December 2015 graduates receive degrees
Southern Wesleyan University honored the military service of its graduates at both of its commencement ceremonies, presenting them with red, white and blue tassels. On Dec. 12 the university recognized more than 20 students enrolled in its adult evening program for their military service.
Southern Wesleyan University awarded more than 300 graduates with degrees during two commencement ceremonies on its campus in Central.
The commencement speaker was Belle S. Wheelan, Ph.D., who is the first African American and the first woman to serve as president of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Her career spans 40 years and includes the roles of faculty member, chief student services officer, campus provost, college president and secretary of education.
Wheelan shared with graduates some of the lessons she said contributed to her success, saying “take time to say ‘thank you’ to the people around you,” and “it’s more important to be respected for the things you believe than to be liked.”
“People will always remember how you treat them, but you’ll best be remembered for the things you did,” Wheelan said. Wheelan urged graduates of the adult and online programs Dec. 12 to thank their family members, spouses, coworkers or professors for “getting them where they are today,” adding “for those of you who were there for them, job well done.”
“You are living proof that anything worth having is worth working for,” Wheelan added.
During the ceremony, University President Todd Voss presented Wheelan with a presidential citation honoring her dedication and recognizing her four decades of service as an educator.
Prior to both ceremonies, Donna Pittman, senior records counselor and VA benefits administrator, presented more than 20 student veterans and current military personnel with patriotic graduation tassels, honoring his or her service to our country.
The Southern Wesleyan University Alumni Association presented all graduates with a SWU commemorative Bible as they crossed the stage, new degrees in hand.
Other highlights included the university’s choral ensemble performing Dec. 11 under the direction of Dr. Don Campbell, professor of music; the university’s brass ensemble under the direction of Greg Day, professor of music; and the University Singers performing Dec. 12 under the direction of Rev. Gail Kerstetter.
Earlier on Friday, the university held its Baccalaureate, featuring a “ceremony of the servants” in which graduates of the traditional programs received towels – a symbol of Christian service – embroidered with the Southern Wesleyan University seal. James S. Bross, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus at Southern Wesleyan and an alumnus, delivered the Baccalaureate sermon. Bross later witnessed his granddaughter, Anna Bross, graduating Summa Cum Laude with her English degree.
The ceremonies were held in the auditorium of Newton Hobson Chapel and Fine Arts Center.
The December 2015 graduates included:
In South Carolina
Aiken
Jennifer Rebecca Browne, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; Sarita Green, M.S. in Management; Margereta Shante Howard, B.S. in Human Services; Aaron Spencer Ledford, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Connie Glover Parker, M.S. in Management.
Alcolu
Terence "Champ" Irvin Squires Jr., B.A. in Religion.
Anderson
Ronnie M. Adger, B.S. in Business Management, Magna Cum Laude; April Erbe Cowan, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; Lowry Lefebvre Cowan, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; Kathryn Kelly Sinclair Dunlap, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; John Taylor Fredrickson, B.S. in Applied Computer Science; April Lee Hays, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; Angela Leigh Morris, B.S. in Business Administration; Matthew Lee Mulkey, B.S. in Business Management, Cum Laude; Helen Janean Stepp, B.S. in Human Services, Magna Cum Laude; George F. Taylor IX, B.S. in Business Administration, Cum Laude; Anthony C. Wagoner, B.S. in Business Administration; Roselind Yvette Wideman, M.S. in Management.
Belton
Christian Nathaniel Clour, B.A. in Religion, Cum Laude; Jennifer Whitman-Macomson, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision.
Blythewood
Aleece L. Hardy, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Nora Raquel Gause, Master of Business Administration; Georgette Holmes-Shelton, A.A. in General Studies; Beth Ashley White, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision.
Boiling Springs
Michael Lewis Cook, Master of Business Administration; Cassie Sue Ezell, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; Valerie Lynn Koproski, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership.
Camden
Gianina Roshunda Hayes, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Markeita Darcell Warren, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision.
Campobello
Scotti Danielle Bryant, B.S. in Biology.
