Sunny skies are forecast for Sunday morning, May 13, and that brings smiles and signs of relief to hundreds of Austin College seniors and families who will participate in Commencement exercises for more than 280 Bachelor of Arts degree candidates in the Class of 2018 and 12 Master of Arts in Teaching degree candidates. The ceremony is set for at 8:30 a.m. on the Clyde L. Hall Graduation Court on the north side of the campus. The ceremony also is broadcast live via streaming video on the College website Sunday morning. (Links will be active 15 minutes before the start time of the event.)
President Steven P. O’Day is working hard in preparation for his first Austin College Commencement exercises even as seniors are finishing their work and preparing to celebrate their accomplishments now that the semester is over.
Some 4,000 friends, loved ones, and community members are expected to gather Sunday morning to see the graduates cross the stage to receive their diplomas from President O’Day and their academic hoods from faculty. First the students and guests will hear from student speaker Pranav Sheth, selected by his fellow seniors, and veteran journalist Joyce A. Davis, who will present the Commencement address.
The academic procession will be led by three bagpipers and College Marshal David Baker, professor of physics, carrying the official Austin College Mace. The College’s 1849 Founding Flag will be carried by Anhthu Shirley Banh ’19, president of Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow, with the 1968 Class Flag representing the 50-year anniversary class carried by Natalie Bencowitz Eustace and Harry Wistrand III, both Class of 1968; and the 2018 Class Flag carried by Senior Committee leaders Emily MacDonald and Jessica Mitchell. Members of the Class of 1968 and other “Golden ’Roos” will spend the weekend celebrating the 50-year anniversary class reunion and will have special seating and recognition during Commencement.
Candidates for Degrees
Candidates for degrees, including those who have completed or will complete degree requirements in January, May, or August 2018, are listed below.
Master of Arts in Teaching Degree
Master of Arts in Teaching degree candidates are listed with their area of teaching specialization and their parents’ names.
Brittany Marie Aldridge of Whitesboro, Texas, Early Childhood Through 6th Grade Generalist; daughter of Wilson Aldridge;
Kristen Ranelle Annis of Fort Worth, Texas, Early Childhood Through 6th Grade Generalist; daughter of David and Linda Annis; and Robin Smith;
Jacob Towry Arvin of Trenton, Texas, Grades 7 Through 12 English, Language Arts & Reading; son of Debra Arvin of Trenton and Jeff Arvin of Moore, Oklahoma;
Olivia L. Cicci of Santa Fe, New Mexico, All-Level Physical Education; daughter of Melissa and Larry Cicci;
Hailey Jill Clendennen of Round Rock, Texas, Early Childhood Through 6th Grade Generalist; daughter of Don Clendennen;
Charles Chukwumeka Eneh of Krum, Texas, Grades 7 Through 12 History; son of Rachael and Victor Eneh;
Haleigh Alexandra Hahn of Austin, Texas, Early Childhood Through 6th Grade Generalist; daughter of Jeff and Laurie Hahn;
Branden William Hunt of Grand Prairie, Texas, Grades 7 Through 12 History; son of Bill Hunt;
Magan Diane Kubena of Farmersville, Texas, Grades 7 Through 12 History; daughter of Kevin and Carol Ann Green;
Noelle Kristina Low of Dallas, Texas, All-Level Theatre Education; daughter of Jim Low and Tammy Daniels Low;
Jessica Anne Snyder of Dallas, Texas, Grades 7 Through 12 Life Science; daughter of Shelley and Richard Snyder;
Jesus Manuel Sosa Ramirez of Sherman, Texas, All-Level Spanish Education; son of Jesus Manuel and Veronica Sosa; and
Taylor Anne Van Kirk of Sherman, Texas, Grades 7 Through 12 History; daughter of Kristina Mazzant Thorpe.
Bachelor of Arts Degree
The Bachelor of Arts degree candidates are listed alphabetically along with their hometown, major(s) and minor(s) completed, and parents’ names. All Austin College undergraduate students must complete a major and a minor or two majors. Some students combine fields of study to create an interdisciplinary major, with faculty guidance and approval, suited to their specific areas of interest.
Several students have earned Departmental Honors. The designation “Honors in” listed below with academic departments indicates successful completion of the Honors Program. These students were invited by faculty, based upon excellent research potential and exceptional performance, to complete a senior thesis. Each student has defended the thesis in an oral examination administered by the student’s thesis committee.
