ACU Commencement Program May 2023

Commencement

MAY

OUR MISSION

To educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world.

OUR PROMISE

ACU is a vibrant, innovative, Christ-centered community that engages students in authentic spiritual and intellectual growth, equipping them to make a real difference in the world.

The Academic Hood

The academic regalia worn at college commencements, consisting of a gown, mortarboard cap and hood, originated in medieval Europe. When universities began about the 12th century, the basic item of apparel worn by men and women alike was a long gown or robe. The colors and materials often indicated the social status and wealth of the wearer. An outer cloak was worn over the gown in cold weather. The cloak had a hood hanging down the back, which could be pulled up to cover the head. The modern academic hood has evolved from this medieval garment. Over the centuries, fashion changed, but the European universities retained the medieval dress. The scholars’ apparel was prescribed by university rules and distinguished the scholar from the commoner. In the 18th century, King’s College (now Columbia University) in New York and other colonial colleges began to use the academic apparel of English universities at their graduation ceremonies. The practice spread widely in the U.S. after 1880, and in 1895 an Intercollegiate Commission adopted a code of academic dress that most colleges follow today.

The hood is a symbol of the degree the wearer holds and is the most distinctive part of the academic dress. The colors of the hood identify the degree and university or college that conferred it. Hoods worn by the faculty of Abilene Christian University in the Commencement processional are a colorful spectacle representing the many graduate schools faculty members have attended.

The hood is lined and carries the colors of the institution conferring the degree – the hoods for all ACU degrees are lined with the familiar purple and white. The velvet border on the outside of the hood identifies the degree: white for the B.A., M.A. and M.L.A.; gold for the B.S., M.S. and S.S.P.; tan for the B.B.A., M.Acc. and MBA; brown for the B.F.A.; pink for the B.M.; orange for the B.S.E.; apricot for the B.S.N. and D.N.P.; sage green for the M.A.T. and M.H.A.; citron for the M.S.S.W.; light blue for the M.Ed., Ed.D. and Ed.S.; and scarlet for the M.Div., M.A.C.M., M.A.T.S., M.M.F.T. and D.Min.

The undergraduate hooding ceremony is one of the high points in an ACU Commencement, for in this ceremony a loved one or friend is privileged to place upon the graduate the centuries-old symbol of his or her academic degree.

ACU Commencement Stole

A new tradition began this year with the ACU Commencement Stole, which will be worn by bachelor’s degree candidates during Commencement. The stole features the academic seal and the interlocking ACU logo, which symbolize the academic and co-curricular experiences that comprise the ACU student experience. After the ceremony, it may be passed on to encourage a current or future Wildcat to reach this same milestone themselves.

A Charge to the Graduate Class of 2023

Dr. Nannette Glenn Dean,

College of Graduate

Professional Studies

and

Dr. Nannette Glenn, dean of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies at Abilene Christian University Dallas, is a lifelong educator. Her career in education began in the classroom, and she progressed through education roles as a K-12 administrator and Texas Education Agency program consultant before becoming an administrator and faculty member in higher education.

Glenn has worked in several public, private, faith-based and proprietary universities, as well as HBCUs, and has served in various roles as a department chair, program director, dean, vice president of academic affairs, and as an interim campus president. She has presented at many local, state and national events for almost two decades and enjoys learning new methods and coaching/training faculty to help underserved students, especially adult learners and students from underserved groups.

A few of Glenn’s achievements include two national fellowships – one with the Education Development Center in Boston, Massachusetts, and the other with the National Alliance of Black School Educators; participating in the Education Entrepreneurship program through the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and the Graduate School of Education; becoming a Collegiate Achievement Alliance Lifetime Trainer; and membership in the 2023 Women’s Leadership Development Initiative, a year-long program with the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.

Glenn holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in general special education from the University of Texas at Austin; a Master of Education in multicultural special education from the University of Texas at Austin; a Master of Science in education entrepreneurship from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education/Wharton School; and a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of North Texas.

Glenn is actively involved with her church, and in her spare time, she enjoys playing with her granddaughter, crafting and visiting antique malls.

A Charge to the Undergraduate Class of 2023

Max Lucado (’77)

Teaching Minister, Oak Hills Church, San Antonio, Texas

Max Lucado is a pastor, speaker and bestselling author with more than 145 million products in print, which have been translated into 56 languages and distributed across 80 countries worldwide. Known for delivering timeless messages of hope and encouragement in his signature writing style, combining poetic storytelling and homespun humor, Lucado is America’s favorite and most prolific inspirational author.

In his latest book, God Never Gives Up on You: What Jacob’s Story Teaches Us About Grace, Mercy, and God’s Relentless Love (Thomas Nelson, September 2023), Lucado unpacks the life and misdeeds of Old Testament patriarch Jacob and honestly reflects on some of his own struggles and flaws. Lucado explains that Jacob’s imperfect life, like every imperfect human life, is exactly where God chooses to display perfect love and undeserved redemption.

After graduating from ACU, Lucado served churches in Miami, Florida and in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for a decade. Since 1988, he has served at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. All of Lucado’s trade books first begin as sermons to his congregation, and his sermons all begin with asking himself, “What can I say on Sunday that will still matter on Monday?”

When a global pandemic broke out in 2020, he began a daily video check-in to encourage people who felt fearful and isolated. The video messages have been viewed more than 42 million times over the last 36 months (now published as The Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast). In addition to the daily video check-ins, Lucado and his publisher offered free online Bible studies for three of his books Anxious for Nothing, You’ll Get Through This and Facing Your Giants. Lucado accepted more than 200 interview invitations during the second half of 2020, including Fox News, Dave Ramsey Radio, KLOVE, TBN, CBN, Moody Radio, The FISH, Extra TV and more – presenting messages of hope and comfort during that long season of uncertainty.

Lucado and his wife, Denalyn (Preston ’79), live in San Antonio, Texas and celebrated 40 years of marriage in 2021. They have three grown daughters, three sons-in-law and three grandchildren.

Honorary Doctorate

David D. Halbert (’78) Chairman, Founder and CEO of Caris Life Sciences

David D. Halbert is the chairman, founder and CEO of Caris Life Sciences, the pioneering precision medicine company that helps patients receive better quality care through access to individualized medicine. With more than 40 years of experience, and a strong track record of growth and value creation in the energy, financial and healthcare industries, Halbert continues to be one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the United States. He is a passionate advocate of personalized medicine and leads Caris Life Sciences with a philosophy that more precise and individualized information will lead to dramatic improvements in the quality of care patients receive. Halbert has been tremendously influenced by his mother’s passing from cancer, as evidenced by his personal investment, commitment and unwavering dedication to making precision medicine a reality for cancer patients.

Prior to founding Caris Life Sciences, Halbert founded AdvancePCS® in 1987, a leading pharmacy benefits management company, where he served as chairman and CEO until it was sold to CareMark® in 2004 for $7.5 billion. Under Halbert’s leadership, the small, privately owned company grew into a publicly traded Fortune® 250 corporation with over $15 billion in annual revenue. AdvancePCS became the largest pharmacy benefit manager serving more than 75 million people – one in four Americans – and managed millions of prescription transactions annually, representing approximately $28 billion in drug expenditures.

Thereafter, Halbert formed Caris Capital®  in 2005. Since its formation, he has managed and sold over $1.2 billion in assets acquired with a weighted average return of seven times the initial investment. Also in 2005, Halbert acquired Pathology Partners Inc., an Irving, Texas-based pathology company specializing in gastrointestinal pathology, which was later renamed Caris.

In 2008, Halbert acquired Molecular Profiling Institute (MPI), an early-stage life sciences company. Renamed Caris Life Sciences, the precision medicine company has grown to become a leader in molecular science and artificial intelligence. Caris’ suite of molecular profiling offerings assesses DNA, RNA and proteins to reveal a molecular blueprint that helps physicians and cancer patients make more precise and personalized treatment decisions. Caris has performed more than 455,000 molecular profiles helping cancer patients worldwide.

Caris continues to advance precision medicine with a novel blood-based platform that spans cancer detection, profiling for treatment planning and disease monitoring. Combined with proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, Caris is actively helping physicians better identify and predict patient response to therapy, as well as support researchers and biopharmaceutical companies derive unique insights for drug development, clinical trials and target identification.

Halbert is the grandson of Dean Walling (‘30), a visionary founding director of ACU’s National Development Council during the Design for Development campaigns that built Moody Coliseum, McGlothlin Campus Center, Brown Library, Don H. Morris Center and Walling Lecture Hall, among other iconic buildings on campus. Halbert and his wife, Kathy (Gay ‘78), live in Colleyville, and their three children are all alumni of ACU: Kristen (Halbert ’04) Barstad, Patrick Halbert (’07) and Michael Halbert (’11). Over the years, the Halberts have provided for several endowed scholarships and funds to help build the Hunter Welcome Center. As part of ACU’s Vision in Action campaign in 2014, the Halberts gave $15 million through the Caris Foundation, making possible the Halbert-Walling Research Center, a 54,000-square-foot building for science labs, classrooms and offices, as well as $3 million toward Wildcat Stadium, providing for the Chuck Sitton Tower that houses suites, club level spaces and the press box.

Halbert and his family also created and solely support the Caris Foundation™, a non-profit, private foundation that aids impoverished people by helping to provide for their basic needs. Established in 2002, and headquartered in Colleyville, Texas, the award-winning Caris Foundation seeks to establish a local presence within communities in order to understand the people’s basic needs and implement solutions that are culturally relevant and sustainable across Africa and Haiti. The foundation employs more than 400 people. In 2017, the Caris Foundation was appointed to lead a $98.5 million dollar investment by the United States Agency for International Development to bolster Haiti’s health system and expand essential healthcare for up to 4.2 million people.

Dr. David Spetzler President, Caris Life Sciences

Dr. David Halbert will be hooded by his colleague, Dr. David Spetzler. Spetzler joined Caris Life Sciences in August 2009 and has led their research and development and laboratory operations in a multitude of roles. As president, he currently leads the company’s clinical operations, research and development, information technology, bioinformatics and biopharma services. Spetzler has generated more than 330 patent applications across 37 different patent families and co-authored more than 123 peer-reviewed journal articles.

As an innovator in molecular science and precision medicine, Spetzler has a relentless focus on improving patient care. He has led the development of each of the company’s clinical offerings, including launches of clinical Whole Transcriptome Sequencing in 2019 and Whole Exome Sequencing in 2020. More recently he led the launch of the company’s first AI-based clinical products, Caris GPSai™ and FOLFIRSTai™.

Dale and Rita Brown Outlive Your Life Award

Dr. Tony E. Roach Sr. (’79 M.S.; ’92 D.Min.)

Dr. Tony E. Roach Sr. wears the title “doctor” humbly for two reasons. First, because he dropped out of school in the 10th grade at age 16 because he couldn’t read. Today, when he speaks to young people, he tells his story of the dropout who became a doctor – the illiterate man who has become an author. The second reason Roach wears the title humbly is because he was the first African American to earn a doctoral degree from ACU.

Roach grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. After dropping out of high school, he eventually returned to graduate after teaching himself to read. He earned a bachelor’s degree in social science from nearby Hiram College before earning his Master of Science degree in biblical text from ACU in 1979. He completed his Doctor of Ministry degree in 1992 as part of the third graduating class of ACU’s first doctoral program.

He and his wife, Candyce, planted the Minda Street Church of Christ in Abilene in 1979. For 45 years they employed a Sound Doctrine Training program known as The GOD Link As a result of the training, the Minda Street congregation baptized thousands of people as well as training and ordaining eight elders, four deacons and 22 preachers, most of whom still serve in the Kingdom in some capacity today.

Roach also created the God’s Love Bank program and curriculum, which focuses on the core values of Jesus and helped Minda Street to baptize many people from different backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures. Minda Street is recognized by the Abilene community for its multicultural outreach, and Roach has been an influential voice in ACU’s racial reconciliation work in churches for more than five decades.

He retired as evangelist of Minda Street in 2016 and now works to expand the reach of his God’s Love Bank program, which is used around the world. He also continues to serve as minister emeritus at Minda Street.

Roach is the author of seven large books, a 12-volume small-book series and a five-volume annual church curriculum. He and Candyce live in Irving, Texas, and have four grown children and 11 grandchildren.

The Outlive Your Life Award is named for its first recipients, Dale and Rita Brown, and takes its name from the 2010 book by ACU alumnus Max Lucado (’77), Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make a Difference, used with permission. The award recognizes all types of servant leadership exhibited by friends or alumni of the university.

Order of Ceremony

Friday, May 12 , 2023 | 7 p.m.

Processional “Pomp and Circumstance” by Sir Edward Elgar Audience will please remain seated.

Welcome Dr. Robert Rhodes Provost

Call to Worship “To God Be the Glory” Dr. Odies Wright Associate Professor, Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition

Scripture Reading ............................................................................................................................ Dr. Sara Salkil Program Director, Master of Marriage and Family Therapy and B.S. of Child and Family Services

Invocation Dr. Kari Williams

Department Chair and Program Director, Department of Occupational Therapy

Introduction to Commencement .................................................................................. Dr. Robert Rhodes

Master of Ceremonies

Dr. Phil Schubert President

A Charge to the Class of 2023 ....................................................................................... Dr. Nannette Glenn Dean, College of Graduate and Professional Studies

Presentation and Conferring of Doctoral and Master’s Degree Graduates

Dr. Phil Schubert

Dr. Robert Rhodes

Introduction of Doctoral and Master’s Degree Graduates James Wiser Dean, Library Services and Educational Technology

Hooding of Doctoral Degree Graduates

Commencement 2023

Dr. Susan Lewis Vice Provost

Presentation of Diplomas ......................................................................................................... Marelyn

Shedd Member, ACU Board of Trustees

Presentation of Awards and Honors

Dr. Robert Rhodes

“Oh, Dear Christian College” ..............................................................................................

“Oh,

Dear Christian College”

Dr. Odies Wright

Oh, dear Christian College, we love you, Our dear Alma Mater, today; Like the stars shining brightly above you, Your fame shall shine brightly for aye. To you we’ll prove faithful and loyal, While ever upholding the right, And gladly we’ll give forth the royal, Three cheers for the purple and white. Then we’ll pledge our love to Christian, To her is honor due; While we gaily sing let praises ring, For our Alma Mater true.

Benediction

“The Lord Bless You and Keep You”

Dr. Bill Carroll Assistant Provost, Residential Graduate Programs

Dr. Odies Wright

Recessional “Crown Imperial” by Sir William Walton Audience will please remain seated.

