Class of 2014 Graduation Profile

The College of Charleston Class of 2014 graduates are well-rounded, award-winning entrepreneurs, published authors, scientists and scholars dedicated to community service. These capable professionals presented at international conferences, served in the military and they have accepted positions at distinguished graduate schools and organizations around the world. They have walked through the arches of Porters Lodge and they are prepared to spread the knowledge, inspiration and enthusiasm they gained at the College. Congratulations Class of 2014!

Undergraduate Class of 2014

Video Highlights

Morning Full Ceremony

Afternoon Full Ceremony

Undergraduate Class of 2014: By the Numbers

Undergraduate Class of 2014: Honors College

Undergraduate Class of 2014: Award Winners

Undergraduate Class of 2014: A Closer Look

Graduate Class of 2014

Video Highlights

Graduate School Class of 2014: By the Numbers

Graduate School Class of 2014: Award Winners

Graduate School Class of 2014: A Closer Look

Undergraduate Class of 2014: By the Numbers*

1,618 | | graduates
40 | | states (including D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands) are represented
22 | | countries are represented
20 | | age of youngest student
55 | | age of oldest student
4 | | students graduating with top honors
13 | | students graduating with A.B. degrees
165 | | School of the Arts graduates
335 | | School of Business graduates
221 | | School of Education, Health, and Human Performance graduates
519 | | School of Humanities and Social Sciences
99 | | School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs graduates
280 | | School of Sciences and Mathematics graduates

* These numbers may change once final grades for spring 2014 are posted.
** as of fall 2014

Undergraduate Class of 2014: Honors College by the Numbers*

110 Students in the Class of 2014

3 Students are graduating with a perfect 4.0 GPA and recipients of the John Lewis Gervais, Jr. Award

3 Students are recipients of the Bishop Robert Smith Award, the college’s highest award

3 Students are graduating in three years

16 Students are William Aiken Fellows

1 Triple Major

52 Majors in the School of Sciences and Mathematics

3 Majors in the School of the Arts

20 Majors in the School of Business

11 Majors in the School of Languages Cultures and World Affairs

43 Majors in the School of Humanities & Social Sciences

4 Majors in the School of Education Health Human Performance

80% Receiving Latin Honors (87 students)

30% Cum Laude (33 students)

25% Magna Cum Laude (27 students)

25% Summa Cum Laude (27 students)

3 students graduating with top honor (a 4.0 GPA)

4 Division I Student Athletes

1 Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Recipient

61% studied abroad (67 students)

85% completed internships ( 93 students)

100% completed original research projects

Ross Baker (biology) was a William Aiken Fellow who will be attending dental school at Virginia Commonwealth University in the fall. Ross volunteered at the ECCO Dental Clinic, the Low Country Food Bank and the Literacy Outreach Initiative. He was Community Service Chair of the Pre-Dental Student Association and a Charleston 40 Tour Guide. Ross spent a semester in Havana, Cuba, through a program hosted by the Departments of Political Science and Spanish.

Robin Banner (geology) will enter a doctoral program in oceanography at the University of Washington in fall 2014. She won first place and was awarded scholarship for her research poster at the Hydrographic Society of America’s conference in New Orleans. Robin studied at the Gerace Research Center in the Bahamas, interned with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and served as a bathymetric mapper on a NOAA research cruise.

Darius Becker-Krail (biology) will enter a Ph.D. program in neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh in the fall. He performed more than 700 volunteer service hours on the College’s award-winning EMS team as an undergraduate. Darius presented his research at MUSC’s Neuroscience Institute’s Research Day and was a finalist for the Best Undergraduate Presentation. He was President of the College’s Neuroscience Club and an officer in the Health Pre-Professional Honor Society.

Elizabeth Burdette (sociology) was a William Aiken Fellow who will pursue a job to gain experience in the non-profit and/or higher education field next year. She participated in the Bonner Leader Program for four year and was Bonner Senior Intern. Elizabeth led two alternative break trips and participated in two others. She received a Critical Language Scholarship, a program of the U.S. Department of State, to study Hindi in India. Elizabeth volunteered in the ESL program at St. Matthews Church, at Darkness to Light and at the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry. She was inducted into the Higdon Student Leadership Center’s Hall of Leaders for her work with the Alternative Break program.

Aidan Cooke (studio art) will write and illustrate a series of children’s books next year before she enters graduate school for a master’s of fine arts in book arts. Aidan worked in the Addlestone Library’s Special Collections making books and doing bindery repair. Her work appeared in the Young Contemporaries Art Exhibition, in the Salon de Refuses and in Miscellany. For her Bachelor’s Essay, Aidan updated four fairytales to fit a modern social issue through text and illustration.

Allison (Alli) Crowell (international business) was a William Aiken Fellow who plans to work for InterTech Group following graduation. Alli was active in the Student Government Association (SGA). She was both a Schottland Scholar and a Global Scholar. Alli’s studies took her abroad three times – to Spain, to China, and to Honduras where she volunteered with the Microfinance Brigade. Alli volunteered at the East Coast Migrant Head Start Project and interned with New York Life and the Robert Bosch Corporation.

Anna Dierksheide (business administration) was a William Aiken Fellow who will return to Washington, D.C., to work for HelloWallet, a high-tech company that uses behavioral economics to drive business decisions after graduation. During her undergraduate career, Anna interned on the Honors Washington Semester Program in D.C. as well as SPARC and Blackbaud in Charleston. She was a peer facilitator for the Honors First Year Experience class, Beyond George Street, in which she helped freshmen develop plans for their undergraduate careers.

Jacob (Jake) Dierksheide (computer science) was a William Aiken Fellow who accepted a position as software engineer with Benefitfocus in Charleston. Jake presented his work on the Learn2Mine project at the Fifth International Conference of E-Management E-Business E-Learning and E-Education in Toronto, at which he won Best Session Paper. His work was published in the conference’s journal. Jake was a teaching assistant for a computer science programming class, and he was active in the Bioinformatics Research Group and Reformed University Fellowship.

Jessica Dugan (psychology) was a William Aiken Fellow who will enter a Ph.D. program in Cognition and Development at Emory University in the fall. Jessica researched young children’s understanding of possible and impossible events. She was an officer in the Psychology and Running Clubs as well as Leadership CofC. She was the recipient of a SafeZone Advocacy Award, and was a 2-1-1 Hotline Volunteer. Jessica participated in a summer Neuroscience Seminar and was a peer facilitator in the Gateway to Neuroscience Learning First Year Experience seminar.

