Post on 26-Sep-2020
St. Mary’s UniversityOne Hundred and Sixty-fifth Annual Spring Commencement
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Officers of the UniversityThomas M. Mengler, J.D., President
Aaron Tyler, Ph.D., Provost and Vice President for Academic AffairsRebeckah J. Day, Vice President for Administration and Finance
The Rev. Timothy Eden, S.M., Rector and Vice President for MissionRichard D. Kimbrough II, Vice President for University Advancement
Curtis White, Vice President for Information Services
Academic DeansTanuja Singh, D.B.A., Greehey School of Business
Janet B. Dizinno, Ph.D., School of Humanities and Social SciencesWinston Erevelles, Ph.D., School of Science, Engineering and Technology
Megan Mustain, Ph.D., Graduate Studies for Humanities and Social SciencesStephen Sheppard, J.S.D., School of Law
Board of TrusteesThe Rev. Martin A. Solma, S.M., Chancellor
Martin D. Beirne Jr., J.D., Chairman Charles T. Barrett Jr., Vice Chairperson
Leticia Contreras, Vice Chairperson
The Rev. Dennis AréchigaBrother Reinaldo Berrios, S.M., Ed.D.
David W. BieglerBrother William J. Campbell, S.M., Ed.D.
Raymond R. Carvajal, R.Ph.R. Michael Casseb, J.D.Steve A. Chiscano, J.D.
David C. DicksonWalter D. Downing Jr.
The Rev. James F. Fitz, S.M.Kelley Frost, Ph.D.
Gisela GirardDavid S. Herrmann, J.D.
Steven D. Jansma, J.D.Brother Joseph Kamis, S.M.
Joan M. Lamm-Tennant, Ph.D.Sister Laura M. Leming, F.M.I., Ph.D.Jason F. LongoriaChristopher R. MartinezThomas M. Mengler, J.D.Larry MillsBrother Ronald Overman, S.M.Philip J. Pfeiffer, J.D.Rudolph RivasKenneth S. Saks, J.D.Michael A. “Mickey” SchottJohn M. Vaught, J.D.Sylvia Fernandez Villarreal, M.D.Brother Thomas Wendorf, S.M., Ph.D.
St. Mary’s UniversityOne Hundred and Sixty-fifth Annual Spring Commencement
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Bearer of the MaceCarolyn Tubbs, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy2017 Distinguished Faculty Member,
School of Humanities and Social Sciences Graduate Studies
Reader of the NamesBrother Dennis Bautista, S.M., Ph.D.
Associate Professor of English
University Marshals
For the Degree Candidates
Sheri King, Ph. D.Director, Student Activities and Transition Programs
Nicholas A. MedinaAssistant Registrar for Graduation Services
For the Faculty and Professional Staff
Margaret Langford, Ph.D.Professor of Management
2017 Distinguished Faculty Member, Greehey School of Business
Clare Acosta MatosDirector of Civic Engagement
For the Administration
Janet B. Dizinno, Ph.D.Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
(Note: Names of degree candidates that appear in the Commencement program are ofthose students deemed eligible or approved for graduation as of May 1, 2017.)
St. Mary’s UniversityOne Hundred and Sixty-fifth Annual Spring Commencement
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PROGRAM
ProcessionalPomp and Circumstance, Elgar
St. Mary’s University Concert Band
Stage PartyBearer of the Mace
President of the UniversityChairman of the Board of TrusteesMembers of the Board of Trustees
Provost of the UniversityMembers of the University Leadership
Academic Deans of the UniversityFaculty Senate PresidentCommencement Speaker
Honorary Degree Recipients
Academic ProcessionReader of the Names
Members of the Faculty and Professional Staff
Candidates for the Degree of Doctor of PhilosophyCandidates for the Degree of Master of Arts
Candidate for the Degree of Master of Science in Humanities and Social SciencesCandidates for the Degree of Master of Public Administration
Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and Social SciencesCandidates for the Degree of Master of Business Administration
Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Business AdministrationCandidates for the Degree of Master of Science
Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of ScienceCandidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts in Science, Engineering and Technology
The St. Mary’s Color Guard
St. Mary’s UniversityOne Hundred and Sixty-fifth Annual Spring Commencement
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Posting of the ColorsThe St. Mary’s Color Guard
The National AnthemMichelle Akana (B.S. in Chemistry, B.A. in Mathematics), Bettina Babu (B.S. in Biology),
Ani Gonzales (B.A. in Psychology), Yajaira Jimenez (B.S. in Biology), Amanda Rohm (B.A. in Music), Lourdes Tovar (B.A. in Sociology)
InvocationThe Rev. Timothy Eden, S.M., Rector
Vice President for MissionIntroduction of Stage Party
Aaron Tyler, Ph.D. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
RemarksThomas M. Mengler, J.D.
