LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION
A TIME
IN THE
Spotlight Spring 2021 Virtual Graduation Class Celebration Bash
THURSDAY, APRIL 29 | 6 PM on Webex
Sponsored by the Graduate Student Association and the Office of Graduate Studies and Research
Program MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Justin Alexander, President, Graduate Student Association
INTRODUCTION
Red Carpet: Who are you wearing?
CONGRATS GRADUATES
Ranita Ganguly, Director, Academic Enrichment and Finances, Graduate Student Association
GAME #1: Ranita Ganguly
Announcement of First Attendee to enter and prize
BLESSING
Chaplain Pamela Adams
MUSICAL SELECTION MOTIVATIONAL CHARGE
Ms. Danielle K. Craig, Young Professionals President, Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League
GAME #2: Justin Alexander PowerPoint Movie Trivia
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS BY COLLEGE
College of Business College of Agriculture, Science and Technology College of Health and Behavioral Sciences College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences Office of Graduate Studies and Research
MUSICAL SELECTION
Mr. Jovan A. Wilson & the DSU Band
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Mr. Markevis Gideon, Founder, NERDiT NOW
MUSICAL SELECTION GAME #3
Guess the Lyrics
CLOSING REMARKS
Justin Alexander President, Graduate Student Association Dr. Patrice Gilliam-Johnson Dean, School of Graduate, Adult and Extended Studies
MUSICAL SELECTION
MARKEVIS GIDEON
GUEST KEYNOTE SPEAKER 12,
Markevis Gideon is a Wilmington native and is the Founder of NERDiT NOW. At the age of 12, he was given the opportunity to work on computers when a teacher donated a computer to him. His interest further developed as he participated at the Computer Network Administration Program at Howard High School. During this time, he was able to gain several Microsoft Certifications.
Following graduation, Markevis attended Widener University where he began studying Computer Science. While in school, he was working 40 hours a week while running a computer company “ConnectU” and selling used cars out of his university parking lot. He thought to himself, why should I have to work so hard to pay for school? Once Markevis reached the point that he considered dropping out, he met with the president of Widener University who changed his world for the better. Long story short, Markevis did not only stay in school but he graduated with two degrees. It was because of Widener that he was able to visit China for one month, which is why he decided to move to China after graduation for five years. Today, Markevis is running NERDiT NOW. He began his company three years ago in his two-bedroom apartment. He contributes a lot of his success to his education/experiences gathered through high school, college, and life in China. He often donates computers to the community for he says, “It’s his goal to donate the communities that have given so much to me!”
DANIELLE K. CRAIG
MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER Danielle Craig is a devoted educator with over 18 years of combined experience in secondary and higher education, business development, marketing, and coaching families and individuals. She is a Dover, Delaware, native with a heart for the youth and serving her community. Danielle works at Delaware State University as an Assistant Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research, Experiential Learning and Honors, and an Adjunct Instructor. Danielle is also an entrepreneur and the founder of Look Up Enterprise LLC. and What’s in Your Future, an organization that is dedicated to empowering future generations. Danielle is the President of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League’s Young Professionals, a volunteer auxiliary of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League, that targets young professionals ages 21-40 to empower their communities and change lives through the Urban League Movement. In April 2020, Danielle was appointed to the Delaware Advisory Committee of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. She is a 2020 graduate of the National Urban League Emerging Leaders program, serves as a Board Member for the Kuumba Academy Charter School, is a Delaware Education Funding Organizer and is an active member of Crossroad Christian Church. With her experience and expertise, Danielle hopes to do her part to help young men and women find their passion, navigate the complexities of adulthood, and walk confidently into their future.
