UNIVERSITY OF M O N T E VA L L O
DECEMBER COMMENCEMENT SPRING COMMENCEMENT May 7, 13, 2016 December 2019
A NOTE TO THE PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF THE FALL CLASS OF 2019 . . . Commencement ceremonies are milestones in the life of a university and in the lives of its extended family members. While in the narrowest sense each graduate is celebrating the mastery of a defined curriculum of intellectual skills and content, we know that the meaning of this commencement celebration will be much broader and deeper than that. Lifelong friendships have been made. Priceless memories will be cherished. New opportunities are within grasp, some of which seemed like mere fantasies just a few short years ago. Excitement is in the air! For those of us who serve as faculty, staff, alumni, trustees or friends of the University of Montevallo, these commencement ceremonies are a reminder that it is a good thing to include time in our busy schedules to celebrate important achievements and to reflect upon the challenges of tomorrow. Perhaps the greatest gift of a liberal arts education is its power to guide us to wiser decisions during and after those moments of reflection. On behalf of all of us who comprise the Montevallo “family,” it is my pleasure to welcome you to Alabama’s public liberal arts university. You belong at Montevallo.
We proudly present the December graduating Class of 2019.
John W. Stewart III University President
Schedule of Commencement Activities 4:00 p.m. Reception 5:00 p.m.
Commencement
McChesney Student Activity Center Concourse Sponsored by the UM National Alumni Association
McChesney Student Activity Center Arena
COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM McChesney Student Activity Center Arena 5:00 p.m. Dr. John W. Stewart III, University President, Presiding Dr. Robert Barone, Academic Grand Marshal PRELUDE MUSIC
Dr. Laurie Middaugh ’88 Staff Accompanist
Pas Redoublé Illyrian Dances Symphony No. 19
Camille Saint-Saëns Guy Woolfenden Nicolai Miaskovsky
*PROCESSIONAL Pomp and Circumstance
Edward Elgar
WELCOME
Dr. Stewart
*INVOCATION
Ms. Olivia Eldridge ’20 President, Student Government Association
*NATIONAL ANTHEM Star Spangled Banner
Francis Scott Key Led by Ms. Jordan Hare ’19, soprano
O say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro’ the perilous fight, O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof thro’ the night that our flag was still there. O say, does that star spangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
ADDRESS
Honorable Todd R. Strange ’66 UM Board of Trustees, Chairman Former mayor of Montgomery, Alabama
SPECIAL MUSIC Tribute
Dr. Joseph Landers Professor of Music
*The audience will please stand. Page 2
PRESENTATION OF DOCTOR OF HUMANE LETTERS DEGREE, honoris causa Dr. Stewart assisted by Provost Mary Beth Armstrong, UM Trustee Mr. Matt Arnold ’93 and UM Trustee Honorable David Wheeler ’72 Honorable Strange PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES Dr. Mary Beth Armstrong, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Ruth Truss, Interim Dean, College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Stephen Craft, Dean, Michael E. Stephens College of Business Dr. Courtney Bentley, Dean, College of Education & Human Development Dr. Steven Peters, Dean, College of Fine Arts CONFERRING OF DEGREES
Dr. Stewart Assisted by Dr. James S. Day, Professor of History and Ms. Amanda Fox ’04, M.Ed. ’10, Registrar
INDUCTION INTO ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Ms. Toni Leo ’80 President, University of Montevallo Alumni Association *ALMA MATER
Virginia P. Figh ’53-Lucy L. Underwood ’54 Led by Ms. Hare
Alma Mater ever glorious, Seeking Right and Freedom’s Way Raise a beacon high to guide us Shed thy light afar, we pray.
Sons and Daughters sing thy Praises Steadfast virtues win thee fame May the years be rich and fruitful Truth and honor crown thy name.
*BENEDICTION
Mr. Thomas Dillard ’22 Student Trustee
*RECESSIONAL Allegro, from Symphony in D, Op. 2 no. 5
William Boyce (1711-1779)
Dr. Joseph Landers composed his new work “Tribute” to commemorate University of Montevallo Board of Trustees Chairman Todd Strange receiving an honorary doctorate degree at the University’s fall commencement in 2019. The composition is a celebratory fanfare, scored for brass, saxophones and percussion, and is dedicated to Todd and Linda Strange in appreciation for their tremendous generosity, love and support for the University of Montevallo. The Commencement Program is being interpreted for the deaf and hard of hearing by Avey Jane Lute, NAD, RID and Rose Courson EIPA 3.6, VQAS III/III. *The audience will please stand. Page 3
The Mission of the University of Montevallo, unique in higher education in Alabama, is to provide to students from throughout the State an affordable, geographically accessible, “small college” public higher educational experience of high quality with a strong emphasis on undergraduate liberal studies and with professional programs supported by a broad base of arts and sciences, designed for their intellectual and personal growth in the pursuit of meaningful employment and responsible, informed citizenship.
