The University of Olivet recently celebrated the Class of 2020 with a video graduation celebration. Two hundred and twenty-one graduates were honored, including traditional undergraduates students and graduates of the Master of Business Administration in Insurance program, RN-BSN Program and Criminal Justice Professional Degree Program.
The video included messages from President Steven M. Corey, Ph.D., Provost Maria G. Davis, Ph.D., Board of Trustees Chair Thomas Kolassa ’69, Professor and City of Olivet Mayor Laura Barlond-Maas ’88 and senior class speaker Abigale Smith ’20. In addition, memorable photos, well wishes from alumni and an honor roll listing of graduates were shared.
Here are highlights from the messages shared:
“We don’t have to be together to celebrate and mark this extra special occasion — your right of passage from college students to college graduates and alumni,” President Steven M. Corey, Ph.D., said. “Today, our celebration and ceremony, our shared experience, is virtual, making it available to each of us wherever we may be. Be assured, it is no less important. Enjoy it, revel in it, celebrate it and share it — you’ve earned it. Enjoy this time and be proud of your accomplishments; we certainly are. And, know that we look forward to the day when we can meet you in person at center stage to celebrate and congratulate you again.”
“I also congratulate you on your accomplishments and welcome you into the family of The University of Olivet alumni,” said Board of Trustees Chair Thomas Kolassa ’69. “It’s my pleasure to celebrate these accomplishments with you. This virtual celebration is itself a testament to the challenging times we’re facing right now. Experience has taught me that challenges great and small will present themselves through life’s journey. All challenges become opportunities — yes, all challenges are opportunities. Your The University of Olivet experience has prepared you to meet the challenges you face today and will face in the future. I found that, as Olivetians, together we are stronger and tougher, and we can face and overcome these challenges.”
“As I considered what I would say to you in this time when everything is not what we are used to and our lives are not what we are used to on a day-to-day basis, one word comes to mind: resilience, the ability to adapt to change,” said Laura Barlond-Maas ’88, associate professor of English and mayor of the City of Olivet. “I am confident that you have the resilience you need to come out on the other side and to grow into even better people than you could have predicted when you first came to Olivet. You’ve made it. You’ve made changes. You’ve made choices. You’ve been challenged and changed, which is what a college like Olivet can do. We challenge you. We mentor you. You develop skills, creativity, communication and connections. You are ready to face this changing world around you. You will see challenges and create solutions. You will more likely keep in touch with people you love and see the humanity in all those you meet. You will be resilient.”
Abigale Smith, from Sunfield, served as the senior class speaker. Abigale received her degree in business administration major with a management concentration, graduating in the top seven of the Class of 2020. During her time at Olivet, Abigale has been deeply involved with the Marching Comets, serving as drum major and playing the trumpet. She has also served as the chairperson for the Out of the Darkness Campus Walk for suicide prevention, which has become an annual event and the largest student-led fundraiser on campus. Abigale is a fellow of the President’s Leadership Institute and a graduate of the Women’s Leadership Institute. After graduation, Abigale plans to join the Peace Corps to serve as an economic development facilitator in Fiji. She hopes to shape her career in social enterprise.
“OC students have grit and face adversity like no others, and to them, adversity is just a word used to scare away those not up for a challenge,” said Smith. “This graduating class is no exception. This pandemic is The University of Olivet’s latest adversity, and it’s hitting seniors especially hard, but it’s showing us a true definition of what it means to be comfortable being uncomfortable and what it means to be a true Olivetian.
“I realized it doesn’t matter if you’re in the same classroom or a thousand miles away from your professors — they will always be there to help guide you, offer a listening ear, lend a helping hand and make sure you succeed. I realized that regardless of whether or not we’re about to hang out and see each other in person every day, my friends from college will always be a phone call or text away when I need them. I realized that regardless of whether I walk across the stage and receive my degree in front of hundreds of people or simply get it shipped to me in the mail, my parents, my family, my friends and my professors will always be proud of the accomplishments I have made throughout my college career. Most importantly, I learned that no distance, no time, no technical difficulties, no amount of discomfort and no virus, no matter how serious, will break the bonds of the The University of Olivet family.”
