ATHENS, W.Va. – Concord University honored the Fall 2020 graduating class during a virtual commencement today (Saturday, Dec. 12th, 2020). This format was utilized due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event marked the 22nd Fall Commencement for Concord. The 11 a.m. ceremony was available for viewing on the CU YouTube Channel, Facebook and by following the link that was provided on Concord’s webpage.
“While we’re unable to celebrate your graduation in our typical way, your accomplishments have not been diminished in any way,” President Kendra Boggess said in her welcoming remarks.
“You’ve accomplished this milestone under extremely challenging circumstances, and I am proud of every one of you. Today is a time to celebrate all that you’ve done and all you will continue to do as you become Concord University alumni,”
Dr. Kendra Boggess
As she spoke later in the program, Dr. Boggess offered words of advice and encouragement to the graduates.
“It’s wise to remember that hard work and persistence are two of the most important keys to success. Those alone will take you far,” she said. “Set your mind to a goal, to a dream, to a mission, and love that mission. Believe in what you’re doing.”
“Remember to pay it forward. Take with you the gifts of service, kindness, patience, the willingness to help others and encouragement that each of you received while here at Concord and show that to others throughout your lifetime. Take with you the heart of ‘The Campus Beautiful’ and share it with others. We are proud of you, Mountain Lions. We send you with the best of wishes and pray that all your dreams come true.”
Dr. Kendra Boggess
Jessica Lynn Davidson of Bluefield, W.Va. is the valedictorian of the Fall 2020 class. Davidson received a Bachelor of Arts, Summa Cum Laude. She majored in Studio Art.
“I am beyond happy to represent those of us graduating in the rollercoaster of a year that has been 2020,” Ms. Davidson said as she began her valedictory address.
She went on to contrast Concord’s traditional commencement ceremony with the virtual event for her class. “Instead of being in a sea of black flowing robes and swishing tassels, most of us are probably having the unusual experience of watching our own commencement from the comfort of our homes,” she said.
Recognizing the fortitude of her classmates, Ms. Davidson said, “If I was limited to just one word to describe the Class of 2020 here at Concord University, it would be ‘resilient’.”
“In just one year there have been natural disasters, intense political and social issues and of course the unwelcome visitor of a worldwide plague,” she said.
“This year has been chaos, but do not dwell on the negativity, even though it seems to be all around us. Good has come out of this year. Educators, healthcare workers and essential workers have gotten the admiration they deserve. Families were brought closer together, literally and figuratively. And, many people have gained a new level of value for the small everyday moments in the lives of people around them.”
Jessica Lynn Davidson
While thanking family, friends and faculty for their support and assistance throughout the challenging year, Ms. Davidson expressed her appreciation to her classmates. “I also want to thank you, Class of 2020, for doing your part to keep everyone safe. While we did not get the standard graduation ceremony, we may have saved lives by having an alternative ceremony,” she said.
As she concluded her remarks, Davidson said:
“I encourage you all to toss your caps into the air from wherever you are at currently and celebrate your accomplishments thoroughly. You have earned it. Thank you and congratulations, Class of 2020!”
Jessica Lynn Davidson
The commencement ceremony recognized candidates for graduation from the College of Professional and Liberal Studies which includes the Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Education and Master of Social Work as well as the Department of Business, Department of Mass Communication, Department of Humanities, Department of Fine Arts, Department of Education, and Department of Social Work and Sociology.
Also recognized were candidates for graduation from the College of Science, Mathematics, and Health which includes the Master of Arts in Health Promotion, Department of Biology, Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, and the Department of Social Sciences. Candidates for graduation for the Regents Bachelor of Arts degree were also recognized.
Among the 183 applicants for graduation in the Fall 2020 class, 44 graduate candidates and 139 undergraduate candidates meeting requirements for graduation were honored. Fifty-four individuals graduated with honors and five 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, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington. The countries represented include Bermuda, Ethiopia, Finland, Ghana, Hungary, Nepal, Nigeria, South Africa, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Each graduate had the opportunity to submit photographs for a personalized slide that was shown as their name and degree were announced by Dr. Edward W. Huffstetler, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Dr. Susan Robinett, Department Chair and Professor of Business, served as Grand Marshal. 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. Julia Ann Pauley, president of the Alumni Association. Ms. Taylor Carter, president of the Student Government Association, delivered greetings from the Student Government Association. Faculty and staff shared congratulations with the graduates through video messages.