The Board of Trustees Hon. Kay Ivey, Governor of Alabama, President, ex-officio Dr. Eric Mackey, State Superintendent of Education, ex-officio Hon. Todd Strange, Chair — Montgomery Mr. Matt Arnold — Guntersville Ms. Beth Chapman — Hoover Mr. Gary Ellis — Gulf Shores Mr. Brian Hamilton — Bessemer Mr. Tim Lupinacci — Birmingham Mr. LeRoy Nix — Maplesville Ms. Libby Queen — Alexander City Mrs. Wynelle S. Sewell — Huntsville Hon. Rodger Smitherman — Birmingham Hon. David W. Wheeler — Birmingham Mr. Thomas Dillard ’22, ex-officio — Sterrett
Seniors wearing medallions are members of Phi Kappa Phi, the highest academic honorary at the University. The program contains the names of candidates for degrees, but inclusion in the program does not constitute evidence of completion of a degree or of graduation from this institution. Page 4
DECEMBER 2019
Candidates for Graduation COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
Master of Science Degree Jessica Jeaninne Bonner........................................................................................................................... Midfield
Superior Academic Achievement Hannah Elisabeth Green................................Summa Cum Laude.............................................................Calera Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Arts Degree Joshua Eli Dunning...........................................................................................................................Birmingham Ayana Shantel Ford................................................................................................................................Pike Road Jared Allen Martin................................................ Cum Laude.......................................................... Columbiana Brittany A. McDonald.............................................................................................................................. Bon Air James Royce Vick............................................Summa Cum Laude..................................................... Wilsonville
Bachelor of Science Degree Brittany Alise Bowden............................................................................................................................ Bessemer Heather Nicole Bradley.......................................................................................................................... Evergreen Kelly Britton-Hathaway..........................................................................................................................Trussville Darius R. Burns...................................................................................................................................... Prattville Jensen Phillip Lane Burt......................................................................................................................... Brierfield Haley Banion Carlton..................................... Magna Cum Laude....................................................Birmingham Taylor Scott Clark.........................................................................................................................................Steele William Lee Cole............................................Summa Cum Laude........................................................ Alabaster Mickey Todd Forrest................................................................................................................................. Pelham Teagan Lynn Hovey............................................................................................................................Guntersville Rachel Britton Jenkins................................................................................................................... Indialantic, FL Cameron Nicole Kent-Scherzer............................ Cum Laude................................................................. Vincent Hope Kicklighter.................................................................................................................................... Prattville Sarah C. Klinger.............................................Summa Cum Laude.......................................................... Clanton Elisabeth G. Mcdonald...................................Summa Cum Laude...................................................... Nixa, MO
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Bachelor of Science Degree (continued) Peyton Elizabeth McIlwain.................................. Cum Laude.................................................................. Hoover Aidan Teague Mckay....................................................................................................................... Vestavia Hills Nicole Rochelle Mckithen...................................................................................................................... Alabaster Lauren Ashley Moody............................................................................................................................... Pelham Avery Clay Ortis................................................................................................................................Spanish Fort Austin Scott Penton........................................Summa Cum Laude.......................................................... Verbena Paisley Nicole Sellers............................................. Cum Laude............................................................Morris, NY Don W. Slee............................................................................................................................................... Pelham Mary Nell Sloan........................................................................................................................................ Hoover Asia Iman Suttle.....................................................................................................................................Talladega Kloe Markham Tapia.......................................................................................................................... Gulf Shores Tarkara Monet Traylor..............................................................................................................................Auburn Asia Michelle Wiggins.................................... Magna Cum Laude....................................................Birmingham
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MICHAEL E. STEPHENS COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
Master of Business Administration Degree Zoe R. Belew............................................................................................................................................. Hoover Carlissa Strong Cunningham............................................................................................................Birmingham Chester Thomas Estes III........................................................................................................................... Hoover Ashton H. Kupferberg.................................................................................................................................Calera Shannon Michael Myers.............................................................................................................................Helena Pacifico Luis E. Otamias.................................................................................................................... Homewood Claire Elise Quirk................................................................................................................................. Huntsville Carolina Sanchez-Barco...............................................................................................................................Calera John Alexander Williams..........................................................................................................................Florence Alexandra Bryanna Wright.......................................................................................................... Woodstock, GA
Superior Academic Achievement Whitney Nicole Thorpe.................................. Magna Cum Laude....................................................Birmingham Bachelor of Business Administration
