THE EIGHTIETH SPRING COMMENCEMENT - 9:30 AM Saturday, May 15, 2021 Wildcat Stadium 1005 State University Drive Fort Valley, GA - Fort Valley ...

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THE EIGHTIETH
SPRING COMMENCEMENT
      Saturday, May 15, 2021
             9:30 AM
         Wildcat Stadium
    1005 State University Drive
          Fort Valley, GA
Fort Valley State University

             1
About Fort Valley State University
Fort Valley State University is home to thousands of students discovering the genius within themselves
and exploring their extraordinary potential for leadership under the guidance of highly-accomplished
faculty. Since 1895, the FVSU family has shared a love of invention and innovation, and embraced a
culture where discovery is celebrated. No matter where you start in life, we believe that education is the
surest way to make a difference in the world and achieve your dreams.

FVSU is one of the most affordable colleges in the country, because our goal is to make sure anyone
with talent and desire can use education as a means to advance in life. Yet, excellence is demanded
across our campuses, from our faculty members who are respected researchers, instructors, and
authors, to our students, who accept the challenges of leadership, scholarship, and
professionalism. More than 60 clubs and organizations provide students with real-world opportunities
to pursue their passions, and our professional network help launch students into careers through
internships and career development.

FVSU is one of nineteen 1890 land-grant institution, which means that our mission is to not only
empower students to use education to pursue meaningful careers, but it is also to use our scholarship,
research, and outreach to make lives better for the communities around us. Our overriding goal is to
equip people from all backgrounds with the knowledge and skills to impact the world as leaders in
meaningful fields, and to also spread knowledge and resources throughout the state to make the lives
of ordinary people better today.

    •   FVSU Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling program named among nation’s
        Top 50 Counseling Degree Programs for 2021 by Intelligent.com.
    •   FVSU ranked as a Top 50 University for Best Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology for 2021 by
        Study.com.
    •   FVSU ranked as one of the Top 50 Best HBCUs in the nation for 2021 by College Consensus.
    •   FVSU was named the top public HBCU in Georgia for four consecutive years by U.S. News
        and World Report.
    •   FVSU conducts more federally funded research than any other public teaching university in
        the state of Georgia and is fifth among the 26 Georgia public universities overall.
    •   FVSU was named the 2019 #1 affordable online colleges for psychology by SR Education
        Group.
    •   FVSU is the #4 top producer nationally of African Americans with bachelor’s degrees in
        agriculture, agricultural operations and related sciences and is #1 in the state of Georgia.
    •   FVSU’s four-year veterinary technology program is the only one in Georgia.
    •   FVSU’s online master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling program is ranked the #1
        affordable program in the country by bestcounselingdegrees.net.
    •   FVSU’s mathematics, engineering technology, family and consumer sciences, computer and
        information sciences, psychology and history degree programs all rank in the top ten in
        Georgia for producing the most African Americans with bachelor’s degrees.
    •   FVSU is ranked in the top ten on the list of “Best Value HBCU Graduate Schools” by
        bestvalueschools.com.
    •   FVSU is ranked #8 on the national list of “Top 10 Colleges with Tuition Under $20,000” by
        collegeraptor.com.
    •   FVSU was the number one school in the nation for online student economic mobility in 2017,
        meaning that students who enroll in our online programs move farther up the economic
        ladder than any other students in the country (SR Education Group, 2017).

                                                    2
Academic Attire
The academic costume derives from practices originating in the Middle Ages. When European
universities were formed in the 12th and 13th centuries, the first scholars, mainly clerics, adopted
costumes like those of their monastic orders. Cold halls and drafty buildings made caps and floor-
length gowns with attached hoods a necessity for warmth. Probably because of the religious
customs of that period, academic costumes remained largely drab. After the administration of the
universities was removed from the control of the church, some features of the academic costumes
took on brighter hues. Drawings and restored prints from this era reveal a strong similarity
between the academic costumes worn in the early European universities and the regalia worn
today.

In light of the strong English heritage in the United States, the academic costume has been in use
in this country since colonial times. To establish a standard of uniformity regarding the practice of
dress in the academy, an intercollegiate commission was formed. This commission prepared the
code, which has been adopted by all universities, for the wearing of caps, gowns, and hoods. The
shape of the cap is often the more familiar mortarboard square. Its design resembles the scholar’s
book. Legend has it that the privilege of wearing a cap was the initial right of a person who had
been enslaved under the Roman Empire. The flowing gown has become a symbol of the
universality of scholarship, for it covers any attire, which might indicate work or social strata. The
hood indicates the type of degree, and is lined with the official colors of the university.