President
Conferring of Honorary DegreesThe Honorable Lila Cockrell
Ms. Rosemary Kowalski
Introduction of SpeakerAaron Tyler
AddressStuart ParkerUSAA CEO
Introduction of Academic DeansAaron Tyler
Conferring of DegreesThomas M. Mengler
Closing Remarks and BenedictionThomas M. Mengler
Alma MaterMichelle Akana, Bettina Babu, Ani Gonzales,
Yajaira Jimenez, Amanda Rohm, Lourdes Tovar
RecessionalCanzona, Samuel Scheidt
(Please remain seated for Recessional.)
St. Mary’s UniversityOne Hundred and Sixty-fifth Annual Spring Commencement
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WHEREAS, Lila Cockrell, legendary public servant and former four-term Mayor of San Antonio, has spent many decades working to improve the City of San Antonio and the lives of its denizens;
WHEREAS, Lila Cockrell served 10 years on the San Antonio City Council before being elected in 1975 as the City’s first female mayor, an office she held until 1981 and again from 1989 to 1991, making her the first woman elected to lead a major metropolis in the modern era;
WHEREAS, her public service began when she volunteered to serve in the WAVES branch of the United States Navy during World War II and continued during the 1950s when she served as president of the Dallas and San Antonio chapters of the League of Women Voters;
WHEREAS, Lila Cockrell has engaged in significant humanitarian pursuits including environmental protection and advocacy for civil rights for women and historically unrepresented ethnic minorities in San Antonio;
WHEREAS, while not a graduate of St. Mary’s, her life and accomplishments bear witness to the University’s mission as a Catholic and Marianist institution, in so far as her policies as Mayor made civic representation by citizens of the West Side of San Antonio feasible;
WHEREAS, further, Mayor Lila Cockrell made access to funding and civic services for women and children more economical, the water system of San Antonio more sustainable, and the politics of the City
and the state more open to the participation of women and representatives of previously excluded groups;
WHEREAS, after retiring from politics, Lila Cockrell continued to serve her beloved city as president of the San Antonio Parks Foundation from 1998 until 2013 and has attended countless events over the years, meeting visitors to San Antonio from across the nation and around the world with grace and style;
WHEREAS, Lila Cockrell is a role model for women in government, a San Antonio icon, and a true pioneer in developing the City into one of the country’s finest and most popular destinations for business and leisure while remaining true to its culture and traditions, and its importance as a historical treasure;
WHEREAS, Lila Cockrell’s contributions reflect a long-lived dedication to service to the common good of the City of San Antonio, its communities, and the nation;
NOW THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED, the administration, faculty and Board of Trustees of St. Mary’s University recognize Lila Cockrell for her extraordinary leadership and outstanding service to the City of San Antonio; her influential impact on San Antonio politics; and for tirelessly and successfully serving our community for more than six decades with intelligence, sincerity, good humor and good will by presenting her with a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, on this thirteenth day of May, in the year two thousand and seventeen.
