class of 2019 keynote speaker honorary class speakers 2019
TRANSCRIPT
Class of 2019
Keynote Speaker
Honorary Class Speakers
2019 Commencement Video
Class of 2019
Jazlyn Whitney Adams
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Norton, Virginia
Shannon Lane Adams
Bachelor of Arts Government Oakwood, Virginia
Amanda Leanne Aebel CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Arts
Mathematics Chesapeake, Virginia
Mackenzie Brooke Arney
Bachelor of Arts Health and Physical Education Jonesville, Virginia
Thomas Cole Asher MAGNA CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science
Economics Wise, Virginia
Keely Suzanne Atwood
CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Arts Liberal Arts and Sciences
Coeburn, Virginia
Amber Reanne Baird Bachelor of Science
Sociology Wise, Virginia
Roberto Alexander Baird
Bachelor of Science Administration of Justice Alexandria, Virginia
Clayton Edward Baker Bachelor of Science
Management Information Systems Norton, Virginia
Evan Mackenzie Baker
SUMMA CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science Administration of Justice
Gate City, Virginia
Stephen Bath Bachelor of Science
Accounting Lovettsville, Virginia
Williams Wesley Bausell
SUMMA CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science Administration of Justice
Weber City, Virginia
Madison Paige Beavers CUM LAUDE
Bachelor of Arts Liberal Arts and Sciences Bluefield, Virginia
Natalie Grace Bendle Bachelor of Arts Liberal Arts and Sciences
Varina, Virginia
Shannon Emmalee Bennett SUMMA CUM LAUDE
Bachelor of Science Mathematics / Software Engineering Covington, Virginia
Jakub Blach Bachelor of Arts Interdisciplinary Studies
Big Stone Gap, Virginia
McKenzie Karen Rae Blankenship Bachelor of Arts
Liberal Arts and Sciences Hurley, Virginia
Noah Eli Bledsoe
Bachelor of Science Computer Science Kingsport, Tennessee
Michaela Cadence Bolling Bachelor of Arts Communication Studies
Coeburn, Virginia
Lauren Leigh Bonney Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Wise, Virginia
Jonah Daniel Patrick Bouton Bachelor of Science
Computer Science / Software Engineering Buffalo, New York
Joshua Troy-Allen Bouton
Bachelor of Science Business Administration Appalachia, Virginia
Redonna Syd Bowman CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science
Business Administration Wise, Virginia
Wyatt Allan S. Bridges
Bachelor of Science Business Administration Wise, Virginia
Lillian Faith Bright CUM LAUDE
COLLEGE HONORS Bachelor of Science Biology
Coeburn, Virginia
Megan Aimilee Bright Bachelor of Arts
Liberal Arts and Sciences Coeburn, Virginia
Daniel Tanner Brooks
Bachelor of Arts Health and Physical Education Clintwood, Virginia
Amber Marie Brown Bachelor of Arts Music
Warrenton, VA
Malik Len Brown Bachelor of Arts
Health and Physical Education Richmond, Virginia
Sarah Ann Burke
Bachelor of Arts French / Foreign Studies Wise, Virginia
Christopher Steven Burnette Bachelor of Arts Government
Galax, Virginia
Angela O’rion Caldwell CUM LAUDE
Bachelor of Science Biochemistry Wise, Virginia
Brooklyn Rose Cantrell Bachelor of Science
Business Administration Coeburn, Virginia
Daniel Gregory Cantrell
Bachelor of Science Computer Science Big Stone Gap, Virginia
Jacob Dean Carpenter CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Arts
Communication Studies Stafford, Virginia
Erika Gabrielle Cashwell
Bachelor of Science Business Administration Bristol, Virginia
Augustus Benton Chafin III Bachelor of Arts History
Lebanon, Virginia
Timothy Douglas Cheney CUM LAUDE
Bachelor of Science Business Administration Woodbridge, Virginia
Abigail Lee Church CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Wise, Virginia
Matthew Robbins Church Bachelor of Arts
Health and Physical Education Atlanta, Georgia
Nathaniel M. Clark Bachelor of Arts
Theatre Henrico, Virginia
Chase Harrell Cluesman
Bachelor of Science Business Administration Jonesville, Virginia
David Lee Collier CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science
Psychology Appalachia, Virginia
Austin Blake Collins
Bachelor of Science Management Information Systems Wise, Virginia
Colton Chase Collins MAGNA CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science
