CONTACT: Anita Moody, Director, Public Relations/Marketing
1-304-384-5288, news@concord.edu
www.concord.edu
(EDITOR: please note that all hometowns are in W.Va., unless otherwise noted. All candidates for graduation—both graduate and undergraduate—are included at the end of this file. The list is sorted by hometown, alphabetical, and then candidate’s name, alphabetical.)
CU Hosts Ninth Annual Fall Commencement
Athens, W.Va. – Concord University hosted the ninth annual fall Commencement in the Leslie R. and Ruby Webb Carter Center in Athens on Saturday, December 15 at 11 a.m.
There were 113 undergraduate candidates for graduation and 15 graduate candidates for graduation; total headcount for the University was 2,735.
The prelude and recessional were provided by the Concord University Concert Band under the direction of Associate Professor of Music and Band Director, Dr. Andrew N. Necessary, and Professor of English Dr. Paul J. Kane provided the opening and closing meditations.
Concord University President, Dr. Jerry L. Beasley, welcomed guests to the ceremony and thanked the staff for their hard work in ensuring a successful event. He then recognized Professor of English Dr. Martha Shrewsbury who was retiring. In addition to her teaching duties, she served as secretary and historian for the Faculty Senate. Dr. Beasley talked about how Dr. Shrewsbury cared for her students by quoting a former student who said, “I loved to go to Dr. Shrewsbury’s office to talk with her because I always left with my shoulders higher and my outlook brighter!”
Mr. Walt Helmick, member of the West Virginia Senate delivered greetings from the State of West Virginia. He wanted graduates to know that, “This great state will be a part of you wherever you will go. It is a pleasure for me to say that we’ve had a small part in your life.”
Mr. J. Franklin Long, chair of the Concord University Board of Governors, noted that the candidates for graduation had sacrificed many hours to obtain a degree. “Your investments in yourself will reap great dividends in the future,” he stated. “Your degree will: bring you the ability to live a quality and fulfilled life, grant you the ability to develop dreams and hopes of prosperity, grant you the ability to live free of poverty and uncertainty, grant you the ability to appreciate the finer things in life, and grant you the ability to associate and socialize with different people from different backgrounds yet have the confidence to know who you are, where you’re from and what you stand for.”
Dr. Hugh A. Campbell, president of the Concord University Faculty Senate, thanked those who volunteered their time and services with the Concord Board of Governors and the Foundation Board. He told graduates, “Success doesn’t mean that you will never fail or that you will never fall down. Success is measured by your ability to rise again. On behalf of the faculty—we wish you the best.”
Mr. David A. Barnette, chair of the Concord University Foundation, remarked that his graduation from Concord in December of 1973 was unremarkable, unlike this event for today’s graduates. He then drew a comparison of then—Nixon was president, the country was at war in Viet Nam and the most popular song was “Top of the World” by the Carpenters—and, now—in 2007 President Bush is in office, we are at war in Iran and the most popular song is by Alisha Keys. “My point is that you will experience the same problems … and have the same opportunities … as your parents had some 30 or 40 years ago. However, you have one advantage that [many of] your parents did not share and that is a degree from this institution. Take every advantage of that degree.”
President of the Concord University Alumni Association, Ms. Rosalie Peck, said, “The Alumni Association was launched in 1881 … we send out a newsletter and support a legacy scholarship. We hope you come back to see us!” She invited all graduates of Concord State Normal School, Concord College and Concord University to stand and be recognized and she then stressed the importance of letting the University know about any change of address.
Ms. Cindy Dian Markum from White Sulphur Springs delivered the valedictory address. She said, in part, “For instance, for several summers between school years, I was a ‘proud’ employee of McDonalds. Now, other than this job being a general motivation to me to stay in school, it served as a running metaphor of my experience in college. Now, some of you may be looking at me thinking, why is she talking about a fast food job at a college graduation ceremony? I thought that was the point of college--to get away from that kind of experience. However, I can think of several key lessons that fast food work provides about life. First of all, until you get the hang of it, it bites. In both a fast food restaurant and college classes, people expect you to know some things already and be able to learn quickly. This is how it is always going to be. To be able to think on your feet and respond is an essential skill that is routinely required, no matter what you are doing, whether you are ready for it or not. Yeah, this may be a daunting and exhausting prospect, but, think about it. By simply persevering through it all, we have already realized our potential to succeed. We’ve done it before, by golly, we can do it again.”
Interim Vice President and Academic Dean, Dr. Stephen Rowe, presented the candidates for graduation to President Beasley. The Chair for the Division of Education and Human Performance and the Director of Teacher Education, Dr. Kathryn Liptak, assisted President Beasley in hooding the graduates and candidates for graduation for master’s degrees.
