Concord University holds 150th Spring Commencement

PRESS RELEASE:

ATHENS, WV – Concord University proudly recognized candidates for graduation at the 150^th Spring  Commencement ceremony at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 10 in the Main Gym of the Leslie R. and  Ruby Webb Carter Center. Master’s degree candidates were honored on Friday, May 9.  

This spring commencement was President Kendra Boggess’ final ceremony as president, and her  contribution to the university was recognized with two special designations: a fund at the University  Foundation in her name and the naming of the Department of Business in her honor after 40 years  of service that began in the department. 

A proclamation for the Department of Business naming was presented to President Boggess, the  final paragraph reading, “The Department of Business, with the support of the Concord University  Administration and with the approval of the Board of Governors, hereby proclaims that the  department shall henceforth be known as ‘The Dr. Kendra S. Boggess Department of Business’ in  recognition of her outstanding service, visionary leadership, and enduring contributions to business  education at Concord University.” 

The Foundation fund in Boggess’ name will be designated according to her wishes. Anyone wishing  to contribute may do so at concord.edu/boggess.  

During the undergraduate ceremony, Erin Paige O’Sullivan, the class valedictorian, gave remarks to  those in attendance. O’Sullivan graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in  Psychology and a Bachelor of Social Work. 

Among the 347 candidates meeting the requirements for graduation in spring 2025, 126 are  master’s degree candidates and 221 are undergraduate degree candidates. Our graduates  represent: 

– 22 states 

– 11 different countries 

– 4 military veterans

– 5 Concord University employees 

West Virginia-native Masters Candidates:

• ANSTED: Makayla Caroline Dix 

• ATHENS: Austin K. Clay, MBA; Michael J. McGrady, MSW; Kaitlyn Welsh, MSW BEAVER: Nicholas R. Cooper, MBA; Emily F. Jones, MEd 

• BECKLEY: Gwendolyn Alexander, MSW; Byron L. Burgess, MBA; David A. Maiolo, MBA; Cameron  Juwhan Shannon, MEd; Betul Ceren Tergip, MBA; Joyce Rose Wawiye, MSW; Kaitlyn Paige West, MAT 

• BLUEFIELD: Bethany M. Burks, MBA 

• BUCKHANNON: Sabrina Depoy, MSW; Dameon Glasser, MSW 

• BUD: LeeAnn Weaver, MSW 

• BURLINGTON: Karinda Wildman, MAT 

• BURNSVILLE: Jeremy Scott Hughes, MSW 

• CHAPMANVILLE: Katherine Danielle Muncey, MSW 

• CHARLESTON: Jeremy A. Brannon, MSW 

• CHARMCO: Kaitlyn Hughart, MSW 

• CLINONVILLE: Megan Corrine Perdue, MSW 

• CORINNE: Kara Lynn Jennings, MSW 

• DANIELS: Brinleigh Elizabeth Bailey, Health Promotion; Sydny Cross, MSW 

• DUNBAR: Estella Jones, MSW; Emily Legg, MSW 

• ELKINS: Kerri Ours, MSW; Devon Daniel Savary, MSW; Jaclynn Kiara Savary, MSW FAIRDALE: Alyssa Lynae McGhee, Med 

• FAIRMONT: Lillian Paige Miller, MBA 

• GAULEY BRIDGE: Nathaniel Ray Kincaid, MSW 

• GERRARDSTOWN: Sophia Lannette Clutter, Health Promotion 

• GLEN DANIEL: Tab Conn, MSW 

• HERNDON: Emily Graham, MEd 

• HEWETT: Joshua Edward Nelson, MSW 

• HINTON: Carrie Elizbeth Collins, MSW 

• HUNTINGTON: Ariel Bartram, MSW; Joel A. Kitchen, MSW

• JENKINJONES: Bretina R. Hightower, MSW 

• LEON: James Blankenship, MBA 

• LESTER: Jasmine Ariana Blankenship, Health Promotion; Morgan Elizabeth Stover, Med
• LEWISBURG: Kelly Fields Hanson, Health Promotion; Vitoria Lee Parks, MBA LIBERTY: Cydney McGrew, MSW 

