UNIVERSITY OF M O N T E VA L L O
DECEMBER COMMENCEMENT SPRING COMMENCEMENT May 7, 2016 December 8, 2017
A NOTE TO THE PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF THE FALL CLASS OF 2017 . . . 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.
We proudly present the December graduating Class of 2017.
John W. Stewart III University President
Schedule of Commencement Activities 4:00 p.m. Reception 5:00 p.m.
Commencement
McChesney Student Activity Center Sponsored by the UM National Alumni Association
McChesney Student Activity Center Arena
The Board of Trustees Hon. Kay Ivey, Governor of Alabama, President, ex-officio Dr. Ed Richardson, Interim 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 Mr. David W. Wheeler — Birmingham Mr. Cage Williamson ’18, ex-officio — Hazel Green
Former White House Chief of Staff, Hon. Andrew Card Jr. The second longest tenured White House Chief of Staff, Hon. Andrew Card Jr. delivers the keynote address for Fall Commencement. He served in senior government roles for three U.S. presidents. As a native of Holbrook, Massachusetts, Card got his start in politics as an elected official in Holbrook and then as member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1975-1983. He worked as a minority whip from 1977 to 1983. In 1982, he was named Legislator of the Year by the National Republican Legislators Association and received the Distinguished Legislator Award from the Massachusetts Municipal Association. He was a candidate for the Republican nomination for governor of Massachusetts in 1982. He then served as special assistant (1983 to 1987) and then as deputy assistant to the president and director of intergovernmental affairs for President Ronald Reagan (1988) where he was liaison to governors, statewide elected officials, state legislators, mayors and other elected officials. He later became deputy chief of staff and then a cabinet member for President George H.W. Bush as the secretary of transportation from 1992 to 1993. After working as president and chief executive officer of the American Automobile Manufacturers Association from 1993 to 1998, he became chief of staff for President George W. Bush. He served in this role from January 2001 to April 2006. In this capacity, he coordinated the priorities of the administration’s agenda, the development of policies and appointments of cabinet secretaries and senior officials throughout the government. On Sept. 11, 2001, Card was the one who whispered in President Bush’s ear while the President was sitting in a classroom in Florida, that terrorists had attacked the United States. Card, then, led a government-wide reorganization to best allocate resources to deal with the aftermath of 9-11. Since leaving the White House, Card has worked as acting dean of The Bush School of Government and Public Service and later, executive director of the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Texas A&M University. He also served as president of Franklin Pierce University. Card currently serves on the board of directors of public corporation Union Pacific, on the business advisory board of BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, on the advisory board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and on a number of non-profit boards. He also joined NBC News as a contributor in April 2017. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a B.S. in Engineering. He also attended the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Following this training, Card served in the U.S. Navy for 12 years. He and his wife, the Rev. Kathleene Bryan Card, also from Holbrook, have three children and six grandchildren.
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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 Grand Choeur Dialogue
Eugene Gigout (1844-1925)
WELCOME
Dr. Stewart
*INVOCATION
Ms. Lizbeth Juarez ’18 President, Student Government Association
*NATIONAL ANTHEM Star Spangled Banner
Francis Scott Key Led by Ms. Calliope Pettis ’17
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
Hon. Andrew H. Card Jr. Former White House Chief of Staff
STATE SONG Alabama
Julia Tutwiler-Edna Gussen Led by Ms. Pettis
*The audience will please stand.
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PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES Dr. James H. McDonald, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Mary Beth Armstrong, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Stephen Craft, Dean, Michael E. Stephens College of Business Dr. Charlotte Daughhetee, Interim Dean, College of Education 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 *ALMA MATER
Ms. Laurl Self ’94 President, National Alumni Association Virginia P. Figh ’53-Lucy L. Underwood ’54 Led by Ms. Pettis
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
Ms. Anna Zahumensky ’18 President, Senior Class
*RECESSIONAL Allegro, from Symphony in D, Op. 2 no. 5
William Boyce (1711-1779)
The Commencement Program is being interpreted for the deaf and hard of hearing by Sarah T. Smith, Associate Professor of Special Education and Avey Jane Lute, NAD, RID. *The audience will please stand. Page 4
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.