Each graduate will be greeted on stage by the dean of their college.

Dr. Greg Straughn, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Ken Cukrowski, Dean, College of Biblical Studies

Dr. Brad Crisp, Dean, College of Business Administration

Dr. Terry Baggs, Interim Dean, College of Education and Human Services

Dr. Nannette Glenn, Dean, College of Graduate and Professional Studies

Dr. Marcia Straughn, Dean, School of Nursing

A reception for graduates and invited guests will follow outside the south doors of Moody Coliseum in the Mall Area of Campus.

NOTE TO AUDIENCE

Photographs for university publicity will be taken at this event. Sign language interpretation is available in a reserved seating section in the front rows of section 02.

Candidates for Graduate Degrees

Doctor of Education

Shanaya Kuykendahl Anderson (Ed.D., Organizational Leadership) ........... Houston, Texas

Dissertation: Pathways to Success for Black Women Leaders in Online Higher Education: Intersectionality of Gender, Race, and Personality Traits

Chair: Dr. Karmyn Downs

Shelly Lynn Anderson (Ed.D., Organizational Leadership) ...................... San Antonio, Texas

Dissertation: Academic Performance of Low SES At-Risk Black and Latinx Students: A Case Study of Teachers’ Perceptions

Chair: Dr. Dianne Reed

Lizette Avalos-Morales (Ed.D., Organizational Leadership) ......................... Holcomb, Kansas

Dissertation: Exploring the Upward Transfer Advising Experience of First-Generation Latinx Community College Students

Chair: Dr. Rick Zomer

Niya Blair (Ed.D., Organizational Leadership) Fishers, Indiana

Dissertation: Exploring the Lived Experiences of Black Women Athletic Directors at NCAA Member Institutions

Chair: Dr. Linda Wilson-Jones

Jenny Roslyn De Los Santos (Ed.D., Organizational Leadership) San Antonio, Texas

Dissertation: Emotional Intelligence of Leaders in Higher Education and its Impact on Employees

Chair: Dr. Andrew Lumpe

† Amanda Dunn (Ed.D., Organizational Leadership) Magnolia, Texas

Dissertation: Professional Learning Community Conflicts and Teacher Leader Conflict Management From Multiple Stakeholder Perspectives

Chair: Dr. Maria Mongillo

Adrian Lamont Eaglin (Ed.D., Organizational Leadership) Argyle, Texas

Dissertation: Effective CTE Program Administration: Assumed or Developed?

Chair: Dr. William C. Frick

Irene Sofia Garcia-Benavides (Ed.D., Organizational Leadership) ................... Conroe, Texas

Dissertation: Speech-Language Pathologists’ Barriers to Providing Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children Ages 2–9

Chair: Dr. Antonina Lukenchuk

Arvinder Kaur Gill (Ed.D., Organizational Leadership) Clovis, California

Dissertation: Exploring the Indicators of the Two Social and Emotional Learning Competencies and Their Relationship to Community College Grade Point Average

Chair: Dr. Carlos Contreras

Scott Mitchell January (Ed.D., Organizational Leadership) ..................... Weatherford, Texas

Dissertation: The Perceptions of Faculty and Instructional Designers Regarding the Impact of Professional Development to Teach Online Courses

Chair: Dr. Leah Wickersham-Fish

Trenee Tiffany Johnson (Ed.D., Organizational Leadership) ......................... Cincinnati, Ohio

Dissertation: Perceived Social Isolation and Turnover Intention Among Black Faculty at Midwestern and Southeastern Public U.S. Universities

Chair: Dr. Cynthia Sims

Tara Michelle Jones (Ed.D., Organizational Leadership) ................................ Ringgold, Georgia

Dissertation: Authentic Narratives of Successful Pathways to Undergraduate Completion for Black Men

Chair: Dr. Bryan Patterson

LaKeyshure Armstrong Marzell (Ed.D., Organizational Leadership) .............. Spring, Texas

Dissertation: Exploring the Lived Experiences of Women Superintendents in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi

Chair: Dr. Linda Wilson-Jones

Dayana Nunez (Ed.D., Organizational Leadership) Scarsdale, New York

Dissertation: A Descriptive Qualitative Study Exploring Middle-School Teachers’ Perceptions of Professional Development on Technology Integration

Chair: Dr. Leah Wickersham-Fish

† Member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society

Tai Lea Peacock (Ed.D., Organizational Leadership)

River Oaks, Texas

Dissertation: An Examination of the Relationships Between Campus Administrators and Special Education Teachers and its Influence on Teacher Retention

Chair: Dr. Jennifer Butcher

† Genesis Wyne Player (Ed.D., Organizational Leadership) .....................

Bessemer, Alabama

Dissertation: An Examination of the Career Trajectory of Black Female Pastors in the Black Church

Chair: Dr. Jennifer Butcher

† Amanda Renee’ Ritchie (Ed.D., Organizational Leadership)

San Angelo, Texas

Dissertation: Dual Credit: The Relationship Between Grade Point Average, Hours Earned, and Semesters to Degree Attainment

Chair: Dr. Jeffrey Cranmore

Jason E. Shepherd (Ed.D., Organizational Leadership)

Crandall, Texas

Dissertation: Removing Barriers That Prevent Parents From Low Socioeconomic Backgrounds From Being Involved in Their Children’s High School Education

Chair: Dr. Amy Barrios

† Tracie Leigh Shutt (Ed.D., Organizational Leadership) ................................. McKinney, Texas

Dissertation: An Examination of Conflict Resolution in Dispersed Organizations Using Strengths-Based Leadership

Chair: Dr. Donna Smith

† Lan Misty Song (Ed.D., Organizational Leadership)

Amarillo, Texas

Dissertation: Legitimization of Affective Domain Learning: A Transformative Mixed-Methods Analysis of Learning Outcomes Assessment Practice

Chair: Dr. Cecilia Hegamin-Younger

Jacquelyn Timmons (Ed.D., Organizational Leadership)

Port Arthur, Texas

Dissertation: A Phenomenological Study of the Underrepresentation of Division I Minority Women Athletic Directors

Chair: Dr. Jennifer Butcher

Misti N. Tope (Ed.D., Organizational Leadership)

Yukon, Oklahoma

Dissertation: A Multiple Case Study: The Impact of Instructional Coaching on Novice Teachers

Chair: Dr. Christie Bledsoe

Anna Marie Warren (Ed.D., Organizational Leadership)

Dissertation: A PAR Reflection on the Power of Teacher Voice

Chair: Dr. Julie Lane

Tanya Stubbs White (Ed.D., Organizational Leadership) ......................

Waxahachie, Texas

Chesapeake, Virginia

Dissertation: Examining Leadership Experiences and Practices of African American Women in Higher Education Settings to Overcome Barriers

Chair: Dr. Dianne Reed

† Mitzi S. Willis (Ed.D., Organizational Leadership)

Flower Mound, Texas

Dissertation: Perceptions of Organizational Politics and Interpersonal Relationships in Black Women’s Organizations and Sororities

Chair: Dr. Jennifer Butcher

Alisa S. Wright (Ed.D., Organizational Leadership)

Fort Worth, Texas

Dissertation: Higher Education’s Effect on Retention: Exploring the Experiences of CPS Caseworkers

Chair: Dr. John McIntyre

Adam Paul Ybarra (Ed.D., Organizational Leadership) ................................ Corona, California

Dissertation: Leadership Style in a Faith-Based Athletic Department Setting

Chair: Dr. James Adams

† Member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society

Doctor of Ministry

Abanoub Attalla (D.Min.) ...........................................................................................................

Officer, Australia

Thesis: Developing a Program of Well-Being for Coptic Orthodox Clergy in the Diocese of Melbourne, Australia

Chair: Dr. Jeff Childers

Johnnie Lee Birks (D.Min.)

Thesis: A Holy Land Guidebook: Cultivating Spiritual Disciplines for Holy Land Pilgrimages

Chair: Dr. Carson Reed

Jason Andrew Henderson (D.Min.)

Duncanville, Texas

Meadows Place, Texas

Thesis: Executing Vision: Operationalizing the Vision Statement of Logos Preparatory Academy in Sugar Land, Texas

Chair: Dr. Chris Flanders

Roger Dale Hendricks (D.Min.)

Thesis: Cultivating Reproductive Small Group Leaders within Southwest Church, Springboro, Ohio

Chair: Dr. James Thompson

Gayle Hill (D.Min.) .........................................................................................................................

Springboro, Ohio

Carlton, Australia

Thesis: Recovering a Missional Ecclesiology: An Interactive Praxis-Based Curriculum for Churches of the Baptist Union of Victoria

Chair: Dr. Chris Flanders

Mark Daniel Riessen (D.Min.)

Coromandel Valley, Australia

Thesis: Constructing a Theological Framework That Revitalizes the Missional Nature of Churches of Christ in South Australia

Chair: Dr. Carson Reed

Justin Lance Simmons (D.Min.)

Glenmora, Louisiana

Thesis: Tell Me the Old, Old Story: An Educational Curriculum for Junior Week at Christian Youth Encampment

Chair: Dr. Jeff Childers

Catherine Jane Spiller (D.Min.) .......................................................................

Ringwood North, Australia

Thesis: Liturgical Practices for Full Participation: Creating Opportunities for Engagement in Corporate Worship for People Living with Intellectual Disabilities at the Mooroolbark Salvation Army

Chair: Dr. David Kneip

Michael Stevens (D.Min.)

Thesis: Missional Renewal in a Large and Established Suburban Western Church

Chair: Dr. Jeff Childers

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Natalee Dillard Calais (D.N.P.)

Adelaide, Australia

Project: Burnout in Medical Assistants in the Primary Care Setting: Can Mindfulness be a Solution?

Chair: Dr. Colleen Marzilli

Stacey Forte (D.N.P.)

Project: Female Ex-Offenders Transitioning Into Society

Chair: Dr. Rosie Taylor Lewis

Anna Celia Gil (D.N.P.) .....................................................................................................

Project: Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Techniques in Chronic Illness

Chair: Dr. Linda Gibson

Houston, Texas

Houston, Texas

Chula Vista, California

† Michelle Lee Johnson (D.N.P.) .........................................................................................

Hallettsville, Texas

Project: The Effect of an American Heart Association–Approved Exercise Regimen on Burnout in Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants Working in Emergency Departments

Chair: Dr. Pattie Sunderhaus

Shelia Ann Moore-Miller (D.N.P.) ..................................................................................

Project: Venous Leg Ulcers: An Analysis of Nursing Knowledge

Chair: Dr. Tonya Sawyer-McGee

† Member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society

The Villages, Florida

DeaShandrea Thomas Williams (D.N.P.) ......................................................................... Mansfield, Texas

Project: Perspective of Nurse Practitioners on the Use of EBR Embedded in the Electronic Medical Record

Chair: Dr. Tricia Bernecker

Audra Renee-Smith Xenakis (D.N.P.) Belton, Texas

Project: Impact of Personalized Interactive Storytelling on Suspension of Disbelief in Clinical Simulation

Chair: Dr. Linda Gibson

College of Arts and Sciences

Communication

Ethan Riley Arbuckle (M.A., Communication) Shreveport, Louisiana

Thesis: Impacts of Virtual Debate on LPDA Inter-Team Communication

Chair: Dr. Joe Cardot

Keely Ann Hardeman (M.A., Communication) Brighton, Massachusetts

Thesis: A Burkean Analysis of Eighteenth, Nineteenth, and Twentieth-Century Hymns

Chair: Dr. Lauren Lemley

Ileana Andrea Mocciola (M.A., Communication) ............................................. Rio Negro, Argentina

Thesis: Argentine Women’s Narratives of Leadership

Chair: Dr. Dorothy Andreas

Sydney Rae Risher (M.A., Communication)

Thesis: “Look What You Made Me Do”: A Rhetorical Analysis of Taylor Swift’s Persona

Chair: Dr. Lauren Lemley

English

Oak Point, Texas

Megan Leigh Cline (M.A., English)

Granbury, Texas

† Payton Elizabeth Herring (M.A., English) ......................................................................... Millsap, Texas

† Rebecca Leigh McIntosh (M.A., English) ............................................................................ Abilene, Texas

Thesis: Narratives of Existence and the Narrative Existence: Ontological Unity in the Border Trilogy and Quantum Theory

Chair: Dr. Todd Womble

† Elizabeth Marie Miller (M.A., English) Allen, Texas

Thesis: Evaluating the Christian Reformational Transcendental Model of Art Criticism Through Albert Camus’s The Stranger

Chair: Dr. Jeremy Elliott

† Michaella Roach (M.A., English) ................................................................................... Marble Falls, Texas

Psychology

Harrison Adams (M.S., Clinical Psychology) ........................................................... Georgetown, Texas

Thesis: Mental Confidence in Alzheimer’s

Chair: Dr. Scott Perkins

Joshua Joaquin Alvarenga (S.S.P., Specialist in School Psychology) ................ Arlington, Texas

Maxwell Alton Bailey (S.S.P., Specialist in School Psychology) .............................. Abilene, Texas

Naomi Jael Cole (S.S.P., Specialist in School Psychology) Fort Worth, Texas

† Carma Cassandra Frazier (M.S., Counseling Psychology) Flower Mound, Texas

† Rylee Nicole Hallum (M.S., Counseling Psychology) Lake Jackson, Texas

† Member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society

Madison Morte Hill (S.S.P., Specialist in School Psychology) ................................... Conroe, Texas

Andrea Huerta (S.S.P., Specialist in School Psychology) .............................................. Boerne, Texas

† Madison Nicole Johnson (S.S.P., Specialist in School Psychology) Coppell, Texas

† Bryce Hoffman Kennedy (M.S., Counseling Psychology) Cheyenne, Wyoming

† Francine Rashelle Lewis (M.S., Counseling Psychology) Spanish Town, Jamaica

Angeline Rianna Melendez (M.S., Counseling Psychology) Granbury, Texas

Arianna Grizel Mendiola (M.S., Counseling Psychology) ......................................... La Porte, Texas

Mari Arielle Mireles (S.S.P., Specialist in School Psychology) ............................ Kingsville, Texas

† David Patrick Mitchell (M.S., Clinical Psychology) ......................................................... Irving, Texas

Thesis: Attitudes Toward Mental Health, Spiritual Seeking, and Well-Being

Chair: Dr. Richard Beck

Theodor James Napp (M.S., Clinical Psychology) ......................................................... Houston, Texas