                                         THE GOWN
BACHELOR’S                     Black, full cut with long pointed sleeves
MASTER’S                       Black, long or short sleeves with an arc-shaped panel for each sleeve
DOCTORATE                      Black, with velvet panels on the front of the gown and three velvet
                               bars on each sleeve. Color of the velvet may be black or distinctive
                               of the field of study

                                         THE HOOD
BACHELOR’S                     Three feet in length with two-inch wide velvet trim
MASTER’S                       Three and one-half feet in length with three-inch wide velvet trim
DOCTORATE                      Four feet in length with five-inch wide velvet trim and panel at the
                               sides

The lining of all hoods, which is folded out, bears the official colors of the institution from which
the degree was received. The color of the trim indicates the field in which the master’s degree was
granted: Public Health (salmon pink); Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Rehabilitation
Counseling (golden yellow); Animal Science (gray); Biotechnology (golden yellow); and Education
Specialist and Education (light blue).

                                THE CAP AND TASSEL
Candidates for graduate degrees at Fort Valley State University wear the black mortarboard with a
gold tassel, and candidates for undergraduate degrees wear the black mortarboard with a black
tassel.

                                                  3
Presidential Mace

Like the academic costume, the mace dates to medieval times. Knights used the mace, a heavy
club topped with a spiked metal knob, as an effective instrument against the strongest armor in
battle. Most likely this use of the mace influenced university officials to adopt it as a symbol of
vested authority. Usually about two feet in length, the ceremonial mace survives today as a symbol
of authority in most institutions.

Notable instances of its use are found in the sessions of the British House of Commons, where the
mace is placed on the treasury table, and in sessions of the United States House of
Representatives, where the mace is placed to the right of the Speaker of the House. The mace has
also been adopted as an emblem by many colleges and universities in the United States. It is used
in formal academic ceremonies and activities.

The Presidential Mace of Fort Valley State University is 26 inches long. Its shaft is made of
rosewood. The head and tail of the mace are sterling silver. At the very top is an inset consisting
of the engraved university seal, which is gold plated and sterling silver. On the sides of the head
are four scenes in low relief, illustrating the academic emphases of the university: education, arts
and sciences, agriculture, and business. The mace was designed by a nationally known
gold/silversmith, Professor Kurt J. Matzdorf of New Paltz, New York. The inauguration of
President Luther Burse in 1984 marked the first ceremonial use of the mace at Fort Valley State
University.

                                                 4
The University System of Georgia Board of Regents was created in 1931 as part of a reorganization
of state government. For the first time, public higher education in Georgia was unified under a
single governing and management authority.

Board members are appointed by the governor for seven-year terms. The Board of Regents consists
of 19 members — five who are appointed at large, and one each from Georgia’s 14 congressional
districts. Chancellor Steve Wrigley, the chief administrative officer of the University System, also
serves as the board’s chief executive officer.

The board oversees 26 colleges and universities that compose the University System of Georgia
and has oversight of the Georgia Archives and the Georgia Public Library System.

Board of Regents

   W. Allen Gudenrath                                   Jose R. Perez
   Erin Hames                                           Neil L. Pruitt, Jr.
   Barbara Rivera Holmes                                Sarah-Elizabeth Langford Reed
   Samuel D. Holmes                                     Harold Reynolds
   C. Thomas Hopkins, Jr., M.D.                         Sachin Shailendra, Chair
   James M. Hull                                        T. Dallas Smith
   Cade Joiner, Vice Chair                              Kessel D. Stelling, Jr.
   C. Everett Kennedy, III                              Don L. Waters
   Rachel B. Little                                     Philip A. Wilheit, Sr.
   Lowery Houston May

                                                 5
6
PROGRAM
                                                           T. Ramon Stuart, Ph.D.
                                                Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
                                                                  Presiding

 Prelude ............................................................................................................................................ Elvis Lewis, Jr.

*Processional ...............................................“Pomp and Circumstance” ........................................... Elvis Lewis, Jr.
                                                                         Sir Edgar Elgar

*Invocation .............................................................................................................................. J. C. Howard, D.Min.
                                                                                                                     Pastor, House of Hope, Macon, Georgia

*The National Anthem .................................. “Star-Spangled Banner” .................Fort Valley State University Choir
                                                                       Francis Scott Key

 Selection ................................................... “Lift Every Voice and Sing” .............Fort Valley State University Choir
                                                                    James Weldon Johnson

 Welcome ........................................................................................................................... T. Ramon Stuart, Ph.D.

 Message from the Valedictorian .................................................................................................... Bertha S. Knight
                                                                                                                                     Social Work Major

 Commencement Address ............................................................................................................ Paul Jones, Ph.D.
                                                                                                10th President of Fort Valley State University

 Musical Selection ............................................................................................... Fort Valley State University Choir

 Presentation of Deans ....................................................................................................... T. Ramon Stuart, Ph.D.

 Presentation of Candidates for Degrees ....................................................................................... Deans of Colleges
                                 College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology – Ralph Noble, Ph.D.
                                              College of Arts and Sciences – Gregory Ford, Ph.D.
                                  College of Education and Professional Studies – Beth Day-Hairston, Ph.D.

 Conferring of Degrees ................................................................................................................. Paul Jones, Ph.D.

 Induction of Graduates into the National Alumni Association ....................................................... Edward Boston
                                               President, Fort Valley State University National Alumni Association, Inc.