DECEMBER 2017
Candidates for Graduation COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
Superior Academic Achievement Margaret Elizabeth Danzer............................Summa Cum Laude.....................................................Montevallo Bachelor of Science Elizabeth Seven Harding................................Summa Cum Laude...................................................Birmingham Bachelor of Science Emily L. Reed.................................................Summa Cum Laude.............................................................Shelby Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Arts Degree Janeth Carolina Bermudez......................................................................................................................... Pelham Laura Kathryn Binford............................................................................................................................. Dothan Saul Isaac Cruz.......................................................................................................................................... Pelham Jessica Ruth Donahue.............................................................................................................................. Madison Madison McKenzie Griggs............................................................................................................... Montgomery Roxanne Helena Paciesas......................................................................................................................... Madison La’Darius Rashun Patrick..................................................................................................................Birmingham Morgan Lee Pennington................................. Magna Cum Laude.......................................................... Madison Kaylee Maelin Poston...........................................................................................................................Tuscumbia Katherine I. Seals....................................................................................................................................... Pelham Emily A. Street.........................................................................................................................................Trafford Seth Christian Gottlieb Zimmerman.........................................................................................................Helena
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Bachelor of Science Degree Miriam Argote.....................................................................................................................................Montevallo Abigail Marie Athey..........................................................................................................................Birmingham Chase Wylie Baker.................................................................................................................................... Clanton Ryan Anderson Baker............................................................................................................................... Clanton Adam Douglas Bell............................................... Cum Laude............................................................... Alabaster Devin Bennett.........................................................................................................................................Cullman Castella Virginia Blair................................................................................................................ Mountain Brook Melissa D. Bracknell................................................................................................................................. Thorsby RayVon Deshay Christian............................................................................................................. Carrollton, TX Rachel Danielle Eggert................................................................................................................... Valley Grande David Matthew Fadule............................................................................................................................. Ashville Mollie Katelyn Gibbs................................................................................................................................ Hayden Victoria Catlin Brook Gould......................................................................................................................Helena Rebecca A. Green........................................... Magna Cum Laude.............................................................Lawley Toni Marie Hawkins....................................................................................................................................Calera Tori Christine Helm............................................................................................................................. Weogufka Margaret Nicholson Hillhouse............................. Cum Laude..........................................................Birmingham Taylorlynn Christine Knox................................................................................................................... Huntsville Shelby Nicole Lopez................................................................................................................................. Jemison Brittany LeShae Manasco............................... Magna Cum Laude.............................................................. Jasper Maegan Nicole Massey......................................................................................................................... Albertville Kelli Martina McBride......................................................................................................................Birmingham L. Katelyn McCombs................................................................................................................................. Pinson Bridget L. McDaniel................................................................................................................................. Dothan Teresier B. McGough.........................................................................................................................Birmingham Margaret Eileen Meadows...................................................................................................................... Alabaster Kourtney Brooke Mills.....................................................................................................................Meridianville Ryan George Morrow...............................................................................................................................Maylene Christen Marie Oswald............................................................................................................................ Ashville Gabriel Christian Palmer...................................................................................................................... Huntsville Savannah Skye Pratt............................................................................................................................Montevallo Samantha Rose Pullen.................................... Magna Cum Laude.......................................................... Fairview Teigen Christine Rhodes.............................................................................................................................Calera Megan Elizabeth Simmons................................... Cum Laude.............................................................. Rainsville Jessica Marie St. John............................................................................................................................. Alabaster Jordan B. Strong................................................................................................................................Birmingham Charles M. Sullivan...........................................................................................................................Birmingham Nicholas G. TenHopen...............................................................................................................................Athens Alexia MarShae Vasser.........................................................................................................................Montevallo Jackson Emilio Watts...........................................................................................................................Montevallo Page 6
MICHAEL E. STEPHENS COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
Master of Business Administration Degree Katherine Helm Andrews....................................................................................................................Montevallo Natalie Nicolle Bonifay............................................................................................................................. Harvest Susan Marie Brenner................................................................................................................................. Hoover Rebecca Ashlyn Davis..................................................................................................................................Calera Jan Yvonne Gibson............................................................................................................................ Columbiana Ondrea Khadija Lee...........................................................................................................................New Market Corbett L. Lovelady.............................................................................................................................Montevallo Steven Yves Rocca....................................................................................................................... Berlin, Germany Samuel O. Shuskey..............................................................................................................................Montevallo
Superior Academic Achievement Trevor Tucker.................................................Summa Cum Laude............................................................Helena Bachelor of Business Administration