Ann (Annie) Galizio (psychology) was a William Aiken Fellow who will attend Utah State University’s doctoral program in Behavior Analysis in the fall. She presented her research at 11 conferences nationally and internationally. Annie was a Global Scholar who participated in three study abroad/travel experiences – a neuroscience seminar in Germany, language study in Chile, and an alternative break trip to Costa Rica. She was involved in the Psychology Club, the Honors Student Association and Best Buddies. Anna was a peer mentor to first-year students and she volunteered at the National Crime Victims Center and with a Crisis Hotline.

Molly Hatch (psychology) will attend London School of Economics for a Master of Science program in International Employment Relations and Human Resource Management this fall. She upheld the College of Charleston Presidential Scholarship and the South Carolina Palmetto Fellows Scholarship throughout her undergraduate career. Molly received departmental honors in 2014 and the Greek Scholar of the Year Award in 2013. She completed work on her bachelor’s essay, Candidates’ Head and Eye Orientations in Job Interviews: Effects on Impression Formation in the spring 2014 semester.

Christina (Barrett) Hawkins (biology and Spanish) will pursue a master’s degree in public health at the University of Pittsburgh. Barrett was on the College’s award-winning EMS team and she volunteered as an interpreter at the Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic. She participated in two alternative breaks, one of which provided medical relief to small villages in Kenya. She was an officer in the Neuroscience Club and a member of the Honor Board, Volunteer Corps, Best Buddies and she was a Global Scholar.

Corey Heyward (archaeology and art history) will attend George Washington University’s master’s program in anthropology and museum studies. Corey was an archaeology intern at Drayton Hall and presented her research on Delft tiles at the annual South Carolina Anthropology Student Conference. She was a member of Student Alumni Associates, a Cougar Ambassador, and a Peer Advisor with the Center for International Education. Corey studied in Groningen, the Netherlands, and at the Abbe Museum Field School in Maine.

Christina (Chrissy) Hefron (geology and international studies) was a William Aiken Fellow who will attend the University of South Carolina for a master’s degree in geology in the fall. Chrissy studied in Cuba with the College’s study abroad program and did geology fieldwork in the Bahamas where she presented her research at an international conference. Chrissy was president of the College’s Geological Society. She was a hydrographic intern at NOAA, and a peer facilitator for the Honors First Year Experience class, Beyond George Street.

Logan Herbert (chemistry) was a William Aiken Fellow who will be entering the University of Virginia’s School of Medicine in the fall. Logan was Director of the College’s EMS, which was named the number one Organization of the Year by the National Collegiate EMS Foundation. He volunteered 30-40 hours a week with EMS and was principal clarinetist in the College orchestra’s wind and contemporary ensembles. Logan received the John Lewis Gervais, Jr. Award, which is awarded to the graduating Honors College senior with the highest GPA. He also received the Bishop Robert Smith award, the college’s top honor.

Rebecca Hughes (international studies and political science) will intern at the Center for American Program in fall and plans to earn her J.D. with a specialization in International Human Rights Law. Rebecca was a delegate to the Model African Union and the Model Organization of American States. She was a Global Scholar and a peer facilitator with the College’s First Year Experience program. Rebecca studied abroad in La Rochelle, France, and participated in an alternative break trip to Haiti. She interned with the A21 campaign to stop human trafficking and the U.S. Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.

Cassidy Jenks (physics) was a William Aiken Fellow who will join Cru as a full-time staff member next year. Cassidy was active in Cru, the Society of Physics Students and the Swing Dance Club. He also volunteered with the Literacy Outreach Initiative.

Kelly Kambourelis (communication) was a William Aiken Fellow who will move to Hawaii to take on public relations position following graduation. She played on the College’s Varsity tennis team and was a SoCon Player of the Month. Kelly was a recipient of the John Lewis Gervais, Jr. Award, which is given to the graduating Honors senior with the highest GPA. She was on the School of Humanities and Social Science Student Advisory Council and was a REACH Program social volunteer. Her bachelor’s essay focused on the effects of team cohesion and coaches’ nonverbal communication behaviors on the intrinsic motivation of individual-sport athletes.

Amy Kubie (economics) will intern with the Koch Internship Program and work at Red Edge after graduation. Amy was on the Varsity Sailing Team and on the College’s intramural basketball team. Amy traveled to Dubai, U.A.E., to study best practices in a tourism destination and she led an alternative break trip to the Dominican Republic. She was a program assistant at the Bastiat Society and a market process fellow with the Initiative for Public Choice and Market Process. Amy was a Schottland Scholar and a member of Enactus, a CofC group committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives.

Anne Marie Martin (communication) will be a member of the Teach for America corps in Baton Rouge, La. next year. She interned in U.S. Senator Tim Scott’s office and served as an officer in the Honors Student Association and a member of Leadership CofC, Committed to Charleston, and a mentor in Rachel’s Challenge. The Senior Vice President of Turner Broadcasting System mentored Anne Marie through the Department of Communication’s mentor-protégé program. In addition, she took part in the Theatre Department’s Director’s Showcase.

Annie Murray (mathematics) was a William Aiken Fellow who will work as an analyst for Central Electric Power Cooperative after graduation. Annie was active in Green CofC and Phi Sigma Pi. She spent a Spring Break traveling throughout England to learn more about peer mentoring from a cross cultural perspective. Annie interned at GreenWizard, a company that empowers construction professionals to develop green buildings.

Jackelyn (Jackie) Payne (public health and anthropology) will attend Emory University to pursue a Master of Public Health. She wrote her bachelor’s essay about how young women make meaning of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) and fertility. Jackie presented her research at local and regional conferences, and is co-author of a manuscript that is currently under review at a national journal. She interned at the American Red Cross and volunteered for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, and served as an Avery Research Center Scholar. She was named a Highly Distinguished Honor Student and earned an Excellence in Classical Archaeology Award, and she was a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Lambda Alpha.

Rachele Palmieri, (business administration) was a William Aiken Fellow who will work for Towers Watson, a Philadelphia-based global professional services company, as a Health and Group Benefits Analyst after graduation. Rachele was a Schottland Scholar, a member of Charleston 40, president of the Honors Student Association, an officer in Alpha Delta Pi, and Student Recruitment Intern at the Jewish Student Union. She studied in Madrid for a semester through the School of Business’ program.