The ceremony is being archived on Concord’s YouTube channel and will also be available on CU’s Facebook page. To watch the program, go to http://www.concord.edu and click on the Facebook or YouTube icon at the bottom of the page.
MASTER’S CANDIDATES FOR GRADUATION
WEST VIRGINIA
ANSTED: Melissa Ann Pritt, Master of Arts in Teaching
BARBOURSVILLE: Jaycie Leigh Bias, Master of Social Work
BEAVER: Susan Elaine Ellis, Master of Arts in Teaching
BECKLEY: Shannon Leigh Bailey, Master of Arts in Teaching; Chase L. Williams, Master of Social Work
BERKELEY SPRINGS: Stacy Hammond, Master of Education
BLUEFIELD: Cherish Hope Haynes, Master of Social Work; Emily Michelle Hubbard, Master of Social Work; Angela Diane Reed, Master of Social Work
CLEVELAND: Dancey E. Howes, Master of Education
CRAB ORCHARD: Rebekah Lynne Acord, Master of Education; Crystal G. Foley, Master of Social Work
CRAWLEY: Audrey L. Hicks, Master of Social Work
ELKINS: Christie Fortney, Master of Social Work
FAIRDALE: Shelby Lynn Daniel, Master of Education
FAIRMONT: Zachary John Humbertson, Master of Social Work
GLEN DANIEL: Elizabeth Faith Talley, Master of Education
JOLO: Brittany Danielle Arndt, Master of Social Work
LESTER: Natasha Renee Cook, Master of Social Work
MABSCOTT: Jessica N. Snuffer, Master of Social Work
MACARTHUR: Kimberly Lynn Pauley, Master of Social Work
MARTINSBURG: Jade Nicole Angeline, Master of Social Work; Marcus William Guerrero, Master of Social Work
MILL CREEK: Lorie Olivia Rader, Master of Social Work
MOUNT HOPE: Katie Beth Hunt, Master of Social Work
NETTIE: Angela Renee Hypes, Master of Social Work
OAK HILL: Mildred Christine Peters, Master of Social Work; David Elliott Pritt, Master of Arts in Teaching
PETERSTOWN: Joshua Gregory Phipps, Master of Social Work
PINEVILLE: Amanda Michelle Brooks, Master of Education; Taylor Danielle Stewart, Master of Education
PIPESTEM: Kaysee Haze Brabb, Master of Social Work
POINT PLEASANT: Darrian Sahana Walker, Master of Social Work
PRINCETON: McKenzi Marie Barnett, Master of Education; Karli Samantha Nelson, Master of Education; Eric Lee Paskowski, Master of Education; Paul Louis Smith, Master of Social Work
SCARBRO: Tif’fanny Octavia Gray, Master of Social Work
STONEWOOD: Brianna Hope Owens, Master of Social Work
UNION: Stacie Lynn Whittaker, Master of Arts in Teaching
WAR: Willa C. Handy, Master of Arts in Teaching
OUT-OF-STATE
ITHACA, NEW YORK: Jacob Wesley Fox, Master of Education
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA: Shannon Rae Hansford, Master of Social Work
MOCKSVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA: Christina Shelby Boland, Master of Social Work
AMELIA, OHIO: Linda M. Ault, Master of Education
CUMBERLAND, VIRGINIA: Annesha Harris, Master of Arts in Health Promotion
UNDERGRADUATE CANDIDATES FOR GRADUATION
WEST VIRGINIA
ATHENS: Anthony S. Baldwin, Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude; Mikael Geresu Chaka, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Natan Wondwossen Woubie, Bachelor of Science
BALLARD: Summer Brianne Justice, Bachelor of Science, Summa Cum Laude
BEAVER: Charity Nicole Agnor, Regents Bachelor of Arts
BECKLEY: Mark Anthony Cheek, Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Tourism Management; Kimberly Nicole Coffman, Regents Bachelor of Arts; Hannah Grace Craig, Bachelor of Arts, Summa Cum Laude; Aleah Nicole Eskins, Bachelor of Science; Elizabeth Kaitlynn Hall, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; James N. Kostenko, Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Tourism Management, Cum Laude; Joi W. Liang, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Chelsey Elaine McClain, Regents Bachelor of Arts; Seth David McVey, Bachelor of Science; Kristy Rose Meadows, Bachelor of Science; Allison Whitney Miller, Bachelor of Science in Education, Magna Cum Laude; Kimberly Nicole Mills, Regents Bachelor of Arts; Takayla Angelene Nary, Bachelor of Science, Summa Cum Laude; Whitney C. Phares, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Derek Patrick Remaley, Regents Bachelor of Arts; Emily M. Scarbro, Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude; LoganE. Smith, Regents Bachelor of Arts; Nina Marie Yopp, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