Bachelor of Business Administration Degree Jermal K. Cumbie..............................................................................................................................Birmingham Richard Gabriel Evans............................................................................................................................... Pelham Morgan Beth Heumann....................................... Cum Laude............................................................... Prattville Nikola Klacar....................................................... Cum Laude.....................................................Subotica, Serbia Emily E. Lepper........................................................................................................................................ Decatur Johnathan Lynn Lovette........................................................................................................................... Jemison Marlene Elizabeth Martinez...........................Summa Cum Laude........................................................ Alabaster Daniel E. Pardo..................................................................................................................... Pembroke Pines, FL Kacy F. Sanders........................................................................................................................................ Clanton Hector Enrique Vazquez Juarez...........................................................................................................Montevallo Alexandra Bryanna Wright.......................................................................................................... Woodstock, GA
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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Educational Specialist Degree Jennifer Kanute Gaddis................................................................................................................. Pleasant Grove
Master of Education Degree Jana Kelbie G. Armstrong.................................................................................................................... Wilsonville Howard Dakota Babin.........................................................................................................................Maplesville Temani Frances Beck................................................................................................................................. Hoover Heather Bishop....................................................................................................................................Montevallo Jasmine Alise Boykin.............................................................................................................................. Bessemer Brittany L. Calvin..............................................................................................................................Birmingham James Hunter Denney....................................................................................................................... Columbiana Jennifer Caitlin Dennis...............................................................................................................................Calera Kathryn Frances Dickinson....................................................................................................................... Hoover Melissa Aubrey Elliott.................................................................................................................................Calera Nicholas J. Fasanello............................................................................................................................Montevallo Lori Ellen Gardner.....................................................................................................................................Helena Christa Dawn Garner..................................................................................................................................Calera Shahalini D. Gilbert............................................................................................................................Montevallo Charitina Ruth Goebel.........................................................................................................................Springville Kayla Elise Gough....................................................................................................................................Maylene Dequincy Deshawn Hall......................................................................................................................Tuscaloosa Christi King Hamlin.............................................................................................................................. Alabaster Brittney Wilder Harris.......................................................................................................................Birmingham Daniel Lee Howard.............................................................................................................................Montevallo Vicki Kelly-Wilkins....................................................................................................................................Helena Katherine L. Leopard...........................................................................................................................Springville Allison Little............................................................................................................................................. Vestavia Jerome Larienso Mays...........................................................................................................................Tuscaloosa Amarye Elizabeth McGraw.....................................................................................................................Oakman Jesse L. Mitchell.................................................................................................................................Birmingham Janet Grace Morgan................................................................................................................................ Alabaster Beverly J. Myers.................................................................................................................................Birmingham Jeffery S. Neaves.................................................................................................................................Locust Fork Woodard Elliott Nunis......................................................................................................................Birmingham Page 8
Master of Education Degree (continued) Rebecca Anne Paul............................................................................................................................. Homewood La Toya Tameka Peeples..............................................................................................................................Calera Jonisha Deloise Rice............................................................................................................................... Bessemer Nicole Rodriguez................................................................................................................................Shoal Creek Ashlyn Elizabeth Salmon.............................................................................................................................Calera Matthew W. Scruggs..............................................................................................................................Trussville Katelyn Joy Sellers................................................................................................................................ Hueytown Ashley Lenore Shivers................................................................................................................................ Hoover Katherine Gray Sides................................................................................................................................. Hoover Ina Ilona Simpson........................................................................................................................East Orange, NJ Jacob Daniel Smith............................................................................................................................ Columbiana Ashley Cobb Spencer.........................................................................................................................Birmingham Benjamin Stillwell.............................................................................................................................Birmingham Douglas A. Thompson............................................................................................................................... Hoover Jordan Nicole Vann................................................................................................................................... Hoover Amanda Ellen Wade............................................................................................................................... Alabaster Jamie Lynn Wade..............................................................................................................................Birmingham Marlon Eugene White........................................................................................................................ Jacksonville Siegfried Demond Williams.................................................................................................................Tuscaloosa Emily Mikayla Yarbrough.......................................................................................................................... Pelham
Superior Academic Achievement Hollie Noel Brown.........................................Summa Cum Laude.............................................................Calera Bachelor of Science Amber M. Harrison........................................Summa Cum Laude.....................................................Maplesville Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science Degree Joseph Andrew Barclay.................................................................................................................................. Boaz Julia Victoria Carr........................................................................................................................................Leeds Lakeyia Jeanai Conner............................................................................................................................Sylacauga Chandler Nicole Cooper...................................................................................................................... Chunchula Savannah Blaze Diaz...................................... Magna Cum Laude........................................................... Verbena Madison Payton Ellis......................................Summa Cum Laude................................... Peterborough, Ontario Stephanie Falkner.........................................................................................................................................Leeds Madison Evelyn Marie Fisher......................... Magna Cum Laude....................................................Birmingham Hunter G. Freeman................................................................................................................................ Alabaster Gerald Anthony Hargrove II..................................................................................................................... Hoover