Resolution presented toTh e honorable li la Co C krell Former Mayor of San AntonioHonorary Doctorate Recipient
St. Mary’s UniversityOne Hundred and Sixty-fifth Annual Spring Commencement
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WHEREAS, Rosemary Kowalski, Chairman Emeritus of The RK Group, has a passion for serving people and a commitment to St. Mary’s University, the City of San Antonio and its Catholic community;
WHEREAS, Rosemary Kowalski has served on the St. Mary’s University Board of Trustees and has been approved by the Board as a member of its first Class of Trustees Emeriti, which is being granted for the first time in 2017 to retired Trustees who exemplify Marianist values in their service to the University and, justifiably, she is the first woman to be selected for this prestigious lifetime achievement;
WHEREAS, ever an entrepreneur, in 1946 with her husband Hank, she opened Uncle Ben’s Diner and built a small barbecue restaurant not far from St. Mary’s University into a well-respected and treasured catering empire;
WHEREAS, getting her big break by winning the catering contract for HemisFair ’68 and building her company known as Catering by Rosemary, Rosemary Kowalski fed a World’s Fair leading to major contracts, including the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, which today is held by The RK Group and continues Rosemary’s tradition of welcoming and entertaining visitors to San Antonio from around the world;
WHEREAS, Rosemary Kowalski has served cocktails to Queen Elizabeth II and prepared meals for Prince Charles and His Holiness Pope John Paul II, as well as for presidents, celebrities, governors, congressmen and more, and treats dignitaries the same as the hundreds of thousands of homegrown San Antonians who have enjoyed her as much as her food during one of the 3,000 events her company caters annually;
WHEREAS, Rosemary Kowalski has graciously and proudly been a role model for businesswomen in San Antonio, Texas and beyond, and has made special efforts to encourage women and minorities in their business aspirations through support, advice and kindness;
WHEREAS, Rosemary Kowalski, educated by the sisters of the Incarnate Word, has been a lifelong devout Catholic and spreads her faith by serving on The Hope for the Future Development Board of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, which emphasizes the importance of Catholic education from elementary school to college;
WHEREAS, the indomitable Rosemary Kowalski, at 91 years of age, has the energy to give her time throughout San Antonio by serving on the advisory boards for the SAISD Foundation, and the San Antonio Hispanic and the Alamo Asian American Chambers of Commerce, and as a member of the After-School All-Stars Board of Directors;
WHEREAS, Rosemary Kowalski, as an icon in the fabric of San Antonio, was featured in a documentary, “From Rosemary to The RK Legacy,” that was released and a city-wide gala honoring her was held to benefit the KLRN Public Affairs Fund;
NOW THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED, the administration, faculty and Board of Trustees of St. Mary’s University recognize Rosemary Kowalski for her enduring support of St. Mary’s University; her extraordinary success in business and her outstanding service to the City of San Antonio and the State of Texas; her remarkable and continuing leadership; and for tirelessly serving our community for more than seven decades with grace and gratitude, sincerity and good nature, and respect for everyone by presenting her with a Doctor of Philosophy, honoris causa, on this thirteenth day of May, in the year two thousand and seventeen.
Resolution presented torosemary kowals ki Co-founder of Catering by Rosemary (The RK Group)Honorary Doctorate Recipient
St. Mary’s UniversityOne Hundred and Sixty-fifth Annual Spring Commencement
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Stuart Parker (M.B.A. ’95) is chief executive officer of USAA, one of America’s leading financial services companies. The association has been serving military families since 1922 and has become known for its exceptional service, offering its more than 12 million members a comprehensive range of insurance, banking, investment products, financial advice and planning, and services designed to help them meet their financial needs. Headquartered in San Antonio, with offices throughout the United States and Europe, USAA owns or manages assets of $240 billion.
After joining USAA in 1998, Parker led the development of USAA’s financial planning practice and served as president of Financial Planning Services from 2004 to 2007. For the next five years, he led USAA’s Property and Casualty Insurance Group, frequently recognized as the nation’s leading insurer for customer service and advocacy. As chief financial officer from 2012 to 2014, he led an enterprise team focused on the continued growth of USAA’s financial strength.
He was named to the newly created post of chief operating officer in May 2014 and became CEO-elect in August 2014.
Before his civilian career, Parker served in the Air Force for nearly 10 years. He entered the EURO-
NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls. Upon receiving his wings, he was selected as an instructor pilot in the T-38 Talon and became a Wing Flight Examiner. He went on to fly the C-141 Starlifter as an instructor aircraft commander at Charleston Air Force Base in South Carolina. His final assignment was at the T-38 Pilot Instructor Training School in San Antonio, where he held various staff positions at the Air Training Command’s headquarters.
Parker graduated with a degree in Business Administration from Valdosta State University in Georgia, where he was a distinguished graduate from the Air Force ROTC program. He later earned an MBA in Finance from St. Mary’s University and earned the Certified Financial Planner™ designation. He serves on the board of directors of FM Global, one of the world’s largest commercial and industrial property insurers. He is a lifetime member of the Air Force Association, Air Force Sergeants Association, the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Military Officers Association of America, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. His wife, Veronica, is a former Air Force nurse, and they have one daughter.