BEESON: Hannah N. Vaught, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Cum Laude
BLUEFIELD: Brianna R. Bailey, Bachelor of Arts; Kayla Renee Carroll, Regents Bachelor of Arts; Jessica Lynn Davidson, Bachelor of Arts, Summa Cum Laude; Emalee P. Dunford, Bachelor of Science; Lucas J. Pettus, Bachelor of Science; Nichole Shyann White, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
BRADLEY: Hunter LaKole Adkins, Bachelor of Science in Education
BRADSHAW: Mary Martha Salyers, Bachelor of Arts
CAMP CREEK: Baylee McKinney, Bachelor of Science, Cum Laude
CHARLESTON: Ashley Shantel Brown, Regents Bachelor of Arts; Ashley L. Tinnel, Bachelor of Science in Education, Cum Laude
COAL CITY: Brian Doughlas Stump, Regents Bachelor of Arts
DANESE: Laura Beth Ford, Bachelor of Science in Education
DANIELS: Wendy Michelle Basham, Bachelor of Science in Education, Magna Cum Laude; Jonathan Lee Sawyers, Bachelor of Science, Cum Laude
ECCLES: Kaitlyn Renee Pugh, Bachelor of Science in Education, Magna Cum Laude
FAIRDALE: Samantha Jean Gunnoe, Bachelor of Science in Education; Lydia Jane Stephenson, Bachelor of Social Work, Magna Cum Laude
FLAT TOP: Ivory Rose Shrewsbury, Bachelor of Arts
FRANKFORD: James David Boone, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude
GHENT: Taylor Madisyn Walker, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
GLEN DANIEL: Autumn Jo Scarbro, Regents Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude
GLEN FORK: Brooke Taylor Crouse, Regents Bachelor of Arts
HINTON: James Clark Johnson, Bachelor of Arts; Holly Noel Williams, Regents Bachelor of Arts
IAEGER: Lillian Paige Justice, Bachelor of Science, With Honors in Sociology (Criminology Emphasis), Bachelor of Science
KEGLEY: Kari Paige Shrewsbury, Bachelor of Science, Cum Laude
KIMBALL: Amanda Wilkins, Regents Bachelor of Arts
LESTER: Taylor A. Perkins, Bachelor of Arts, With Honors in Advertising/Graphic Design and Studio Art
LEWISBURG: Joshua Wayne Amos, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Taylor Leigh Carter, Bachelor of Science, Magna Cum Laude; Judy M. Hedrick, Regents Bachelor of Arts; Alexander S. Lim, Bachelor of Science, Cum Laude; Emilee Lauren Vance, Bachelor of Science in Education; Meaghan Taylor Ward, Bachelor of Science
LINDSIDE: William Shane Laws, Bachelor of Science
MARTINSBURG: Nico Mason, Bachelor of Arts
MOOREFIELD: Sheri L. Stonestreet, Regents Bachelor of Arts
MOUNT HOPE: Michaela M. Conelly, Bachelor of Arts, Summa Cum Laude; Alana Deree Humphrey, Bachelor of Arts, Summa Cum Laude; Mary Ann McClanahan, Bachelor of Science in Education; Robert S. Shumake, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Madison Mae Storm Williams, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude
NORTHFORK: Kevin W. Thomas, Regents Bachelor of Arts
OAK HILL: Matthew Tyler DeLano, Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude; Andrew H. Hardman, Bachelor of Science; Katherine Jo Skeldon, Bachelor of Science; Donna Gail Stump, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
OCEANA: Kari Niccole Gunnoe, Bachelor of Science in Education
OLD FIELDS: Kascie Lee Ann Mongold, Bachelor of Science
PANTHER: Mikayla Brooke Ashby, Bachelor of Science, With Honors in Sociology (Criminology Emphasis)
PETERSTOWN: Joshua Luke Craig, Bachelor of Science in Education, Summa Cum Laude; Christian Tyler Kegley, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Dara Donette Ladner, Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude
PIPESTEM: Diana Nichole Bailey, Bachelor of Science, Cum Laude; Travis W. McMillion, Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Tourism Management, Magna Cum Laude
PRINCETON: Cordell Chase Boyles, Bachelor of Science; Jonathan R. Clark, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Daniel Guy Harmon, Bachelor of Science; Shawn Franklin Hatcher, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Cum Laude; Gabriel L. Jones, Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude; Sallie Grace Lusk, Bachelor of Science; Samuel Levi Lusk, Bachelor of Science, Magna Cum Laude; Hannah Danette Pauley, Bachelor of Science in Education, Magna Cum Laude; Kassidy S. Shinn, Bachelor of Arts, With Honors in Advertising/Graphic Design and Studio Art; Nickolas S. Shrewsbury, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude; Dakota P. Walls, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