List of Graduates
Students are listed in alphabetical order by hometown. Out-of-state and international students are listed at the end of each section.
Special Symbols Key:
Academic Honors
*** Summa cum laude 3.90-4.00
** Magna cum laude 3.75-3.89
* Cum laude 3.50-3.74
Donald A. Morris Awards
M — Signifies the five graduating seniors with the highest grade point average.
Global Citizen Honors Program
G — Indicates graduates who are members of the Global Citizen Honors Program. This program calls on its members to investigate complex, interdisciplinary global issues and to be involved in the world around them. It is designed for the student who wishes to continue demonstrating creativity and leadership within the framework of individual and social responsibility.
Master of Business Administration in Insurance Graduates
Abigail Maas, Southfield (48033)
Michael Raupp, Pinckney (48169)
Brandon Gadbury, Hartland (48353)
Ashley Jenkins, Grand Blanc (48439)
Amber Kersjes, Charlotte (48813)
Benjamin Rathbun, Lansing (48906)
Out-of-State Students:
Jason Hicks, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania (17070)
Marcy Newton, Smyrna, Tennessee (37167)
Andrew Branch, Medina, Ohio (44256)
Levi Sturgeon, Bloomington, Illinois (61704)
David Carlson, Saint Louis, Missouri (63123)
Shatika Hampton, Little Elm, Texas (75068)
Linda Thomas, Mckinney, Texas (75071)
April Bonner, Dallas, Texas (75201)
Alejandro Salinas, Dallas, Texas (75208)
Christopher Loveland, Fair Oaks, Texas (78015)
Sonya Palmer, Austin, Texas (78744)
Robert Palmer, Lake Oswego, Oregon (97035)
Mitchell Cogswell, Bloomington, Illinois (61704)
Annalee Jones, West Hills, California (91304)
Criminal Justice Professional Degree Program Graduates
Patrick Hollern, Potterville (48876)
Lisa Kirby, Saint Johns (48879)
Jason Kern*, Marshall (49068)
Nicole Wygant*, Marshall (49068)
Zachary Sutfin, Vermontville (49096)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Graduates
Richard C. Wilson, Bellevue (49021)
Nicole Stone-Matako, Marshall (49068)
Casie Hudson, Olivet (49076)
Bachelor of Art Graduates
Andre’ Bourlier, Clay (48001)
Jack Caporuscio*, Allenton (48002)
Eric Ransom, Emmett (48022)
Connor Hamm, Beverly Hills (48025)
Zachary Meharg**, Clinton Township (48038)
Brandon Goike*, Memphis (48041)
Matthew Buckley, Chesterfield (48047)
Noah Bailey*, Lenox (48048)
Jordyn Osterland***, Richmond (48062)
Aaron Gillespie*, Roseville (48066)
Donyale Griffin, Roseville (48066)
Thomas Kaliszewski, St. Clair (48079)
Brandi Schonter, Warren (48091)
Halle Burke**, Warren (48093)
Thomas Decker, Ann Arbor (48103)
Eleanor Chapin-O’Leary, Ann Arbor (48105)
Elijah Huebner, Brighton (48116)
Blake Johnson, Lincoln Park (48146)
Dylan Zupko, Livonia (48152)
Rose Kemmerling***, Monroe (48162)
Douglas Pollard, Monroe (48162)
Miranda Pier**, Woodhaven (48183)
Logan Beaudoin, Westland (48185)
Derek Merschman, Westland (48185)
Isaac Tarrant, Detroit (48204)
Hezekiah Turner, Detroit (48217)
Keyon Rainey, Detroit (48218)
Deivan Prince, Ferndale (48220)
