Post on 22-Mar-2020
E I G H T E E N T H A N N U A L FA L L
C OM M E N C E M E N TS T. M A R Y ’ S U N I V E R S I T Y • S A N A N T O N I O, T E X A S
Saturday, December 8, 2018
1:30 p.m.
Alumni Athletics & Convocation Center, Bill Greehey Arena
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T H E G R A D U AT E S ’ P R O C E S S I O N
Thank you for joining us to recognize and celebrate the hard work, dedication and sacrifice of our students and their families. St. Mary’s University is a community that believes in traditions — traditions of excellence, of values, of faith. Today, we celebrate a long-standing tradition in which our graduates pass through St. Louis Hall, the University’s first building, before processing into Commencement.
These students will, for the first time, walk across the University seal in the building’s foyer and out of the grand doors at the front of St. Louis Hall. They will process past what are likely some of their favorite places — Assumption Chapel, Barrett Memorial Bell Tower, University Center and Cotrell Learning Commons — giving them a final tour of their alma mater. For the graduates we celebrate today, this is a defining moment.
Please share in your graduates’ experience by watching their procession on the screen.
L E T T H E C O N V E R S AT I O N C O M M E N C E !
Folllow @StMarysU and use #StMUgrad18.
S T. M A R Y ’ S U N I V E R S I T Y2
P R O G R A M
Master of CeremoniesAaron Tyler, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Academic ProcessionalPomp and CircumstanceComposed by Sir Edward ElgarPerformed by San Antonio Brass
Bearer of the MaceAjaya Swain, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Quantitative Management
MarshalsJillian Pierucci, Ph.D. Associate Professor of PsychologyLeticia Hart Director of Retention InitiativesSheri King, Ph.D. Director of Student Life Nicholas A. Medina Assistant Registrar for Graduation Services
Posting of the ColorsThe St. Mary’s University Color Guard
The National AnthemNatalia Flores Music major
InvocationThe Rev. Timothy Eden, S.M., Ed.D. Rector and Vice President for Mission
President’s RemarksThomas M. Mengler, J.D.
Commencement AddressPaul S. Saenz, D.O. (B.A. ’79) Founding Partner, Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio and Team Physician, St. Mary’s University Athletics
Presentation of the Candidates for DegreesChristopher Frost, Ph.D. Dean, School of Humanities and Social SciencesTanuja Singh, D.B.A. Dean, Greehey School of BusinessWinston Erevelles, Ph.D. Dean, School of Science, Engineering and Technology
Conferring of DegreesThomas M. Mengler
Closing Remarks and Benediction
Alma MaterNatalia Flores Music major
RecessionalCanzonaComposed by Samuel ScheidtPerformed by San Antonio Brass
Please remain seated for the Recessional.
(Note: Names of degree candidates that appear in the Commencement program are of students deemed eligible or approved for graduation as of Oct. 1, 2018.)
F A L L C O M M E N C E M E N T 2 0 1 8 3
School of H U M A N I T I E S A N D S O C I A L S C I E N C E S
D O C T O R O F P H I L O S O P H Y
Sandy Guergues Aziz
Counselor Education and Supervision
“Religiosity and Attitudes Toward Psychological Health, Distress, and Help Seeking Among Coptic Orthodox Parishioners”
Dissertation Adviser: H. Ray Wooten, Ph.D.
Sun-kyung Chung
Counselor Education and Supervision
“The Effects of Using Expressive Modalities in Group Counseling on Acculturative Stress and Depressive Symptoms Among Korean Immigrant
Women in South and Central Texas: A Pilot Experimental Study”
Dissertation Adviser: Melanie Harper, Ph.D.
Christine Lopez
Marriage and Family Therapy
“The Relative Effects of Religion, Empathy, Anger and Apology on Forgiveness”
Dissertation Adviser: Dan Ratliff, Ph.D.
Gustavo Salazar II
Counselor Education and Supervision
“The Impact of Faculty Academic Mentoring on First-Generation Undergraduate Students: A Mixed-Method Design”
Dissertation Adviser: Dana Comstock-Benzick, Ph.D.