Psychology Cape Charles, Virginia
Kaitlyn Destiny Collins
Bachelor of Science Sociology Appalachia, Virginia
Samantha Elizabeth Collins Bachelor of Science Psychology
Wise, Virginia
Kristi Nicole Coomer CUM LAUDE
Bachelor of Science Business Administration Big Stone Gap, Virginia
Erika Joyce Counts Bachelor of Arts
Liberal Arts and Sciences Clintwood, Virginia
Olivia Kathleen Craft
Bachelor of Science Psychology Wise, Virginia
James Cody Crawford Bachelor of Arts English
Pound, Virginia
Taylor Blake Creasey Bachelor of Arts
Communication Studies Huddleston, Virginia
Karen Suzanne Culbertson
Bachelor of Arts Liberal Arts and Sciences Nickelsville, Virginia
Ashley Cullen Bachelor of Arts Communication Studies
Mooresville, North Carolina
Emily Kaitlin Daily SUMMA CUM LAUDE
Bachelor of Arts Liberal Arts and Sciences Hiltons, Virginia
Hannah Grace Daniels CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science
Biochemistry Pilgrims Knob, Virginia
Eric Daoust Bachelor of Arts
Government Portsmouth, Virginia
Adara Faith Darnell
CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science Business Administration
Wise, Virginia
Charles Edwin Davis Jr. CUM LAUDE
Bachelor of Arts Music Richlands, Virginia
Whitney Nicole Davis Bachelor of Arts Liberal Arts and Sciences
Clintwood, Virginia
Andrew Earle DeBord Jr. Bachelor of Arts
History Troutdale, Virginia
Jacob William DeBriae
CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science Administration of Justice
Bachelor of Arts History Manassas, Virginia
Kaillen Abby Deel Bachelor of Arts History
Bee, Virginia
Emily Shea Dickenson Bachelor of Science
Sociology Wise, Virginia
Gabriel Lee Dillon CUM LAUDE
Bachelor of Arts Government / History Appalachia, Virginia
Kara Dotten SUMMA CUM LAUDE CHANCELLOR’S MEDAL
COLLEGE HONORS Bachelor of Arts Theatre
Wise, Virginia
Mason Trent Duncan CUM LAUDE
Bachelor of Arts History Tazewell, Virginia
Jesse Edward Dye Bachelor of Science Business Administration
Wise, Virginia
Samantha Lyn Edge Bachelor of Science
Accounting Roanoke, Virginia
Logan Edmonds
Bachelor of Science Administration of Justice Cleveland, Virginia
Daniel Charles Edwards Bachelor of Science Software Engineering
Coeburn, Virginia
Matthew Todd McConnell Edwards Bachelor of Arts
History Duffield, Virginia
Daniel James Farrell Bachelor of Science
Business Administration Fairfax, Virginia
Landon Bradley Faulkner
Bachelor of Arts Health and Physical Education Kennesaw, Georgia
Rachel Glenice Fee MAGNA CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Arts
History Pennington Gap, Virginia
Caitlyn Brooke Fleming
Bachelor of Arts Liberal Arts and Sciences Castlewood, Virginia
Olivia Rebecca Fletcher Bachelor of Arts Communication Studies
Louisa, Virginia
Savannah Brooke Foster MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Bachelor of Science Business Administration Pound, Virginia
Kelcie J. Freeman CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science
Psychology Appalachia, Virginia
Natasha Elizabeth Marie Gardner
Bachelor of Arts Liberal Arts and Sciences Wise, Virginia
Sean Ghammashi Bachelor of Science
Psychology Jacksonville, Florida
Emily Grace Gibson
MAGNA CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Arts Liberal Arts and Sciences
Fort Blackmore, Virginia
Jeremy Aaron Gilliam Bachelor of Arts
Health and Physical Education Wise, Virginia
Dylan Adam Giovine
Bachelor of Science Biology Staunton, Virginia
Kristin Marie Gobbi Bachelor of Arts Communication Studies
Fairfax, Virginia
McKayla Grasham Bachelor of Science
Biology Upper Falls, Maryland
Paul Michael Greenlaw
Bachelor of Science Computer Science Marietta, Georgia
Carlton Oscar Griffith Bachelor of Arts Liberal Arts and Sciences
Fort Eustis, Virginia
Edward J. Griggs Bachelor of Arts
Art Raven, Virginia
Joshua Christian Haga
Bachelor of Science Administration of Justice Salem, Virginia
Shane Hagee Bachelor of Science Administration of Justice
Rural Retreat, Virginia
Chandler Dwayne Carl Hale Bachelor of Arts
Government Lebanon, Virginia
Jacob Michael Hall
Bachelor of Science Software Engineering Pound, Virginia
Kermit Lamarr Hall III Bachelor of Science Psychology
