Spring Commencement 2025 Program

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE

138 th Spring Commencement Friday, the Sixteenth of May Two Thousand Twenty Five Ten o’clock in the morning William P. Hytche Athletic Center University of Maryland Eastern Shore Princess Anne, Maryland

Together in Excellence We Will Affirm Our Mission

Facta Non Verba

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.

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Heidi M. Anderson 2018 Mickey L. Burnim² .................................. 2018 - 2018 Juliette B. Bell ............................................ 2012 - 2018 2 Mortimer H. Neufville .............................. 2011 - 2012 Thelma B. Thompson ................................. 2002 - 2011 Jackie Thomas 2 ........................................... 2001 - 2002 Dolores Margaret R. Spikes ........................ 1997 - 2001 William Percy Hytche, Sr. .......................... 1975 - 1997 Archie Lee Buffkins .................................... 1971 - 1975 Howard Emery Wright 2 .............................. 1970 - 1971 John Taylor Williams .................................. 1947 - 1970 Robert Alexander Grigsby .......................... 1936 - 1947 Thomas Henry Kiah......... ............................... 1910 - 1936 Frank J. Trigg, Jr. ....................................... 1902 - 1910 Pezavia O’Connell ...................................... 1900 - 1902 Portia E. Lovett Bird 1.................................. 1897 - 1899 Benjamin Oliver Bird ................................. 1886 - 1897 ¹succeeded her husband ²interim

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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.​

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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

Triumphal March from Aida

THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

The Star Spangled Banner

Giuseppe Verdi

Francis Scott Key

UMES Gospel Choir Preston Gross II

UMES Choir Director

Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing James Weldon Johnson John Rosamond Johnson

INVOCATION

The Reverend Jamar K. Jackson, Pastor

Metropolitan United Methodist Church

OPENING PROCLAMATION AND REMARKS

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

William T. “Bill” Wood, Assistant Treasurer

GREETINGS

Board of Regents, University System of Maryland

Latina L. Wilson

University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Board of Visitors

STUDENT COMMENTARY

Kristian D. Francis

University of Maryland Eastern Shore, 2025 Degree Candidate

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MUSICAL SELECTION

The Vision

Patrick Love The A.L Jinwright Mass Choir

UMES Gospel Choir Preston Gross II

UMES Choir Director

INTRODUCTION OF COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER

56th Miss UMES, 2025 Degree Candidate

COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS

The Honorable Wes Moore

CONFERRING OF DEGREES

Dr. Heidi M. Anderson, President

Oluwanifemi Mercy Faniyi

Governor of Maryland

Dr. Rondall E. Allen, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs

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SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES LaKeisha L. Harris, Ph.D., Dean

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE Annette Leinoda Kenney, Marion, MD

Carissa L. Jackson, Princess Anne, MD

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP Jamelle Erica Banks, Gaithersburg, MD

DOCTOR OF EDUCATION IN EDUCATION LEADERSHIP Atoya Mesha Coker, Suitland, MD

Erin Rutledge-Council, Laurel, MD

Ashleigh Rutledge-Council, Burtonsville, MD

Tamara Joyner Roberts, Laurel, MD

MASTER OF EDUCATION IN CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION Michael John Capozzoli, Pylesville, MD

Ralph Austin Rogers, Baltimore, MD

Shavonte' Nicole Lewis, Cambridge, 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

Afua Agyei Mensah, Ocean City, MD

Brittany Lynn Jackson-Hutt, Salisbury, MD

Cheryl Lynn Prosper, Eden, MD

MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING Jordan Rose Riddleberger, Stockton, MD

Sunday Zeal Bala, Narayi, Nigeria Kelli Nicole Green, Temple Hills, MD

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MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED COMPUTER SCIENCE Qicheng Liu, Salisbury, MD

Daniel E. Rice, Salisbury, MD

Aboelgassim Khalid Mohamed, Fruitland, 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

Derrick Mayes, Cincinnati, OH

India M. Jameson, Fort Washington, MD

Imani Ailise Payne, Cambridge, MD

Antonio Chester Johnson, Towson, MD

Mya N. Thomas, Chesapeake, VA

Ulysses Antonio Luciano, Bronx, NY

Joshua Philip Wilder, Ocean Pines, MD

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN FOOD & AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE Dev P. Gurung, Princess Anne, MD