Thesis: The Medicine of Memes: An Exploration of Humor Styles, Memes, and Dark Humor

Chair: Dr. David Mosher

Emilie Doebele Nelson (S.S.P., Specialist in School Psychology) Blairsville, Georgia

† Grant Wilson Parker (M.S., Clinical Psychology) .......................................................... Denton, Texas

Thesis: Moral Objections to Pornography

Chair: Dr. Richard Beck

Kanessa Ramdeo (S.S.P., Specialist in School Psychology) Abilene, Texas

Kourtney S. Raven (M.S., Counseling Psychology) ....................................................... Houston, Texas

Baylen Mckenna Roundtree (M.S., Counseling Psychology) ........................................ Lucas, Texas

Samantha Lynne Simms (M.S., Counseling Psychology) ............................. Plains, Pennsylvania

† Taylor Madison Smith (M.S., Counseling Psychology) Lubbock, Texas

Thesis: Effects of Personal Growth Initiative, Grit, and Spirituality on Competition Anxiety in Student Athletes

Chair: Dr. David Mosher

Zachary Ryan Terry (M.S., Counseling Psychology) ...................................... Junction City, Kansas

† Melissa Jean Winn (S.S.P., Specialist in School Psychology) ........ Germantown, Tennessee

College of Biblical Studies

Graduate School of Theology

† Jenny Sue Beck (M.A.C.M.) Lubbock, Texas

Ariel Marie Bloomer (M.A., Modern and American Christianity; M.Div) ............................................ West Chester, Ohio

Thesis: Tính Thông Nhât Trong Sur Đa Dang: Hanoi International Fellowship Ethnography

Chair: Dr. Wes Crawford

Emmanuel Dawutey (M.A.C.M.) Koforidua, Ghana

David Anthony Herbst (M.Div.) ............................................................................................... Arlington, Texas

Grace Elizabeth Hill (M.A.C.M.) ......................................................................... New Brighton, Minnesota

Karon Falaq Johnson (M.A.C.M.) ......................................................................... Durham, North Carolina

Jacob Douglas Keahey (M.Div) Abilene, Texas

† Member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society

Susan Lewis King (M.Div.) ............................................................................................................... Abilene, Texas

Bheki Daniel Mamba (M.A.C.M.) ........................................................................................ Manzini, Eswatini

Andrew David Nelson (M.Div.) Blairsville, Georgia

Collen Ngwarati (M.A.C.M.) Harare, Zimbabwe

Ian Damone Nickerson Sr. (M.Div.) Abilene, Texas

Amani Sebaziga (M.A.C.M.) Fort Worth, Texas

Jordan Ryan Turney (M.Div.) ......................................................................................................... Abilene, Texas

Katie Turnipseed (M.A.C.M.) ...................................................................................................... Lubbock, Texas

Marriage and Family Therapy

Molly Shannon Ruth Burke (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Edmond, Oklahoma

Thesis: The Process of Forming and Maintaining Intimate Friendships as a Twentysomething Chair: Dr. Lisa Merchant

Jacob Andre Corona (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Corpus Christi, Texas

† Kelli Anne Johnson (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Tuscola, Texas

Justin Rae Mendoza (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Abilene, Texas

† Katharine Elizabeth Newberry (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) ... Haskell, Texas

Jenn McCarthy-Blundin Prichard (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Stamford, Texas

Rickia J. Smith (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Red Oak, Texas

Erin Nicole Solomon (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) ................................ Ennis, Texas

Rebecca Marilou Trujillo (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) .................. Abilene, Texas

Thesis: The Lived Experience of Good Therapy for Latino Clients

Chair: Dr. Joanna Mendez-Pounds

Summer Elise Wright (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Abilene, Texas

Elisa Zepeda (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) ............................................... Jerome, Idaho

College of Business Administration Accounting

Mitchell Thomas Dickson (M.Acc.) ............................................................................ Flower Mound, Texas

Grayson Joseph Martin (M.Acc.) Abilene, Texas

Nathan Tyler Merritt (M.Acc.) ...................................................................................................... Abilene, Texas

† Lauren Neas (M.Acc.) Dallas, Texas

† William Todd Phinney (M.Acc.) ........................................................................................ Colleyville, Texas

Carter Mccook Rhyne (M.Acc.) Spring, Texas

Colton Michael Schannuth (M.Acc.) .................................................................................... Parker, Colorado

Ethan Cade Schmidt (M.Acc.) Amarillo, Texas

Andrew James Stripling (M.Acc.) ..................................................................................... Marble Falls, Texas

Sitong Zhou (M.Acc.) Hunan, China

† Member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society

College of Education and Human Services

Communication Sciences and Disorders

Crystal Denise Acuna (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) ......................... Mentone, California

Alyssa Jordae Adams (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) San Antonio, Texas

Ashlee Nicole Andrews (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) ............................. McKinney, Texas

Anastacia Nicole Badillo (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Coppell, Texas

Sydney Elaine Baer (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) ...................................... Grapevine, Texas

Brynley Kaylene Baker (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Kerrville, Texas

Kylie Bena (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) ........................................................... Mansfield, Texas

Ashten Lynne Berdon (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Plano, Texas

Sydney Alexis Bland (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) .................................... Southlake, Texas

Marcella Leigh Bordas (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Xenia, Ohio

Allison Stewart Brown (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Midland, Texas

† Caleb Josiah Brown (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Carrollton, Texas

Alexandra Mckenzie Burris (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) The Colony, Texas

Abigail Elise Cain (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Edmond, Oklahoma

Lauren F. Campagna (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Dallas, Texas

† Courtney Marie Caraway (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) ......................... Midland, Texas

Cristina Cardenas (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Eagle Pass, Texas

Hadley H. Clyce (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) ....................................................... Dallas, Texas

Regan Crognale (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Southampton, Pennsylvania

Kelly Marie DeCao (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) .............................. Woodbridge, Virginia

Julia Elizabeth Denton (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Trophy Club, Texas

Haley L. DeVore (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) ................................. The Woodlands, Texas

Margarette L. Drebot (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Windsor, Connecticut

Alyah Rose Edwards (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) .............................. San Antonio, Texas

Elise Emberlin (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Flower Mound, Texas

† Kathryn Faile (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology)................................................... Little Elm, Texas

Shelby Brooke Freeman (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Kerrville, Texas

Danira B. Garcia (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) ..................................................... Desoto, Texas

Yadira E. Godinez (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Moreno Valley, California

Ivalis Anita Guajardo (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) ................................ Waukegan, Illinois

Abbey Grace Hale (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Hamilton, Texas

Kate Raelynn Henley (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) .................................Gainesville, Texas

Amber Kate Holmberg (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Katy, Texas

Christena Mae Hulsey (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) ......................................... Dallas, Texas

Hannah Olivia Jumper (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Allen, Texas

Jordan Lauridia (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology)...................................... Flower Mound, Texas

Kathryn Elizabeth Lebo (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) McKinney, Texas

Rachel Caroline Lipp (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Irving, Texas

Catherine Rose Long (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Rowlett, Texas

Denise Abigail Lopez (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Hesperia, California

Jade Martinez (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Abilene, Texas

Elizabeth Evans McGetrick (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Aubrey, Texas

Elena Victoria Mendoza (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) ...................................... Allen, Texas

† Member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society

Holly Caroline Milner (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) ......................................... Euless, Texas

Anna Karen Navarini (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Laguna Niguel, California

Alisha Brooke Norman (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) ........................................ Lucas, Texas

Celeste De Jesus Olivares (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Flatonia, Texas

Matti Lynn Ortiz (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) ............................................. Little Elm, Texas

Dailey Marie Parker (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Midland, Texas

† Rachel Anna-Marie Parr (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) .......................... Mesquite, Texas

Jenna Christine Pesek (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Addison, Texas

Morgan Powell (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) ...................................... Flower Mound, Texas

Katherine E. Purcell (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Prosper, Texas

Victoria Nicole Ratliff (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) ............................................... Kyle, Texas

India Elizabeth Rhines (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Sunnyvale, Texas

Kailey Victoria Rivera (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Coppell, Texas

Lauren Tess Sotoodeh (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Denton, Texas

Rachel Toliver (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Los Angeles, California

Caitlyn S. Turner (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Moreno Valley, California

Abigail Alin Ware (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Hurst, Texas

Sarah Katherine Westfall (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) .............. Flower Mound, Texas

† Megan Olivia Wittkowske (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Shorewood, Wisconsin

Michelle Wong (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) ..................................................... McAllen, Texas

Kinesiology and Nutrition

† Josselyn Andrea Castillo (M.A.T.) .............................................................................................. Friona, Texas

Michael Anthony Mungia (M.A.T.) Abilene, Texas

Julia Carrie Prado (M.A.T.) ................................................................................................. El Dorado, Arkansas

Brittanee Waddell (M.A.T.) Allen, Texas

† Kelton Cole Wylie (M.A.T.) .............................................................................................. Breckenridge, Texas

Occupational Therapy

Rebeca Aragon Aviles (M.S., Occupational Therapy) ............................................... Needville, Texas

Gabrielle Grace Brewer (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Sachse, Texas

Shelby Leighann Brown (M.S., Occupational Therapy) ............................................ Seymour, Texas

Cameryn Danielle Chapman (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Clyde, Texas

Samantha Elizabeth Lara Cobos (M.S., Occupational Therapy) ........................... Presidio, Texas

† Courtney Campbell Coffman (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Abilene, Texas

Jaya A’Briana Eldridge (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Grand Prairie, Texas

Tiley Jru Elliott (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Rutledge, Georgia

Leia N. Emerson (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Coppell, Texas

Lynnsey Brooke Federwisch (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Elm Mott, Texas

Kassidy Virginia Fishell (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Federalsburg, Maryland

Evie Maria Guevara (M.S., Occupational Therapy) ................................................ San Angelo, Texas

Louel Misgina Hagos (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Seattle, Washington

Tucker Dosher Hibbard (M.S., Occupational Therapy) ................................ Oak Grove, Louisiana

Cassey S. John (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Carrollton, Texas

Kristina Ann John (M.S., Occupational Therapy) ............................................................ Rowlett, Texas

† Sarah Elizabeth Jones (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Abilene, Texas

† Member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society

Nicole Katharine Joseph (M.S., Occupational Therapy) ....................... Santa Clarita, California

Marlene Thea Macapagal (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Fort Worth, Texas

Jenna Mae Macias (M.S., Occupational Therapy) ............................................................... Cibolo, Texas

Jordan Taylor McRae (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Lucas, Texas

Rachel C. Nunez (M.S., Occupational Therapy) ............................................................. Mesquite, Texas

Erika Nazarea Olivarez (M.S., Occupational Therapy) La Villa, Texas

Makaley Lyn Ostlien (M.S., Occupational Therapy)........................................................ Abilene, Texas

Mary Kathryn Paxton (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Lubbock, Texas

Paige Michelle Royal (M.S., Occupational Therapy) .................................................. Levelland, Texas

Graciela M. Salazar Letscher (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Stonewall, Texas

Patrick Levi Sarson (M.S., Occupational Therapy) .............................. Albuquerque, New Mexico

Ashlee Elizabeth Shields (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Waco, Texas

Lauren Shirley (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Queen Creek, Arizona

Kamryn Nicole Stann (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Temecula, California

Jessica Marie Stiglmeier (M.S., Occupational Therapy) San Antonio, Texas

Alejandro Vasquez (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Amarillo, Texas

Mattlyn Renae Wells (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Hereford, Texas

Maison Brielle White (M.S., Occupational Therapy) ...............................................Visalia, California

Jamie Lea Wilkinson (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Vernon, Texas

School of Social Work

Brendan B. Harmon (M.S.S.W.)

Weatherford, Texas

Thesis: Longitudinal Insights into Student Behaviors and Program Impact: A Multi-Year Analysis of Post-Program Surveys Pre- and Post-COVID-19

Chair: Dr. Kyeonghee Jang

Jordan Taylor Jones (M.S.S.W.)

Paris, Texas

Thesis: An Evaluation of a Supportive Mentoring Program for Teenagers At-Risk of Homelessness: Effects on Academic Performance and Psychosocial Functioning in a Pilot Study

Chair: Dr. Alan Lipps

Jack Edward Marcelain (M.S.S.W.) ..............................................................................................

Thesis: The Impact of COVID-19 on the Mental Health of College Students

Chair: Dr. Kyeonghee Jang

Faith Maureen Parsons (M.S.S.W.)

Thesis: Perceived Outcomes and Barriers of Advance Care Planning from Healthcare Professionals

Chair: Dr. Kyeonghee Jang

† Kimberly Suzann Putnam (M.S.S.W.)

Thesis: Crossing Over: A Description of Dual-Status Youth in Taylor County, Texas

Chair: Dr. Malcolm Scott

Abilene, Texas

Baird, Texas

Frisco, Texas

Madison E. Reyna (M.S.S.W.) ...................................................................................................... Whitney, Texas

Thesis: Factors that Impact Prevention Therapy for Persons Living with HIV

Chair: Dr. Tom Winter

Hannah Marie Shahan (M.S.S.W.) ............................................................................................... Abilene, Texas

Thesis: Reducing Readmission Rates Among Patients Who Have a Dual Diagnosis of Both Mental and Physical Illnesses

Chair: Dr. Alan Lipps

Jackson McGwire Taylor (M.S.S.W.)

