262 receive degrees during December graduation at SWU
The City of Greenville Pipes and Drums leads a processional of Southern Wesleyan University graduates up Wesleyan Drive during the Dec. 12 ceremony at the Central campus.
December graduates received their degrees during two ceremonies held at Southern Wesleyan University in Central Dec. 12 and 13.
Southern Wesleyan conferred 262 degrees, according to Janice Hartsoe, the university’s registrar.
Students graduated from the university’s traditional program Dec. 12, while students enrolled in the university’s adult evening programs from the Central, Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Greenwood, North Augusta and Spartanburg locations and students enrolled in online degree programs received their degrees Dec. 13.
Graduation is a time to celebrate achievements and to mark an important milestone in life, often as a family.
Angie Bowers of Fountain Inn received her master of science in management degree during the Saturday ceremony, while her son Austin received his associate of general studies degree.
For many, graduation represented more than receiving their degrees.
For Christina Britton of Williamston, receiving her history degree was a personal triumph over a daunting life challenge. Injured at age 18 in an automobile accident, Britton lost the use of one arm and battled depression along the way. She now plans to further her education at graduate school, hoping someday to earn her Ph.D. and become a history professor.
Tracy Byrd of Easley returned to complete her degree while in her forties. Byrd, who for several years has been raising her autistic son and watching him progress “miraculously” despite his disability, plans also to go into graduate school and further her studies in history.
Shirley Allen received her degree posthumously. Her children, Lenard Hudnal and Taneisha Gadsden, accepted the degree on her behalf. Allen, a business student from Ravenel, died Aug. 28 after battling a brain tumor.
Christopher Heironimus of Summerville wore on his cap a tassel belonging to his younger brother, Chase Ray, who was killed in 2012 in an automobile accident. He wore it as a symbol of a promise he made to his brother to finish his degree work.
“If not for him and the promise we made, I would not be here doing this,” Heironimus said.
To view video of both ceremonies, go to the SWU Chapel page on YouTube and enter into the search box “swu graduation fall 2014.”
The December 2014 graduates included:
In South Carolina
Adams Run
Patrice Geddis Simmons, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership.
Aiken
Ramona Denise Davis, Bachelor of Science in Business Management; Sherry H. James, Associate of Arts in General Studies; Wendell Lee James, Associate of Arts in General Studies; Jessica Seay Law, Bachelor of Science in Human Services; Sheila Toole-Hinson, Associate of Arts in General Studies; Rachel Moulton Ryan, Master of Business Administration.
Anderson
Zakiyyah Danielle Galloway, Bachelor of Science in Social Science; Katherine Cher're Haney, Bachelor of Science in Human Services; Stephanie Elizabeth Johnson, Bachelor of Arts in Media Communication, Magna Cum Laude; Daniel Loggins, Bachelor of Arts in Media Communication; Elizabeth Grace Maness, Bachelor of Science in Social Science; Anthony Curtis Wagoner, Associate of Arts in General Studies.
Beech Island
Mary F. Straling, Master of Business Administration.
Blythewood
Brenda Gail Jones, Master of Business Administration.
Boiling Springs
Peter Martin, Master of Business Administration.
Cameron
Tomiorrior Melasher Rivers-Backmon, Master of Business Administration.
Campobello
Monica B. Arms, Associate of Arts in General Studies.
Central
Alexander Harmon Gebert, Bachelor of Arts in Religion; Shanon Nicole Moss, Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education; Tiffany Parker, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Cum Laude; Leslie Allison Sobko, Bachelor of Science in Business Management; Ashley Elizabeth Stutchman, Associate of Arts in General Studies.
Charleston
Laura Cannon, Bachelor of Science in Human Services; John Patrick Cioni, Bachelor of Science in Business Management, University Honors; Ebony Renée Douglas, Associate of Arts General Studies; Michael L. Gage, Master of Business Administration; Christine Lea Knutson, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership; Daniel Eugen Pach, Master of Business Administration; Ashley Drake-Poe, Bachelor of Science in Business Management; Linda J. Simmons President, Bachelor of Science in Business Management.
Chesnee
Ashley Durant Godwin, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision.
Clearwater
Valarie Fatima Jones, Master of Business Administration.
Clemson
David Cody Hommes, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science; Hunter Drew Walker, Master of Business Administration.
