Lander University conferred bachelor and master degrees upon 167 students during the university's 156th commencement ceremony on December 16. Ironman triathlete, attorney, and motivational speaker Jay Hewitt delivered the keynote address during the formal program held inside Finis Horne Arena.
The class of 2017 includes graduates from local communities, cities, and regions across South Carolina and other states across the country, as well as internationally. In addition to the list below, graduate information can be found online at www.lander.edu.
ACADEMIC HONORS:
The names of those graduating with honors for their academic achievements are below.
SUMMA CUM LAUDE
Earning Summa Cum Laude honors, a distinction awarded to graduates with a cumulative GPA of 3.90 or higher (out of a possible 4.0), are Katherine Anne Ergle of Abbeville; Sydney Glace Horne of Abbeville; Clare Marie Henry of Aiken; Monica Louise Cleland of Greenville; Lacey Marie Hawkins of Greenwood; and Michael Breann Steadman of Greenwood.
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Receiving the honors of Magna Cum Laude, a distinction awarded to graduates with a cumulative GPA of 3.75-3.89, are Taylor Lee Curtis of Ruby; Christian Michelle Lee of Greenwood; and Emily Claire Rodgers of Ninety Six.
CUM LAUDE
Earning Cum Laude honors, requiring a cumulative GPA of 3.50-3.74, are Kristen Lee Learnard of North Augusta; Leah D Applewhite of Belton; Matthew Caleb Keown of Honea Path; Hannah Carrie Ashley of Hodges; Sammantha Donna Bailey of Chappells; Jonathan Wil Langley of Greenwood; Nicholas Richard Nowark of Fountain Inn; Austin Murray Young of Greenwood; Michael Tomás Jasso-Kelly of Marion; Autumn Tayllor Goodman of Saluda; Melissa Sophia Seay of Woodruff; Sara C. Flores of Kingston, NY; and Xiaosu Huang of Qingdao, China.
GOLDEN L AWARD
Receiving the Golden L Award, given to students who have earned a cumulative GPA of at least 3.50 in the last 60 hours of instruction at Lander, are Katherine Anne Ergle of Abbeville; Sydney Glace Horne of Abbeville; Sarah Madeline Phillips of Abbeville; Clare Marie Henry of Aiken; Kristen Lee Learnard of North Augusta; Leah D Applewhite of Belton; Ciara Laine Barksdale of Belton; Matthew Caleb Keown of Honea Path; Christopher Robert Tealey of Beaufort; Shelton Clayborne Avera of Isle of Palms; Jamie Dean Waite of Summerville; Monica Louise Cleland of Greenville; Camry Robin Ford of Greer; TyJuria Miauja Hicks of Greenville; Lindsay Brooke Soto of Greenville; Tatiana Vanessa Velez of Greenville; Hannah D Wallace of Taylors; Chariot Shantelle Wharton of Greenville; D'Asia Shaqualla Wideman of Greenville; Sammantha Donna Bailey of Chappells; Taylor Lee Curtis of Ruby; Angelica Norea Green of Inman; Lacey Marie Hawkins of Ware Shoals; Savannah Grace Lindley of Greenwood; Nicholas Richard Nowark of Fountain Inn; Leanna Carol Riddle of Greenwood; Emily Claire Rodgers of Ninety Six; Michael Breann Steadman of Greenwood; Lauren-Ashleigh Shillinglaw Witteborg of Greenwood; Austin Murray Young of Greenwood; Holly Quinn Hughes of Laurens; Michael Tomás Jasso-Kelly of Marion; Corrie Lynn Alexandra Kunkle of Newberry; Lauren Ashley Machen of Easley; Autumn Tayllor Goodman of Saluda; Melissa Sophia Seay of Woodruff; Sara C. Flores of Kingston, NY; Kari Sunday Faye George of Tullahoma, TN; Xiaosu Huang of QingDao, China; Xiunan Li of QingDao, China; Sam Richard Lofts of Swindon, United Kingdom; and Alexandre Pierre Jacques Springer of Metz, France.
FALL 2017 GRADUATES:
The complete list of graduates, including hometowns and degrees received, is listed below.