Central
Wallace Deandre Cobbs., M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Nicholas Alexander Hawthorne, B.S. in Psychology; Jordan Thomas Maurice Painter, B.S. in Recreation and Sport Management; Khristy Kelley Parham, B.S. in Business Management, Summa Cum Laude; Taylor Garrett Smith, B.S. in Recreation and Leisure; Allison Harbin Stewart, B.S. in Business Management, Summa Cum Laude; Lindsey Turner, B.S. in Early Childhood Education - Elementary Education, Summa Cum Laude.
Charleston
Marguerite Case, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; Mikia T. Green, A.A. in General Studies; Aurvella Ralphel Henry, B.S. in Human Services; Katherine Louise Devaney Houser, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Brittany Lillibridge Lester, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Brittany F. Shew, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; Staci Lauren Ulichnie, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; Elisabeth Shae Vella, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Caroline Leigh Yianopoulos, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership.
Chesnee
Thomas Mitchel Ellis, B.S. in Business Management; Matthew Elliott Plummer, B.S. in Physical Education.
Columbia
Erica Denise Amiker, B.S. in Human Services; Shawn Edward Bairefoot, B.S. in Business Administration; Shirley Ann Boatwright, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Michael Brice, Jr. B.S. Business Management; Vonnetta Nichole Brumfield, B.S. in Business Management, Magna Cum Laude; Scott David Bergren, Master of Business Administration; J. Delgado Cantave, Master of Business Administration; Karen Ann Cammisa, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Ugochi Cantave, Master of Business Administration; Zachary Walker Casto, B.S. in Business Administration; Deborah L. M. DePaoli, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Alton Carlos Jermain Derrick, B.S. in Business Administration; Kenyetta Boyd Gallman, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Pamela H. Gilmore, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Stanetta M. Henryhand, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Staci L. Johnson, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Janice Faye Hollis, B.S. in Business Administration; Latasha James, Master of Business Administration; K. Vanessa Mariani, B.S. in Human Services; Howard Jerome Montgomery B.S. Business Management, Cum Laude; Carol B. Morant, B.S. in Business Management, University Honors; Judy Ann Murphy, A.A. in General Studies; Marianne Preudhomme, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Deonandre Breyon Richardson, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Brittany Georgette Simmons, Master of Business Administration; Alema Tillene Smith, B.S. in Business Management; Amanda Graves Smythe M.Ed. Classroom Leadership; Kimberly Anise Starks, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Stephanie T. Suell, B.S. in Human Services, Magna Cum Laude; Robert L. Sumter, B.S. in Business Management; Joseph David Walker Jr., M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Schiria P. Wilson, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision.
Duncan
Steven William Oliver Jr., B.S. in Business Administration; Craig Allen Thompson, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Heather Elizabeth Warren, A.A. in General Studies.
Easley
Sherri Dorsey Berendsen, B.S. Business Administration; James McKenzie Duke Blandin, B.S. in Early Childhood Education - Elementary Education; Monty Carlos Broome Jr., A.A. in General Studies; Paige Victoria Buldo, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; Jason Brandon Cain, B.S. in Business Management; Eudera Shelee' Cannon, B.S. in Human Services; Amy J. Carter, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; David Brent Carter, B.S. in Biology; Cassidy Brooke Evatt, B.S. in Business Administration; Steven Timothy Fincher, B.S. in Business Management, Summa Cum Laude; Kristen Gilstrap, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; Timothy J Gordon, B.S. in Social Science; Janesha Christian Hallums, B.S. in Business Management; Bianca Devon Hanson, B.S. in Business Administration, University Honors; Breanna Kowaleski, B.S. in Physical Education; Anthony Michael Love, B.S. in Business Management; Paul Enyioma Ohanuka, B.S. in Social Science; Russell Lee Perkins, B.S. in Business Administration, Cum Laude; Candace Lee Ramey Rivera, B.S. in Business Administration; Samantha Jo VanDorn, A.A. in General Studies; Nicholas L. Willis, Master of Business Administration, Mallory Robyn Wade M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision.
Elgin
Sheila Ann Dodd, A.A. in General Studies; Kristen Paige Salane Malone, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Angela C. Shivley, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership.
Enoree
Joel Alvin Sprouse, A.A. in General Studies.