Ian Malale Kalama, Princess Anne, MD

Dipendra Gurung, Kathmandu, Nepal

Sahil Ojha, Princess Anne, MD

Ryan J. Howe, Dagsboro, DE

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MARINE ESTUARINE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Seyedeh Fardis Pourreza Ahmadi, Salisbury, MD Angel M. Reyes Delgado, Trujillo Alto, PR Katrina V. Kelly, Princess Anne, MD Gillen Curren, Wilmington, DE

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN REHABILITATION COUNSELING Genesis Iman Levy, Bowie, MD

Tyrrell Brewington, Salisbury, MD

Stephanie Pinchback, Princess Anne, MD

Jonathan M. Drone, Elkton, MD Andre Hampton, Cambridge, MD

MASTER OF MEDICAL SCIENCE IN PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES Nana Nyamenjo Nsom Kweh, Gainesville, FL 10

SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND HEALTH PROFESSIONS T. Sean Vasaitis, Ph.D., Dean

DOCTOR OF PHARMACY Queeniva Angum Acha, New Carrollton, MD

Kenneh Sese Koker, Mitchellville, MD

Dana Jones Adams, Ellicott City, MD

Mark Stephan Mallonee, Westminster, MD

Deborah Agyapong, Takoma Park, MD

Steven Mbagwu, Princess Anne, MD

Oluwatoniloba Esther Alabi, Hyattsville, MD Justin Taylor Anbiah, Silver Spring, MD

Jeremy Moore, Salisbury, MD Clodiale Mbounguen Nanda, Silver Spring, MD

Chloe Ashby, Crisfield, MD

Nicole A. Paradis, Elkton, MD

Zanib Fazal Azaz, Salisbury, MD

Grace Marie Penzenstadler, La Plata, MD Melanie Annette Raum, Salisbury, MD

Bria Janee' Patrice Bagley, Bowie, MD

Ayisha Sohail, Federalsburg, MD

Clayton Alan Baker, Berlin, MD

Sabrina I. Stokes, Hebron, MD

Vanessa Jade Calling, Oakland, MD Jaimini Desai, Mahwah, NJ

Maeva Stephanie Singuep Wandji, Lanham, MD Destiny Walker, Newark, DE

Torell Grant, District Heights, MD

Amar Yasir Yousif, Princess Anne, MD

Juliet Imoit, Silver Spring, MD Taylor Lynn Jones, Woolford, MD

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* 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

Van E. Spencer, Marion Station, MD

**Mouhamadou Lamine Diack, Princess Anne, MD

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOCHEMISTRY ***#Ryan R. More, Salisbury, MD

**Kamaya De'Asia Collins, Baltimore, MD

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY Fayanne Abankwah, Elkridge, MD ***#Hope-Abigail Mamguem Mbanga, Prince Frederick, MD Angel Marie Mansfield, Harrisburg, PA ***Jadia Adam, Princess Anne, MD ***#Nola Reece Mountain, Surrey, BC ***#Theresa Akunna Ogbonna, Salisbury, MD

**Kayla C. Adams, Baltimore, MD ***Manhal K. Amer, Princess Anne, MD

Brianna Cheryl Pulliam, Orange, NJ

Doaa F. Barri, Princess Anne, MD

**Kyrisa Ann Russell, Riverdale Pk, MD

*Alexa Marie Beauford, Pasadena, 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

**#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 12

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ***#Cheyenne Elise Murdaugh, Gainesville, VA

Mikaela Blackwood, Germantown, MD *Amari Dupree, Randallstown, MD

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN GENERAL AGRICULTURE Aja' Tanika Ashton, Clinton, MD

**Sophia Rosa Goins, Prince Frederick, MD

Jaden Tyrese Batson, Federalsburg, MD

Solomon Christopher Hutchins, Hagerstown, MD **Jonathan Taylor Franklin, Ocean Pines, MD Roszina Jones, Princess Anne, MD Ciera Alise Gardner, Parkville, MD