Big Stone Gap, Virginia
Andre Jamel Hamilton Bachelor of Science
Business Administration Stafford, Virginia
Brian Douglas Hamilton
Bachelor of Science Administration of Justice Norton, Virginia
Jackson Gray Hamilton Bachelor of Science Biology
Pound, Virginia
Kyle Legolas Hancock Bachelor of Science
Management Information Systems Oradell, New Jersey
Sydney Jean Harkness
Bachelor of Arts History Sioux City, Iowa
Lindsey Paige Harper CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science
Environmental Science Hiltons, Virginia
Jesse D’Shawn Harris
CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science Mathematics
Big Stone Gap, Virginia
Mackenza Jade Harris Bachelor of Arts
Communication Studies Bee, Virginia
Hunter Logan Hess
SUMMA CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science Management Information Systems
Honaker, Virginia
Allison Ball Hester Bachelor of Arts
Liberal Arts and Sciences Newport, Tennessee
Montana Tori Hill
CUM LAUDE COLLEGE HONORS Bachelor of Science
Environmental Science Riner, Virginia
Steven R. Hill Bachelor of Arts
Communication Studies Dumfries, Virginia
Lakin McKenzie Hobbs
Bachelor of Arts Liberal Arts and Sciences Big Stone Gap, Virginia
Ava N. Hockey Bachelor of Science Business Administration
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Logan James Holland Bachelor of Science
Business Administration Daleville, Virginia
Jordan Lee Hollyfield
Bachelor of Science Psychology Pound, Virginia
Noah Richard Horn Bachelor of Science Accounting
Vansant, Virginia
Ethan Adam Hornstra Bachelor of Science
Administration of Justice Luray, Virginia
Tamyra Jade Howell
CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science Economics
Chilhowie, Virginia
Lacey ShiAnne Hufnagle Bachelor of Arts
Liberal Arts and Sciences Nickelsville, Virginia
Katie Ann Hylton
Bachelor of Arts History Collinsville, Virginia
Alexis Jessee MAGNA CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Big Stone Gap, Virginia
Kacie Briana Jessee SUMMA CUM LAUDE
Bachelor of Arts Liberal Arts and Sciences Castlewood, Virginia
Katherine Marie Johnson Bachelor of Science Sociology
Keokee, Virginia
Adam Thomas Jones Bachelor of Science
Environmental Science Wise, Virginia
Wesley A. Jones
Bachelor of Science Mathematics Pennington Gap, Virginia
Edward Alimamy Kargbo Bachelor of Science Business Administration
Springfield, Virginia
Jordan Hunter Kern MAGNA CUM LAUDE
COLLEGE HONORS Bachelor of Arts History
Coeburn, Virginia
Endalkachew Temesgen Kinfemichael Bachelor of Arts
Liberal Arts and Sciences Arlington, Virginia
Autumn Rayne Kuhn
Bachelor of Science Biology / Psychology Norton, Virginia
Janice Monique Ladson Bachelor of Science Business Administration
Woodbridge, Virginia
Lydia Mae Lane SUMMA CUM LAUDE
Bachelor of Science Business Administration Gate City, Virginia
Mollie Lynn Lane CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Arts
Liberal Arts and Sciences Bristol, Virginia
Rahji Malik Langford
Bachelor of Science Business Administration Newport News, Virginia
Kellen Michael Larkin Bachelor of Science Business Administration
Christiansburg, Virginia
Javonté Demond Latney Bachelor of Arts
Health and Physical Education Fredericksburg, Virginia
William Robert Law
Bachelor of Science Economics Earlysville, Virginia
Jordan Lawson CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science
Psychology Bristol, Tennessee
Lucindy Jewel Lawson
CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Arts Liberal Arts and Sciences
Duffield, Virginia
Justin Wayne Leary Bachelor of Science
Administration of Justice Waynesboro, Virginia
Brycen Lee
Bachelor of Arts Health and Physical Education Mayo, Florida
Jared Michael Lentchner MAGNA CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science
Chemistry Wise, Virginia
Brittany Jaid Lester
Bachelor of Science Business Administration Jonesville, Virginia
Jonathan Cody Lester Bachelor of Science
Administration of Justice Norton, Virginia
Aaron Mitchell Litton
Bachelor of Science Computer Science Big Stone Gap, Virginia
Savannah Jade Lucas Bachelor of Arts Liberal Arts and Sciences
Whitesburg, Kentucky
Donovon Wayne Lynch Bachelor of Arts