Commencement Speaker
STUART PARKER USAA CEO
St. Mary’s UniversityOne Hundred and Sixty-fifth Annual Spring Commencement
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Analucia M. AlegreIndustrial/Organizational Psychology Distinguished Graduate
Shoaa AlmalkiCommunication Studies
Gregory J. AncmonInternational Relations Distinguished Graduate
Fawziah Y. AsiriEducational Leadership
Samuel J. BeansIndustrial/Organizational Psychology
Master of Arts
Doctor of PhilosophyMehmet Avci
Counselor Education and Supervision“Total Wellness of Turkish International Students in the U.S.:
Perceptions and Inherent Growth Tendencies”
Committee: R. Esteban Montilla, Ph.D. (Chair); H.R. Wooten, Ph.D.; Daniel J. Thompson, Ph.D.
Hawazan A. BinzaqrCounselor Education and Supervision
“A Multiple Regression Analysis of Locus of Control and Psychological Flexibility Regarding the Total Mental Well-Being of Muslims”
Committee: R. Esteban Montilla, Ph.D. (Chair); H. Ray Wooten, Ph.D., Said Atif, Ph.D.
Monique N. RodriguezCounselor Education and Supervision
“The Relationship Between Embodiment and Gestalt Resistance Process for Counselors-in-Training: An Exploratory Investigation”
Committee: H. R. Wooten, Ph.D. (Chair); Julie A. Strentzsch, Ph.D.; Ansel L. Woldt, Ed.D.
School of Humanities and Social Sciences Graduate Studies
Presented byMegan Mustain, Ph.D., Dean
St. Mary’s UniversityOne Hundred and Sixty-fifth Annual Spring Commencement
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Maggie BirchmanIndustrial/Organizational Psychology
Robert E. BiusEnglish Literature and Language
Vincent BordenCommunication Studies
Amanda CollinsInternational Relations
Alana K. CrawfordCommunication Studies
Jamin DabkowskiInternational Relations Distinguished Graduate
Silvana G. DavilaIndustrial/Organizational Psychology
Linda M. DeBrechtTheologyDistinguished Graduate
Nicholas DicksonInternational RelationsDistinguished Graduate
Temitayo ElegbedeInternational Relations
Bianca S. GarzaClinical Mental Health Counseling
Carmen M. GuajardoClinical Mental Health Counseling
Joshua D. HallInternational Relations Distinguished Graduate
Karen K. HallInternational Relations Distinguished Graduate
Aisha A. HernandezInternational Relations
Kara A. HooserInternational Relations Distinguished Graduate
Angel M. KnappInternational Relations
Michael T. KoernerInternational Relations
Terrill B. KuceraInternational Relations Distinguished Graduate
Shana M. LeInternational Relations
Rosana C. MaciasIndustrial/Organizational Psychology
Joel B. MaloneyTheology
Juan MercadoTheology
Shamaya S. MohammedInternational Relations
Amanda D. MoralesEducational Leadership Distinguished Graduate
Nebby C. MutaleCommunication Studies
Kristofer K. PalmerIndustrial/Organizational Psychology
Scott A. QuaifeInternational Relations
Rene R. RodriguezInternational Relations Distinguished Graduate
Azalea SilvaInternational Relations
Camille C. SteckerEnglish Literature and Language
Robin TateInternational Relations
Marisa TobiasEnglish Literature and Language
Michelle R. TorresEducational Leadership Distinguished Graduate
Enoch T. TrefflichInternational Relations Distinguished Graduate
Gracie G. ValdezInternational Relations Distinguished Graduate
Bethany VennIndustrial/Organizational Psychology
Dan N. WekuInternational Relations
Emma H. WillisEducational Leadership Distinguished Graduate
St. Mary’s UniversityOne Hundred and Sixty-fifth Annual Spring Commencement
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School of Humanities and Social SciencesPresented by
Janet B. Dizinno, Ph.D., Dean
Bachelor of Arts
Victor AguilarPsychology
Sydney M. AlfaroCriminology