Columbia
Christine Caldwell, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Retoisha Dallas, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership; Leslie A. Daniels, Associate of Arts in General Studies; Dianne Louise Dickey, Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Cum Laude; Anthony Leon Elmore, Associate of Arts in General Studies; Virengia Houston, Master of Business Administration; Dwayne Anthony Ismail, Associate of Arts in General Studies; Damian T. Johnson, Master of Business Administration; Mary Alice Laubach, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Alisa K. Long, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Verlanda Santell Middleton, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership; Christine M. Phelps, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Melissa Jeffcoat-Riley, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Hameen Abdullah Shabazz, Bachelor of Science in Human Services, Cum Laude; Lomon Steele, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Mindy Prince Tucker, Associate of Arts in General Studies; Judy H. Williams, Bachelor of Science in Human Services; Kristin Lee Vogel, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership; Lori Renee Washington, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership.
Duncan
Tricia E. Hackett, Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Magna Cum Laude; Billie G. Loftis, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision.
Easley
Mary Sellers Andrews, Associate of Arts in General Studies; Tracy L. Byrd, Bachelor of Arts in History; Tamie Sue Chapman, Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Cum Laude; Elizabeth Michelle Cison, Bachelor of Arts in English, Cum Laude; Adam S. Conrad, Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education; Jennifer Grant, Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Science; Tina Marie L. Hoxie, Associate of Arts in General Studies; Matthew Kyle Harper, Bachelor of Science in Business Management, University Honors; Melissa Hogan Jefferson, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership; Steven Matthew Turner, Bachelor of Science in Human Services, Cum Laude; Karen Karletta Talley, Master of Science Management.
Edgefield
Amie L. Schneider, Associate of Arts in General Studies.
Elgin
Franklin P. Davis, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership; Tonya Lucretia Williams, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision.
Fountain Inn
Angela Davel Bowers, Master of Science in Management; Austin William Bowers, Associate of Arts in General Studies; Chad Everett Huffman, Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Cum Laude; Crystal Lawson Huffman, Master of Science in Management; Cynthia Lynn Trotter, Bachelor of Science in Business Management.
Gaffney
Cora Renee' Hughes, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership.
Gaston
Charles Paul Beam, Master of Business Administration.
Goose Creek
Crystal M. Addison, Bachelor of Science in Human Services; Carol Delane Allen, Master of Business Administration; Derrelle Green, Bachelor of Science in Human Services; Monique Theresa Frasier, Master of Business Administration; Alma R. Lowery, Master of Science in Management; Jessica Renée Scott, Master of Business Administration; Sabrina F. Varner, Master of Science in Management.
Graniteville
Anita Childs Clark, Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Magna Cum Laude; David Jason Hair, Master of Business Administration.
Gray Court
Richard Allen Jones, Master of Business Administration, Suzanne L. Sees Vallar, Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Cum Laude.
Greenville
Patricia Ann Barnes, Bachelor of Science Business Management; Traci Lynn Brown, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science; Angela Yolanda Freeman, Bachelor of Science in Business Management; David E. Gillette, Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Cum Laude; Kearsten Jamell Gilliam, Master of Science in Management; Don Richard Goebel, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Sytrena Greer, Bachelor of Science in Human Services; Courtney Dayva Jackson, Bachelor of Science in Business Management; Sherry Denise Jones, Bachelor of Science in Business Management; Caroline F. Kennedy, Bachelor of Science in Human Services; Tajuana F. Norris, Bachelor of Science Business Management; Sharmaine Odumodu, Bachelor of Science in Human Services; Cynthia Rena Goldsmith-Payton, Bachelor of Science in Business Management; Jessica Nicole Parris, Master of Science in Management.
Greer
Henry Clyde Floyd, Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Cum Laude; Jennifer R. Pegg, Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Magna Cum Laude; Megan Hutchison Corona, Master of Science in Management.
Hanahan
John Gregory Joyner, Master of Business Administration.
Holly Hill
Dianne G. Walters, Bachelor of Science in Human Services.
Honea Path
Amy Michelle Evans, Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Cum Laude.
Irmo
James Elliott Dominick, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Chastity Bailey Evans, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Princess Alberta Lloyd, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership; George Maltby Stiles III, Master of Business Administration.
Jackson
Elizabeth Juneine Schoultz, Associate of Arts in General Studies.
La France
Lacey C. Land, Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Sport Management.
Ladson
Jonelle Maxwell, Master of Science in Management; Kyle Joseph Williams, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership.
Lexington
Paul Joseph Hackett, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Felicia M. Harper, Bachelor of Science in Business Management; Margie Townes Lee, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Latoria M. Sheppard, Bachelor of Science in Human Services; Joseph E. Tysinger III, Bachelor of Science in Human Services, Magna Cum Laude.
