FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2020

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION COMMISSIONING SERVICE

Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson is founder, chancellor and CEO of Regent University. Robertson has achieved national and international recognition as a religious broadcaster, philanthropist, educator, religious leader, businessman and prolific author. In addition to his significant role at Regent, he is the founder and chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) Inc., and founder of International Family Entertainment Inc., Operation Blessing International, American Center for Law and Justice, The Flying Hospital Inc., and several other organizations and broadcast entities.

Robertson is the son of Gladys Churchill Robertson and A. Willis Robertson, who served for 34 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. He entered Washington and Lee University in 1946, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. In 1948, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. After graduating magna cum laude from Washington and Lee University in 1950, Robertson served as assistant adjutant of the First Marine Division in combat in Korea and was promoted to first lieutenant upon his return to the states in 1952. He received a Juris Doctor degree from Yale University Law School in 1955 and a Master of Divinity degree from New York Theological Seminary in 1959.

Honors for his humanitarian efforts include: Lifetime Achievement Award, 2017 - 25th Silver Anniversary Movieguide Awards Winston Churchill Lifetime Achievement Award, 2013 - Faith & Freedom Coalition Hampton Roads Business Hall of Fame, 2009 New York Theological Seminary Distinction in Ministry Award, 2009 The State of Israel Friendship Award, 2002 - Zionist Organization of America, Chicago Cross of Nails Award for his work with The Flying Hospital, 2000 Defender of Israel Award, 1994 - Christians’ Israel Public Action Campaign One of America’s 100 Cultural Elite, 1992 - Newsweek Magazine Christian Broadcaster of the Year, 1989 - National Religious Broadcasters Man of the Year, 1988 - Students for America Humanitarian of the Year, 1982 - Food for the Hungry Robertson is past president of the prestigious Council on National Policy. He has served on President Ronald Reagan’s Task Force on Victims of Crime, the Board of Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Robertson also founded and served on the Christian Coalition of America.

He and his wife, Dede, have four children, 14 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren, and reside in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

DR. M.G. “PAT” ROBERTSON

2020 Commissioning Address

School of Education 2020 Commissioning Ceremony

Welcome & Address from the Dean ..................................................................................... Dean Kurt Kreassig

Academic Awards

Outstanding Graduate Award (M.Ed.) ........................................................................................ Marissa Christine Ash

Outstanding Graduate Award (Ed.S.) ........................................................................................................ Janet Whitmer

Outstanding Graduate Award (Ed.D.)................................................................................................ Nicci Tokel Dowd

Outstanding Graduate Award (Ph.D.) ........................................................................................ Kimberly Dene Tucker

Outstanding Staff Award .......................................................................................................................... Rachel Copeland

Outstanding Faculty Award .......................................................................................................................... Dr. Paul Carr

Congratulatory Remarks from Academic Affairs ...................................................... Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño Executive Vice President

Chancellor’s Commissioning Address ........................................................................ Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson Founder, Chancellor & CEO, Regent University

Closing & Prayer .................................................................................................................... Dean Kurt Kreassig

Message from the Dean On behalf of the School of Education and Regent University, I extend a sincere congratulations. It is an honor

and privilege to have partnered with you over the years, and it brings us great joy to witness your faithfulness and

diligence in successfully completing your degree. You have been exceptional representatives of the School of

Education and I know that you will continue to serve as worthy ambassadors for the School of Education by

building upon our reputation for innovation and leadership in your chosen fields.

I want to remind you of what you came to our School of Education to accomplish and why, and what lies ahead

for you. The Lord has prepared you not just over these few years at Regent University in the discipline you

studied, but for a lifetime of service to come. I want to remind you of a repeated theme in the Bible – what the

Lord told Peter - Each of you has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's grace (1 Pet 4:10). Each

of you has the opportunity to serve and enrich the lives of those around you. So, as you move forward from

Regent University, remember your gift of service and seek to share it with others for the Glory of God.