Fair Play
Iris Bertina Blassingame, B.S. in Business Management; Randall Eugene Blassingame, B.S. in Business Management.
Fort Mill
Roger Goforth, B.S. in Business Management.
Fountain Inn
Summer Dawn Sherbert Brown, B.S. in Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude; William Kevin Eichelberger, Master of Business Administration; Jacqueline Lindsey Karam, A.A. in General Studies.
Gaston
Deborah Diane Crisostomo Fail, B.S. in Business Management, Summa Cum Laude.
Gloverville
Jimmie A. Brown, B.S. in Business Management.
Graniteville
James Reginald Jackson, B.S. in Business Management; Bobbie Jean Youmans, A.A. in General Studies.
Greenville
Angelo Antonino, B.S. in Business Management; Steven Mitchell Besselievre, Master of Business Administration; Jennifer K. Borenstein, B.S. in Business Administration; Jessica Lee Brooks, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; Anthony J. Crescenzo, A.A. in General Studies; Cynthia J. Ford, B.S. in Human Services, University Honors; Timothy Lamont Geter, M.S. in Management; Melody Harris, A.A. in General Studies; Tyesha R. Jones, M.S. in Management; Rachel Elizabeth Kaskin, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; Ray Anthony Lambert Jr., Master of Business Administration; Amber Nicole Lark, B.S. in Business Management; Jessica Alyssia Mays, Master of Business Administration; Tony Michael Moore Jr., B.S. in Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude; Stephen Eric Olson, B.S. in Business Administration, University Honors; Jessica Nicole Parris, Master of Business Administration; Dondrea Caressa Rhea, B.S. in Human Services; Cathleen Craig Taylor, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; Ashlee Edwards Tolbert, M.S. in Management; Sonja Denise Wilkie, B.S. in Business Management, Cum Laude.
Greenwood
Allison Paige Parker, B.S. in Exercise Science; Byron Blanton Smith, B.S. in Elementary Education.
Greer
Megan Hutchison Corona, Master of Business Administration; Susan C. Craine, B.S. in Business Administration; Jessica Britni Key, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; Andrew S. Klein, A.A. in General Studies; Kathy J. Sinkhorn, B.S. in Business Management, Summa Cum Laude; Rosalyn Johanna Rivera Morales, Master of Business Administration.
Hanahan
Matthew David Campora, B.S. in Business Management, Magna Cum Laude.
Hartsville
Callie Alexandria Wayne, B.S. in Human Services.
Hilton Head
William Allen McCarty, B.S. in Recreation and Leisure; Curtis Dean Coffey Jr., Master of Business Administration
Hodges
Denise Nichole Giannetti, M.S. in Management.
Hopkins
Janise B. Dove, B.S. in Business Management.
Inman
CaSandra Kinney M.Ed. Classroom Leadership; Sarah Beth Settle, M.S. in Management; Amanda Cantrell Shearer, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; Samantha Williams, B.S. in Human Services.
Irmo
Tawnya Verionica Jackson, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Ericka Jenene McIntee, Master of Business Administration; Sheila Marie Salters, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision.
Jackson
Ashley Sheree Hall, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership.
Jacksonboro
Omega Nesbit Wright, B.S. in Human Services.
Johnston
Christopher Lee Burton, M.S. in Management.
Ladson
Cheryl Denise Alston, B.S. in Human Services; Randzella Thomas Coutain, B.S. in Business Management, University Honors.
Laurens
Aretha G. Smith, Master of Business Administration; Deborah Dotson Wilson, A.A. in General Studies.
Lexington
LaQuana Peterson Aldridge, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Pamela C. Bass, B.S. in Human Services; Nicholas A. Gillcrese, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision;
Shamari Leon Moody, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Leah Melissa Parnell, A.A. in General Studies; Kevin John Smoak, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; James Gregory Willoughby, B.S. in Business Management, University Honors.
Liberty
Sharon Lynn Hughes, B.S. in Business Administration, Cum Laude; Dana Evans Lester, B.S. in Business Management, Magna Cum Laude; Rita Revels Rahn, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Christie Lee Vaughn, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; Donna Finley Wood, A.A. in General Studies.
