SWU Celebrates May 2025 Graduates
May 21, 2025 | Academics | Graduation
CENTRAL, S.C. — Southern Wesleyan University held its commencement ceremony on May 2, 2025, at the Newton Hobson Chapel and Fine Arts Center. Dr. Bill Barker, University President, conferred degrees to graduates representing a broad range of academic disciplines.
The theme of the commencement was Soli Deo Gloria — glory to God alone. Rev. Dr. Todd Wilson, Special Advisor to the President, delivered a powerful reminder to graduates: “Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God.” He left the graduating class with three lasting pieces of advice:
- Live with Integrity — Live for the Lord and for His glory.
- Embrace Dependence — Don't fly solo, lean on God.
- Cultivate Gratitude — Everything we have is a gift.
The ceremony joyfully celebrated Christ’s faithfulness to Southern Wesleyan University and the graduates’ academic accomplishments.
General Studies
Associate of Arts
General Studies
Hope Ciara Stone
Benson School of Business and Social Sciences
Bachelor of Arts
Digital Marketing
Christian Myles Cooley
Bachelor of Science
Business Administration
Regan Hamlin Bailey
Kayla Ann Beattie
Talissa J. Cannady, Summa Cum Laude
Jade Nicole Clark
Jason W. Culley, Magna Cum Laude
Aidan Montgomery Cunningham
Landon Deese
Karlie Elisabeth Dye
Ashton Brod Faulk
Gloria Amanda Freeman
Mitchell Maurice Freeman, Sr., Magna Cum Laude (Veteran)
Aziah Nathaniel Gaskin
Terence Hill
Matthew P. Hite, Cum Laude
Avery Richard Lauber, Cum Laude
Marcus Dewayne Long, II
Stephanie Lee Midkiff, Summa Cum Laude
Mackenzie Moreau
Jaylen Elliot Morgan
Gehrig Dale Schreiber, Magna Cum Laude
James Matthew Solenberger, Cum Laude
Alexander Zakari Sweeney
Garrett R. Swink
Aaron Tims
Criminal Justice
Dinora Bennett
Taya Jade Smith
Alana Janice Webster
Human Services
Avery Chapman, Cum Laude
Jonathan Michael Davenport, Summa Cum Laude (Veteran)
Michelle Lynn Fricks (Veteran)
Angela Renee’ Hawkins, Cum Laude
TraVon Jalice Lay, Magna Cum Laude
Ethan W. Thomas, Magna Cum Laude
Psychology
Adrian Roberto Abad, Cum Laude
Kathryn Elizabeth Duncan, Magna Cum Laude
Alexis Tamia Glover, Magna Cum Laude
Kheisha Joseph
Caroline Grace Lark
Rah-khia Mack
Emily McCreery, Cum Laude
Andrew D. Stover, Magna Cum Laude
Whitney Walton
Emmelyn Wynn
Recreation and Sport Management
Kayla Lema
Thomas C. Macagg, III, Magna Cum Laude
Cameron D. Mitchem
Matthew Hunter O'Banion, Magna Cum Laude
Christopher Osobaye
Michael Dialo Williams
Social Science
Dahlia K. Clay, Summa Cum Laude
Aleiza Manns
School of Education and Music
Bachelor of Arts
Music
Christina Cleveland, Cum Laude
Music Education
Emma Grace Hodge, Magna Cum Laude
Jackson Elton Holliday
Abigail Robertson, Magna Cum Laude
Bachelor of Science
Early Childhood Education
Emily Brooke Rusher, Cum Laude
Early Childhood and Family Studies
Ashlyn Elizabeth Gregory
Olivia Hoyt, Cum Laude
Rachel Jennings, Magna Cum Laude
Trinity Miller
Jaelyn Montfort
Sharline Annette Rivers
Solange Danni Williams
Early Childhood and Family Studies Management
Marquette' Kelley
Elementary Education
Emma Grace Campbell
Janey Dixon (Early Childhood Education), Magna Cum Laude
Megan Nix, Magna Cum Laude
Makayla Faith Pittman (Early Childhood Education), Summa Cum Laude
Emily Pariz Singleton, Cum Laude
Jacob Glenn Smith, Summa Cum Laude
Physical Education
Lexi Brooke Richardson, Magna Cum Laude
Ryan David Rodriguez
Jesse Sauve
Jeremy Luke Smith, Summa Cum Laude
Special Education
Mallorie Leigh Doty, Magna Cum Laude