Briosha (Bri) Sanders (women’s and gender studies) will work in the non-profit sector next year. She was a Ketner Emerging Leader and a Skirt! Magazine Scholar. Bri was President of CofC NOW, and on the WGS Community Advisory Board. She interned at the Avery Research Center, volunteered at People Against Rape, and was a member and leader of Southerners on New Ground (SONG). She was a peer facilitator for three years in the Honors freshman seminar, Beyond George Street, and for a freshman seminar on the biology of sex and gender. She produced and performed in The Vagina Monologues.

Joshua (Josh) Schmidt (biochemistry, chemistry and business administration) will attend Wake Forest University for his master’a in accounting degree. He was active in the SGA and Enactus. Josh volunteered at MUSC Children’s Hospital and at two local elementary schools. He also volunteered with Odyssey Hospice and was president and founder of the World Change Coalition. A triple major, Josh tutored Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics, Biology, Finance and Business Statistics at the Center for Student Learning.

Mariel Simpson (geology) will conduct geologic field studies and continue working at Telogical Systems and interning at GreenBy3, a construction project management company focusing on sustainability after graduation. Mariel received the Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship along with an AmeriCorps Education Award. She studied renewable energy, technology and resource economics in Iceland with the School for International Training. She presented her Bachelor’s Essay research at the 2013 American Geophysical Union conference in San Francisco. Mariel also played on the College’s Women’s Rugby Team for three years.

Ryan Simpson (classics and biology) will take graduate courses and intern at a hospital in Germany following graduation. Ryan helped organize Charleston’s first annual Match-to-Marrow 5K Run. He was an officer in the National Classics Honors Society and a member of the Council on Undergraduate Research. He studied abroad in Rome and participated in SCORE Oyster Reef Builds and an alternative break to Appalachia. Ryan presented his Bachelor’s Essay research at the Southern Association for the History of Medicine and Science conference.

Rebecca Sze (psychology) will attend Sarah Lawrence College’s graduate program in patient health advocacy. She’ll then pursue her medical degree to become a pediatric rheumatologist. Rebecca was in Alpha Epsilon Delta, the Psychology Club, Sigma Delta Tau, Psi Chi, the Russian Club and she was founding president of the Women’s Lacrosse Club. A class on the holocaust took Rebecca to to Poland, Lithuania and Germany. Her research on the life and work of Primo Levi and the relationship between visual attention and moral judgment won best presentation at both the SREU and the Society for Personality and Social Psychology Conferences.

Montgomery Taylor (geology) will work as a hydrographic surveyor onboard ship next year and will then pursue a master’s degree in coastal or marine geology. Montgomery’s research won both Project Oceanica and Hydrographic Society of America awards. She participated in educational outreach in Charleston County Schools, was a member of BEAMS – Benthic Acoustic Mapping and Survey Team, and of the College’s Geological Society. She traveled to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands in the Volcanoes in the Footsteps of Darwin program. Montgomery studied carbonate geology and biology of the Bahamas.

Erica Tracey (biology) was a William Aiken Fellow who will attend Emory University’s Ph.D. program in neuroscience in the fall. She was awarded a Goldwater Scholarship to help fund her continuing education in a scientific field. Erica was a Peer Facilitator for Beyond George Street, the Honors First Year Experience seminar, for three years. She traveled to Germany to take part in the Neuroscience Seminar there. She presented her research on the snapping shrimp at numerous conferences and it was published in professional journals. She is the recipient of the Bishop Robert Smith award, the college’s top award.

Charlotte Westcob (hospitality and tourism management and business administration) was a William Aiken Fellow who will pursue her master’s of health administration at MUSC fall 2014. Charlotte was a Charleston 40 Tour Guide for four years and she served on the President’s Student Advisory Council. She interned with the Beaufort County Open Land Trust and interned in special events in the Office of the President at MUSC. The business plan she developed her senior year won first place in the School of Business’ Business Plan Competition.

Jaclyn (Piper) Wilson (public health) will teach yoga as a Registered Yoga Teacher next year before pursung a master’s degree in public health or healthcare administration. Piper received the Presidential Service Award for International Work with a Non-Profit from President Obama for her work in a clinic in Peru. She was a Global Scholar who was active in the Public Health Society, the Pre-Dental Student Association and the Pulsera Club. She volunteered with YoungLife, Respite Care Charleston, Yoga Benefits Kids and the Lowcountry Food Bank. As a program intern at the YWCA of Greater Charleston, Piper designed a program for students with autism.

Emily Mecredy Wise (English) was a William Aiken Fellow who will attend the University of Amsterdam’s master of arts in English literature in fall 2014 and then attend Duke University’s master’s in the humanities. Emily volunteered at Wise Owls Tutoring, YA’LL Fest, Literacy Outreach Initiative, and the Cooper River Bridge Run. She was a team leader at Without Walls and media manager for Cru. Emily went to Spoleto, Italy, with her English writing class and was an editorial assistant at Charleston Home + Design magazine.

Undergraduate Class of 2014: Award Winners

Bishop Robert Smith Award
Marjorie Elizabeth Burdette

Bishop Robert Smith Award
Logan Herbert

Bishop Robert Smith Award
Erica Tracey

Pat Kelly Award Winner
Keri Hlavin

Alexandar Chambliss Connelley Award
Christopher Piedmont

Alexandar Chambliss Connelley Award
Joseph Busch

Theodore S. Stern Cup
Christopher Piedmont

Theodore S. Stern Cup
Jordan Hensley

Alumni Medal
Samuel R. Seldman

Alumni Medal
Logan P. Herbert

Alumni Medal
Kelly R. Kambourelis

Thomas A. Palmer Award
Ryan Alexander Adams

Alyson and Grace Jameson Award
Brian E. Barrie

Lucille Whipper Award
Brandi Rollins

Septima P. Clark Award
Alexandra Jones

See the Departmental awards.

Undergraduate Class of 2014: A Closer Look*

The most common male names are: John, James, Michael and Matthew.
The most common female names are: Sarah, Elizabeth, Lauren and Katherine.

Brian Ackerman (English) plans to attend graduate school and become an officer in the Army. He was involved in the Tennis Club, Leadership College of Charleston, Committed to Charleston and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Brian won the Kevin Limehouse Award for Customer Service and the Outstanding Student of the Year ExCEL Award for the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Hunter Adams (political science) will attend American University’s Washington College of Law. He received a $31,000 scholarship.

Kirsten Akins (sociology) will pursue her master’s of education degree and plans work in secondary education. She hopes to be involved in school administration in low-income areas to provide an equal education. Throughout her undergraduate experience, Kirsten participated in Essence of Faith Dancers, Young Women’s Initiatives at Nichols Chapel AME Church and the Charleston County School District Wellness Committee.