We would like to personally thank all spouses, parents, family members, and loved ones who have supported

you along the way. We are keenly aware that your success is not always achieved alone. The commissioning

service and graduation are a reflection of the effort, sacrifice, and support of many. Kurt Kreassig, Ed.D. Dean, School of Education

Reflection

In light of the challenging circumstances affecting the United States and many other nations worldwide, we

remind you of God’s faithfulness and His declaration to all who trust in Him:

In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Rom 8:37

Class of 2020

CANDIDATES FOR THE

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN EDUCATION

Emily Marie Grad

Dissertation: Transitional therapies for third culture kids: expressive writing and mentorship.

Viva Marie Hathaway

Dissertation: Underrepresented black males in STEM: AP Statistics- a possible "gap" game changer.

Margaret Constance Hope

Dissertation: The relationship between teacher self-efficacy and school environment for student teachers.

Dorothy A. Jackson

Dissertation: An examination of the relationships between attitudes towards bullying and school climate and the impact on student engagement.

Amy Susan Renn

Dissertation: An examination of factors impacting adolescent opioid drug misuse.

Irreka Ruffin-Knotts

Dissertation: The effects of the H.R.1 tax on private higher education institutions' endowments.

Kimberly Dene Tucker Dissertation: A phenomenological study of contributing factors and effects of perceived chronic stress experienced by title 1 elementary educators.

Julie Ann Waples

Dissertation: Investigating doctoral student experiences in online statistics courses: a mixed-methods study.

Brenda E. White

Dissertation: The perceived effects of guided reflection activities on self-confidence level in clinical decision-making ability in entry-level student athletic trainers.

CANDIDATES FOR THE

DOCTOR OF EDUCATION

DEGREE

Christopher Ahlstrom Dissertation: An examination of

the relationship between ethical ideology and public service motivation of public service employees.

Brenda F. Atkins

Dissertation: A mixed-method study investigating teachers' perceptions of quality of character education implementation based upon teachers' gender, age, ethnicity, and years of teaching experience.

Michelle Banks Dissertation: The impact of

relational pedagogy based on Rodin's steward leadership principles on student-teacher relationships.

Raymond Paul Chung

Dissertation: Examining the perceptions of middle school teachers and principals on PLC implementation in a suburban school district in the Southwestern United States.

Kathryn A. Close

Dissertation: The lies we think: a review of entry-level doctoral student self-talk.

Nicci Tokel Dowd Dissertation: Experiences of African American males with disabilities and their family’s self-determination with community-based programs: a transcendental phenomenology approach.

Alissa Renae Gibbs Dissertation: A phenomenological study to determine if teachers experience anxiety as they teach students with dyslexia.

Michael Todd Greene Dissertation: A correlational

study of perceived levels of spirituality and teacher self-efficacy in teachers who believe in God.

Catherine Jo Jones

Dissertation: Exploring public school principals' perceptions and self-efficacy in addressing student mental health.

Ee Lin Lam Dissertation: Spiritual formation

in the online learning community of a bible college.

Jennifer Marie Lindemuth

Dissertation: New teacher induction in international Christian schools: self-perceptions of administrators and new teachers.

Karitta Andrecia Page Dissertation: A correlational

study of educator’s self-perception of servant leadership factors on their attitude toward teaching students with disabilities in the secondary general education setting.

Mosese Koz Paul Ngungu

Dissertation: Perceived climate for diversity and frontline-employee psychological well- being: the mediating role of organizational trust.

Marisa Joy Quinn

Dissertation: The impact of mission formation programs on senior administrators at Lasallian catholic institutions in the midwest district.

Atiya Casandra Ravens Dissertation: The relationship

between teachers' demographics and their perceptions of African American males on the referral of African American males to special education in one southeastern Virginia school district.

Bevin Kateri Reinen Dissertation: Pre-K-3 educators'

use of twitter as a tool for professional learning.

Joy Elizabeth Anderson

Richardson Dissertation: Perceived organizational support and organizational commitment in an urban school division.

