Commencement 2020

VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

2020

Commencement December 4, 2020

VIRGIN IA

WE SL EY A N

UN IV E R S ITY

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY December 4, 2020 Virtual Ceremony

V IR GI N I A

W E S L EYAN

UNIV E RSIT Y

Commencement Program Invocation

Rev. Dr. James A. Noseworthy Retired Assistant General Secretary for Schools, Colleges and Universities for the United Methodist Church

Welcoming Remarks

Dr. Scott D. Miller President of the University

Musical Selection

The Star-Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key Virginia Wesleyan Vox Vera

Presentation of Awards Dr. Maynard Schaus

Vice President for Academic Affairs Samuel Nelson Gray Distinguished Teaching Award Frank and Jane P. Batten Distinguished Scholar Award Service and Community Engagement Award United Methodist Church General Board of Higher

Education and Ministry Exemplary Teacher Award Musical Selection

Homeward Bound by Marta Keen Virginia Wesleyan Vox Vera

Introduction of Speaker

President Miller

Address to the Class of 2020

William C. Baker President of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Presentation of Mr. Baker for Doctoral Degree (honoris causa)

Dr. Elizabeth Malcolm Professor of Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences and Director of Sustainability

Presentation of Rev. James Noseworthy Dr. Craig Wansink for Doctoral Degree (honoris causa) Professor of Religious Studies and Joan P. and Macon F. Brock, Jr. Director of the Robert Nusbaum Center Presentation of G. Robert Aston for Doctoral Degree (honoris causa)

Dr. Linda Ferguson Professor of Management, Business, and Economics

The Conferring of Degrees to the Class of 2020

President Miller, Dr. Schaus

Alma Mater

Virginia Wesleyan Vox Vera

Benediction

Dr. Wansink

Closing

Dr. Miller

C O MME N C E M E NT

2020

Commencement Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipient

William C. Baker President of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Candidate for Doctor of Science (honoris causa)

Will Baker began his career with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) as an intern in 1976, a few weeks after graduating from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. He has been President since 1982, leading the largest nonprofit conservation organization dedicated solely to preserving, protecting, and restoring the Chesapeake Bay. His opinion pieces have been published in all major regional newspapers and the New York Times, and he has been repeatedly interviewed on all major television and radio networks.

Baker is an Emeritus Trustee of Johns Hopkins Medicine (Hospitals and Medical School), an Emeritus Board Member of the Baltimore Mike Busada, Mike B. Photography Community Foundation, a Director of the Central Maryland Transportation Alliance, a member of the UMBC Board of Visitors, and an Honorary Trustee of the Garden Club of America. He is a Director of Brown Advisory & Trust Company.

A past Trustee of Washington College, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Public Service in 1991 and their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017. He has also been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Baltimore and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from St. Mary’s College. Baker was a recipient of Washingtonian Magazine’s “Washingtonian of the Year” award, and was inducted into the Daily Record’s Circle of Excellence after being selected three times as an Influential Marylander. He received the Speaker’s Medallion from the Maryland House of Delegates in 2009, awarded annually to the Marylander who has made an outstanding contribution to the citizens of the state. In 2018, Baker received the William K. Reilly Environmental Leadership Award, which recognizes leaders in environmental governance and problem-solving. Also in 2018, he also received the National Maritime Historical Society’s Distinguished Service Award presented by Maryland Senator Benjamin Cardin.

Under his leadership, CBF has received numerous awards, including the nation’s highest environmental honor—the 1992 Presidential Medal for Environmental Excellence—in recognition of its environmental education program.

V IR GI N I A

W E S L EYAN

UNIV E RSIT Y

Honorary Degree Recipient

Rev. Dr. James A. Noseworthy Retired Assistant General Secretary for Schools, Colleges and Universities for the United Methodist Church Candidate for Doctor of Divinity (honoris causa)

Rev. Dr. James A. Noseworthy has extensive experience in higher education and in the United Methodist Church. He served as the Assistant General Secretary for Schools, Colleges and Universities for the United Methodist Church for 12 years. In this role, he acted as a chief consultant for the nation’s 111 United Methodist colleges and universities and their leaders, including Virginia Wesleyan, while developing strategies to meet administrative, academic, financial and student life goals. Prior to that, Dr. Noseworthy served eight years with the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry as its director of annual conference relations and public policy programs.

There, he provided guidance in public policy networking, participated in University Senate reviews, consulted with United Methodist-related colleges and universities and edited publications for the United Methodist Division of Higher Education.

In addition, Dr. Noseworthy has done extensive post-doctoral work in higher education administration at Vanderbilt University where he has studied and researched presidential leadership. He served as President of Hiwassee College from 2003-2010 and Vice President for Administration at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary from 20102016. He is currently a consultant in fundraising, grant writing, and congregational development.