Abilene, Texas

Thesis: Positive Psychology for MDD and PTSD: A Systematic Review of Treatment Benefits and Efficacy

Chair: Dr. Alan Lipps

† Member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society

Kerri Lynn Taylor (M.S.S.W.) .......................................................................................................... Abilene, Texas

Thesis: Impact of Community-Based Care Model on Child Welfare Professionals: A Study of Workload, Job Satisfaction, and Turnover Intention

Chair: Dr. Kyeonghee Jang

Emily Gayle Tippens (M.S.S.W.) ................................................................................................... Abilene, Texas

Thesis: Healthcare Workers’ Perceptions, Practices, and Knowledge of Trauma-Informed Care in the Hospital Setting

Chair: Dr. Alan Lipps

Kayla Bejoni Wilkins (M.S.S.W.) .................................................................................. Inglewood, California

Thesis: A Systematic Review of Studies of Self-Compassion Interventions for Trauma and Stress-Related Discorders

Chair: Dr. Alan Lipps

Teaching and Learning

Lindsay Jordan Dilbeck (M.Ed., Teaching and Learning) Newbury Park, California

Anna Mackenzie Gilb (M.Ed., Teaching and Learning) ................................................... Ennis, Texas

Hannah Lynn Hamaker (M.Ed., Teaching and Learning) Richardson, Texas

Lars R. Lindgren (M.Ed., Teaching and Learning) ..................................... Grand Rapids, Michigan

† Raegan Janae Palacio (M.Ed., Teaching and Learning) Mason, Texas

† Lesslie Jessenia Picena (M.Ed., Teaching and Learning) Dallas, Texas

Lauren Michelle Ramsey (M.Ed., Teaching and Learning) Frisco, Texas

Kimberly Katie Rempel (M.Ed., Teaching and Learning) Brookston, Texas

Carson Lee Ross (M.Ed., Teaching and Learning) Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Jonathan Alexander Wall (M.Ed., Teaching and Learning) Midland, Texas

† Taylor J. Whitworth (M.Ed., Teaching and Learning) ............................................ Burleson, Texas

College of Graduate and Professional Studies

Business Administration

Ololade Eunice Akindutire (MBA) .................................................................................... Converse, Texas

† Gayle Andaya Aquino (MBA) Ewa Beach, Hawaii

Jessica Marie Beghtel (MBA) ............................................................................................................ Bedford, Texas

Hannah Sheree Bowden (MBA) Fort Worth, Texas

Robin Denea Bowens (MBA) .................................................................................................. Pflugerville, Texas

Christopher Steven Coan (MBA) Gordon, Texas

† Terri Leigh Doss (MBA) ........................................................................................................................ Waco, Texas

† Colton Ryne Eager (MBA) North Richland Hills, Texas

Zaviar R. Gooden (MBA) ............................................................................................... Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Bailey Jo Marshall (MBA) Heath, Texas

Erik Kristopher Masci (MBA) ......................................................................................................... Abilene, Texas

Megan Marie Paul (MBA) Wylie, Texas

Eydie Trenay Robinson (MBA) ........................................................................................................... Anna, Texas

Kathie C. Swenson (MBA) Fort Worth, Texas

Conflict Management and Resolution

Jesiree Kelly Session (M.A., Conflict Management and Resolution) Los Angeles, California

† Member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society

Educational Leadership

Elizabeth Ann Arredondo (Ed.S., Education Specialist) Rio Hondo, Texas

Leslie Ciavarella (M.Ed., Higher Education) ..................................... Port Matilda, Pennsylvania

Taleshia Foster (Ed.S., Education Specialist) Okemos, Michigan

Joshua Shundel Lewis (Ed.S., Education Specialist) .............................. Clarksville, Tennessee

† Sheila Leigh Weaver (M.Ed., Higher Education) Sherman, Texas

Information Technology

Sireesha Kamparaju (M.S., Information Technology) San Ramon, California

Leslie Ann Topete (M.S., Information Technology) ............................................... Sparks, Nevada

Management

Jessica Campbell (M.S., Management) Dumas, Texas

Emma Grace Morris (M.S., Management) ...................................................................... Abilene, Texas

† Lauren Schiek (M.S., Management) Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Cody Stratton (M.S., Management) ........................................................................................ Grimes, Iowa

Roland C. Williams III (M.S., Management) Arlington, Tennessee

Marriage and Family Therapy

Folasade Mercy Akinfemiwa (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) ....... Spring, Texas

Samuel Christopher Allen (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) ......................................................... Brownwood, Texas

Damani J. Anderson (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Waxahachie, Texas

† Melissa Ayrado (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) ........................ Kingwood, Texas

† Kayli Britton Beaty (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Odessa, Texas

† Amber Felps Cardenas (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) ................ Burnet, Texas

† Katie Paige Cranfill (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Denton, Texas

Laura Cecilia Diaz (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) .............................. Austin, Texas

Madison Kay Elliott (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Fort Worth, Texas

Doralie Gale (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) ................................................... Lehi, Utah

Haley Isaman (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Austin, Texas

Aylyn Lopez (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) .............................. Horizon City, Texas

Hellen K. Maneno (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Dallas, Texas

Anthony Scott Messer (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) .......... Sweetwater, Texas

Cynthia L. Mudd (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Robert Reese (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Okeana, Ohio

Matthew B. Rule (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Mayfield, Kentucky

Briana Noel Russell (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Burnsville, Minnesota

Victoria San Miguel (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Odessa, Texas

John Christopher Scroggins (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Desoto, Texas

Garrett M. Swanson (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) ....... Spokane, Washington

Cathy Diane Tidmore (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Oneonta, Alabama

Yanira Valladares (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) ......................... Edinburg, Texas

† Member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society

Nutrition

† Sonya Elizabeth Bartz (M.S., Nutrition) ...................................................................... Abilene, Texas

Teresa Nicole Demmer (M.S., Nutrition) Floresville, Texas

Silvia Guzman (M.S., Nutrition) ............................................................................................... Dallas, Texas

Chantal S. Monnier (M.S., Nutrition) Paulding, Ohio

Henley Marie Walker (M.S., Nutrition) ....................................................................... McKinney, Texas

Organizational Development

† Laura Nicole Blanco (M.S., Organizational Development) Cedar Creek, Texas

† Timothy G. Schmidt (M.S., Organizational Development) .............................. Abilene, Texas

† April Brianne Young (M.S., Organizational Development) Abilene, Texas

Precision Medicine

Kailey Summer Arnone (M.S., Precision Medicine)

† Robert Eugene Hahn-Lowry (M.S., Precision Medicine) .............................

Dragana Kartalija (M.S., Precision Medicine)

Jonathon Armando Loaiza Perez (M.S., Precision Medicine) .......................

Briana Mae Montes (M.S., Precision Medicine)

Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona

Chandler, Texas

Margaret Elizabeth Walters (M.S., Precision Medicine) ....................................... Yuma, Arizona

Key to Degree Abbreviations

D.Min. – Doctor of Ministry

D.N.P. – Doctor of Nursing Practice

Ed.D. – Doctor of Education

Ed.S. – Education Specialist

M.A. – Master of Arts

M.Acc. – Master of Accountancy

M.A.C.M. – Master of Arts in Christian Ministry

M.A.T. – Master of Athletic Training

MBA – Master of Business Administration

M.Div. – Master of Divinity

M.Ed. – Master of Education

M.M.F.T. – Master of Marriage and Family Therapy

M.S. – Master of Science

M.S.S.W. – Master of Science in Social Work

S.S.P. – Specialist in School Psychology

Students listed in the program are candidates for the indicated degree but inclusion in the program does not confirm a degree has been earned. The degree will only be awarded after all degree requirements have been completed.

† Member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society

Graduate Awards

Outstanding Dissertation

Jason E. Shepherd (Ed.D., Organizational Leadership)

Removing Barriers That Prevent Parents From Low Socioeconomic Backgrounds From Being Involved in Their Children’s High School Education

Chair: Dr. Amy Barrios

Outstanding Project

Natalee Dillard Calais (D.N.P.)

Burnout in Medical Assistants in the Primary Care Setting: Can Mindfulness be a Solution?

Chair: Dr. Colleen Marzilli

Outstanding Thesis

Rebecca Leigh McIntosh (M.A., English)

Narratives of Existence and the Narrative Existence: Ontological Unity in the Border Trilogy and Quantum Theory

Chair: Dr. Todd Womble

Faith Maureen Parsons (M.S.S.W.)

Perceived Outcomes and Barriers of Advance Care Planning from Healthcare Professionals

Chair: Dr. Kyeonghee Jang

Rebecca Marilou Trujillo (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy)

The Lived Experience of Good Therapy for Latino Clients

Chair: Dr. Joanna Mendez-Pounds

Candidates for Undergraduate Degrees

College of Arts and Sciences

College of Biblical Studies

Order of Ceremony

Saturday, May 13, 2023 | 10 a.m.

Processional “Pomp and Circumstance” by Sir Edward Elgar Audience will please remain seated.

Welcome Dr. Robert Rhodes Provost

Call to Worship “To God Be the Glory” ................................................................................ Samuel Cook Associate Professor, Department of Music

Scripture Reading

Dr. Pricilla Wyatt Assistant Professor, School of Nursing

Invocation ......................................................................................................................................... Dr. Greg Powell Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Introduction to Commencement

Dr. Robert Rhodes

Master of Ceremonies ............................................................................................................ Dr. Phil Schubert President

Dale and Rita Brown Outlive Your Life Award

Dr. Phil Schubert

Honoree: Dr. Tony E. Roach, Sr.

Senior Bible Presentation Lindsey May President, Student Government Association, 2022-23

Response .................................................................................................................................................. Alli Dimmitt President, Student Government Association, 2023-24

A Charge to the Class of 2023 Max Lucado Teaching Minister, Oak Hills Church, San Antonio, Texas

Presentation and Conferring of Bachelor’s Degrees and Hooding of Graduates

Dr. Phil Schubert

Dr. Robert Rhodes

Introduction of Bachelor’s Degree Graduates ....................................................

Dr. Carolina Archer Assistant Professor, Department of Language and Literature

Presentation of Diplomas ..........................................................................................................

Marelyn Shedd Member, ACU Board of Trustees

Presentation of Awards and Honors

Dr. Robert Rhodes

“Oh, Dear Christian College” ......................................................................................................

“Oh, Dear Christian College”

Samuel Cook

Oh, dear Christian College, we love you, Our dear Alma Mater, today; Like the stars shining brightly above you, Your fame shall shine brightly for aye. To you we’ll prove faithful and loyal, While ever upholding the right, And gladly we’ll give forth the royal, Three cheers for the purple and white. Then we’ll pledge our love to Christian, To her is honor due; While we gaily sing let praises ring, For our Alma Mater true.

Benediction

Dr. Tim Kennedy

Executive Director of Engineering and Associate Professor, Department of Engineering and Physics

“The Lord Bless You and Keep You”

Samuel Cook

Recessional ................................................................................. “Crown Imperial” by Sir William Walton Audience will please remain seated.

Each graduate will be greeted on stage by the dean of their college.

Dr. Greg Straughn, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Ken Cukrowski, Dean, College of Biblical Studies

Dr. Brad Crisp, Dean, College of Business Administration

Dr. Terry Baggs, Interim Dean, College of Education and Human Services

Dr. Nannette Glenn, Dean, College of Graduate and Professional Studies

Dr. Marcia Straughn, Dean, School of Nursing

A reception for graduates and invited guests will follow outside the south doors of Moody Coliseum in the Mall Area of Campus.

NOTE TO AUDIENCE

Photographs for university publicity will be taken at this event. Sign language interpretation is available in a reserved seating section in the front rows of section 02.

College of Arts and Sciences

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Grant Christian Baker (B.S., Agribusiness) ............................................................ San Angelo, Texas

†◊ Addison Paige Bonaventure

(B.S., Animal Science) Magna Cum Laude ........................................................ San Angelo, Texas

Madison Genevieve Coats (B.S., Animal Science) Lorena, Texas

Jalee Brynn Davis (B.S., Animal Science) ................................................................ Wellington, Texas

Austin Craig Glaze (B.S., Agribusiness) Carthage, Texas

Hunter Wayne Hudgens (B.S., Environmental Science) .......................................... Lorena, Texas

Andrew William Nunns (B.S., Environmental Science) Grandview, Texas

Art and Design

Samantha Christine Butke (B.F.A., Art) ................................................................ San Antonio, Texas

Julia Elizabeth Dobbs

(B.S., Graphic Design/Advertising) Magna Cum Laude .......................................... Allen, Texas

Paula Marie Garcia (B.S., Interior Design) Cum Laude Houston, Texas

Devon Grey (B.S., Graphic Design/Advertising) ........................................................ Garland, Texas

Alexis Brianne Harris (B.F.A., Art) Cum Laude McKinney, Texas

Luke David Hernandez (A.A., Architecture) .................................................................... Sachse, Texas

Lyric Caprice Kinkade (B.F.A., Art) Abilene, Texas

Lauren Fumiko Lee

(B.S., Graphic Design/Advertising) Magna Cum Laude Cedar Park, Texas

Megan Ashley Lovejoy

(B.S., Interior Design; A.A., Architecture) Magna Cum Laude Floresville, Texas

Colton Day McCaleb (B.F.A., Art) Keller, Texas

Lauren Magnolia Moore

(B.S., Interior Design; A.A., Architecture) Magna Cum Laude San Antonio, Texas

Heidi Joy Reichling (B.S., Graphic Design/Advertising) .............................. San Antonio, Texas

Madelyn Renee Rogers (B.S., Graphic Design/Advertising) Abilene, Texas

Autumn Sky Emily Russ

(B.S., Interior Design; A.A., Architecture) Cum Laude Eagle, Colorado

Taylor Erin Shroll

(B.S., Interior Design; A.A., Architecture) Summa Cum Laude Gypsum, Colorado

Avery Hope Silliman (B.F.A., Art) Summa Cum Laude .............................. McKinney, Texas

Honors Thesis: Veils and Natural Forms

◊ Meghan Elizabeth Sloan (B.S., Interior Design; A.A., Architecture)

Summa Cum Laude ........................................................................................................ Littleton, Colorado

Zachary Ray Smith (B.F.A., Art) Magna Cum Laude Tyler, Texas

Javier Andrés Soto Valladares

(B.S., Graphic Design/Advertising) Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Anna Noel Voth (B.S., Graphic Design/Advertising) Summa Cum Laude ........ Rowlett, Texas

Savannah Leigh Walker (B.F.A., Art) Summa Cum Laude Keller, Texas

† Member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society * Honors Scholar or Honors Associate

Biology

Mary Elaine Blair (B.S., Biology) Magna Cum Laude ............................................... Abilene, Texas

† Logan Alyssa Browning (B.S., Biology) Summa Cum Laude Wichita Falls, Texas

Chancie Jean Coleman (B.S., Biology) ................................................................... Canyon Lake, Texas

◊ Elizabeth Kaitlin Crawford (B.S., Biology) Magna Cum Laude Abilene, Texas

Matthew David Dalzell (B.S., Biology) Summa Cum Laude ....................... Weatherford, Texas

Claire Marie Dunn (B.A., Biology) Sahuarita, Arizona

Blakely Kate Eller (B.S., Biology) ........................................................................................... Abilene, Texas

Joshua James Fripp (B.A., Biology) Bedford, Texas

†◊ Brianna Jay Garrett (B.A., Biology) Summa Cum Laude ................................ Ingleside, Texas

Gracie Makenna Granados (B.S., Biology) Magna Cum Laude Abilene, Texas

Colton Ray Jakubik (B.S., Biology) ............................................................................. Waxahachie, Texas