MASTER OF EDUCATION – CANDIDATES FOR GRADUATION
DECEMBER 15, 2007
ATHENS: Rebecca Lynn Curry, Shelley L Weiss
BECKLEY: Meghan Gail Ellis Houck, Matt S McCormick
BLUEFIELD: Kimberly Rotenberry (August 2007 candidate)
DANESE: Janet Kristen Sims
GLEN DANIEL: Heather Dawn Cantley
GREENVILLE: Angela Renae Terry
KIMBALL: Leon Steven Gravely
PRINCETON: Lindsay Rebekah Haun, Gwendolyn Sue Miller, Angela Kay Neal
WADSWORTH, Ohio: Ian Timothy Formaz
WAR: Jeannie Irene Dillon
WELCH: Florisha Rose Christian McGuire
UNDERGRADUATE HONOR CANDIDATES
SUMMA CUM LAUDE: Cindy Diane Markum, Kasey Alexandra Short, Evangeline Rose Sweeney
MAGNA CUM LAUDE: Marsha Karen Neely Edwards, Tiffani Nichole Harman, Jessica Leah Keaton, Jennifer Compton Painter, Brandi Starr Quillian, Heather Jo Rice, Myra Camille Robinson, Sandra Leah Rodgers, Kara Lynn Shuff, Amanda Michelle Starling, Melissa May Workman
CUM LAUDE: Lesha Gale Acord, Brandi Gayle Ashmore, William Jeffrey Bennett, Andrea Renee Bradford, Della Suzanne Burgess, Stephanie Nicole Capehart, Stephanie Lynn Cook, Eric Scott Davis, Kayla Elizabeth Fenner, Teresa Lynn Fitzwater, George Rusty Nelson, Kasey Jean Peters, Sarah Lynn Pollock, Chad Morgan Quesenberry, Timothy Ray Smith, Jenna Breanne Snavely
WITH HONORS IN MAJOR SUBJECT: Carrie Jean Akers, Adam Ryan Coon, Joseph Franklin Crisp, Richard Corey Franklin, Mark Anthony Jones, Jodi Carol McKinney
UNDERGRADUATE CANDIDATES FOR GRADUATION
ATHENS: Pamela Church, Regents Bachelor of Arts; Ashley Ann Dean, Bachelor of Science in Recreation Tourism Management; Amber Dawn Dolin; Bachelor of Science in Education; Keith Ross Epps, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Richard Corey Franklin, Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts; Earl Daniel Leftwich, Bachelor of Arts; Sara A Martin, Bachelor of Arts; Priscilla Dawn Nickels, Bachelor of Arts (August 2006); Daniel J Puckett, Bachelor of Science; Heather Jo Rice, Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Tourism Management; Melissa May Workman, Bachelor of Science in Education
BEAVER: Andrea Renee Bradford, Bachelor of Science in Education; Stephanie Lynn Cook, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Cody Ray Darby, Associate of Arts in Office Supervision; Leah Grey Hartsog, Bachelor of Arts; Tamber Michelle Mackey, Bachelor of Social Work
BECKLEY: Elizabeth Anne Baldwin, Bachelor of Arts; Tommy Lewis Holliday Jr., Associate of Arts in Office Supervision and Bachelor of Science in Education; Sandra Leah Rodgers, Bachelor of Arts; Kasey Alexandra Short, Bachelor of Arts
BLUEFIELD: Lora J Dewitt, Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts; Christopher Dean Lusk, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Brandi Starr Quillian, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
BRENTON: Jordan Jadrien Blevins, Bachelor of Science; Shawn Scott Jenkins, Bachelor of Science in Education
CAMP CREEK: Posie Eric Ervon Combs, Bachelor of Arts
CHARLESTON: Jodi Carol McKinney, Bachelor of Science in Education
CHARLTON HEIGHTS: Sarah Jane Rhodes, Bachelor of Science
CLARKSBURG: Sarah L Pollock, Bachelor of Science
COMFORT: Adam Ryan Coon, Bachelor of Arts
COOL RIDGE: Carrie Jean Akers, Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts; Timothy Ray Smith, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Education
DANIELS: James Michael Loving, Regents Bachelor of Arts
FAYETEVILLE: Brandi Gayle Ashmore, Regents Bachelor of Arts
FLAT TOP: Jessica Rae Harvey, Bachelor of Science in Education
GILBERT: Stephanie Nanette Cline, Bachelor of Science in Education
GLEN ROGERS: Della Suzanne Burgess, Bachelor of Science in Education
GRAFTON: Brennon Earl O’Sullivan, Regents Bachelor of Arts
GRANTSVILLE: Laura Ann Hall, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
HERNDON: George Rusty Nelson, Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training
HINTON: Andrea Vanneda Adkins, Bachelor of Science in Education; James Christopher Bragg, Bachelor of Arts; Rachel Michele Eskridge, Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts; Derek Evan Mann, Bachelor of Science in Education
IAEGER: Sheena Lee Lester, Bachelor of Arts; Stacie Juanita Young, Bachelor of Science in Education