Courtney Alexander (political science) will work as a field director on U.S. Represented Bill Cassidy’s Campaign for U.S. Senate.

Jamila Anderson (German, business administration) will move to Washington, DC to pursue a career with the government/politics. She was involved in Delta Phi Alpha and the National German Honor Society; Honor Board.

Kendal Axt (political science) will graduate in summer 2014 and travel to South Africa.

Maggie Bailey (arts management) created a dance for a short film for her capstone project. She is a member of the Annex Dance Company in Charleston, and she presented choreography at the American College Dance Festival representing College of Charleston. Maggie will soon be working with Go Interactive Wellness in Charleston. She received Outstanding Student Awards for both arts management and dance.

Annalise Baker-Whitcomb (communication) volunteered at Malayaka House, an orphan home in Entebbe, Uganda over spring break 2014. Annalise conducted research on women’s health and is co-author of a manuscript that is currently under review at a national journal. She earned a SURF Grant and the Ken Adkins Memorial Scholarship. Annalise is a member of Phi Eta Sigma and was involved in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Since summer 2013, she has blogged about women’s health issues at MUSC.

Craig Bennett (biology) will be commissioned in the S.C Army National Guard as a Quartermaster Platoon Leader with S.C’s 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. After studying abroad in China in fall 2013, Craig started an internship with the Office of Sustainability where he worked on the campus Bike Share Program, urban garden, and waste initiatives. Living in China motivated him to work on sustainable water and energy policies and community outreach initiatives.

Alexandrea Benson (biology) will pursue an advanced degree in business and hopes to eventually work in the field of nonprofit or community service. She was involved in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and in ROAR Scholars as a peer mentor.

Chantelle Berman (political science) will attend graduate school at IDC Herzliya, Israel for a master’s in Counter-Terrorism and Homeland Security.

Eliza Blades (business administration) will work through AmeriCorps/Vista for a non-governmental organization focusing on women’s issues. She was president of the alternative break program, a senior intern in the Bonner Leadership program and attended four alternative break trips. Liza volunteered at Amigos de las Americas, Charleston Pride Week, Grow Food Carolina, Fields to Families and Habitat for Humanity. She was a Schottland Scholar who studied at the Universidad Carlos III in Madrid, Spain through the School of Business.

Wesley Booker (theatre) will attend graduate school for film production and hopes to operate his own production company in the future. He was involved in Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and National Pan-Hellenic Council.

Tyler Boone (arts management) is releasing a new record called Familiar Faces, which also features (College of Charleston adjunct faculty member) Mark Bryan from Hootie & the Blowfish. On May 26th he will start a three-week East Coast tour with stops in New York City, Nashville, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. Tyler received the Julie Jett Citizenship Award in Arts Management.

Sarah Boyle (business administration) concluded her College of Charleston women’s swimming career as the school’s first CAA individual champion, winning the 100 and 200 backstroke events at the 2014 CAA Championship meet. She also set a new CAA record for the fastest time in the 200 backstroke (1:56.38). Sarah was one of eight finalists for the prestigious J. Stewart Walker Cup Award and she received the Morgan Hall Swimming Scholarship, awarded annually for excellence in academics, leadership and competition.

Elle Brewer (communication) contributed to the College’s women’s cross country and track and field teams for her entire undergraduate career. She finished 18th at the 2012 Southern Conference Outdoor Championships in the 10K (42:07) and posted a career-best time of 39:03 in the same event placing 11th at the Duke Invitational during her junior campaign. She was the 2012 Family Circle Cup Scholarship recipient – given to an outstanding College of Charleston female student-athlete who exceled both on-and-off the playing field. She was a Director of Athletics Honor Roll student and a member of the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society and Golden Key Honor Society. Elle was active with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and she served as an Honor Board member.

Xavier Bromell (political Science) was involved in the Alpha Phi Alpha, Tau Eta Chapter and the Political Science Club. He was awarded the title of College of Charleston Greek Life President of the Year.

John Brooker (biology) focused his studies on how pollutants affect organisms in the natural environment. He also has a strong interest in exploring the many applications of sustainability. In 2012, John discovered a mycobacteriophage which he then named “Dirt McGirt”. He was awarded “Best Undergraduate Oral Presentation” at the 2014 meeting of the Southeastern Estuarine Research Society for his research on the toxicological effects of antimicrobials on grass shrimp and their associated bacteria. In addition to his work in the realm of biology, John is also a skilled guitarist and songwriter who was featured in the 2014 College of Charleston Garden Series.

Ashley Cafasso (anthropology) served as Kappa Alpha Theta’s vice president and secretary for three years. She is an active advisory board member for a non-profit organization, “Get Smart Mentoring.” In addition, she was named runner-up in the South Carolina Dialogue Foundation’s Future Leaders Project contest. Ashley will begin a healthcare policy internship with the City of New York’s Human Resources Administration in the Office of Citywide Health Insurance Access (OCHIA). After summer 2014, she will pursue her master’s in public health degree at Tulane University’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.

Tomika Caldwell (biology) will work toward her doctorate degree in immunology and work in the field of health policy. She was involved in the South Carolina Alliance for Minority Participation, College of Charleston Student Ambassadors, Leadership College of Charleston, Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership and Honors Society and ROAR Scholars. She was awarded a Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Scholarship and a College of Charleston Admission Fellowship.

Emily Clisham (political science) will work as a Sales Representative and Assistant Buyer for Ralph Lauren in New York City. Emily been made the political science honor roll as well as distinguished honors.Elizabeth Chambers (exercise science) will make her second straight appearance at the ICSA Women’s National Championships as a crew member for the College’s nationally ranked women’s sailing team summer 2014. She was named a 2013 ISCA Academic All-American and has been recognized on the Director of Athletics and the Highly Distinguished Honor Rolls. Elizabeth was a member of the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, SAAC and Relay For Life. Elizabeth volunteered in the Lowcountry Food Bank, Hope Lodge and the Special Olympics among other organizations. She was a finalist for the J. Stewart Walker Cup – the highest honor to for a College student athlete. Elizabeth will complete an internship with MUSC before pursuing her doctorate degree in physical therapy at the University of Miami (Fla.), one of the top-10 U.S. physical therapy schools.