Liberty
Joshua M. Bishop, Associate of Arts in General Studies; Eddie Lemount Houston II, Bachelor of Science in Business Management; Christina Lynn Steward, Bachelor of Science in Biology.
Lugoff
Christina Harris, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership.
Mauldin
Melinda Diane Saettel, Bachelor of Science in Human Services; Stefanie Paige Sims, Master of Science in Management.
McClellanville
Carolyn Fort Page, Master of Science in Management.
Moncks Corner
Marcia McWhorter Abrahamson, Bachelor of Science in Business Management, University Honors; Toni Michelle Taylor, Associate of Arts in General Studies.
Monetta
Jessica Faulk Tejeda, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership.
Mount Pleasant
Melissa L. Jenkinson, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Jason Michael McDermott, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Karen Clinkert Paggi, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership.
Newry
Kayla Nichole Jorgensen, Associate of Arts in General Studies.
Norris
Cassandra Marie Woodall, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.
North Augusta
Adria Arvin Brizius, Master of Business Administration; Sherry L. Brown, Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Summa Cum Laude; Kelly Bell Crawford, Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Magna Cum Laude; Mary F. Johnson, Master of Science in Management; Trinika L. Mason, Master of Science in Management; Josephine Merriweather, Bachelor of Science in Human Services; Staci Darcelle Pontoon, Master of Business Administration; Stephanie Ingram Smith, Bachelor of Science in Business Management; Randy Allen Stover, Master of Business Administration; Kenneth Andrew Whitaker Sr., Bachelor of Science in Business Management.
North Charleston
LaShaunda Denise Chaplin, Master of Business Administration; Leslie Damon, Bachelor of Science in Business Management; Lindsay Southern Gregory, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Ra'Shawn Antwan Gambrell, Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Cum Laude; Viola Alfreda Hardy, Master of Science in Management Angela Lynn Mitchell, Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Cum Laude; Teresa Lynn Novinger, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership; Konita Nicole Reid, Master of Business Administration; Lakisha Shuneka Smalls, Associate of Arts in General Studies; Shaquetta Monique Jakes-Ware, Bachelor of Science in Human Services.
Orangeburg
Ralph William Alexander III, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; LaTonya Chakirah Capers, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Harriett S. Davis, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Amann Rashaun Holden, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Alexander M. Tryciecky, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Sharice Monae Walker, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision.
Pelzer
Rebekah Anne Courtney, Bachelor of Science in Human Services, Cum Laude.
Pendleton
Hannah Virginia Coleman, Bachelor of Arts in Media Communication.
Piedmont
Lorrie Lorraine Bennefield, Bachelor of Science in Business Management; Amy J. Davis, Bachelor of Science in Business Management; Valerie Golden Houston, Associate of Arts in General Studies; Aubrey Shannon Inks, Bachelor of Arts in English; Detroit Demantre Pendgraf, Bachelor of Science in Human Services; Brenda L. Pickens, Master of Science in Management, Krystal Nicole Woods, Bachelor of Science in Business Management.
Prosperity
Edward T. Chariker, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Susan C. Dawkins, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision.
Ravenel
Shirley E. Allen, Bachelor of Science in Business Management (Awarded Posthumously).
Ridgeville
Sabrina Renee Sanders, Associate of Arts in General Studies.
Salem
James Timothy Whited, Bachelor of Arts in Religion.
Seneca
Frances Regina Gibson, Associate of Science in Business; Lakeshia R. Moon, Associate of Arts in General Studies; Hannah Joy Rankin, Bachelor of Science in Human Services.
Simpsonville
John Forest Anderson, Bachelor of Science in Business Management; Kori Lynn Brashier, Master of Science in Management Jill Marie Connor, Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Summa Cum Laude; Phillip Dustin Crain, Master of Science in Management; Jennifer Land, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice; Gerald Allen Marshall, Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Cum Laude; Brandi V. Mullins, Master of Business Administration; Oren Hutchinson Persons IV, Master of Science in Management; Chelsea Sansoucy, Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education; Rebecca M. Thomason, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Bridgette Yolanda Wideman, Bachelor of Science in Human Services.
Six Mile
Matthew Lawrence Craig, Bachelor of Science in Human Services; Gwendolyn Hooper McKinney, Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Magna Cum Laude; Tammy L. Youngblood, Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Cum Laude.
Spartanburg
Wendy M. Alley, Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Magna Cum Laude; Tina Parnell Cochran, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Raymond E. Ford Sr., Bachelor of Arts in Religion; Blair Harakas Kyle, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Candace Michelle Miller, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Quentin Louis Villella, Master of Science in Management.
