Spring Commencement 2021Spring Commencement 2021 May 8–15 • Hattiesburg, Mississippi May 17 • Gulfport, Mississippi

Commencement Ceremonies ~ May, 2021 Thomas Fine Arts Auditorium • Ceremonies 1–8 First Baptist Church Gulfport • Ceremonies 9–10

Ceremony 1 ~ May 8, 9:30 a.m. ......................................................... Page 5School of Education ~ Doctoral (Hattiesburg 2021 graduates)

Ceremony 2 ~ May 13, 6:00 p.m. ....................................................... Page 6School of Education ~ Education Specialist (Hattiesburg & Tradition campuses)

Ceremony 3 ~ May 14, 9:00 a.m. ........................................................ Page 8Health Information Management, Health Administration & Education,Biomedical Science (Hattiesburg campus) and Nursing (all campuses) ~ Graduate and Undergraduate

Ceremony 4 ~ May 14, 11:30 a.m. .................................................... Page 12Winters School of Music (Hattiesburg campus) ~ Graduate and UndergraduateCooper School of Missions & Ministry (Hattiesburg campus) ~ Undergraduate

Ceremony 5 ~ May 14, 2:00 p.m. ...................................................... Page 14Noonkester School of Arts & Letters (Hattiesburg campus) ~ Graduate and UndergraduateSchool of Business (Hattiesburg campus) ~ Graduate and Undergraduate

Ceremony 6 ~ May 15, 9:00 a.m. ...................................................... Page 16School of Education ~ Master of Education (Hattiesburg campus)

Ceremony 7 ~ May 15, 11:30 a.m. .................................................... Page 18School of Education ~ Undergraduate (Hattiesburg campus)

Ceremony 8 ~ May 15, 2:00 p.m. ...................................................... Page 20School of Natural & Behavioral Science (Hattiesburg campus) ~ Graduate and Undergraduate

Ceremony 9 ~ May 17, 5:30 p.m. ...................................................... Page 22School of Natural & Behavioral Science (Tradition campus) ~ Graduate and UndergraduateSchool of Business (Tradition campus) ~ Graduate and Undergraduate

Ceremony 10 ~ May 17, 7:00 p.m. ................................................... Page 24School of Education (Tradition campus) ~ Graduate and Undergraduate

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Program for All Ceremonies

THE PRELUDE

*THE PROCESSIONAL

*THE INVOCATION

WELCOME AND RECOGNITION OF PLATFORM PARTY ...................Dr. Tommy King President

RECOMMENDATION FOR DEGREES ......................................................Dr. Garry Breland Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost or Dr. Daniel Caldwell Associate Provost

THE CONFERRING OF DEGREES ............................................................................. Dr. King

PRESENTATION OF THE CANDIDATES ................................ Dr. Breland or Dr. Caldwell

CLOSING REMARKS

*THE BENEDICTION

*THE RECESSIONAL

•••

*Audience will please stand. The audience will kindly remain in place until after the recessional.

Ushers will dismiss guests row by row for an orderly and safe exit from the building.

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MISSION STATEMENT

As a Christian university which embraces its Baptist heritage and namesake, William Carey University provides quality educational programs,

within a caring Christian academic community, which challenge the individual student to excel in

scholarship, leadership, and service in a diverse global society.

VISION

William Carey University is a community of learners which seeks to blend faith and learning with living.

Within this unique nurturing and challenging environment, students prepare to fulfill their diverse callings

in the larger global community.

THE CAREY CREED

“Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.”