Meredith Jones Ross

Dissertation: Exploring the effectiveness of collaborative strategic reading for k-12 students through an integrative review

Janine K. Smith Dissertation: The naval officer

spouse: the influence of college student services during periods of deployment and non-deployment

Jeanette Dean Walczak Dissertation: Exploring the

variables that impact the perceived self-efficacy in managing a culturally responsive classroom.

Melissa Baker Wredt

Dissertation: Trait emotional intelligence and teacher longevity: an interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Joy Lucille Yaeger

Dissertation: Evaluating student preference for textbooks vs. Open resources in online higher education courses.

CANDIDATES FOR THE

EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST

DEGREE

Michele Jane Azumbrado-

SantaMaria

Mandy Nicole Blair

Coretta R. Brown

Brittany Nicole Brunson

Michala Cardwell

Abigail Monique Carnegie

Charles P. Carrington

Kristine Liane Castro

Courtney Robins Clark

Frances Cooney

Bruce Arthur Cruickshank

Nancy Jeanene Daniels

Sarah Jane Desir

Coraleta Victoria Dill

Sherri Leigh DiNoia

Ryann Ja'nelle Brown

Jeannett Edwards

Sherida Inez Evans

Jasmine Dawn Farnsworth

Jessica Ferguson

Courtney Holmes Fuller

Laura Lynn Goll

Theresa A. Goltermann

Taushia Haist

Shanega Hawkes

Sherri Lynn Irons

Katharine Jackson

JaCourtney Sharlene Jenkins

Geannie Kathy Johnson

Shantae Jasmine Johnson

Cassandra Lynn Koch

Kerri Hahn Lancaster

Debra Letsinger

Kimberley Ann Long

Pedro J. Martinez

Christy Jane Mathews

Timothy May

Kristie Jo Meyers

Nsombi Kemba Lewis Morrison

Aretha Michell Neal

Toy Sparkle Parrish

Christa Faye Penson

Karen Dorothea Pernell

Melissa Gwenell Purvis

Nikisha Williams Ragsdale

Tracy M. Reynolds

Calandra Rivers

Daryle Rodgers

Daniel K. Russell

Shana Lynn Sandin

Jonita Renee Shabazz

Claudia Elizabeth Smith

Fallin Ashley Snyder

Helen Brown Sunderland

LaShunda L. Taylor

Darin Antoine Thompson

Ella C. Thompson

Portia Michelle Wade

Sherri Nicole Warren

April Michelle Weems

Janet Whitmer

Ronald Lee Wise

Karla Young

CANDIDATES FOR THE

MASTER OF EDUCATION

DEGREE

Jovan Latesia Adams

Kathi Addaman

Melanie Dawn Ali

Kelly Marie Allen

Ashley Alligood

Crystal Denay Artis

Marissa Christine Ash

Shannon Lynn Burke Ayala

Kristina L. Bailey

Ashley Nicole Baker

Noel T. Basma

Jessica Nicole Beck

Michelle Elizabeth Benard

Kathryn Claire Bender

Michael Laurence Betsch

Sedra Bryanca Bias

Stephen Edward Blake

Gregory Albert Bliss

Kari Michelle Bondar

Alyssa Marie Boone

Sarah Bormann

Catherine Boulet

Mallory Sue Bradley

LaKisha Brandon

Altoya C. Brinkley

James Brown III

Janee Andrea Bullock

Brittany Ann Byler-Estes

Sierra Capri Carr

Yael Isabel Cavero Isakowitz

Elise Cerillo

Gabriel D. Cerrillo

Mame Bassine Coly

Amy Katherine Converse

KerriAnne Corbett Cooper

Faith Bonita Coppedge

Maxine Althea Cosbert

Leigh Anne Coverstone

Tiffany Joy Crisp

Adam Danna

Andrea Darden

Amanda M. Davis

Mykera E'Lycia Days

Renee Alexandra De Cancio

Sarah Marie de Vuyst

Danielle Mari De'Braux

Christine M. Delos Santos

Courtney Leigh Morris Diette

Shannan Kelly Drew

Jerry L. Dunkley

Douglas Nathaniel Eames

Rebekah Christine Egdorf

Susan Paige Shriver Elmer

Selena Marie Erraziqi

Michael E. Estep Jr.