Health and Physical Education Virginia Beach, Virginia
Austin B. Marshall
Bachelor of Science Biology Clintwood, Virginia
Seth A. Marsingill CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science
Accounting / Business Administration Pound, Virginia
Christian Scott Masters
CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science Business Administration
Wise, Virginia
Bridgette Elin McCarty MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Bachelor of Science Biochemistry Castlewood, Virginia
Carlie Sanders McCready CUM LAUDE
Bachelor of Arts Liberal Arts and Sciences Meadowview, Virginia
Ryan Robertson McFadden Bachelor of Science Management Information Systems
Alexandria, Virginia
Cameron S. McLaughlin Bachelor of Science
Environmental Science Mclean, Virginia
Daniel Isaiah Messer
Bachelor of Arts Health and Physical Education Norton, Virginia
Anthony Logan Mitchell Bachelor of Science Computer Science
Coeburn, Virginia
Victor Jamal Mitchell Jr. Bachelor of Science
Mathematics Hampton, Virginia
Donavan James Montague
Bachelor of Arts Biology Altavista, Virginia
Alle Dawn Moore Bachelor of Arts Health and Physical Education
Bachelor of Science Administration of Justice Marietta, Ohio
Justin R. Mosier Bachelor of Science
Computer Science Big Stone Gap, Virginia
Hanauvet Marie Mullins
Bachelor of Science Psychology Wise, Virginia
Hannah Grace Mullins CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Arts
English Pound, Virginia
Katie Michelle Mullins
Bachelor of Science Administration of Justice Coeburn, Virginia
Katy Montana Mullins CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science
Environmental Science Clintwood, Virginia
Nicholas Drew Mullins
MAGNA CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science Accounting / Business Administration
Clinchco, Virginia
Isaac Murray COLLEGE HONORS
Bachelor of Arts Government Waynesboro, Virginia
Peter Anthony Nauss CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science
Biology Wise, Virginia
Trevor Stiles Nevill Bachelor of Science
Business Administration Hoover, Alabama
Jordan Scott Nickels
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Bachelor of Arts, Biology Dungannon, Virginia
Tyson Blake Nickels CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Dungannon, Virginia
Emily Anna Oakley SUMMA CUM LAUDE
Bachelor of Science Administration of Justice Martinsville, Virginia
Dustin Heath O’Dell Bachelor of Arts English
Dryden, Virginia
Odera Joshua Okani Bachelor of Science
Management Information Systems Stafford, Virginia
Jillian Paige Osborne
Bachelor of Science Accounting Palmyra, Virginia
Carly McNeil Owens CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Wise, Virginia
Elijah Peyton Owens Bachelor of Science
Administration of Justice Lebanon, Virginia
Heaven Lee Parridgen
CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Arts English
Coeburn, Virginia
Connor Williams Patton Bachelor of Arts
Health and Physical Education Rural Retreat, Virginia
Emily Grace Pauley
CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science in Nursing Bluefield, Virginia
Parker Cole Pauley Bachelor of Arts History
Sod, West Virginia
Stuart Alexander Paz Bachelor of Science
Administration of Justice Culpeper, Virginia
Laura Catherine Perkins
Bachelor of Arts Liberal Arts and Sciences Stanardsville, Virginia
Kelsie Leeann Perrigan Bachelor of Science in Nursing Bristol, Virginia
Chelsea Brianna Phillips Bachelor of Science Psychology
Castlewood, Virginia
Robert Lynn Powers SUMMA CUM LAUDE
COLLEGE HONORS Bachelor of Arts History / Foreign Studies
Dungannon, Virginia
Haley Kristina Ramey Bachelor of Arts
Art Claudville, Virginia
Matthew Slade Reed
Bachelor of Science Business Administration Gate City, Virginia
Tiara Lynea Reynolds Bachelor of Science Business Administration
Patrick Springs, Virginia
Jerry Ray Rice II Bachelor of Science
Computer Science Grundy, Virginia
Dylan Ronnie Richardson
Bachelor of Science Environmental Science Big Stone Gap, Virginia
Katlin Danielle Rife Bachelor of Arts Liberal Arts and Sciences
Grundy, Virginia
Jared Robert Ring Bachelor of Science
Computer Science Castlewood, Virginia
Adalmaryz Rivera-Gómez Bachelor of Science