Kristen Clyburn (sociology) will work toward a master’s degree following gradduation. She was involved in the Iota of S.C. Chapter of Alpha Kappa Delta and the International Sociology Honors Society. She completed the Disney College Program in fall 2013, and was awarded the title of Outstanding Student in Sociology for Academic Excellence.

Tasheera Cooper (exercise science) will attend Sherman College of Chiropractic and hopes to work as an athletic team chiropractor. She participated in the Black Student Union, and was an Avery Scholar and a ROAR Scholar.

Connor Coons (finance) was a key player on the College’s men’s soccer team. Connor played in all but two games and averaged nearly 70 minutes per game. He was honored as a member of the 2013 CAA All-Academic Team and was the recipient of the team’s Glaucos Diamantino Best Attitude Award. He has accepted a position with Benefitfocus in Charleston.

Brittany Counts (psychology) will attend graduate school for certification in career facilitating or student counseling. She was involved in the Bonner Leader Program, ROAR Scholars and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She was awarded a Leadership in Peer Education Certificate and the Outstanding Achievement Award in African American Studies.

Ebony Davis (studio art) will attend graduate school in San Francisco for illustration concept art. Ebony was involved in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

Dronica DeBerry (elementary education). She will attend the Citadel to obtain a master’s of education in literacy education and plans to reside in the Charleston area to teach in the Charleston County School District.

Brian Doheny will attend the University of Louisville’s Brandeis School of Law in the fall.

Darcy Dorton (psychology) was the College’s volleyball program’s first two-time AVCA All-American and the first-ever CAA player to win Preseason Player of the Year, Player of the Year and Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors all in the same season. She led the College to a Southern Conference Tournament Championship and set a program record in a NCAA match as the team passed more highly rated reams in the NCAA First Round. Darcy also led the College to its first-ever CAA Championship in any sport, winning the regular season and conference tournament. She finished her career ranked third all-time in the school record books in kills per set (3.92) and hopes to begin her professional volleyball career in Europe. Darcy was also featured in the College of Charleston Magazine.

Brittany Duncan (biology) was involved in SCAMP, Alpha Epsilon Delta and the Biology Club.

Ashley Fabian (music) won the Music Teachers National Association Nine-State District Young Artist Competition in Voice and placed in its competition for Performance in Voice.

Alex Ellis (sociology) was a two-time U.S. Amateur Championship qualifier throughout his four-year career on the College’s men’s golf team. He was twice named CAA Men’s Golfer of the Week and helped lead his to a conference title in their inaugural year in the CAA in 2014. It marked the program’s first NCAA Regionals team appearance since 2003 and second-ever conference title since 2002. Alex made seven Top 10 finishes throughout his undergraduate career. He was added to the All-Southern Conference Team and played in the NCAA LSU Regional as an individual. Ellis hopes to qualify for the 2014 U.S. Amateur and become professional in summer 2014.

William Farrior (communication) will work with children through after-school and post-secondary programs like Metanoia Community Development Corporation and REACH. He was involved in the Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity, and was awarded the 2011 Community Impact ExCEL Award.

Emily Farris (arts management) won a College of Charleston Summer Study award. She will attend Sotheby’s Institute of Art following graduation.

Kaitlin Foran (political science) will work as campaign manager for S.C. Representative Jenny Horne’s 2014 re-election campaign.

Amber Frazier (biology) hopes to attend graduate school for her master’s and doctorate degree sin biomedical sciences. She was involved in Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society, Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Professional Health Honor Society and Leadership College of Charleston. She was honored with a Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, was recipient of the W. Jervey Ravenal Memorial Scholarship and Amber won the SCAMP Student of the Year ExCEL Award.

Sylricka Foster (geology and political science) will work for the South Carolina NASA Space Grant Consortium immediately following graduation. Then she plants to attend graduate school at Columbia University to earn a doctorate degree in environmental science and policy. She was a Ronald E. McNair Scholar and Pi Sigma Alpha, American Geophysical Union Sylricka was featured in College of Charleston Magazine July 2013, and was awarded the Minority Student Achievement Award. She presented at InGenius! 2013. Sylricka was also featured in the College of Charleston Magazine.

Drew Gardner (political science) interned with the Office of Sustainability, merging both his interest in sustainability and passion for video production. During the spring 2014 semester he worked as the official videographer for the Office of Sustainability, which included filming events and developing new videos. In addition to his academic work, Drew films and records local bands in the Charleston area.

Willie Goodwin (communication) was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Diversity Advocates.

Jalissa Green (biology) will attend nursing school following her graduation. She was involved in the Biology and Nursing Clubs.

Joshua Hall (elementary education) was involved in SPECTRA, Call Me Mister and the College of Charleston men’s basketball team.

Anderson Haney (theatre) won in the KCACTF Ten Minute Play Festival for his play Medium Skewered. His play was featured in a staged reading of the KCACTF Region IV Ten-Minute Play Festival.

Jamie Harrell (psychology) played on the College’s women’s tennis team. Jamie developed an impressive 12-6 record in doubles play and received the Silcox Award for a deserving senior on the men’s and women’s tennis teams. She recently presented research on peripheral nerve regeneration at SYNAPSE, a neuroscience conference for undergraduate students. Jamie will apply to medical school with the intent to begin her studies in fall 2015.

Sean Hartness (political science) has accepted a teaching position at an English school in Trujillo, Spain. He studied abroad in Trujillo in fall 2013.

Keri Hlavin (public health) has works with the Office of Sustainability focusing on communication and outreach programs in Residence Life and New Student Orientation. She helped to organize and run two sustainability themed competitions, Recyclemania and Campus Conservation Nationals. Keri also self-started her own outreach campaign, Tap-That, helping to raise awareness for clean water and waste reduction through reusable water bottles. Keri received the Pat Kelly Award in Social Activism. She will continue working in the Office of Sustainability through summer 2014.

Erika Hoffman (anthropology and history) will pursue her master’s degree in sustainable development at Uppsala University in Sweden following graduation. Erika has volunteered at the Student Garden at Dixie Plantation and worked with PennEnvironment in Philadelphia as the coordinator of the campaign against hydraulic fracturing in the state of Pennsylvania. As an intern with the Office of Sustainability, Erika worked on the ECOllective Fund. The Office of Sustainability nominated Erika for the 2014 Student Employee of the Year Award. She was awarded runner up.

Maria Horn (communication) is the mother of two children. She developed a project for her senior capstone course called Random Acts of Kindness, for which she designed a logo and maintained a blog.

