Commencement

Ten O’clockMay Ninth

Two Thousand Twenty

1840 One Hundred Eightieth Commencement Exercises 2020

Bethany

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PROGRAMRev. Dr. Tamara Nichols Rodenberg, President of the College, Presiding

"MY LAND" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patrick ReganBagpiper

INVOCATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dan Adams Senior Assistant Director of Enrollment for DOC Recruitment

WELCOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev . Dr . Tamara Nichols RodenbergPresident of the College

ADDRESS TO THE CLASS . . . . . . . The Rev . Dr . William J . Barber, IIPresident and Senior Lecturer, Repairers of the Breach

Co-Chair, Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral RevivalBishop/Senior Pastor, Greenleaf Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

SENIOR CLASS GREETING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Logan Rae MayhewClass of 2020

BOARD OF TRUSTEES GREETING . . . . . . . . . . .Gregory B . JordanBoard of Trustees Chair

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PRESENTATION OF THE CLASS OF 2020FOR MASTER DEGREES

CONFERRING OF MASTER DEGREESMaster of Arts in TeachingMaster in Education

PESENTATION OF THE CLASS OF 2020FOR BACCALAUREATE DEGREES

CONFERRING OF BACCALAUREATE DEGREESBachelor of ScienceBachelor of Arts

PRESENTATION OF THE OREON E . SCOTT AWARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr . Joseph H . Lane, Jr .

Provost & Dean of the Faculty

CLOSING REMARKS . . . . . . . . . . Rev . Dr . Tamara Nichols Rodenberg

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BENEDICTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr . Brooke L . DealAssociate Professor, TW Philips Chair of Religious Studies; Co. Director of

Interdisciplinary Studies; Co. Chair of the Department of Humanities

THE ALMA MATER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amanda Christine NielsenClass of 2020

All hail to thee, hail to thee, bright Alma Mater!Our heart’s true affection twines closely to thee;How dear to our hearts are the scenes of Old Bethany;God speed, Alma Mater and dear Old Bethany .God speed, Alma Mater and Old Bethany .

High up on the scroll of honor and fameThy sons and thy daughters have written thy name;But now we must leave thee with hearts overflowing;Farewell, Alma Mater and dear Old Bethany,Farewell, Alma Mater and Old Bethany .

"HEIGHTS OF DARGAI" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patrick Regan

WELCOME TO NEW BETHANY COLLEGE ALUMNI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alumni Council

Kathleen Kaminski Buren ’93, Council PresidentThomas Miller ’77, Council Vice President

Angela Ryder Bado ‘77Patrick J . Hosey ‘80

Chris Payne '81

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CLASS OF 2020MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING

Zachary Tyler BolickHolly Springs, North Carolina

Richy DesirMiami, Florida

Kristen M. EwingFollansbee, West Virginia

Schyler E. FennimoreCarrollton, Ohio

Aaron Robert FryeVandergrift, Pennsylvania

James C. GormanSewell, New Jersey

Ali Nicole HolmquistCanton, Michigan

Amanda Christine NielsenWest Amwell, New Jersey

Kevin Walter ScuilliPittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Christian James StudnickySeverna Park, Maryland

Marlo Nicole TrabertWheeling, West Virginia

Joseph Richard WebsterKendal, England

Ashley Nicole WorstApollo, Pennsylvania

CLASS OF 2020MASTER IN EDUCATION

Saralyn Lisa DagueHouston, Pennsylvania

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CLASS OF 2020BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

Tyra N. Bell Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Amanda Gail Casto Wellsburg, West Virginia

Michael Aaron Ceraolo Weirton, West Virginia

Epiphany Katara Charles Gaithersburg, Maryland

Camila E. Cuevas New York, New York

Rachel Elizabeth Gantzer Morgantown, West Virginia

Amanda Shaylyn Gower Washington, Pennsylvania

Dajour Fernandez Bryant-Hull Washington, Pennsylvania

Ibrahim Sory Keira Hyattsville, Maryland

Kerry A'Keen Kerr Lawrenceville, Georgia

Othniel E. Kpodar Gaithersburg, Maryland

Rebecca Ann Lee Huntington, West Virginia

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BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