 Commissioning of Cadets .................................................................................................... Cpt. Diego Ariastorres
                                                                                                             Assistant Professor of Military Science

*The Alma Mater ........................................................................... Fort Valley State University Students & Alumni
                                                    William H. Pipes and Odessa Hardison McNair

*Benediction .......................................................................................................................... J. C. Howard, D.Min.

 Postlude ........................................................................................................................................... Elvis Lewis, Jr.

*Faculty Recessional .................................... “War March of the Priest” ........................................... Elvis Lewis, Jr.
                                                                       Felix Mendelsohn

*Student Recessional ...................................................... Fort Valley State University Blue Machine Marching Band

         *The audience should stand. See page 20 for lyrics for Fort Valley State University Alma Mater and “Lift Every Voice and Sing”.

                                                                                  7
GRADUATE DEGREES
                                                   EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST
                                                        School Counselor Education
Julie Alexa Castellanos-Akins ................................................................................................... Fort Valley State University
Sheanna Jade Chappell ............................................................................................................ Fort Valley State University
Crystal Chavone Rose .............................................................................................................................. Liberty University

                                                MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH
                                                               Environmental Health
Kierra Nicole Crafter ................................................................................................................ Fort Valley State University
Jessica Holmes .......................................................................................................................... Fort Valley State University
Tenetta Yevette Holt ..................................................................................................... University of Southern Mississippi
Kardiatou Kane ................................................................................................................ Middle Georgia State University
Jessica Lawrence ........................................................................................................................ Fort Valley State University
Alfonso Mallory .................................................................................................................................. College of Saint Rose
Shawna Sherrell Reese ................................................................................................. Indiana University of Pennsylvania

                                                           MASTER OF SCIENCE
                                                  Clinical Mental Health Counseling
LaDonna Marie Anthony ......................................................................................................... Fort Valley State University
Allison Victoria Eason ..................................................................................................... Middle Georgia State University
Martavis Isaac .............................................................................................................................................. Allen University
Robert Mark Jackson ....................................................................................................................... Albany State University
Zaqayvia Ravonne Ajhiya Johnson .......................................................................................... Fort Valley State University
Brittany Symone Lamar ........................................................................................................... Fort Valley State University
Glenda Michelle Pickett ........................................................................................................... Fort Valley State University
Cassandra Marie Robinson ...................................................................................................... Fort Valley State University
Gwendolyn Bonita Scott .......................................................................................................................... Mercer University
Leeza A. Solomon ............................................................................................................. Middle Georgia State University
Ashley Sha’wanzela Stubbs ....................................................................................................... Fort Valley State University

                                                           Rehabilitation Counseling
Ariele Nicole Bryant ................................................................................................................. Fort Valley State University
LaShadrian Deuntrice Bryant .................................................................................................................. Mercer University
Angelica Marie Collier ............................................................................................................. Fort Valley State University
Dionne Alexise Formey .............................................................................................................. Savannah State University
Vicki M. Harter ....................................................................................................................................... Viterbo University
Yakeniya Tia Jones ................................................................................................................... Fort Valley State University
Brittney Michelle Richardson .................................................................................................. Fort Valley State University

                                                                                      8
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION
                                                       School Counselor Education
Sierra La’Shae Brown ................................................................................................................... Valdosta State University
Anna Charlotte Chupp .................................................................................................... Middle Georgia State University
Megan E. Davis ......................................................................................................................................... Piedmont College
Venus V. Gomes ...................................................................................................................................... Kaplan University
Kaitlyn C. Wells ............................................................................................................................ Georgia State University
Joycelyn Dionne White ........................................................................................................... Georgia Southern University

                                                                                   9
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES
                                                                       Academic Honors

                    Cum Laude (with honor) - Graduates with an overall grade point average of 3.25 - 3.49
               Magna Cum Laude (with high honor) - Graduates with an overall grade point average of 3.50 - 3.74
              Summa Cum Laude (with highest honor) - Graduates with an overall grade point average of 3.75 - 4.00

                                    † Cum Laude                †† Magna Cum Laude                     ††† Summa Cum Laude

   Honor graduates are identified based on the students’ institutional and cumulative grade point averages calculated through the fall
   2020 semester. Since final action cannot always be taken by the time this program is printed, the list of candidates here is tentative
   only.

                                COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE,
                             FAMILY SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY
                                                         BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
                                                                Veterinary Technology
  Khaliph Kareem Abdullah ......................................................................................................................... Chicago, Illinois
  Ebonie Victoria Appleberry ..................................................................................................................... Fairburn, Georgia
  Lydia Cooper ................................................................................................................................. Powder Springs, Georgia
 †Mekali Shahada Felton .............................................................................................................. Capital Heights, Maryland
††Laura Elise Kathleen Franklin .......................................................................................................... Easley, South Carolina
††Briana Lavonne Grier ................................................................................................................................. Atlanta, Georgia
 †Gabrielle E. Henderson ............................................................................................................................ Monroe, Georgia
  ZaMaria Trenise Jones ................................................................................................................................ Atlanta, Georgia
  Nicole Renee Lavene-Ratliff ............................................................................................................... Richmond, Michigan
  George Ellis Rainey .................................................................................................................................... Atlanta, Georgia
 †Janeece Holly Richardson ...................................................................................................................... Jonesboro, Georgia
††Chaley Elizabeth Smith ........................................................................................................................ Fort Valley, Georgia