Morgan Johnson (political science) received both an Outstanding Student Award and Departmental Honors from the Department of Political Science. In her bachelor’s essay Bread Riots as a Challenge to Authoritarian Regimes in the Middle East, she compares the emergence of food insecurity and bread riots in Jordan (1989 and 1996) and Egypt (1972 and 1977) with Saudi Arabia where less food insecurity has prevailed and no riots have occurred.

Brittany Johnson (exercise science) played on the College’s women’s basketball team. After spending her first season in Charleston as a team manager, Brittany earned a spot on the team for the 2011-12 campaign. Over the next three seasons, she went on to play in 40 career games for the College, proving herself an invaluable leader on-and-off the floor. Following graduation, she will pursue a career as a physician’s assistant back home in Marietta, Ga. Brittany volunteered at a summer camp for children suffering from juvenile diabetes throughout her undergraduate career.

Alexandra (Lexa) Keane (political science) will continue her work in sustainable agriculture after graduation. This year, Lexa served as the Garden Coordinator for the Office of Sustainability’s Urban Garden. She o rganized the College’s Garden Apprenticeship Program and the community’s Charleston Urban Growers Coalition. Lexa received a MAYS Grant in for her work on the Gullah Geechee community, Post-Colonial Indigenous Identity and Community Development, and presented her work at the 2014 Moore Conference. She was nominated for the Excel Award for Excellence in Diversity Service.

Danya Kiernan (political science) has a fellowship for summer 2014 with community water solutions in Ghana. Next year she will be part of a teacher’s assistant program in Grenoble, France teaching elementary school students.

John King (theatre) won the KCACTF Award for Theatrical Design Excellence in Lighting Design.

Serena-Kaye Kinley-Cooper (biology and psychology) will attend the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) to earn a doctorate degree in biomedical science with an emphasis in neuroscience. She was involved in the Lambda Omicron Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and was a ROAR Scholars Peer Mentor. Serena was awarded a Ronald E. McNair Scholarship, received the Major Academic Year Support (MAYS) grant for research and will receive a full fellowship and stipend from MUSC for her continuing education.

Lindsey Kruger (political science) will teach English in Thailand for a year through the TEFL program. Upon completion, Lindsey plans to apply to law school.

Crescente Lesser (international business) was honored on the 2014 All-CAA Second Team in his final season as a member of the College’s men’s tennis team. Crescente helped the College earn its second-highest ITA national team ranking in school history at No. 64 in the U.S. While a student-athlete at The College, Crescente interned with a seafood company and traveled to Japan and Thailand in the summer of 2012 to study negotiation techniques. He plans to move to Miami after graduation to work with a leasing company based in his home country, Chile.

De’Asia McNeill (psychology) was involved in the Black Student Union.

Javae McWhite (sociology) plans to attend pharmacy school and work in pharmaceuticals. He was involved in the Black Student Union, the Sociology Club, and he was awarded a Clyburn Scholarship.

Kathryn Miranda (biology) played on the women’s golf team at the College. She was honored on the 2014 All-CAA Second Team as the College claimed its second-ever conference title in program history. A member of Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society at the College, Kathryn’s undergraduate coursework included a special emphasis in molecular biology. She will pursue her doctorate degree in biomedical science at the University of South Carolina in fall 2014.

James Mitchell Jr. (business administration) will work for Norfolk Southern Corporation as a transportation manager in Knoxville, Tenn. He was a ROAR Scholar Peer Mentor and a Ronald E. McNair Scholar.

Marsh Moton (business administration) was involved in the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, the National Pan Hellenic Council Executive Committee and was a co-founder of the Committed to Charleston Society. He was awarded a Leadership Certificate from the Higdon Student Leadership Center.

Caitlin Murphy (political science) will attend Tufts University on a scholarship for the master’s program in Art and Museum Studies.

Brandon Murray (business administration) played on the College’s men’s baseball team, and Brandon will go down in school history as one of the team’s top sluggers of all time. Despite an arm injury that has caused him to miss most of his senior year, he will finish his career ranked seventh all-time in career home runs. Brandon was honored as the 2014 ExCEL Male Student-Athlete of the Year for his dedication to service and commitment to others – he spoke to potential students as part of the Multicultural Overnight Experience (M.O.V.E.) and visited the local MUSC Children’s Hospital in his spare time. He was a finalist for the prestigious J. Stewart Walker Cup Award.

Colton Naval (communication and political science) will travel to Southeast Asia to assist the College of Charleston study abroad program in Cambodia and Vietnam. He focused his Bachelor’s Essay on community based ecotourism in rural Cambodia, and plans to continuing his research abroad. Colton wass a member of the Political Science Honors Society, Pi Sigma Alpha, and received the Outstanding Student award in political science. He is an applicant for the Rotary Ambassadorial Global Grant.

Trudy Noll (geology) was a four-year member of the College’s equestrian team. She won four riding class titles in her senior year, and she helped lead her team to the IHSA National Championship Horse Show – collegiate riding’s biggest stage. Trudy’s leadership and her passion for horses and all animals served as a model for all her teammates and peers.

Kimberly Ohanuka (public health) hopes to apply to law school or work for a nonprofit organization. She was involved in the Cougar Activites Board (CAB), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Leadership College of Charleston. Kimberly was inducted into the Hall of Leaders for the Higdon Student Leadership Center.

Steve O’Leary (communication) backpacked through China before returning to college. He is an up-and-coming comedian who is working to overcome stage fright.

Holly Oppel (psychology) is planning to volunteer abroad with the program Dreams to Reality, through which she will teach at a South African school that lacks basic resources. Holly advised students in the Center for Excellence in Peer Education. She was an invaluable part of the Career Center staff as an Intern for the 2013-14 academic school year. Holly developed her leadership skills by participating on an Alternative Spring Break trip to the Dominican Republic and being a Program Participant for Leadership College of Charleston. She studied abroad in CapeTown, South Africa.

Jessica Parker (biology) will attend pharmacy school. She was a ROAR Scholar Peer Mentor and was involved in SCAMP as well as the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She is currently working as pharmacy technician at CVS Pharmacy.

Tyler Person (historic preservation and mathematics) will seek a master’s degree in architecture starting in fall 2014 to become a licensed architect. Tyler was involved in the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the Office of Multicultural Student Programs and Services, and served as a SPECTRA Summer Program Counselor and Peer Mentor and member of the Sigma Pi Kappa Historic Preservation Honors Society.

Kevin Phillips (communication) completed his capstone project on a spring-cleaning of his neighborhood in downtown Charleston.

