Congratulations Class of 2020 The University of Pikeville honored the academic achievements of more than 270 graduates at the associate, baccalaureate and master’s degree levels in its first-ever virtual commencement on May 2. Sixty-one Doctor of Optometry degree recipients from the inaugural graduating class of UPIKE’s Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO) joined 123 Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine degree recipients from the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (KYCOM) in a separate virtual commencement. Both ceremonies were held virtually in response to COVID-19 restrictions and are available for viewing at Pikeville.stageclip.com. “While this is not the celebration we had planned, we are pleased to offer recognition of our graduating students online,” said UPIKE President Burton J. Webb, Ph.D. “We welcome all graduating students back to campus in either December of 2020 or May 2021 to celebrate with us in person.” In his keynote address during KYCOM/ KYCO’s ceremony, Kentucky Public Health Commissioner Steven J. Stack, M.D., MBA, FACEP, congratulated the new graduates, reminding them that the world in which they are beginning the next phase of their clinical journeys will be unlike any other. “On the road that lies ahead, let compassion be your compass,” Stack explained. “As healers, how you connect with your patients and show them you care are some of the most important choices you make and skills you learn. Be competent, be confident and be professional, but always be compassionate.” Theresa Dawahare, M.A, associate professor of education and Timothy Whittier, Ph.D., professor of biology and director of study abroad, were honored as the first- and second-place recipients, respectively, of the prestigious William Wade and Helen Record Walker Teaching Excellence Award. John Howie, Ph.D., professor of psychology, was awarded the honor of Faculty Emeritus. Commencement week activities for the College of Nursing and Human Services also included the virtual pinning ceremonies for eight new professional social workers and 44 new nurses. 22
UPIKE MAGAZINE | SPRING/SUMMER 2020
Master’s Degree Recipients Diana O. Ajala Fadi Al Akhrass Misty Dawn Coleman Asbury Eady Elizabeth Connally J. Sidney Crist Pavin Reed Downs Donovan Christopher Ferguson Stephanie Lynn Gallant Laura Elizabeth Hall Cynthia Michelle Hamilton Shumaila Nida Muhammad Hanif Cheyenne Harlow LaCosta Shonele Hazelett Donia Hicks Andrew Kenneth Hildesheim Ellen Gray Kehoe Sally R. Konja Donovan L. Layne Taylor B. Lemar Michael John McConnell Kristen Alexzandra Neeley Reema S. Patel Deborah Ann Pekel Jordan Scott Pigman Alyssa Brooke Ratliff Braydon Scot Sode Emily Danielle Tester Robert Eugene Staggs Charles B. Alderman Natasha Hope Coleman Baird April Dawn Borowski Brooke Allison Branham Logan David Keith Copley Jonathan Lee Hamilton Courtney L. Howard Milford Gregory Moore Matthew A. Robinson Rachel D. Shrum Taylor Hughes Shawna Kaye Turner
Click here to watch UPIKE's Undergraduate/ Graduate Commencement Ceremony
Bachelor’s Degree Recipients Ted Walter Allen Jacob A. Alvarado Cara L. Anderson Kelly K. Bacigalupi Clifton M. Blackburn Hannah Nicole Absher Hali Danette Adams Megan Brianna Addair Andrea Michelle Adkins June Rochelle Akers Logan Reid Alexander Alexandria W. Alexis Ted Walter Allen Justo Isael Polanco-Amparo Cara L. Anderson Kelly K. Bacigalupi Bruce B. Bell Jr. Eric Domingo Bernabeu Lauren Blake Bevins Clifton M. Blackburn Whitney Faith Boggs Alison K. M. Booth Caitlyn Brianna Bowman Zakary Austin Bray Reagan H. Bridge Trevette Al Bridges Kaitlyn D. Brown Curtis Lamarr Brown DeZmin Brown Taeron Eugene Brown Patrick S. Cable Sarah Renia Cable Zachary K. Caldwell Eric Campbell Jessica Lynne Campbell Brady Andrew Cappe Rebecca Mae Caudill Kara Dawn Chaney Skylar Paige Chapman Hannah Nichole Charles Yurleis Estrada Chavez Myranda Leah Cline Kayla Suzanne Cobern Alyson Makenna Coleman Russell R. Collier Sierriah S. Collins Nicholas S. Collum Brandon Tyler Compton Dominique Kahlil Crockett Mikayla Nicole Cummings
