The University of Olivet recently celebrated the Class of 2021 with an in-person Commencement ceremony on May 22. Two hundred and fourteen graduates were honored, including traditional undergraduate students and graduates of the Master of Business Administration program, RN-BSN Program and Criminal Justice Professional Degree Program. Graduates from the Class of 2020 were also invited to take part in the ceremony.
“These undergraduate, adult professional and graduate students have demonstrated that through commitment, perseverance and good old-fashioned grit, combined with kindness, patience and a willingness to be flexible with oneself and others, they can defy the odds and achieve success in the face of before unimagined challenges,” The University of Olivet President Steven M. Corey, Ph.D., said during the ceremony. “Remember this lesson: you’ll be faced with many challenges in the years to come, and you can succeed then too; not only can you do this, you’ve done it. As part of first-year student Orientation I offer several bits of advice and issue several challenges to our new students. Our graduates probably remember the first: become comfortable being uncomfortable. We know that growth and development happens at the margins of our comfort zone. This is true intellectually, spiritually, culturally, physically and in every other aspect of our being. We must go to the edge of our comfort zone and then beyond to extend our capabilities.”
Two Comets served as class speakers. Abigale Smith ’20 represented the Class of 2020 and Kyle Markley represented the Class of 2021. Smith is from Sunfield and graduated with a degree in business administration with a concentration in management. She was honored with the Donald A. Morris Award as one of the top seven graduating seniors in the Class of 2020. Smith was very active on campus during her time as a student, namely as the drum major for the Marching Comets. Upon graduating, she has been serving with AmeriCorps and the State of Michigan, and she has plans to begin a Peace Corps journey in Fiji when it is safe to travel.
“What I didn’t know then [during my time at Olivet], which I know now however, is that this was the most freeing time of my life. Sometimes life’s pauses are when you’re given a fresh start, and a freedom to finally find out who you are and enjoy living life in the present; living life while you’re waiting for your plane to take off. One of my professors used to have a sign above their door that read, ‘Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life,’ and I never fully appreciated it until I reached this point in my life,” Smith said during her senior class address. “I’ve learned if you root your identity solely in your work and in an unbalanced scale of productivity, you’ll burn yourself out. Don’t try to win races that aren’t yours simply because you want the medal. You might find success, but you’ll never find long-term happiness and you will always be chasing after an elusive measure of self-worth and sense of identity. Enjoy the journey, and trust that your flight will take off at the right time.”
Markley is from Byron and earned his degree in criminal justice with a minor in business administration. He was active in the Criminal Justice Honor Society and regularly volunteered with Crosswalk Teen Center in Charlotte throughout his time at Olivet. Markley plans to pursue a career in the private security sector upon graduation.
“Throughout our time at The University of Olivet, we were able to learn not just from books, but by scenarios that we might face in the future. Our professors not only shared their knowledge, but life skills as well. We’ve learned to always think outside the box, to find solutions not problems, to be resilient, and to never give up,” Markley said during his senior class address. “One of my favorite quotes was from Professor Sherman. She would always tell us students the motto ‘adapt and overcome.’ She taught us that this idea can be applied to any situation we will face in life, and throughout these challenging times in an uncertain world, I believe that we can all adapt and overcome any obstacle we put our mind to. Our time at The University of Olivet has been an amazing experience. The school has provided us with the best possible professors to prepare us to be successful in whatever we pursue in life.”
View photos from Commencement at http://ow.ly/VXu850F2eLZ.
View the Commencement livestream at https://youtu.be/hYD6_9gFkjM.
List of Graduates
Students are listed in zip code order by hometown. Out-of-state and international students are listed at the end of each section.