Mindalena Elise Adams of Ladonia, Texas, Majors: Biology and Music; daughter of Kelly F. and Wesley O. Adams;
Major Leon Adams III of Houston, Texas, Major: Business Finance; Minor: Communications; son of Falana Adams and Major Adams II;
Jessica Aguilar of Houston, Texas, Majors: Psychology and Spanish; daughter of Rogelio and Leticia Aguilar;
Bradford Elliott Aiken of Flower Mound, Texas, Major: Computer Science; Minor: East Asian Languages & Cultures, Magna Cum Laude; son of Rebecca C. Aiken;
Chase Lee Almaguer of The Woodlands, Texas, Major: Business Administration; Minor: Exercise & Sport Science; son of Randy and Debbie Almaguer;
Trevor Cornell Anderson of Frisco, Texas, Major: Business Finance; Minor: Accounting, Cum Laude; son of Eric and Kellie Cornell Anderson;
Elijah C. Andes of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Major: English—Honors in English; Minors: Art and Education, Magna Cum Laude; son of Ronald and Denise Andes;
James Leon Arguello of Tempe, Arizona, Major: Business Administration; Minor: Mathematics; son of Art and Deana Arguello;
Neethu Ann Augustine of Allen, Texas, Major: Psychology; Minor: Neuroscience, Summa Cum Laude; daughter of Thomas and Raji Augustine;
Jocelyn Esmeralda Baiza of Houston, Texas, Majors: Computer Science and Spanish; daughter of Reyna and Jose Gomez;
Narendra Balkaran of Kingshill, VIRGIN ISLANDS, Major: Physics; Minor: Mathematics; son of Michael and Deavica Balkaran;
Daniel Lamar Barfield of Flower Mound, Texas, Major: Psychology; Minor: Political Science; son of Ann Barfield;
Sarah Katherine Bates of Dallas, Texas, Major: Interdisciplinary: Physics/Mathematics; Minor: Education; daughter of Susan and Evan Bates;
Sarah Kate Battles of Houston, Texas, Major: History; Minors: Education and Exercise & Sport Science; daughter of Bonny Battles and Richard Battles;
Joshua Behar of Plano, Texas, Major: Interdisciplinary: Cancer Biology/Health Science; Minors: Art and French, Magna Cum Laude; son of Donald and Lea B. Robinson;
Samuel Stephen Belvedere of Westlake, Texas, Major: English; Minor: Spanish; son of Alesa and Joseph Belvedere;
Drew Elliott Bicknell of Fort Worth, Texas, Major: Business Finance; Minor: Accounting; son of Jon and Kim Miller and Greg Bicknell, all of Fort Worth;
Lucia Bivol of Chisinau, MOLDOVA, Major: Biology; Minor: Chemistry; daughter of Maria and Andrei Bivol;
Olga Bivol of Chisinau, MOLDOVA, Major: Biology; Minor: Chemistry; daughter of Maria and Andrei Bivol;
Kyle Jeremy Bohannon of Katy, Texas, Major: History; Minor: Education, Magna Cum Laude; son of Susan and Bill Bohannon;
Sebastian Giuseppe Bohlmann of Katy, Texas, Major: Business Finance; Minor: Spanish; son of Caterina and Stephen Bohlmann;
Lucas Henry Bomar of Southlake, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Environmental Studies; son of Ellie and Henry Bomar;
Juan Andres Borda of Denton, Texas, Major: Business Finance; Minor: Art; son of Juan C. Borda and Zulma Mojica;
Emily Grace Bourcier of Bonham, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Chemistry ; daughter of Janet and Michael Bourcier;
Rebekah Bowden of Flint, Texas, Major: Business Finance; Minor(s): Accounting and Nonprofit Organizations & Public Service; daughter of Rod and Grace Bowden, and Emily and Tracy Smith; (awarded posthumously)
Sean James Brogan of Missouri City, Texas, Major: History; Minor: Education; son of Molly and Len Brogan;
Shane William Brooks of Waco, Texas, Major: Business Administration; Minors: Accounting and Leadership Studies, Magna Cum Laude; son of Bill and Kathy Brooks;
Joshua Ryan Brown of Farmersville, Texas, Major: Business Administration; Minor: English; son of Jonathan and Sharolyn Brown;
Marissa Anne Brown of Grayslake, Illinois, Major: History; Minors: Education and Sociology; daughter of Edwin and Deanna Brown;
Caitlyn Elizabeth Brugger of Freeport, Illinois, Major: Environmental Studies; Minor: Nonprofit Organizations & Public Service; daughter of Lyn Brugger;
Bethany E. Bundrant of Austin, Texas, Majors: Biology and Spanish—Honors in Biology; Minor: Music, Summa Cum Laude; daughter of Dr. LuAnn Bundrant and Mr. Anthony Bundrant;
Kevin Joseph Butler of Spring, Texas, Major: Business Administration; Minors: Political Science and Leadership Studies; son of Kathy and Brian Butler;
Zain Dyllen Byers of Italy, Texas, Major: Interdisciplinary: Communication/Media; Minors: Education and Exercise & Sport Science; son of Tammy Dial and Barry Byers;
Jacqueline Ann Canamar of Dallas, Texas, Major: Business Administration; Minor: Spanish; daughter of Edith and Jose Canamar;
Kyra Briana Carl of Conroe, Texas, Major: History; Minor: Sociology; daughter of Dwana and Varice Carl;
Larren Grace Carroll of Richardson, Texas, Major: Psychology; Minor: Education; daughter of Beth Powell;
Samuel Bosman Caskey of Houston, Texas, Major: Anthropology; Minor: Asian Studies; son of Pamela Bosman and Clifton Caskey;
Javier Cervantes Jr. of Farmers Branch, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Spanish; son of Jaime Cervantes;
Emma Paulina Chalott Barron of Dallas, Texas, Major: Political Science; Minor: Nonprofit Organizations & Public Service, Summa Cum Laude; daughter of Luis Chalott and Maria Barron;
Darlon Laray Chandler of Dallas, Texas, Major: Public Health; Minor: Exercise & Sport Science; son of Darlon Houston and Mary Chandler;
Bridget Susannah Chapman of Portland, Oregon, Major: Political Science; Minor: Public Health; daughter of Tod and Heather Chapman;