                                 BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURE
                                                               Agricultural Economics
   Myles Blake Duncan ............................................................................................................................ Montezuma, Georgia
  †Kaylen René Johnson ............................................................................................................................. Hampton, Georgia
  †Shakeena B. Reeves ..................................................................................................................................... Albany, Georgia

                                                                                     10
Agricultural Education
  ††Takandris KeAera Jordan .......................................................................................................................... Dawson, Georgia

                                                                           Animal Science
   Jalani Amari Brown .................................................................................................................................. Norcross, Georgia
†††Brittany Ta’Neal Howard .................................................................................................................... Birmingham, Georgia
   Damesia Annette Jenkins ........................................................................................................................... Atlanta, Georgia
   Keteria Mashawn Loney ............................................................................................................................ Decatur, Georgia
  †Khadijah Saabirah Muhammad ................................................................................................................. Atlanta, Georgia
   Deven J. Myers ........................................................................................................................................ Jonesboro, Georgia

                                                                             Plant Science
    †Tori Elise McGuire ........................................................................................................................................ Miami, Florida
     Kayla Nichelle Staten .............................................................................................................................. Waycross, Georgia

                                     BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ELECTRONICS
                                         ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
     Jah-Mere Quajae Dean .............................................................................................................................. Decatur, Georgia
     Kevin J. Lott ......................................................................................................................................... Stockbridge, Georgia
     Rashad Jamal Moore .......................................................................................................................... Douglasville, Georgia
    †Edward Lamar Rice ................................................................................................................................... Augusta, Georgia

          BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES
    AhLuana Kayshae Mountain .................................................................................................................... Tennille, Georgia
  ††Munira Nabil Yousif ...................................................................................................................... Warner Robins, Georgia

                                                                                         11
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

                                                               BACHELOR OF ARTS
                                                                         Criminal Justice
  Malika Lashay Brown ................................................................................................................................. Atlanta, Georgia
 †Nezra Y. Brown .............................................................................................................................................. Rome, Georgia
  Brianna Tasiya Cooper ............................................................................................................................ Snellville, Georgia
  Tamara Kayla Davidson ............................................................................................................................ Decatur, Georgia
  Stacy Fleming .............................................................................................................................................. Atlanta, Georgia
  Addison Montanez Ford, Jr. ................................................................................................................. Covington, Georgia
  Sheniqua Nicole Freeman .................................................................................................................... Fort Valley, Georgia
††Kiara Amari Gibbs ....................................................................................................................................... Macon, Georgia
  Brittany Danielle Hamilton ........................................................................................................................ Albany, Georgia
  Na’neq Desiree Holley .............................................................................................................................. Decatur, Georgia
††Santina Niesha Johnson ................................................................................................................... Montgomery, Alabama
  Ken’Neshia Dermiese Jones .................................................................................................................. Belle Glade, Florida
  Shabreka Ann Jordan ............................................................................................................................ Columbus, Georgia
  Tealisia Kiyrrah Miller .................................................................................................................................. Byron, Georgia
  Santina Shanise Pierce ........................................................................................................................ Sandersville, Georgia
  Alexus Nichelle Snow ....................................................................................................................... Locust Grove, Georgia
  Jalaia K. Surles ............................................................................................................................................ Chicago, Illinois
  Kalisha Alexis Tashae Tucker ................................................................................................................ LaGrange, Georgia
  Maya Arrian Vega ....................................................................................................................................... Atlanta, Georgia
  Bryan Williams ...................................................................................................................................... Columbus, Georgia
  Ladayshia Jemisca Williams ................................................................................................................... Monticello, Florida
  Demetrius Oxy Willis ............................................................................................................................ Florida City, Florida

                                                                                  History
   Bryce Thomas Ford ........................................................................................................................... McDonough, Georgia
   Roger Melburne Green ............................................................................................................................ Des Moines, Iowa
   Thomas Frederick Haywood ................................................................................................. Saint Simons Island, Georgia

                                                                          Liberal Studies
††Tamera J. Edwards ................................................................................................................................... Snellville, Georgia
  Marlon Landnovis Fleming, II ..................................................................................................................... Tampa, Florida
  Aleazar LaDan Hall ..................................................................................................................................... Macon, Georgia
  Lauren Marae Hodnett ..................................................................................................................... Milledgeville, Georgia
  Undre J. Williams ........................................................................................................................................ Macon, Georgia