Roysean Philson (political science) will serve in the Peace Corps following graduation. He was awarded a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation summer internship in Washington D.C. for the Hon. James E. Clyburn of South Carolina’s 4th Congressional district in 2013. He studied abroad in Trujillo, Spain during Fall 2013 and during the Spring 2014 semester he interned with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of South Carolina.

Courtney Pittman (exercise science) will attend graduate school for biomedical science. She served as director of Dance Marathon and was involved in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Courtney was awarded the Outstanding Student of the Year for the School of Education, Health, and Human Performance ExCEL Award.

Brian Porterfield (hospitality and tourism management) was involved in the Alpha Kappa Psi fraternity.

Arvaughnna (Vaughn) Postema (communication) will continue to work on her radio program. She was extremely committed to the College’s Speedy Consolidation and Transition Program (SPECTRA), which aims to help multicultural students adjust to college life, as well as the Black Student Union. She volunteered with many local nonprofit organizations and was a member of the Chi Iota chapter of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority. In addition, Vaughn was awarded the Demetria N. Clemons Distinguished Mentoring ExCEL Award and the title of Homecoming Queen, among several other honors and awards.

Jenny Powell (political science) will work in Portland, Maine in community outreach and environmental work with nongovernmental organizations. She hopes to work with International Development and Sustainable Tourism in the future.

Edward Precht (theatre) won in the David L. Shelton Playwriting Project and the National Pertners of the American Theatre Playwriting Award for his full-length play for his play Bread and Circuses. The competition is unique to Region IV of the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF). The full-length play had a staged reading at the 2014 Region IV KCACTF festival and will be presented as a participating production for the 2015 Region IV KCACTF festival. The College’s Department of Theatre and Dance will present the play in the fall 2014 semester.

Jessica Pringle (biology) was involved in the Nursing Club, the Biology Club and was a volunteer at MUSC Children’s Hospital. She was awarded with a Certificate of Academic Excellence at Recognition of Champions.

Fred Quick, Jr. (sociology) was involved in the Office of Institutional Diversity, the Black Student Union and he served on the Cougar Activity Board.

Evan Reinhold (psychology) conducted research alongside professors in the psychology department, winning competitive funding from the Summer Undergraduate Research Funding program (SURF). He has presented research findings at two professional conferences, and recently completed work on his bachelor’s essay, The Individual and Social Structure of Greed.

Lakedra Robinson (exercise science) will attend graduate school to work toward a master’s of physician assistant studies. She participated in Dance Marathon.

Brandi Rollins (secondary education) will attend MUSC’s College of Dental Medicine with hopes of eventually teaching dentistry and owning a practice. She was involved in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the South Carolina Alliance for Minority Participation. She was awarded a Horatio Hughes Scholarship, received a Susan Prazak Endowed Award for Future Teachers of Mathematics, and the Don Belk ‘Souls A Fire’ Counselor Award and a Lucille S. Whipper ExCEL Award.

Eli Sarasola (exercise science) played for the College’s women’s soccer team as a goalkeeper. In two seasons, she made 81 career saves. Injury cut her college career short, but Eli hopes to continue playing soccer at the professional level in the U.S. or abroad.

Camella Scott (business administration) will work as site coordinator for the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School located in North Charleston following graduation. She will also pursue her master’s of business administration at Clemson. Camelia was involved in the D’Vyne Purpose Gospel Choir, Alpha Kappa Psi, the Bonner Leader Program and served as a Metanoia Academic Liaison.

Sarah Sheafer (political science) will volunteer for 10 months with the Tikkun Olam (“repairing the world”) program. There, she will be teaching Arab women English and working in community centers with children. She will also be visiting and volunteering with organizations that promote coexistence and peace in the region. Upon completion, Sarah will attend graduate school to study Peace and Conflict Resolution and Prevention.

Savannah Shelby (music) won the Senior Women’s division of the South Carolina National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Auditions in early March and placed 2nd in the Mid-Atlantic Region, which includes North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C.

David Shelton (theatre) won the Student Playwriting Project in the Full Length Play Competition.

Carly Shevitz (exercise science) was a member of the College’s women’s sailing team and the 2014 U.S. Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider. She will continue training for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She will compete internationally in the women’s 470 event in the interim two years. Carly will follow in the footsteps of a few College of Charleston sailors who have gone on to compete in the Olympic Games following graduation. Carly was active with the Jewish studies and exercise science programs. She served as president of the Jewish Student Union.

Abby Shuler (international studies) is graduating with honors. Within her concentration in Asian Studies, she focused specifically on Eastern Religions and International Development. Abby volunteered in Dharamshala, India, helping young disadvantaged children with their English and social skills. She hopes to continue volunteering and nonprofit work in the hopes to enrich the lives of young children in developing South and Southeast Asian countries.

Tiffani Smalls (biology) will enter the accelerated bachelor’s of nursing program at MUSC to become a neo-natal and pediatric nurse in the U.S. She hopes to eventually practice nursing abroad. Tiffani was involved in the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the Nursing Club, Alternative Break and SCAMP. She was an Alpha Kappa Alpha EAF Scholarship recipient who also received a National Council of Negro Women Innovation Under 35 Award.

Shana Sue Smith (political science) will attend graduate school at Wilmington University for Elementary Education. Smith hopes to be an Elementary School principle.

Victoria Smith (special education) is graduating Magna Cum Laude. She completed an internship at Sullivan’s Island Elementary School and plans to teach elementary students with disabilities in the Charleston area. While at the College, Victoria was a member of several campus organizations including Delta Delta Delta sorority, Phi Eta Sigma Honors Fraternity, Kappa Delta Pi Honors Fraternity, Rho Lambda Honors Fraternity, and the College of Charleston Dance Alliance.

Matthew Tarpey (political science) will attend the Ph.D. program at the University of Pittsburgh with full funding, where he will study American politics and research methodology. During his undergraduate career, Matt co-authored a paper with on the geographies of economic voting. He presented the paper at the South Carolina Political Science Association’s annual meeting. Matt also wrote a Bachelor’s Essay on the topic of state-level variation in income inequality. He earned Departmental Honors from the Department of Political Science.

DeAndrea Taylor (biology) will attend medical school and hopes to work as a pediatrician. She was involved in Alpha Epsilon Delta, SCAMP, and served as a volunteer at MUSC. This summer, DeAndrea will work in her internship at Palmetto Physicians.

Latrevet Thomas (exercise science) will pursue a career as a physical therapist. Latrevet was an orientation intern, a campus recreation employee and was involved in the Black Student Union.