Ashley E. Chen of Parker, Texas, Major: Biology and Public Health—Honors in Public Health, Summa Cum Laude; daughter of Carolyn and Daniel Chen;
Megan C. Chiu of Wylie, Texas, Major: Music; Minors: Chemistry and East Asian Languages & Cultures; daughter of Anna Ni;
Jaylin Lacy Clevenger of Conroe, Texas, Major: Economics; Minor: Media Studies, Cum Laude; daughter of Jason and Melanie Clevenger;
Joshua Aaron Cohen of San Antonio, Texas, Major: Interdisciplinary: Kinesiology; Minor: Education; son of Jeffrey Cohen and April Singer;
Christopher Cooper of Midland, Texas, Majors: Computer Science and Theatre; Minor: Music; son of John and Lana Cooper;
Allen Redman Corrigan of Dallas, Texas, Major: Business Administration; Minor: Exercise & Sport Science; son of David and Emily Corrigan;
Nancy Asusena Coto of South Houston, Texas, Major: Spanish; Minor: Education; daughter of Silvia Centeno;
Daniel Jason Crowe of Chicago, Illinois, Major: Business Finance; Minor: French; son of Sharon and Frankie Crowe;
Connor James Cumpton of Dallas, Texas, Major: Business Administration; Minors: Leadership Studies and Communication, Cum Laude; son of Ray and Tammy Cumpton;
Lillian Desiree De Leon of Dallas, Texas, Majors: Business Administration and Psychology; daughter of Jose and Priscilla De Leon;
Melissa Paola De Leon of Houston, Texas, Major: Business Administration and Spanish; daughter of Boris and Mariam De Leon;
Bryce Everett DeVaughn of Frisco, Texas, Majors: Computer Science and East Asian Languages & Cultures; son of Beverly and Dennis DeVaughn;
Danielle Robin Dewitt of Austin, Texas, Majors: Mathematics and Physics; daughter of Ronald and Silvia Dewitt;
Jimmy Ding of Shanghaishi, CHINA, Major: Computer Science; Minor: Psychology; son of Yaojie Ding and Yamin Zhu;
Jacob Neptune Dowell of Little Rock, Arkansas, Majors: Computer Science and Theatre, Magna Cum Laude; son of Michelle and Joseph Dowell;
Eric Alan Drake of Carrollton, Texas, Major: Theatre; Minor: Nonprofit Organizations & Public Service; son of Dennis and Susan Drake;
Austin Joseph Dudley of Northridge, California, Major: Business Finance; Minor: Accounting; son of Wayne and Julie Dudley;
Johnny Tanh Duong of Richmond, Texas, Majors: Public Health and Anthropology; son of Jeannie and Peter Tran;
Chelsea Catherine Easley of Canton, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Psychology, Magna Cum Laude; daughter of Darrell and Terri Easley;
Erin Katherine Eckart of Norman, Oklahoma, Major: Public Health; Minor: Chemistry, Cum Laude; daughter of Cindy and David Eckart;
Sarah Marie Edzards of Paris, Texas, Major: Biology; Minors: Spanish and Neuroscience; daughter of Michael and Misty Edzards;
Brennan Taylor Ellis of Krum, Texas, Major: Economics; Minor: Physics; son of Brent and Carole Lang;
Divisha S. Eppalapalli of Irving, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Leadership Studies; daughter of Jyothi and Raghu Eppalapalli;
Christopher Uko-Tennyson Essien of Corpus Christi, Texas, Major: Business Finance; Minor: Exercise & Sport Science; son of Uwem Essien and Dr. Uduak Etuknwa;
Nathanael Joel Essin of Sherman, Texas, Major: Global Management; Minor: East Asian Languages & Cultures, Magna Cum Laude; son of Warren and Martha Essin;
Emily Elizabeth Everts of Fort Worth, Texas, Majors: Religious Studies and Anthropology; daughter of Frank and Susan Everts;
Angel M. Fabela of Conroe, Texas, Major: Business Administration; Minors: Communication and Leadership Studies; son of Mike and Isabel Fabela;
Jessica Ann Farra of Castle Rock, Colorado, Major: Chemistry; Minor: Education; daughter of Lewis and Melissa Farra;
Chelsea N. Faulkner of Flower Mound, Texas, Major: French; Minor: East Asian Languages & Cultures; daughter of Darene E. and David Faulkner;
Tatiana Marie Ferrari of North Richland Hills, Texas, Major: Business Administration; Minor: Leadership Studies; daughter of Elizabeth and Dennis Ferrari;
Quincy Hope Ferrill of Whitewright, Texas, Major: English; Minor: Political Science and Spanish, Magna Cum Laude; daughter of Rebecca Ferrill of Whitewright and Berry Ferrill of Forney, Texas;
Aubry Lynn Foose of Austin, Texas, Majors: English and Sociology; Minor: East Asian Languages & Cultures, Cum Laude; daughter of Charles and Regina Foose;
Joel Edwin Forbis of Decatur, Texas, Major: Business Finance; Minors: Accounting and Philosophy, Magna Cum Laude; son of Chris and Karen Forbis;
Sierra Marcella Ford of Montgomery, Texas, Major: Art; Minors: Philosophy and Spanish; daughter of John and Samantha Ford;
Rebecca Ann Franklin of Van Alstyne, Texas, Majors: Economics and Business Administration; daughter of Ben and Judy Franklin;
Yue Fu of Zhejiang, CHINA, Majors: Chemistry and Economics—Honors in Chemistry, Summa Cum Laude; daughter of Zhonghua Fu and Xiao Zhou;
Katherine Dianne Fuentes of Deer Park, Texas, Major: Business Finance; Minor: Accounting; daughter of Raul and Norma Fuentes;
Kierra Lynn Gaither of Waco, Texas, Major: Psychology; Minor: Education, Cum Laude; daughter of Rebecca and Kevin Gaither;
Sebastian Alexander Gajardo of Rowlett, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Chemistry; son of Hector Gajardo and Perla Cruz;
Victoria C. Galeana of McKinney, Texas, Majors: Biology and Psychology; daughter of Sergio and Yolanda Galeana;
Zoe Dorothea Garner of Cypress, Texas, Major: English/Creative Writing Emphasis; Minor: Music; daughter of James and Nicole Garner;
