ATHENS, W.Va. – Concord University held its 21st Fall Commencement on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019 in the Leslie R. and Ruby Webb Carter Center. The ceremony began at 11 a.m. in the main gym.
Among the 159 applicants for graduation, 42 graduate candidates and 117 undergraduate candidates meeting requirements for graduation participated.
Valedictorian for the Fall 2019 class is Kelson James Howerton from Princeton, W.Va. Howerton received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts degree, Summa Cum Laude. His concentration is in Public Relations.
Thirty-three individuals graduated with honors and seven received field honors. Five veterans are among the candidates for graduation.
Along with West Virginia, states represented by the candidates for graduation include California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia. The six countries represented include the United States, Australia, Ghana, Japan, Saudi Arabia and South Korea.
Concord University President Kendra Boggess issued the welcome. Greetings from the Concord University Board of Governors were delivered by Mr. David Barnette, chair of the Board of Governors. Dr. William Williams, faculty president, offered greetings on behalf of the faculty. Greetings from the Alumni Association were brought by Mrs. Susan Tuck, president of the Alumni Association. Ms. Taylor Carter, president of the Student Government Association, delivered greetings from the Student Government Association.
The Concord University Band, under the direction of Dr. David Ball, and the Concord University ConChords, under the direction of Dr. Kelly Hudson, provided musical selections. A reception was held in the Carter Center small gym following the ceremony.
Concord University’s Technology Services Department recorded the commencement ceremony. DVDs may be ordered for $20 each or Blu-Rays for $25 each by calling 304-384-5126, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Orders will be shipped within four to six weeks of commencement.
MASTER’S CANDIDATES FOR GRADUATION
WEST VIRGINIA
BECKLEY: Myra Yvette Gilbert, Master of Social Work; Jessica Lynn Keeton, Master of Social Work; Amanda Diane Sams, Master of Education
BLUEFIELD: Erick Christopher Burgess, Master of Education; Shian Brooke Lester, Master of Education
BUNKER HILL: Candice Rose Mahood, Master of Social Work
COAL CITY: Stacie Renee Hutchens, Master of Education
DANIELS: Mattie Lynn Matney, Master of Social Work; Stefani Denise Shorts, Master of Arts in Teaching
DUCK: Bryanna Lea Baker-Meckley, Master of Social Work
ELEANOR: Rebecca Ashley Montagu, Master of Education
ELKINS: Ryan Curtis Poling, Master of Social Work
EVANS: Adam Scott Gandee, Master of Social Work
FAIRMONT: Jeanette Corene Pool, Master of Social Work
FAYETTEVILLE: Brittany Lane Brooks, Master of Arts in Teaching
GLEN DANIEL: Jessica Lynn Carpenter, Master of Social Work
GREENVILLE: Elizabeth Amanda Greenlee, Master of Arts in Teaching
HUNTINGTON: Michele Gabrea Tunstalle, Master of Social Work
MARTINSBURG: Callie Jo Burdiss, Master of Education
NEMOURS: Jessica Christine Peak, Master of Social Work
NEWHALL: Tonya Nichole Riffe, Master of Social Work
OAK HILL: Brittany Megan Craft, Master of Social Work
PADEN CITY: Elizabeth Anne Yaron, Master of Social Work
PETERSTOWN: Karsyn Boothe Dusold, Master of Education
PRINCETON: Ashleigh Nicole Freeman, Master of Arts in Teaching; Phillip Wane Hayworth, Master of Social Work; Kegan Elizabeth Jackson, Master of Social Work; William Alan King, Master of Arts in Teaching; Pamela Joan Kinzer, Master of Education; Catherine Grace Selen, Master of Arts in Teaching; Sean Mansfield Williams, Master of Arts in Teaching
RACINE: Josie Brooke Thomas, Master of Social Work
ROANOKE: Haley Dane McCord, Master of Social Work
SCOTT DEPOT: Jordan Lee Clark, Master of Social Work
SECOND CREEK: Jessica Leigh Thompson, Master of Arts in Teaching
WELCH: Cassandra L. Burkett, Master of Education
WILLIAMSTOWN: Kendra Renea Cormack, Master of Social Work; Tavia Nichole Elder, Master of Social Work
WINFIELD: Sarah Elizabeth Woody, Master of Education
YAWKEY: Destiny Chantal Roberts, Master of Social Work
OUT-OF-STATE
DE WITT, IOWA: Ashleigh Elizabeth Determann, Master of Arts in Teaching
FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA: Elizabeth Starr Roberts, Master of Social Work
UNDERGRADUATE CANDIDATES FOR GRADUATION
WEST VIRGINIA
ALDERSON: Monte H. Overholtzer, Bachelor of Science