Dr. Noseworthy earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, his Master of Divinity degree from Duke University and his Bachelor of Arts degree from Simpson College. He also served as a college chaplain and professor at Simpson College.

He is married to the Rev. Dr. Karla Kincannon, a retired spiritual director, workshop leader and teacher, author, artist and member of the VWU Class of 1976, and has three grown children.

C O MME N C E M E NT

2020

Honorary Degree Recipient

G. Robert Aston Executive Chairman of the Board, TowneBank Candidate for Doctor of Humane Letters (honoris causa)

G. Robert Aston has been Executive Chairman of the Board at TowneBank since March 2018. He served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TowneBank from April 1999 to March 2018 and has also served as the President of TowneBank.

Through his 50 years of service to the community as a hometown banker and the leader of several community banks, he has gained a significant level of management experience in all aspects of community banking. During his career, he has served in numerous senior management positions, including that of Senior Lending Officer, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Operating Officer.

He began at Citizens Trust Company in 1964 and served as its President and Chief Executive Officer from 1981 to 1985. He served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of BB&T of Virginia from January 1995 to June 1998. He serves as a Director of Bon Secours Health System, Inc. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Commerce Bank from April 1985 to January 1995.

Throughout his tenure, Aston and TowneBank have been tremendous friends and supporters of the University. TowneBank Foundation’s charitable gifts include TowneBank Park, which is comprised of the Tom and Betty Broyles Field for softball and Kenneth R. Perry Field for baseball. Over the summer, Convocation Hall in the Jane P. Batten Student Center became TowneBank Arena, adding seats, new flooring, new branding, and upgrades throughout the auxiliary areas.

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GLOBAL CAMPUS Candidates for the Degree of Master of Arts in Education

Nicole Johnson Education Virginia Beach, Virginia

Catalina Jones Education

Chesapeake, Virginia

Arika Marosi

Education

Chesapeake, Virginia

John Provine

Education

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Nickayl Williams

Education

Chesapeake, Virginia

C O MME N C E M E NT

2020

GLOBAL CAMPUS Candidates for the Degree of Master of Business Administration Campbell Cobb

