From Pandemic to Diploma: Graduates Persevere
The University of Olivet’s May 18 Commencement was a standing-room-only celebration for the Class of 2024. Family, friends and UOlivet faculty and staff honored 194 undergraduates who missed out on their high school graduation due to the pandemic. Fifteen Master of Business Administration graduates from 11 states across the U.S. also walked across the stage to become alumni of UOlivet.
“Growth and Empowerment” was the theme chosen by the Class of 2024. During the height of the pandemic, these students remained determined to fulfill their dream of attending UOlivet, even though it meant attending classes via Zoom, wearing masks, enduring daily temperature checks, and having limited sports and extracurricular activities. But they persevered. The Class of 2024 also experienced economic uncertainty, witnessed and participated in major social justice issues, is unafraid to discuss mental health awareness and ask for support, and has heightened global awareness. All of this, combined with their UOlivet education, have shaped the Class of 2024 into a resilient, adaptable and socially conscious group of alumni, of which we can be proud.
Maggie Berner and Ronnie Pompey were chosen to represent the Class of 2024 as the class speakers.
Maggie shared, “Part of the reason I chose to come to The University of Olivet was because of the community here. I saw how much people cared about each other, and I knew I wanted to be a part of that. This is a place where I have been able to feel seen and heard and loved, and I don’t believe that could have happened anywhere else. Never lose sight of the community you’ve built here. No matter where you go, no matter what you do, no matter what changes you go through in the years to come, remember what you managed to accomplish at The University of Olivet, and try to bring that with you wherever the future leads you. Four years isn’t forever, but your memories of this place will last a lifetime. Thank you, all of you, for building this community with me. It’s been an honor to be a part of you, class of 2024.”
Ronnie reminded his class what they are capable of as human beings. “Though we were faced with all of these trials and tribulations throughout our time here at The University of Olivet, we still prevailed. But that is the story of our lives. Our class is what I would name, the Class of History Makers,” he said. “The reason behind this is most of us were born in 2001, the year of 9/11. We then graduated high school in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. And now, we are the first graduating class of The University of Olivet. As we go on into the workplace, I would like for all of you to keep that in your mind, ‘I am a history maker, nothing can stop what God has in store for me.’ Be the one in the neighborhood that the upcoming generation can look up to. Continue to strive to make history. I know I will see your names in the history books in the future!”
View and download photos from Commencement.
View the Commencement recap video.
Master of Business Administration
Clinton Allen
Chad Beadles
Arielle Bennett-Scandrick
Deborah Cirillo
Tricia Frerman
John Growney
Terrance Harvey
Benjamin Hitchcock
Amy Howell
Megan Jones
Kiersen McDonough
Kristina Thomas
Takato Timmerman
Matt VandenHeuvel
Dane Vos
Bachelor of Arts
Tevin Ali
Caleb Arthur
Brianna Bailey
Madison Bailey
SirQuarius Ball
Ryan Bart
Mackenzie Barton
Cooper Beard
Maggie Berner
Jordan Bloom
Rearden Biritz
Kaylan Briggs
Trevor Briggs
Caleb Brink
Erica Brock
Brielle Broderick
Anthony Brown
Gregory Brown
Jordon Brown
Kyante Buck
Hunter Caister
Taryn Campbell
Carter Cappon
Joel Carlson
Damani Carter
Samuel Clark
Sean Clayton
Nicholas Conroy
Sarah Cook
Morgan Cox
Sarah Cruz
Alyssa Davis
Christopher Davis
Julia Decker
Caroline Denemy
Alexandra DeVault
Cole Deyo
Quinton Dickerson
Charles Dickinson
Morgan Dillon
Olivia DuFore
Andrew Elenga
Hanna Farler
Matthew Fennell
Noah Feudi
Jaycee Fuentes
Aaron Garcia
Brendan Gates
Bryce Gates
Hayden Germain
Dominic Ghiardi
Dalton Giddings
Wyatt Gillum
Gaberiel Green
Gabriel Guerrero
Grace Hall
Johnathon Halsey
Kaitlyn Halstead
Riley Hancock
Raenikki Harris
Kai Hartman
Chase Hath
Christopher Haynes
Everett Haynes
Devin Higgins
Dylan Hignite
Hunter Hillard
Samuel Hochstetler
Rayna Honsowitz
Jared Ingram
Mckalen Jambor
Keyon Johnson
Mackenzie Jones
Seth Kading
Emily Keeler
Donovan King
Gabriel Kirck
Logan Kramer
Keegan Kuha
Abigail Lahr
Kelsie Lamb
Kirsten Langmaack
Dylan Lazusky
Michael Leija
Christian Lenon
Elijah Lewis
Trevor Lewis
Zachary Liddle
Shane Lisk
Sierra Lull
Dylan Lyons
Jennifer Mann
Kiandra Marciniak
Jacob Marckini
Kaia Mccuien
Elisabeth McIntosh
Blake McLane
Cade McMillan
Ulrick Meighan
Coda Mendoza
Laneace Menefee
Samuel Michael
Cole Miller
Michael Minne
Meredith Morell
Landon Morgan
Ian Morrison
Spencer Murphy
Kinsley Noel
Logan O’Connor
Sebastian O’Leary
Lilyan Pastor
Melissa Patton
Jameson Pavelka
Savannah Pavoni
Jackson Pendell
Jennaleigh Penny
Abbey Peters
Mitchell Pfeifer
Aubrey Pintar
Jessica Pizzimenti
Alexandra Polsinelli
Ronnie Pompey
Benjamin Porter
Amber Ralston
Amanda Ray
Mitchell Reynolds
Traci Rice
James Richardson
Adrienne Riddle
Anthony Riddle
Sophia Rivera
Jeylin Rogers
Gina Rosenfeld
Erin Ruley
Noah Runnals
Sierra Rupp
Cooper Sabourin
Erin Sanders
Justin Schroeder
Jaydynn Schut
Dennis Simmons
Madison Sims
David Sinkler
Cassandra Smith
Christopher Smith
Jade Smith
Miranda Sparks
Keith Spencer
Allyson Stevens
Spencer Swadish
Tonya Tepin
Deontay Thomas
Isabela Tijerina
Allie Tucker
Ethan Valente
Jasmine Van Atti
Lilyanna Vanvalkenburg
Jose Vargas
Andrew Vendzuh
Gleo Wade Jr.
Dakota Weaver
Andrew Weber
Malaki Weger
Asher Wertheimer
Brionne White
Karley Widemon
Breanne Wilder
Hunter Williams
Ricky Williamson
Taylor Wilsey
Chelsey Wiltse
Mitchell Yarger
Reece Yeager
Koda Young
Sarah Zaharion
Zoee Zatarga
Learn more about The University of Olivet by contacting the Office of Admission at 269-200-4060 or admissions@UOlivet.edu.