Master of Business Administration Graduates
Ashley Jenkins, Davison (48423)
Ryan Spalding, East Lansing (48823)
Jamie Kotzian, Howell (48843)
Nicole Bowen, Lansing (48917)
Out-of-State Students
Michelle Patalon, Erie, Pennsylvania (16506)
Laroux Whitman, Erie, Pennsylvania (16509)
Megan Bakken, Washington, D.C. (20009)
Anna Rall, Stafford, Virginia (22556)
Kevin Walker, Charlotte, North Carolina (28226)
Alyssa Bouchard, Rock Hill, South Carolina (29732)
Rebecca Grove, Cumming, Georgia (30040)
Sahand Yavari, Brookhaven, Georgia (30319)
Kendall Gadie, Buford, Georgia (30519)
Kecia Cabrera, Sunrise, Florida (33322)
Michael Koscielny, Parrish, Florida (34219)
Sophie Roome, Columbus, Ohio (43240)
Myranda Joseph, Lakeview, Ohio (43331)
Buffy Clements, Bethel, Ohio (45106)
Ivy Kitzinger, Titonka, Iowa (50480)
Kathryn Goering, Downs, Illinois (61736)
Julia Killian, Normal, Illinois (61761)
Terence Puffer, Lincoln, Illinois (62656)
Helen Fesser, Springfield, Illinois (62712)
Corey Nelson, Little Rock, Arkansas (72215)
Paul Herris, Murphy, Texas (75094)
Paul Robichaux, St. Paul, Texas (75098)
Andrianna Alexander, Cypress, Texas (77429)
Sarah Jordan, Greeley, Colorado (80631)
Chantez Adams, Mesa, Arizona (85212)
Robert Palmer, Lake Oswego, Oregon (97035)
Wetlyne Douglas, Seattle, Washington (98168)
Annalee Jones, West Hills, California (91304)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Graduates
Kaitlyn McNee, Kalamazoo (49009)
Lexus Kerr, Battle Creek (49014)
Sarah Garnaat, Bellevue (49021)
Abbey German, Portage (49024)
Jennifer Johnson, Hastings (49058)
Alicia Lang, Marshall (49068)
Meghan Wilson, Marshall (49068)
Raegen Frederick, Albion (49224)
Alissa Lorenz, Homer (49245)
Heather Kloack, Parma (49269)
Beverly Lawrence, Middleville (49333)
Criminal Justice Professional Degree Program Graduates
Brian Callahan, Charlotte (48813)
Michael Harrison, Kalamazoo (49009)
Zachary Knaus, Marshall (49068)
Maisie Tennant, Olivet (49076)
Justin Reniger, Olivet (49076)
Katie Cole, Sherwood (49089)
William Timmins, Albion (49224)
Chad Lynn, Norton Shores (49441)
Solangie Acosta, Grand Rapids (49507)
Bachelor of Arts Graduates
Jason Moehlman, Algonac (48001)
Brendan Ecker, Almont (48003)
Joanna Taylor, Chesterfield (48051)
Donovan Kingston, Madison Heights (48071)
Alexandria Sabatella, St. Clair Shores (48081)
Aaron Goudie, Troy (48083)
Ryan Simono, Troy (48084)
Katie Murphy, Warren (48088)
Francesco Ruffini, Warren (48092)
Jonathan Johnson, Ray (48096)
Drew Mandell, Maybee (48159)
Machail Hattar, Northville (48168)
Abigail Pray, Plymouth (48170)
Nicholas Hoffman, South Lyon (48178)
Audrey Lama, South Lyon (48178)
Deondre Dobbins, Wayne (48184)
Yul Snell, Westland (48185)
Miguel Manion, Harper Woods (48225)
Ajahnae Henry, Detroit (48227)
Kristen Johnson, Detroit (48235)
LeShaun Phillips, Detroit (48238)
Jessica Myles, Redford (48239)
Ryan Franklin, Farmington Hills (48336)
Sydney Mangham, Farmington Hills (48336)
Mikaela Schmidt, Clarkston (48348)
Gerald Runions, Davisburg (48350)
Cody Van Gordon, Novi (48375)
Zachary Walter, Walled Lake (48390)
Kyle Markley, Byron (48418)
Jacob Coultas, Davison (48423)
Stewart Manges, Flushing (48433)
Andrew Todd, Flushing (48433)
Griffin Hammond, Lapeer (48446)
Keagan Silverthorn, Lexington (48450)
Bradley Payne, Montrose (48457)
Logan Wheeler, Sandusky (48471)
Ariyan Williams, Saginaw (48601)
Jamie Shaffer, Beaverton (48612)
Hunter Schneider, Midland (48642)
Kassidy Zmikly, Sanford (48657)
Michael VanSumeren, Essexville (48732)
Addison Kimmer, Charlotte (48813)
Cady LaPoint, Charlotte (48813)
Audrye Lehmann, Charlotte (48813)
Brooke Wood, Charlotte (48813)
Reece Burton, Charlotte (48813)
Christine Craft, Charlotte (48813)
Hillarie Gibbs, Charlotte (48813)
Laurel Griffin, Charlotte (48813)
Delbert Redfield, Charlotte (48813)
Kalie Rolfe, Charlotte (48813)
Caitlyn Tanner, Charlotte (48813)
Brionna Mielke, Charlotte (48813)
