, bell-shaped sleeve with three bars of velvet. The opening of this gown is faced with wide velvet bands. The velvet trim may be black or of a color indicating the general field of learning of the wearer; for example, blue for philosophy, green for medicine, or purple for law.

The most colorful and distinctive item of the academic costume is the hood which passes around the neck and extends down the back. The doctor’s is the largest of the hoods and the bachelor’s the smallest. The bachelor’s hood is often omitted. The color of the velvet edging indicates the field of learning.

UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF MARYLAND

Dr. Jay A. Perman, Chancellor

UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF MARYLAND BOARD REGENTS

Linda R. Gooden, Chair

Geoff J. Gonella, Vice Chair

William T. Wood, Treasurer

Ellen R. Fish, Assistant Treasurer

Louis M. Pope, Secretary

Hugh J. Breslin, Assistant Secretary

Kevin Atticks, ex officio

Harry Coker, Jr., ex officio

Yvette Lewis

Michelle A. Gourdine

Yehuda Neuberger

Steven Sibel

Anwer Hasan

Isiah 'Ike' Leggett

Robert K. Hur

Andy Smarick

Charles T. McMillen

Dhruvak Mirani, Student Regent

Josiah Parker, Student Regent

UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE ADMINISTRATION

Heidi M. Anderson, Ph.D., FAPhA, President

Robert Mock, Ed.D., Chief of Staff and Vice President for Strategic Initiatives

Rondall Allen, Pharm.D., Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Moses Thairu Kairo, Ph.D. DIC, Interim Vice President for Research

Matthew Taylor, J.D., General Counsel

Wade Henley, M.B.A., Vice President for Administration and Finance

Latoya Jenkins, M.B.A., Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Experience

David Balcom, M.A., Vice President for University Relations

Robert Vickers, M.A., Vice President for Strategic Communications and Marketing

Tara Owens, M.Ed., Vice President of Athletics and Recreation

UNIVERSITY MARSHALS

Robert C. Mock, Jr., Ed.D., Chief Marshal

Rondall Allen, Pharm.D., Grand Marshal

Joseph Bree, MLIS, Faculty Marshal

D.Jamar Simmons, Ph.D., CSAEd, CSAEd-SC, Student Marshal

Reginald Garcon, Ed.D., Flags of Nations Marshal

READERS FOR PRESENTATION OF DEGREE CANDIDATES

Dr. Donna M. Long, Director and Associate Professor Child and Family Development Center

Dr. Michael E. Lane, Director

Richard A. Henson Honors Program

SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS

Sequoia Taylor-El Taylor-El Interpreting

STEERING COMMITTEE SPRING COMMENCEMENT

Mrs. Latoya Jenkins, Chair

Dr. Rondall Allen

Mr. Jason S. Barthman

Dr. Joyce A. Bell

Ms. Justice A. Brown

Dr. Tiara T. Cornelius

Mrs. Crystal M. Drayton

Dr. Reginald Garcon

Mrs. Julia Guerrero De La Cruz

Ms. Charmagne Helton

Mr. Earl D. Holland

Mrs. Jicola R. Joynes-Sturgis

Dr. Michael E. Lane

Dr. Donna M. Long

Mr. Rob A. Lopez

Mrs. Monique A. Potter

Ms. Jenni L. Price

Dr. D. Jamar Simmons

Mr. Donald J. Sydnor

Mr. Jeremy W. Townsend

Ms. Yolanda C. Tull

Dr. Kadeem C. Turnbull

Mr. Mark A. Tyler

Mr. Robert J. Vickers

Ms. Jena Williams

Ms. Olga M. Zavala

Spring Commencement 2025 Program

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE

138 SpringCommencement

FactaNonVerba

Heidi M. Anderson 2018

Governor Wes Moore

PRELUDE

UNIVERSITY MARSHALS

PROCESSIONAL

THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

INVOCATION

GREETINGS

STUDENT COMMENTARY

SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND HEALTH PROFESSIONS

DOCTOR OF PHARMACY

SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURAL AND NATURAL SCIENCES

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN GENERAL AGRICULTURE

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HUMAN ECOLOGY

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY

BACHELOR

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION, SOCIAL SCIENCES, AND THE ARTS

SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND HEALTH PROFESSIONS

SUMMA CUM LAUDE

MAGNA CUM LAUDE

CUM LAUDE

RICHARD A. HENSON HONORS PROGRAM

THE ALUMNI OATH

THE ALMA MATER

THE ACADEMIC DEGREES

THE ACADEMIC COSTUME

READERS FOR PRESENTATION OF DEGREE CANDIDATES

SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS

STEERING COMMITTEE SPRING COMMENCEMENT

CommencementInformation

FLAG PARADE

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE FLAGS OF NATIONS FORMATION