Joshua Thomas Garrett of Athens, Texas, Major: Business Finance; Minor: Accounting; son of Jon and Keishia Garrett;
Scott Frederick Gelbart of Coto De Caza, California, Major: History; Minor: Exercise & Sport Science; son of Saul and Elizabeth Gelbart;
Oksana Gil of Kula, Hawaii, Majors: Political Science and Spanish; Minor: Nonprofit Organizations & Public Service; daughter of Joel Gil Coca and Marta Gil;
Matthew Warren Gilbert of Grand Prairie, Texas, Major: Physics; Minor: Mathematics; son of Wayne and Kaye Gilbert;
Jaelin N. Gordon of Lubbock, Texas, Major: Sociology; Minor: Political Science; daughter of Sandy Gordon and Jim Gordon;
Elisabeth Marietta Gowen of San Antonio, Texas, Majors: Business Administration and Spanish; daughter of Judit and Carl Green and David Gowen;
Michael Joseph Grado of Irving, Texas, Majors: Business Administration and Computer Science; Minor: Accounting; son of Joe and Sandra Grado;
Murphy Montgomery Graham of Forestburg, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Philosophy; daughter of James Henderson and Linda Graham-Henderson;
Ashley A. Griffin of Fort Worth, Texas, Majors: Psychology and History; daughter of Jonathan Griffin;
Cooper Lee Gross of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Major: Business Administration; Minors: Education and Exercise & Sport Science; son of Cassie and Tag Gross;
Emma Claire Grundy of Wichita Falls, Texas, Majors: Biology and Anthropology; daughter of Michael and Karen Grundy;
Alexander Joseph Haj of Sherman, Texas, Major: Business Administration; Minor: Political Science; son of George Haj and Christine Kuhn;
Spencer Robert Hankins of Sugar Land, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Classics; son of Angela and Stephen Hankins;
Shutong Hao of Allen, Texas, Major: Anthropology—Honors in Anthropology; Minor: Creative Writing, Cum Laude; daughter of Yehong Cao and Zhentao Hao;
Derek Dwayne Hester of Carrollton, Texas, Major: Business Administration; Minor: Exercise & Sport Science; son of Pat and Karen Hester;
Haden Joseph Hickman of Euless, Texas, Major: Public Health; Minor: Environmental Studies; son of Nathan and Michele Hickman;
Alexandra Louise Hoffman of Thorndale, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Spanish, Magna Cum Laude; daughter of Gerald and Jennifer Hoffman;
Blake Michael Hollenbeck of Fort Worth, Texas, Major: Interdisciplinary: Kinesiology; Minor: Education; son of Chris and Shawneea Hollenbeck;
Joseph Patrick Horn of Conroe, Texas, Majors: English/Creative Writing Emphasis and History; son of James and Marione Horn;
Jiandu Hu of Guangzhou, CHINA, Majors: Chemistry and Environmental Studies and German, Magna Cum Laude; daughter of Weiping Zhao and Xiao Hu;
Abigail Leigh Hunt of Franklin, Texas, Major: English; Minor: Education; daughter of Duane and Julie Hunt;
Kaitlyn Grace Ingle of Allen, Texas, Major: Environmental Studies; Minor: Nonprofit Organizations & Public Service; daughter of Angela and Michael Ingle;
Steven Aashish Jacob of Wake Village, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Spanish, Summa Cum Laude; son of Winston and Nirmala Jacob;
Maxwell Esteban James of Houston, Texas Major: Business Administration; Minor: Philosophy and Accounting; son of Maria and Stephen James ;
Nikhil Jangeti of Plano, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Environmental Studies; son of Aruna and Jala Jangeti;
Libby Danielle Jennings of Sherman, Texas, Major: Music; Minor: Classics; daughter of Wilson and Trish Jennings;
Felicia Susanne Johansson of Southlake, Texas, Majors: Public Health and Sociology; Minor: Anthropology; daughter of Erik and Pia Johansson;
Jerry Christopher Johnson of Fort Worth, Texas, Major: Business Administration; Minor: Exercise & Sport Science; son of Tammy and Tyron Johnson;
Katherine Laurel Johnson of Austin, Texas, Majors: Biology and Spanish, Magna Cum Laude; daughter of Karen and Robert Johnson;
Emma Rebecca Johnsson of Frisco, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Neuroscience, Cum Laude; daughter of Inge and Carina Johnsson;
Elizabeth Anne Jolly of Denton, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Chemistry; daughter of Diane Travis and David Jolly;
Jordon Torique Jones of Sherman, Texas, Major: Business Finance; Minor: Accounting; son of Khalila Jones and Benjamin Nickens;
Tony Joshua Jones of Pflugerville, Texas, Major: Business Finance; Minors: Communication and Exercise & Sport Science; son of Tony and Rosalind Jones;
Isabella Otero Kackley of Southlake, Texas, Major: Psychology; Minor: Neuroscience; daughter of Elsa Otero and Todd Kackley;
Jordan Kentrell Keaton of Fort Worth, Texas, Major: Business Finance; Minor: Accounting; son of Kenneth and Jackie Keaton;
Azma Jalil Khan of Plano, Texas, Major: Psychology; Minor: Chemistry; daughter of Ayesha Khan and Jalil Khan;
Safa Imran Khawaja of Fort Worth, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Interdisciplinary: Visual Art & Application, Cum Laude; daughter of Imran and Sajida Khawaja;
Jinsu Kim of Busan, SOUTH KOREA, Majors: Business Finance and Environmental Studies; Minor: Accounting, Cum Laude; son of Young-Chul Kim and Hye-kyung Choi;
Sarah Kate Klawun of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Major: Psychology; Minors: Creative Writing and Music; daughter of Christoph and Elizabeth Klawun;
Zane Michael Kottwitz of Arlington, Texas, Major: International Economics & Finance; Minor: Spanish, Cum Laude; son of Sherri and Michael Kottwitz;