Alayah N. Jones (B.S., Biology) San Antonio, Texas

Sage Kristene Lauderback (B.S., Biology) Summa Cum Laude ........ Farmington, New Mexico

† Preston Everett Lynn (B.S., Biology) Summa Cum Laude Knox City, Texas

Meghan Elise Moten (B.S., Biology) .............................................................................. Carrollton, Texas

Natalie Kate Newhouse (B.A., Biology) Magna Cum Laude Rockwall, Texas

Kyla Nicole Peeples (B.S., Biology) Cum Laude .............................................................. Austin, Texas

* Alexis Hailey Pereira (B.S., Biology) Katy, Texas

Jacob Patrick Shultz (B.A., Biology) Magna Cum Laude Tyler, Texas

◊ Macee Dale Valtr (B.S., Biology) Magna Cum Laude Aurora, Texas

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Leilani Briana Alvarez (B.S., Biochemistry) Cum Laude Garland, Texas

† Benjamin Ray Ash (B.S., Biochemistry) Summa Cum Laude Stephens, Georgia

* Rebecca I. Atkins (B.S., Biochemistry) Summa Cum Laude ........................... Fairview, Texas

Mackenzie E. Bankes (B.S., Biochemistry) Cum Laude Cibolo, Texas

Cortland Lovell Baum (B.S., Biochemistry) Magna Cum Laude ........................... Ovalo, Texas

Emma Jian Bonamie (B.S., Chemistry) Magna Cum Laude Murfreesboro, Tennessee

* Rachel Kate Browning (B.S., Biochemistry) Magna Cum Laude ............ Fort Worth, Texas

Honors Thesis: Synthesis and Polymerization of Capsaicin Derivatives

* Elizabeth Anne Bryant (B.S., Biochemistry) Summa Cum Laude Austin, Texas

Honors Thesis: New Diosmium Sawhorses with Pyrazolyl, Acetate, and Diphosphane Ligands

Alexandra Irena Cortinas (B.S., Biochemistry) ................................................ San Antonio, Texas

†*◊ Conner Pierce Crawford (B.S., Chemistry; Biochemistry) Summa Cum Laude .......................... Flower Mound, Texas

Honors Thesis: Toward the Formation of Double-Tethered DNA Curtains on Supported Lipid Bilayers Using CuAAC ‘Click’ Reactions

† Kaylee Marin Dahl (B.S., Biochemistry) Summa Cum Laude Stephenville, Texas

Victory D. Egot (B.S., Biochemistry) Cum Laude Midland, Texas

Bryan Jacob Herrera (B.S., Biochemistry) Bulverde, Texas

◊ Thorsten Peterson (B.S., Chemistry) Cum Laude .................................................. Leander, Texas

Andrew M. Sawyer (B.S., Biochemistry) Aledo, Texas

* Stephanie Yuen Tran (B.S., Biochemistry) Magna Cum Laude .............. Fort Worth, Texas

Honors Thesis: Investigation of Carbonyl Substitution Sites Diruthenium Sawhorse Complexes

◊ Sophia Grace Wagle (B.S., Biochemistry) Cum Laude Plano, Texas

† Member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society * Honors Scholar or Honors Associate ◊ University Scholar

Communication and Sociology

Braden Scott Bossier (B.S., Communication) Magna Cum Laude .................... Abilene, Texas

† Sheridan Marie Brawner (B.S., Communication) Summa Cum Laude ............................................ Simi Valley, California

†◊ Chloe Castle Michael Brownell (B.S., Communication) Summa Cum Laude ...................................... Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Breck David Eichelberger (B.S., Communication) Tremonton, Utah

Mercedes Lou Eichelberger (B.S., Communication) Summa Cum Laude Tremonton, Utah

Taylor Nicole Everitt (B.S., Sociology) Cum Laude ........................................... Shallowater, Texas

Donnell Jamal January (B.S., Communication) Austin, Texas

Cameron Alexander Jolley (B.S., Communication) ........................................... Fort Worth, Texas

◊ Amelia Dawn Little (B.S., Sociology) Magna Cum Laude North Richland Hills, Texas

McKenzie Grace Losher (B.S., Communication) Cum Laude ........................ Sunnyvale, Texas

Caroline Grace McKnight (B.S., Communication) Summa Cum Laude Pittsburg, Kansas

Valerie Rudd (B.S., Communication) ............................................... Huntington Beach, California

Sean Michael Ryan (B.S., Communication) Dallas, Texas

◊ Abigayle Jolea Taylor (B.S., Communication) Summa Cum Laude ................... Lipan, Texas

Tanner Ryan Tweedt (B.S., Sociology) Chico, California

Baldomero Vasquez (B.S., Communication) Brackettville, Texas

Eboni M. Wescott (B.A., Communication) Dallas, Texas

Engineering and Physics

†◊ Jenny Grace Benavides (B.S.E., Engineering) Summa Cum Laude Flower Mound, Texas

Samuel Thomas Carter (B.S.E., Engineering) .................................................... San Antonio, Texas

Isla Adelle Casey (B.S., Physics) Celeste, Texas

Keaton Micah Chance (B.S.E., Engineering) Cum Laude ................................... Amarillo, Texas

Grant Tucker Cornett (B.S.E., Engineering) Cum Laude Amarillo, Texas

Abigail Paige Daigle (B.S.E., Engineering) Cum Laude ........................................ Amarillo, Texas

Caleb Michael Daniel (B.S.E., Engineering) Cum Laude Abilene, Texas

Andrew Stephen Elliott (B.S.E., Engineering) ................................ North Richland Hills, Texas

Hannah Rae Garcia (B.S.E., Engineering) Sugar Land, Texas

Sarah Elizabeth Griswold (B.S.E., Engineering) ................................................... Geary, Oklahoma

† Colton Drew Herrold (B.S.E., Engineering) Summa Cum Laude Keller, Texas

Grant Charles Hinshaw (B.S.E., Engineering) ............................................................ Roanoke, Texas

Grant Allan Jackson (B.S.E., Engineering) Alvarado, Texas

†◊ Jinung Kim (B.S., Physics and Mathematics - Teaching)

Summa Cum Laude Dongducheon, South Korea

Adam Lee Marez (B.S.E., Engineering) Magna Cum Laude ................................. Coppell, Texas

◊ Madison Grace Meador (B.S., Physics) Cum Laude Spring Hill, Tennessee

Jackson Davis Meazell (B.S.E., Engineering) ...................................................................... Plano, Texas

Joshua David Murphy (B.S., Physics) Abilene, Texas

Eva Madeleine Straughn (B.S.E., Engineering) ............................................................ Abilene, Texas

Aimee Diane Uwineza (B.S.E., Engineering) Magna Cum Laude Kigali, Rwanda

Josiah Edward Van Sant (B.S.E., Engineering) Magna Cum Laude ........... Buckeye, Arizona

† Member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society ◊ University Scholar

Ethan Jacob Venegoni (B.S.E., Engineering) Cum Laude ....................... New Braunfels, Texas

Matthew Ryan Whitwell (B.S.E., Engineering) Flower Mound, Texas

History and Global Studies

◊ Aidan Christopher Beck (B.A., History) Summa Cum Laude Abilene, Texas

†◊ Clara Emily McDonald (B.A., Global Studies) Summa Cum Laude ........ Sherman, Texas

William Henry Morgan (B.S., Social Studies-Teaching) Summa Cum Laude .............................................. Forney, Texas

Jessica Grace Rice (B.A., History) Jourdanton, Texas

◊ Erika Alejandra Rodriguez (B.A., History) Magna Cum Laude ..................... Mission, Texas

Catherine Marie Shewmaker (B.A., History) Cum Laude Nashville, Tennessee

Vera Lien Suh (B.A., Global Studies) Cum Laude ........................................... Missouri City, Texas

Hatley Whitfield (B.A., Global Studies) Magna Cum Laude San Antonio, Texas

Journalism and Mass Communication

Hailey Nicole LaRue Anderson

(B.S., Advertising/Public Relations) Magna Cum Laude Springfield, Missouri

Elizabeth Brady Dzina (B.S., Multimedia) Dallas, Texas

Catherine Christine Finley (B.S., Advertising/Public Relations) Allen, Texas

◊ Londyn Jolie Gray (B.S., Journalism) Weatherford, Texas

Alexander Julian Hock (B.S., Multimedia) Dallas, Texas

McKenna Lane Holman (B.S., Journalism) .......................................................................... Hutto, Texas

Carrie Mae Johnston (B.S., Journalism) Summa Cum Laude Spring Branch, Texas

Meghan Zoe Long (B.S., Advertising/Public Relations) Cum Laude ........ Newnan, Georgia

Trace Riley Price (B.S., Journalism) Tahoka, Texas

Rachel Ann Puckett

(B.S., Advertising/Public Relations) Magna Cum Laude Fort Worth, Texas

Ashlyn Brooke Roe

(B.S., Advertising/Public Relations) Cum Laude Trophy Club, Texas

Elizabeth Ann Rosenthal

(B.S., Advertising/Public Relations) Magna Cum Laude Sherman, Texas

Trey Brady Schatzmann (B.S., Multimedia) ................................................................ Burleson, Texas

Hannah Love Stedman (B.S., Advertising/Public Relations) Leander, Texas

Paige Autumn Taylor (B.S., Journalism) Cum Laude .......................... Washington, Oklahoma

Sydney Jenean Varner (B.S., Journalism) Cum Laude Edmond, Oklahoma

◊ Sheridan Nicole Wood (B.S., Journalism) Summa Cum Laude .................... Lubbock, Texas

Abigail W. Young

(B.S., Advertising/Public Relations) Cum Laude ............................... Skippack, Pennsylvania

Language and Literature

†*◊ Conner Pierce Crawford (B.A., English) Summa Cum Laude .......... Flower Mound, Texas

Honors Thesis: Toward the Formation of Double-Tethered DNA Curtains on Supported Lipid Bilayers Using CuAAC ‘Click’ Reactions

Henry C. Erickson (B.A., English) Longmont, Colorado

Andrea Ezquerra (B.A., Spanish) Houston, Texas

†*◊ Skyler Jo-Lee Gill (B.A., English) Summa Cum Laude Schertz, Texas

Honors Thesis: Challenges of Mental Health Services: Cost of Counseling and Impact in Texas Colleges

† Member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society * Honors Scholar or Honors Associate ◊ University Scholar

Justin Christopher Larum (B.A., English) ....................................................................... Abilene, Texas

Abby Leigh Marshall (B.A., English) Magna Cum Laude Heath, Texas

Macy Brooke McAdams (B.A., English) ...................................................................... Lago Vista, Texas

◊ Makenzie Paige Morrison (B.A., English) Summa Cum Laude The Colony, Texas

◊ Erika Alejandra Rodriguez (B.A., Spanish) Magna Cum Laude .................... Mission, Texas

† Elizabeth Leeann Young (B.A., English) Summa Cum Laude Abilene, Texas

Liberal Studies

Kelci Fawn Campbell (B.S., Liberal Studies) Abilene, Texas

Riley Caraline Cranford (B.S., Liberal Studies) ............................................................ Abilene, Texas

Damien Daniels (B.S., Liberal Studies) Kansas City, Missouri

Isabela Elan Dumo (B.S., Liberal Studies) ............................................................ San Jose, California

Daniel Hudson Ewing (B.S., Liberal Studies) Abilene, Texas

Yuot Gai (B.S., Liberal Studies) ............................................................................... Melbourne, Australia

Ainsley Marie Kirkland (B.S., Liberal Studies) Novi, Michigan

Noah Cuyler Massie (B.S., Liberal Studies) Waco, Texas

Brittney Jewel Roberts (B.S., Liberal Studies) Austin, Texas

Airion Farad Simmons (B.S., Liberal Studies) Little Rock, Arkansas

Barbara Sophia Talamas (B.S., Liberal Studies) Torreon, Mexico

Johnny Tijerina Jr. (B.S., Liberal Studies) Abilene, Texas

Mathematics

Kathryn Margarete Gill (B.A., Mathematics) Canyon, Texas

Jett Dale Patterson (B.S., Mathematics) Magna Cum Laude .............................. Amherst, Texas

Kyalani Ryanne Zinnell (B.S., Mathematics) San Antonio, Texas

Music

Claire Elise Fredrick (B.M., Vocal Performance) Magna Cum Laude Plano, Texas

Collin Thomas Jumes (B.M., Vocal Performance) Cum Laude Fredericksburg, Texas

Leighton Sydney Meyer (B.M., Music-Teaching, Instrument-All Level) Alvarado, Texas

Claudia Panta Santos (B.A., Music) Cum Laude ............................................... San Antonio, Texas

Political Science and Criminal Justice

Shelby Ann Bulkley (B.S., Criminal Justice) Cum Laude ....................................... Abilene, Texas

Charles Andrew Clifton (B.A., Political Science) Frisco, Texas

Carson David King Curtis (B.S., Criminal Justice) ..................................................... Prosper, Texas

†◊ Chloe Kehalani Deffner (B.A., Political Science) Temecula, California

Allen Thomas Graham (B.S., Criminal Justice) .............................................................. Anson, Texas

Elyssa Beth Jackson (B.S., Criminal Justice) Pooler, Georgia

Liam Galen Loesch (B.A., Political Science) ............................................................. Southlake, Texas

Keren Aimme Rodriguez (B.A., Criminal Justice) Brownsville, Texas

† Jose Alberto Rodriguez Cisneros (B.A., Political Science) Summa Cum Laude Saginaw, Texas

† Member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society ◊ University Scholar

†◊ Thomas Robert Sanderson

(B.A., Political Science) Summa Cum Laude El Paso, Texas

Anna Chrystene Schulze (B.A., Political Science) ............................................. Pflugerville, Texas

Adrianna Elise Sweeten (B.S., Criminal Justice) Cleveland, Texas

Christian La’faith Williams (B.S., Criminal Justice) ........................................ Fort Worth, Texas

Chaney Ann Wood (B.S., Criminal Justice) Dallas, Texas

Madison Eileen Wright (B.A., Political Science) Summa Cum Laude El Cajon, California

Psychology

Jada Mae Birkel (B.S., Psychology) Austin, Texas

Samuel Austin Britten (B.S., Psychology) Magna Cum Laude ............................ Abilene, Texas

Madison Michelle Brothers (B.S., Psychology) Little Elm, Texas

Jourdin Lavon Campbell (B.S., Psychology) Summa Cum Laude ...................... Abilene, Texas

Emily C. Chase (B.S., Psychology) Mansfield, Texas

Annabelle Reilly Conway (B.S., Psychology) Trophy Club, Texas

† Anna Katherine Crawford (B.S., Psychology) Summa Cum Laude Abilene, Texas

Daniel Patrick Dossey (B.S., Psychology) Summa Cum Laude Tyler, Texas

Cianna M. Flores (B.S., Psychology) Tuscola, Texas

Teran Hall (B.S., Psychology) Cum Laude Abilene, Texas

Sean Monroe Hill (B.S., Psychology) ................................................................................ Houston, Texas

Stephen Chitko Hunt (B.S., Psychology) Abilene, Texas

◊ Amelia Dawn Little (B.S., Psychology) Magna Cum Laude

North Richland Hills, Texas

Abigael Mavambu Maseva (B.S., Psychology) ......................................................