Leigh Abbott Leaman

**20

Business Administration

Business Administration

Stafford, Virginia

Smithfield, Virginia

Clinton Collins

Rita Banks

**20

Business Administration

Business Administration

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Chesapeake, Virginia

Jennifer Barker

**19

*19

Derek Condon

Business Administration

Business Administration

North Chesterfield, Virginia

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Leslie Barney

**19

Lauren Cruz

**19

Business Administration

Norfolk, Virginia

*19

Corey Bauer

*20

Business Administration

Business Administration

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Chesapeake, Virginia

Stacey Bauer

**19

Business Administration Hampton, Virginia

Katrina Davis

Jolandie De Clerck

**19

Business Administration

Business Administration

Jacksonville, North Carolina

McLean, Virginia

Jami Buckley

**19

**19

ď‚ľRonald

Devine

Business Administration

Business Administration

Chesapeake, Virginia

Richmond, Virginia

Brandi Calica

**19

*19

Jeremy Douglas

Business Administration

Business Administration

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Lauren Carroll

**20

*19

McKenzie Dowd

Business Administration

Business Administration

Norfolk, Virginia

Bay Shore, New York

V IR GI N I A

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UNIV E RSIT Y

GLOBAL CAMPUS Candidates for the Degree of Master of Business Administration

Devin Edwards

**19

Business Administration

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Scot Garland

**19

Business Administration

Midlothian, Virginia

Donald Garlock

**20

Business Administration

Montclair, Virginia

Nicole Glenn

Business Administration

Chesapeake, Virginia

Natalie Haronitou

**19

Business Administration

Yorktown, Virginia

Anastasia Hernandez

**20

Business Administration

Virginia Beach, Virginia

James Hofmeister

**19

Business Administration

Ridge, Maryland

Crystal Hypes

**19

Business Administration

Riner, Virginia

Sherienne Jackman

**19

Business Administration

Emeryville, California

Roshni Jacob

*20

Business Administration

Panama City Beach, Florida

Joshua Jones

Business Administration

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Joshua Kachurak

**19

Business Administration

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Craig Kirby

*20

Business Administration

Chesapeake, Virginia

Krista Littleton

**19

Business Administration

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Christopher Lizette

Mark Holderman

**19

Business Administration

Chesapeake, Virginia

Courtney Hutchison

*19

Business Administration Harrisonburg, Virginia

Business Administration

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Business Administration

Tasha Logan Owings Mills, Maryland

C O MME N C E M E NT

2020

GLOBAL CAMPUS Candidates for the Degree of Master of Business Administration

Kathryn Reavis

Jillian Lovejoy

**19

Business Administration

Business Administration

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Richmond, Virginia

James Lynch

**20

Tracy Reynolds

*20

Business Administration

Business Administration

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Norfolk, Virginia

Megan Merritt

**19

Jared Saleumsy

**19

Business Administration

Business Administration

Portsmouth, Virginia

Chantilly, Virginia

Kristen Metcalf

*20

Abagail Shope

*20

Business Administration

Chesapeake, Virginia

Michelle Miller

**20

Business Administration

Greensboro, North Carolina

Christina Palko

**19

Business Administration Virginia Beach, Virginia

Tyler Simpkin

Business Administration

Moyock, North Carolina

Valerie Smith

**20

Business Administration

Business Administration

Fairfax, Virginia

Frederick Pizzanello

**19

Business Administration

Coram, New York

Brandi Swansen Business Administration Virginia Beach, Virginia

Chesapeake, Virginia

Antonia Pogacar

Paresa Taghavie-Moghadam

Business Administration

Business Administration

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Washington, District of Columbia

Sabrina Quick

Matthias VanMeter

*20

Business Administration

Business Administration

Chesapeake, Virginia

Newport News, Virginia

V IR GI N I A

W E S L EYAN

UNIV E RSIT Y

GLOBAL CAMPUS Candidates for the Degree of Master of Business Administration

**20

ď‚ľAlina Velez

Business Administration

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Hunter Walsh

Business Administration

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Business Administration

Cambridge, Ohio

Julia Warren

*20

Terence Welker

Business Administration

Norfolk, Virginia

Shauntell Whitehurst-Joyner

**19

Business Administration

Chesapeake, Virginia

*19

Tara Wilson-McGee

Business Administration

Carrollton, Virginia

**20

Gwaltney Wright

Business Administration

Chesapeake, Virginia

**19

Nicholas Zepko

Business Administration

Virginia Beach, Virginia

C O MME N C E M E NT

2020

BIRDSONG SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts **19

Sydnie Allen summa cum laude

History & Latin

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Taylor Anderson Psychology & Women’s and Gender Studies

Zackary Clark Criminal Justice

Chesterfield, Virginia

Cosmone Clarke

International Studies & Women’s and Gender Studies Virginia Beach, Virginia

Norfolk, Virginia

Melissa Balboa Motes

*20

Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice

Norfolk, Virginia

Criminal Justice

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Kayla Bennett

Criminal Justice & Political Science Virginia Beach, Virginia

Justin Blake

*20

Political Science

Charlotte, North Carolina

Shaun Brooks

**20

Cloe Cowles magna cum laude

Jayla Cross Silver Spring, Maryland

Criminal Justice

Tiara Cuffee

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Criminal Justice

Berryville, Virginia

Tyler Dalton

Criminal Justice

Kristen Caruso

**20

Criminal Justice

Bethel, Connecticut

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Dante Castillo Sociology

Psychology

*20

Arielle Damasco

Virginia Beach, Virginia  Danielle Davis

Psychology

Glencove, New York

Selena Chambers

**20

International Studies & Philosophy

East Hartford, Connecticut

Criminal Justice

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Meghan Dearing

V IR GI N I A

W E S L EYAN

UNIV E RSIT Y

BIRDSONG SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts Jeritza DeJesus

**20

Heather Gonzales

**20

Political Science

Pennsauken, New Jersey

Gabriel DelGreco

**20

International Studies

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Valerie Dickens

**20

Virginia Beach, Virginia ď‚ľ

Takara Grant

Social Science

Norfolk, Virginia

Nicholas Gunther

Social Science

Psychology

Chesapeake, Virginia

Gina Donatelli

*20

Political Science

Criminal Justice

Winter Garden, Florida

Kaniah Elkerson

Weymouth, Maryland

ď‚ľ Erik Halapin

Criminal Justice

Chesapeake, Virginia

Psychology

Psychology

Cape Charles, Virginia

Gates, North Carolina

Thomas Faiella

**20

Political Science

Fairfax Station, Virginia

James Frampton

*20

Political Science

Stafford, Virginia

Gregory Gaetano

**20

Criminal Justice

# Reagan Holmes Psychology

Leonardtown, Maryland

George Galeota

**20

Nicole Harrell

Shannon Harris Criminal Justice Elmont, New York

Daniel Harshaw Criminal Justice Virginia Beach, Virginia

Chesapeake, Virginia

**20

History & Social Science

Virginia Beach, Virginia

# Zion Howard Psychology Lincoln, Delaware

C O MME N C E M E NT

2020

BIRDSONG SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts **20

#  Chelsea Jacox Criminal Justice

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Fetchina Jean Louis

*20

International Studies

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Danielle Jimenez Criminal Justice