ALUM CREEK: Chloe E. Curry, Bachelor of Science in Education, Magna Cum Laude
ATHENS: Haley Grace Dow, Bachelor of Science (Biology), Bachelor of Science (Environmental Geosciences); Mohamed A. Mohamed, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Lauren Elizabeth Webb, Bachelor of Science in Education, Cum Laude; Jason Donovan Weitzel, Bachelor of Science in Education, Cum Laude
BALLARD: Cara LeAnn Altice, Bachelor of Science in Education, Cum Laude
BEAVER: Erica Denise Pompie, Regents Bachelor of Arts; Dawana Daryl Sizemore, Regents Bachelor of Arts
BECKLEY: Taylor Bundy Blankenship, Bachelor of Science in Education, Summa Cum Laude, Bachelor of Science, Summa Cum Laude; Alexandria Nicole Brooks, Regents Bachelor of Arts;
Amy Nicole Calvert, Bachelor of Science, Cum Laude; Mark Anthony Cheek, Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Tourism Management; Jamie Lynn Gonzalez, Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude; Ashley Le’nette Henderson, Regents Bachelor of Arts; Shawn James Meadows, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Destani Renee Miller, Bachelor of Social Work; Kristan Michelle Spencer, Bachelor of Science in Education; Cierra Jordan Toney, Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Tourism Management; Alyson Elaine Williams, Regents Bachelor of Arts
BLUEFIELD: Shannon Colleen Durr, Regents Bachelor of Arts; Benjamin Josiah George, Bachelor of Arts, With Honors in Advertising/Graphic Design and Studio Art; Kristen Nicole Knight, Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, Magna Cum Laude; Caitlyn LeAnn Lucado, Bachelor of Science
BOLT: Joseph Pilkington, III, Bachelor of Science in Education, Summa Cum Laude, Bachelor of Science, Summa Cum Laude; Jacob Nathaniel Snuffer, Bachelor of Science, Magna Cum Laude, Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude
BRADLEY: Ethan David Lee Gibson, Bachelor of Science, With Honors in Sociology
BRADSHAW: Angeline Faith Poore, Bachelor of Science, With Honors in Sociology
CHARLESTON: Reiley Jo Simpkins, Bachelor of Science; Ashley Montella Sparks, Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Tourism Management; Samuel Rhule Stockton, Bachelor of Science in Education, Magna Cum Laude, Bachelor of Science, Magna Cum Laude; Ashley Danielle Workman, Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts
COAL CITY: Kimberly Elizabeth Lyons, Bachelor of Social Work
COOL RIDGE: Bailey Madison Spurlock, Bachelor of Arts; Taryn Lea Wills, Bachelor of Science
COWEN: Amanda June Holcomb, Bachelor of Science, Magna Cum Laude
CRAB ORCHARD: Daniel J. Halsey, Regents Bachelor of Arts
DIANA: Tinina Mae McCourt, Bachelor of Science, With Honors in Sociology
EDMOND: Alexis Brianne Bowles, Bachelor of Science
FAIRDALE: Katherine Hope Elam, Bachelor of Arts
FLAT TOP: Cheyenne Madison Lilly, Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude
FOREST HILL: Catherine Ileen Allen, Bachelor of Science, Cum Laude
FRANKFORD: Carla Renee Moyer, Regents Bachelor of Arts
GHENT: Brandon A. Hussion, Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts, Cum Laude
GILBERT: Devan D. Rollyson, Bachelor of Arts
GLEN DANIEL: Nicholas Scott Clay, Bachelor of Science in Education
HINTON: Pearl L.G. Knott, Bachelor of Science in Education, Summa Cum Laude; Briana Nicole Miller, Bachelor of Science in Education, Magna Cum Laude; David Griffin Stone, Bachelor of Science (Psychology), Bachelor of Science (Sociology); Ronald Dewayne Tolbert, Regents Bachelor of Arts
IAEGER: Alyson Nicole Christian, Bachelor of Science (Psychology), Bachelor of Science (Sociology) With Honors in Sociology
LEWISBURG: Cody Stephen Sizemore, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude
MACARTHUR: John Isaac Parsons, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
MATEWAN: Linda Karen Coleman, Regents Bachelor of Arts
MAXWELTON: Lindsey Rae Deskins, Bachelor of Science, Cum Laude
MIDWAY: Tammy Rae Thomas, Bachelor of Science in Education, Cum Laude
MONTCALM: Shawn Marcus Alan Krondon, Bachelor of Arts
MOUNT HOPE: Chelsey Nicole Keathley, Regents Bachelor of Arts
MULLENS: Nikolas Keith Walker, Bachelor of Science in Education, Summa Cum Laude
OAK HILL: Steffeny Breann Rehnay Hylton, Regents Bachelor of Arts
OCEANA: Heather Breanne Maynor, Regents Bachelor of Arts
PANTHER: Mikayla Brooke Ashby, Bachelor of Science, With Honors in Sociology; Jaxon Brett Poore, Bachelor of Science, Cum Laude
PAYNESVILLE: Matthew Tyler Vance, Bachelor of Science