Fort Worth, Texas

Courtney Lynn Massey (B.S., Psychology) Boerne, Texas

Delaney Suzanne McKeown

(B.S., Psychology) Summa Cum Laude Weatherford, Texas

Emily Elizabeth Schonerstedt (B.S., Psychology) ........................................................... Waco, Texas

Mackenzie M. Eve Shrock (B.S., Psychology) Hempstead, Texas

†◊ Sydney Taylor Solberg (B.S., Psychology) Summa Cum Laude ...................... Spring, Texas

Emily Ann Thompson (B.S., Psychology) Magna Cum Laude Katy, Texas

Taylor Nichole Tinnel (B.S., Psychology) ............................................................. Weatherford, Texas

Eric Torres (B.S., Psychology) Abilene, Texas

Victoria Erin Tschoepe (B.S., Psychology) Magna Cum Laude .............................. Hutto, Texas

Zoe Leanne Vaughn (B.S., Psychology) Summa Cum Laude Wylie, Texas

Tyler Jonathon Wangen (B.S., Psychology) Cum Laude ................................ Windsor, Colorado

Taylor Brätz Watson (B.S., Psychology) San Antonio, Texas

Ashley Taylor Wells (B.S., Psychology) Magna Cum Laude ................................... Boerne, Texas

Nicole Mckenna Wilson (B.S., Psychology) Newmarket, New Hampshire

Theatre

Karis Olivia Absher-Cox (B.F.A., Theatre) Summa Cum Laude Odessa, Texas

Jack Polk Bledsoe (B.F.A., Theatre) Argyle, Texas

Olivia Simone Council (B.F.A., Theatre) Guyton, Georgia

Chloe Camille Dickson (B.F.A., Theatre) Abilene, Texas

† Member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society ◊ University Scholar

Anna Marie Grygier (B.F.A., Theatre) ............................................................................ Pearland, Texas

◊ Landon Wayne Holub (B.F.A., Theatre) Summa Cum Laude Victoria, Texas

◊ Kaycee Michelle Humphrey (B.F.A., Theatre) ........................................................ Amarillo, Texas

Lauren Ellie MacLeod (B.F.A., Theatre) Magna Cum Laude Cedar Park, Texas

Ezekiel Isaac Merchant (B.F.A., Theatre) ............................................................................. Clyde, Texas

† Sarah Ann Miller (B.F.A., Theatre) Summa Cum Laude Lantana, Texas

Marco Antonio Perez (B.F.A., Theatre) ........................................................................... McAllen, Texas

Emilie Anne Reed (B.F.A., Theatre) Salem, Oregon

College of Biblical Studies

Bible, Missions and Ministry

Joey Anthony Amador (B.A., Bible and Ministry) Cum Laude Abilene, Texas

Jillian Grace Beckman (B.A., Ministry and Vocation) ....................................... Carrollton, Texas

◊ Jaden Ivory Daly (B.A., Bible and Ministry) Summa Cum Laude Georgetown, Texas

Jalen Elizabeth Garza (B.A., Ministry and Vocation) Magna Cum Laude ........ Helotes, Texas

John Austin Hernandez (B.A., Bible and Ministry) Keller, Texas

Dixie Marie Jones (B.A., Bible and Ministry) Cum Laude ........................... Weatherford, Texas

Joan Elisa Orio Lavaki (B.A., Ministry and Vocation) Cum Laude Wylie, Texas

Caitlin Alexa Lee (B.A., Ministry and Vocation) Magna Cum Laude ........ Round Rock, Texas

Liam Moore (B.A., Ministry and Vocation) Magna Cum Laude Coppell, Texas

Kailie Alyssa Morin (B.A., Ministry and Vocation) Magna Cum Laude Abilene, Texas

Mason Thomas Ratliff

(B.A., Ministry and Vocation) Magna Cum Laude Garland, Texas

Brandon Reed Reynolds (B.A., Bible and Ministry) Summa Cum Laude Ruidoso, New Mexico

Beau Bradley Sanford (B.A., Bible and Ministry) ................................................. Cedar Park, Texas

Madeline Stine (B.A., Bible and Ministry) Abilene, Texas

Bradley Garrett Straley (B.A., Ministry and Vocation) ......................................... Lubbock, Texas

† Clark Lee Sullivan (B.A., Ministry and Vocation) Summa Cum Laude Abilene, Texas

DeanAlan Pride Wiginton (B.A., Ministry and Vocation) ...................................... Austin, Texas

◊ Tanya Charlize Orio Yap

(B.A., Bible and Ministry) Summa Cum Laude ............................................... Las Vegas, Nevada

Marriage and Family Studies

Rachel Ann Bolkema (B.S., Child and Family Services) .............. Albuquerque, New Mexico

Kaitlyn Calhoon

(B.S., Child and Family Services) Summa Cum Laude ...................... Estancia, New Mexico

Kelci A. Campbell (B.S., Child and Family Services) Magna Cum Laude Keller, Texas

Maria M. Casillas (B.S., Child and Family Services) Cum Laude ...................... Abilene, Texas

Grayson Chapman

(B.S., Child and Family Services) Magna Cum Laude ................................ Sweetwater, Texas

Kaelene Camille Chino (B.S., Child and Family Services) Mescalero, New Mexico

Anthony Wayne Clowdus (B.S., Child and Family Services) ..................................... Elgin, Texas

† Member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society ◊ University Scholar

Amy Karol DeYoung (B.S., Child and Family Services) Magna Cum Laude San Antonio, Texas

Amelia Grace Ferraro (B.S., Child and Family Services) Cum Laude ............. Royce City, Texas

Anna Kate Hardesty (B.S., Child and Family Services) Irving, Texas

Ni’Auna Amari Harrison (B.S., Child and Family Services) Cum Laude San Antonio, Texas

Yessica Rose Kanesewah (B.S., Child and Family Services) .................. Ruidoso, New Mexico

Kylie Danielle Kleinert (B.S., Child and Family Services) Abilene, Texas

Rush Wayne Davidson Long (B.S., Child and Family Services) ......................... Abilene, Texas

Sarah Auburn Ludwick (B.S., Child and Family Services) Clearwater, Florida

Mason Leigh Nazzareno (B.S., Child and Family Services) ....................................... Clyde, Texas

◊ Blayre Daylon O’Donald (B.S., Child and Family Services) Magna Cum Laude Abilene, Texas

†◊ Shelby Nicole Spaulding (B.S., Child and Family Services) Summa Cum Laude Round Rock, Texas

Brittany M. Stevens (B.S., Child and Family Services) Aledo, Texas

Candidates for Undergraduate Degrees

College of Business Administration

College of Education and Human Services

College of Graduate and Professional Studies

School of Nursing

Order of Ceremony

Saturday, May 13, 2023 | 2 p.m.

Processional “Pomp and Circumstance” by Sir Edward Elgar Audience will please remain seated.

Welcome Dr. Robert Rhodes Provost

Call to Worship “To God Be the Glory” ................................................................................ Samuel Cook

Associate Professor, Department of Music

Scripture Reading

Dr. Pricilla Wyatt

Assistant Professor, School of Nursing

Invocation ......................................................................................................................................... Dr. Greg Powell

Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Introduction to Commencement

Master of Ceremonies ............................................................................................................

Dr. Robert Rhodes

Dr. Phil Schubert President

Dale and Rita Brown Outlive Your Life Award

Honorary Doctorate

Dr. Phil Schubert

Honoree: Dr. Tony E. Roach, Sr.

Dr. Phil Schubert

Honoree: David D. Halbert, Chairman, Founder and CEO, Caris Life Sciences

Hooded by: Dr. David Spetzler, President, Caris Life Sciences

Senior Bible Presentation ............................................................................................................... Lindsey May President, Student Government Association, 2022-23

Response .................................................................................................................................................. Alli Dimmitt President, Student Government Association, 2023-24

A Charge to the Class of 2023 Max Lucado

Teaching Minister, Oak Hills Church, San Antonio, Texas

Presentation and Conferring of Bachelor’s Degrees and Hooding of Graduates .........................

Dr. Phil Schubert

Dr. Robert Rhodes

Introduction of Bachelor’s Degree Graduates .....................................................................

James Wiser Dean, Library Services and Educational Technology

Presentation of Diplomas

Presentation of Awards and Honors

Marelyn Shedd Member, ACU Board of Trustees

Dr. Robert Rhodes

“Oh, Dear Christian College” ...................................................................................................... Samuel Cook

“Oh, Dear Christian College”

Oh, dear Christian College, we love you, Our dear Alma Mater, today; Like the stars shining brightly above you, Your fame shall shine brightly for aye. To you we’ll prove faithful and loyal, While ever upholding the right, And gladly we’ll give forth the royal, Three cheers for the purple and white. Then we’ll pledge our love to Christian, To her is honor due; While we gaily sing let praises ring, For our Alma Mater true.

Benediction

Executive Director of Engineering and Associate Professor, Department of

Dr. Tim Kennedy

Engineering

and Physics

“The Lord Bless You and Keep You” ........................................................................................ Samuel Cook

Recessional

“Crown Imperial” by Sir William Walton Audience will please remain seated.

Each graduate will be greeted on stage by the dean of their college.

Dr. Greg Straughn, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Ken Cukrowski, Dean, College of Biblical Studies

Dr. Brad Crisp, Dean, College of Business Administration

Dr. Terry Baggs, Interim Dean, College of Education and Human Services

Dr. Nannette Glenn, Dean, College of Graduate and Professional Studies

Dr. Marcia Straughn, Dean, School of Nursing

A reception for graduates and invited guests will follow outside the south doors of Moody Coliseum in the Mall Area of Campus.

NOTE TO AUDIENCE

Photographs for university publicity will be taken at this event. Sign language interpretation is available

College of Business Administration

Accounting and Finance

Samuel Dennis Berberich (B.B.A., Financial Management) .................................. Terrell, Texas

Gabriele Hannah Cervantes (B.B.A., Financial Management; Accounting)

Summa Cum Laude ...................................................................................................... San Jose, California

Savan Sandeep Chhabra (B.B.A., Financial Management) Irving, Texas

Ethan Toby Christian (B.B.A., Financial Management) Cum Laude ........... Fort Worth, Texas

† Luke Robbins Clevenger (B.B.A., Accounting; Financial Management) Summa Cum Laude .......... Sunnyvale, Texas

†*◊ Kathryn Louise Crawford (B.B.A., Financial Management) Summa Cum Laude .......................... Flower Mound, Texas

Honors Thesis: Comparing Returns between Curricular and Cocurricular Student-Managed Investment Funds

Ethan Grant Edwards (B.B.A., Accounting) Abilene, Texas

Jillian Avery Fifield (B.B.A., Financial Management) ........................................ Greenville, Texas

Ethan Lane Flanders (B.B.A., Financial Management) Abilene, Texas

Vihasi Utpal Gandhi (B.B.A., Accounting) ......................................................... Breckenridge, Texas

Corinna Mei-Lin Gokingco (B.B.A., Accounting) Magna Cum Laude Temple, Texas

Nathan Van Gradwell (B.B.A., Accounting; Financial Management) Summa Cum Laude Abilene, Texas

Gavin Parker Hair (B.B.A., Financial Management; Accounting)

Summa Cum Laude Wichita Falls, Texas

Yunze Han (B.B.A., Financial Management) ............................................................. Shanghai, China

◊ Elizabeth Grace Isham (B.B.A., Accounting; Financial Management) Summa Cum Laude ............ Decatur, Texas

Mitchell Scott Jennings (B.B.A., Accounting; Financial Management) Magna Cum Laude ........ Yorkville, Illinois

† Benjamin Kurt Kopfer (B.B.A., Financial Management; Accounting) Summa Cum Laude Sugar Land, Texas

Casey Dale Lambert (B.B.A., Accounting) Abilene, Texas

Jackson Holland Long (B.B.A., Financial Management; Accounting) Magna Cum Laude Arlington, Texas

Wyatt Myrkle Long (B.B.A., Financial Management) Abilene, Texas

Haggan Joshua Lee Lott (B.B.A., Accounting; Financial Management) ......... Childress, Texas

Audrey Juliette Loya (B.B.A., Accounting; Financial Management) Bastrop, Texas

Margret Mary Norris

(B.B.A., Financial Management; Accounting) Cum Laude Waller, Texas

Samuel Reese Onstead

(B.B.A., Financial Management; Accounting) Cum Laude Sugar Land, Texas

Jake Robert Peace (B.B.A., Financial Management) ........................................................ Cisco, Texas

Ashlyn Kate Peters

(B.B.A., Accounting; Financial Management) Magna Cum Laude ........ Arlington, Texas

† ◊ Matthew Dale Roberson (B.B.A., Accounting) Weatherford, Texas

† Jose Alberto Rodriguez Cisneros

(B.B.A., Accounting; Financial Management) Summa Cum Laude Saginaw, Texas

Drew H. Shake (B.B.A., Financial Management) .......................... North Richland Hills, Texas

Dylan Carl Sheppard (B.B.A., Financial Management) Cum Laude Canyon Lake, Texas

† Member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society * Honors Scholar or Honors Associate ◊ University Scholar

Elizabeth Brooke Shewmaker (B.B.A., Accounting; Financial Management) Cum Laude Leawood, Kansas

Anson Neil Stephens (B.B.A., Accounting) Cum Laude .............................. San Antonio, Texas

Skylar Natarajan Stevens (B.B.A., Accounting; Financial Management) .................................................. Colleyville, Texas

Jackson G. Suss (B.B.A., Financial Management) Summa Cum Laude Aledo, Texas

Landon Dale Talley (B.B.A., Financial Management) .............................................. Abilene, Texas