S T. M A R Y ’ S U N I V E R S I T Y4
M A S T E R O F A R T S
Afnan Alsharif English Literature and Language
Alexis Z. Alvarez English Literature and Language
Alison M. Ayala Catholic School Leadership
Darron P. Bazin International Relations Distinguished Graduate
Whitney Boeckmann Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Jeremy F. Boutwell International Relations Distinguished Graduate
Risha A. Casey Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Alecxia Ceballos Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Michelle Chong-Macias Clinical Mental Health Counseling Distinguished Graduate
Marjorie G. Dawson Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Pamela Drake Marriage and Family Therapy
Cigdem Erciyes International Relations
Melanie E. Gomez Clinical Mental Health Counseling Distinguished Graduate
Anastacia J. Granado Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Sydney E. Grossman International Relations
Bradley S. Hayes-Raugh International Relations
Ashley N. Jackson Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Stephanie A. Jasso Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Jeremy M. Lile International Relations
Monica E. Lopez Catholic School Leadership Distinguished Graduate
Abby L. Mangel English Literature and Language
Amanda Marbut International Relations
Deborah A. Martinez Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Juan J. Martinez Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Daniel Matthews Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Mallory E. Medellin Clinical Mental Health Counseling Distinguished Graduate
Delaney L. Mendoza International Relations
Saycha C. Mitchell Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Alexander F. Montero Clinical Mental Health Counseling Distinguished Graduate
Amanda T. Morales Communication Studies
Francisco J. Morazan Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Tritonya Murray Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Katherine E. Nikolaou Communication Studies
Faith A. Perez Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Bryan D. Philpott International Relations
Julian A. Rios International Relations Distinguished Graduate
Angelica Rodriguez Educational Leadership Distinguished Graduate
Asusena Rosas Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Matthieu A. Ruiz International Relations
Adam A. Saenz International Relations
Christine L. Sheppard Clinical Mental Health Counseling Distinguished Graduate
Elisabeth Simashkevich International Relations
Jherica L. Simental Theology
Mackenzie A. Thayer Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Marisa M. Vasquez Clinical Mental Health Counseling
F A L L C O M M E N C E M E N T 2 0 1 8 5
M A S T E R O F P U B L I C A D M I N I S T R AT I O N
Lauren N. Chavez
Hannah E. Garcia
Amber M. Martinez
Itzel Martinez Distinguished Graduate
Estephanie J. Muniz
Sri Lakshmi Durga Nimmalapudi
Gisell G. Orozco
Mercedes G. Salazar-Campirano
Raymundo Saldaña Distinguished Graduate
M A S T E R O F S C I E N C EIn Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Friederike K. Buettner
Abida P. Dhanani
Saira J. Fazalbhai
Gilberto Gomez
Kalyn Large
Ryle D. Scribner Distinguished Graduate
Tanya P. Soto
Mariah S. Tamborella Distinguished Graduate
B A C H E L O R O F A R T S
Mona Lisa Adams Art Education
Cristina A. Anguiano Exercise and Sport Science Cum Laude
Roberto X. Cardoso Lara Psychology
Andy Carrera Psychology
Rosa E. Castillo Political Science
Marissa J. Ceballos English Cum Laude
Tommy V. Cirilo-Thorpe Sociology
Jacqueline M. Cosmas International Relations
Danielle Cramberg Criminology Magna Cum Laude
Xavier R. De La Cruz Criminology
Dominique Del Real Theology
Lilia A. Enriquez Criminal Justice
Megan G. Escalante Criminology
Marcos A. Faz Political Science Cum Laude
Alyssa A. Fuentes Communication Studies