• MEADOW BRIDGE: Kissney Cox, MSW 

• MOHAWK: Brayden Cline, MBA 

• MORGANTOWN: Skylar Rose Bennett, MSW; Ceontanesha Aguilerce Kadazsha Knox, MSW MOUNT HOPE: James Timothy Barton, MEd; Mary Lynn Denny, MBA 

• MULLENS: Christina Denise Bailey, MSW 

• NEW MARTINSVILLE: Kyndra Jayde Pilant, Health Promotion; Erin Danielle Smith, MSW NITRO: Hailey Jo Humphrey, MSW 

• NUTTER FORT: Laura K. Tompkins, MSW 

• OAK HILL: Alexis Corrine Staunton, MSW; Holly Elizabeth Sutphin, MSW 

• PARKERSBURG: Katie L. Carpenter, MSW; Kaitlyn Eileen Collins, MSW 

• PETERSTOWN: Kelli Elizaveta Ellison, MSW; Jacob N. Foster, MBA; Serrell Nadine Garee, MSW PINEVILLE: Kelli Lynn Cameron, MEd 

• PIPESTEM: Cailyn Leigh-Anne Butler, MBA 

• PRINCETON: Ishmael Muchumayeli Bhebhe, MSW; Tamala Lynn Gore, MSW; Madeline Kate  Hawkins, MSW; Kristin Leigh Janning, MSW; Ashley Meadows, MEd; Mercedes Diana Payne, Health  Promotion; Crystal Nichole Mettrey, MSW; Zachary T. Powell, MBA 

• PRINCEWICK: Kayla Nichole Meadows, MSW 

• RIDGEVIEW: Autumn Marie Thompson, MSW 

• SHADY SPRING: Nicole Tylar Garis, MSW; Deena Renae Weatherbee, MEd 

• SPANISHBURG: Timothy Lyle, MBA 

• SQUIRE: James Robert Sparks, MEd 

• SUMMERSVILLE: Isaiah K Jackson-Darby 

• SURVEYOR: Brianna Rae Bragg, MEd 

• VICTOR: Amelia Maynor, MSW 

• WELCH: Amanda Taylor, MSW 

• WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS: Colin Andrew Wiley, MBA

• WINFIELD: Haley Smith, MSW 

West Virginia-native Undergraduate Candidates

• ALDERSON: Kenya Crawford, Destiny Desiree Dickens, Kiara Jade Phillips, Daniel C. Wygal ALUM CREEK: John Alexander Smith 

• ASHFORD: Caleb P. Arnold 

• ATHENS: Raheem Runako Aaron Baptiste, Sr., Emily Paige Curry, Jeremy Dean England, Katelyn  Paige Marrs, Erin Paige O’Sullivan 

• AVONDALE: Amber Lee Edwards 

• BALLARD: Sierra Brookman, Abby Grace Craghead 

• BEAVER: Josiah Smith

• BECKLEY: Brianna Nissan Bailey, Hallie Elizabeth Bair, Cari Elizabeth Bair, Rachel N. Clay, Connor  R. Cormack, Madison Cornett, Arrora Anastazia Gill, Sydney Cheyenne Gill, Hannah Gwinn, Kinsley  Mankin, Jacob C. Mullins, Nena Grace Perry, Andrew Pettry, Alexis Prunest, Sydney Rector, Taylor  Stiltner, Johnny Lane Wall, Jr., Particia Shaw, Maggie Weis 

• BLUEFIELD: Ty Jordan Beggs, Colton Ryker Brown, Dazhuan Giles, Amber Kinser, Lindsey Faith  Short 

• BRADLEY: Cassandra Ellen Fox 

• BRENTON: Taylor Annette Adkins, Connor Gibson 

• BOLT: Alyssa Cook 

• BUD: Darold Colbird, Jr. 