Hayden Barry-Coulier, Clarksville (48815)
Brooklyn Holley, Dewitt (48820)
Victoria Phillips, Dimondale (48821)
Adam Hall, Dimondale (48821)
Robert Mesko, Dimondale (48821)
Natalie Klee, Eaton Rapids (48827)
Maggie Humphrey, Eaton Rapids (48827)
Rebecca Lifford, Eaton Rapids (48827)
Makennah Rousseau, Greenville (48838)
Spencer Mort, Henderson (48841)
Dean Failer, Holt (48842)
Seamus Mitchell, Howell (48843)
Trevor Piggott, Ionia (48846)
Chelsie Smith, Laingsburg (48848)
Leah Miller, Lakeview (48850)
Jordan Fox, Mt. Pleasant (48858)
Travis Garner, Saint Johns (48879)
Matthew Tomas, Saint Johns (48879)
Darren Olejniczak, Vestaburg (48891)
Sidney McIntosh, Weidman (48893)
Keenan Roznowski, Williamston (48895)
Miranda Gale, Williamston (48895)
Dominic Enriquez, Lansing (48910)
Samantha Gifford, Lansing (48910)
Alma Holt, Lansing (48910)
John McAdoo, Lansing (48911)
Christian Washington, Lansing (48911)
Tyler Mojet, Lansing (48917)
Nhu Nguyen, Lansing (48917)
Samantha Torres, Lansing (48917)
Alexis Kahler, Kalamazoo (49001)
Paige Poulter, Portage (49002)
Bruce Allen, Kalamazoo (49008)
Garret Tanner, Kalamazoo (49009)
Mia Parker, Kalamazoo (49009)
Jeffrey Caldarona, Allegan (49010)
Brandan Settles, Battle Creek (49014)
Jaden Costa, Battle Creek (49014)
Jordan McMillan, Battle Creek (49014)
Kyle Rideout, Battle Creek (49015)
Paige Stitt, Battle Creek (49015)
Daniel Hayes, Battle Creek (49015)
Daniel Herrera, Battle Creek (49015)
Andrew Pashley, Battle Creek (49015)
Jacob Saucedo, Battle Creek (49015)
Jacob Taylor, Battle Creek (49015)
Alexandra Thurston, Battle Creek (49017)
Kaylee Clothier, Battle Creek (49017)
Cameron Lemon, Battle Creek (49017)
Julia Miklusicak, Battle Creek (49017)
Zachary Goff, Bellevue (49021)
Jessie Morris, Bellevue (49021)
Joseph Platek, Bellevue (49021)
Heather Roble, Bellevue (49021)
Kayla Blett, Portage (49024)
Jacob Modert, Bronson (49028)
Lauren Day, Ceresco (49033)
Keely Cruz, Ceresco (49033)
Payton Watson, Coldwater (49036)
Brittney Sellin, Battle Creek (49037)
Lydia Vargas, Kalamazoo (49048)
Grace Wheeler, Marshall (49068)
Courtney Willson, Marshall (49068)
Emma Benham, Marshall (49068)
Ashley Swisher, Marshall (49068)
Isiah Strand, Marshall (49068)
Madison Dexter, Olivet (49076)
Morgan Greenman, Olivet (49076)
Cassity Otto, Olivet (49076)
Tanner Finn, Richland (49083)
Laken Groll, Vicksburg (49097)
Alexander Shell, Niles (49120)
Brooke Garver, Jackson (49203)
Kimberly Buie, Adrian (49221)
Davion Miller, Albion (49224)
Cassidy Hath, Jonesville (49250)
Ashlea Adams, Onondaga (49264)
Bradley Hawkins, Onondaga (49264)
Grace White, Big Rapids (49307)
Crystal Lettinga, Byron Center (49315)
Bridget Garter, Lowell (49331)
Johnny Brazier, Pierson (49339)
Spencer Naffziger, Sand Lake (49343)
Justin Thurston, Sand Lake (49343)
Madison Lewitt, Allendale (49401)
Patrick Gault, Hamilton (49419)
Mark Dowell, Muskegon (49442)
Ernesto Gutierrez, Muskegon (49442)
Kolton Epplett, Spring Lake (49456)
Casey Huizenga, Whitehall (49461)
Tori John, Cadillac (49601)
Taytum Myers, Brethren (49619)
Payton Leonard, Fife Lake (49633)
Alyssa Bergey, Leroy (49655)
Tyler Peck, Manistee (49660)
Out-of-State Students
Franklin Grayson, Jacksonville, Florida (32209)
Sydnee Dennis, Lantana, Florida (33462)
Kyle Emory, San Antonio, Florida (33576)
Matthew Scher, Land O Lakes, Florida (34639)
Zaquary Strohmeyer, Galena, Ohio (43021)
Kaleb Jarrett, Newark, Ohio (43055)
Destiny Clark, Cleveland, Ohio (44119)
Mariela Guzman, Zion, Illinois (60099)
Justin Lavin, Frankfort, Illinois (60423)
Randy Britt, Chicago, Illinois (60612)
Andrenae Johnson, Chicago, Illinois (60612)
Levi Mefford, Argyle, Texas (76226)
Keanalanimeleo’kekai Kunz, Laie, Hawaii (96762)
International Students
Desiree Luque Pradas, Seville, Spain
Learn more about The University of Olivet by contacting the Office of Admission at 800-456-7189 or admissions@uolivet.edu.