Jourdan N. AlvarezExercise and Sport ScienceMagna Cum Laude
Lucas W. AndradeInternational Relations
Fernanda G. AriasExercise and Sport Science
Kimberly ArrietaPolitical ScienceInternational Relations
Cristian J. AvilaPsychology
Everardo AvilaCriminal Justice
Krisztofer A. BanalesEnglish
Roberto BarcenasPhilosophy
Jake A. BecerraHistory
Alessandro D. BissaroExercise and Sport Science
James R. BreenInternational Relations
Ciaira BriseñoExercise and Sport Science
Bo Bridgette G. BuenoPsychology
Alicia CadenaPsychologySumma Cum Laude
Dominic M. CaldasCriminology
Amber R. CalvilloPsychologyEnglishCum LaudeHonors Program Scholar
Jocelyn CardenasPsychologyPolitical Science
Yesenia CardenasInterdisciplinary English Language Arts and Reading
Master of Public Administration
Master of Science
Hail A. AlAnazi
Ashwaq A. Alzahrni
Zach Elder
Richard M. ThamesDistinguished Graduate
Tyler L. Cody Industrial/Organizational Psychology
St. Mary’s UniversityOne Hundred and Sixty-fifth Annual Spring Commencement
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Pablo CarlinPsychology
Christina A. CarrionExercise and Sport ScienceSumma Cum Laude
Jason CastroCriminology
Veronica M. CavazosEnglish
Griselle N. CenozInternational Relations
Cindy ChavezForensic Science
Javier R. ChavezEconomics
Jacqueline A. CisnerosCriminology
Noel O. CortezPolitical ScienceCum Laude
Peter A. CortezCriminology
Nicholas R. CubillosExercise and Sport Science
Jalahn C. Cucuta-HarrisCriminal Justice
Edward L. CuevasPolitical Science
Carolina DavilaPsychology
Joshua T. DavilaPolitical ScienceCum Laude
Catherine M. De LeonCriminology
Gabriel De Los RiosEnglish
Brian A. Del ValleCriminal Justice
Briana N. DelgadoCriminology
Aisha J. DenisPolitical ScienceCum Laude
Dean P. DettenSpanishMagna Cum Laude
Selena DiazSpanishCum Laude
Tyler L. DudleyEnglish-Communication Arts
Jodie F. EdwardsCriminal JusticeCum Laude
Eduardo ElizondoPsychology
Timothy R. EllebrachtPhilosophyEconomicsSumma Cum LaudeHonors Program ScholarPresidential Award Recipient
Miguel A. EscobarPsychology
Alejandra M. Esparza-RaglinExercise and Sport ScienceCum Laude
Alejandra EstradaCriminology
Aisha R. FainPsychology
David A. FernandezExercise and Sport ScienceSumma Cum Laude
Erin C. FernandezTheologyMagna Cum Laude
Marina J. FloresEnglish-Communication Arts
Andrez M. FlorezCriminology
Angelina I. FloydCriminology
Richard E. FoleyExercise and Sport Science
Estefania Fuentes GonzalezForensic ScienceCum Laude
Jacqueline P. Gandara-ValderasArt EducationMagna Cum LaudePresidential Award Recipient
Alberto S. GarciaExercise and Sport ScienceMagna Cum Laude
Alexis A. GarciaExercise and Sport Science
Ricardo GarciaPsychology
Veronica L. GarciaCriminal Justice
St. Mary’s UniversityOne Hundred and Sixty-fifth Annual Spring Commencement
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Tyler J. GibsonHistoryMagna Cum Laude
James G. GilleanCriminal Justice
Alexis N. GonzalezEconomicsMcNair Scholar
Ani G. GonzalezInternational Relations
Giana GonzalezPsychology
Jose J. GonzalezMusic
Georgina R. GosenSpeech CommunicationCum Laude
Stephanie C. GuajardoCriminology
Brandon R. GuerreroMusic
Jacqueline C. GuerreroCriminology
Ruben D. GurrolaExercise and Sport Science
Marissa G. GuzmanCriminologyMagna Cum Laude
Matt D. HarringtonPsychology
Stephanie S. HechterPsychology
Jennifer M. HernandezExercise and Sport Science
Jennifer Y. HernandezSociology
Carolina HerreraExercise and Sport ScienceCum Laude
Karina K. HerreraCriminology
Jessica R. HopperForensic Science
Ashley B. HuronPolitical Science
Chisara K. IwuchukwuHistoryCum Laude
Selena JacquezPsychologyCum Laude
Allison J. JamesInterdisciplinary English Language Arts and Reading