Andi L. Garcia Exercise and Sport Science
Victoria C. Garcia Forensic Science
Cara E. Gobea English
Stephanie A. Gomez Psychology
Sheila R. Gonzales Criminology Cum Laude
Alyssa J. Hamilton Sociology
S T. M A R Y ’ S U N I V E R S I T Y6
Katarina A. Hernandez Criminology Summa Cum Laude Honors Program Scholar
Hayden R. Hibler Exercise and Sport Science
Marissa I. Holguin Art Education
Imani K. Hurst Psychology
Jonathan C. Jorcin Political Science
Natalie M. Juarez Political Science Magna Cum Laude
Megan E. Kelly Exercise and Sport Science
Amanda S. Lake Criminology
Alejandra Lara Psychology
Emily J. Lenhart Psychology Cum Laude Honors Program Scholar
Bethanie C. Lopez English
Arieana A. Martinez Political Science
Polet G. Martinez Criminology
Guadalupe Medrano Psychology Cum Laude
Diego Mendez Exercise and Sport Science
Estevan Mendiola Exercise and Sport Science Cum Laude
Jacqueline C. Miranda Criminology
Christian Molina Music Magna Cum Laude
Joshua Muñoz Exercise and Sport Science
Jessica L. Noyola English
Emily V. Paez Criminology
Edward Peña Exercise and Sport Science
Madison E. Perales Communication Studies
Jaycie S. Pluenneke Exercise and Sport Science
Jonathan R. Ramirez Criminal Justice Cum Laude
Jose A. Ramirez Economics
Rozalyna Ramirez Criminal Justice
Robert O. Rees Political Science
Mariah Roberts Exercise and Sport Science
Miriam Y. Robles International Relations Cum Laude
Elijah R. Rodriguez Exercise and Sport Science
Karley I. Rosales Exercise and Sport Science Summa Cum Laude
Allison M. Rose Exercise and Sport Science
Marilyn Saenz Sociology English
Jose A. Sanchez Political Science
Margarita Sandoval Criminal Justice
Michael L. Segura Music
Nadia N. Serna Forensic Science
Samantha V. Shelton International Relations
Mario A. Sosa History
Alexis A. Soto History
Maalik X. Stansbury Psychology
Dorian C. Sturdivant Criminal Justice
Karina L. Tobias International Relations
Kendall B. Traa Communication Studies Summa Cum Laude
Christian Valdez International Relations
Kristen H. Zamarripa Criminology
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GreeheyS C HO OL OF B U S I N E S S
M A S T E R O F B U S I N E S S A D M I N I S T R AT I O N
Arun J. Abraham
Ziad A. AlBassam
Badr M. Alsaif
Jeff Anderson
Mary K. Baum
Daniel W. Bryant
Friederike K. Buettner
William Buhrman Distinguished Graduate
Ashley K. Carpenter
Irene Chavez
Matthew J. Chavez
Kenny A. Cortez
Abida P. Dhanani
Jasmine R. Ellis
Reginald B. Ewesuedo Distinguished Graduate
Saira J. Fazalbhai
Jesse J. Fernandez Distinguished Graduate
Kelli L. Gohmert Distinguished Graduate
Gilberto Gomez
Jose R. Gonzalez Gonzalez
Oscar A. Gonzalez
Morgan L. Grace
Gary P. Guillory Distinguished Graduate
Andrew N. Hernandez
Gabriela Hernandez
Jasmyn N. Johnson
Hunter H. Kinyon
Kalyn Large
Thomas A. Leger
Carolina Mansour Distinguished Graduate
Enrique Mejia Distinguished Graduate
Eric Menesse
Lauren Michael Distinguished Graduate
Jasmin A. Olguin
Christina A. Pagette
Zeynep Peterson Distinguished Graduate
Quintin A. Pile Distinguished Graduate
Joshua K. Powell
Ashley N. Rivas
Jordan L. Saunders-Cabrera
Ryle D. Scribner Distinguished Graduate
Jason T. Shoup
Tanya P. Soto
Mariah S. Tamborella Distinguished Graduate
Nina Taylor
Stanislava Terzieva-Craig Distinguished Graduate
Paulina Torres
Ashleigh A. Wempe Distinguished Graduate
Madeleine G. Zemler
S T. M A R Y ’ S U N I V E R S I T Y8
B A C H E L O R O F B U S I N E S S A D M I N I S T R AT I O N
Aliana G. Aguilar Finance and Risk Management
Namara S. Alalmai Finance and Risk Management
Jackeline M. Amador Accounting Cum Laude
Habib Balarabe Accounting
Qiyan Chen Marketing
Destiny A. Enriquez Finance and Risk Management
Richard D. Flentie Finance and Risk Management
Escarlen M. Garcia Vaca Accounting and Data Analytics
Victor Garza Management