Vivek Anand Kuppurajan of Plano, Texas, Major: Psychology; Minor: Neuroscience; son of Maha and Raj Kuppurajan;
Morgan T. Laday of Plano, Texas, Major: Communication; Minor: Chemistry; daughter of Marcia and Kerney Laday;
Samantha Kay LaJone of Dallas, Texas, Major: East Asian Languages & Cultures; Minor: Art; daughter of Jay and Teri LaJone;
David Alejandro Latiff of El Paso, Texas, Major: English/Creative Writing Emphasis; Minor: Religious Studies; son of Alfonso and Helena Latiff;
Samira Lavingia of Plano, Texas, Major: Business Administration; Minor: Exercise & Sport Science, Cum Laude; daughter of Fatema and Zahir Lavingia;
Brian Rael Lazarow of Cameron, Texas, Major: Interdisciplinary: Speculative Fiction & Film; Minor: Anthropology, Cum Laude; son of Jennifer and Alan Lazarow;
Meghan Alyse Lewis of Waukesha, Wisconsin, Major: Business Finance; Minor: Biology; daughter of Cynthia and Ronald Lewis;
Simran Likhari of Plano, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Art; daughter of Gurpreet and Gurmeet Likhari;
Michael Shawn Lindsey Jr. of Sunray, Texas, Major: Political Science; Minor: Psychology; son of Michael and Sara Lindsey;
Kirk Patrick Lipsitz of Waco, Texas, Major: Business Administration; Minor: Art; son of Marcie Kirkpatrick and Melvin Lipsitz;
Eden M. Llamas of San Antonio, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Exercise & Sport Science; daughter of Leonardo and Maria Llamas;
Gerardo Loya of Sherman, Texas, Majors: Business Administration and Spanish; son of Imelda and Deryl McMahan;
Zoe Alexandra Lugo of Allen, Texas, Major: History; Minors: English and Political Science, Cum Laude; daughter of Carlos and Susan Lugo;
Emily Leigh MacDonald of Phoenix, Arizona, Major: Political Science; Minor: Communication; daughter of Christa MacDonald;
Kevin Thanh Mai of Arlington, Texas, Major: Chemistry; Minor: Spanish, Cum Laude; son of John Mai and Louann Nguyen;
Saloani Malhotra of The Woodlands, Texas, Major: Public Health; Minor: Biology; daughter of Rakesh and Minni Malhotra;
Roman Patrick Manikowski of Caddo Mills, Texas, Major: Sports Management; Minor: Biology; son of Phil and Debbie McNeel;
Liberte Manirakiza of San Antonio, Texas, Majors: Public Health and Economics, Cum Laude; daughter of Salvatory Manirakiza and Jeanette Nibarore;
Christina Mao of Sugar Land, Texas, Major: Public Health; Minor: Biology; daughter of Wendy and Cory Mao;
Lauren N. Mara of La Verne, California, Major: Business Administration; Minors: Exercise & Sport Science and Leadership Studies; daughter of Christopher H. and Francine Mara;
Garrett Ryan Marcantel of League City, Texas, Major: Communications; Minor: Business Studies; son of Charles and Dawn Marcantel;
Jazmen Rae Marquez of Dallas, Texas, Major: Psychology; Minor: East Asian Languages & Cultures; daughter of Jesus and Brenda Marquez;
Pedro Osvaldo Marquez of Houston, Texas, Major: Computer Science; Minor: Spanish; son of Maria and Rodolfo Marquez;
Jae Lyn Martinez of San Antonio, Texas, Major: East Asian Languages & Cultures; Minor: Philosophy; daughter of Jose Martinez and Jennifer Lerma;
Garrett Miles Matacale of Lucas, Texas, Major: Psychology; Minor: Anthropology; son of Vince Matacale and Mimi Calvert;
Kristin Mary McCamy of San Antonio, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Chemistry and Psychology, Magna Cum Laude; daughter of Curtis McCamy and Mary Benson;
Margaux Rene McCartney of Baytown, Texas, Major: Business Administration; Minor: Biology and Spanish; daughter of Sylvia and David McCartey;
Lauren Sage McCaskill of McKinney, Texas, Major: International Relations; Minor: French and Nonprofit Organizations & Public Service, Summa Cum Laude; daughter of Robin and John McCaskill;
Nicholas Cobb McCune of Colleyville, Texas, Majors: Business Finance and Political Science, Cum Laude; son of Kent and Jill McCune;
Deric Zane McCurry of Littlefield, Texas, Majors: Political Science and Religion & Philosophy and Communication —Honors in Political Science, Summa Cum Laude; son of Eddie and Cari McCurry;
Rebecca Jane McDonald of College Station, Texas, Major: Biology; Minors: Chemistry and Public Health, Summa Cum Laude; daughter of Phil and Christine McDonald;
Jeffrey M. McLeod of Rowlett, Texas, Major: Business Administration; Minor: Accounting; son of Tara and Matthew Balsley; and Chris Lively; s
Madilyn Catherine McVay of Fort Worth, Texas, Major: Business Finance; Minors: Exercise & Sport Science and Leadership Studies, Magna Cum Laude; daughter of Bill and Shelli McVay;
Erik Charles Meendsen of Aledo, Texas, Major: Business Administration; Minor: Exercise & Sport Science; son of Fred and Misty Meendsen;
Kenia Mejia of Dallas, Texas, Major: Psychology; Minor: Anthropology; daughter of Carlos and Elia Mejia;
Rodney Vance Melton Jr. of Electra, Texas, Major: History; Minor: Education; son of Rodney and Stephanie Melton;
Kylie Aspen Menocal of Frisco, Texas, Major: Public Health—Honors in Public Health; Minors: Leadership Studies and Neuroscience, Magna Cum Laude; daughter of Debbie and Frank Menocal;
Matthew James Meyer of Frisco, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Exercise & Sport Science, Magna Cum Laude; son of Colleen and Ken Deeb;
Fernando Miranda of Dallas, Texas, Majors: Economics and Business Administration; son of Juana Miranda and Jose Guzman;
Sweta Mishra of Corinth, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Leadership Studies; daughter of Subhransu and Sudipta Mishra;