Virginia Beach, Virginia

BHC Ebonie

Johnson summa cum laude

Psychology Richmond, Virginia

Queshawn Johnson

**19

Social Science

Chesapeake, Virginia

**19

Zachary Johnson

Psychology

Spotsylvania, Virginia

Kennedi Jones Psychology Greensboro, North Carolina

Fadzai Jongwe

Criminal Justice

*20

Rosedale, Maryland  Brittany Kohn

Criminal Justice Virginia Beach, Virginia

**20

# Jacqueline Lopez

Social Science

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Cali Magee magna cum laude

Social Science

Owings, Maryland

Amber Matalus cum laude

International Studies & Political Science

Washington, District of Columbia

Tatiana Mauri

**20

Criminal Justice

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Joseph McCubbins

**19

**19

History & Social Science Norfolk, Virginia Jessica McCullough cum laude

Psychology

Virgina Beach, Virginia

Kylee McDonough

Newport News, Virginia

Criminal Justice

Yvonne McLaurin

Social Science

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Trevaughn McNeil Political Science & Psychology

Norfolk, Virginia

V IR GI N I A

W E S L EYAN

UNIV E RSIT Y

BIRDSONG SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts

**20

# Jacqueline Munoz

Social Science

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Alex Oliver

**19

Criminal Justice

Joshua Roth

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Edwin Salguero

**20

Social Science

Social Science

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Fairfax, Virginia

Danielle Patriquin

**20

Social Science

Midlothian, Virginia

Stephany Pearson

**19

Sociology

Virginia Beach, Virginia

International Studies

Marisa Perez

Dulles, Virginia

Lauren Pirozzi Philosophy & Political Science

Shirley, New York

Adonis Powell

*20

Political Science

Erykah Scesco Social Science

Newport News, Virginia

Miriam Schiller cum laude

Criminal Justice

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Skye Seutter magna cum laude

Criminal Justice

Chesapeake, Virginia

Kyle Shearer History & Social Science

Oneonta, New York

Jessica Switzer

**20

Criminal Justice

Norfolk, Virginia

Chesapeake Beach, Maryland

ď‚ś

Zachary Raymond cum laude

Political Science

Tracys Landing, Maryland

Jazmine Rogers

**19

Criminal Justice

International Studies

Norfolk, Virginia

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Aiden Thomas Moore

Criminal Justice

Virginia Beach, Virginia ď‚ľ

Tremain Torre

C O MME N C E M E NT

2020

BIRDSONG SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts

Maria Vermeulen

**20

Criminal Justice

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Elizabeth Vincent magna cum laude

Nicholas Williams

**20

History

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Louis Wolverton cum laude

Psychology

History & Political Science

Bushkill, Pennsylvania

Psychology

Criminal Justice

Portsmouth, Virginia

Gainesville, Virginia

Midlothian, Virginia

Whitney Walsh

**19

Kyle Woolf

Kerri Wasko magna cum laude

Gretchen Yobp magna cum laude

Psychology & Religious Studies

History & Social Science

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Virginia Beach, Virginia

*20

Christina Whipple cum laude

**19

Political Science

Norfolk, Virginia

Zhuohong Zheng

**19

Social Science

Virginia Beach, Virginia

*20

**20

History & Social Science

Ivor, Virginia

ď‚ľ Andrew Williams

# Victoria Zuppa Criminal Justice & Psychology Virginia Beach, Virginia

V IR GI N I A

W E S L EYAN

UNIV E RSIT Y

BROCK SCHOOL OF NATURAL SCIENCES Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts *20

Patrick Berard

Earth and Environmental Sciences

Chesapeake, Virginia

Andreas Combos magna cum laude

Mathematics & Religious Studies

Cary, North Carolina

James Garrett

Earth and Environmental Sciences

Carrollton, Virginia

Joshua Hanson

Mathematics

Landover, Maryland

Jeremy Hight

*20

**20

Biology

Computer Science Virginia Beach, Virginia

David Cousin

Virginia Beach, Virginia

John Crusemire

**20

Mathematics

John Jennings

Computer Science Chesapeake, Virginia

Peter Johnson

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Tamerra Davis

Biology

Biology

Ashland, Virginia

**19

Kalli Koehn

Environmental Studies

Earth and Environmental Sciences

Blackstone, Virginia

San Diego, California

Patrick McKneely

Environmental Studies Chesapeake, Virginia

Devin Wallace

Portsmouth, Virginia

Dillon Dunn

Ikechukwu Etonyeaku

**19

Computer Science & German Studies

Norfolk, Virginia

Lora Fara magna cum laude

Environmental Studies & Political Science

Chesapeake, Virginia

Biology

Brandywine, Maryland

Amanda Waller

Environmental Studies

Fredericksburg, Virginia

**19

Sara Wiltshire cum laude

Environmental Studies & Political Science

Biology

Chesapeake, Virginia

Latoya Fentress

**20

Environmental Studies

Mount Holly, North Carolina

Alexandra Fitz

Virginia Beach, Virginia

C O MME N C E M E NT

2020

BROCK SCHOOL OF NATURAL SCIENCES Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Science