Sydnee S. Lipscomb Arnold, Maryland

Logan Rae Mayhew Morgantown, West Virginia

Charles Langston Meriweather Macedonia, Ohio

Jacob R. Nace Masontown, Pennsylvania

Mershawn Smith Columbus, Ohio

Katelyn Renee Sparks Macedonia, Ohio

Philip M. Taylor Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania

Mark William Tichenor Brentwood, Pennsylvania

David Tomé Del Arco Madrid, Spain

Rajhmano VijayarajahLondon, England

Elizabeth Ann West Massillon, Ohio

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Aiden Kerr Albert Saxonburg, Pennsylvania

Erica Nicole Amoroso Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania

Brooke Renee Barlow Washington, Pennsylvania

Charles W. Blango VPittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Devin Braddock West Brownsville, Pennsylvania

Serenity Brown Bloomingburg, New York

Anthony Coletti Toronto, Canada

Lindsey A. CornishGlassport, Pennsylvania

Kayla Nicole Dinsmore Dayton, Ohio

Matthew Dunn Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Quron Cecil Eggleston Baltimore, Maryland

Malik Isaiah Ellis Richmond, Virginia

Payge J. Farmer Wellsburg, West Virginia

Mariah Lynn Forsythe Conway, Pennsylvania

Jake Barrett Gerber Baltimore, Maryland

Daniel M. Gibson Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Issiah Michael Gossett Parkersburg, West Virginia

Steven Clint Griffin IIOrlando, Florida

CLASS OF 2020BACHELOR OF ARTS

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BACHELOR OF ARTS

Harold E. HartChestnut Ridge, Pennsylvania

Jalen Heckstall Temple Hills, Maryland

Esvin Michael Horbal Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hassen Seid Hussen Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Thomas Lane Jr.Sparrows Point, Maryland

Samuel Irie Lipinski Fort Meyers, Florida

Lindsey Celeste Llewellyn Vermilion, Ohio

Alexis Kaylan LoNero Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Gwyneth Evans Loughran Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Lauren Marie Maichle Newark, Delaware

Abigail Elizabeth McDonald Uniontown, Pennsylvania

Kaitlyn Gayle Mills New Lexington, Ohio

Jordan Rachel Moore Eighty-Four, Pennsylvania

Sierra Darlynn Mortimer Weirton, West Virginia

Kevin Austin Nuckols Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Nativa Marie O'Brien Everett, Pennsylvania

Stephen Olesky Youngstown, Ohio

Reilly Dawn Parker Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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BACHELOR OF ARTS

James Rice Virginia Beach, Virginia

Alyssa N. Rock Wexford, Pennsylvania

Samantha Seymour Dover, New Hampshire

Trey Anthony Shifflet York, Pennsylvania

Darius Taylor Leesburg, Virginia

Jean-Carlo Tejeda Bronx, New York

Keili Marie Terry Leesburg, Virginia

James Kurt Christopher Thomas Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Keven Thomas District Heights, Maryland

Dillon Alexander Tomlinson Shadyside, Ohio

Mary Katherine VanDyke Washington Court House, Ohio

Jabari Williams Jersey City, New Jersey

Mollie Astin Williams New Cumberland, West Virginia

Raekwon Jalil Wright Baltimore, Maryland

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DOUBLE MAJORS

Rachel Elizabeth GantzerMath & Chemistry

Kerry A'Keen Kerr Psychology & Theatre

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Magna Cum Laude

Summa Cum LaudeMichael Aaron CeraoloRachel Elizabeth GantzerRebecca Ann LeeLindsey Celeste Llewellyn

Logan Rae MayhewNativa Marie O'BrienKatelyn Renee Sparks

Amanda Gail CastoKayla Nicole Dinsmore

Samantha Seymour

ACADEMIC HONORSIN THE GRADUATING CLASS

Cum Laude

Erica Nicole AmorosoAnthony ColettiJake Barrett GerberIssiah Michael GossettKerry A'Keen KerrAlexis Kaylan LoNeroKaitlyn Gayle Mills

Reilly Dawn ParkerAlyssa N . RockMark William TichenorDavid Tomé Del ArcoRajhmano VijayarajahMollie Astin Williams

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COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATIONS PASSED WITH DISTINCTION