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Ceremony 1 ~ May 8 • 9:30 a.m.Graduating Class of May 2021

School of Education

Doctor of Education

Shelia Nicholson AnthonyLaurin Ishee BaileyLea O. BellonSamantha Davis BensonKaren Ann BondAshley Marie BowenShara Sheriese ConwayMiskia L. DavisAlfreda Marie DedeauxDeanna Mackey GardnerCourtney Golden

Nathan Alan HallLaTisha Michelle HuntJasmine Nichole JohnsonSharonda Shanta JonesShalanda D. KirkseyAmanda Faith ProvineJames Greer SmithTess Rawls SmithDeAndra Nikita SteeleJermaine TaylorVictoria Lynn Young

Doctor of Philosophy

Jalea Elaine AdamsTy'Kereia BurtCharity McKinnis CannonBaneshwar Ghosal

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Ceremony 2 ~ May 13 • 6:00 p.m. Graduating Class of May 2021

School of Education

Specialist in EducationMackenzie Huff AllredClifford Jules Bauer IIIBrendon Christopher BellKimberly Yvette Bessie Greta Elyse BlackwellMarilu Ladd BrewerMargaret Elizabeth Smith BrodtmannEbonee Nicole BrownRita Michelle BuckleyWillean D. BuckleyOlivia CarterKaren ConeyGary CopelandEvan Lloyd CraftMelody Pennington CraftAmy Lynn DavisFelecia Nichole DavisDanica DawkinsAnnessia Michelle Butler DawsonWilliam Brooks DelkMegan Bridges DoolittleBeverly Kaye DouglasWhitney DrewreyQuantas Dante DurrAimee Danielle DyessKristin Breanna EatmanCharity EngleCarlee Reagan FarrisPebbles Lachella FergusonBaneshwar GhosalChristopher F. GlennJennifer GrayLeslie Wagner Hand

Gayla Perry HarperShawnece Nicole HarrisBreanna Rasia HarrisonCourtney HendersonJessica HerringtonVictoria HillmanJoseph HolderMichael Jason HollandReshena Shanell HollowayDamon L. HornbeakLauren A. HoustonKelly Melissa Martin HuberTiffany Antwanette HusbandAlexya Z. IrvinJames David JonesJason Earnest JonesAnthony Charles KeysMarissa McGee LeeNatalie Salter LewisJulie Ann LoftonDelicia Carter LongLesha D. LottAllison Price MacKenzieTiffany Daun MaddoxAngela MalleyJennifer MaloneTiffany MarquarTiffani S. McCartyTraci Michelle McDillRyan Lawrence MerrittTerri Lea MillerEmily Susanne MitchellRebecca Jane Montgomery

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Alana L. MooreHaley Danielle MooreLaura Lee MooreStephanie PattersonDenalda Lashon PittmanRochland S. Poole PorterLeslie Denise RobersonFelicia N. RuffinTiara SawyersStacey L. SimmonsCaprice L. SmalleyJeremy Daniel SmithTreshard SmithTamia' TaylorKevie Xavier ThompsonTalundra ThompsonJennifer ThorntonKaren TootleCheri TriggRobersinia Lynette WadeOtonya Gray WalkerThessaly WalkerTracy Catchings WalkerJulie Anne WalleyTia WalleySarah WansleyKimberly N. WardlowRachel Larie WelchPamela Scott WestLandon WhiteTevin Ja'Maal WhiteRebecca D. WilkensonMelissa Jean Williamson

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Ceremony 3 ~ May 14 • 9:00 a.m.

Graduating Class of May 2021College of Osteopathic Medicine

Master of Biomedical ScienceSpencer John AsperillaBreanna Geraldine BaileyVictoria BrownDy'mon BuckleyHunter Lamar FitzgeraldPaul Vincent Merto GarciaGloria HinesEbony Cree LathamSeantrell LemarAbigail Starr MacLellanKristen Ashleigh MartinChandler Courtland Michael-WilliamsWarda MohiuddinBronson MoncriefEtienette OatisJason Michael Valte

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William K. Ray College of Health Sciences

Master of Science

Jonah BaileyDaniel CarterTayla Alestra DucreAnna HerrinShannon Danielle JonesDonna White LunnKimberly B. MerrillSherunda PoellnitzChristine L. RingoCarolyn Denise Thomas