Alysha Archangel-Banrey

**20

**20

Biology

Chemistry

William Augsberger

Norfolk, Virginia

Mathematics Fredericksburg, Virginia

Andrew Bright magna cum laude

**19

BHC

South Prince George, Virginia Christopher Fegan summa cum laude

Chemistry

Chesapeake, Virginia

**20

# Matthew Freeman

Computer Science

Norfolk, Virginia

Annika Christenson cum laude

Biology

Robert Eley

Computer Science Roxboro, North Carolina

Danielle Gagnon cum laude

Biology

Apple Valley, Minnesota

Scotia, New York

Taylor Coutts magna cum laude

Kathryn Gerrish summa cum laude

Biology

Biology

Kinnelon, New Jersey

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Noah Craft magna cum laude

Isabella Glaze magna cum laude

Earth and Environmental Sciences

Mathematics

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Waldorf, Maryland

**19

Marcos Davila- Banrey

ď‚ľ

Michael Harrison summa cum laude

Earth and Environmental Sciences

Biology

Portsmouth, Virginia

Michael Delianides

Computer Science

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Kaylah Duplain magna cum laude

Biology

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Chesapeake, Virginia

Hanna Hull cum laude

Mathematics

North Chesterfield, Virginia

Hannah Hunt

Biology

Brozons Mills, New Jersey

V IR GI N I A

W E S L EYAN

UNIV E RSIT Y

BROCK SCHOOL OF NATURAL SCIENCES Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Science

Alyssa Jamison

Biology

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Aubree Johnson

Mathematics

Norfolk, Virginia

Kennedi Jones

Biology

Greensboro, North Carolina

Hannah Lowery

**20

Biology

Chesapeake, Virginia

**20

#BHC Zachary Lubick Chemistry

Bracey, Virginia

Victoria Manahan

Biology

Westminster, Maryland

Ryan McCurry

Biology

Wall, New Jersey

Nyandra McFadden

Earth and Environmental Sciences

Langhorn, Pennsylvania

Monika Metro magna cum laude

**19

Biology

Swampscott, Massachusetts

Matthew Miller

Earth and Environmental Sciences

Chester, Virginia

Jacob Pilarski magna cum laude Mathematics

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Elizabeth Roberto

Biology

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Shai Russell

*20

Biology

Charlotte, North Carolina

Austin Russo

Biology

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Candice Salazar

**20

Computer Science

Norfolk, Virginia

Joi Snowden magna cum laude

Computer Science

Norfolk, Virginia

Alyssa Taylor magna cum laude

**19

Biology & Mathematics

Raleigh, North Carolina

Michael Tres

Biology

Mechanicsville, Virginia

Matthew Wiberg

Computer Science

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Shelby Wright

Biology

Chesapeake, Virginia

C O MME N C E M E NT

2020

GOODE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts Mildred Allen

**19

Zachary Burkhart

Comprehensive Liberal Studies

Art

Washington, District of Columbia

Adwoa Ankomah-Asiedu

Glenshaw, Pennsylvania

Percy Burt

*20

*20

Theatre

Communication

Woodbridge, Virginia

Monique Ayers

**19

English & Psychology

Hispanic Studies & Political Science

Woodbridge, Virginia

Lexington, South Carolina

Patrick Bausone cum laude

English & Mathematics

Richmond, Virginia

Arianna Boone

*20

Comprehensive Liberal Studies

Chesapeake, Virginia

**20

# Aramynta Borga

English

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Ashley Campos-Torres

Darion Carr

Theatre

Norfolk, Virginia

Trevor Cerone

Communication

Henrico, Virginia

Michelle Clark magna cum laude ď‚ľ Art

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Dante Copeland

Suffolk, Virginia

Art

Jonathan Croft

Communication

Jazmyne Brooks

**19

Art

Spotsylvania, Virginia

Darius Brown ď‚ľ Newport News, Virginia

Miciah Brown

*20

Art

Chesapeake, Virginia

Markaysha Bryant magna cum laude

Communication

Chesapeake, Virginia

Music

Wakefield, Virginia

Lauren Davidson cum laude

*20

Communication

Virginia Beach, Virginia

V IR GI N I A

W E S L EYAN

UNIV E RSIT Y

GOODE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts

Jasmine Demir magna cum laude

**20

Communication & Psychology

English

Bent Mountain, Virginia

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Audwin Harris

Janell Dobransky

**20

Comprehensive Liberal Studies Virginia Beach, Virginia

#Maria Hall

Communication

Chesapeake, Virginia

Jessica Houlker

Austin Edmonds

**20

Communication

Newport News, Virginia

Art

Norfolk, Virginia

Jennifer Evans cum laude

Heather Husted

Comprehensive Liberal Studies

Art

Chesapeake, Virginia

Virginia Beach, Virginia



Cory Franklin

Christie Ireland

Social Sciences Divisional

Music

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Suffolk, Virginia

Danielle Gagnon

Corin Jackson cum laude

German Studies

English

Scotia, New York

Anthony Gray

Communication

Ashburn, Virginia

Joshua Gray

**20

Communication

Ashburn, Virginia

Marissa Gross

Art

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Manassas, Virginia

Diana Jackson magna cum laude

Art

Newport News, Virginia

Collin Jones

Art

Brandywine, Maryland

 Zoey King

Comprehensive Liberal Studies Virginia Beach, Virginia

C O MME N C E M E NT

2020

GOODE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts

Peter Langan

Jenny Quirke

**19

Communication

Philosophy

Stevensville, Maryland

Noah LeBrun

*20

French Studies

Norfolk, Virginia

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Elizabeth Reid Women’s and Gender Studies Pawling, New York