Jacob Allen Thielen (B.B.A., Financial Management) Broomfield, Colorado

Moana Rob Togami (B.B.A., Financial Management) .......................................... Kunigami, Japan

Sydni F. Ward (B.B.A., Financial Management) Georgetown, Texas

Management Sciences

John Michael Arellano (B.B.A., Marketing; Management) Abilene, Texas

Davis Wade Arnold (B.B.A., Information Systems) Magna Cum Laude ............ Allen, Texas

Emily Mignon Ashley (B.B.A., Marketing) Fort Worth, Texas

Cinoon Bak (B.B.A., Information Systems) Cum Laude Pflugerville, Texas

Max Christian Bloomer (B.B.A., Management) Summa Cum Laude Lubbock, Texas

Drake Austin Boggan (B.B.A., Information Systems) Lewisville, Texas

Grant Robert Bostick (B.B.A., Management; Marketing) Aledo, Texas

Berkley Mae Bruckner (B.B.A., Management) Amarillo, Texas

Logan Ely Burton (B.B.A., Marketing) ................................................................ Flower Mound, Texas

Gracious Tenezee Byee (B.B.A., Management; Marketing) Killeen, Texas

Aynsley Paige Byrd (B.B.A., Marketing) ....................................................................... Plainview, Texas

Camille Grace Cawyer (B.B.A., Marketing)

North Richland Hills, Texas

Logan Travis Cole (B.B.A., Marketing) ............................................................................. Abilene, Texas

Carolina Ashley Cortez (B.B.A., Marketing) San Antonio, Texas

Kathryn Louise Crawford (B.B.A., Management) Summa Cum Laude

Flower Mound, Texas Honors Thesis: Comparing Returns between Curricular and Cocurricular Student-Managed Investment Funds

Rachel Amo Cruzan (B.B.A., Management) Palmer, Texas

Riley Sherman Dean (B.B.A., Management)

Hudson Oaks, Texas

Logan Harris Diomede (B.B.A., Marketing) Cum Laude ............................................ Yantis, Texas

Joshua Stephen Dixon (B.B.A., Marketing) Dallas, Texas

John Dakota Drennan (B.B.A., Information Systems) ............................................. Abilene, Texas

Sophie Danielle Ellis (B.B.A., Marketing; Management) Abilene, Texas

Jillian Avery Fifield (B.B.A., Marketing) ..................................................................... Greenville, Texas

Matthew Albritton Fletcher (B.B.A., Management) Fort Worth, Texas

Lloyd Addison Franklin III (B.B.A., Marketing) .................................................. The Colony, Texas

Callie Grace Graham (B.B.A., Management) Plano, Texas

Andrea Guerrero Hernandez (B.B.A., Management; Marketing) Cum Laude

Mexico City, Mexico

Trevon M. Hardy (B.B.A., Management) ........................................................................ Houston, Texas

Caleb Nelson Hemsworth (B.B.A., Information Systems) Colleyville, Texas

Zane D. Heusel (B.B.A., Management) .................................................................. Edmond, Oklahoma

Caleb Stone Hodges (B.B.A., Management; Marketing) Cum Laude Lucas, Texas

Angela Faith Husbenet (B.B.A., Marketing) ..................................... North Richland Hills, Texas

Annie Jean Johnson (B.B.A., Management) Kingsland, Texas

† Member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society * Honors Scholar or Honors Associate ◊ University Scholar

Jeremy Aaron King (B.B.A., Management) .................................................................. Lancaster, Texas

Miller Thomas Ladusau (B.B.A., Management) Heath, Texas

Sean Anthony Logsdon (B.B.A., Information Systems) ..................................... Knox City, Texas

Haggan Joshua Lee Lott (B.B.A., Management) Childress, Texas

◊ Diego Lozano Welsh (B.B.A., Management) Magna Cum Laude .................. Coppell, Texas

John Allyn Marshall (B.B.A., Management) Cum Laude Albany, Texas

Lindsey Maria May (B.B.A., Marketing; Management) Cum Laude ............. Amarillo, Texas

Nathan Gerald McKenzie (B.B.A., Information Systems) Fort Worth, Texas

Kristen Nicole McKinney (B.B.A., Management; Marketing) Summa Cum Laude Garland, Texas

Tyler Cole Morgan (B.B.A., Management) ....................................................... Flower Mound, Texas

Oscar Luis Ortiz III (B.B.A., Information Systems) Garland, Texas

Dylan Anthony Roundtree (B.B.A., Management ) Bullard, Texas

Aaron Abraham Schwinn (B.B.A., Marketing) North Oaks, Minnesota

Angel NiCole Smith (B.B.A., Marketing) Houston, Texas

Joris Anton Willem Spanjer (B.B.A., Marketing; Management) Hengelo, Netherlands

Cutter Will Sparks (B.B.A., Management) Cum Laude Lubbock, Texas

Caroline Michelle St. John (B.B.A., Information Systems) Magna Cum Laude Hamlin, Texas

Nathan Bembry Wade (B.B.A., Information Systems) Cum Laude Cullowhee, North Carolina

Taylor Nicole Walling (B.B.A., Management) .................................................... San Antonio, Texas

Colby S. Warkentin (B.B.A., Management) Bakersfield, California

Jonah Frederick Wilson (B.B.A., Management) ....................................................... Parker, Colorado

Kaden Erik Yowell (B.B.A., Marketing) Summa Cum Laude Carrollton, Texas

MacKenzie Brooke Zody

(B.B.A., Marketing; Management) Summa Cum Laude Roanoke, Texas

School of Information Technology and Computing

◊ Benjamin Michael Blackmon

(B.S., Digital Entertainment Technology) Magna Cum Laude .......................... Allen, Texas

Alissa Cameron Davis

(B.S., Digital Entertainment Technology) Summa Cum Laude .......... Stephenville, Texas

Walker Vaughn Herrold

(B.S., Digital Entertainment Technology) .................................... North Richland Hills, Texas

† Miranda Brooke Hixson (B.S., Computer Science) Summa Cum Laude Webster, Texas

Luis Arturo Ibarra (B.S., Computer Science) Arlington, Texas

Alexander Seth Jackson (B.S., Computer Science) Pooler, Georgia

Drew Charles McLeod (B.S., Digital Entertainment Technology) Houston, Texas

Shelby Nicole Miller (B.S., Digital Entertainment Technology) Fort Worth, Texas

Marlon Eduardo Miller Matute

(B.S., Computer Science) Magna Cum Laude ...................................... Tegucigalpa , Honduras

Benjamin James Peterson

(B.S., Digital Entertainment Technology) Cum Laude .............................. Windsor, Colorado

Matthew Pietrucha (B.S., Computer Science) Cum Laude Fort Worth, Texas †◊ Garrett Blake Powell (B.S., Computer Science) Summa Cum Laude ... Fort Worth, Texas

† Member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society ◊ University Scholar

Michael Kelland Thorson (B.S., Computer Science; Digital Entertainment Technology)

Magna Cum Laude Conroe, Texas

Tanner Daniel Webb (B.S., Digital Entertainment Technology)

Magna Cum Laude Weatherford, Texas

College of Education and Human Services

Communication Sciences and Disorders

Taylor Grace Benton (B.S., Communication Disorders) Cum Laude Tuscola, Texas

Elizabeth Brooke Boyd (B.S., Communication Disorders) ...................... New Braunfels, Texas

Konner Halyn Braziel (B.S., Communication Disorders) Quanah, Texas

† Alyssa Marie Burkhead

(B.S., Communication Disorders) Summa Cum Laude Black Diamond, Washington

Genesis Renee Cabrera (B.S., Communication Disorders) Cum Laude ................. Early, Texas

Claire Lane Choate

(B.S., Communication Disorders) Summa Cum Laude ............................. Stephenville, Texas

Delaney Kate Dawson (B.S., Communication Disorders) Cum Laude Granbury, Texas

Claire Elizabeth Fisher (B.S., Communication Disorders) Cum Laude ............ Bullard, Texas

Ann Harper

(B.S., Communication Disorders) Summa Cum Laude..................................................Allen, Texas

Honors Thesis: Accessibility on ACU Campus

◊ Meredith C. Hickl

(B.S., Communication Disorders) Summa Cum Laude .............................. Double Oak, Texas

Lily M. Jenkins (B.S., Communication Disorders) Dallas, Texas

Isabelle A. Jennings

(B.S., Communication Disorders) Summa Cum Laude Wichita Falls, Texas

Ryan Kathryn Jones

(B.S., Communication Disorders) Summa Cum Laude Kerrville, Texas

Bailey Noel Jordan (B.S., Communication Disorders) ........................................ Northlake, Texas

Jocelyn Luella Kurnik (B.S., Communication Disorders) La Verne, California

Kennedy Samone Ligon (B.S., Communication Disorders) ....................................... Plano, Texas

Whitney Nicole Marshall

(B.S., Communication Disorders) Summa Cum Laude Gunter, Texas

Mattie Jake Martin (B.S., Communication Disorders) Magna Cum Laude Snyder, Texas

Ava Ashton McCown (B.S., Communication Disorders) Tyler, Texas

Ashley Beth Parker (B.S., Communication Disorders) Round Rock, Texas

Julia Elizabeth Perry (B.S., Communication Disorders) Flower Mound, Texas

Merrellann Danell Sawyer

(B.S., Communication Disorders) Magna Cum Laude Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

† Cameron Elyse Snider

(B.S., Communication Disorders) Summa Cum Laude Tyler, Texas

Laura Allyn Van Ravenswaay

(B.S., Communication Disorders) Magna Cum Laude Montevideo, Minnesota

Keianna C. Whitfield (B.S., Communication Disorders) ...................................... Lubbock, Texas

† Member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society * Honors Scholar or Honors Associate ◊ University Scholar

Kinesiology and Nutrition

Amy Elizabeth Ambelang (B.S., Kinesiology) .......................................................San Antonio, Texas

MeKaela Alyssa Bell (B.S., Kinesiology) San Antonio, Texas

Anne Elizabeth Bonham (B.S., Kinesiology) ................................................................. Decatur, Texas

Brianna Lyn Brauner (B.S., Kinesiology) Seabrook, Texas

Sydney Jordyn Brown (B.S., Kinesiology) ......................................................... Fort Smith, Arkansas

Caden Clark Burke (B.S., Kinesiology) Tuscola, Texas

Courtney Nicole Bynum (B.S., Kinesiology) .................................................................... Boerne, Texas

Thomas Keith Chambers (B.S., Kinesiology) Lewisville, Texas

Yajarrah Covington (B.S., Nutrition) .................................................................................. Abilene, Texas

Rachel Erin Crismore (B.S., Kinesiology) New Braunfels, Texas

Cydney Elizabeth Ford (B.S., Kinesiology) ............................................................. Fort Worth, Texas

Callie Danielle Freeman (B.S., Kinesiology) Merkel, Texas

Ruth Gatwiri Gafner (B.S., Nutrition) ................................................................................ Eldoret, Kenya

Meg Elizabeth Goff (B.S., Kinesiology) North Richland Hills, Texas

Tatum Anne Gradke (B.S., Kinesiology) ..................................................................... Grapevine, Texas

Roy Gage Graham (B.S., Kinesiology) Stephenville, Texas

Alexis Wendy Patrice Gray (B.S., Kinesiology) ............................................................. Schertz, Texas

Matthew A. Guild (B.S., Kinesiology) Abilene, Texas

Jesus Guillen (B.S., Kinesiology) Merkel, Texas

Tyler Farris Heath (B.S., Kinesiology) Tuscola, Texas

Max Gabriel Huffling (B.S., Kinesiology) Cum Laude Edmond, Oklahoma

◊ Avery Elise Iles (B.S., Kinesiology) Graham, Texas

Natalie Rene Jones (B.S., Nutrition) Magna Cum Laude Lubbock, Texas

Prudence Jepkosgei Kiyeng (B.S., Kinesiology) ............................................................. Eldoret, Kenya

Jobey Zane McCurley (B.S., Kinesiology) Abilene, Texas

Abigail Marie Paul (B.S., Kinesiology) ............................................................................. Houston, Texas

Kaydin Maclane Pursley (B.S., Kinesiology) Cum Laude Merkel, Texas

Sterling Lance Riggs (B.S., Kinesiology) ............................................................................ Boerne, Texas

McKenly Lynn Roberts (B.S., Kinesiology) Cum Laude Breckenridge, Texas

Danielle Nicole Ruot (B.S., Kinesiology) ........................................................................... Abilene, Texas

Samantha Elaine Samford (B.S., Kinesiology) Cum Laude Clyde, Texas

Haylee A. Sharp (B.S., Kinesiology) Magna Cum Laude ............................................. Clyde, Texas

Gabriel Nathanial Treviño (B.S., Kinesiology) San Antonio, Texas

Jaelyn Ramelle Williams (B.S., Kinesiology) .............................................................. Mesquite, Texas

◊ Caitlyn Lena Wilson (B.S., Kinesiology) Magna Cum Laude

School of Social Work

Marilyn Alicia Allen (B.S., Social Work)

San Antonio, Texas

Hillsborough, North Carolina

Eden Grace Babovec (B.S., Social Work) Cum Laude ...................................................