Jessica Christy Mitchell of Carrollton, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Leadership Studies; daughter of Kevin and Margie Jones;
Jameson Troy Moore of Helotes, Texas, Majors: History and Anthropology; son of Martha Leatherman and James Moore;
Benjamin Michael Moran of Tomball, Texas, Major: Economics; Minor: Biology, Cum Laude; son of Kerrie and Michael Moran;
Ivonne Carcamo Moran of Crockett, Texas, Majors: Public Health and Spanish; Minors: Education and Global Science, Technology & Society; daughter of Hermilo and Ivonne Moran;
Michael Eugene Moran of Denison, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Music, Cum Laude; son of Keith and Christina Moran;
Marie Lena Mortensen of Lucas, Texas, Major: Chemistry—Honors in Chemistry, Summa Cum Laude; Minor: Art; daughter of Joan and Duane Mortensen;
Abigail Rose Moses of Cedar Park, Texas, Major: Business Finance; Minor: Accounting; daughter of Terry and Theresa Moses;
Kyle Jeffrey Mucerino of Ladera Ranch, California, Majors: Economics and Math; Minor: Exercise & Sport Science; son of Deborah and Allan Mucerino;
Nikitha Murugesan of Frisco, Texas, Major: Psychology; Minor: Environmental Studies, Magna Cum Laude; daughter of Hamsa Murugesan and Murugesan Siddhappan;
Hannah Nicole Myslik of Austin, Texas, Majors: Political Science and Spanish, Summa Cum Laude; daughter of Edward Myslik and Amy Madden;
Rachael Elizabeth Newsom of Arlington, Texas, Major: Spanish—Honors in Spanish, Summa Cum Laude; Minor: Art; daughter of Bobby Newsom of Denison and Jan Duran of Hurst;
Steffen Minh Tuan Ngo of San Antonio, Texas, Major: Business Administration; Minor: Political Science, Cum Laude; son of Lan-Anh and Soan Ngo;
Nguyen Hoang Phuong Nguyen of Ho Chi Minh, VIETNAM, Majors: Business Administration and Communication, Summa Cum Laude; daughter of Thuy Vo;
Katrina Rene’ Nichols of Austin, Texas, Majors: Business Administration and Communication, Cum Laude; daughter of Yvonne Nichols
Karlie Jo Niehus of Sherman, Texas, Major: Psychology; Minor: Music, Cum Laude; daughter of Joe and Donna Niehus;
Darcie Lynn Nightengale of Heath, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Art; daughter of Jeff Nightengale;
Shamika Elsa Ninan of Bedford, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Psychology, Summa Cum Laude; daughter of John T. and Maria J. Ninan;
Amanda Victoria Nolting of Austin, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Psychology; daughter of Cheryl and Kevin Nolting;
Grace Katharine Ortiz of Manchaca, Texas, Major: Business Administration; Minors: Accounting and Spanish; daughter of Thomas and Halley Ortiz;
Tristan Bailey Ortiz of Mansfield, Texas, Major: East Asian Languages & Cultures; Minor: Exercise & Sport Science, Cum Laude; son of Pamela Ortiz of Mansfield and Robert Ortiz of Crowley;
Christopher Daniel Oxenreiter of Dallas, Texas, Majors: Business Administration and Economics; son of Vicki Buholz;
Kenneth Bailey Page of Phoenix, Arizona, Majors: Philosophy and Political Science, Summa Cum Laude; son of Ken and Lori Page;
John Dowis Pass of Austin, Texas, Majors: Business Finance and Economics, Magna Cum Laude; son of Scott and Margaret Pass;
Nikita N. Patel of Richardson, Texas, Major: Public Health; Minor: Chemistry; daughter of Jayshri and Nalin Patel;
Payal Vinay Patel of Plano, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Psychology; daughter of Vinay and Hemina Patel;
Priya A. Patel of San Antonio, Texas, Major: Public Health; Minor: Biology; daughter of Dhruti and Arvind Patel;
Yesha Rajni Patel of Lubbock, Texas, Major: Psychology; Minor: Chemistry; daughter of Rajni and Bina Patel;
Guadalupe Perales of Dallas, Texas, Major: East Asian Languages & Cultures; Minor: Anthropology, Cum Laude; daughter of Felipe and Eva M. Perales;
Venecia Aurora Perez-Huerta of Houston, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Neuroscience; daughter of Bertha Alicia Huerta and Felipe Perez;
Jack Daniel Perkins of Savoy, Texas, Major: History; Minor: Education, Magna Cum Laude; son of Kimber Perkins;
Mark Nicholas Pernik of Kingwood, Texas, and Major: Neuroscience—Honors in Neuroscience, Summa Cum Laude; Minor: Biology; son of Mark and Binita Pernik;
Zachariah Samuel Petsrillo of Dallas, Texas, Majors: Business Finance and Computer Science; Minor: Media Studies; son of Dory andIra Petsrillo;
Shelby Lynn Poe of Whitewright, Texas, Major: Chemistry—Honors in Chemistry; Minor: Exercise & Sport Science, Summa Cum Laude; daughter of Rhonda and Don Poe ;
Danish Prasla of Plano, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Leadership Studies; son of Zohra Prasla;
Thomas Quick of Austin, Texas, Majors: Business Finance and History; son of Gary Quick and Mary Cook;
Alexandra Arnett Quinn of Lubbock, Texas, Major: English; Minor: Political Science, Magna Cum Laude; daughter of Abby and Brian Quinn;
Joshua Cooper Quinn of Sunnyvale, Texas, Major: Interdisciplinary: Pre-Physical Therapy; Minor: Accounting, Cum Laude; son of Michelle and Joe Quinn;
Kendra Ann Rainey of San Antonio, Texas, Majors: Communication and Media Studies, Cum Laude; daughter of Roman Atuatasi and Catrina Harden;
Norely Betzaly Ramos of Houston, Texas, Major: Music; Minors: Gender Studies and Psychology; daughter of Elizabeth and Edward Knightly;
Kevin Jawan Ray Jr. of New Orleans, Louisiana, Major: Business Administration; Minor: Art; son of Kevin and Chandra Ray;
Varun Viswanathan Reddy of Austin, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Exercise & Sport Science; son of Nathan and Nivedita Reddy;
