Commencement

One Hundred Sixty-Ninth & One Hundred Seventieth

Keppel Auditorium

May 15, 2021

The Music for Gathering The Rejoicing (La Rejouissance) G. F. Handel (1685-1759)

Horn Pipe (from “Water Music) G. F. Handel (1685-1759)

Fanfare (from “Water Music”) G. F. Handel (1685-1759)

My Spirit Be Joyful (from Cantata No. 160) J. S. Bach (1685-1750)

Prelude to “Te Deum” Marc Antoine Charpentier (1634-1704)

* Academic Processional Pomp and Circumstance Edward Elgar (1857-1934)

* The National Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner Francis Scott Key (1779 -1843)

O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light, what so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming, whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, o’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

* The Convening of the Graduation Exercise Dr. David P. Nelson President

* Opening Prayer The Rev. Dr. Kenneth W. Clapp ’70 Chaplain & Senior Vice President

Greetings from Distinguished Constituents Ms. Adwoa Ofori-Gyau ’21, Senior Class President

Mr. William “Bill” Graham ’83, Chair, Catawba College Board of Trustees Dr. Maria Vandergriff-Avery, Faculty Senate Chair

Mr. Johnathon Boles ’16, Staff Council Chair

* Designates those who are able are invited to stand.

CommencementSaturday, May 15, 2021

Keppel Auditorium

Seniors wear caps, tassels, gowns, and hoods with dressy or business casual attire. Line-up begins 30 minutes before each ceremony. This service is for graduating seniors and ticketed guests.

Recognition of Special Award Recipients Dr. NelsonWhitener Medals

Ms. Oryan Malul of Rishon LeZion, Israel / Mr. Alberto Borges of Nairobi, KenyaBarbara Andrews Award

Peter Lozano of Charlotte, NC

Recognition of Retiring Members of the Faculty Dr. Constance Rogers-Lowery Provost

Dr. Douglas Brown, Professor of Mathematics/Chair, Department of Mathematics & Computer Science Dr. Jim Stringfield, Professor of Education

Recognition of Honors Graduates Dr. Maria Vandergriff-Avery Director, College Honors Program

The Conferring of the Degrees Dr. NelsonThe graduates will be presented by Dr. Constance Rogers-Lowery, Provost.

Charge to the Graduates Dr. Nelson

* The Catawba College Alma Mater Fair Catawba Bernice & Alvin R. Keppel

(Dr. & Mrs. Alvin R. Keppel served Catawba College in the period 1942-63 as its 14th President and First Lady.)

* The Benediction Dr. Clapp

* Academic Recessional The Heavens Declare the Glory of God Benedetto Marcello (1686-1739)

Down in the verdant Southland,High on the Piedmont plains,There’s a tower that is piercing the heavens,And a campus of fond mem’ry lanes.Higher than the walls of man’s makingAre the thoughts of my sojourn there.Brighter than the sun upon wakingAre the friendships time cannot outwear.

Fair Catawba, my Catawba,Symbol of life and right!We thy sons and daughtersHail thee, Queen of light!Rich and glorious be thy future,World of influence wide.And with us, who bear thy culture,May thy precepts and spirit abide.