                                                                           Media Studies
   Katiana Adams ............................................................................................................................... Central Islip, New York
   Ashton Armand Akins ........................................................................................................................... Hinesville, Georgia
  †Jordan Ashley Davis .............................................................................................................................. Florissant, Missouri
   Makayla LaRee George ................................................................................................................................ Albany, Georgia
   Miles Kenneth Gunby ......................................................................................................................... Stockbridge, Georgia
   Andrea Lattiner-Smith .............................................................................................................. Lexington, North Carolina
   Brach A. Thomas ................................................................................................................................ Delray Beach, Florida
   Keijne A. Thomas ...................................................................................................................................... Conyers, Georgia
   Quenterrius Marquis Turner .................................................................................................................. Reynolds, Georgia
   Anthony Rashad Williams ..................................................................................................................... Kingsland, Georgia

                                                                                        12
Political Science
     Lance A. Adamson .................................................................................................................................. Waycross, Georgia
    †Alaea Baptiste ................................................................................................................................. New Orleans, Louisiana
    †Jamie Lee Burden ......................................................................................................................................... Hiram, Georgia
    †Charity Israel Davis .................................................................................................................................... Atlanta, Georgia
     Edward Gosa, IV ........................................................................................................................................ Atlanta, Georgia
     Neddrick Nichols .............................................................................................................................. Milledgeville, Georgia
     Antonio D’Angleo Wynn ............................................................................................................................. Cairo, Georgia

                                                                               Psychology
†††Jonathan Barber ................................................................................................................................. McDonough, Georgia
†††Li’yonna Callie Battle ........................................................................................................................ McDonough, Georgia
   Shonda Bellamy ...................................................................................................................................... Hinesville, Georgia
   Avery Kendale Clemons .............................................................................................................................. Griffin, Georgia
   Carlos Lamont Cooper ................................................................................................................................ Sardis, Georgia
†††Kashuna Bre’l Copeland ........................................................................................................................... Moultrie, Georgia
   Tre’von DeShon Ellison .......................................................................................................................... Eatonton, Georgia
   Kerri Ann Renee Ferguson .............................................................................................................................. Lorain, Ohio
   Tatyana Finney ......................................................................................................................................... Fairburn, Georgia
  †Kametrise Jabria Holt ................................................................................................................................ Conyers, Georgia
   Kishara Howard ............................................................................................................................. Warner Robins, Georgia
   Mark Kentrell Hurt ................................................................................................................................. Eatonton, Georgia
   Jerberee Christina Jefferson ........................................................................................................... New Orleans, Louisiana
  †Jasmine Jones ......................................................................................................................................... Covington, Georgia
  †Qianna Lockett ........................................................................................................................................... Atlanta, Georgia
   David Deondrae Martin ....................................................................................................................... Fort Valley, Georgia
†††Aleeah Malika Muhammad ............................................................................................................. Long Beach, California
   Malika Elizabeth Oats .......................................................................................................................... Homerville, Georgia
   Briana Danielle Ortiz ......................................................................................................................... Minot, North Dakota
   Sha’Nya Stockton ....................................................................................................................................... Atlanta, Georgia
   Maquaylen Thomas .............................................................................................................................. Gainesville, Georgia
  †Rakala Shaquil Ward ..................................................................................................................... Boynton Beach, Florida
   Nicolas Joshua Wells ................................................................................................................................ Marietta, Georgia
†††Le’Andrea Alexis White .......................................................................................................................... East Point, Georgia
  †Asia Marie Whitmore ........................................................................................................................... Fayetteville, Georgia
   Jakiriah Jené Yates ..................................................................................................................................... Camilla, Georgia

                                                               Visual & Performing Arts
     Edward Charles Anderson ................................................................................................................. Thomasville, Georgia
     Malasia Shandral Hyman .......................................................................................................................... Conyers, Georgia
     Aaron D. Henderson-Singfield ............................................................................................................... Riverdale, Georgia
    †Naomi S. Stanley ........................................................................................................................... Powder Springs, Georgia

                                  BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
                                                                              Accounting
 ††Crystal Ashlee Batts ............................................................................................................... Wake Forest, North Carolina
†††Candace Kristal Drummer .............................................................................................................. Long Island, New York
   Tassja Carmenlita Shanice Ivy .............................................................................................................. Jackson, Mississippi
   Amil Shalita Jones ................................................................................................................................ Fort Valley, Georgia
  †Braxton McCallum ................................................................................................................... New Brunswick, New Jersey

                                                                                        13
Management
   Christian Uzziah Boyd ............................................................................................................................... Atlanta, Georgia
  †Tariq Rashudamir Coker ......................................................................................................................... Marietta, Georgia
   Dwight David Cornelious, II ............................................................................................................... Fort Valley, Georgia
   Rodney K. Dillard, II ................................................................................................................................. Decatur, Georgia
   Ny’Tia Shyra Dupree ....................................................................................................................... Dillon, South Carolina
 ††Ayanna Elizabeth McDuffie ..................................................................................................................... Lithonia, Georgia
 ††Jhavani Rousell Mezier ........................................................................................................................... Queens, New York
   DeRod Moore ........................................................................................................................................... Fairburn, Georgia
  †Kayla Winona Phillips ......................................................................................................................... Stockbridge, Georgia
   Dashun Tyrik Powell ............................................................................................................................... Riverdale, Georgia
†††Micah Charell Sheppard ........................................................................................................................ Covington, Georgia
   Leah A. Thomas ......................................................................................................................................... Atlanta, Georgia
  †Gianni Dasanté Ulmer .............................................................................................................................. Lithonia Georgia
  †Tierra L. Wright ..................................................................................................................................... Hampton, Georgia