ABBEVILLE COUNTY
Kaitlin Grace Dilleshaw, of Calhoun Falls, Bachelor of Science in Political Science; Katherine Anne Ergle, of Abbeville, Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education; Sydney Glace Horne, of Abbeville, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education; Sarah Madeline Phillips, of Abbeville, Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education; and Matthew James Shea, of Abbeville, Bachelor of Arts in English.
AIKEN COUNTY
Braxton James Bailey, of Aiken, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science; Hillary Javonia Dunbar, of North Augusta, Bachelor of Science in History; Clare Marie Henry, of Aiken, Bachelor of Science in Music (K-12 Certification); Kristen Lee Learnard, of North Augusta, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science; and Candace Nicole Simpkins, of North Augusta, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
ANDERSON COUNTY
Lea D. Applewhite, of Belton, Bachelor of Science in History; Ciara Laine Barksdale, of Belton, Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education; Braylon Chiles, of Honea Path, Bachelor of Science in Sociology; Greyson Summers Elrod, of Anderson, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Whitney Faith Ferrell, of Belton, Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Matthew Caleb Keown, of Honea Path, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Cornelius Jerrell Morrison, of Anderson, Bachelor of Science in Sociology; Steven Chase Owens, of Williamston, Bachelor of Science in History; Meagen Elaine Risinger, of Honea Path, Bachelor of Science in Biology; and Griffin Marie Senn, of Anderson, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science.
BEAUFORT COUNTY
Christopher Robert Tealey, of Beaufort, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
BERKELEY COUNTY
Tonya Denise Bradham, of North Charleston, Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
CALHOUN COUNTY
Cameron Hayley Miller, of Saint Matthews, Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
CHARLESTON COUNTY
Shelton Clayborne Avera, of Isle of Palms, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Barbara Ellis Bradford, of Charleston, Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Kaitlyn Elaine Howard, of Charleston, Bachelor of Science in Psychology; Ahmad Rashad Keyes, of Charleston, Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication and Theatre; and Claire Marie Moore, of Charleston, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Rakim Malik Jefferson, of Gaffney, Bachelor of Science in Music.
CHESTER COUNTY
Kayla Nicole Mills, of Chester, Master of Education in Teaching and Learning; and Connor Michaela Tamblingson, of Chester, Bachelor of Science.
DARLINGTON COUNTY
Christi Ja'Nye Peterson, of Hartsville, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
DORCHESTER COUNTY
Hunter Eugene Ellis, of Summerville, Bachelor of Science in History; Courtney Lynn Jones, of Summerville, Bachelor of Science in Sociology; and Jamie Dean Waite, of Summerville, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science.
EDGEFIELD COUNTY
Brandon Westbrook Warrick, of Trenton, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY
De'Antae Le'Tre Belton, of Blythewood, Bachelor of Science in History; and Cameron Ryan Kutz, of Lexington, Bachelor of Science in Political Science.
GREENVILLE COUNTY
Monica Louise Cleland, of Greenville, Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication and Theatre; Caroline Nicole Cox, of Greenville, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Camry Robin Ford, of Greer, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Nicole Tiffany Guevara, of Greer, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; TyJuria Miauja Hicks, of Greenville, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Morgan Elizabeth Long, of Greer, Bachelor of Science in Visual Arts; Rebecca Aileen McKain, of Greenville, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Wesley J Miles, of Greenville, Bachelor of Science in History; Tyvon C. Odumodu, of Greenville, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Mackenzie Eden Reuss, of Simpsonville, Bachelor of Science in Psychology; Gina Marie Romero, of Taylors, Bachelor of Science in Political Science; Caci Nicole Rosson, of Greenville, Bachelor of Arts in English; Lindsay Brooke Soto, of Greenville, Bachelor of Science in Visual Arts; Cicely Nicole Taylor, of Fountain Inn, Bachelor of Science in Psychology; Tatiana Vanessa Velez, of Greenville, Bachelor of Arts in English; Hannah D Wallace, of Taylors, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Chariot Shantelle Wharton, of Greenville, Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication and Theatre; and D'Asia Shaqualla Wideman, of Greenville, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
GREENWOOD COUNTY
