2017 Commencement
May 5, 2017 | Academics
Dr. Darryl Jachens, retiring Southern Wesleyan University music professor, leads the processional into the traditional commencement ceremony, carrying the university mace. Jachens has served on Southern Wesleyan’s faculty for 30 years.
Commencement: Traditional Programs
Commencement: Adult and Online Programs
Southern Wesleyan University held two commencement ceremonies Friday on its campus in Central – a 10 a.m. ceremony for graduates of its traditional program and a 3 p.m. ceremony for graduates of its adult evening and online programs.
The commencement speaker was Rev. Christopher Shinn, lead pastor of Faith Community Church in Charleston, W.V. and a graduate of Southern Wesleyan.
“As you walk across the stage, it’s not the finish line, it’s just the start,” Shinn said. He recalled a note that his grandfather wrote to himself and tacked to a cork board in his workshop: “A man shows who he is by what he does with what he has.”
Shinn said, “What is it that God has called you individually to try? Will you take up the challenge to carrying out the task He’s called you to do?” To graduates of the adult evening and online programs, Shinn told of his return to college to earn a graduate-level degree, commending the graduates and their families for the sacrifices made to earn a degree.
“I already know what it means, as parents, as grown people with responsibilities and jobs to seek out that additional training,” Shinn said.
Highlights of the ceremony included University President Todd Voss presenting Shinn with a presidential citation. Also, during the traditional ceremony, the university presented a certificate recognizing Krystal Pearce as an honorary member of the Class of 2017. Krystal, who would have graduated with the class of 2017, died in a tragic accident during her freshman year at Southern Wesleyan. Accepting the citation were Heather Pearce, Krystal’s mother; Doug Pearce, Krystal’s father; his wife Audrey; and Krystal’s uncle, Edward Pearce.
Prior to each ceremony, the university recognized its veteran and military graduates. Recognized before the traditional ceremony were Jason Dyer, an Applied Computer Science graduate; and Drew Carson, a Criminal Justice graduate. Recognized from the adult evening and online program were James Alfred, a Human Services graduate; Tim Hughes, a Human Services graduate; Lavelle Lankford, a business graduate; Michael Quayle, a Business graduate; London Taylor, a Business graduate; and Stephanie Wright, a Business graduate.
On Thursday, the university held its Baccalaureate service, 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. Rev. Joy Bryant, executive director for alumni and constituent relations at Southern Wesleyan, gave the Baccalaureate sermon.
The spring 2017 graduates included:
In South Carolina
Aiken
Judy Boyd, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Tammy Rudd, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Shantia Wheeler, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership; Hermeone Williams, BS in Business Administration
Allendale
Dorothy Priester, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision
Anderson
Kathryn Brickle, BA in History; James Campbell, BS in Applied Computer Science; Kelsey Crawford, BS in Criminal Justice; Cathey Johnson, BS in Human Services; Morgan Jones, BS in Business Administration; Malek Martin, BS in Recreation and Leisure Services; Shirley Murphy, BS in Business Management; James Rash, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Reagen Welch, BS in Biology
Barnwell
Renee Owens, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision
Belton
Christina Boston, Master of Business Administration
Blythewood
Stacy Adams, BS in Business Administration; Stephanie McFadden-Henderson, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision
Boiling Springs
Michelle Monroe, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership; Laura Rawlings, Master of Management and Leadership; Kristen Senn, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision
Calhoun Falls
Rico Holland, BS in Recreation and Sport Management
Central
Rico Cabrera, BS in Business Administration; Drew Carson, BS in Criminal Justice; Jordan Finster, BS in Recreation and Sport Management; Hamilton Hartsell, BS in Recreation and Leisure Services; Matthew Hayes, BS in Applied Computer Science; Amanda Holliday, BS in Business Administration; Brian Mulligan, BS in Recreation and Leisure Services; Drew Phillip, AA in General Studies; Molly Preisch, BS in Special Education; Jemiah Wimphrie, BS in Recreation and Leisure Services; Jerome Wimphrie BS in Human Services
Charleston
Jessica Pietramala, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership; Stacey Snipe, AA in General Studies; Erika Wesolek, BS in Recreation and Sport Management
Clemson
Alex Oliver, BS in Exercise Science
Clinton
Gabrielle Bates, BS in Recreation and Sport Management
Clover
Jordan Peters, BS in Human Services
Columbia
Leigh Abee, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Rochelle Bennett, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Crystal Brown, AA in General Studies; Michelle Gilliard, BS in Business Administration; Isis Jenkins, BS in Business Administration; Nylor McClary, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership; Pam McKenney, BS in Business Management; Duane Nesmith, AA in General Studies; Nichole Smith, AA in General Studies; Tara Strother, AA in General Studies; Tonya Tisdale, AA in General Studies