Environmental Science Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Alyson Mackenzie Robbins
Bachelor of Arts Liberal Arts and Sciences Keokee, Virginia
Jennifer Ann Roberts Bachelor of Science Psychology
Duffield, Virginia
Bailey Shea Robinson Bachelor of Arts
Communication Studies Clintwood, Virginia
McKenna S. Robinson
Bachelor of Science Administration of Justice Clintwood, Virginia
Nia Nicole Rolin Bachelor of Arts Communication Studies
Woodbridge, Virginia
Adyson Makenzie Ross MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Bachelor of Arts English Tazewell, Virginia
Karina Rufino Bachelor of Arts Communication Studies
Elliston, Virginia
Caitlyn Kelley Russell CUM LAUDE
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Wise, Virginia
Savannah Jean Rutherford
Bachelor of Arts Health and Physical Education Front Royal, Virginia
Briana Renee Ryan Bachelor of Arts Liberal Arts and Sciences
Big Stone Gap, Virginia
Chad Wayne Saucier Bachelor of Science
Accounting / Business Administration Wise, Virginia
Emily Ann Sawyers
Bachelor of Science Psychology North Tazewell, Virginia
Brianna Renee Scanlon Bachelor of Science Psychology / Administration of Justice
Haysi, Virginia
Nicholas Reeves Setliff Bachelor of Science
Software Engineering Danville, Virginia
David Arthur Shears
CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science Psychology
Birdsnest, Virginia
Seth Douglas Sheppard Bachelor of Science
Administration of Justice Salem, Virginia
Sara Dawn Shores
SUMMA CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science Psychology
Gate City, Virginia
Dylan J. Shortt CUM LAUDE
Bachelor of Science Psychology Grundy, Virginia
Robert Maxwell Shuler MAGNA CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Arts
History Pennington Gap, Virginia
Jordan Matthew Skeen
Bachelor of Science Business Administration Clintwood, Virginia
Travis M. Skeens Bachelor of Science Computer Science
Lebanon, Virginia
Michael James Skinner Bachelor of Science
Administration of Justice Wise, Virginia
David Randall Sloce
MAGNA CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science Management Information Systems
Norton, Virginia
Aaron William Smith CUM LAUDE
Bachelor of Science Accounting Independence, Virginia
Brock Konnor Smith Bachelor of Science Administration of Justice
Amissville, Virginia
Eustaica LaDon Smith Bachelor of Arts
Health and Physical Education Dugspur, Virginia
Jacob Alexander Smith
Bachelor of Science Business Administration Strasburg, Virginia
Brianna Katelyn Southard Bachelor of Science Psychology
Dryden, Virginia
Leslie Danielle Stallard MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Bachelor of Arts Liberal Arts and Sciences Pound, Virginia
Shawnna Caitlin Stallard Bachelor of Arts Communication Studies
Clintwood, Virginia
Alissa Kaitlyn Stanley Bachelor of Arts
Communication Studies Coeburn, Virginia
Haley Elizabeth Stanley Bachelor of Science
Biology Pound, Virginia
Mattie Ruth Stanley
MAGNA CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Arts Communication Studies
Clintwood, Virginia
Megan A. Steffey Bachelor of Science
Sociology Wise, Virginia
Sydney Noel Steinberg
CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science Business Administration
Gainesville, Florida
Spencer Clay Stockard Bachelor of Science
Biology Hiltons, Virginia
Michelle Alexis Sutherland
MAGNA CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science Business Administration
Haysi, Virginia
Jalen Connor Sykes MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Bachelor of Arts History / Chemistry Haysi, Virginia
Presley Taylor Bachelor of Science Business Administration
Abingdon, Virginia
Shauna LeeAnn Taylor Bachelor of Science
Psychology Castlewood, Virginia
Christopher J. Thaxton
Bachelor of Science Business Administration Glen Allen, Virginia
Melanie Thompson Bachelor of Science Psychology
Orlando, Florida
Tyler Tibbs CUM LAUDE
Bachelor of Science Psychology Coeburn, Virginia
Ashley Nicole Timbrook Bachelor of Arts Communication Studies
Winchester, Virginia
Ashlee Lauren Turner CUM LAUDE
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Bassett, Virginia
Dakotah Cheyenne Turner