Mark K. Smith, Randallstown, MD

*#Cameron Duane Geddie, Chestnut Hill Cove, MD

Aliza Dayle Weaver, Salisbury, MD

***Colin Christopher Glushakow, Hebron, MD

Knowledge Q. Wells, Columbia, MD

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HUMAN ECOLOGY **Oluwanifemi Mercy Faniyi, Bowie, MD

***Mckenzie Kaimana Abiley, Sherwood, OR Jayla Beidleman, Upper Marlboro, MD

**#Khamara Annette Logan, Upper Marlboro, MD Jasmine Lyles, Hebron, MD

Tyler K. Collins, Bordentown, NJ

**#Jaidyn S. McCullough, Bowie, MD

Howdeja Treshaunda Dickenson, Bowie, MD

***#Denesha Palmer, Lanham, MD

Mackenzi D. Evans, Germantown, MD ***#Tracy Esinam Essi Ewli-Kwakutse, Gaithersburg, MD

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Jada Sinclair, Cheltenham, MD

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY Derrek Dunn, Ph.D., Dean

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ACCOUNTING **Joseph Oluwaseyitan Eludoyin, Columbia, MD

Charity Eniola Olabanji, Riverdale, MD

Kristian D. Francis, Frederick, MD

Steve M. Somian, District Heights, MD

Anfernee J. Layne, Greenbelt, MD

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN AVIATION SCIENCE Julian Thomas, Springdale, MD

**Emmanuel A. Burns, Dagsboro, DE

***Khalid Mohamed Elhag, Princess Anne, MD ***Elizabeth Iris Thornwall, Boonsboro, MD Lauren Margaret Tuley, Pasadena, MD **Jacob C. Fogan, Columbia, MD *Britney Elizabeth Wilkin, Salisbury, MD

*Elijah Daniel Gregg, Salisbury, MD

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ***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

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

*Sanaa Williams, Salisbury, MD

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE ***#Isabelle N. Puwo, Silver Spring, MD

**William Dimgba, Bowie, MD

**Samrana Sheikh, Parksley, VA

Amir Ali Gawish, Burtonsville, MD Kaleigha Jacole Hayes, Chesapeake Beach, MD

Parker Richard Watts, Odenton, MD

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

Heath Ramon Wright, Fort Washington, MD

*Micheal Olushola Olubode, Landover, MD 14

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY Isaiah K. Martin, Columbia, MD

*David Wayne Bridegum, Beltsville, MD

***Christopher Daniel Padilla, Olney, MD

*Siddhant Chakravarthi, Gaithersburg, MD

Hamza Ranjha, Salisbury, MD Carlos Javier Gomez Rivera, Burtonsville, MD

Agustin Cortes, Rockville, MD Oscar Allende Farfan, Bowie, MD Louis Brown Jackson, Princess Anne, MD

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING *#Clerkson Ngolle, Hagerstown, MD

Temitayo Adeniyi Adekoya, Bowie, MD

Parker David Wilson, Marion Station, MD

Ronney E. Copes, Georgetown, TX *Niderah Goldsborough, Middletown, DE

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Khalid Mohamed, Eden, MD

***Isaac Benjamin Cullen, Laurel, DE

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN FINANCE ***#Jalen Gerard Gourrier, Cockeysville, MD

***Benjamin Scully Wampler, Salisbury, MD Dante Amahad Williams, Salisbury, MD

***#Zachary B. Solembrino, Hebron, MD *Elijah Terrell Ross, Upper Marlboro, 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

***Ly Bao Tran Phan, Laurel, MD

**#Syniah Rebecca Fitch, Brandywine, MD

*Justin R. Ring, Germantown, MD

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MARKETING **Soleil Naomi Cotton, Princess Anne, MD Allvanson Gaspard, Federalsburg, MD

Derrick Ukhuegbe, Bowie, MD

BACHELOR OF GENERAL STUDIES Darian Brown, Bowie, MD

**Khalil Nasir Young, Rockville, MD 15

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

Samuel Etse Kumordzie, Randallstown, MD

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

Kenyon I. Owens, Clinton, MD

*Torrence Lucien Coffin, Parsonsburg, MD

Mekhi E. Reed, Middletown, DE

**Kayla Griffin, Reisterstown, MD

**Ava Jill Schultz, Salisbury, MD

*Shadarra Damiya Hamlett, Baltimore, MD

*Harrel Tomlin, Baltimore, MD

Elise Monyea Johnson, Salisbury, MD

Lawrence Mccoy Wheeler, Baltimore, MD

***Kysean L. Johnson, Baltimore, MD

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE Dominque Campbell, Philadelphia, PA