                                                                                 Marketing
    †Jacelyn Diamond Hammond .................................................................................................................... Decatur, Georgia
     Larasia Moore-Hill .................................................................................................................................... Omaha, Nebraska
     Karina Chanelle Russell .............................................................................................................................. Austell, Georgia
     Cierra S. Shotomide ................................................................................................................................... Atlanta, Georgia

                                                 Supply Chain and Logistics Management
†††Tahj M. Anderson .............................................................................................................................. McDonough, Georgia
   Melissa Elaine Ferguson ......................................................................................................................... Savannah, Georgia
†††Brianna M. Hampton .................................................................................................................... Warner Robins, Georgia
   Devon Sir Johnson ........................................................................................................................ Warner Robins, Georgia
   Demontay V. Jones .................................................................................................................................. Quitman, Georgia
  †Keana Larell Jones .......................................................................................................................................... Perry, Georgia
 ††Jonathan Emmanuel Niger Travis ........................................................................................................... Quitman, Georgia
   DeAsia Samone West .................................................................................................................... Warner Robins, Georgia

                                                             BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
                                                                                    Biology
    Ahmad Jamal Adams ................................................................................................................................... Blakely, Georgia
   †Kiana ZaTaria Adams ............................................................................................................................... Valdosta, Georgia
    Augustine Agyeman-Badu .......................................................................................................................... Atlanta, Georgia
    Kianna Ashley Anderson ...................................................................................................................... Belle Glade, Florida
    Taesha Anyae Cook-Pirtle .......................................................................................................................... Smyrna, Georgia
   †Kristina Shanice Daniels ............................................................................................................................ Atlanta, Georgia
    Kai Frazier .................................................................................................................................................... Boston, Georgia
   †Ashia Jonai Goggins ............................................................................................................................. Fort Valley, Georgia
  ††Javier Lamar Guillén ...................................................................................................................... Warner Robins, Georgia
    Mary Lordlyn Heraut ........................................................................................................................... Palm Beach, Florida
    Vivica Quentia-LeQi Hill ..................................................................................................................... Sharpsburg, Georgia
    Nyasia Amanda Lazarus ....................................................................................................................... Brooklyn, New York
    Baalat T. Marshall .................................................................................................................................. Clarkston, Georgia
    Jerome Mobley ...................................................................................................................................... Fort Valley, Georgia
    Amber M. Orr ................................................................................................................................... Milledgeville, Georgia

                                                                                           14
T’yanna R. Paige .................................................................................................................................... Brooklyn, New York
     Cre’Dresha Price ................................................................................................................................... Covington, Georgia
     Joseph R. Redfield, III ............................................................................................................................... Augusta, Georgia
     Kevius Juan Shaw ..................................................................................................................................... Valdosta, Georgia
     Tatiyana Dominikue Terrell ...................................................................................................................... Lilburn, Georgia
     Sade Keja Thomas ....................................................................................................................................... Austell, Georgia
     Woodjina Valcin ......................................................................................................................... West Palm Beach, Florida
     Kyla E. Williams .......................................................................................................................................... Albany, Georgia

                                                                                      Chemistry
   †Jasmine Brianna Clarke .......................................................................................................................... Dumfries, Virginia
   †Christian D. Pope ..................................................................................................................................... Detroit, Michigan
  ††Trinity Eliza Riggins ........................................................................................................................... Hawkinsville, Georgia
   †Aanesa Jeanell Watson ................................................................................................................................. Selma, Alabama

                                                                             Computer Science
    †Dekwan L. Barnes .................................................................................................................................. Savannah, Georgia
     Ashley D. Blair .........................................................................................................................................................................
     Richard Brown ........................................................................................................................................... Atlanta, Georgia
     Jordan K-D Coleman .............................................................................................................................. Savannah, Georgia
     Chardarius Armón Fambro ........................................................................................................................ Griffin, Georgia
     Jordan Bobby Gibson ................................................................................................................................. Atlanta, Georgia
     Alex C. Greeley .......................................................................................................................................... Decatur, Georgia
     Terrick Griffin, Jr. ...................................................................................................................................... Atlanta, Georgia
     Alexis Nache Kimbrough ..................................................................................................................... Fayetteville, Georgia
     Jamal Marvin Michel ........................................................................................................................ Manhattan, New York
     Ashley Simmons-Blair ...................................................................................................................... Aiken, South Carolina
     India Nare Sheffield-Blondel ............................................................................................................... Fort Valley, Georgia
     Allen Daniel Smith ....................................................................................................................... Warner Robins, Georgia