St. Matthews
Matthew Tyler Arant, Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Sport Management; Melissa J. Amaker-Smalls, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision.
Summerville
Lawanda C. Anderson, Associate of Arts in General Studies; Angela Renee Broughton, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership; Keisha Ann Berry-Brown, Bachelor of Science in Human Services; Reginald Clark, Associate of Arts in General Studies; Holly Boyd Crosby, Master of Education in Classroom Leadership; Leda G. Feaster, Bachelor of Science in Business Management; Daniel Alan Finnegan, Master of Business Administration; Martha Maria Ford, Bachelor of Science in Human Services; Christina Michelle Gilliard, Associate of Arts in General Studies; Christopher D. Heironimus, Bachelor of Science in Business Management; Taffoy Lagenia Martino, Bachelor of Science in Human Services; James Anthony McFadden, Master of Business Administration; Vivian F. Pinckney, Master of Business Administration; Lovette Ross III, Bachelor of Science in Business Management; Dana Daneen Sanders, Master of Business Administration Christina Leigh Webb, Associate of Arts in General Studies.
Sunset
Randall H. Lynch, Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Cum Laude.
Surfside Beach
Amelia Nicole Chavel Randall, Bachelor of Science in Business Management.
Swansea
Christina Elizabeth Clayton, Bachelor of Science in Business Management.
Taylors
Jerome Bradford, Bachelor of Science in Business Management; Melissa Gough, Bachelor of Science in Human Services; Angel D. Parnell, Bachelor of Science in Human Services; Mark A. Hobbs, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision.
Travelers Rest
Travis L. Arms, Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Cum Laude; Johanna Jo Harwood, Bachelor of Science in Human Services, Cum Laude.
Walhalla
Joshua Daniel Martin, Bachelor of Arts in English.
Warrenville
Deborah H. Dixon, Master of Science in Management.
West Columbia
Marlena A. Davis, Bachelor of Science in Business Management.
West Union
Judith Wendy Gibson-Pomeroy, Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Cum Laude.
Westminster
Michael Benard Christian Jr., Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Science.
Williamston
Christina M. Britton, Bachelor of Arts in History; Amanda R. Terpening, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Cum Laude.
Winnsboro
Neco Lamonte Green, Bachelor of Science in Business Management Cum Laude; Marilyn Ann Gratic, Master of Business Administration.
In North Carolina
Brevard
Mark D. Atkins, Bachelor of Arts in Religion.
Colfax
Kaylee Dawn Frazier, Bachelor of Arts in Religion, Summa Cum Laude.
Lexington
Mary Elizabeth Snider, Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
Mt. Holly
Tyler Wilson, Master of Business Administration.
Ramseur
Matt Kelly, Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Sport Management.
In Georgia
Augusta
Yvonne Anita Rolland-Booker, Master of Science in Management; Sheila Hatcher, Bachelor of Science in Business Management; Jason Leon Lewis, Master of Business Administration; Natasha Monique Williams, Bachelor of Science in Human Services; Pamela B. Wheatley, Master of Science in Management.
Evans
Tammy Davis Butler, Bachelor of Science in Human Services, University Honors; Russell Leon Dobey, Bachelor of Science in Management; Gordon A. Spencer, Master of Business Administration.
Hephzibah
Barbara Sanon Allen, Master of Science in Management; Jessie M. Coley, Master of Business Administration; Sonya R. London, Master of Science in Management; Charlene Watkins, Master of Science in Management; Demonica Wright, Master of Science in Management.
Lawrenceville
Emily Whaples, Bachelor of Arts in English.
Morrow
Cameron Tyrelle Solomon, Bachelor of Science in Social Science.
In Indiana
Booneville
Laurie R. Nalley, Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Magna Cum Laude.
In Pennsylvania
North East
Tyler Matthew Cozad, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
In Texas
Houston
Sierra Nicole Zemanick, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science.
In Virginia
Newport News
Meagan Danielle Williams, Bachelor of Arts in English.
Stafford
Janice Shaw, Bachelor of Science in Management.
Suffolk
Story Bear, Bachelor of Science in Human Services, Cum Laude.
Colombia
Bogota
Jonathan Ruiz Leon, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Alejandro Sanchez, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
With regional education centers conveniently located across South Carolina, as well as fully online programs for select degrees, Southern Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered, student-focused learning community devoted to transforming lives by challenging students to be dedicated scholars and servant-leaders who impact the world for Christ. For details about degree programs, visit swu.edu.