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Bachelor of Science Degree (continued) Taylor Brooke Henderson......................................................................................................................... Clanton Natalie A. Hunt..............................................Summa Cum Laude.....................................................Montevallo Kristen Lee Jones...............................................................................................................................Birmingham Rachael A. Kenny........................................... Magna Cum Laude.................................................... Columbiana Zachary Scott Kerger.............................................................................................................................. Prattville Rachel N. Lovett........................................................................................................................................ Pelham Mabrey Layne Marsalis...................................Summa Cum Laude.............................................................Calera Brittany Rice McCain............................................................................................................................... Sterrett Lane Renay McKee....................................................................................................................................Auburn Kaitlin J. Mellott............................................Summa Cum Laude............................................................. Jasper Allison Elise Minor.................................................................................................................................... Hoover Rachel Elizabeth Morrell...................................... Cum Laude....................................................................Calera Cara Lauren Overton........................................................................................................................... Wilsonville Leila Marie Poole.........................................................................................................................Huntingdon, PA Kensey Breanne Poston.........................................................................................................................Tuscumbia Elizabeth Ashlee Price....................................Summa Cum Laude.......................................................... Thorsby Gabrielle A. Ramsay............................................................................................................................... Theodore Elizabeth R. Schmidt............................................ Cum Laude.................................................................. Pelham Ashley Marie Smith........................................ Magna Cum Laude.......................................................... McCalla Emily Anne Smith.....................................................................................................................................Chelsea Jessica Smyly...............................................................................................................................................Helena Kelli Leigh Stuckey......................................... Magna Cum Laude.............................................................Helena Amanda Caroline Swift........................................ Cum Laude........................................................... Lowell, MA Amanda Caroline Taylor...................................... Cum Laude......................................................... Montgomery James Luke Taylor..................................................................................................................................... Pelham Regina Njeri Thairu..........................................................................................................................Thika, Kenya Tiffany Tiara Thomas........................................................................................................................ Columbiana
Bachelor of Science with University Honors Degree Lauren Cherie Pearson.................................... Magna Cum Laude.............................................................. Killen Colton Hunter Vandiver................................. Magna Cum Laude.......................................................Tuscaloosa
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COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS
Superior Academic Achievement Shannon Nicole Turek....................................Summa Cum Laude........................................................ Alabaster Bachelor of Fine Arts
Bachelor of Arts Degree Dominic Christian DeVille.................................. Cum Laude........................................................Petaluma, CA Brandon J. Edwards............................................................................................................................. Adamsville Annie V. Gill.................................................. Magna Cum Laude..............................................................Calera Lauren Elizabeth Hall................................................................................................................................. Grant Juan Alexander Lerdo de Tejada..................... Magna Cum Laude....................................................Birmingham Salman Mitri Shatara II............................................................................................................................. Hoover
Bachelor of Arts with University Honors Degree Elizabeth Michelle Rhinehart......................... Magna Cum Laude..............................................................Calera
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Melissa Frances Allen................................................................................................................................Auburn Tahauny Linnae Cleghorn.............................. Magna Cum Laude..........................................................Cullman Elizabeth Belle Dufour................................... Magna Cum Laude...........................................................Satsuma William Robert Eugene........................................ Cum Laude........................................................... Phenix City Holly Gothart................................................. Magna Cum Laude........................................................Woodville William Andrew Henry............................................................................................................................. Oxford Paul J. Hunter II..................................................................................................................................... Alabaster Anna Ray Walls.................................................... Cum Laude..........................................................Birmingham Terry Julian Whaley....................................... Magna Cum Laude........................................................... Dothan
Bachelor of Fine Arts with University Honors Degree Cathryn Denard................................................... Cum Laude...........................................................Oxford, GA Shea Alexandra Morris................................... Magna Cum Laude............................................................... Delta
Bachelor of Music Degree Calliope Renee Pettis......................................Summa Cum Laude............................................ Panama City, FL
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Bachelor of Science Degree Savannah Rae Buttram................................... Magna Cum Laude...........................................................Maylene Laura Elaine Cullen.............................................. Cum Laude.................................................................Maylene Ashley Danielle Dancy........................................................................................................................... Bessemer Jefferson Daniel Davidson.................................................................................................................Birmingham Brittany A. Davis................................................................................................................................Guntersville Christie Ann Johnson........................................... Cum Laude.................................................................. Marion Paris Lauren Nelson........................................Summa Cum Laude...............................................................Lynn Adam Jeffrey Otwell...................................................................................................................................Helena Madison Jean Rutledge.............................................................................................................................. Pelham Jordan B. Strong................................................................................................................................Birmingham Andrew Davies Studdard...................................... Cum Laude...............................................................Sylacauga Shelbie Danielle Tunnell................................. Magna Cum Laude.......................................................... Pell City 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.
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