Rihan Katherine Carty (B.S., Social Work) Cum Laude

Dallas, Texas

San Antonio, Texas

Jianna Carolina Castillo (B.S., Social Work) Magna Cum Laude ........... San Antonio, Texas

Meredith Adele Childress (B.S., Social Work) Magna Cum Laude Fairview, Texas

Ella Mckay Crimmings (B.S., Social Work) Cum Laude

Abigail Grace Easley (B.S., Social Work) Cum Laude

Fort Worth, Texas

San Antonio, Texas

Anna Nicole Ecklar (B.S., Social Work) Summa Cum Laude Euless, Texas

◊ University Scholar

Rylee M. Jordan (B.S., Social Work) ............................................................................... Wolfforth, Texas

Madelyn Valleen Maxwell (B.S., Social Work) Abilene, Texas

Bryka Emalei McNeill (B.S., Social Work) ....................................................................... Abilene, Texas

Hannah E. Mercer (B.S., Social Work) Cum Laude Abilene, Texas

Chaela A. Morgan (B.S., Social Work) ............................................................................. Lubbock, Texas

John Michael Myers (B.S., Social Work) Abilene, Texas

Sara Grace Parks (B.S., Social Work) Magna Cum Laude ............................... Colleyville, Texas

Ashley Unique Perry (B.S., Social Work) Houston, Texas

Daisy Jasmine Portillo (B.S., Social Work) ............................................................................ Clute, Texas

Jaia Alexandra Ramirez (B.S., Social Work) Magna Cum Laude Abilene, Texas

† Mackenzie Diane Stevens (B.S., Social Work) Summa Cum Laude ............. Abilene, Texas

Kelsey Morgan Streun (B.S., Social Work) Tremonton, Texas

Ella Grace Strever (B.S., Social Work) Cum Laude Granbury, Texas

Anna Elizabeth Wasson (B.S., Social Work) Summa Cum Laude Abilene, Texas

Grace Elizabeth White (B.S., Social Work) Summa Cum Laude New Braunfels, Texas

Teacher Education

Alexa Aponte Bojorquez

(B.S., Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary) ..................................................... Southlake, Texas

Rebekah Lee Curry

(B.S., Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary) Magna Cum Laude .......... Robinson, Texas

†

◊♢Allison Nicole Dale

(B.S., Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary) Summa Cum Laude ............. Abilene, Texas

Sierra Marie Gradwell (B.S., Middle School Education) Summa Cum Laude Buda, Texas

† Aubrie Mikala Hutson

(B.S., Special Education, Elementary) Magna Cum Laude San Antonio, Texas

† Anna Elinor Kensing

(B.S., Middle School Education) Summa Cum Laude New Braunfels, Texas

Laura Marie LaBarge (B.S., Special Education, Elementary) ......................... Southlake, Texas

Hannah Noelle McLean (B.S., Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary) Abilene, Texas

Rena Autumn Morrell (B.S., Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary) .............. Snyder, Texas

Katherine Elizabeth Murdock (B.S., Middle School Education) Justin, Texas

Lauren Mackenzie Sheldon

(B.S., Middle School Education) Magna Cum Laude Fort Worth, Texas

Abriyah Simone Skull

(B.S., Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary) Magna Cum Laude Abilene, Texas

Audra Jo Smith

(B.S., Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary) Magna Cum Laude Garland, Texas

Breanna Nicole Stephens

(B.S., Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary) McKinney, Texas

Sarah Kirstine Wilcox (B.S., Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary) Leander, Texas

◊ Caitlyn Renee Woodman

(B.S., Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary) Summa Cum Laude Allen, Texas

Jared Ryan Woods (B.S., Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary) .................... Hamlin, Texas

† Member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society ◊ University Scholar

College of Graduate and Professional Studies

Applied Communication

Joseph Maxwell McCalley (B.S., Applied Communication) ...................................... Plano, Texas

Child and Family Services

Grace Elizabeth Cadwell

(B.S., Child and Family Services) Magna Cum Laude Katy, Texas

Cheswa F. Mubanga Claunch

(B.S., Child and Family Services) Summa Cum Laude McKinney, Texas

† Nicole Comer (B.S., Child and Family Services) Evans, Georgia

Donna Michell Jones (B.S., Child and Family Services) .................................... Richmond, Texas

Elisa Marie Rodriguez (B.S., Child and Family Services) Cum Laude Fort Worth, Texas

Miranda Jane Sneed (B.S., Child and Family Services) ...................................... Mansfield, Texas

Jennifer Noel Wegner

(B.S., Child and Family Services) Magna Cum Laude ...................... Nottingham, Maryland

Christian Service and Formation

Pamela D. Buller

(B.S., Christian Service and Formation) Summa Cum Laude .................... Durham, Kansas

Communication Sciences and Disorders

Kerry Brooks (B.S., Communication Disorders) Magna Cum Laude .......... Vista, California

† Brittany Nicole Moore

(B.S., Communication Disorders) Summa Cum Laude ................................ Willow Park, Texas

Chloie Gail Trevino (B.S., Communication Disorders) Kennedale, Texas

Criminal Justice

Madison Denae Smith (B.S., Criminal Justice) Dallas, Texas

Javier Torres Jr. (B.S., Criminal Justice) Magna Cum Laude Hillsboro, Texas

Health and Human Performance

Veronica Lopez Brennan (B.S., Health and Human Performance) Royse City, Texas

Mark Murphy

(B.S., Health and Human Performance) Summa Cum Laude Norman, Oklahoma

Healthcare Administration

Annmarie Cheryl Crosdale

(B.S., Healthcare Administration) Cum Laude Abilene, Texas

Information Technology Administration

Kai Leshan Evangelista (B.S., Information Technology Administration)

Integrated Studies

Georgetown, Texas

Winnila White Baldwin (B.S., Integrated Studies) .................................................. Houston, Texas

† Member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society

Hannah Grace Bondoc (B.S., Integrated Studies) ....................................................... Abilene, Texas

Rebecca Lynn Erwin (B.S., Integrated Studies) Summa Cum Laude Tucson, Arizona

† Taylor Ashley Gill (B.S., Integrated Studies) ....................................................... Royse City, Texas

† Kathleen Davis Graham (B.S., Integrated Studies) Magna Cum Laude Ovalo, Texas

Jennifer Lynanne Hilburn (B.S., Integrated Studies) .................................. Grand Prairie, Texas

Rowdy Cameron Mcclendon (B.S., Integrated Studies) Lubbock, Texas

Shelley Susette Moore (B.S., Integrated Studies) Magna Cum Laude ................ Hurst, Texas

Dawn Lisa Parker (B.S., Integrated Studies) Frisco, Texas

Jesus Rojano Jr. (B.S., Integrated Studies) ............................................................................ Hurst, Texas

Landry Paige Smiley (B.S., Integrated Studies) Decatur, Texas

Bryson Jamal Smith (B.S., Integrated Studies) ............................................................. Abilene, Texas

Harley Alyson Teel (B.S., Integrated Studies) Fort Worth, Texas

Eric Fernando Terrazas (B.S., Integrated Studies) Woodway, Texas

Megan Lauren Yates (B.S., Integrated Studies) Missouri City, Texas

Management Sciences

Alishia Barragan (B.S., Management) .................................................................................. Haslet, Texas

Ola Mae Bulkley (B.S., Marketing) Summa Cum Laude Abilene, Texas

Heather A. Merriman (B.S., Management) ................................................................ Mansfield, Texas

Cody Collins Nelson (B.S., Marketing) Zephyr Cove, Nevada

Evan Mycal Rodriguez (B.S., Management) ................................................................. Houston, Texas

Haymchand Singh (B.S., Management) Lake Dallas, Texas

† Richard Ryan Woods (B.S., Marketing) Summa Cum Laude ................... Fort Worth, Texas

Psychology

Cierra Sad’a Archer (B.S., Psychology) ................................................................................... Clyde, Texas

Rachel Ann Boswell (B.S., Psychology) Magna Cum Laude Allen, Texas

Lucretia Ann Medcalf (B.S., Psychology) Cum Laude ................................................. Irving, Texas

Ashlyn Woodruff Richardson (B.S., Psychology) Magna Cum Laude Forest, Virginia

Madeleine Marie Sangerhausen (B.S., Psychology) .................................................... El Paso, Texas

School of Nursing Nursing

Haven Joy Burch (B.S.N., Nursing) Magna Cum Laude ........................... Flower Mound, Texas

Angelica Michelle Cabello (B.S.N., Nursing) Houston, Texas

Makenna Elyse Calliham (B.S.N., Nursing) Cum Laude ....................... College Station, Texas

Grace Marie Carriger (B.S.N., Nursing) Plano, Texas

Caroline Sara Carrillo (B.S.N., Nursing)

Caylie Alena Catalano (B.S.N., Nursing) Cum Laude

◊ Carson Faith Chapman (B.S.N., Nursing) Magna Cum Laude

Danny Ray Chapman (B.S.N., Nursing) Cum Laude

Frisco, Texas

Highland, California

Dallas, Texas

Clyde, Texas

Avery Elizabeth Clark (B.S.N., Nursing) Cum Laude Garland, Texas

Olivia Marie Crum (B.S.N., Nursing) ............................................................................ Mansfield, Texas

Brooke Elizabeth Dragaloski (B.S.N., Nursing)

Valencia, California

Taylor Vaughn Green (B.S.N., Nursing) ........................................................................... Abilene, Texas

† Member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society ◊ University Scholar

Kaley Erin Jackson (B.S.N., Nursing) ................................................................................... Lorena, Texas

Jessica Rae Jones (B.S.N., Nursing) Cum Laude Dallas, Texas

Julie Renae Jones (B.S.N., Nursing) ......................................................................................... Dallas, Texas

Maya Daisette Justice (B.S.N., Nursing) Mansfield, Texas

Curtis Matthew Lyons (B.S.N., Nursing) Cum Laude ................................................... Keller, Texas

Lindsey Brooke Mabrey (B.S.N., Nursing) Cum Laude Plano, Texas

Sierra Marie McCutchan (B.S.N., Nursing) Cum Laude ........................................... Dumas, Texas

Madison Lee Morel (B.S.N., Nursing) Houston, Texas

Winny Gire Scopas Nkutu (B.S.N., Nursing) ............................................................... Kigali, Rwanda

Ainsley Elizabeth Owen (B.S.N., Nursing) Magna Cum Laude Colleyville, Texas

Emily Elizabeth Plott (B.S.N., Nursing) ............................................................. Monument, Colorado

Danielle Elise Powell (B.S.N., Nursing) Magna Cum Laude Little Rock, Arkansas

Chelsey Gabby Powers (B.S.N., Nursing) Magna Cum Laude Roanoke, Texas

Nicole Gabrielle Romero (B.S.N., Nursing) Grapevine, Texas

Irene Jepkoech Rono (B.S.N., Nursing) Eldoret, Kenya

Tatianna Nevaeh Saenz (B.S.N., Nursing) San Antonio, Texas

◊ Kristianna Hope Sukach (B.S.N., Nursing) Magna Cum Laude Grapevine, Texas

Erin Grace Teichman (B.S.N., Nursing) ................................................................................ Aledo, Texas

Katherine Elisa Vargas (B.S.N., Nursing) San Antonio, Texas

Haley Jane Wade (B.S.N., Nursing) .......................................................................................... Frisco, Texas

Ashley Hope Wolfe (B.S.N., Nursing) Magna Cum Laude Sugar Land, Texas

Key to Degree Abbreviations

A.A. – Associate of Arts

B.A. – Bachelor of Arts

B.B.A. – Bachelor of Business Administration

B.F.A. – Bachelor of Fine Arts

B.M. – Bachelor of Music

B.S. – Bachelor of Science

B.S.E. – Bachelor of Science in Engineering

B.S.N. – Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Undergraduate Academic Honors

Honors at Commencement are based on a student’s GPA on courses taken at Abilene Christian. Students must complete at least 64 hours of course work at ACU to qualify to graduate with honors. The GPA thresholds for honors at graduation are 3.6 for cum laude, 3.75 for magna cum laude, and 3.9 for summa cum laude.

Honors listed in the Commencement program are based on the current GPA at the time of the graduation. If the final semester’s grades alter the student’s standing, the correct honor will be noted on the diploma.

For the distinction of Honors Scholar or Honors Associate, a student’s degree must be enriched with course work through the Honors College. The distinction also requires a GPA of at least 3.5 at the time of graduation. Honors College graduates wear gold stoles in Commencement.

University Scholars have superior academic records combined with outstanding service to their department and the university. These students must be recommended by their department and their college to receive this honor. They receive a medallion to be worn with their academic regalia.

Students listed in the program are candidates for the indicated degree but inclusion in the program does not confirm a degree has been earned. The degree will only be awarded after all degree requirements have been completed.

Undergraduate Awards

Lemoine G. Lewis

Valedictorian Award (4.0 GPA)

Benjamin Ray Ash

Logan Alyssa Browning

Pamela D. Buller

Alyssa Marie Burkhead

Claire Lane Choate

Luke Robbins Clevenger

Anna Katherine Crawford

Conner Pierce Crawford

Kathryn Louise Crawford

Kaylee Marin Dahl

Alissa Cameron Davis

Anna Nicole Ecklar

Skyler Jo-Lee Gill

Emma Ann Harper

Meredith C. Hickl

Elizabeth Grace Isham

Isabelle A. Jennings

Anna Elinor Kensing

Preston Everett Lynn

Whitney Nicole Marshall

Sarah Ann Miller

Brittany Nicole Moore

Jose Alberto Rodriguez Cisneros

Meghan Elizabeth Sloan

Cameron Elyse Snider

Shelby Nicole Spaulding

Mackenzie Diane Stevens

Abigayle Jolea Taylor

Savannah Leigh Walker

Grace Elizabeth White

Caitlyn Renee Woodman

Elizabeth Leeann Young

Kaden Erik Yowell

V.W. and Loretta Kelley Scholarship Award

Angel Smith

Amelia Little

Honor Man Conner Crawford

Honor Woman

Mackenzie Bankes

Trustees Award

Macee Valtr

Thomas Sanderson

Lindsey May

B Sherrod Scholarship Cinoon Bak

Brianna Garrett

Ashlyn Peters

Joan Lavaki

Dean Adams Achievement Award

Dylan Roundtree

Elizabeth Crawford

Stephanie Tran

Mr. ACU

Nate Wade

Miss ACU

Lindsey May

ACU Box 29131, Abilene, Texas 79699-9131

325-674-2622 • 800-373-4220 acu.edu/alumni

Dear ACU Graduate,

On behalf of the ACU Alumni Association, congratulations – and welcome! My team and I are so proud of you and your accomplishments throughout your time here.

You now join tens of thousands of alumni who have embarked on the journey you are about to undertake. Your hard work, dedication and perseverance have made it possible for you to achieve this impressive milestone. We have been where you are and remember the excitement you feel today.

I hope you’ll continue your relationship with your alma mater. By being an active member of the alumni community, you can be instrumental in the continued success of ACU – and, by extension the thousands of students who will come after you. Don’t be a stranger! If there is any way we can be of service, reach out to us at alumni @acu.edu. Don’t forget to visit our website at acu.edu/alumni to keep in touch and create your account on the alumni directory so you can start receiving your ACU Today magazine. Stay connected with us on Instagram (@acualumni), and you also can connect to ACU through Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Be sure to visit acu.edu/news to stay on top of the latest campus happenings.

Congratulations again on a job well done. Take the opportunity to make a real difference in the world by sharing the love of Jesus with everyone you meet and continuing to practice the unique service-based leadership to which he has called us.

Please share your ACU experiences with those you meet and come back to campus whenever possible. We’ll be here to welcome you.

For the Purple and White,

Craig Fisher (’92) Associate Vice President for Advancement and Alumni