John Pell, Ph.D., Provost & Executive Vice President
Erica Salkin, Ph.D., Dean, College of Arts, Sciences & Education
Robin Henager, Ph.D., Interim Dean, School of Business
Michael Ediger, D.H.Sc., Dean, School of Health Sciences
INVOCATION
Stacy Withrow Hill ’98, Ed.D., Vice Provost of Academic Affairs
Timothy Caldwell ’24, Vice Provost of Student Affairs
SCRIPTURE
Hebrews 11:1
Romans 5:1-5
COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
James I. Leman ’01, Master of Arts, Class of 2026
Emma Nicole Ainsley Brunner ’22, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Class of 2026
“Audacious Hope” Renee’ Schoening, Ed.D., Assistant Professor & Director, School Counseling & Social Emotional Learning
HYMN
Holy, Holy, Holy
Song Leader: Melissa Jones ’25, Master in Teaching, Class of 2026 Piano: Joy Zickau
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning, our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity.
Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee, Who wert, and art, and evermore shall be.
Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee, Though the eye of sinfulness Thy glory may not see; Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee, Perfect in power, in love and purity.
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All Thy works shall praise Thy name, in earth and sky and sea; Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
STUDENT SPEAKER
Brett Charity, Master of Business Leadership, Class of 2026
CONFERRAL OF GRADUATE DEGREES
Scott McQuilkin ’84, ’88, Ph.D., President
John Pell, Ph.D., Provost & Executive Vice President
Stacy Withrow Hill ’98, Ed.D., Vice Provost of Academic Affairs
Graduate Program Directors & Faculty
ALMA MATER
Centennial Text, 1990
Song Leader: Melissa Jones ’25, Master in Teaching, Class of
Piano: Joy Zickau
by Leonard A. Oakland and Darrell Guder
CHARGE TO NEW ALUMNI
Scott McQuilkin ’84, ’88, Ph.D., President
BENEDICTION
John Pell, Ph.D., Provost & Executive Vice President
RECESSIONAL
Angus Scott Pipe Band
The audience will remain seated until the graduates have recessed.
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER 2026
Renee’ Schoening joined the faculty at Whitworth in 2022 as assistant professor and director of school counseling & social emotional learning (SEL) graduate programs. She is a marriage and family therapist and a graduate of the Fuller Theological Seminary MFT program. She earned her doctorate in counselor education and supervision at the University of Montana, where she taught prior to coming to Spokane. Schoening is also a school counselor and longtime advocate for creating systems to support mental health. In 2024, the U.S. Department of Education awarded her a $3.37 million grant to support mental health in K-12 schools in Eastern Washington, the largest grant in the history of Whitworth. Her scholarship and service include a focus on human flourishing, character development and mitigating secondary trauma for educators. She is married to Drew, a clinical psychologist, and they have two grown children, Rachel and Peter. Her own wellness practice includes flower gardening, singing, dancing, bird watching, and belly laughing with family and friends.
Students listed in this program are degree candidates at Whitworth University. Inclusion in the commencement program is not indicative of degree completion. Degree completion will be indicated on a student’s official transcript.
COLLEGE OF ARTS, SCIENCES & EDUCATION
Master of Arts: Administrative & Nonprofit Leadership
Adrienne K. Schnell-Traylor Spokane, Washington
Master of Arts in Teaching: Special Education
Katherine E. Cannata Spokane, Washington
Master of Education: Educational Administration
Charles Tyler Gartner Spokane, Washington
Isaac David Kimmet Spokane, Washington
Jaymi Stricker Springdale, Washington
Master of Education: Montessori
Debal Raza Abidi San Jose, California
Laela Bollens Seattle, Washington
Rylin Grace Brett Bend, Oregon
Alyssa Burge Scotts Mills, Oregon
Jessica Clark Georgetown, Texas
Aubrie Cypert Eagle River, Alaska
Sasha Molly Na Feinberg Portland, Oregon
Megan Chiquete Griffith Phoenix, Arizona
Michelle Marie Gronewold Ackley, Iowa
Eunyoung Hong Washington, D.C.
Mikaela Rose Lieb Littleton, Colorado
Ashley Mendoza Rancho Cucamonga, California
Hailee C. P. Nylund Brush Prairie, Washington
Conal O’Keefe Washington, D.C.