Duncan
Andrew Klein, BS in Business Administration
Easley
Brandi Aiken, BS in Special Education; Michael Arblaster, BS in Chemistry / BS in Forensic Science; Lyndy Barnes, BS in Human Services; Ashley Bowen, BS in Business Administration; Britney Fernandez, BA in Music ; Zack Gross, BS in Environmental Science; Eddie Hanson, BS in Business Administration; Stacy Jackson, BS in Business Administration; John LaBrash, BS in Business Administration; Jonathan Langston, BS in Business Administration; Shelby Lowary, BS in Exercise Science; Jackie Martin, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership; Cody Price, BS in Business Administration; Teletha Rider, AS in General Business; Chris Robinson, BS in Computer Information Systems; Caroline Shelton, BS in Special Education; Phoebe Siha, BS in Business Administration; Matt Tollison, BS in Recreation and Sport Management
Florence
Daniel Coleman, BS in Exercise Science; Jeffery Gaines, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Christi Herod, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership
Fountain Inn
Lindsey Karam, BS in Business Administration; Susie Martin, AA in General Studies; Andrea Owen, Master of Science in Management and Leadership; Daniel Shiflet, BS in Human Services
Gaffney
Shaq Brown, BA in Media Communication; Darion Elmore, BS in Exercise Science; Tiffany Mayes, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership
Gramling
Katie Woodfin, Master of Business Administration
Graniteville
Savannah Myers, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision
Gray Court
Kim McDonald, Master of Science in Management and Leadership
Greenville
Jennifer Ahlum, Master of Science in Management and Leadership; Keegan Barkley, BS in Business Administration; Tyler Carson, BS in Human Services; Kara Farmer, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership; Jim Faulkenberry, Master of Business Administration; Jessica Gaines, BS in Special Education; Lauren Gulledge, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership; Billy Jones, BS in Business Administration; Alex Lambert, BS in Exercise Science; Sarah Parker, Master of Business Administration; Hamilton Parks, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Allison Roberts, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership; Tracie Simpson, BS in Human Services; Dana Swartzel, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership; Lovetta Walton, Master of Science in Management and Leadership
Greenwood
Mikkaela Bailey, BA in History; Elizabeth Mulkey, BA in Recreation and Sport Management
Greer
Jeremy Barbrey, BS in Psychology; John Callaham, BS in Business Management; Laura Collyer, BS in Biology Education / BS in Biology; Eva Grzejdziak, BS in Business Administration; Archie Nguyen, Master of Science in Management and Leadership; Anna Clare Wade, BS in Recreation and Sport Management
Hanahan
Michael Quayle, BS in Business Administration
Hollywood
Melissa Drayton, BS in Human Services; Bryce White, BS in Business Administration
Inman
Amber Easler, BS in Recreation and Sport Management; Kim Skinner, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership
Iva
Lisa Thomas, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership
Ladson
Stephanie Wright, BS in Business Management
Lake City
Alex Luna, BS in Pre-Medicine/Pre-Dentistry / BS in Biology
Landrum
Kimberly Bridges, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Harry Reed, BS in Business Administration
Lexington
Lynn Martin, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Hannah Stuart, BS in Business Administration
Liberty
Wesley Couch, BS in Applied Computer Science; Robert Gwinn, BS in Business Administration; Jessica Keever, BS in Human Services
Long Creek
Jackie Morgan, BS in Human Services
Lyman
Whitney Mabus, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision
Mauldin
Antoinette Holsey, BS in Business Management; Nikki Wheeler, BS in Business Administration; William Woods, BS in Biology Education / BS in Biology
Moore
Angie Childers, BS in Business Administration
Myrtle Beach
Sara Sweatt, BS in Recreation and Leisure Services
North Charleston
Linda Wigfall, BS in Human Services; Brandy Russell, BS in Business Administration; London Taylor, BS in Business Administration
Norris
Corey Hamilton, BS in Business Administration
North Augusta
Cindy Blackwell, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Derek Boyd, BS in Business Administration; Jamie Davis, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Katy Dyches, BA in Music; Krissy Dyches, BS in Recreation and Sport Management; Jay Howland, AA in General Studies; Mary Schaeffer, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership
Orangeburg
Leslie Blevins, BS in Business Administration; Michelle Stillinger, BS in Business Administration
Pawleys Island
Mark Martinez, AA in General Studies
Pelzer
Noelle Frady, BS in Environmental Science / BS in Biology; Dakota Kelly, BS in Business Administration; Bessai Lee, AA in General Studies
Pendleton
Matt Beresh-Bryant, BA in History; Kristin Brown, BS in Biology