Bachelor of Science Psychology Tazewell, Tennessee
Laika Anania Umuhoza Bachelor of Science Accounting
Kigali, Rwanda
Sean Kyle Valerga Bachelor of Arts
Government Wytheville, Virginia
Kevin VanNess
Bachelor of Science Economics Natural Bridge Station, Virginia
Cedrick Malik Watkins Bachelor of Arts Health and Physical Education
Stafford, Virginia
Maurice Tyreek Watkins Bachelor of Arts
Health and Physical Education Richmond, Virginia
Nichole Rose Wells
Bachelor of Science Psychology Wise, Virginia
Hannah Reid Westfall Bachelor of Arts Communication Studies
Poquoson, Virginia
Christopher Deion Lewis White Bachelor of Science
Software Engineering Chesapeake, Virginia
Cindy Renee White
MAGNA CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science Business Administration
Nickelsville, Virginia
Jordan Tyler White Bachelor of Science
Business Administration Pound, Virginia
Allison Haley Whited
CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science Psychology
Wise, Virginia
Robert Dunbar Whitley Bachelor of Arts
Foreign Studies Wise, Virginia
Joshua Alexander Willcuts
Bachelor of Science Psychology Big Stone Gap, Virginia
Jessica Lynn Williams Bachelor of Science Administration of Justice
Toano, Virginia
Roman Gabriel Williams Bachelor of Science
Administration of Justice Wise, Virginia
Jnauiree Alexzandreea Wilson
Bachelor of Science Psychology Charlottesville, Virginia
Casey Lynn Wood CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science
Psychology Weber City, Virginia
Katie Lee Woodburn Bachelor of Science
Biology Wise, Virginia
Austin Alan Wright
Bachelor of Science Psychology Bristol, Virginia
Jacqueline Marie Yahner CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science
Health and Physical Education Vienna, Virginia
Brett Ryan Yates
Bachelor of Science Computer Science / Software Engineering Lynchburg, Virginia
Justin Zaferakis Bachelor of Science Administration of Justice
Ashburn, Virginia
Keynote Speaker
University of Virginia President James
E. Ryan will deliver the commencement speech for the Class of 2019 at the University of Virginia’s
College at Wise.
Ryan serves as the ninth president of the University of Virginia. A leading
expert on law and education, Ryan has written extensively about the ways in which law structures
educational opportunity. His articles and essays address such topics as school desegregation, school finance, school choice, standards and testing, pre-K, and the intersection of special education and neuroscience. Ryan is
also the coauthor of the textbook “Educational Policy and the Law” and the author of “Five Miles Away, A World Apart,” which was published in 2010 by Oxford University Press. Ryan’s most recent book, “Wait, What? And Life’s
Other Essential Questions,” based on his popular 2016 Commencement speech, was published in 2017 by HarperOne and is a New York Times bestseller. In addition, Ryan has authored articles on constitutional law and
theory and has argued before the United States Supreme Court.
Before coming to UVA, Ryan served as dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education. In this role, Ryan increased the size, strength, and diversity of
the faculty through new hires and promotions. He established the Harvard Teacher Fellows program, an innovative teacher training program for Harvard College seniors and recent alumni, and began a school-wide effort
to reimagine its master’s degree programs. Ryan oversaw an expansion of professional education, including the creation of two new online certificate programs, and launched Usable Knowledge, an online resource designed to
broadly disseminate actionable research findings in education. He and colleagues also embarked on an ongoing effort entitled “Fulfilling the Promise of Diversity,” intended to prepare students for careers working in
diverse environments, and resulting in new courses, prominent speakers, and teaching workshops related to diversity and inclusion. Under his leadership, the school surpassed its campaign goal of $250 million more
than a year ahead of schedule, and raised the largest gift in the school’s history, a $35.5 million gift to establish the Zaentz Early Education Initiative.