Jennifer Guerra International Business Finance and Risk Management
Benjamin Guzman Accounting and Data Analytics
Nathalie M. Handal Marketing International Business Summa Cum Laude Honors Program Scholar
Gabriel E. Irias Finance and Risk Management
Rachel S. Jasso Finance and Risk Management
Elizabeth A. Kuentz Accounting
Christopher G. Lozano Management
Mathew McStravic Finance and Risk Management
Savannah I. Monterrey Accounting Cum Laude Honors Program Scholar
Angela L. Muller Management
Mia M. Muniz Marketing
Dalia H. Omar Finance and Risk Management
Leslie Ortiz Marketing
Austin A. Preiss Management
Ahmed H. Rabaan Finance and Risk Management Cum Laude
Barrett W. Royalty Accounting
Samantha V. Shelton Finance and Risk Management
Joe A. Sierra International Business
Quinton K. Smithwick Marketing Summa Cum Laude
Marianna B. Vargas Marketing
Paul L. Winters Finance and Risk Management
F A L L C O M M E N C E M E N T 2 0 1 8 9
School of SCI E NCE , E NGI N EER I NG A N D T ECH NOLOG Y
M A S T E R O F S C I E N C E
Sarah Aljabri Computer Information Systems
Naif M. Almalki Cybersecurity
Basil M. AlShamali Industrial Engineering
Atchaya Arivalagan Computer Engineering
Ehtesham Athar Cybersecurity
Kayla A. Berger Software Engineering Distinguished Graduate
Pradipsinh A. Chavda Industrial Engineering
Daniel L. Cyrus Cybersecurity
Jayanaga Venkata Anantha Tarun Kumar Desu Computer Science
Diana L. Gonzalez Industrial Engineering
Tarik Gulbas Industrial Engineering
Scott Hansen Industrial Engineering
Edrey C. Oliveira Software Engineering
Linhe Ouyang Computer Science
Ronish M. Panjwani Computer Science
Naga Nikitha Peddi Computer Information Systems
David Peña Industrial Engineering
Mayur R. Rane Electrical Engineering
Paul M. Rojas Software Engineering
Kenil B. Shah Electrical Engineering
Sadique Sherali Computer Information Systems
Michelle Vergara Engineering Systems Management
S T. M A R Y ’ S U N I V E R S I T Y10
B A C H E L O R O F S C I E N C E
Ali R. Alamer Industrial Engineering
Abdulmajeed Alghamdi Industrial Engineering
Loiy S. Alherz Industrial Engineering
Jawad Alramis Industrial Engineering
Rosa L. Antunez Industrial Engineering
Julian G. De La Rosa Software Engineering
Cassandra V. Dominguez Engineering Management
Jeffrey R. Eakle Applied Physics
Lydia E. Garza Biology
Jenna M. Hopwood Biology
Andrea L. Magana Industrial Engineering
Ariadne I. Martinez Biology Magna Cum Laude
Geoffrey S. Miller Physics
Claudia Moreno-Romero Biology Cum Laude
Evadne Romero Environmental Science
Jose E. Torres Mechanical Engineering
Harrison Toudouze Forensic Science
Sean M. Villasana Forensic Science
B A C H E L O R O F A R T S
Ali Alasfoor Environmental Science
Ernest S. Elizondo Mathematics
Mayra Leija Chemistry
Victoria E. Martins Chemistry
Jonnatan J. Montes Coyt Mathematics
Abigail Nevarez Reyes Biology
Ryan E. Paniagua-Garcia Mathematics
R E S E R V E O F F I C E R T R A I N I N G C O R P S
St. Mary’s University is proud to recognize its graduates who received commission as second lieutenants in the United States Army on Friday, Dec. 7, 2018.
Cadet Geoffrey Miller Signal Corps National Guard
Cadet Jose Torres Air Defense Artillery Active Army
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C O M M E N C E M E N T S PE A K E R
PA U L S . S A E N Z , D.O. (B . A . ’ 7 9) Founding Partner, Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio and Team Physician, St. Mary’s University Athletics
Paul S. Saenz, D.O., earned his Bachelor of Arts in Biology from St. Mary’s University in 1979, and then his medical education from the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth. He completed family practice training in Phoenix, followed by a sports medicine fellowship in Seattle. He returned to San Antonio in 1988 and established himself as the city’s first primary care sports medicine specialist.