2021 GraduatesAlexis Norie Abillar BSN East Bend, NC

Ethan Aguilera BS Salisbury, NC

Jacob Robert Aiton BS Concord, NC

Richard Kevin Ajwang Omondi BSN Salisbury, NC

Alan Michel Alford BA York, SC

Zachary Wayne Alford BA Troutman, NC

Caleb Edward Allen BS Covington, GA

Casaundra Arielle Allen BSN Salisbury, NC

Sharon Victoria Joy Antonelli BA Lexington, NC

Matthew Joseph Arnold BS Foley, AL

Wendy James Ashburn BSN Mocksville, NC

Emily Judith Avalos BA Rockwell, NC

Kenneth Garland Avent III BS Faison, NC

Matthew Quentin Baity BS Lexington, NC

Christopher William Baka BS Linwood, NC

Allison Victoria Baker BS Kannapolis, NC

Marissa Baker BS Salisbury, NC

Kayla Nichole Barber BA Concord, NC

Talia Crystal Nyasia Barnes BA Durham, NC

Lauren Elizabeth Beaver BAE Concord, NC

Jhalisa Noelle Bell BS San Diego, CA

Trevor Bellotte BS Severn, MD

Ethan Miles Bemis BS Kannapolis, NC

Logan Fleming Bemis BS Kannapolis, NC

Rachel Elisha Bettendorf BA Charlotte, NC

Ashlee Myranda Bible BS Rockwell, NC

Abigail Joy Birkhead BA Salisbury, NC

Kayla Ashley Bobo BS Chesapeake Beach, MD

Alberto Borges BS Nairobi, Kenya

Austin James Boyd BS Walnut Cove, NC

Mia Semone Brady BS Mount Airy, NC

Noah Rudolph Brass BA Durham, NC

Carlee Yvette Brawley BS Mooresville, NC

Jade Sun Brooks BS Hickory, NC

Jason James Brown BA Salisbury, NC

Patricia F. Brown BBA Salisbury, NC

Marissa A Bruce BS Flowery Branch, GA

Milie Maria Buff BBA Oakboro, NC

Jessica Buscher BS Babcock Ranch, FL

Bryce Garrett Butler BS Wentzville, MO

Joe Anderson Butts BS Lexington, NC

Luis F. Campa BA Bluffton, SC

Malia Grace Carr BS Arcadia, CA

Finley Thomas Carroll BS Manchester, England

Luke Griffith Carter BS Advance, NC

Jack Steven Chatt BS Midland, NC

Alisha Childress BSN Advance, NC

Abigail Sarah Chopelas BS Indian Trail, NC

Jameson Phillip Jackson Clanton BA Garner, NC

Jamareon Christophe’ Clark BS Hardeeville, SC

Jinnette Irvin Clay BBA Mount Pleasant, NC

Carson Tripp Clendenin BA Troutman, NC

Colby Brynn Collins-Peterson BA Wilmington, NC

Alana Briann Cooper BA Mount Pleasant, NC

Devin Jameel Cooper BA Lancaster, SC

Cade Everett Cranford BS Salisbury, NC

Christina N. D’ Amelio BA Sarasota, FL

Olivia Grayson Danner BA Lexington, NC

Jordan Nicole Dean BS Fayetteville, NC

Luc Valentin Denisselle BS Villers Pol, France

Taisha LaNae DeShazo BS Martinsville, VA

Madison Olivia Dolchan BFA Frostburg, MD

Alexander Ravenel Elliott BA Asheboro, NC

Madison Lynn Elliott BSN Thomasville, NC

Danny Estrella BBA Charlotte, NC

Sheyla Victoria Castellanos-Flores BA Winston-Salem, NC

Abigail Floriano-Monarrez BA Catawba, NC

Thea Desmond Flynn BBA Concord, NC

Patrick Michael Fongemy BA Kannapolis, NC

Caroline Andrea Forrester BA Rocky Mount, NC

Zachary Lee Francis BA Norwood, NC

Brooke Alexandra Freeman BS Mooresville, NC

Ryan D. Frick BA Harrisburg, NC

Lydia Grace Funderburk BS Kannapolis, NC

Anna M. Gardner BS Pleasant Garden, NC

Andrea Valeria Garrido Lecca BA Salisbury, NC

Karen N. Geathers BS Concord, NC

Christopher R Georgeson BS Kannapolis, NC

Cedrick Fedel Gervin II BA Riverdale, GA

Caitlin Grace Gibson BA Monroe, NC

Jordan S. Giffin BA Kernersville, NC

Ceateetra Denise Goard BSN Charlotte, NC

Sydney J. Goertzen BS Salisbury, MD

Ariel Danielle Graham BA Concord, NC

Ethan Malachi Gray BS Lexington, NC

Justin W. Gray BS Lincoln, ME

Keith Troyvoyde Grimes Jr. BA Charlotte, NC

Alisha Beam Grubb BSN China Grove, NC

Allison Rea Grubb BS Trinity, NC

Alex Gutierrez Mendez BA Lexington, NC

Matthew Paul Habina BS Kannapolis, NC

Amber L. Hand BS Salisbury, NC