Ronald Rosales

Hispanic Studies & Political Science

North Chesterfield, Virginia

Easton, Maryland

Margaret Michels

*20

Estanislao Martinez

Communication

Charlene Santos

Religious Studies

Virginia Beach, Virginia

English

Summer Mullins

**19

Classical Studies & History

Communication & Environmental Studies

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Yorktown, Virginia

Asia Neal-Williams cum laude

English

Chesapeake, Virginia

Rebecca Schamel cum laude

Cody Schneider

**20

Communication

Chesapeake, Virginia

**19

Emily Self

Classical Studies

German Studies & Sociology

Norfolk, Virginia

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Austin Obenour cum laude

Megan Sherman magna cum laude

Casselberry, Florida

Julia Nixon

Communication & Psychology

Communication & English

Chesapeake, Virginia

Andrew Penny

**20

Communication

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Henrico, Virginia

Taylor Simpson

Music

Newport News, Virginia

V IR GI N I A

W E S L EYAN

UNIV E RSIT Y

GOODE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts

Tina Stafford cum laude

Kaitlyn Wallace

Art

Art

Suffolk, Virginia

William Stermer

**19

Chesapeake, Virginia

Karleigh Warren

*20

Comprehensive Liberal Studies

Communication

Hartland, Michigan

Millsboro, Delaware

Megan Stredler

Ashley Wentzell

**20

Comprehensive Liberal Studies

English

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Mike Justin Sumulong

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Aleah Wilson

**20

**19

English

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Tony Tann

*20

Communication

Virginia Beach, Virginia

John Taranovich

*20

Art

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Women’s and Gender Studies

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Cora Wilson magna cum laude

Music & Psychology Powhatan, Virginia

Jordan Wilson

Communication

Gloucester, Virginia

C O MME N C E M E NT

2020

WATTS SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts

Alexandra Angell

Business

**20

#BHC Qi Chen

Business

Nokesville, Virginia

Girma Baker

**20

Business

Ningbo, China

Sarah Clark

Business

Virginia Beach, Virginia

**19

**19

Business

Crystal Cook magna cum laude

Business

Norfolk, Virginia

Jade Baker Virginia Beach, Virginia

Cullen Bell

*20

Chesapeake, Virginia

**20

# Brendon Curzio

Sport and Recreation Management

Business

Montross, Virginia

Chesapeake, Virginia

Anita Bradbury

Deliyon Drew

Business

White Post, Virginia

Allison Brewer magna cum laude

*20

Business

Hopewell, Virginia

Curtis Dudley

Recreational Therapy Chesapeake, Virginia

Business

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Elizabeth Britton cum laude

Meredith Dunn

Recreational Therapy

Midlothian, Virginia

Katherine Burton summa cum laude

Comprehensive Liberal Studies with Curricular Emphasis

Benjamin Byrd

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Business

Suffolk, Virginia

Business

Portsmouth, Virginia

T’Laya Elliott

*20

Business

Waldorf, Maryland

ď‚Ş Nichole Evenson magna cum laude

Comprehensive Liberal Studies with Curricular Emphasis

Norfolk, Virginia

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WATTS SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts Allison Fernandez

**19

Nel Hart

Business & Environmental Studies

Business & Computer Science

Cresco, Pennsylvania

Radford, Virginia

Nicholas Ficarella

*20

Joshua Hinson

Business

Sport and Recreation Management

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Churchville, New York

Avery Frangelli

**20

#Ryan Horan

Business

Business

Virginia Beach, Virginia

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Matthew Improta

Glen Mills, Pennsylvania

**19

Mariah Gamol

Business

Norfolk, Virginia

Business

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Shae Geary magna cum laude

Business & Criminal Justice

Business

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Tanner Italiano cum laude Virginia Beach, Virginia

Andrew Johnson

**20

*20

Business

Business

Yorktown, Virginia

Margaret Kingora

# Alaira Groomes Germantown, Maryland

Keenan Harlan

Business

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Business

Abigail Harrington

Sterling, Virginia

Brian Lane

**20

Business

Sport and Recreation Management

Crofton, Maryland

Dover, Delaware

*20

Business

Business

Kimberly Harrison Chesapeake, Virginia

Karen Lopez Roanoke, Virginia

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WATTS SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts Andrew Lowe