Erica Nicole Amoroso

Brooke Renee Barlow

Amanda Gail Casto

Michael Aaron Ceraolo

Kayla Nicole Dinsmore

Rachel Elizabeth Gantzer

Jake Barrett Gerber

Issiah Michael Gossett

Kerry A'Keen Kerr

Rebecca Ann Lee

Samuel Irie Lipinski

Lindsey Celeste Llewellyn

Gwyneth Evans Loughran

Logan Rae Mayhew

Samantha Seymour

Katelyn Renee Sparks

David Tomé Del Arco

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Francis O. Carfer Prize for Service to the College (Outstanding Senior)Rachel Elizabeth Gantzer

Logan Rae Mayhew

Bethany 2000 Prize (Senior Achievement Award)Rachel Elizabeth Gantzer

The John R. Taylor AwardLogan Rae Mayhew

Ashley Nicole Worst, 2017

Pittsburgh Bethany College Club Award (Oustanding Junior Woman)Rachel Elizabeth Gantzer

The W. F. Kennedy Prize (Outstanding Junior Man)Michael Aaron Ceraolo, 2019

Beta Beta Beta PrizeKatelyn Renee Sparks, 2018

Beta Beta Beta - B. R. Weimer AwardKatelyn Renee Sparks

AWARDS AND PRIZES PRESENTEDTO MEMBERS OF THE GRADUATING CLASS

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AWARDS AND PRIZES PRESENTEDTO MEMBERS OF THE GRADUATING CLASS

The Business Award in ManagementAnthony Coletti, 2019

The Jerry R. Allison AwardRachel Elizabeth Gantzer

Rebecca Ann Lee

James E. Allison AwardRachel Elizabeth Gantzer

W. H. Cramblet PrizeRachel Elizabeth Gantzer

Charlotte Manion Yurko AwardJake Barrett Gerber

David Brown PrizeDavid Tomé Del Arco

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AWARDS AND PRIZES PRESENTEDTO MEMBERS OF THE GRADUATING CLASS

Caldwell Award for Leadership in the Art & Science of TeachingReilly Dawn Parker

Florence Hoagland Memorial AwardNativa Marie O'Brien, 2019

W.W. Eaton Award:Nativa Marie O'Brien, 2019, 2018, 2017

Cammie Pendleton AwardNativa Marie O'Brien, 2018, 2017

MaryBeth Trout Horsemanship AwardLogan Rae Mayhew

Frank Roy Gay AwardAlyssa N . Rock

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AWARDS AND PRIZES PRESENTEDTO MEMBERS OF THE GRADUATING CLASS

S. Elizabeth Reed AwardKayla Nicole Dinsmore

Leonard Emory Yurko AwardRebecca Ann Lee

John H. Hull Student Research AwardMershawn Smith

Psychology Service AwardAmanda Gail Casto

Thomas R. Briggs Award:Logan Rae Mayhew

R. Darryl Ponton Student leadership AwardTyra N . Bell

Charles W . Blango V 2020, 2019Amanda Shaylyn Gower

Osborne Booth PrizeGwyneth Evans Loughran

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AWARDS AND PRIZES PRESENTEDTO MEMBERS OF THE GRADUATING CLASS

The Lester N. & Helen W. Frantz AwardSamantha Seymour

Lynn Frantz Adkins Award for Outstanding Involvement in Social WorkSamantha Seymour, 2019

David Judy PrizeIssiah Michael Gossett

A. Kenneth Stevenson Theatre AwardJordan Rachel Moore

Charles H. Manion AwardIssiah Michael Gossett

Wes Wagner AwardIssiah Michael Gossett, 2019

Theodore R. Kimpton PrizeRajhmano Vijayarajah

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Gamma Sigma KappaScholarship Society

Gamma Sigma AlphaNational Greek Honor Society

MEMBERSHIP IN SOCIETIES

Alpha Epsilon DeltaNational Recognition Society in Pre-Professional Studies

Rachel Elizabeth GantzerRebecca Ann LeeLogan Rae Mayhew

Samantha SeymourKatelyn Renee Sparks

Kayla Nicole DinsmoreKerry A'Keen Kerr

Lindsey Celeste Llewellyn

Alpha Psi OmegaNational Recognition Society in Dramatics

Serenity BrownJordan Rachel Moore

Sierra Darlynn MortimerKerry A'Keen Kerr

Beta Beta BetaRecognition Society in Biology

Rebecca Ann Lee

Katelyn Renee Sparks

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MEMBERSHIP IN SOCIETIES

Kappa Delta PiBethany Honor Society in Education

Brooke Renee BarlowLindsey Celeste Llewellyn

Reilly Dawn Parker

Kappa PiVisual Art Honor Society

Gamma Sigma EpsilonNational Honor Society in Chemistry

Delta Phi Alpha National Honor SocietyNational Honor Society in German Language, Literature, and Civilization