Matthew Lee Anderson, of Greenwood, Bachelor of Science in History; Hannah Carrie Ashley, of Hodges, Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Sammantha Donna Bailey, of Chappells, Bachelor of Science in Visual Arts (K-12 Certification); Heather Dawn Calliham, of Bradley, Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education; Hobson Byrd Chandler, of Greenwood, Bachelor of Science in Psychology; Taylor Lee Curtis, of Ruby, Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Nicholas Shawn Deitz, of Hodges, of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Christian Blake Dickey, of Greenwood, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Jodie Amanda Enlow, of Greenwood, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Jay D Esposito, of Greenwood, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education; Caleb Monroe Fenner, of Westerville, OH, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Madena Renee Gossett, of Greenwood, Master of Science in Emergency Management; Angelica Norea Green, of Inman, Bachelor of Science-Second Dg in Special Education; Lacey Marie Hawkins, of Ware Shoals, Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education; Walter Blake Hughes, of Greenwood, Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems; Kristie Elizabeth Koeppen, of Greenwood, Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication & Theatre; Caitlin Marie Lancaster, of Plymouth, MN, Bachelor of Arts in English; Jonathan Wil Langley, of Greenwood, Bachelor of Science in Biology; Christian Michelle Lee, of Greenwood, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Jongcheol Lee, of Daegu, South Korea, Bachelor of Science-Second Dg in Chemistry; Savannah Grace Lindley, of Greenwood, Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education; Alexandria Smyre Lockard, of Ware Shoals, Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies; Melissa Ayala Macias, of Greenwood, Bachelor of Science in Psychology; Wesley Michael McCalman, of Summerville, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Shelby Ann McGee, of Greenwood, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Morgan R Mooney, of Greenwood, Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Nicholas Richard Nowark, of Fountain Inn, Bachelor of Science in Psychology; Ryan Patrick Oggenfuss, of Greenwood, Bachelor of Science in Biology; Kayla Renee Oliver, of Greenwood, Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education; Alandre Marquese Parker, of Columbia, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Leanna Carol Riddle, of Greenwood, Bachelor of Science in Psychology; Haley Lauren Robertson, of Greenwood, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science; Emily Claire Rodgers, of Ninety Six, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Bryan Damon Ross, of Ware Shoals, Master of Education in Teaching and Learning; Brittany Aleassia Alexandria Shivers, of Orangeburg, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science; Henry Joseph Smithdeal, of Greenwood, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Michael Breann Steadman, of Greenwood, Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education; Quantavious Berwaun Thompkins of Greenwood, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science; Savannah S Wideman, of Ninety Six, Bachelor of Science in Music; Lauren-Ashleigh Shillinglaw Witteborg, of Greenwood, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education; Thanayut Yawah, of Greenwood, Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems; and Austin Murray Young, of Greenwood, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
HAMPTON COUNTY
Devante A. Jones, of Brunson, Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication and Theatre.
LAURENS COUNTY
Sha'kura Nakrista Cook, of Cross Hill, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Amelia Kelsey Denise Davis, of Mountville, Bachelor of Arts in English; Graham Holt Duncan, of Clinton, Bachelor of Arts in English; Danielle Samantha Gary, of Laurens, Bachelor of Science in Psychology; Laciy Lee Ella Hinton, of Laurens, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science; Holly Quinn Hughes, of Laurens, Bachelor of Science in Sociology; Jamaica Tanay Kennedy, of Clinton, Bachelor of Science in Visual Arts; and Jessica Nicole Woody, of Clinton, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
LEE COUNTY
Mary Allison Hill, of Bishopville, Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
LEXINGTON COUNTY
Brandon James Baghdady, of Chapin, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Zoe Re'ne Johnson, of West Columbia, Bachelor of Science in Psychology; Devin Michael Leon, of Swansea, Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems and Business Administration; Melissa Slice McCawley, of Chapin, Bachelor of Science-Second Degree in Nursing; and Carley Anne Young, of Leesville, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science.
MARION COUNTY
Michael Tomás Jasso-Kelly, of Marion, Bachelor of Arts in History and Spanish.