Begelia Jane Piesco Vancouver, Washington
Beata A. Skorusa Chicago, Illinois
Ezekiel Taton Snohomish, Washington
Breanna S. L. Wilson Saint Paul, Minnesota
Amelia Ming Wong Camas, Washington
Master of Education: Teaching & Learning
Jacob Brandvold Snohomish, Washington
GRADUATE DEGREE CANDIDATES
Ruth Ellen Carlson Spokane, Washington
Nicholas J. Cogswell Spokane, Washington
Yulia Gluhova Spokane, Washington
Logan P. Posey Waverly, Washington
Master of Education: School Counseling
Lindsey White Bench Spokane, Washington
Blake DeWalt Spokane, Washington
Paula Marie Gormon Colville, Washington
Jack H. Johnson III Spokane, Washington
Khyndra A. Tallman Deer Park, Washington
Master of Education: Social Emotional Learning
Carson Ryder AnselmoMarnach Spokane, Washington
Master in Teaching: Elementary
Connor Andreas Liberty Lake, Washington
David Cade Conklin Spokane, Washington
Kyle Hoerner Spokane, Washington
Tricidy Joy Hoffman Elk, Washington
Nicholas Kim Spokane, Washington
Nicholas Richard Sampson Spokane, Washington
Jaela Danae Thornburg Cheney, Washington
Master in Teaching: Secondary
Owen Daniel Bratvold Richland, Washington
Ashley Davis Naches, Washington
Blake A. Fernández Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Joseph Norman Gore Prosser, Washington
Joshua Huffman Spokane, Washington
Melissa Jones West Richland, Washington
Sadie Kruger Spokane, Washington
Kari Largent Colfax, Washington
Courtney Osborn Spokane, Washington
Maria Elizabeth Purtee Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Grace Robinson West Richland, Washington
Jacob Ryan Smith Cheney, Washington
GRADUATE DEGREE CANDIDATES
Hannah Renee VanDellen Everson, Washington
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS Master of Business Administration
Robert Elston Batchelder Spokane, Washington
Eric Bemish Spokane, Washington
Anthony Bithell Newberg, Oregon
Trevor Aaron Davis Seattle, Washington
Reagan Grace Ellis Bothell, Washington
Chelsea Loren Fogle Tacoma, Washington
Sarah Elizabeth Franzen Laclede, Idaho
Sarah Rose Jones Missoula, Montana
Christopher Knutson Sammamish, Washington
Colton Looney Vancouver, Washington
Aidan Morrison Kennewick, Washington
Jarvis Natividad Kalihi Valley, Hawai‘i
David Lee Rodarte, Jr. Frederickson, Washington
Jonathan Charles Schuck Spokane, Washington
Tyler VanCise Hermitage, Pennsylvania
Master of Business Leadership
Anne Marie Leina‘ala Abbott Kamuela, Hawai‘i
Emily Andrews Spokane, Washington
Gerriann L. Armstrong Spokane, Washington
Megan Nicole Baumgartner Ritzville, Washington
Brett Charity Torrington, Connecticut
Megan Griffin Spokane, Washington
Gregory Sean Harmon Newport, Washington
Christine Abigail Hudson Kalispell, Montana
Joan Natecho Muse Spokane, Washington
Hannah Poush Spokane, Washington
Master of Science: Financial Planning
Travis Henry Adams Spokane, Washington
Mathew Jordan Eardley Boise, Idaho
Nathan Frerichs Walla Walla, Washington
MaryAnne John Spokane, Washington
Razjah Kuhiiki Nanakuli, Hawai‘i
Mireya Lopez-Mercado East Wenatchee, Washington
Steven P. Offill Sebastian, Florida
Isabel Anthony Rivera-Mellin Othello, Washington
Tevin Thomas Shackelford Kentwood, Michigan
Cameron Sheley Spokane Valley, Washington
Edward Vu Walla Walla, Washington
James Thomas Walker Walnut Creek, California
Joel M. Wilson Twin Falls, Idaho
Cary A. Wong Spokane, Washington
SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES
Master of Arts: Marriage & Family Therapy
Sarah Margaret Armstrong Missoula, Montana
Miles Jeffrey Gregorio Barajas Spokane Valley, Washington
Anna Brackett Spokane, Washington
Annie Almira Grace Brose Spokane, Washington
Joseph Campbell Post Falls, Idaho
Hannah Mildred Doggett Spokane, Washington
Andrew James England Spokane, Washington
Kimberly Lynn Harper Spokane, Washington
Kassandra Hillhouse Spokane, Washington
Shaya Shavon Holland Spokane, Washington
Sol Hong Charlotte, North Carolina
Kendall Hostetler Pullman, Washington
Margarita Griselda Jennings Spokane, Washington
Alisha Allene Jones Otto, Wyoming
James I. Leman Spokane, Washington
Morgan Rae Linder Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Sarah Grace McEntee Novato, California
Ainsley Marisa Ortega Bellevue, Washington
Gabriella Rebay Post Falls, Idaho
Rachel D’Lanee Reynolds Yakima, Washington
Bethany Smith Ogden, Utah
Julian Riley Thueringer Spokane, Washington
Madisynn Tofte Spokane, Washington
Pember Claire Vandiver Brawley, California
Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Alexa LeeAnne Best Cach Richland, Washington
Andrea Friesen Mason, Ohio
Haley Christine Jacobson Des Moines, Washington
Emma Grace Leathers Santa Clarita, California
Aldo Mercado Anaheim, California
Celia Moyer Eugene, Oregon
Emily Weiler Dundee, Oregon
Kate White Spokane, Washington
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Emma Nicole Ainsley Brunner Monitor, Washington
Kendall Alexis Gantz Beaverton, Oregon
Kylie Anne Kondra Eatonville, Washington
Brock Russell Lords Las Vegas, Nevada
Joshua Christian Mendoza Maple Valley, Washington
Nathan Noggle Spokane, Washington
Olivia J. Ortiz Redlands, California
Eduardo Gabriel Rojas-Pelagio Kirkland, Washington
Chandler Roselli Sacramento, California
Gabriel Smith Bellingham, Washington
Sarah Josephine Strawn Spokane, Washington
GRADUATE DEGREE CANDIDATES
ACADEMIC REGALIA
Academic regalia is a tradition dating from the Middle Ages, when long robes and hoods were everyday attire designed to protect against the cold and drafts of medieval university halls.