Jonah P. KavanaughPhilosophyCum LaudeHonors Program Scholar
Kevin S. LackeyEnglish-Communication Arts
Max A. LagunaExercise and Sport Science
Nathaniel J. LandryCriminology
Mariah C. LeeSociology
Andrea LopezPsychology
Danielle D. LopezArt EducationMagna Cum Laude
Lazaro E. LopezInternational Relations
Luisa V. LopezExercise and Sport Science
Sidney T. LopezCriminology
Jessica E. LunaCriminology
Alexander J. MackieHistoryInternational Relations
Katherine L. MallonPolitical ScienceCum LaudeHonors Program Scholar
Adrianna S. MartinezPsychologySociology
Alyssa MartinezPsychology
April L. MartinezExercise and Sport Science
Graciela I. MartinezExercise and Sport ScienceCum Laude
Loriann A. MartinezPsychologyPolitical ScienceCum Laude
Mathew MartinezEnglish-Communication Arts
St. Mary’s UniversityOne Hundred and Sixty-fifth Annual Spring Commencement
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Donald L. McclurePolitical Science
Haley A. McGrawPolitical Science
Janellie MendezInterdisciplinary English Language Arts and Reading
Nicolas MendozaCriminology
Ashley C. MillsExercise and Sport Science
Lupe MirelesInternational Relations
Alexa R. MonitaPsychology
Jack MooreExercise and Sport Science
Melissa E. MoralesExercise and Sport Science
Raelynn MoralesForensic ScienceCum Laude
Jennifer A. MoynahanCriminal JusticeMagna Cum Laude
Katherine MyersForensic Science
Riquel M. NavejarPsychology
Carlos F. NovoaCriminal Justice
Pedro A. NoyolaMusic
Natalee NuñezCriminology
Nicole O’BryanForensic Science
Geovanie S. OrdoñezPolitical ScienceInternational RelationsCum LaudePresidential Award Recipient
Gisell G. OrozcoPolitical Science
Juanita OrtegaForensic Science
Andres M. OvalleMusic
Jason A. PalaciosCriminal Justice
Sarah M. PalomaresSpeech Communication
Stephanie PardoPolitical Science
Sydney B. ParedesExercise and Sport Science
Kendall M. PaskoPsychology
Ashlee V. PerezExercise and Sport Science
Donaldo A. PerezExercise and Sport Science
Vanessa PerezTheologyInternational RelationsCum LaudeMcNair Scholar
Jessica D. PimentelCriminal Justice
Kimberly A. PimentelPsychology
Joshua O. PrudhommePsychologyMcNair Scholar
Jennifer V. RamirezPsychology
Kristina RamirezInterdisciplinary English Language Arts and ReadingSumma Cum Laude
Veronique RamirezPolitical Science
Nahim E. RancharanEconomicsInternational Relations Cum Laude
Celina D. ResendezInterdisciplinary English Language Arts and ReadingSumma Cum Laude
Ricardo E. ReyesEnglish-Communication Arts
Gizelle RicoPolitical Science
Emilio C. RivasEnglish-Communication Arts
Juan D. RivasPsychologyMagna Cum Laude
Thomas RiveraCriminal Justice
St. Mary’s UniversityOne Hundred and Sixty-fifth Annual Spring Commencement
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Desiree RoblesEnglish Language Arts and ReadingCum Laude
Ana P. RochaEnglishSpanish
Jose A. Rodriguez GomezCriminal Justice
Billy RodriguezPsychologyCum LaudeMcNair Scholar
Brittany A. RodriguezPolitical Science
Candice E. RodriguezArt Education
Devin M. RodriguezCriminal Justice
Eric R. RodriguezPolitical ScienceMagna Cum Laude
Patrick RodriguezCriminal Justice
Selina M. RodriguezEnglish
Victoria R. RodriguezPsychology
Amanda M. RohmMusic
Elisha C. RoybalCriminal Justice
Brandon J. RuizPhilosophy
Gabriel C. RuizPhilosophy
Jose SalasCriminology
Sarafina San MiguelEnglish-Communication ArtsSumma Cum Laude
Steven T. SanchezInternational Relations
Ileana I. SandovalPolitical Science
Edward T. SeayExercise and Sport Science
Oscar O. SepulvedaExercise and Sport Science
Brianna L. ShaferExercise and Sport Science
Robert A. SimpsonPolitical Science
Veronica R. SolisInterdisciplinary English Language Arts and Reading