JUMPING BRANCH: Savanna Leigh Helms, Bachelor of Science in Education
LEWISBURG: Lisa Ann Stansell, Bachelor of Arts
LINDSIDE: Heather Marie Houchins, Bachelor of Science in Education
MacARTHUR: Jessica Leah Keaton, Bachelor of Science
MARLINTON: Alexa Maxine Alderman, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
MATOAKA: Malinda Dawn Mills, Bachelor of Science in Education
MEAD: Brooke Danielle Adams, Bachelor of Social Work
MEADOW BRIDGE: Joy Dean Karnes, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
MINERAL WELLS: Benjamin Jeremiah Dellinger, Regents Bachelor of Arts
MOUNT CARBON: Teresa Lynn Fitzwater, Bachelor of Science in Education
MOUNT HOPE: William Jeffery Bennett, Regents Bachelor of Arts; Stephanie Nicole Capehart, Bachelor of Arts; Leslie Ann Forren, Bachelor of Science
MULLENS: Chad Morgan Quesenberry, Bachelor of Science in Education
NORTHFORK: James Michael Daniels, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts
OAK HILL: Laura Ruth Blankenship, Bachelor of Arts; Kara Lynn Shuff, Bachelor of Science in Education
OCEANA: Matthew Troy Acord; Bachelor of Science in Education; John Ryan Maynard, Bachelor of Science
PALESTINE: Myra Camille Robinson, Bachelor of Science in Education
PAX: Eric Scott Davis, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
PETERSTOWN: John Derek Helvey, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Mark Anthony Jones, Bachelor of Science in Education
PRINCETON: Bradley R Bailey, Bachelor of Science; Bobbie Dawn Bess, Regents Bachelor of Arts; Donna Lynn Brown, Bachelor of Social Work; Tiffani Michelle Dale, Bachelor of Arts; Crystal Ann Elkins, Bachelor of Arts; Chandra Lynette Franklin, Bachelor of Science in Education; Tiffani Nichole Harman, Bachelor of Science in Education; John Daniel Jackson, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Crystal Dawn Mooney, Bachelor of Science; Jessica Nicole Morgan, Bachelor of Arts; Tracey Ranae O'Dell-Caruso, Bachelor of Arts; Kasey Jean Peters, Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts; Andrea Marie Rahall, Bachelor of Science in Education; Alicia Nicole Robbins, Bachelor of Social Work; Jessica Lee Robinson, Regents Bachelor of Arts; Stacy Jo Sheets, Bachelor of Science in Education; Jenna Breanne Snavely, Bachelor of Science in Education; Amanda Michelle Starling, Bachelor of Arts; Evangeline Rose Sweeney, Bachelor of Arts
PROSPERITY: Jennifer Lucia Fulco, Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts
QUINWOOD: Jamie Beth Carroll, Bachelor of Science in Education; Joyce Louise Cline, Regents Bachelor of Arts
RIPLEY: Jennifer Anne McCafferty, Bachelor of Arts
ROMANCE: Amanda Lynn Lanham, Bachelor of Arts
SCARBRO: Jennifer Compton Painter, Bachelor of Science in Education
SHINNSTON: Nicole Elizabeth Colton, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
SURVEYOR: Lesha Gale Acord, Bachelor of Science in Education
TORNADO: Peggy Jean Hash, Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies
TRUE: Marsha Karen Neely Edwards, Bachelor of Social Work
WELCH: Michelle Leigh Laneave, Regents Bachelor of Arts
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS: Cindy Diane Markum, Bachelor of Science in Education and Bachelor of Arts
BLUEFIELD, Va.: Allison Leanne Conner, Bachelor of Arts
CHARLOTTE, N.C.: Sharon Rodes Blanding, Regents Bachelor of Arts
CHILHOWIE, Va.: Kayla Elizabeth Fenner, Bachelor of Science in Education
GLEN ALLEN, Va.: Johathan David Yates, Bachelor of Arts
RADFORD, Va.: Joshua James Wilburn, Bachelor of Science in Education
ROANOKE, Va.: Joshua Philip Gallagher, Regents Bachelor of Arts
ROSEDALE, Va.: Michelle Beth Moore, Bachelor of Science
SACRAMENTO, Calif.: Joan A Faur, Regents Bachelor of Arts
TAZEWELL, Va.: Aaron Spence Hymes, Bachelor of Arts
UNION BRIDGE, Md.: Joseph Franklin Crisp, Bachelor of Science in Education
WAYNESBORO, Va.: Joshua Dale Coffey, Bachelor of Science in Education
WYTHEVILLE, Va.: Tyler Matthew Cannoy, Bachelor of Science
SAITAMA, JAPAN: Yuki Konuma, Regents Bachelor of Arts
For information on attending Concord call 1-888-384-5249 or 1-304-384-5248 or e-mail admissions@concord.edu.
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PHOTO: Ms. Cindy Diane Markum from White Sulphur Springs