Bachelor of Business Administration Degree Kaylan Shamar Banks............................................................................................................................. Anniston Randy Earl Coleman.............................................................................................................................. Bessemer Asia Nicole Davison................................................................................................................................ Alabaster Taylor Grant Deavers................................................................................................................................ Clanton Daulton Richard Greene......................................................................................................................... Alabaster Joel Alan Hightower Jr.............................................................................................................Owens Cross Road Rebekah Hill........................................................................................................................................... Fairhope Holly Marie LaForce............................................ Cum Laude...............................................................Irvington Shelby Alyse Marston...............................................................................................................................Irondale Kai’Onna Quintiah Miller........................................................................................................................ Pelham Amy Minor................................................................................................................................................ Tarrant Vincent Joseph Nicolini.....................................................................................................................Birmingham Cory Taylor Rasnic.......................................................................................................................... Vestavia Hills John Michael Reed...................................................................................................................................... Jasper Connor Patrick Ryan............................................................................................................................... Fairhope
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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Educational Specialist Degree Jana Kelbie Armstrong Baker............................................................................................................... Wilsonville Jacqueline L. Sommerville..........................................................................................................................Helena
Master of Education Degree Caitlin Yancey Atlee.................................................................................................................................. Pelham Sydney Claire Bireley................................................................................................................................. Hoover Kelsey Elena Callahan............................................................................................................................... Hoover Savannah Joy Donahoe...............................................................................................................................Helena Wallace Derek Dupuis............................................................................................................................ Alabaster Andrea Denise Echols............................................................................................................................. Alabaster Amillio Farrington..............................................................................................................................Montevallo Denise Kobeck Gonzales........................................................................................................................... Pelham Amber Roquelle James.......................................................................................................................Birmingham Dyllon D. Johnson.......................................................................................................................................Calera Janet R. Jones......................................................................................................................................... Alabaster Kayla Lynn Kent........................................................................................................................................ Pelham Jessica Ann Lauderdale............................................................................................................................... Pinson Hunter Lee Lovett.................................................................................................................................. Alabaster Jennifer Norwood Luty.....................................................................................................................Center Point Angela Roberts Martin...............................................................................................................................Helena Brittany Chavarria Mumpower............................................................................................................Montevallo Charlotte Clare Norris.......................................................................................................................Birmingham Cassie N. Popwell..................................................................................................................................... Clanton Tracy L. Reed....................................................................................................................................Birmingham Jennifer Melissa Rosado....................................................................................................................... Cache, OK Kayleigh L. Scott.................................................................................................................................... Newbern Anitra P. Stallworth...........................................................................................................................Birmingham Caitlin Elizabeth Thomas...................................................................................................................... Southside Tiffany Oaks Thomas..................................................................................................................................Calera Ikeia S. Thrash...................................................................................................................................Birmingham Ashley N. Washburn............................................................................................................................. Huntsville
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Superior Academic Achievement Katherine Averitt............................................Summa Cum Laude............................................................. Selma Bachelor of Science Emily Ann Contorno......................................Summa Cum Laude............................................................Helena Bachelor of Science Casey Naomi Harris.......................................Summa Cum Laude..................................................... Woodstock Bachelor of Science Victoria Fayth Morton....................................Summa Cum Laude..................................................West Blocton Bachelor of Science Kristen Savannah Parrish................................Summa Cum Laude.......................................................... Clanton Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Arts Degree Katelynn Ashley Hagerla........................................................................................................................... Hoover Olivia M. Snyder............................................Summa Cum Laude........................................................ Alabaster