• CALDWELL: Terri Ann White 

• CANVAS: Rylee M. Nicholas 

• CHARLESTON: Jayden D. Mitchell, Luke Ruhnke 

• COOL RIDGE: Emily Johnson, April Judy, Allie Minor 

• CRAB ORCHARD: Kaylen R. Parks, Buford Aaron Woods 

• CRAWLEY: William Cody Heaster 

• DANIELS: Kelsey Renee Gross, Grace Elizabeth Ritchie, Andrew Thymlus, Tara Leigh Spencer DEEP WATER: Ashton Huffman 

• DELBARTON: Summer Leigh Harmon 

• DUCK: Tempest Ruby Loyd 

• DUNBAR: Tyson Burke, Breanna R. Jenkins 

• ELKINS: Melissa Sue Wade 

• FAIRMONT: Kayleigh Courtney, Logan Zuchelli 

• FAYETTEVILLE: Annie Mae Johnson, Maggie Ruth McAllister  

• FLAT TOP: Serenity Shrewsbury 

• FORT GAY: Kylea Alexis Pollinger 

• GLEN MORGAN: Serenity Brooks, Ashleigh Faith Gabbert 

• GRASSY MEADOWS: Amanda Kay Church 

• GREENVILLE: Dawn Nycole Thomas 

• HEDGESVILLE: Rachel Belice 

• HINTON: Baylee Katherine Bentley, Ian Elijah Sea Gardner, Kayla Grant, Luke H. Hutchison, Madoc  Aaron Lathroum, Lauren Pack, Austin D. Thomas, Abigail L. Ward

• HUNTINGTON: Amare Smith 

• HURRICANE: Adam J. Westfall 

• JACKSONBURG: Caitlin Wyatt 

• JUMPING BRANCH: Thomas Neil Rakes 

• KIMBALL: Shauna Belcher 

• LENORE: Kaitlyn Copley 

• LERONA: Briana Nicole Leeper, Katherine Webb, Briana M. Whitlow 

• LEWISBURG: Megan Brooke Combs, Kaylee Dixon, Emily Katheryn McClung Holliday

• LINDSIDE: Kendra L. Karnes 

• LITTLE BIRCH: Stevie Shingler 

• LOGAN: Ricky Aaron Shay Blankenship 

• MABSCOTT: Hope Marie Ellison 

• MARTINSBURG: Chasa L. Cochran, Tyler C. Meade, Derricka Wilson 

• MATEWAN: Jessica Edwards 

• MONTCALM: Kayton Elizabeth Perkins 

• MORGANTOWN: Aidan Wesley Schon 

• MOUNT HOPE: Emily Caitlyn Hudson, Heather L. Martin, Emma Villebrun, Kerry Shea Wade MULLENS: Skylar Davidson 

• NORTH SPRING: Henry James Wallace 

• NORTHFORK: Madison Denise Hairston 

• OAK HILL: Kaylee Morgan Manley, Kyle Freeman Shuemake, Whitley Williams OCEANA: Samantha Georgia Smith 

• PAX: Brianna Hurd 

• PETERSTOWN: Kellie Belcher, Haley Lawrence 

• PINEVILLE: Brandon Lee Brumfield, Rachel Clay 

• PIPESTEM: Danielle Midkiff 

• POCA: Chloie Nicole Casto 

• PRINCETON: Tessa Bailey, Shane Keith Bradbury, Benjamin Broyles, Grace Barberie Cecil, Mikel  Andrew Cox, Danielle Blake Curry, Andrew Davis, Laken Erin Dye, David Clayton Eldridge, Brandi  Nicole Farmer, Lindsey Paige Farmer, Jordyn Danielle Fox-Price, CaSara Hudnall, Trevor Matthew  Lester, Joelie Lynn Meadows, Jenna-Kay Nash, Jasmine Palmer, Katie Slaughter, Santina Brooke  Strickland, Mackenzie Leigh Via, Shylah I. Webster, Logan Williams

• QUINWOOD: Amanda Renee McCroy 

• ROCK: Aidan Garrett Bishop 

• RONCEVERTE: Breanna L. Boswell, Katherine Hosey 

• SAINT ALBANS: Taylor Dawn Glancy, Bryce A. Leggt, Curtis Wilson 

• SCARBRO: James S. Ingram, Jr. 