Bachelor of Science

Tasha M. ConerlyJessica DillBaylee Beresini FairbanksAlexa FisherTraveus GarthNyah Tre'Yanna GovanCourtney HollandTheresa Uteojo IdakwojiLyric Alexus JohnsonEric T. PendarvisDevoskiea PooleTomeka R. PoseyAlana Carey ReidCaralee Wright

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Joseph and Nancy Fail School of Nursing

Doctor of Philosophy

Marina MartinezKeith Alan Rischer

Master of Science in Nursing

Hannah McKenzie DennisCari G. GeldermanDarla Jean GrabertBritney JohnstonJenne O'Sullivan KingKathryn Noelle KnippersAmy Elizabeth Arthur MyersBrittny M. Radosta

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Bachelor of Science in NursingDikshya AdhikariMackenzie AmosMark BagwellKaylee BeckAshley BondEmily BondJessica Lee BootheAlexa Tiara BrownTiffany Daniell BryantCourtney Paige BurrussJessica BurtonViktoria Lynn CastanosKrista ChambersKaneesha L. CooleyTekiyah CooperMarcus CrockrumEmma Katherine CulliverCasey CurryShakel Roshena DaCostaKenneth Ray DanielsLeslie A. DauzatBrennan Alise DiezCrystal DishmanNatalie Anne DyleAlexa FisherLuke FortnerLesley Hill GainesKatrina Elisabeth GrahnBrianna Elizabeth HardingColleen Marie HughesLana Diane JohnsCandis Lynn Kelley-ThompsonHeather Ashlie KellyMegan KellyHevyn KergosienE'dee LilesKatherine Lindgren

Grace Irene LivingstonTrey Douglas LottDarius De'Latti MageeStephanie Nilet MairenaVictoria Rachelle MariscoKaleia Denise McCannAriel Michelle McDanielHeather B. McLainAlexa Victoria MichelPamela Griffith MoffettCristen NashSarah NationsSierra NelsonQuynh NguyenLisa N. NicholsKristian NovemAbigail Faith PowellMadlin Victoria ReedJaila T. RichardClarke Quinn SchmidtErika Robinson SmithKathryn SmithNikole SmithSerena Ann SmithSummer Marisol SmithCourtney SolomonKimberly SpiersKelsey StrahanAshley Elizabeth SuttonTaylor Lynn TalleyTaylor TanoosMatthew Hayes TrexlerSheldyn Ashley TurnerElisabeth WallaceErika Younger

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Ceremony 4 ~ May 14 • 11:30 a.m.

Graduating Class of May 2021Donald and Frances Winters School of Music

Cooper School of Missions and Ministry Studies

Master of MusicDavid Emmanuel KangaAshton Waltman

Master of Music EducationConor Neal BellAdrienne Lyndsey CoccoLeah Danielle DueittJoshua ForsytheAnna GirlingBre' Lyn HamblinStephanie Michelle JacksonAnita Welch Lynn

Mario MoralesClara Teletha NewellDeNondrea SimsKathleen TarbuttonRobert Daniel WadeJennifer Kae WalkerEmily WestfaulKaylin Williams

Nathaniel DavisRachel Michelle FariaTyler Jordan GreerCorey JenkinsJacob Scott MillerAinsley Elise RichardsonBryson RogersBreanna Gail VickWilliam WilkieMicah R. Williams

Bachelor of Arts

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Bachelor of Science

Robert Austin AultmanAshley BondZachary Dale JacksonDavid SizemoreCamden Williams

Bachelor of General Studies

Brianna BudnickTianna Nicole NichelsonKevin Todd Shows

Branson BlantonRuby Grace BonnerTiffany Lee-Ann BroomeDerek DouglasConnor DunlapHadley HillJeffery Cody HunterBrandon HutchisonHerman Marcus Laird

Kahdejah Moody LeggingsTessa LichtenhanMary Catherine MorrisonRebecca Elizabeth OlindeJewel Lynne ShirleyMegan Brooke VanoverJoshua Jonquil WilliamsWilliam E. WiseAnthony Lee Young, Jr.