Brittney Prince, Ferndale (48220)
Ashton Osborne***M, Detroit (48224)
Zackary Evans, Detroit (48228)
Lakisha Pressley, Grosse Pointe Woods (48236)
LeShaun Phillips, Detroit (48238)
Nathan Samuel, Detroit (48238)
Cedric Mann, Redford (48239)
Delvon Robinson, Sterling Heights (48310)
Bailey Saraceno***M, Sterling Heights (48310)
Frank Mercurio, Steeling Heights (48312)
Haydn Kinjorski, West Bloomfield (48323)
Kolby Williams, Auburn Hills (48326)
Asheley Brooks, Farmington Hills (48331)
Abigail Slater***, Lake Orion (48359)
Raphaela Birtulescu**, Lake Orion (48360)
Zachary Walter, Walled Lake (48390)
Abigail Radcliffe***, Davison (48423)
Maya Prewitt***, Flushing (48433)
Kristen Mullane, Goodrich (48438)
Cayla Wierenga, Linden (48451)
Brianna Sevcech, New Lothrop (48460)
Phillip Hawes*, Flint (48506)
Myra-Renee Jones, Saginaw (48605)
Cole HerschG, Chesaning (48616)
Aloria Benson, Farwell (48622)
Eric Wood*, West Branch (48661)
Benjamin Coughlin, Frankenmuth (48734)
Brianna CurtisG, Reese (48757)
Daniel Waber, Alma (48801)
Brittany Matsumoto**, Bath (48808)
Zachary Pringle***, Crystal (48811)
Tyler Bandy, Charlotte (48813)
Patrick Eldred*, Charlotte (48813)
Trenton Imes*, Charlotte (48813)
Bryce Johnson, Charlotte (48813)
Chandler Kelley, Charlotte (48813)
Melanie Keusch**, Charlotte (48813)
Malorie Kiplinger*, Charlotte (48813)
Travis Kroeg*, Charlotte (48813)
Maranda Munley**, Charlotte (48813)
James Thurman***, Charlotte (48813)
Taylor Wendorf, Charlotte (48813)
Amber Willis, Charlotte (48813)
Gabrielle Mundt*, Dewitt (48820)
Elizabeth Phillips, Dimondale (48821)
Chance Brownell, Eaton Rapids (48827)
Jarod Bush, Eaton Rapids (48827)
Katherine Klee**, Eaton Rapids (48827)
Carrie Watson**, Eaton Rapids (48827)
Dylan West*, Eaton Rapids (48827)
Kyle Roberts, Fowlerville (48836)
Andrew Castaneda, Grand Ledge (48837)
Dariusz Lewandowski*, Haslett (48840)
Brock Pringle*, Haslett (48840)
Huston SnyderG, Holt (48842)
Riley Bennett*, Howell (48843)
Julie O’Berry***, Morrice (48857)
Nathan Davis, Perry (48872)
Jacob Rivers, Perry (48872)
Zane Paksi*, Saint Johns (48879)
Abigale Smith*** M, Sunfield (48890)
DeOndra’ Callahan, Lansing (48910)
Dominic Enriquez, Lansing (48910)
Nieya Brown, Lansing (48911)
Joshua Johnson, Lansing (48911)
Jillian Johnson***, Lansing (48911)
John McAdoo IV, Lansing (48911)
Kamyab Kamali, Lansing (48912)
De’Asia Davis, Lansing (48917)
Ta’Neeka DeMyers**, Lansing (48917)
Hannah Haugsby**, Lansing (48917)
Samantha Rock, Lansing (48917)
Ember Seiler, Lansing (48917)
Jalen McFerrin-Pace, Kalamazoo (49009)
Garret Tanner, Kalamazoo (49009)
Daniel Boehme*, Augusta (49012)
Amy McGlothen***, Battle Creek (49014)
Taylor Shellenberger, Battle Creek (49014)
Lynn TenBrink, Battle Creek (49014)
Amelia Tomalka, Battle Creek (49014)
Sydnie Weller**, Battle Creek (49014)
Haley Harty, Battle Creek (49015)
Kyle Rideout*, Battle Creek (49015)
Justin Lamb***, Battle Creek (49017)
Brooke Roberts***, Battle Creek (49017)
Coleton Swims, Battle Creek (49017)
Marah Heikkila***M, Bellevue (49021)
Caleb Robinson, Bellevue (49021)