Maribel Ewens

Annette Heretz Farrokh

Dana White Feeney

Belinda Rose Fenwick

Dekita Ferguson

Salena Fernandez

Christie Marie Floyd

Alanna Catherine Franklin

Jerrilyn Paige Friedsam

Christina Elisabeth Gatti

Tiffany Lynne Gillespie

Mary Larzelere Glass-Vinet

Mary Trimeloni Goetz

Erin Lyn Gore

Kimberly Shawn Green

Aneesha N. Greene

Khari Griffin

Michelle N. Griffin

Jill Jenkins Gwaltney

Heidi Marie Hadley

Jack Benton Halpern

Dorien Barrington Hart

Neil Hartigan

Enzhao He Capps

April Nicole Hinton

Tom Edward Holland

LaTonya Shantay Hughes

Amy Hurt

Melissa Anne Inserra

Helena Cristina Irwin

George William Jaggers

Michelle Johnson

Janet Lynn Johnson

Tiffany Jetaun Jones

Linda W. Jones

Erica R. Jones-Williams

Robin Marie Keith

Michael Joseph Kendzora

Bridgette Koudamah Lucas

Amanda Terrell Lambert

Merle Kathrin Leduc

Eric Christopher Lee

John Joseph Loch

Edwin Franklin Long III

Megan Louise Lubin

Teresa K. Madigan

Contessa Magee

Walter Thomas Marshall III

Gabrielle Esther Martin

Reza Aaron Marvashti

Janice Mason Parham

Edmon S. McClam

Katy McCombs

Caitlin McHale

Katherine Joana Melgar Gonzalez

Lacey Alanna Meneide

Penelope Whitley Menges

Kevin Lincoln Mikulka

Sigita Miltier

Nichole Barnes Minot

Christina M. Monsulick

Jenna Mullas

Erin Siobhan Murtagh

Christina Marie Nealy

Chaun Cornelia Newkirk

Mario Nozzarella Jr.

Marcella Renee Oliver

Sara Kathryn O'Malley

Claire Palermo-Re

Howard Anwar-Saeed Paras

Kimberly Lynn Paumen

Suzanna Shanks Paxton

Courtney Anne Pedraza

Maria Ann Pettinato

Voucile Geneva Phelps

Brittany Lynise Price

Faith Nicole Pyrch

Roderick Huron Ray

Christopher Michael Rhoades

Undra Richardson

Billy Earl Rickman

JoAnn Danielle Rivas

Shaunte Sherie Roberts

Bettina Barrein Robertson

Candice Rokusek

Maureen Roma

Sheila Ruyack

Cheri Saburi

Teri Renee Saindon

Cursina Sanchez

Sarai Santiago-Ortiz

Lawrence Sanson Schwartz IV

Jessica Sears

Jinni Shafer

Bobbie Jean Shaw-Hunter

Derrick M. Sherman

Stephen Roger Sherwood

Elizabeth Ann Kolka Shovelin

Brandon Lamar Showell

Laura Beth Sircy

Rachel Danielle Smoak

Cindy Renee Snead

William Snow

Kim M. Stanley

Kathleen Marie Starman

Jessica Ann Stearns

John K. Stork

Kia L. Taylor

Kiana LaVonda Taylor

Travis Leon Tennessee

Megan Hughes Thomason

Megan McCune Thompson

Caitlin Trigiani

Detra Anne Tutton

Edgar Stratton Twining III

Amanda Carol Van Wagenen

Bonita Varney-Lachance

Keyaria Octaves Waller

Mary Fanchon Wang

Christina Elizabeth Watson

Jasmine Monae Wells

Christopher Clifton Williams

Nyasha Helen Williams

Cynthia C. Winston

Nancy Rebecca Wofford

Gini Paschal Woods

Allison Workman

Ciara Workman

Arnitra Donnique Young

Faculty of the School of Education

Jason D. Baker, Ph.D. Professor

Paul B. Carr, Ed.D. Professor

William F. Cox Jr., Ph.D. Program Chair, Professor Donald E. Finn Jr., Ph.D. Program Chair, Associate Professor