Bachelor of Music

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Ceremony 5 ~ May 14 • 2:00 p.m.

Graduating Class of May 2021Ralph and Naomi Noonkester School of Arts and Letters

School of Business

Master of Arts

Andrew Tyler Harrison

Cheyenne Regene HayesPhilip Brian HugheyPayton RoneyBriAnna Caylon Cook Welford

Zachary BeasleyMegan Brewer BeckEmily Dawn BrananDailynn Lizabeth DavisTiffany DeWittChace Holden Giadrosich

Lauren JonesHannah Nicole NicovichMadison PolkRhett Anderson RileyShelby Keith SheffieldAlayna Michelle Weathers

Christian Noel LovettAshley Nichole Randazzo

Master of Business Administration

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Fine Arts

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Deborah Kay ClementsAnna M. HendersonKaela Milan KendrickJames Brandt SimpsonKhanda WardQuinton J. Williams

Leticia CupulilleCamden Nicholas DusangDebra Doyle EllisEdidiong Essien

Taylor LeeAlexandra MudieAnastasia Thibodeaux

Bachelor of General Studies

Bachelor of Science

Arnancy Jewel ArnoldNicholas Michael BaudeanMichael Alonzo BrownCharles Anthony BullockAndrew Jacob BushAlexandria Danielle CreightonJoshua Dakota FairchildSabrina GoetzenKaitlyn Alise GoryHayden Reid HavardAnna Sheree HillCaleb Elias HolyfieldDawson Tyler IveyCharles Daniel JacksonTyler Terrell JamesClairy KengeyeBeth Ann King

Aleksandar KirilovRyan Alan McRaneyEyeshia Devon McSwainJohn Wesley MerystalShambrika OdemsSidney Guyton Odom IIMartin Ortiz TomasKristen Michaela Matcine PepperChristopher Kade PittsJoseph Harry PolkGabriel Andres Rosado GonzalezHobson Lane RutlandJack Christian ScafidePablo Varela FragaThierry Zabarel

Bachelor of Science in Business

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Ceremony 6 ~ May 15 • 9:00 a.m.

Graduating Class of May 2021School of Education

Master of Education

Rachel AbernathyErica Faye AdamsKim W. AtchleyStephanie BaileySusan Webb BaldwinElnora Fairburn BijeauxTony Blackmon, Jr.Monica LeAnn BlandAshley Ostavitz BlankDenise A. BoothCassidy BrinsonHenrietta Rena BrownIngrid D. BrownWesley Reed BrownCourtney BurgeKendra R. BursonNicole CarrCaitlyn CastilleJessica N. ChambersAmy Nicole ClarkRoy Dale Clark IIIAnglee Sledge ColeyGloria Fowler CollinsNicole Faith CooleySara Leeann CooperDylan CottonMary K. CowartDustin James CrawfordKristi Wiltcher CutrerSamaria Wilson CyrusCourtney Lasha DarbyChrista Michele DavisKatie Ann Dice

Marissa Brooke DickersonNatalie Hayes EarlCarmelle M. EllisJohn Addison FordLori Brooke FowlerAmanda R. GammelLeslie Laura GearingFrieda R. GilmerJermaine M. GloverKaren GolsonGlenn Eric GrayNancy Gayle GregoryAllyson HancockWarren HargroveChelsee Lauren HodgesLori Ann HollingsworthRenee W. HowardZyQuona Raegine McGill HowardTeresa Huergo-DooleyRuby JenningsPatricia Renee Hill JohnsDavid KennedyHeather KidderSheri LesperanceAlicia Kay LoganDestinie Tyree LottAshley LoveMarcus Lynn LuckettLydia MarreroArielle Dominique MasonKatie Calcote McCalebMandy Elyse McGuireChloe' McMillan