Pickens
Robbie Bryant, BS in Criminal Justice; Jaimee Chapman, BS in Psychology; Amanda Cooper, BS in Business Administration; Ryan Corbin, BA in History; Caitlin Cummings, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership; Jessica Hall, BS in Business Administration; Nathan Stegenga, BS in Recreation and Leisure Services
Piedmont
Nikki McBroom-Burton, BS in Business Administration
Prosperity
Claudie Jackson, Master of Business Administration
Rock Hill
Cayse Branyon, BS in Criminal Justice; Briar Herd, BS in Criminal Justice; Jhante McMillan, BS in Exercise Science; Cassia Paolone, BS in Business Administration
St. Helena Island
Akilah Jefferson, BS in Forensic Science / BS in Chemistry
Seneca
Katie Barker, BS in Business Administration; Jason Dyer, BS in Applied Computer Science / BS in Computer Information Systems; Deborah Greenlee, BS in Human Services; Danny Hall, BS in Elementary Education; Shawna Nix, BS in Human Services; Kristen Smith, BA in Recreation and Sport Management
Simpsonville
Bennie Boykin, BS in Business Management; Herb Duncan, Master of Science in Management and Leadership; Shavella Marant, AA in General Studies; Josh Piper, BS in Criminal Justice; Jermaine Smith, AA in General Studies
Six Mile
Aaron Jarrett, BS in Applied Computer Science; Addie Littlejohn, BS in Mathematics; Samantha Richey, AA in General Studies; Nelson Rosenberger, BS in Applied Computer Science
Spartanburg
Jacob Chesney, BS in Recreation and Leisure Services; Kayla Eison, BS in Criminal Justice; Elizabeth Harris, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Victoria Powell, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership; Shelby Stroud, BS in Elementary Education
Summerville
Tim Hughes, BS in Human Services; Christina Webb, BS in Business Management
Taylors
Garrett Keasler, BS in Criminal Justice; Braden Plumley, BS in Criminal Justice
Travelers Rest
Sean Cameron, BS in Biology Education
Walhalla
James Alfred, BS in Human Services; Billy Lee, BS in Recreation and Sport Management
West Columbia
Taylor Vinson, BA in Media Communication; Tracie Warren, AA in General Studies
West Union
Katie Ballard, AA in General Studies
Westminster
Ashley Huff, BS in Early Childhood Education; Ali Rogers, BS in Early Childhood and Family Studies; Nick Smith, BS in Physical Education; Jennifer Martin, BS in Business Administration
Williamston
Larussia Lyons, BS in Business Administration; Ashley Rhodes, BS in Business Administration
In North Carolina
Elm City
Toni Leopard, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership
Fayetteville
Michelle Last, BS in Biology
Hickory
Erin Cross, BS in Forensic Science / BS in Chemistry
High Point
Morgan Flinchum, BS in Psychology; Hannah Hopper, BS in Human Services
Kannapolis
Caitlyn Gardner, BS in Human Services
Kernersville
Grayson Lorenz, BA in Religion
Wilmington
Erin Exline, BS in Business Administration
In Georgia
Acworth
JJ Julian, BS in Business Administration / BS in Recreation and Sport Management
Augusta
Joia Bodie, AA in General Studies; Michelle Bussey Kemp, AA in General Studies; Andrea Clanton, Master of Business Administration; Angela Kimble, AA in General Studies; Tiffany Wooden, BS in Business Management
Brunswick
Ashley Lamos, BA in Music
Evans
Kris Douglass, BA in History / BS in Criminal Justice
Gainesville
Carly Smith, BS in Biology
Grovetown
Lavelle Lankford, BS in Business Administration; Mariela Larry, AA in General Studies; Lindsey Lewis, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Donald Robinson, BS in Business Management
Hartwell
Alex Ballenger, BS in Criminal Justice
Hephzibah
Tammy Abrams, BS in Business Administration
Martinez
David Jackson, BS in Business Administration
Norcross
Justin Brew, BA in Media Communication; Taylor McGlothlin, BS in Business Administration
Pooler
Jenna Griffin, BS in Computer Information Systems
In Colorado
USAFA
Benjamin Hochhalter, BS in Biology
In Delaware
Lewes
Ashley Jump, BS in Biology / BS in Pre-Medicine/Pre-Dentistry
Millsboro
Amber Collins, BA in Media Communication; Kirsten Cosgrove, BS in Environmental Science
In Florida
Brooksville
Samantha Zrimsek, BA in Religion
Clearwater
Jess Maggio, BS in Criminal Justice
Indian Rocks Beach
Olivia Bush, BS in Psychology / BS in Recreation and Sport Management
Jacksonville
Darius Sharpe, BS in Business Administration
In Michigan
Hudsonville
Jenna Karel, BS in Biology
In New York
Hamilton
Sabrina Rebuck, BS in Exercise Science
In Ohio
Lima
Kaykay Kimble, BS in Human Services
In Virginia
Bent Mountain
Craig Brown, BS in Business Administration
Virginia Beach
Leah Moorefield, BS in Pre-Medicine/Pre-Dentistry / BS in Chemistry
In West Virginia
Boomer
Brooke Strickland, BS in Exercise Science
Brazil
Rio De Janeiro
Michel Herszenhaut, BS in Business Administration
Canada
In Alberta
Carstairs
Jolene Freerksen, BS in Exercise Science
Colombia
Cauca
Camilo Sandoval, BS in Business Administration
Ivan Malagon, BS in Recreation and Sport Management
England
Lincoln
Sam Rowden, BS in Psychology
Netherlands
Aimee Dorley, BS in Business Administration
Nigeria
Owerri
Anita Nwankwo, BS in Biology
Paraguay
Marcelo Vargas Saldivar, BS in Business Administration
Serbia
Belgrade
Milica Stamenic, BS in Business Administration
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.