Bachelor of Science Degree Osiris Amador............................................................................................................................................Helena Marquita Me’nee Banks........................................ Cum Laude............................................................... Alabaster Hayden N. Bowers.......................................... Magna Cum Laude....................................................... Hueytown Joel Benjamin Charles........................................................................................................ Durban, South Africa Morgan Elyse Daniels..................................... Magna Cum Laude.............................................................Mobile Shaffer Nicole Denney....................................Summa Cum Laude.................................................... Gulf Shores Shelby Leigh Dunn..............................................................................................................................Montevallo Christopher Kel Easterling........................................................................................................................ Warrior Kaitlyn Hennessee Franklin................................. Cum Laude............................................................... Alabaster Hannah Elizabeth Garner................................................................................................................ Childersburg Dara Elizabeth Harris.....................................Summa Cum Laude.......................................................... Jemison Caleb Jay Ledbetter...................................................................................................................................Gallant Nina Elizabeth Mascia.......................................... Cum Laude.................................................................. Hoover Erin Elizabeth McDaniel...................................... Cum Laude............................................... Mechanicsville, VA Peyton Chandler McKinley...............................................................................................................Birmingham Tania Yanira Garcia Olivares.............................................................................................................Birmingham Destiny Elizabeth Pierson..................................... Cum Laude.........................................................West Blocton Jessica Christine Roberts...................................... Cum Laude...............................................................Sycamore Courtney A. Strickland........................................ Cum Laude................................................................. Clanton Bailey Kay Weber................................................. Cum Laude..........................................................Birmingham Emily Magen Wood....................................... Magna Cum Laude...................................................... Wilsonville Laura Dewana Wooley......................................... Cum Laude............................................................... Alabaster
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COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS
Superior Academic Achievement Pearson Loving Bell........................................Summa Cum Laude...................................................Birmingham Bachelor of Science Jonathan F. Brewer.........................................Summa Cum Laude........................................................ Alabaster Bachelor of Science with University Honors
Bachelor of Arts Degree Mavaney Jade Christianson............................ Magna Cum Laude......................................................... Bessemer DeAndra Sharee Hodge.......................................................................................................................Montevallo Celia D. Venable................................................................................................................................... Scottsboro Azadra D. Whitman............................................................................................................................. Huntsville Rachel Karrmann Zeegers................................................................................................................. Columbiana
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Aaron J. Coleman....................................................................................................................................... Attalla Rilee Savannah Garrett......................................................................................................................Birmingham Madison Shelby Johnson................................ Magna Cum Laude......................................................Montevallo Christa J. Kimbrough........................................................................................................................Birmingham Ashlie M. Lodge...........................................................................................................................................Joppa Sara E. Scott...............................................................................................................................................Athens
Bachelor of Music Degree Jordan Ashley Hare......................................... Magna Cum Laude.......................................................Tuscaloosa
Bachelor of Science Degree Parker Bryan............................................................................................................................................. Thorsby Austin Ryan Goodwin........................................................................................................................ Jacksonville Kami Noelle Gothard........................................... Cum Laude.................................................................. Fackler Kahlil J. Kyles........................................................................................................................................... Dothan Trevon Warren Lee............................................................................................................................Birmingham Jordan T. Lightsey.................................................................................................................................... Clanton Steven Terrill Mami........................................Summa Cum Laude.........................................................Cullman Northern JoeAl Steele..................................... Magna Cum Laude....................................................Birmingham
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Bachelor of Science Degree (continued) Rachel Nicole Strain............................................. Cum Laude...........................................................Fort Rucker Camilla Grace Summerford............................ Magna Cum Laude........................................................... Dothan Emily Rose Tucker................................................ Cum Laude...................................................................Helena
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Hon. Todd Strange Commencement Speaker, Dec. 13, 2019 Todd Strange graduated from the University of Montevallo in 1966 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and currently is the chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees. He served as the mayor of Montgomery for more than 10 years. After graduating from UM, Strange accepted a job with the South Central Bell company (now AT&T), where he worked in several leadership roles. As he progressed in his career, he later served as the president and chief executive officer of the Blount Development Corporation, director of the Alabama Department of Commerce, senior vice president of administration for Blount International and president, CEO and co-owner of the Blount Strange Automotive Group. He served as the chairman of the Montgomery County Commission for nearly five years before he was elected mayor of Montgomery in a special election in 2009. In addition to his more than 20-year service on the UM Board of Trustees, he also previously served as chairman of the UM National Alumni Association. Strange has had a major impact on Montevallo, Montgomery and the state over the years. As former director of the Alabama Development of Commerce (formerly known as the Alabama Development Office), Strange collaborated many efforts resulting in major industries locating to Alabama, including the Hyundai Manufacturing Facility in Montgomery. Strange’s extensive involvement in the community includes chairman of the Capital City Club, member of the Board of Directors and former vice-chairman of the Montgomery Business Committee for the Arts, former president and campaign chairman for Montgomery Area United Way, former chairman of the Board of Directors for the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, former president of the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind Foundation, former board chairman of Montgomery’s Riverfront Development Committee and former chairman of the Montgomery Riverfront Alliance. Strange lives in Montgomery with his wife, Linda, a 1967 graduate of UM, and the two have been longtime supporters of the University. In 2015 the couple established the Todd and Linda Strange Endowed Professorship which provides a three-year stipend to a deserving distinguished professor to spend on classes, research, travel and other items.
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