*20

Sport and Recreation Management

Franklin, Virginia

Hunter Majewski

Comprehensive Liberal Studies with Curricular Emphasis

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Taylor Major

*20

ď‚Ş Kathleen Saunders

Comprehensive Liberal Studies with Curricular Emphasis

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Patrick Sawyer

**19

Business

Chesapeake, Virginia

Austin Sax

Sport and Recreation Management

Business

Parksley, Virginia

*20

Makenna McSweeney

Business

Norfolk, Virginia

Tiffany Palao

Business

Oceanside, California

Nicholas Peterson

Business & Hispanic Studies

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Noah Riffle

*20

Sport and Recreation Management

Tampa, Florida

Earl Sargeant

**19

Business

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Vero Beach, Florida

Nyah Seaborne cum laude

Business

Windsor, Virginia

Daniel Spencer

*20

Business

Charlotte, North Carolina

Jennifer Tackett cum laude

**19

Business

Chesapeake, Virginia

**20

# Millie Taylor

Business

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Comprehensive Liberal Studies with Curricular Emphasis

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Cameron Thompson

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WATTS SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts Lauren Topper cum laude

*20

Recreational Therapy

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Spencer Valenti

*20

Sherri Williams

Sport and Recreation Management

Dover, Delaware

Kelci Vandiver magna cum laude

Comprehensive Liberal Studies with Curricular Emphasis

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Comprehensive Liberal Studies with Curricular Emphasis

Catonsville, Maryland

Virginia Beach, Virginia

*20

ď‚Ş Emma Walsh magna cum laude

Taylor Wilhelm magna cum laude

Business

Business

Norfolk, Virginia

Meghan Wood

Business Oak Hill, Virginia

Michael Wright magna cum laude

**19

Business

Chesapeake, Virginia

Alicia Zamora

*20

Sport and Recreation Management

Ashland, Ohio

Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Science Hannah Allen Sustainability Management Sheffield Lake, Ohio

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2020

WATTS SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Social Work Sarah Brown cum laude

*20

Social Work

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Sarah Brush

Social Work

Manassas, Virginia

Casey Hills Social Work

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Jocelin James

Social Work

Newport News, Virginia

Katlin Mozingo Social Work

Virginia Beach, Virginia

**20

December 2020 Graduate August 2020 Candidate **19 December 2019 Graduate *19 August 2019 Graduate # Potential Latin Honors Graduate BHC Batten Honors College  Graduates who have completed requirement for teacher licensure in Virginia  ROTC Candidate  Military Veteran *20

William Phillips Social Work Norfolk, Virginia *20

 Jetia Pressey

Social Work Hampton, Virginia

Tristen Roberts Social Work Naches, Washington **20

# Gillian Warrington

Social Work Virginia Beach, Virginia **20

Debbie Winters

Social Work Virginia Beach, Virginia

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Graduating Presidential Scholars Patrick Bausone Allison Brewer Annika Christenson Noah Craft Allison Fernandez Isabella Glaze

Amber Matalus Monika Metro Jacob Pilarski Megan Sherman Alyssa Taylor Taylor Wilhelm

Graduating Wesleyan Scholars Andreas Combos Christopher Fegan Danielle Gagnon Cora Wilson

Graduating PORTfolio Program Students Cosmone Clarke Austin Edmonds Kaniah Elkerson Anthony Gray Austin Obenour Charlene Santos

Miriam Schiller Nyah Seaborne Emily Self Skye Seutter Christina Whipple

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Global Citizenship The following graduates represented Virginia Wesleyan University as part of semester study abroad.

Alexandra Angell - Australia Monique Ayers - Spain John Brooks - Greece Mikelah Bur - Spain Danielle Gagnon - Germany Jocelin James - Japan Amber Matalus - Spain Monika Metro - Cambodia Lauren Pirozzi - England Spencer Valenti - New Zealand

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2020 Retiring Faculty Hilve Firek, Professor of Education

10 years of service

Michael Hall, Professor of of English

40 years of service

Jayne Sullivan, Associate Professor of Education

21 years of service

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2020

VIRGINIA WESLEYAN VOX VERA Jacob Barnett Rachel DeMay Rebecca Gardner D’Angelo John Aleigha Johnson Robert Jones

Lars Neel Thomas Reinhold Jackson Simmons Serena Smith Jennifer Vega Lindsay White

Dr. Bryson Mortensen Conductor Associate Professor of Music and Chair of Fine and Performing Arts

VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY ALMA MATER Music by David Clayton, Words by Sandra Billy

On Lake Taylor by the Bay, seagulls soar where Marlins play.

Sunlight streams across the fields and shimmers through the trees.

Truth and honor. Service, knowledge.Wisdom lights the way.

Our paths may lead around the world, but our hearts stay at Wesleyan.