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Brian M. MeansJillian D. MeltonCharles Currie Middleton, Jr.Maggie MillsElizabeth MixonKellie M. MoranLauren Tedford NapierErica King NealCarolyn NelsonRegan Ashley NicholsonEmily Meredith PaceJana Kay PattersonChristopher Lee PentonChasity Puryear PerryChristina Nicole PhillipsonOlivia Elizabeth PostJade RawlsSherry A. ReadVeronica RichardsonKasey Elisabeth RuffinKelsie Neal SandersJackie E. Saujon

Jennifer Marie ScanlonMadison ScarboroughAshleigh Marie SchubertRichard Tyler ScogginsHannah Kelly ShowsSharyle Celeste SimsAshley Albritton SmithFelicia SpightLaura Jane StarrTina Norris SteinLaurie Danielle StewartBrooke Martin StuartJo Ann SumlingLachan Michelle TerrellIsha ToneyTyler Victoria WestKimberly T. WheatAmanda Jordan WhiteCassandra Lynn Pickett WilliamsonBethanie Alexis WilsonShelby Nicole Winpigler

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Ceremony 7 ~ May 15 • 11:30 a.m.

Graduating Class of May 2021School of Education

Bachelor of ScienceAldarrio AlexanderAshley Nicole BallardTerica BarnesMelanie BelkKaitlynn BennettAshley BilboTyler E. BoldenJonathan Brian BurgeAlyssa BussolatiAlana ByrdDiamond Desha CampbellPeyton CooleyJosie CoxBrandon M. CranfordKristy Lynch DaleRebeca Delgado CampinsKalyn DialAniekeme Alphonsus EtimKimberly Gay Pitts EvansKayla Gordon FergusonKasey FrancisSamantha GarnerLacey GricePhilip M. GrimmeT'mara HallCarrie L. HamReece HarrisonTanya HarrisonKarlee Nikole HillRamona Waltman HillMolly HolifieldHanna Grace Hood

Jimmy JonesChasity JordanCharles Dalton KeenRebekah Noel LambertKaitlyn MageeMary Deanna MartinMarques DeMario Xe'Zavian McGeeBrenda Jewel McLeod MoodyTariah MoutonAmanda MowinskiAmanda NanceDrew Howard NorthropDakota Wesley PannellTravin Christopher PayneSean PeoplesAmy M. PettusCarissa RaineyGina Marie RancatoreAmber ReaverKinley Drew RobertsonRobyn Elizabeth RobinsonKayla Elizabeth RogersAmanda Jane RouseJason Lewis RuffcornAnni RusanenAnastasia SanfordHannah SanfordAshley SmithAshley Marie SmithKiersten Angelene SullivanJamie SumpterJordan Szush

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Kendall TheriotJaura Franluciousa ToneyElla L. UnderwoodKolbe VerdunKaycee Marie WaltersSamuel Josiah WamboltWhitney La'Cole Fowler WoodJohn Thomas WrightAlexis Zulli

Bachelor of General Studies

Blake James FreemanG. Rhett WaltersJohnny Le'Vern Willis

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Deborah P. BoyteChaz Michael CollinsJoe Edward GarvinKarin Valleen HathornRachel KirklandLakevia Rodrielle Lewis

Stephen Matthew NevillKristin Nicole PipkinKimbal Teaunia RawlsTennille Nicolle Lucas RhodesTracie Strayham

Ceremony 8 ~ May 15 • 2:00 p.m.