Elia SotoEnglish
Megan L. TomlinExercise and Sport ScienceCum Laude
Juan J. TorresExercise and Sport Science
Lourdes TovarSociologyCum Laude
Alex TreviñoCriminal Justice
Kevin S. VallecillosExercise and Sport ScienceSumma Cum LaudeMcNair Scholar
Olivia N. Van HookExercise and Sport Science
Taylor L. VaughanCriminal JusticeCum Laude
Jonathan VelaForensic Science
Megann L. VeraEnglishHonors Program Scholar
Sydney VillaEnglish
Anna L. VillarrealPsychologyMcNair Scholar
Paula ViruegasEnglish
David A. WilkinsEnglish-Communication Arts
Sean P. YanezCriminal Justice
Muhammed Timur YaziciInternational RelationsCum Laude
Sofia ZanettaInternational Relations
Austin ZapataExercise and Sport Science
St. Mary’s UniversityOne Hundred and Sixty-fifth Annual Spring Commencement
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Mariana IshchukDistinguished Graduate
Nicolas Jankuhn Distinguished Graduate
Bryan T. Ramirez
Yudovich Yarrito
Master of Business Administration
Bachelor of Business Administration
Greehey School of BusinessPresented by
Tanuja Singh, D.B.A., Dean
Bradley M. AkinManagement
Najat M. AlhassanFinance and Risk Management Cum Laude
Sultan K. AljawiniFinance and Risk ManagementCum Laude
Maria L. AlmanzaInternational Business
Nejad A. AlshubbarFinance and Risk Management
Faris H. AlzahraniAccounting
Bridget C. AvilaFinance and Risk Management
Lauren A. BaileyAccounting and Data Analytics
Albert E. BarajasMarketing
Natalie C. BarajasMarketingFinance and Risk ManagementMagna Cum Laude
Roberto BarcenasAccounting
Pedro A. Canizalez IbarraMarketing
Angel V. CarrilloAccounting
Jose E. CastroAccountingCum Laude
Matthew J. ChavezFinance and Risk ManagementCum Laude
Edgar CovarrubiasAccounting
Eduardo CuevasFinance and Risk ManagementSumma Cum Laude
Christopher A. DaleAccountingHonors Program Scholar
Vilimira N. DelchevaManagementSumma Cum LaudePresidential Award Recipient
Dean P. DettenFinance and Risk ManagementMagna Cum Laude
Cristina M. DiazEntrepreneurial Studies
Shea N. DinsmoreFinance and Risk ManagementSumma Cum Laude
Adam P. DockeryAccounting
Andrea K. ElizarrarazFinance and Risk ManagementSumma Cum Laude
Camilo EscobarFinance and Risk ManagementCum LaudeHonors Program Scholar
Kiara EtheridgeAccounting
Nicholaus V. FazFinance and Risk Management
Italia D. FloresMarketing
St. Mary’s UniversityOne Hundred and Sixty-fifth Annual Spring Commencement
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Layra M. FloresEntrepreneurial Studies
Kevin R. FreiMarketing
Dania M. GamezInternational BusinessCum Laude
Justin R. GarciaFinance and Risk ManagementSumma Cum LaudeGreehey Scholar
Gemeny GivensMarketingCum LaudeGreehey Scholar
Crystal GonzalesMarketing
Clarissa GonzalezMarketing
Joel GonzalezMarketing
Alyssa J. GutierrezManagement
Maxwell R. HeintzelmanMarketing
Jesus HernandezManagement
Roxana HinojosaMarketing
Allison L. HowarthFinance and Risk Management
Alori C. Htay MyintAccounting
Megan E. IsbellFinance and Risk Management
Matthew T. KellerMarketingMagna Cum LaudePresidential Award Recipient
Tayaba Y. KhanMarketing
Linda L. KuhlmanAccounting and Data AnalyticsCum Laude
Rodrigo LopezFinance and Risk Management
Suzanna LopezApplied ManagementCum Laude
John F. LynchManagement
Michael A. MacielFinance and Risk ManagementSumma Cum LaudeGreehey Scholar
Carolina MansourAccounting
Denise L. McGlothingApplied ManagementSumma Cum Laude
Haley A. McGrawInternational Business
Natalie MorenoMarketing
Cassidy A. MossAccountingCum Laude
Jose A. ParrillaInformation Systems ManagementMcNair Scholar
Divya V. PatelAccountingFinance and Risk Management