Nionna Janae Miller, Camden, NJ

**Kimoria Tiania Chance, Brooklyn, NY

*#Jestin Isaiah Purvey, Windsor Mill, MD

**Ryan Alexander Davis, Bryans Road, MD

Chelsea April Sanders, Rochester, NY

Brooke Leslie Driver, Woodbridge, VA

Christian Isaiah Simmons, Joppatowne, MD

*Kyle Julius Matheny, Perry Hall, MD

Lydia Teclar, Silver Spring, MD

Steven Matthews, Jr., Upper Marlboro, MD

Renaldo A. Tull, Hallwood, VA

Leandra Allen-Miller, New Haven, CT

Jaden Shamar West, Maryland City, MD Sarah Wiltshire, Newark, NJ

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN DIGITAL MEDIA STUDIES **Keera Diane Booker, Essex, MD Aajaylah D. Lemons, Fort Washington, MD

Jaylin Jamal Johnson, Joppatowne, MD

Kennis Charles Welch, Dundalk, MD

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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

Tiffany Mills, Fruitland, MD

*Desiree D. Gary, Princess Anne, MD

Sydnee Tannea Plater, Gwynn Oak, MD

***Brandon Jovanny Gomez, Bronx, NY Raven Hammond, Federalsburg, MD

Brittney Slayton, Salisbury, MD Taylor Shawnae Towns, Pocomoke City, MD

**Julian Robert Jimenez, Romeoville, IL

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL WORK !Kenesha L. Deshields, Salisbury, MD

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

*!Denaya Shavonne Freeman, Baltimore, MD ***!Cristi Chere Richardson, Salisbury, MD !Mirella Mendoza-Garcia, Marion Station, MD !Rokiah Elizabeth Sutton, Clinton, MD *!Sean Justyn Thompson, Pikesville, MD

**!Alima Hazel Johnson, Bowie, MD

!Destiny A. Whitt, Nottingham, MD

!Maayan Kenny, Catonsville, MD

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION ***Melanie Ruth Elder, Hebron, MD

Devenne J. Poole, Hebron, MD

***Hema Bhargavi Korada, Salisbury, MD

***Brianna Lauren Romersa, Berlin, MD

BACHELOR OF GENERAL STUDIES Danny Sadler, Jr., Salisbury, MD

***Bryan Randell Hall, West Hartford, CT James Joseph Ihasz, III, Sykesville, MD

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SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND HEALTH PROFESSIONS T. Sean Vasaitis, Ph.D., Dean

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN EXERCISE SCIENCE Tirzah Bailey, Middletown, DE

Emmanuel Joseph, Perry Hall, MD

Ryon Austin Banks, Bowie, MD

**Madison Hope Litton, Federalsburg, MD

Alexa Danielle Barnett, Hyattsville, MD

Tyler Jackson Prather, Frederick, MD

Raynard Isaiah Flowers, Waldorf, MD

Semaj Roberts, Newark, NJ *Makayla Sierra Scott, Burlington, NJ

Ethan L. Hall, Waldorf, MD

Jordan Valentine, Greenbelt, MD

*Taylor Honesty, Indian Head, MD Minaya Humphries, Baltimore, MD

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN REHABILITATION PSYCHOLOGY Aniya Z. Broussard, Preston, MD Josefina Susana Maqueda-Crosby, Montgomery Village, MD ***Kayla J. Brown, Waldorf, MD Jayla M. Carr, Chester, VA *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