Graduating Class of May 2021School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences

Master of Science

Bachelor of ScienceShelby Richardson AckleyKassidy AndersonDeJuan AustinErica Nichole BaileyBradley Tyler BaughmanJessica BeelowJesse Allen BestCotoria BlackmonAdrianna BonelliJacob Amad BouieKayla BrelandTylee Anna BrittonTreAnterius BrooksChynna Alexis BurkColleen CarrollKaleb ClarkSennia CorbinKaTonya Gray DarbyVictoria H. DaughdrillKatie Rose DelahousseySloan Von Dieter

Jartavius DobbsCavan Gerald DohertyAlex Tauzy DuetMisty Tatiana EatonRachel Grace EngleCamryn FlanaganHannah GasawayMarian GrovesCarli GustafsonReagan Lindsey HarrisLogan Greer HavardAlyssa Megan HorneKimberly Ashley HudnellJames Edgar Johnston IIITonya Shonedell JordanShakilria JaTia KimbleMadison Marie KirkbrideAayushma KunwarAmy Spiers LambertMarshall B. LassiterLillie Ann Lightsey

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Ethan LoftinTerese Lujua ArcedianoDextrianna Dexzavia MageeKeiosha M. McGheeFiona C. McSwainBailey Mitchel MickleCobie C. MileyAbby Kay MillsAbigail Claire MontgomeryMeghan Allyssa MorrealeShriya PandeyGeorgia Nicole PayneMadison PolkArin PolletEvelyn PopeKhristian PottsChristian Ellissa RabyMatthew RiascosGabriel C. RuleAlexia Rachelle RycroftHeather N. SanfordChahana Shah

Jakolbia ShipmonCheyenne M. Lawrence SircarReagan M. SmithSavannah Brooke SmithNicolle Marie StanfillJordan StephensTamia StinsonSamantha Jo StolteMichaela TerryMallory ThompsonTynagh Bryccine ToeppMary Grace TurnerHunter Michael UnbehagenSaroj UpretiDylan Michael UsryReagan Bryanna VerretTristan Hayley WheatJacob R. WhiteCory Ethan WilliamsonWilliam Austin WindhamTrimeca WorleyChames Young

Bachelor of General Studies

Santana F. AbneyMykaila Elizabeth Florence

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Ceremony 9 ~ May 17 • 5:30 p.m.

Graduating Class of May 2021School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences ~ Tradition

School of Business ~ Tradition

Master of Business Administration

Malcolm E. A. CharlesShane Michael DusangSandra Denise FrazierKenneth L. GarnerDominique Meria Haynes

Irene G. HeyneTyler Adyson KrivanecSabrina LawhonKaylinn Anne MatthewsKristi Thornton

Bradley Paul BrownKara Goff ClarkBrian Keith Dove

Morris Elwood FaurieNathan Garrett HillGary Lee Pitcovich II

Master of Science

Bachelor of Science

Demetrius Latreece AtterberryJudith Morgan BarryErin Michelle DunstonTaborah Denise FarmerWilliam D. FreemanJames Robert GladdenPamela HorneAmanda Joyce Johnson

Tammy Michelle MartinezJonathan Lewis MayStephanie Lynn PieferDelre D. SmithTina SullivanSherrita WalkerVernesa Kaye Walters

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Kevin J. Hall Jenna Breann MitchenerPaul Benjamin Morrow

Madison Adelle Sumrall Naramore Ashley Rene' ThorntonCaitlin Leigh Warner

Bachelor of Science in Business

Bachelor of General StudiesKimberlynn Marie Ellspermann

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Ceremony 10 ~ May 17 • 7:00 p.m.

Graduating Class of May 2021School of Education ~ Tradition

Master of Education

Ashley Nicole BatesDonna Michele BaxterMary Ashley BisbeeKaitren Italia BrelandMelodie Dawn CherryErin CraneParrish K. CumbestSheila Kay DaspitLori DeaversMiKieyiah DowdellRachael DudaSorrel Waldron DuncanTori Ashton EwertHeather FergusonAna M. Figueroa-RasLaurence J. FontenelleTiffani Chanel FreemanMyranda GallagherMadison Cameron GlassJacqueline GoodwinBeverly HattenAustin HerringtonAlyssa Renee' HillJennifer Linette HoffmanReva Schultz HopkinsBeverly Walker HudsonTara Marie JenkinsVanesia Vanetta JonesVictoria KaplanDawn Kelleher