Lizzy Vaughn (international studies and women’s and gender studies) served as a leader on the College’s women’s softball team. Lizzy started every game at shortstop during her undergraduate career. She was voted team captain her senior year and she leads the CAA in hitting and batting average. She hopes to extend her softball career by playing professionally overseas after graduation.

Casey Wadsworth (biology) will apply to medical school for the fall 2015 term. In the interim, she plans to enroll in the MUSC’s Certificate in Biomedical Sciences program. Casey was involved in Delta Sigma Theta, Inc., SCAMP, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Golden Key Honor Society. She was honored with the Eugene C. Hunt ExCEL Award.

Chemise Wallace (special education) plans to become a special educator to work with children with mental and/or emotional disabilities, and earn her master’s degree in psychology to eventually become a school psychologist. She was involved in diversity advocacy and the REACH Program.

Kristyal Washington (sociology) plans to gain certification in education.

Lynda Watson (communication) was accepted to travel the world performing mission work for a year.

Camille Weaver (public health) will attend graduate school for her master’s of public health with a focus in community health and social behavior. After graduating, she hopes to work as a health educator orcommunity health worker for a nonprofit. Camille was involved in the Black Student Union and the Health and Human Performance Club.

Nina Wiersma (political science) will be attending the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna, Austria.

Corrine Williams (theatre) won the ExCEL Award for Excellence in Collegiate Education and Leadership Awards as well as the School of the Arts’ Student of the Year award.

Shanquenae Wilson (physical education) will pursue her Physical Therapist Assistant Certification and attend graduate school to obtain her doctor of physical therapy degree. She was involved in the ROAR Scholar Program and the Black Student Union.

*All information was submitted by faculty and staff. It is deemed to be correct, but was not verified.

Graduate Class of 2014: By the Numbers

141 | | master’s degree candidates (up from 125 last April)
4 | | M.A. in communication
6 | | M.A. in English
10 | | M.A. in history
10 | | M.A.T. – early childhood
13 | | M.A.T. – elementary education
3 | | M.A.T. – middle grades
7 | | M.A.T. – special education
4 | | M.Ed. – science and mathematics for teachers
4 | | M.Ed. – languages
7 | | M.Ed. – teaching, learning and advocacy
11 | | Master of Public Administration
3 | | M.S in accountancy
2 | | M.S. in computer science and information systems
15 | | M.S. in environmental studies
10 | | M.S. in historic preservation
4 | | M.S. in mathematics
6 | | M.S. in marine biology
2 | | arts management certificate
15 | | gifted and talented education certificate
1 | | operations research certificate
4 | | urban studies and regional planning certificate

Graduate Class of 2014: Award Winners

Outstanding Graduate Scholar

Morgana Batista Art (early childhood education)

Allison Shealy Carnevale (elementary education)

Caswell Elizabeth Adams (middle grades)

Asheton Lea Montgomery and Kelann Frances Thompson (special education)

Margaret Susannah Mauk (English)

Cheryl Carmack and Briana Marie Kloc (environmental studies)

Andrew Raul Cuadrado (history)

Edward J. Pharr (computer science and information systems)

Vanessa Sylvie Bézy (marine biology)

Robert Richard Vandermolen (mathematics)

Kimberly Ann Gasparovic (communication)

Kalila Nikki Wilson (teaching, learning, and advocacy)

Sabrina Denise Madore (public administration)

Ashley Marie Miller (science and math for teachers)

Lina Faith Wayman (urban studies and regional planning certificate)

Graduate Class of 2014: A Closer Look*

Vanessa Bezy (marine biology) was the second College of Charleston graduate student to be awarded a prestigious research fellowship by the National Science Foundation (NSF). She will begin work on her Ph.D. at the University of North Carolina fall 2014.

Amanda Duncan (teaching – teaching, learning and advocacy) will graduate with a focus in MTLA. During her time the College of Charleston, Amanda researched high schools and college readiness and is working in the Berkeley County School District to better prepare her students for college. She will begin work toward her educational specialist degree at the University of Alabama fall 2014.

Bethany Greene (history) will remain in Charleston after graduation and apply to history Ph.D. programs in fall 2014. During her time at the College, she served as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of History, assisting faculty with independent research projects and helping to revise the graduate student handbook for the master’s of arts in history program, under the direction of Jason Coy, director of the M.A. program and associate professor of history. Greene participated in two study abroad programs to England and Wales. She is a member of Phi Alpha Theta History Honors Society and the Golden Key International Honors Society.

Willis Hall (communication) played on the College’s men’s basketball team as both an undergraduate and a graduate student. He finished his five-year career ranked 27th all-time in career scoring with 1,152 total points. One of seven players in College team’s history to record more than 1,000 points, Willis was twice named CAA Player of the Week. He ranked among the top 35 players nationally in rebounding. He served as vice president for SAAC and earned his bachelor’s degree in 2013 in business administration with concentrations in finance and leadership. He will graduate in December 2014 and hopes to play professionally overseas.

Patrick Hauer (business) will complete his master’s of business administration in June 2014. He presented a poster presentation at The College of William and Mary’s Thirteenth Annual Graduate Research Symposium. Patrick also presented research on the health and environmental benefits of deer-hunting, the reduction of hunger with the specific intent of providing a less-expensive, lean protein source, and the health value of venison consumption in-home and at restaurants.

Sabrina Madore (public administration) will graduate with honors with a master’s of public administration (MPA). She was involved in the honor society Pi Alpha Alpha in addition to being selected as the MPA Outstanding Student. This honor is reserved for one student each semester who demonstrates a superlative academic record and who embodies one of the fundamental tenants of the MPA program, a commitment to public service. She will continue to work as an entry specialist for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection of Charleston, S.C. Sabrina also holds the rank of Captain in the United States Army Reserves.

Asheton Montgomery (teaching – special education) was one of two Distinguished Special Education Master’s of Arts in Teaching. She will be certified to teach children with mental and emotional disabilities. Asheton maintained a full-time job while working toward her master’s degree.

Kalila (Nikki) Wilson (teaching – teaching, learning and advocacy) will graduate with a master’s of arts in teaching with a focus in teaching, learning, and advocacy (MTLA). She was named Outstanding Student for MTLA and plans to continue advocacy work in Charleston County School District, concentrating on Recruitment, Socialization, and Perception of African American Teachers.

* All information was submitted by faculty and staff. It is deemed to be correct, but was not verified.