Michelle Louise Harleaux BBA Mooresville, NC

Angela R Harrison BSN Cleveland, NC

L. Daniel Harvey BA Rockwell, NC

Kira Ann Morgan Harwood BA Salisbury, NC

Catherine Rose Helm BA Salisbury, NC

Madison Rose Holshouser BS Rockwell, NC

Nathan Kyle Hosack BA Terrell, NC

Courtney Alana Howard BA Mocksville, NC

Maggie Lynn Huffman BS Conover, NC

Casey Aaron Hull BS Mount Airy, NC

Amber Nicole Hunt BA Jamestown, NC

Destiny Dominique Hunter BA Concord, NC

Madison Kaye Hunter BSN Rockwell, NC

Sara Jones Hyatt BA Garner, NC

Bryan James Izzo BA Mooresville, NC

Miriam M. Jabae BS Jamestown, NC

Alanice R. Jackson BS Carthage, NC

Bailey Elizabeth Jackson BSN Mount Airy, NC

Logan D. James BS Belmont, NC

Caleb Nathaniel Jarrard BS Georgetown, TX

Kaitlin Marie Jennings BA Durham, NC

Brielle Nicole Jobe BFA Frederick, MD

Jack Christopher Joel BA Sheffield, England

Alexander Foster Johnson BA Elon, NC

Christina Fortner Johnson BSN Union Grove, NC

Ta’Seon Deonta Johnson BS Huger, SC

Zachary James Johnson BS Mint Hill, NC

Katelyn Elizabeth Jones BS Salisbury, NC

Thomas W. Joyce BS Hexham, England

Matthew B. Ketchie BS Woodleaf, NC

Madison L. Kluge BS High Point, NC

Kaley D. Knight BA China Grove, NC

Kaitlin Noel Koons BA Pilot Mountain, NC

Holly Kuhn BS Willow Spring, NC

Sally Kwarteng-Ntim BBA Waxhaw, NC

Bryan Michael LaChance BS Avon, CT

Benjamin Phillip LaFevers BA Concord, NC

Julia Marie Lambe BSN Mooresville, NC

Emily A. Latta BS Salisbury, NC

A’Jewel Ann-Marie Leak BSN Durham, NC

Henderson Lentz BS Salisbury, NC

Jordan Elizabeth Leonard BA Lexington, NC

Justin N. Leonard BS Rockwell, NC

Shiloh Lindsey BA Pineville, NC

Caleb Alden Link BS Salisbury, NC

Reilly M. Lipe BA Colleyville, TX

Peter Lozano BBA Charlotte, NC

Kory Ly BS Salisbury, NC

Joshua Lynch BS Salisbury, NC

Lushaunda B. Mabry BBA Salisbury, NC

Samantha R. MacLaughlin BS Concord, NC

Jack D. Mahoney BS Blackwood, NJ

Oryan Malul BS Mint Hill, NC

Ryan Aniello Marro BA Statesville, NC

Ashley Lauren Matherly BSN Lexington, NC

Luke James Maxson BS Mooresville, NC

Thomas Earl McClinton BS Salisbury, NC

Benjamin Connor McCoy BA Sullivan’s Island, SC

Stacey Virginia McGraw BBA Stanley, NC

Patricia Flowers McInnis BBA Charlotte, NC

Jessica Anne McKinney BBA Salisbury, NC

Andrew Josh Miller BS Clemmons, NC

Zachary Miller BS Salisbury, NC

Alopi Atish Modi BSN Mooresville, NC

2021 Graduates (continued)

Keirsten Blair Morgan BA Kannapolis, NC

Danielle J. Morton BSN Mocksville, NC

Heidi Raquel Mueller BS Waxhaw, NC

Selma Mustafic BS Salisbury, NC

Samantha R. Noah BAE Thomasville, NC

Nunna Elizabeth Noe BFA Efland, NC

Savannah Faith Nunn BA Mocksville, NC

Adwoa Gyimaah Ofori -Gyau BS Accra, Ghana

Arlington Graylyn Evans Owensby BA Mooresville, NC

Dalton Ozmun-Barker BAE Kannapolis, NC

Antoni Pacheco Mendoza BS Salisbury, NC

Madison Parker BA Clemmons, NC

Michaela Domicia Patterson BS Salisbury, NC

April Nicole Pearman BAE Salisbury, NC

Sarah Lynn Pennington BA Lexington, NC

Savanna Elyse Perry BS Lexington, NC

Cortarius Adriel Polk BA Salisbury, NC

Breona Pollard BBA Charlotte, NC

Delaney Rae Portka BA Salisbury, NC

Doral Reginald Pulley, II BA Baltimore, MD

Heather N. Pullum BAE Trinity, NC

Giovanni O. Quiroz-Delfi BS Altamonte Springs, FL

Vid Rados BS Herceg-Novi, Montenegro

Claire Duprey Raimist BFA Woodsboro, MD

Madisyn Paige Rey BA Salisbury, NC

Dina L. Reyes Melendez BA Winston-Salem, NC

Eddie Kyle Rhodes BS Wilkesboro, NC

Keundre Nathaniel Rias BA Conyers, GA

Tatiana LaRain Rivers BSN Concord, NC

Ivie Taeodora Robbins BA Hickory, NC