NEWBERRY COUNTY
Taylor Mackenzie Davenport, of Newberry, Bachelor of Science in Nursing; James Colson Enlow, of Pomaria, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Hydeia Shauntee Epps, of Prosperity, Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies; and Corrie Lynn Alexandra Kunkle, of Newberry, Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
OCONEE COUNTY
Brittany Pauline Ramey, of Westminster, Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
ORANGEBURG COUNTY
Octavia Nicole Ayers, of Bowman, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science; Catherine Beatrice Baker, of West Helena, AR, Bachelor of Arts in English; and Taria Monique Rivers, of Orangeburg, Bachelor of Science in Political Science.
PICKENS COUNTY
Lauren Ashley Machen, of Easley, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.
RICHLAND COUNTY
Zachariah Lee Acree, of Columbia, Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication and Theatre; Ashley Morgan Benjamin, of Columbia, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Alaina Patress Brown, of Columbia, Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies; Harrison Elliott Williams Duckett, of Columbia, Bachelor of Science in Biology; Shamara K Hinds, of Queens, Bachelor of Science in Psychology; Marcus Anthony Johnson, of Irmo, Bachelor of Science in Criminology; Melanie P Mattingly, of Blythewood, Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Kristen Anita Ollison, of Columbia, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science; Kendra Denise Robinson, of Columbia, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Shanetria Re'na Sutton, of Columbia, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science; Taylor Nicole Wilkinson, of Irmo, Bachelor of Science in Nursing; and Michael G Wilson, of Columbia, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
SALUDA COUNTY
Chelsea Brytton Berry, of Saluda, Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education; Autumn Tayllor Goodman, of Saluda, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Mariana Sanchez, of Batesburg-Leesville, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; and Ciara Alline Wertz, of Saluda, Bachelor of Science in Biology.
SPARTANBURG COUNTY
Amy Leigh Andrews, of Spartanburg, Master of Science in Nursing-Clinical Nurse Leader; Corey Donte' Foster, of Spartanburg, Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies; Eboney Nicole Hall, of Boiling Springs, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Taylor R Kellner, of Spartanburg, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science; Melissa Sophia Seay, of Woodruff, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Amanda Denise Sullivan, of Greenville, Bachelor of Arts in English; Joshua Jermaine Webb, of Spartanburg, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
SUMTER COUNTY
Cecilia Marie Rolow, of Sumter, Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication and Theatre.
UNION COUNTY
Michael Anthony Cunningham, of Union, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY
Danielle Shantelle Christel Johnson, of Hemingway, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
YORK COUNTY
Elizabeth A Harper, of Rock Hill, Master of Education in Teaching and Learning; Haley Alexandria Moore, of York, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science; and Gregory K Sexton, of York, Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
OUT-OF-STATE
Jonathan Miguel Lebron, of Windham, CT, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Halle Drew Dotson, of Titusville, FL, Bachelor of Science in Psychology; Adrian Lamon Penland, of Buford, GA, Bachelor of Science in History; Crystal Ekeoma Nwaopara, of Riverdale, GA, Bachelor of Science with a second degree in Nursing; Sage Christian Cornatzer, of Fletcher, NC, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Sara C. Flores, of Kingston, NY, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Kari Sunday Faye George, of Tullahoma, TN, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; and Harrison Wayne Washington, of Manassas, VA, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
INTERNATIONAL
Xiaosu Huang, of Qungdao, China, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Xiunan Li, of QingDao, China, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Sam Richard Lofts, of Swindon, United Kingdom, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science; Jamie David North, of Norwich, United Kingdom, Bachelor of Science in Psychology; Yuriko Ono, of Nakatsugawa, Japan, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science; and Alexandre Pierre Jacques Springer, of Metz, France, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
ABOUT LANDER UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1872, Lander University is a co-educational, state-assisted, four-year university serving approximately 3,000 students. Located in Uptown Greenwood, the university has a long-standing tradition of providing a challenging, enriching education that prepares graduates to lead lives of meaningful activity, of personal satisfaction and of service to others.
The institution offers more than 60 areas of study in the liberal arts and sciences, with professional programs in STEM, education, business and nursing. Graduate programs include the Master of Education in Teaching and Learning, the Master of Education in Montessori Education, the Master of Science in Nursing-Clinical Nurse Leader, and the Master of Science in Emergency Management.