Michael Aaron CeraoloRachel Elizabeth Gantzer

Rebecca Ann LeeKatelyn Renee Sparks

Alyssa N . Rock

Issiah Michael GossettRebecca Ann Lee

Michael Aaron CeraoloRachel Elizabeth Gantzer

David Tomé Del Arco

Kappa Mu EpsilonNational Honor Society in Mathematics

Phi AlphaSocial Work Honor Society

Samantha Seymour

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MEMBERSHIP IN SOCIETIES

Phi Delta PsiPhysical Education Honor Society

Psi ChiPsychology Honor Society

Tyra N . BellAmanda Gail CastoKerry A'Keen Kerr

Logan Rae MayhewMershawn Smith

Mollie Astin Williams

Sigma Beta DeltaHonor Society in Business

Pi Gamma MuSocial Science Honor Society

Aiden Kerr AlbertKayla Nicole Dinsmore

Amanda Gail CastoKerry A'Keen Kerr

Nativa Marie O'BrienSamantha Seymour

Jordan Rachel Moore

Society for Distinguished Campus LeadersLeadership Society

Aiden Kerr AlbertJake Barrett GerberIssiah Michael GossettKerry A'Keen KerrRebecca Ann Lee

Lindsey Celeste LlewellynGwyneth Evans LoughranAbigail Elizabeth McDonaldKaitlyn Gayle Mills

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THE REV. DR. WILLIAM J. BARBER, II

William J . Barber, II is a pastor and social justice advocate building a broad-based grassroots movement, grounded in the moral tenets of faith-based communities and the constitution, to confront systemic racism, poverty, environmental devastation,

the war economy and the distorted moral narrtitive of religious nationalism in America today . As pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church in Goldsboro, North Carolina (since 1993) and president of the North Carolina conference of the NAACP (2005–2017), Barber approaches social justice through the lens of the ethical and moral treatment of people as laid out in the Christian Bible, the Reconstruction and civil rights movements of the South, and the United States Constitution .

He is effective at building unusually inclusive fusion coalitions that are multiracial and interfaith, reaching across race, gender, age, and class lines, and dedicated to addressing poverty, inequality, and systemic racism . When his work to expand voting rights, health care, living wages, immigrant rights, public education and LGBTQ rights was thwarted by extremist state lawmakers in North Carolina, Barber began a series of “Moral Monday” rallies outside of the statehouse in Raleigh to protest laws that suppressed voter turnout, cut funding for public education and healthcare, and further disenfranchised poor white, black, First Nations, and LGBTQ communities . The Moral Mondays rallies and associated nonviolent acts of civil disobedience grew to involve tens of thousands of participants across North Carolina and spread to states across the South . The movement waged successful legal challenges to voter suppression and racial gerrymandering, winning twice at the Supreme Court .

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Barber founded Repairers of the Breach, a leadership development organization, in 2014 to expand and build a national movement rooted in moral analysis, moral articulation, and moral action . In 2016 he led a moral revival tour that covered 26 states and attracted thousands . In 2017, he and colleagues launched a revival of the 1968 Poor People’s Campaign that was spearheaded by Dr Martin Lither King, Jr and many others . Beginning with an audit of systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, and the war economy in the United States since 1968, the campaign has been recast for the twenty-first century, building state and local, non-partisan fusing movements committed to shifting the moral narrative, building power, and challenging laws and policies that hurt the poor and threaten our democracy .

In 2018 the Poor People’c Campaign launched 40 days of moral, nonviolent civil disobedience in 40 states and Washington, DC, resulting in over 5000 acts of simultaneous civil disobedience in 36 state capitols and the US Capitol .

Merging moral and activist traditions, Barber is providing a faith-based framework for action that strengthens civic engagement and inspires the country to imagine a more humane society .