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Academic Regalia The three academic degrees generally recognized are the bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate.

The name of each degree seems to have been determined by medieval custom. The bachelor’s degree, the baccalaureate, takes its name from the practice of referring to novices in trade guilds, knightly orders and universities as “bachelors.” The master’s degree was equivalent to a license to teach, and sometimes was followed by the express words licentia docendi. The doctorate degree derived from the habit of addressing scholars of great learning by the title “doctor.” Today, of course, all three degrees are generally earned by following a prescribed course of academic study.

However, honorary degrees are granted for meritorious service and for distinction in public or private endeavor. In the medieval university, students and teachers wore gowns indicating their status and scholastic achievement. In 1895, an intercollegiate commission drafted a uniform code governing the use of academic caps, gowns and hoods in the United States. The vast majority of colleges and universities in the nation, including Virginia Wesleyan University, adhere to those guidelines.

Those holding the bachelor’s degree wear a black gown distinguished by long pointed sleeves hanging to the knees. The master’s gown, worn open, features even longer sleeves which are closed at the bottom. There are slits about midway for the arms. The doctorate gown has full-length lapels of velvet and bell-shaped sleeves with three horizontal velvet bars.

A hood may be worn with the gown and is made of the same material. Each hood is lined in silk with the colors of the institution which granted the degree. In the case of Virginia Wesleyan, for example, the colors are blue and white. The bachelor’s hood is three feet long, with a two-inch strip of velvet. The master’s hood is three and onehalf feet long, faced with a three-inch velvet strip.

The doctor’s hood is four feet long, faced with a

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five-inch strip of velvet. The color of the velvet strip on the hood indicates the field of study in which the University degree was earned or granted, for example:

Arts Science Music Social Welfare Theology

White Yellow Pink Citron Scarlet

Public Health Fine Arts Education Business Philosophy

Salmon Brown Light Blue Drab Blue

The appropriate cap for all degrees is the familiar “mortar board.” A tassel, hanging to the left of the face, is also appropriate for all degrees. Holders of the doctoral degree may wear a soft velvet cap of the color indicating their field of study and a tassel of gold thread.

Gonfalons Serving as the backdrop for the Virginia Wesleyan University Commencement Ceremony are the institutional banners, or gonfalons. The institutional gonfalon leads the procession, reflecting the University’s rich history and commitment to liberal Arts education. It is followed by banners for the Batten Honors College, the Birdsong School of Social Science, the Joan P. Brock School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, the Susan S. Goode School of Arts and Humanities, the D. Henry Watts School of Professional Studies, and University College.

Each contains imagery and colors signifying its respective area of discipline. The style of the gonfalons processing today were unveiled in 2017 with new design by Christine Hall and hand stitching by McIlhenny Banners of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. They replace the University’s original gonfalons, which were created and hand stitched by Judy Tinsley and Judy Coltrane, with additional design from the Art DepArtment. The first set of gonfalons are preserved in the Office of Academic Affairs and remain an important visual tribute to Virginia Wesleyan history.

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Presidential Medallion

Ce re monial Mace

A symbol of the Office of the President of Virginia Wesleyan University, the medallion was commissioned upon Virginia Wesleyan’s transition from College to University status in 2017.

It features the official University seal and hangs on a cloth ribbon in VWU blue. The original sterling silver and blue enamel medallion (1993-2017) also utilized the University seal as its main design element.

A mace, once designed for use as a tool of medieval warfare, has served in recent centuries as a symbol of authority and vitality by legislative bodies and institutions of higher education. In the latter context it becomes a ceremonial staff, bearing engraved images and words which represent distinguishing characteristics of the institution.

Honorary Degrees Doctor of Arts (honoris causa): This degree is awarded to individuals who have distinguished themselves in the Arts.

Doctor of Divinity (honoris causa): First awarded in 1786, this degree is awarded to individuals who have distinguished themselves in endeavors related to religion.

Doctor of Humane Letters (honoris causa): First awarded in the 1880s, this degree is awarded to individuals who have distinguised themselves in the humanities.

Doctor of Laws (honoris causa): First awarded in 1773, this degree is awarded to individuals who have distinguished themselves in general service to state, to learning and to mankind.

The Virginia Wesleyan University mace was created by goldsmith Suzannah Wagner of Ashland, Virginia. The cherry wood for the mace was harvested in southeastern Virginia in the 1930s and the base of the shaft contains grains of eArth preserved from the original campus groundbreaking ceremony on July 18, 1965. Latin inscriptions on crystal panels evoke mind, body, spirit and community. Additional engravings on crystal and silver reflect agricultural, maritime and other regional symbols; the United Methodist cross and flame; and scenes of the campus.

The mace is carried in academic processions and at other times is displayed on the campus accompanied by a narrative describing the symbols which it bears.

5817 Wesleyan Drive Virginia Beach, Virginia 23455