Linda D. Grooms, Ph.D. Professor

John C. Hanes Jr., Ph.D. Associate Professor

Sheila G. Hill, Ed.D. Assistant Professor

Jiuhan Huang, Ed.D. Associate Professor

Elizabeth M. Hunter, Ed.D. Program Chair, Assistant Professor

Kurt R. Kreassig, Ed.D. Dean

Glenn L. Koonce, Ed.D. Program Chair, Associate Professor

Mark P. Mostert, Ph.D. Professor

Deanna L. Nisbet, Ed.D. Program Chair, Professor

Jeffrey S. Pittman, Ph.D. Program Chair, Associate Professor

W. George Selig, Ed.D. Distinguished Chair of Educational Leadership, Professor

Mervyn J. Wighting, Ph.D. Program Chair, Professor

DR. HOPE MARIE JORDAN

Monday, October 28, 2019, marked the passing of Dr. Hope Marie Jordan, a beloved professor in the School of Education for over 20 years. Jordan was the chair for both the Exceptional Educational Executive Leadership and Reading Specialist & Special Education programs. Her background as a K-12 special and general educator provided practical expertise in her roles as a professor and consultant. Her work in teacher/leader preparation resulted in developing thousands of instructors and administrators in the field who are better prepared to teach and lead 21st century students. She will be greatly missed by her colleagues and the many students and interns whom she impacted at Regent and around the world.

DR. W. GEORGE SELIG Dr. W. George Selig, the Distinguished Professor of Educational Leadership, came to Regent in 1980 as a founding professor of special education. He has served Regent University in several capacities including Dean of the College of Education and Counseling (1988), and Provost of Regent University (1989), a position he held for 11 years. During his tenure the university grew from approximately 700 to more than 3,000 students. His leadership in the formative years of the university contributed to the founding and development of several schools, the launching of distance learning programs, and the expansion of the number and types of degrees offered. In 2000, he returned to his first love, teaching, and since then has been a valued colleague in the School of Education.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RETIREMENT!

IN MEMORIAM

The Regent University School of Education: History

The School of Education was formed in 1980 with approximately 16 students and three full-time faculty members. The school initially enrolled mostly students interested in Christian school education. The interests changed when the university introduced programs geared toward practicing public school teachers and administrators as well as using more convenient formats such as weekend courses and online instruction. Today, the majority of students seeking advanced degrees are public school employees. The school has since grown to serve 1200 degree-seeking students each year and offers 23 distinct areas of study ranging from master’s level through Ph.D. The school employs 18 full-time faculty members. Our mission states, “The School of Education, through its commitment to excellence in teaching, research and service, provides a biblically based, Christian education to equip men and women in mind, heart, and character for lives of educational service and transformational leadership.” The faculty believe that curriculum is enhanced by the infusion of Judeo-Christian values found in Scripture, especially in cultivating our students as ambassadors of hope and compassion. Our vision is that our graduates portray a lifestyle that ignites change because of their commitment to these eternal values. We give God thanks for His faithfulness for forty years of service to the Regent community, including our alumni and students and the sectors in which they serve, especially education. Our impact has gone throughout the world. With His help, we have proved that we are indeed more than conquerors (Rom 8:37).

“We Are More Than Conquerors.”

ROMANS 8:37

Mission & Vision

The mission of Regent University is to serve as a leading center of Christian thought and action, providing excellent education

from a biblical perspective and global context in pivotal professions to equip Christian leaders to change the world.

The vision of Regent University is to be the most influential, Christian, transformational university in the world.

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