Nathaniel Noah Robbins BS Union Grove, NC

Merritt Elizabeth Robinson BS Salisbury, NC

Kristina Jaide Rogge BS Durban, South Africa

Kasey Austyn Rowden BSN Harrisburg, NC

Adam E. Rowson BS Elgin, SC

Samuel J. Rufer BA Janesville, WI

Carson Oxendine Russell BAE Denton, NC

Hannah Mae Ryan BA Rosanna, Australia

Abraham Javier Sagaon-Lozada BA Valdese, NC

Dariana Saligan Lopez BS Winston-Salem, NC

Gatlin Edward Saylors BS Marietta, GA

Romeo L Schneider BA Raleigh, NC

Reese Ayden Scott BS Bealton, VA

Paula Isabel Sellers BS Cáceres, Spain

Ysabel B. Sheehan BS Winston-Salem, NC

Jacob Luke Shook BS Cooleemee, NC

Anna Sidders BS Monroe, NC

Colton Daniel-Young Sims BS China Grove, NC

Aiyana Cierra Smith BAE Greensboro, NC

Cheyenne Morgan Smith BS Jacksonville, NC

Colby Drake Smith BS Salisbury, NC

Dylan Scott Smith BA Trinity, NC

Lauren Ashlyn Walker BSN Mount Gilead, NC

Liam Robert Wallace BA Pflugerville, TX

Trenton Taylor Walsh BS Purlear, NC

Jacinta Denice Watkins BBA Albemarle, NC

Addison Gracie Watson BS Kernersville, NC

Collin M. Weatherman BA Mocksville, NC

Hannah Grace Whitaker BS Lexington, NC

Amber Lee White BA Cleveland, NC

Emma Adair White BA Statesville, NC

Deborah Arais Whitley BBA Concord, NC

Jasmine Marie Wiitala BS Morrisville, NC

Dylan Wilkinson BA High Point, NC

James Michael Williams BS Midland, NC

Lauren Tate Wilsey BS Salisbury, NC

Olivia Louise Wilsey BA Salisbury, NC

Jacob Daniel Woodard BS Albemarle, NC

Amber Nicole Wright BA Linwood, NC

Katy Lyn Yates BSN Fort Myers, FL

Yelena Nikolayevna Zadorozhnyaya BS Charlotte, NC

Ethan Alexander Zilka BA Glen Allen, VA

Senior Class Donor December Graduate

Active Duty or Military Veteran

Margaret Dawn Smith BA Salisbury, NC

Melinda Ball Smith BSN Cooleemee, NC

Austin Joseph Snide BS Yorktown, VA

Martin Kaleb Solano Munoz BSN Kannapolis, NC

Robert Luke Spiva BS Winston-Salem, NC

Kristy Whitley Spruill BAE Indian Trail, NC

Shemya Tenise Stanback BS Mount Gilead, NC

Natalie Rose Standard BS Stockbridge, GA

Cody Brian Stultz BS Asheboro, NC

Neha Christina Sudhakar BA Apex, NC

Celeaha Reanne Swaim BA Troutman, NC

Michal Joseph Caleb Swepson BS Durham, NC

Carson Michael Talboys BA Huntersville, NC

Leah Terraglio BA Statesville, NC

Brooklyn Leigh Tilley BS Winston-Salem, NC

Heather Sue Trexler BAE Spencer, NC

Keenan Tuck BS Warrington, England

Toni Tucker BS Stokesdale, NC

Megan N. Twiddy BS Charlotte, NC

Diego Ugarte BS Kannapolis, NC

L. Joselyn Valencia BS Salisbury, NC

Athena Shante Valentine BBA Charlotte, NC

Juan Carlos Vargas Cornejo BA Statesville, NC

Claudia Velarde BAE Concord, NC

Barbara Green Wade BAE Charlotte, NC

Jacob Michael Walker BS Kannapolis, NC

2021 Graduates (continued)

Junior Marshals

ALPHA ALPHA ALPHA - first generation honor society, grey and navy

ALPHA CHI - academic honor society, blue and green

ALPHA PSI OMEGA - honor society in Theatre Arts, urban blue and amber

ALPHA SIGMA LAMBDA - honor society for evening students, gold

BETA BETA BETA - honor society in Biology, red and green

BUSINESS & COMMUNICATION HONOR SOCIETY - copper and drab

COLLEGE HONORS PROGRAM - crimson, gold, and white

GAMMA SIGMA EPSILON - honor society in Chemistry, navy blue and white

JUNIOR MARSHALS - medallion

KAPPA DELTA PI - honor society in Teacher Education, purple

KAPPA MU EPSILON - honor society in Mathematics, pink and grey

LAMBDA PI ETA - honor society in Communications, red and white

MUSIC ENSEMBLE MEMBERS - double pink cords

NATIONAL SOCIETY OF LEADERSHIP AND SUCCESS - leadership honor society, black and platinum