He is the founding partner of Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio, which is recognized as the pre-eminent provider of orthopedic and athletic medicine services. Saenz is board certified in both Family Practice and Sports Medicine and is an Associate Clinical Professor at UT Health San Antonio and the University of North Texas Health Science Center. He also is an adjunct faculty member of the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine.
Saenz serves as team physician for the NBA San Antonio Spurs, the San Antonio Missions Baseball Club, St. Mary’s University and several San Antonio area high schools. He was appointed to the medical staff for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and for the 1998 Goodwill Games in New York City. He served as team physician for USA Pentathlon at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
In 2010, Saenz was selected as a St. Mary’s University Distinguished Alumnus and voted as one of Texas’ “Top Docs” by Texas Monthly magazine. In 2012, he served as team physician for USA Track and Field at the World Indoor Championships in Istanbul, Turkey, and was also appointed National Team Physician for USA Basketball. In that role, he accompanied the gold-medal-winning team as they participated in pre-Olympic competitions in Manchester, England, and Barcelona, Spain.
In August 2015, Saenz was inducted into the National Hispanic Heritage Hall of Honor for his record of achievement and excellence in the area of Athletics and Education. Saenz remains active in the education of medical professionals by speaking regionally and nationally on a variety of sports medicine topics.
S T. M A R Y ’ S U N I V E R S I T Y12
B O A R D O F T R U S T E E S
The Rev. Oscar Vasquez, S.M., Chancellor
Michael A. Schott (B.B.A. ’68), Chairman
Leticia Contreras (B.A. ’89), Vice Chairperson
Christopher R. Martinez (B.B.A. ’00), Vice Chairperson
The Rev. Dennis Arechiga
Martin D. Beirne Jr. (J.D. ’69)
Brother Reinaldo Berrios, S.M., Ed.D.
David W. Biegler (B.S. ’68)
Brother Edward Brink, S.M.
Raymond R. Carvajal, R.Ph. (CL ’68)
David Dickson (B.B.A. ’68)
Walter D. Downing Jr.
Lynda M. Ellis (B.A.S. ’81)
Kelley Frost (M.A. ’07, Ph.D. ’12)
Brother Thomas F. Giardino, S.M.
Gisela Girard (B.A. ’79)
Paula Gold-Williams (B.B.A. ’84)
George Hernandez Jr. (B.A. ’74)
David S. Herrmann (B.B.A. ’88, J.D. ’90)
Peter E. Hosey (J.D. ’79)
Steven D. Jansma (B.B.A. ’89)
Sister Laura Leming, F.M.I., Ph.D. (B.A. ’79)
Lauro Lopez Jr. (B.B.A. ’76)
Ellen Manzullo, M.D. (B.S. ’82)
Michael T. Martin (B.B.A. ’81)
Michael J. Martinez (B.A. ’85)
Thomas M. Mengler, J.D.
Brother Ronald Overman, S.M.
Brother Bernard Ploeger, S.M.
Kenneth S. Saks (B.B.A. ’86, J.D. ’89, LL.M. ’03)
Gaston M. Sosa de la Torre (B.A. ’92)
The Rev. John Thompson, S.M.
John M. Vaught (J.D. ’78)
Sylvia Fernandez Villarreal, M.D. (B.A. ’72)
O F F I C E R S O F T H E U N I V E R S I T Y
Thomas M. Mengler, J.D., PresidentAaron Tyler, Ph.D., Provost and Vice President for Academic AffairsRebeckah Day, Interim Vice President for FinanceThe Rev. Timothy Eden, S.M., Ed.D., Rector and Vice President for MissionRichard D. Kimbrough II, Vice President for University AdvancementCurtis White, Vice President for Information Services
M I S S I O N
St. Mary’s University as a Catholic Marianist University,
fosters the formation of people in faith and educates leaders for the common good through community, integrated liberal arts
and professional education, and academic excellence.
The Catholic and Marianist University
A L M A M AT E R
The Bells of St. Mary’s Ah! Hear they are ringing
They sing out the bright hope Of hearts firm and true.
And while they are ringing Our young hearts are singing
The praises of, the glory of The Gold and Blue!