PETERSTOWN: Gregory Ryan Connell, Bachelor of Science; Kelli Brooke Pennington, Bachelor of Science in Education, Cum Laude; Makayla Gail Wikle, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
POCA: Kelley Renae Shingleton, Regents Bachelor of Arts
PRINCETON: Alexander G. Bowles, Bachelor of Science, Cum Laude; Brooklyn Nicole Bowling, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude; Kaitlyn Marie Carter, Bachelor of Science in Education; Tyler Davis Clark, Regents Bachelor of Arts;
Chloe Cheyenne Coleman, Bachelor of Science; William Thomas Fredeking, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Kelson James Howerton, Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts, Summa Cum Laude; Kaylin Harper Kessinger, Bachelor of Science in Education, Cum Laude; Christopher T. Mullins, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration;
Jonathan Raymond Pennington, Bachelor of Arts; Melissa Kaye Pitts, Regents Bachelor of Arts;
Charles Allen Rose, Bachelor of Science; Roxanna Lynn Vereen, Regents Bachelor of Arts;
Kassie Shevonne Voiers, Bachelor of Science in Education; Tyler Mason Weaver, Bachelor of Science in Education
RAINELLE: Kaleb Lee Hamrick, Regents Bachelor of Arts; Mitzi Beth Reynolds, Bachelor of Social Work
ROCK: Jimmy Joe Lowe, III, Regents Bachelor of Arts
RUPERT: Tina Joy Richmond, Regents Bachelor of Arts
SANDSTONE: Taft MacKenzie Barnett, Bachelor of Science
SHADY SPRING: Kelsie Lee Adkins, Bachelor of Science in Education; Emily Nadell Elmore, Regents Bachelor of Arts
SINKS GROVE: Catrina Joi Russell, Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Tourism Management; Cassandra Brooke Weikle, Bachelor of Science, Summa Cum Laude
SOUTH CHARLESTON: Jacob Addison Miller, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
ST. ALBANS: Kaley Grace Morris, Bachelor of Science in Education
OUT-OF-STATE
VALLEJO, CALIFORNIA: Jakil Ishma Sarhim, Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts
CRESTVIEW, FLORIDA: Robert Dittmann, Regents Bachelor of Arts
FLEMING ISLAND, FLORIDA: Morgan Ashley Carmichael, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Erin Elizabeth Shannon, Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude
GLEN BURNIE, MARYLAND: Calvinaugh Rossiel Jones, Bachelor of Arts
WILLIAMSVILLE, NEW YORK: Zoha Hajira Durrani, Bachelor of Science, With Honors in Chemistry (Biochemistry)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA: Hailey Nicole Hawkins, Regents Bachelor of Arts
LOUISBURG, NORTH CAROLINA: Kendra R. Job, Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Tourism Management
RUSKIN, NORTH CAROLINA: Bryce Hayden Deeringer, Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Tourism Management
SIDNEY, OHIO: Jenna Leigh Mounts, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
JACKSON, TENNESSEE: Kyle Bradley Akin, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
CHRISTIANSBURG, VIRGINIA: Bailey Elizabeth Knowles, Bachelor of Science in Education, Cum Laude; Kenna Jill Knowles, Bachelor of Science in Education
NARROWS, VIRGINIA: Joseph Alan Butler, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
NORTH TAZEWELL, VIRGINIA: Russell Leonard Turner, Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude
ROANOKE, VIRGINIA: Troy Lee Beckner, Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Tourism Management
SALEM, VIRGINIA: Jacob Cole Chambers, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
WEBER CITY, VIRGINIA: David Keener Burke, Bachelor of Science
INTERNATIONAL
HARRISON, ACT, AUSTRALIA: Alexandra Sarah Cook, Bachelor of Science, Cum Laude
ACCRA, GHANA: Xornam Kofi Segbefia, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
OYAMA, TOCHIGI, JAPAN: Yumi Kato, Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Tourism Management
MAHHAH/MECCA, SAUDI ARABIA: Wafa Mohammed Zubair, Bachelor of Science
NAMYANGJU-SI, GYEONGGI-DO, SOUTH KOREA: RaYun Kim, Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Tourism Management, Cum Laude
Persons with disabilities should contact Nancy Ellison, 1-304-384-6086 or 1-800-344-6679 extension 6086 if special assistance is required for access to an event scheduled by the University on campus.
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CONTACT:
Sarah M. Pritchett
Concord University
Office of Advancement
PO Box 1000, Athens, WV 24712
(304) 384-6312, news@concord.edu
http://www.concord.edu
After 4 p.m.
pitzer@concord.edu
Office: 304-384-5211
Cell: 304-320-6405