School of Religion and Humanities
Bachelor of Arts
English
Adelyn Seate Summa, Cum Laude
History
Ella Amae Traynum
History and Public Policy
Adam Cromer (Criminal Justice), Summa Cum Laude
Media Communication
Rae'Von Jamez Allen, Cum Laude
Andrew Duncan Baxley, Magna Cum Laude
Derreco Hallmon
Ethan Samuel Holland, Summa Cum Laude
Religion
Jared Baldwin, Summa Cum Laude
Noah Graham Brayerton
Lydia Diane Ervin, Cum Laude
Jacob Aubrey Gourdin
Caleb Tyler Hurley
Erika Summer Kallam, Cum Laude
Beth Kraft
Sean Lyman Lane, Cum Laude
School of Science, Technology, and Mathematics
Bachelor of Science
Biology
Anna Bolter, Summa Cum Laude
Isabella Covington (Pre-Medicine/Dentistry), Cum Laude
Gavin Cunningham, Cum Laude
Andrew Davis, Magna Cum Laude
Ian Gourdin (Environmental Science)
Ainsley Grant, Magna Cum Laude
Kyndle Monique Sims, Cum Laude
Computer Information Systems
Willa Katherine Farrar, Summa Cum Laude
Ryan Folts
Ian Hammel
Dylan Massey, Summa Cum Laude
Environmental Science
Anna Bolter, Summa Cum Laude
Andrew Davis, Magna Cum Laude
Rylee M. Hill (Biology), Summa Cum Laude
Environmental Studies
Ethan Samuel Holland, Summa Cum Laude
Exercise Science
Josue Fidel Avendano Zavala, Cum Laude
Jeffrey Todd Highsmith, Jr., Magna Cum Laude
Kyla Lashay Johnson, Cum Laude
Jenna Lollis
Jonathan Overton, Summa Cum Laude
Asia Evelyn Pearley
Kristina Alyssa Pino
Brandon Michael Sachs (Veteran)
Andersen Grae Wingate, Magna Cum Laude
Tipton Keenum Wright, Magna Cum Laude
Forensic Science
Ashley Rae Elmore (Chemistry), Summa Cum Laude
Luke Foster
Leslie Giles-Aragon (Chemistry)
Sara Ling Fang Shurson (Chemistry)
Mathematics
Ethan Edwards
Stella Mackenzie Osteen, Magna Cum Laude
Pre-Medicine/Dentistry
Christian Cassidy, Summa Cum Laude
Gavin Cunningham, Cum Laude
Benson School of Business and Social Sciences
Master of Business Administration
Bertin Manzi
Master of Science in Counseling Psychology
Megan Rose Boone
Faith Raines Bryant
Amber Renee James
Tracey Smith
School of Education and Music
Master of Education
e-Learning and Instructional Design
Allison Brooke Rice
Emileigh Swords
Lycia Angel Zavala
Benson School of Business and Social Sciences
Doctor of Business Administration
Business Administration
Roma Rene Williams (Veteran)
School of Education and Music
Doctor of Education
Curriculum and Assessment
Jeffery Andre Gaines
Marvaye Lutedrick Payton
Suzanne Michele Sessere
Education
Sarah Chastain
Jekesha D. Herring
Sandra Ann Mills
For Latin honors, calculation of the cumulative grade point average is based on all collegiate work attempted, at least 45 hours of which must be from Southern Wesleyan University. Latin Honors are designated as follows:
- Summa Cum Laude (with highest praise), indicated by an honor medallion and a double gold honor cord, denotes a cumulative collegiate GPA of 3.80 or above.
- Magna Cum Laude (with high praise), indicated by a double gold honor cord, denotes a cumulative collegiate GPA of 3.60 to 3.79.
- Cum Laude (with praise), indicated by a single gold honor cord, denotes a cumulative collegiate GPA of 3.40 to 3.59.
About Southern Wesleyan University
Southern Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered, student-focused, faith-filled community that offers inventive learning experiences. The university endeavors to prepare its students to be dedicated scholars and servant-leaders who impact the world for Christ. For details about degree programs, go online to www.swu.edu.
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