Lyman
Lyndsey Nicole Gantt, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; Donna K. Hopkins, B.S. in Business Administration; Julie Ann Harrington, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership.
Mauldin
Christopher L. Anderson, A.A. in General Studies; Waltina T. Foster, B.S. in Business Management; Monica Moreno, A.A. in General Studies; Dorothy Williams Scott, B.S. in Business Management; Lisa Cobb Wittner, A.A. General Studies.
Moncks Corner
Hazel W. Sawyer, A.A. in General Studies.
Moore
Stephen Kyle Davis, B.S. in Business Administration; Patricia Johnson, Master of Business Administration.
Mount Pleasant
Richard Dean Grile, M.S. in Management.
North Augusta
Niquita N. Corley, A.A. in General Studies; Olivia Patrice Curry, B.S. in Business Management; Chinkara Wahkuna Dooley, B.S. in Human Services; Amy Brunson DuVall, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; Ashley Nicole Galloway, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; Christopher Josh Martinez, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Joseph Barnett Workman IV, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision.
North Charleston
Rev. Samuel L. Dennis, B.S. in Human Services; Melinda Johnson, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Troi Suzanne Mack, B.S. in Business Administration, Summa Cum Laude; Sidney Melvin, A.A. in General Studies; Virginia Sayer, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Denfield A. Wade Jr., B.S. in Business Management.
Orangeburg
Kimberly L. Farmer, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; LeAndrea Olajuwon Montgomery, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision
Pelion
Erin Harmon Fox, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership.
Pelzer
Jennifer Sims Bagwell, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; Pamela H. DeYoung, B.S. in Business Management; Christopher Lee Peck, B.S. in Criminal Justice.
Pickens
Mary Ann Bell, B.S. in Business Administration, Cum Laude; Heather Crisp, B.S. in Human Services; Tammy Davis, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; Brentley Chad Ellenburg, A.A. in General Studies; Sandra Lusk, B.S. in Business Administration; William Travis Mitchell, B.S. in Business Management, Magna Cum Laude; Tamela Powell Ross, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision.
Piedmont
Jessica Leigh Anderson, M.S. in Management.
Reevesville
Willia B. Breaker, A.A. in General Studies.
Reidville
Tamika Loures Brock, B.S. in Business Management.
Ridge Spring
Christina Lynn Richardson, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership.
Ridgeville
Emily Styer, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision.
St. Matthews
Jacqueline Bonnette Myrick, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision.
Salem
Rachel Diane Wilbanks, B.S. in Mathematics, Cum Laude.
Salley
Veronica Lee Brown, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision.
Saluda
Marcus P. Long, B.S. in Business Administration.
Seneca
Heather Allsep Cummings, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Mary Douglas Jankowy, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; Amanda Varie Johnson, B.S. in Business Administration; Vanessa Katherine Miller, B.S. in Business Management, Cum Laude; James Daniel Montague, Master of Business Administration; Kristina Celeste Smith, B.S. in Psychology; Sandra Grant Sloan, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision.
Simpsonville
Catalina Chappell, Master of Business Administration; Michael Anthony Gresham, B.S. in Business Management; Vanessa Hernandez, B.S. in Business Management, Cum Laude; Melissa Hoilman, M.S. in Management; Darius Jacques Norris, M.S. in Management; Oren Hutchinson Persons IV, Master of Business Administration; Rhoda Tyler, B.S. in Human Services, Cum Laude.
Six Mile
Anita B. Averette, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Taylor Mackenzie Mann, B.S. in Computer Information Systems.
Spartanburg
Sakethia Charlene Liggins, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; Joel P. Neuder, M.S. in Management; Latosha Peoples, B.S. in Business Management.
Summerville
Antonio Anderson Sr., A.A. in General Studies; Samantha F. Clark, A.A. in General Studies; Shannon Rosanna Crosby, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; Tameka LaShean Crook, B.S. in Human Services; Sonya Lynn Hammond, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Ruth Elizabeth Haynes, B.S. in Business Management; Milton I. Howard, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Timothy Allan Hughes, A.A. in General Studies; Andrea Therese Lemon, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Tiffany Simpson Marine, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; Harold Eugene Ross II, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Leanne Beth Shattuck, B.S. in Business Management, Summa Cum Laude; James Tomasello Jr., M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision.