• SHADY SPRING: Mia Kathryn Bennett, Jeremy Hill, Faith Ketron, Alyssa Paige Lilly SPANISHBURG: Robby Samosky, Gabrielle Taylor Selvey 

• SUMMERSVILLE: Selbie Benton, Ethan Board, Dylan Ryan Browning, Emily Rose Miller, Jonathan  Craig Sweeney, Kathleen B. Walkup, Hunter James Willis 

• UNION: Alexander Chernauskas, Lillian Sage Jackson 

• WAYNE: Anna Queen Fry 

• WELLSBURG: Morgan P. Roadman 

• WILLIAMSBURG: Augusta Lynn Judy 

• WILLIAMSON: Tabitha Bell 

Out of State Candidates

Masters:

• AL: Samaj Washington, MBA 

• AZ: Trina L. Lewis, MBA 

• CA: Jordyn Dansby-Ross, MSW; Hong Jiang, MSW 

• FL: Jevon Alexander Laidler, MBA 

• IN: Jaguar Richard Alabo Jackson, MBA 

• KY: Giovanni Malik Purser, Health Promotion 

• LA: Chase Christian Huete, MBA 

• MD: Kristi Renee Grubb, MAT; Sarah E. Leizear, MSW; Charles David Kline III, MSW; Camron I  Banks, MSW; Joshua A Kimble, MSW 

• NC: McKenzie Hedrick Cecero, MSW; Joshua Hoke, MSW; Jolie Privett, Athletic Training; Aaron  Brett Strickland, Jr. MBA 

• NY: Martha J. Alvarez, MSW 

• OH: Megan Phillips, MSW; Demetria Monique Russell, MSW; Jacey Alexandra Wayble, MSW; Aliyah  Marelli, MSW 

• PA: Kween Sirnic, MSW 

• SC: Tyler Christopher Livingston, MBA; Jamari John-Michael Smith, Athletic Training TN: Jessie Schroeder, MSW 

• VA: Sydney Brooke Hassell, MSW; Abigail Lauren Wallace, MSW; Emily Wallace Mayhew, MEd;  Kevan Russell Lamber, MBA; Vonte Rishaun Pannell, Athletic Training; Delando Taron Morris, MBA;  Edward James Blake, Athletic Training; Allison Alena Overstreet, MSW; Jordan Bryce Wooden, MBA;  Lauren Elizabeth Wimer, MSW 

Undergraduate:

• AL: Corey “CB” Boston, Sanaiya Morris 

• AZ: Faith Diggs 

• FL: DJ Christian 

• GA: Trennon Mitchell, Sarafina Walter 

• IA: Tomas Franco Fanello 

• KS: Carlos Fernando Zuniga Galvis 

• MA: Liam Fogarty 

• MD: John Thomas Gleason 

• MI: Angela Collins 

• NC: Davis William Johnson, James Trent Smith, Coby Ingle, Taylor Leach 

• NH: Andrew Justin Szendre 

• OH: Alexis Gram Anzevino, Nora I. Voisey, Molly Elizabeth Anthony, Emma Landolfo PA: Carly Rohrbach 

• TN: Jacob Chittaphong 

• TX: Speedy Washington, Jeremiah Antonio Johnson

• VA: Kendal Bliss, Chloe Eve Turman, Peyton C. Watts, Hannah M. Deck, Katelyn Hall, Jordyn  Bentley, Dawson Neal Gragg, Michael Lamont Hunter, Jr., Hope Noel Arthur, Kassidy Garvey,  Jamison Taylor Wall, Noah Stanley, Kylene Franklin, Taylor Madison Eversole, Lily Reese Turner,  Lance Gabriel Skaggs, Taylor Albers, Jayden Nixon 

International Graduates

• ARGENTINA: Tomas Franco Fanello 

• AUSTRIA: Alessandro Raffl 

• CANADA: Kaitlyn Welsh 

• CHINA: Hong Jiang 

• GRENADA: Raheem Runako Aaron Baptiste, Sr. 

• NETHERLANDS: Sarafina Beatrice Walter 

• PANAMA: Carlos Fernado Zuniga Galvis 

• SWITZERLAND: Fabian Amhof 

• TÜRKIYE: Betul Ceren Tergip 

• UNITED KINGDOM: Rachel Clay, Leah Fleming