                                                                                   Mathematics
   Thaddeus Jameson Adams ........................................................................................................................... Byron, Georgia
   Demond Patray Brown ................................................................................................................................ Albany, Georgia
   Alex Michael Cooper ............................................................................................................................... Kathleen, Georgia
†††Skyy Charisma DuBose ............................................................................................................................. Lithonia, Georgia
   Toni Shamane Johnson .............................................................................................................................. Albany, Georgia
 ††Donquavius Taylor ........................................................................................................................ Warner Robins, Georgia
   Rickey B. Weston, II ........................................................................................................................... Thomaston, Georgia

                                                                    Organizational Leadership
     Andrea Nichelle Blalock .................................................................................................................... Thomasville, Georgia
    †Zachary F. Boggs ............................................................................................................................ Warner Robins, Georgia
    †Sedra Brown ......................................................................................................................................... Fort Valley, Georgia
     Montel Jamal Hardrick ........................................................................................................................... Shellman, Georgia
     Lisa Nichols ................................................................................................................................................. Dublin, Georgia
     Alexus MaShay Starks .............................................................................................................................. Lithonia, Georgia

                                                       BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK
     Breonna Shalae Andrews ............................................................................................................................ Macon, Georgia
     Tyannna Mekelle Askew ............................................................................................................................. Dublin, Georgia
     Calena Latrice Brown ............................................................................................................................ Columbus, Georgia

                                                                                                15
†Ryesha N. Butler ........................................................................................................................................ Broxton, Georgia
   Shakera H. Cheston ............................................................................................................................... Jonesboro, Georgia
   Ymantre Cole ........................................................................................................................................... Marietta, Georgia
   Kaija Huguley ............................................................................................................................................ Decatur, Georgia
   Chelsea Johnson ..................................................................................................................................... Savannah, Georgia
   Johnathan Tyrell Jones ........................................................................................................................... Kingsland, Georgia
†††Bertha Shaunita Knight .......................................................................................................................... LaGrange, Georgia
   Gene’Rique Arthill Noel ........................................................................................................................ Monticello, Florida
   De’Voshua Jikilria Rainey .......................................................................................................................... Atlanta, Georgia
 ††Adrian Sierra Richardson .......................................................................................................................... Bonaire, Georgia
   Jaylenn Michelle Snow ............................................................................................................................... Atlanta, Georgia
   Deja Nekita Williams .................................................................................................................................. Macon, Georgia

                                          COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND
                                            PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
                                     BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION
                                              Elementary Education/Special Education
 ††Akiyah Douglas .................................................................................................................................. Marshallville, Georgia
†††Makayla Janae Wells ................................................................................................................................... Chicago, Illinois

                                                        Health and Physical Education
    †William Anthony Colson .................................................................................................................. Hawkinsville, Georgia
    †Jaylen Micke’ll Lowder .................................................................................................................. Warner Robins, Georgia

                                                              Middle Grades Education
 ††Breonca Nykea Ashley ............................................................................................................................. Eatonton, Georgia
†††Ashley Simone Williams .......................................................................................................................... Riverdale, Georgia

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United States Army Commissions

                                                        Second Lieutenant, Reserve Duty

Ashley D. Simmons-Blair ................................................................................................................................. Signal Corps
Antonio D. Wynn ......................................................................................................................................... Transportation

Administration                                                                                                             Dr. Paul Jones, President

     Dr. T. Ramon Stuart                                                                Dr. Olufunke A. Fontenot
      Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs                                    Interim Chief of Staff

     Jesse F. Kane
                                                                                        Michelle Martin
       Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment
                                                                                         Vice President for Business and Finance
        Management

     Dr. Anthony L. Holloman                                                            Dr. Govind Kannan
      Vice President for University Advancement and                                      Vice President for Economic Development and
      Executive Director for the FVSU Foundation, Inc.                                   Land Grant Affairs

     Dr. Ralph Noble                                                                    Dr. Gregory D. Ford
      Dean, College of Agriculture, Family Sciences                                      Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
      and Technology

     Dr. Beth Day-Hairston
      Dean, College of Education and Professional Studies

Commencement Committee Members
        Anita Allen                                         Dr. Bridget Moss, Chair                                     Dr. Berlethia J. Pitts
        John Cagnina                                        Wallace Keese                                               Ronnie Scott
        Alicia Carner-McDonald                              Shareé Lawrence                                             Dr. Romelda Simmons
        Edwidge Dufresne                                    RJ Mathis, II, Ex-officio                                   Dr. T. Ramon Stuart, Ex-officio
        Ltc. Lance Fountain                                 Malinda Nicholson                                           Charles Weaver

Mace Bearer

     Dr. Isaac J. Crumbly, Professor, Associate Vice President for Collaborative Programs and Founder/Director of the
             Cooperative Developmental Energy Program

                                                                                  17
Marshals

  Dr. Mark Latimore, Jr., Professor and Associate Dean for Extension, Cooperative Extension Program, Faculty
         Marshal
  Dr. Brou Kouakou, Professor, College of Agriculture, Family Sciences & Technology, Department of Agricultural
        Sciences, Animal Science Program, Graduate Marshal
  Wallace Keese, Dean of Students, Student Marshal
  Dr. Thomas Terrill, Professor, College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology Marshal
  Dr. James Mack, Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics & Computer Science,
        College of Arts and Sciences Marshal
  Dr. Gregory Green, Professor and Chair, Department of Teacher Education, College of Education and
        Professional Studies Marshal

  *Marshals are selected based on the number of years of service to the university.