PHI EPSILON - honorary scholastic society, blue, white, and gold

PHI EPSILON KAPPA - honor society in the sport and health sciences, black and gold

PHI SIGMA IOTA - honor society in Foreign Languages, purple and gold

PSI CHI - honor society in Psychology, silver and blue

SIGMA TAU DELTA - honor society in English, black and red

STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION (SGA) - royal blue and red

BASS TROMBONE Alexandr Witt

EUPHONIUMDr. Stephen Etters,

Musical Director

Catawba Brass Ensemble

TRUMPET

Corery Gaston

JeVone Primus

HORNDr. Barry R. Sang

The following list indicates the color of each society’s cordwhich is worn with the academic gown:

Honor Society Designation

Jennifer Chambers

Bailey Benton

Kimberly Betancourt

Victoria Hunter

Caleigh Kenna-Shadrick

College Honors Program Scholars and Thesis Titles

Jordan Giffin / A Man Chooses: Examining Bioshock as an Extension of Political and Science Fiction Literature to Analyze and Critique Political Ideology

Brielle Jobe / Found in Translation: Multi-Lingual Theatre in the Fight Against Xenophobia

Heidi Mueller / Short-Term Effects of COVID-19 on Athletic Departments in North Carolina

Michaela Patterson / Shuns, Germs, and Meals: How Social Stigma Influences Disease Transmission in Human Populations

Hannah Ryan / Are all Post-Colonial States with Ethnic Polarization Destined for Civil War?

Natalie Standard / Swimming with Autism: The Benefits Beyond a Good Workout

Neha Sudhakar / Nostalgia for an Unknown Homeland: Bollywood Music and Second-Generation Indian American Identity

College Honors Program Graduates

Abigail Birkhead

Caroline Forrester

Alex Johnson

Emily Phillips

Matthew Smith

Julia Southern

Mary Wall

The history of academic dress reaches far back into the early days of the oldest universities. The academic dress worn today originated in the Middle Ages, but was not adopted in this country until the mid-19th century. Derived from the most common garment worn by professional men, the medieval equivalent of the business suit, the modern academic gown has three forms based on the wearer’s degree.

The Bachelor’s gowns have closed fronts and long pointed sleeves. Master’s gowns have oblong sleeves open at the wrists with the front of the oblong cut away. Doctor’s gowns have bell-shaped sleeves, velvet facings down the front and three bars on the sleeves.

The black mortarboard cap is worn for all degrees. A tassel is fastened to the middle of the cap. The tassel is black for all degrees except doctoral degrees which are gold.

The History ofAcademic Dress

As another symbol of Catawba College’s institutional commitment to sustainability, our graduates are wearing

Elements gowns, made of sustainable materials.

Carried in the procession today by Dr. Renee McCachren,

Professor of Music

The mace is a gift to the College

from the Class of 1984.

It was turned from native walnut wood

by Robert W. Bailey of Woodleaf, N.C.

The mace is a ceremonial insignia

of the academic world in a tradition

which dates to antiquity.

The Ceremonial Mace

Hoods are the most distinctive feature of the American code and are generally black. All are lined in silk with the official color or colors of the university or college conferring the degree.

The colors of Catawba College are royal blue with a white chevron. The binding or edging of the hood is velvet with the color indicating the subject of the degree. The binding colors associated with the Catawba College degrees are:

Bachelor of Arts – White

Bachelor of Arts in Education – Light Blue

Bachelor of Business Administration – Drab

Bachelor of Fine Arts - Brown

Bachelor of Science – Golden Yellow

Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Apricot

Master of Education – Light Blue

Honor DesignationsGraduates who meet the requirements

of the faculty in quality of work will be

graduated CUM LAUDE (3.5-3.69 grade

point average), MAGNA CUM LAUDE

(3.70-3.89 grade point average), or

SUMMA CUM LAUDE (3.90-4.00 grade

point average). This designation is reflected

on the graduate’s official diploma and on

the detailed list of graduates located at

Catawba.edu/graduation.

Check out all of Catawba’s Graduation Event Photos at

Catawba.edu/graduation

2021 Graduate Information

Catawba.edu/2021Grads

For a more detailed list of the 2021 Catawba College graduates, including honor societies, senior spotlights and more, scan the code at right or visit:

CONGRATULATIONSto the CLASS OF 2021CLASS OF 2021

from the Faculty, Staff, Alumni, and Friends of Catawba College.

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