Taylors
Sharika Massey, A.A. in General Studies; Daniel J. Slama Jr., Master of Business Administration.
Travelers Rest
Patricia Marie Moody, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership.
Walhalla
Jessica Michelle Salinas, A.A. in General Studies.
Ware Shoals
Melissa Echols, A.A. in General Studies.
Warrenville
Greg Alan Baughman, B.S. in Business Administration, Cum Laude.
West Columbia
Emily Johnson Bogdan, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; Antwyon Demetrius Jones, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Mansa Olajuwon Joseph, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Mary Annette Wilbourne, B.A. in Secondary Social Studies, Summa Cum Laude.
West Union
Christopher O. Crenshaw, B.S. in Business Management, Summa Cum Laude; Jonathan Ray Haney, B.A. in Music Education; Robert Matthew Lewin, A.A. in General Studies; Shawn Armstrong Williamson, B.S. in Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude.
Westminster
Heather Michelle Campbell, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; Della R. Massey, B.S. in Business Management, University Honors.
Williston
Dana Joy Depew, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision; Kalin Tyler Smith, B.S. in Business Administration.
Winnsboro
Lydia Michelle Gibson, B.S. in Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude.
Woodruff
Brandon J. Scarborough, Master of Business Administration.
York
Cynthia Lee Smith, B.S. in Business Administration.
In North Carolina
Davidson
Victoria Lynn Hunter, B.A. in English.
Franklin
Anna Elizabeth Bross, B.A. in English Education, Summa Cum Laude.
Hertford
Kaleb Andrew Spaugh, B.A. in Religion.
Winston-Salem
Erik Delgado, B.S. in Biology.
In Georgia
Augusta
Aerial S. Buckman, B.S. in Management, Cum Laude; Kimberley Farris-Lewis, B.S. in Human Services; Stacy Evette Ingram, M.S. in Management; Beurena T. Johnson, M.S. in Management; Robert Truitt, M.S. in Management.
Blythe
Antoinette Johnson Dunbar, B.S. in Business Administration.
Covington
Matthew Stewart Moore, B.S. in Business Administration.
Evans
Tomya Wilson Sweeper, M.S. in Management.
Hephzibah
Sonia Teresa Allen, B.S. in Business Management, Cum Laude; Dana Renee Freeman, M.S. in Management; Tara J. Hannah, B.S. in Human Services; Kimbrell McGhee, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership; Arnold Ray Smith, M.S. in Management.
Martinez
David Odell Philmon Jr., B.S. in Business Administration, University Honors.
Monticello
Adrian Jarod Campbell, B.S. in Criminal Justice.
Thomson
Sheila Tertrease Boyd-Beasley, Master of Business Administration.
Toccoa
Sarah Wald Scott, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership.
In Arizona
Phoenix
Sean Dale Burgess, B.A. in Biology.
In Colorado
USAFA
Andrew Scott Hochhalter, B.A. in Religion, Cum Laude.
In Florida
Fleming Island
Taylor Marie Fox, B.S. in Biology, Magna Cum Laude.
Santa Rosa Beach
Ashley Hopper, Master of Business Administration.
In Kentucky
Carrollton
Charlotte Lewis Wallace, Master of Business Administration.
Elizabethtown
Tamaya N. Moye, Master of Business Administration.
In Oklahoma
Enid
Roger Bradley Holder, A.A. in General Studies.
In Virginia
Fairfax
Kayla Lazeal Lusk, A.A. in General Studies.
Brazil
Cassio Soares Berenbaum, B.S. in Business Administration.
Canada
Toronto
Brittany Woodhouse, B.S. in Criminal Justice.
Colombia
Juan Pablo Casa Merlano, B.S. in Recreation and Sport Management.
With regional education centers conveniently located across South Carolina, as well as fully online programs for select degrees, Southern Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered, student-focused learning community devoted to transforming lives by challenging students to be dedicated scholars and servant-leaders who impact the world for Christ. For more information, go to www.swu.edu.