Reader
  Dr. Berlethia J. Pitts, Professor and Chair, Department of Liberal Studies, Visual and Performing Arts and Media
       Studies and Organizational Leadership, and Assistant Dean, College of Arts & Sciences

Ushers

  Golden Ambassadors
  Blue Coat Ambassadors
  ROTC Cadets
  Alumni, Staff & Student Volunteers

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The FVSU 1895 Society

Since 1895, Fort Valley State University has empowered people to use education as a pathway to maximize their
potential through invention, intellectual fulfillment, civic leadership, and meaningful careers. As a way of honoring
our founders and perpetuating a meaningful lifetime connection to our dear ole alma mater, Fort Valley State, FVSU
1895 Society was established to celebrate the legacy of these pioneers. It is an opportunity for the graduating class,
both undergraduate and graduate students, to express their generosity and foresight for next generation scholarships
for students seeking an education that will benefit them for the rest of their life. Graduating class members who
donate at least $18.95 to the FVSU Foundation will be recognized at Commencement for their demonstrated
commitment to FVSU.

   Lance Adamson                             Tamera Edwards                             Kevin Lott
   Kianna Anderson                           Chardarius Fambro                          Jaylen Lowder
   Tahj Anderson                             Melissa Ferguson                           AhLuana Mountain
   Jonathan Barber                           Addison Ford, Jr.                          Khadijah Muhammad
   Dekwan Barnes                             Dionne Formey                              Malika Oats
   Liyonna Battle                            Shenique Freeman                           Glenda Pickett
   Shonda Bellamy                            Terrick Griffin, Jr.                       Cre’Dresha Price
   Andrea Blalock                            Javier Guillen                             Adrian Richardson
   Sedra Brown                               Miles Gunby                                Alexus Snow
   Nezra Brown                               Britany Hamilton                           Jaylenn Snow
   LaShadrian Bryant                         Jacelyn Hammond                            Jalaia Surles
   Jamie Burden                              Mary Heraut                                Tatiyanna Terrell
   Ryesha Butler                             Vivica Hill                                Quenterrius Turner
   Jasmine Clark                             Malasia Hyman                              Gianni Ulmer
   William Colson                            Jerberee Jefferson                         Maya Vega
   Taesha Cook-Pirtle                        Kaylen Johnson                             Makayla Wells
   Kashuna Copeland                          Johnathan Jones                            Nicolas Wells
   Charity Davis                             Shabreka Jordan                            LeAndrea White
   Candace Drummer                           Takandris Jordan                           Asia Whitmore
   Skyy DuBose                               Bertha Knight
   Ny’tia Dupree                             Qianna Lockett

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Alma Mater                                                              Lift Every Voice and Sing

Fort Valley State! Fort Valley State!                                   Lift every voice and sing,
Our lives to thee we dedicate.                                          Till earth and heaven ring,
Our souls we blend to sing thy name;                                    Ring with the harmonies of liberty;
Eternal praise we do proclaim.                                          Let our rejoicing rise
                                                                        High as the listening skies,
Faithful and true, Fort Valley State,                                   Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
We at thy call, forever wait;                                           Sing a song full of faith that the dark past has taught us,
We lift our hearts to thankfulness,                                     Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us,
For loyalty and thoroughness.                                           Facing the rising sun of our new day begun
                                                                        Let us march on till victory is won.
We love to hear thy sweet name called;
Thou art the dearest school of all.                                     Stony the road we trod,
Our hearts to thee will e’er belong,                                    Bitter the chastening rod,
Thou art so steadfast, brave and strong;                                Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
                                                                        Yet with a steady beat,
We love thee so, Fort Valley State,                                     Have not our weary feet,
Our loyalty we dedicate;                                                Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
Thy name forever we proclaim;                                           We have come over a way that with tears has been watered,
Fort Valley State, We love thy name.                                    We have come, treading our path through the blood of the
                      -William H. Pipes and                             slaughtered,
                       Odessa Hardison McNair, 1954                     Out from the gloomy past,
                                                                        Till now we stand at last
                                                                        Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.
The Star-Spangled Banner
                                                                        God of our weary years,
O say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,                          God of our silent tears,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming,              Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way;
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight        Thou who hast by Thy might,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?               Led us into the light,
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,                  Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;             Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee;
O say does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave                           Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?                    Shadowed beneath Thy hand,
                                                                        May we forever stand.
O thus be it ever when free man shall stand                             True to our God,
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation;                      True to our native land.
Blest with victory and peace, may the Heaven-rescued land                                       -Lyrics by James Weldon Johnson
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.                                      -Music by John R. Johnson
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto, “In God is our trust;”
And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
                        -Francis Scott Key, 1775

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