William Barber received a B .A . (1985) from North Carolina Central University, an M .Div . (1989) from Duke University, and a D .Min . (2003) from Drew University . He has also received seven Honorary Doctorates . From 2006 to 2017, Barber was president of the North Carolina chapter of the NAACP and has been a member of the national board of the NAACP since 2005 . He is also a distinguished visiting professor at Union Theological Seminary . Barber’s publications include the co-authored books Forward Together: A Moral Message for the Nation (2014), The Third Reconstruction: Moral Mondays, Fusion Politics, and the Rise of a New Justice Movement (2016), and Revive Us Again: Vision and Action in Moral Organizing (2018), and he is a contributing op-ed writer for The New York Times, CNN, MSNBC and the Washington Post . Barber is also a 2018 MacArthur Fellow, 2018 Tar Heel of the Year, an Auburn Seminary Senior Fellow and holds the Visiting Social Justice Chair at St . John’s University .

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BETHANY COLLEGE DIPLOMA TRANSLATION

To all persons who may read this document, greetings.

By virtue of the authority vested in us by the state to designate those students who have excelled in their conduct, ability, and knowledge of the liberal arts, we, the president and faculty of Bethany College, Bethany,

West Virginia, hereby testify that ___________________ is of moral and intellectual integrity and we confer the degree

of ____________________ with all the rights, honors, and privileges pertaining to that degree. In witness thereof

we affix the seal and signature on this 9th day of May in the 2020th year of our Lord.

OFFICERS OF THE CLASS OF 2020Kerry A'Keen Kerr, President

Epiphany Katara Charles, Vice PresidentAmanda Shaylyn Gower, Secretary

Reed Long, Treasurer

OFFICERS OF BETHANY COLLEGERev . Dr . Tamara Nichols Rodenberg, President of the College

Dr . Joseph H . Lane, Jr ., Provost & Dean of the FacultyDennis McMaster, Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer

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Thaddaeus B. Allen, Vienna, West VirginiaElizabeth Athol, Sewickley, Pennsylvania

Ken Bado, McKinney, TexasMarc B. Chernenko, Wellsburg, West VirginiaW. Darwin Collins, Uniontown, PennsylvaniaJames F. Companion, Wheeling, West Virginia

Marie Z. DeParis, Allendale, New JerseyDouglas A. Goin, Merritt Island, FloridaFred M. Harris, Hagerstown, Maryland

Logan M. Hassig, New Martinsville, West VirginiaSy Holzer, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Patrick J. Hosey, Wilmington, DelawareCarmina Hughes, Baltimore, Maryland

Joyce P. Jefferson, Wheeling, West VirginiaAsa J. Johnson, New York City, New York

Gregory B. Jordan, Sewickley, PennsylvaniaArthur B. Keys, Amity, Pennsylvania

Linda D. Lewis, New York, New YorkJanet A. Long, Elyria, Ohio

Gayle C. Manchin, Charleston, West VirginiaG. Daniel Martich, Bradfordwoods, Pennsylvania

Donald S. McBride, Fairfax, VirginiaJohn W. Mullen, Nashville, Tennessee

G. William Newton, Nashville, TennesseeGary M. Novak, Moon Township, Pennsylvania

Georgiana C. Riley, Avella, PennsylvaniaJhamal K. Robinson, Los Angeles, California

Edward J. See, New Fairfield, ConnecticutMarsha L. Smith, Houston, Texas

William E. Strickland, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaCraig A. Williams, Odenton, Maryland

Jeffrey J. Woda, Columbus, Ohio

TRUSTEES OF BETHANY COLLEGE2019 - 2020

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Bethany College was founded on March 2, 1840 . The first Commencement was July 4, 1842, although the first baccalaureate degrees were not conferred until 1844 .

The 4th of July was the traditional Commencement Day until the death of Alexander Campbell in 1866 . The Declaration of Independence was read at the opening of the ceremonies, which usually lasted five or six hours . Since 1866, the ceremonies have been held earlier in the year .

From 1842 to 1857, the exercises took place in the College Hall . On December 10, 1857, fire destroyed the Hall and the 1858 exercises were moved to the Bethany Church . In the intervening years prior to the completion of Commencement Hall in 1872, the Old Chapel served as the Commencement site .

Commencement Hall became inadequate with the large graduating classes following World War II and the services were moved to the outdoor amphitheatre in 1949 and then in 1957 to the Hummel (formerly Alumni) Field House .

Commencement is now held at the Dr . Fred H . Tilock ’54 Amphitheatre in the Pennington Quadrangle behind Old Main, a National Historic Landmark . In case of rain, exercises are at the Hummel Field House .

COMMENCEMENT NOTES