Benjamin Serrels**, Bellevue (49021)
Anthony Adkins, Benton Harbor (49022)
Tammy Lee, Cassopolis (49031)
Joshua Simonis, Coldwater (49036)
Morgan Champion, Delton (49046)
Joshua McCarty, Dowling (49050)
Grace Boyle, Hasting (49058)
Emmalee Yates**, Hastings (49058)
Katerina Asselin***, Marshall (49068)
Isabel Dunn, Marshall (49068)
Haley Glenn, Marshall (49068)
Madalyn Peters**, Marshall (49068)
Jazmin Hildebrand, Martin (49070)
Meghann Zank, Nashville (49073)
Mikayla Bower, Olivet (49076)
Logan Browning, Olivet (49076)
Nathaniel ColonG, Olivet (49076)
Clayton Higelmire, Olivet (49076)
Bailey Parker, Olivet (49076)
Samantha Steward, Olivet (49076)
Noah Wertheimer, Olivet (49076)
Monique Williams, Olivet (49076)
Tyler Nobel*, Plainwell (49080)
Brandie Pomeroy*** M, Plainwell (49080)
Kalen Stahl, Quincy (49082)
Danielle McCoy, St. Joseph (49085)
Justene Knowlton, Schoolcraft (49087)
Jenna Braschler*** M, South Haven (49090)
Kyle Till, South Haven (49090)
Morgan Mauldin**, Three Rivers (49093)
Garret Cleveland, Berrien Center (49102)
Wesley Springer-Grounds, Niles (49120)
Carl Albrecht, Jackson (49201)
Sofiya Stumpos*, Albion (49224)
Amanda Briggs**, Brooklyn (49230)
Jackson Patton, Cement City (49233)
John Bangert*, Homer (49245)
Tyler Thenikl***, Belmont (49306)
Darrin Vedder, Big Rapids (49307)
Emma Schut**, Cedar Springs (49319)
Nicole Knapp*, Lowell (49331)
Sarah Feldpausch***, Middleville (49333)
Madelyn Notenbaum*, Middleville (49333)
Madison Lewitt, Allendale (49401)
Trevor Sidebotham, Allendale (49401)
Austin MacDougall, Branch (49402)
Sherri Polk, Grand Haven (49417)
Dylan Gann, Columbiaville (49421)
Jada Schallhorn**, Holland (49423)
Amari Brown, Muskegon (49441)
Shawnteanna Dame, Muskegon (49442)
Devin Pascavage, Muskegon (49442)
Dugan Dieselberg, Muskegon (49444)
Madeline VanderVeen*, Grand Rapids (49506)
Shelby Stadt, Walker (49534)
Katelyn Priest***, Grand Rapids (49544)
Ryan Beeler, Grand Rapids (49548)
Brandon Bode*, Manton (49663)
Taylor Robbins, Traverse City (49684)
Hannah Jorgensen, Petoskey (49770)
Paige Levitte, Petoskey (49770)
Megan Sysko, Petoskey (49770)
Kyleigh Cross**, Daggett (49821)
Out-of-State Students:
Reiker Dean*, Youngsville, North Carolina (27596)
Brittany McDuffie, Toledo, Ohio (43613)
JaQuan Short, Liberty Township, Ohio (45044)
Noah McMinn, Fishers, Indiana (46037)
Katherine Hansel*G, Greencastle, Indiana (46135)
Alexandria Lesko, Reelsville, Indiana (46171)
Dalton McCuiston, Fort Wayne, Indiana (46815)
Aaron Giorgi, Elko New Market, Minnesota (55054)
Matthew Rehfeldt, Peotone, Illinois (60468)
Omar Brown, Chicago, Illinois (60628)
Dalton Miner***, Sunnyvale, California (94087)
International Students:
Taylor Elley**, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada (NOL 4P9
Nicole Deweyert*** M, Dorchester, Ontario, Canada (NOL 1G1)
Jaideep Joshua Narayanan, Kodaikanal, India
Learn more about The University of Olivet by contacting the Office of Admissions at 800-456-7189 or admissions@uolivet.edu.
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