Kristyn Nicole Reeves of Plano, Texas, Major: English; Minor: Political Science; daughter of Kenneth and Lorrie Reeves;
Ismael Manuel Reyna of Mesquite, Texas, Majors: Business Finance and Economics; son of Ruben and Elizabeth Reyna;
Javier Reynoso of Springtown, Texas, Major: Mathematics; Minor: Political Science; son of Nory Reynoso and Jabier Reynoso;
Deric Andrew Richardson-Riddle of Euless, Texas, Major: Business Administration; Minor: Psychology; son of Diane Beck;
Christopher Rivas of Houston, Texas, Majors: Public Health and Spanish; son of Inocencia Chavez and Jose David Rivas;
Felicia Marguerite Rivera of Las Vegas, Nevada, Major: English; Minor: Education; daughter of Alice Rivera;
Dylan Henry Roberts of Dallas, Texas, Major: Business Administration; Minors: Leadership Studies and Political Science, Cum Laude; son of Candace Henry and Marcus Roberts;
Kiki Robinson of Wiesbaden, GERMANY, Major: Global Management; Minors: German and Media Studies, Cum Laude; daughter of Viola and Wiley Robinson;
Sellena Rodriguez of San Diego, California, Major: English; Minors: Philosophy and Sociology; daughter of Christina and Roger Rodriguez;
Danielle Elizabeth Rogan of Fairview, Texas, Major: Biochemistry; Minor: Music, Cum Laude; daughter of Kevin and Elizabeth Rogan;
Roger Lee Romero jr. of Katy, Texas, Major: Business Finance; Minor: Exercise & Sport Science; son of Roger and Carol Romero;
Audrey Lynne Rose of Round Rock, Texas, Majors: Political Science and Spanish; Minors: Anthropology and Nonprofit Organizations & Public Service, Summa Cum Laude; daughter of Terri Rose and Mark Rose;
Christine Ann Rottler of Rowlett, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: English; daughter of Dianne and Denis Rottler;
Cesar Phillip Ruiz of Sachse, Texas, Majors: International Ecomics & Finance—Honors in Business, Summa Cum Laude; Minor: Spanish; son of Cesar and Pamela Ruiz;
Weston Connor Russell of Bells, Texas, Major: Economics; Minor: Education; son of Donnie and Vicki Russell;
Victoria L. Rutherford of Lemon Cove, California, Major: Business Administration; Minor: Public Health; daughter of Robert and Pamela Rutherford;
Taylor Nicole Ryan of Parker, Texas, Major: Psychology; Minor: Leadership Studies; daughter of Linda Ryan and Jean DeLeon;
Roxanna Safarimaryaki of Longview, Texas, Major: Chemistry; Minor: Biology, Cum Laude; daughter of Angela Safarimaryaki;
Nadia Tara Samiya of Allen, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Psychology; daughter of Mike Samiya and Ashley Samiya;
Thomas Howard Samonig of Portsmouth, ENGLAND, Majors: Business Administration and Economics; Minor: Mathematics, Magna Cum Laude; son of Arno and Joanna Samonig;
Connor Matthew Santone of Argyle, Texas, Major: International Economics & Finance; Minor: Art; son of Roger and Sue Santone;
Mandi Lynn Sarembock of Dallas, Texas, Major: Communication; Minor: Education and Exercise & Sport Science; daughter of Belindy and Jeffrey Sarembock;
Rachel Denise Sartor of Denison, Texas, Major: English; Minor: Education; daughter of Sally Millsap;
Callin A. Schone of Norman, Oklahoma, Major: Physics; Minor: Mathematics, Cum Laude; son of Kenneth A. and Angela Schone;
Kyli Jo Scott of Grapevine, Texas, Major: Psychology; Minor: Education, Cum Laude; daughter of Kristi and Keith Scott;
Victoria Lynn Severance of Kyle, Texas, Majors: Economics and History; Minor: Sociology; daughter of Tracy and Robert Severance;
Tyler Andrew Shaw of Dripping Springs, Texas, Major: Mathematics; Minor: Education, Cum Laude; son of Donna and Dominic Shaw;
Chandler Rose Sherman of Lewisville, Texas, Major: Business Finance; Minor: Accounting; daughter of Casandra Hodson and Jeffrey Sherman ;
Pranav Y. Sheth of Plano, Texas, Major: Business Finance; Minor: Political Science; son of Yogesh and Kiran Sheth;
Halle Smith of Houston, Texas, Majors: Biology and Art; daughter of John D. Smith;
Sam Scott Smith of Woodway, Texas, Major: Business Administration; Minor: Environmental Studies; son of Scott and Annemarie Smith;
Rija Iqbal Soofi of Frisco, Texas, Major: Public Health; Minor: Neuroscience; daughter of Adil and Shazia Soofi;
Jorge Esteban Sosa of Sherman, Texas, Major: Business Administration; Minor: Spanish; son of Jesus and Veronica Sosa;
Taylor Renee Spurgin of Mansfield, Texas, Major: Psychology; Minor: Neuroscience; daughter of Doyle and Rhonda Spurgin;
Niki Stavrianopoulos of Kalamata, GREECE, Majors: Physics and Classical Civilizations; Minor: Mathematics; daughter of Aristomenis and Maria Stavrianopoulos;
Matthew Thomas Steidle of Bedford, Texas, Major: Chemistry; Minor: Spanish, Magna Cum Laude; son of Debbie and Paul Steidle;
Alexandra Grace Sterken of Tyler, Texas, Major: History and Anthropology—Honors in History, Summa Cum Laude; daughter of Alison and Robert Sterken;
James Darb Stewart Jr. of San Antonio, Texas, Major: Business Administration; Minor: East Asian Lang. & Cultures; son of James and Laura Stewart;
Sethe Antonia Story of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Major: Psychology; Minor: Art; daughter of Edward and Rose Mary Story;
Tori Lynne Strunk of Arlington, Texas, Major: Psychology; Minor: Biology; daughter of Daryl and Julie Strunk;
Eric Caleb Summerlin of Oak Point, Texas, Major: Business Finance; Minor: Accounting, Cum Laude; son of David and Brenda Summerlin;
Rachel Diane Thompson of Coppell, Texas, Major: Art; Minor: Exercise & Sport Science; daughter of Teresa and Emmet Thompson;