Before his deanship, Ryan was the Matheson & Morgenthau Distinguished Professor at the University of Virginia School of Law. He also served as
academic associate dean from 2005 to 2009 and founded and directed the school’s Program in Law and Public Service. While at Virginia, Ryan received
an All-University Teaching Award, an Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, and several awards for his scholarship. Ryan has been a visiting professor at Harvard, Yale, and the
University of Auckland. He has also served on numerous education boards and commissions, including the U.S. Department of Education’s Equity and Excellence Commission and the board of the Maya Angelou Public Charter
School in Washington, D.C.
Ryan received his AB summa cum laude from Yale University and his JD from the University of Virginia, which he attended on a full scholarship and
from which he graduated first in his class. After law school, Ryan clerked for William H. Rehnquist, the late Chief Justice of the United States, and then worked in Newark, N.J., as a public interest lawyer before entering into
teaching. Ryan and his wife, Katie, have four children.
UVa-Wise has set May 11 for commencement exercises. Commencement will begin at 11 a.m. In addition, five ROTC cadets will be commissioned during
the commencement ceremony.
Honorary Class Speakers
ROBERT L. POWERS
Robert Powers was a bit unsure when he arrived at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise four years ago, but that quickly changed when
he immersed himself into academic work, travel abroad, and undergraduate research.
The Dungannon, Virginia native found he had an
affinity for language and history, and he soon realized that faculty and staff at the College went beyond the norm when it came to helping
students grow stronger and experience all aspects of life. Powers said the College created many opportunities for him and his fellow students.
His freshman year was a memorable one because Powers decided to travel to Ireland with a Study Abroad group, and he said that was one of the best decisions of his life. It was soon afterward that Powers, with the
encouragement of Dean Amelia Harris, spent six months in Dortmund, Germany learning more about the culture and honing his German language skills. He met friends that he still keeps in contact with all over
Europe. Powers has made several more trips abroad, including Scotland, England, and a two-week World War I tour that he won’t soon forget.
“I’m a lot more outgoing and confident in myself,” Powers said. “You don’t
get opportunities like this at a lot of colleges. It was the moment I knew I had a passion for traveling. I really needed that boost.”
Powers said the generous financial support from the College was a
tremendous help in his undergraduate research and travel abroad. He decided to double major in History and German, and he managed to finish both in four years, which is quite a feat for the young man who works as a
tutor in the Writing Center and with various summer programs.
Various graduate schools were on Powers’ list, but Louisiana State University got the nod because it boasts one of the most renown intellectual historians
in the nation. He views LSU as the perfect place for him to complete his master’s degree and eventually a doctorate program.
“I’m just an average kid from Southwest Virginia, but I’ve had all these opportunities at UVa-Wise,” Powers said. “You don’t have to be exceptional,
you just have to work hard.”
Powers is graduating Summa Cum Laude and with College Honors from the Peake Honors Program. The program requires students to take three
interdisciplinary honors seminars, attend eight honors cultural events and produce a capstone project.
He plans to spend the summer on campus working with the Upward Bound
program before he heads to LSU and his new venture.
SHANNON E. BENNETT
Shannon E. Bennett is no stranger to hard work. The Covington, Virginia native is not only a double major in Mathematics and Software
Engineering, she also spends many hours on the softball field.
Bennett, who was valedictorian of her high
school, worked for the majority of her four years at UVa-Wise. She was the first intern for the cybersecurity company known as Atomicorp. The
company partnered with UVa-Wise and Mach37.
The student-athlete worked for Atomicorp for over a year when she stopped to focus on her
recovery from surgery following a season ending injury on the softball field. She roared back from the injury and was named team captain.
In her first two seasons of softball, Bennett was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All American Scholarship Athlete team. She received the Highland Cavalier Club award in 2018 year. The award is given
annually to the male and female athlete who displays the most leadership skills on and off the field. In recognition of Bennett’s dedication and perseverance in athletics and academics, she was awarded the 2019 Faculty
Athletic Award.
She also began working for the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science as a student grader and a data science intern. Bennett has been on
the UVa-Wise Dean’s List for seven out of seven semesters and will graduate Summa Cum Laude. She has presented at Research Day for the past two
years, and presented her research at National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR).
Bennett plans to attend Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Computer
Science to complete a master’s degree in Information Technology-Software Engineering. Upon graduating from one of the best computer science schools in the nation, she wants to enter the workforce in the field of high-risk/high-
stake company such as SpaceX or enter the Federal Bureau of Investigation.