The many variations in academic dress are not incidental, but are rich in meaning. Each costume represents both the degree held by the wearer and the institution that awarded it. While in Europe each university has been free to adopt whatever design it wishes, a considerable degree of standardization has been achieved in the United States. Some of the elements of the code of academic dress follow.
HOOD: The hood, which is draped down the back, carries more symbolic significance than any other part of the costume. The border, extending over the shoulders to meet in a “V” at the front, indicates by its colors the discipline in which the degree was earned. Colors for some of the faculties are white (arts, letters, humanities); cream (social science); dark blue (philosophy); light blue (education); scarlet (theology); pink (music); golden yellow (natural science); lemon (library science); nugget (business, accounting); and sage green (physical education).
The lining of the hood, partly exposed, is in the colors of the degree-granting institution (for Whitworth, crimson and black). Doctoral hoods are longer than those of master’s degree recipients and have a wider border. Recipients of the bachelor’s degree do not wear hoods.
GOWN : Black gowns are the rule, but a few universities use other colors. A doctor’s gown is recognizable by the three horizontal velvet bars on each sleeve, either in black or in the color of the discipline in which the degree was granted. Typically, a doctor’s gown also has velvet panels down the front. The typical gowns for master’s degree and baccalaureate degree candidates do not have decorated panels or sleeves.
CAP : The familiar hard-topped mortarboard, or Oxford cap, has long been standard, but a soft tam is increasingly common. The tassels are usually black or the color of the discipline. The tassel on a doctor’s cap is usually metallic gold.
THE BANNERS
The banners carry the Celtic cross, representing the university’s Scottish Presbyterian heritage, and the seal of Whitworth University. These banners are a permanent part of the commencement exercises.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
As followers of Christ, we are compelled to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God. It is our love of God and neighbor that leads us to offer the following statement: a xest sxľxaľt. Welcome, everyone. We acknowledge
that we gather today on the traditional homelands of the four bands of the Spokane Tribe of Indians: Sntut úlixw, Snxwméne , Scqesciłni and Sčewile . Since time immemorial, the Spokane Tribe of Indians has lived prosperously on this land, identifying themselves as “sqélix w,” or “flesh of the land.” We pay our respects to their Elders – past, present and emerging – and we acknowledge their continuing connection with the land, waters and culture. We honor God with gratitude for the land itself and the peoples who have fished, hunted, harvested and gathered here for generations. This acknowledgment recognizes the first custodians of this land, the suffering they endured, and the continued restoration and healing needed. It is important to understand the history that has brought us to reside here, because such understanding fosters a more united community that honors and embraces the first peoples of Spokane. We thank the Spokane Tribe members for sharing their stories, culture and language to develop this welcome. lem lmtš šey u hoy.
THE QUASQUICENTENNIAL PINECONE
Whitworth’s ceremonial icon, to be carried at commencement, convocations and other official university ceremonies, is the Quasquicentennial Pinecone. The icon was commissioned and presented to the university by President Beck A. Taylor to honor the institution’s 125th anniversary, in 2015. It was designed by Professor of Art & Design Katie Creyts and was first used at Spring Convocation 2016. The icon depicts the cone of the ponderosa pine, long a symbol of Whitworth’s beautiful tree-lined campus. Crafted of cast bronze and glass, the Quasquicentennial Pinecone reflects a lamp of learning as well as the characteristics of the cone itself. The top of the piece includes a quotation from the original 1890 Whitworth College catalog, and 12 of the castglass pinecone scales feature moral and intellectual virtues that reflect the Whitworth community’s highest aspirations for its members. The text for each of the virtues was handwritten by a different member of the Whitworth community, signifying that from many voices and perspectives, we come together as a single body, united in celebration of and dedication to Whitworth’s Christian mission.
CLARIFICATIONS
(1) Participation in commencement and inclusion in the commencement program do not guarantee official granting of a degree. Each graduate office verifies completion of all degree requirements for master’s degree candidates. The registrar’s office then completes the final degree requirement verification and posts all completed degrees. (2) The official document verifying degree completion is the Whitworth transcript, signed and sealed by the registrar. . ’