Kristen Marie KuhnAshley LadnerMichelle Robin LeeJason McGillCamila Janet Meza WhiteEdward Owen Miller, Jr.Brianna Carol MurphyPhuong Hoang NormandAshton PierceCassie RogersErin W. StockstillJeffrey TouchstoneVanessa VicensShmeka L. WilliamsTeresa Aileen WilliamsMeagan Nicole Wilson

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Bachelor of Science

Katelyn Rene' BabischkinSamantha Danielle BosargeSarah BroussardShannon Swilley BroussardColbie Cantrell BrownRachel Emmagene BrownAthena CernasMandy Kay ChristensenAnna C. ClarkRosalyn Danielle ClausellRheanne Elizabeth ClintonCarrington M. CospelichKathryn Lee DeshampMarissa FeltsAbigail FisherGabrielle GaribellJasmine Denise GlaudeSamantha P. GuytonBryana Nichole HallErica N. HallEmilee HeinrichDanny Dewitt Hilton, Jr.Olivia HolleyChasity Joann IsabelleDalena LadnerShelly R. LoftinCaitlin Shiree LoveAshley Marie LoweMindy Lynn Mathias

Jamile PepperAlexandra Louise PigfordJennifer RatcliffPriscilla A. RochaKimberlee Diane ScarboroughBethany ScottKristen SextonLezlie McNeill SimmonsAshlee Nicole SlocumMadelyn Paige SparksTabatha D. StognerJenniefer Nicole WattersGeorgie WeirAshea T. Wells

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THE MEDALLION

Since the Middle Ages the pectoral medallion has been a sign and symbol of power and authority. Worn by episcopal abbots, lords, and royal chancellors, medallions identified their bearers as men entrusted with the privileges and duties of government. As part of academic regalia, the medallion is the ceremonial mark of a college president’s high position as the leader of a community of learning.

The William Carey University medallion was cast in 1990. In the center of the seal is a stylized rendering of the classical portico at the north entrance of Tatum Court, the university’s administration building, which houses the office of the president. Circling the portico is the university’s motto taken from the writings of the missionary William Carey: “Expect Great Things From God; Attempt Great Things For God.” The outer circle bears the name “William Carey University” and the founding date, 1892.

THE MACE

The university ceremonial mace, commissioned in 2004, is carried by the grand marshal who heads the academic procession. The mace is a ceremonial insignia which dates back to antiquity. The top ellipse with the official university medallion and the staff are made of black walnut. The six-inch rectangle block between the ellipse and the staff is made from wood salvaged from the original columns of Tatum Court. Wood carvings and labels depicting the life of the university namesake, William Carey, appear on the four sides. The carved icons are a world globe with India in prominent relief (Carey as missionary); an open book (Carey as linguist); a pair of eighteenth century shoes (Carey as cobbler); and a vine (Carey as botanist).

ACADEMIC ROBES AND REGALIA

The pageantry and color of an academic convocation come from medieval times when academic robes and regalia were adapted from ecclesiastical garb. Most robes were black to symbolize the democracy of scholarship, since they cover any dress or rank of social standing worn beneath. Bachelors’ gowns are cut with long pointed sleeves; masters’ gowns feature closed slit sleeves, and doctors’ gowns are full-cut with double-belled sleeves and bars of velvet trim. Some universities have authorized doctoral gowns in a single color representative of the institution.

The hood, originally a simple cowl attached to the gown, bears the heaviest symbolism of the academic costume. Its lining displays the colors of the institution which granted the degree, and the bordering color indicates the field of learning in which the degree was earned. The square cap, or mortarboard, originated in the 13th century at the University of Paris and came to England in Tudor times. Round caps originally were reserved for doctoral degree holders. Doctoral tassels are usually gold and other degrees are represented by black tassels. However, in recent years tassels have come to match the lining of the hood to indicate the field of learning.