Congratulations COLLEGE of AGRICULTURE, SCIENCE, & TECHNOLOGY Agriculture Program Rosalyn D. Battle, MS Bryon Mancanero, MS Lungowe Mulozi, MS Applied Optics Program Jessica B. Patel, MS Natural Resources Program Mohana Gadde, MS Memory Nakazwe, MS
COLLEGE of BUSINESS Business Administration Program Xianhua Luo, MBA Melissa Ortega, MBA Tahjah Warner, MBA Sport Administration Program Ashley Symone Conner, MS Julius Hurd III, MS Kathlyn Ryan, MS Toni Renee Washington, MS Kalena Wiggins, MS
COLLEGE of HUMANITIES, EDUCATION, & SOCIAL SCIENCES Educational Leadership (M. Ed.) Program Rebecca Altidor, M. Ed. Gernelle G. Forrest, M. Ed. Public Administration Program Terrance Morant-Gamble, MPA Christian Johnson, MPA Tevin Darnell Smith, MPA Kyejah Alea Williams, MPA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)/Bilingual Education Program Homar Jaimes Rodriguez, MA Daniel Sanvee, MA
COLLEGE of HEALTH & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES Social Work Program Crystal J. Alfriend, MSW Janel Joy Austin, MSW Fanta Cheriff N. Ba, MSW Shykera A. Backus, MSW Karynna A. Bequette, MSW
SPRING 2021 CANDIDATES FOR GRADUATION Ashley L. Bennett, MSW Kiana R. Besa, MSW Daezja Carmen Bray, MSW Adam Jefferson Cerri, MSW Elisa Beth Chaze, MSW Delilah Colon, MSW Clara Correa, MSW Mark Anthony Daniels, MSW Kevin P. Daniels, MSW Cydney Monet Davis, MSW Kamarya Ashante’ Edwards, MSW Shavonne Fair, MSW Lisa C. Ferraro, MSW Katrina Green, MSW Thelma L. Greene, MSW Deita Harper, MSW Octavis T. Henry, MSW Briana L. Hill, MSW Amber Cherriman Howton, MSW Chelsea James-Irving, MSW Jasmine Zimba Jackson, MSW Ashley Sara Jacobs, MSW Jenilee M. Jankowski, MSW Jasmine Johnson Nicholson, MSW Lakedia Johnson, MSW Brittanne King, MSW Cindy J. Lamontagne, MSW Ismael Medina Lara, MSW Julia Ann Lee, MSW Taneisha Leysath, MSW Deon Daniel Marshall, MSW Monserrat Abigail Matos, MSW Morgan Meier, MSW Alyson Renee Minor, MSW Brittney S. Moals, MSW Sarah Halima Mouhtarim, MSW Christopher D. Myles, MSW Emily Grace Naylor, MSW Jenevive Irene Naa Oboshie Newman, MSW Mildred N. Ortega, MSW Amy L. Parsons, MSW Jaden Raynor, MSW Janae Julia Hope Robinson, MSW Janel Hope Robinson, MSW Mary E. Rouggiero, MSW Briana Danielle Royal, MSW Madison V. Sampson, MSW Amanda Lee Santiago, MSW Aneela Anjum Seaton, MSW E’Nedra Timoria Kendra Sewell, MSW Siani S. Smith, MSW Briana Spellman, MSW Kelsea Lin Taylor, MSW Dashia Terrell, MSW Aliya T. Vance, MSW Sabrina Sajani Vandeyar, MSW Kevin Warick, MSW
Thank You OFFICE OF GRADUATE STUDIES AND RESEARCH STAFF Dr. Patrice Gilliam-Johnson, Dean, School of Graduate, Adult and Extended Studies Mrs. Terry Jeffries, Assistant Dean, School of Graduate, Adult and Extended Studies Cheryl L. Still, Director of Graduate Student Support Services LeAndrea Johnson, Graduate Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Sarah Greene, Administrative Secretary Teshenia Hughes, Graduate Admissions Counselor Angenette Kelley, Graduate Processor Justin Alexander, Graduate Office Assistant GRADUATE STUDENT ASSOCIATION Justin Alexander, President Onyekachi Williams, Secretary Ranita Ganguly, Director, Academic Enrichment and Finance ADVISORY TEAM LeAndrea Johnson, Advisor Teshenia Hughes, Co-Advisor DJ DestrucShawn Mr. Jovan A. Wilson and the DSU Band