Don That Ton of Frisco, Texas, Major: Business Finance; Minors: Chemistry and Communication; son of Dan and Lynda Ton;
Mariana Soto Tonche of Houston, Texas, Major: Spanish; Minor: Education; daughter of Antonio and Mariana Tonche;
Brian T. Tran of Bakersfield, California, Major: Biology; Minor: Political Science; son of Darlene and Vincent Tran;
Douglas Tsang of Paris, Texas, Majors: Public Health and Interdisciplinary: Sports Business Management, Cum Laude; son of Cindy and Ken Tsang;
Elisabeth Kathrine Tupper of McKinney, Texas, Major: English/Creative Writing Emphasis—Honors in English; Minor: History, Summa Cum Laude; daughter of Neal and Katherine Mays;
Rebekah Elizabeth Urban of Whitesboro, Texas, Majors: English and Political Science and Psychology—Honors in Psychology, Summa Cum Laude; daughter of Brad and Barbara Urban;
Aneesa Jain Vaidya of Corinth, Texas, Major: Interdisciplinary: Healthcare Administration; Minor: Biology; daughter of Manish and Seema Vaidya;
America Vallejo of Houston, Texas, Major: Environmental Studies; Minor: Philosophy; daughter of Bernardo and Esperanza Vallejo;
Raquel Annette Vara of Houston, Texas, Major: Business Finance; Minor: Accounting; daughter of Roy and Annette Vara;
Jon Randall Vecchio Jr. of Arlington, Texas, Major: History; Minor: German; son of Jon and Kim Vecchio;
Andrea Michelle Velez of The Woodlands, Texas, Major: Psychology; Minors: Exercise & Sport Science and Education, Summa Cum Laude; daughter of Heidi and Fred Velez;
Karla Villanueva of Houston, Texas, Majors: Computer Science and East Asian Languages & Cultures, Magna Cum Laude; daughter of Juan and Elizabeth Villanueva;
Ashlee Villasenor of Allen, Texas, Majors: International Relations and Media Studies; Minor: Spanish; daughter of Maribel Santoyo and Alberto Villasenor;
Collin Vu of Rowlett, Texas, Majors: Business Finance and Economics; Minor: Accounting, Cum Laude; son of Franklin and Melissa Vu;
Catherine Grace Waldie of Forth Worth, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Psychology, Cum Laude; daughter of Kendall and Christina Waldie;
Jack Wheaton of Katy, Texas, Major: Global Management; Minor: Communication; son of Diane and Ian Wheaton;
Marissa Alyse Wilkinson of Portland, Oregon, Major: International Economics & Finance; Minors: Theatre and Global Science, Technology & Society, Summa Cum Laude; daughter of Judy L. and Mark A. Wilkinson;
Jake Nathaniel Williams of Conroe, Texas, Major: Physics; Minor: Mathematics; son of Gordon and Ava Williams;
Maureen Kelly Williams of San Antonio, Texas, Majors: Mathematics and Computer Science; Minor: English, Magna Cum Laude; daughter of Janet and Lodrick Williams;
Delaney Nicole Willis of Paris, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Exercise & Sport Science, Cum Laude; daughter of Nolan and Angie Willis;
William Lovell Winborne of Sherman, Texas, Major: Physics; Minor: Mathematics; son of Charles and Kelley Winborne;
Cody Dan Wiseman of Fort Worth, Texas, Major: Business Administration; Minor: Leadership Studies; son of William Dan and D’ann Wiseman;
Naomi Francille Wolfe of Columbus, Georgia, Major: East Asian Languages & Cultures; Minor: Political Science, Summa Cum Laude; daughter of David and Pamela Wolfe;
Bonnie R. Worstell of Sugar Land, Texas, Major: International Relations—Honors in Political Science; Minors: German and Nonprofit Organizations & Public Service, Summa Cum Laude; daughter of Earl and Donna Worstell;
Hassie Claire Wortham of Dallas, Texas, Major: History; Minor: Education; daughter of Mike and Melissa Wortham;
Lauren Wulz of Plano, Texas, Major: Mathematics; Minors: Accounting and Education, Cum Laude; daughter of Richard and Rhonda Wulz;
Amber Pei-En Yen of Garland, Texas, Major: Biology; Minors: Art and Environmental Studies; daughter of Tricia and Yi-Yih Yen;
Diana Yu of The Colony, Texas, Major: Business Finance; Minor: Leadership Studies; daughter of Pin and Larry Yu;
Joshua Alexander Zakhary of North Richland Hills, Texas, Major: Economics; Minor: Political Science; son of Adel Zakhary and Maggie Addison;
Kyle Alexander Zapata of Fort Worth, Texas, Major: Biology; Minor: Classics; son of Felicia and Louis Zapata;
Yujia Zeng of Shenzhen Guangdong, CHINA, Major: International Economics & Finance; Minor: Accounting, Cum Laude; daughter of Li Wang and Di Zeng;
Congling Zhang of Xian City, CHINA, Majors: Economics and Mathematics—Honors in Mathematics, Cum Laude; daughter of Ping Gao and Xuebing Zhang;
Wenrui Zhang of Dalian, CHINA , Major: Business Administration; Minors: East Asian Languages & Cultures; Japanese, Cum Laude; daughter of Xiaolei Qu and Hai Zhang;
Wen Zhao of Liaoning, CHINA, Major: International Economics & Finance; Minor: Accounting, Cum Laude; daughter of Xiaowei Wang and Chuanhai Zhao.; and
Michelle J. Zhou of Plano, Texas, Major: Business Administration; Minor: Art, Cum Laude; daughter of Hui Jiang and Rejing Zhou.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, international study, pre-professional foundations, leadership development, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 40 percent of students representing ethnic minorities. A residential student body of approximately 1,275 students and a faculty of more than 100 allow a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. The College is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. Founded in 1849, the College is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.