ROCK: Megan Lee Sherwood, Bachelor of Science
RONCEVERTE: Taylor Marie Hill, Bachelor of Science
SCOTT DEPOT: Taylor Brooke Wood, Bachelor of Science in Education, Summa Cum Laude
SHADY SPRING: Lindsey Grace Adkins, Bachelor of Arts, Summa Cum Laude; Tyler Douglas Kettlewell, Bachelor of Science; Gabrielle Elizabeth Lambert, Bachelor of Science, Magna Cum Laude; Tracy Dawn Parks, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Cum Laude; Stephanie Rose Randall, Bachelor of Social Work, Magna Cum Laude
SOPHIA: Justin C. Wine, Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems, Magna Cum Laude
WAR: Kaitlyn Paige Kennedy, Bachelor of Science in Education, Cum Laude; Rebecca L. Meade, Bachelor of Science in Education, Summa Cum Laude
WESTON: Ian Lee Jewell, Bachelor of Science, With Honors in Broadcasting
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS: Cyera Mae Currence, Bachelor of Science
OUT-OF-STATE
DUBLIN, CALIFORNIA: Imani Sherrod Moore, Bachelor of Science
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA: Alyssa McGrath Mahar, Bachelor of Science
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA: William Paul Guay, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
SOUTH DEERFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS: Kara Elizabeth Felton, Bachelor of Science
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA: Zachary Mark Farley, Regents Bachelor of Arts; Sydney Elizabeth Harris, Bachelor of Science, Cum Laude
KILL DEVIL HILLS, NORTH CAROLINA: Nina Isabelle Perry, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
DAYTON, OHIO: Nicholas Cody Smith, Regents Bachelor of Arts
MURFREESBORO, TENNESSEE: Ricky Aaron Edwards, Regents Bachelor of Arts
PEARISBURG, VIRGINIA: Kiersten Shiann Shrader, Bachelor of Social Work, Cum Laude
RICH CREEK, VIRGINIA: Ethan Sawyer Lowe, Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude
ROANOKE, VIRGINIA: James Timothy Trail, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
SPRINGFIELD, VIRGINIA: Jonathan Tucker Williams, Bachelor of Science
STEPHENS CITY, VIRGINIA: Trey L. Brisco, Regents Bachelor of Arts
WOODBRIDGE, VIRGINIA: Alexis Lee Grimmett, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Cum Laude
WYTHEVILLE, VIRGINIA: Malik Braijon Johnson, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Daniel Kyle Taylor, Regents Bachelor of Arts
SOAP LAKE, WASHINGTON: Francisco Emmanuel Flores, Bachelor of Science
INTERNATIONAL
SANDYS, BERMUDA: Ember Butterfield, Bachelor of Science, Cum Laude
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA: Yafet Kassahun Assefa, Bachelor of Science, Magna Cum Laude; Egla A. Tadesse, Bachelor of Science, Magna Cum Laude
VANTAA, UUSIMAA, FINLAND: Mira Sofia Kontio, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude
ADUM KUMASI, GHANA: Sardrick Owusu, Bachelor of Science
VESZPREM, HUNGARY: Adam Katona, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
KATHMANDU, NEPAL: Aashish Poudel, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Cum Laude, Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems, Cum Laude;
ABUJA, NIGERIA: Christabel Chidlogo Ofodile, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Cum Laude
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA: Robert Ivan Newland, Bachelor of Science, Summa Cum Laude
POHANG-SI GYEONGSANGBUK-DO, SOUTH KOREA: Jieun Lee, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Cum Laude
CASTLEFORD, WEST YORKSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM: Courtney Leigh Wallace, Bachelor of Science, Magna Cum Laude
LANGHO BLACKBURN, LANCASHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM: Katie A. Maher, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Magna 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
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Office: 304-384-5211
Cell: 304-320-6405