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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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2020
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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2020
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