**Sajheda Handy, Salisbury, MD

*Tghat Asmelash, Burtonsville, MD

Charnae Laters Staats, Bear, DE

Donabed Cyprien, Silver Spring, MD

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 18

SUMMA CUM LAUDE Cumulative grade-point average of 3.75 to 4.00

Jadia Adam

Stephanie Hernandez

Denesha Palmer

Malachi Aiken

Chikeluba Izugha

Ly Bao Tran Phan

Manhal Amer

Aleah James

Kaleigh Powell

Kayla Brown

Kysean Johnson

Isabelle Puwo

Isaac Cullen

Samara Kellam

Ralph Richards

Melanie Elder

Hema Korada

Cristi Richardson

Khalid Elhag

Hope-Abigail Mbanga

Brianna Romersa

Tracy Ewli-Kwakutse

Ryan More

Oluwatomisin Salami

Jordan Garey-Brown

Nola Mountain

Zachary Solembrino

Colin Glushakow

Cheyenne Murdaugh

Brandon Gomez

Bede Nnebedum

Elizabeth Thornwall

Jalen Gourrier

Theresa Ogbonna

Benjamin Wampler

Bryan Hall

Christopher Padilla

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Lesley Thomas

MAGNA CUM LAUDE Cumulative grade-point average of 3.50 to 3.74

Mouhamadou Diack

Julian Jimenez

Melody Akindele

William Dimgba

Alima Johnson

Kpardeh Boayue

Abigail Dyett

Madison Litton

Troy Bolling

Joseph Eludoyin

Khamara Logan

Keera Booker

Oluwanifemi Faniyi

Niya Booker

Synyah Fitch

Nanakwame Oforiyeboah

Emmanuel Burns

Jacob Fogan

Kyrisa Russell

Kimoria Chance

Jonathan Franklin

Ava Schultz

Kamaya Collins

Sophia Goins

Samrana Sheikh

Soleil Cotton

Kayla Griffin

Audrey Yapi

Ryan Davis

Sajheda Handy

Khalil Young

Kayla Adams

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Jaidyn McCullough

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

* Cum Laude ** Magna Cum Laude *** Summa Cum Laude # Richard A. Henson Honors Program ! Dual Degree

Amanda Exantus

Clerkson Ngolle

Denaya Freeman

Micheal Olubode

Desiree Gary

Jestin Purvey

Cameron Geddie

Justin Ring

Niderah Goldsborough

Elijah Ross

Elijah Gregg

Makayla Scott

Taylor Honesty

Sean Thompson

Isaiah Jackson

Harrel Tomlin

Simranpreet Kaur

Britney Wilkin

Kyle Matheny

Sanaa Williams

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

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RICHARD A. HENSON HONORS PROGRAM Degree Candidates Enrolled in the Richard A. Henson Honors Program

Niya Booker

Khamara Logan

Bede Nnebedum

KaCeia Bradford

Hope-Abigail Mbanga

Theresa Ogbonna

Tracy Ewli-Kwakutse

Jaidyn McCullough

Denesha Palmer

Ryan More

Jestin Purvey

Cameron Geddie

Nola Mountain

Isabelle Puwo

Jalen Gourrier

Cheyenne Murdaugh

Oluwatomisin Salami

Samara Kellam

Clerkson Ngolle

Zachary Solembrino

Syniah Fitch

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THE ALUMNI OATH

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

THE ALMA MATER

By Daniel Lyman Ridout

UMES Gospel Choir II We 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.

I To 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) 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!

BENEDICTION RECESSIONAL

The Reverend Jamar K. Jackson, Pastor Metropolitan United Methodist Church Pomp and Circumstance Sir Edward Elgar

To ensure order and safety, the University will restrict guests leaving their seats to take video or still photography.

The audience is requested to remain seated during the Recessional.

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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.

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UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF MARYLAND Dr. Jay A. Perman, Chancellor UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF MARYLAND BOARD REGENTS 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

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

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 25

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

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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

Commencement Information FLAG PARADE The Commencement Day flag parade is an opportunity for our students to represent and celebrate the different countries of our diverse and global student body, faculty and staff here at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES). Our graduating students have guests attending from across the United States and the world who feel welcomed by the familiar sight of their flag.

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE FLAGS OF NATIONS FORMATION

Antigua and Barbuda The Bahamas Bangladesh Barbados Belgium Benin Bermuda Brazil Cameroon Canada Colombia Ethiopia

Fiji Germany Ghana India Iran Israel Jamaica Kenya Liberia Nepal Nigeria Pakistan

Philippines Poland Republic of Korea Saudi Arabia Sierra Leone South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Sweden Taiwan Province of China Turkey

One College Backbone Road Princess Anne, Maryland 21853 www.umes.edu (410) 651-2200