Lucia R. PazManagementMagna Cum LaudeHonors Program ScholarGreehey Scholar
Lauren T. PeckMarketing
David PeñaFinance and Risk Management
Jean-Claude P. PrudhommeAccountingFinance and Risk ManagementPresidential Award Recipient
Giselle RamosManagement
Estefania ReyesManagementPresidential Award Recipient
Jonathan D. ReyesFinance and Risk ManagementCum Laude
Gabriela A. RodriguezAccounting
Ernest S. SalinasManagementMcNair Scholar
Sophia M. SantizoManagement
St. Mary’s UniversityOne Hundred and Sixty-fifth Annual Spring Commencement
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Mariela SarinanaMarketingMagna Cum Laude
Elizabeth M. SolizManagement
Joseph R. SomogyeAccounting
Julia R. SpurlockAccountingCum Laude
Megan T. SteadmanFinance and Risk ManagementSumma Cum Laude
Blake J. StephensEntrepreneurial Studies
Timothy Q. TrinhAccountingSumma Cum LaudeGreehey ScholarPresidential Award Recipient
St. Mary’s UniversityOne Hundred and Sixty-fifth Annual Spring Commencement
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School of Science, Engineering and Technology
Presented byWinston Erevelles, Ph.D., Dean
Master of Science
Aybike AkiciIndustrial Engineering
Mohammed H. Al SulaimanComputer Information SystemsDistinguished Graduate
Mohammed G. AlamriElectrical Engineering
Eunice M. AlcantaraComputer Engineering
Amro N. AlharbiIndustrial EngineeringDistinguished Graduate
Abdulrahman A. AlqarafiComputer Information Systems
Ibrahem AlrumaihComputer Information Systems
Miguel A. AnguloSoftware EngineeringDistinguished Graduate
April ArredondoEngineering Systems Management
Amit Kumar Singh BaisyaIndustrial Engineering
Ravi Kiran BoppanaSoftware Engineering
Lorena DiazComputer Engineering
Nathan A. HumpalElectrical Engineering
Amy M. LopesSoftware EngineeringDistinguished Graduate
Sonachi MogboguComputer Information Systems
Abdullah B. NegroIndustrial Engineering
Edrey C. OliveiraSoftware Engineering
Nileshkumar Parsottamdas PatelComputer Information Systems
Paul M. RojasSoftware Engineering
Dante C. TezzaSoftware EngineeringDistinguished Graduate
Lashelle U. VillarrealEngineering Systems Management
Bachelor of Science
Abdulrahman T. AbualshamatIndustrial Engineering
Sylvia Adu-GyamfiBiologyCum Laude
Michelle E. AkanaChemistryCum LaudeHonors Program ScholarMARC U*STAR ScholarPresidential Award Recipient
Abdulaziz O. AlamoudiIndustrial Engineering
Rafa S. AlamriIndustrial Engineering
Ahmad A. AlbakheetIndustrial Engineering
Jassim A. AlbinaliIndustrial Engineering
Abdulmohsen AldreesIndustrial Engineering
Othman F. AlfayezIndustrial Engineering
Ali N. AljubranIndustrial Engineering
St. Mary’s UniversityOne Hundred and Sixty-fifth Annual Spring Commencement
19
Fatima F. Al-QuaitiChemistryCum LaudeHonors Program ScholarMARC U*STAR ScholarPresidential Award Recipient
Mohammad F. AlshobbarElectrical Engineering
Vianey L. AraujoBiology
Alvaro C. ArreolaBiology
Bettina L. BabuBiologyCum Laude
Jemima K. BacaBiology
Jazmin G. Beltran GastelumBiology
Cynthia N. BogranBiology
Aaron C. BrennanMechanical Engineering
Alejandra D. CardenasBiologyCum Laude
Damian D. CisnerosBiology
Nicholas M. CordovaBiology
Rosa I. Cruz CovaBiology
Aurea F. DiasIndustrial Engineering
Diana L. DiazChemistryCum Laude
Michael L. DiazComputer Engineering
Carlos DuenesElectrical Engineering
Hernan DuranIndustrial Engineering
Oyinbrakame A. EdogiIndustrial Engineering
Julia EwalefoBiology
Rodrigo E. Fernandez PradoIndustrial Engineering
Omar GarciaApplied Physics
Breana M. GarzaEngineering Science
Elias M. GonzalezBiology
Isiah A. GriffinBiology
Karla GuerraBiologyCum Laude
Johnathan HaddockElectrical Engineering
Ryan M. HoskinsEnvironmental Science
Mahum IjazBiology
Yajaira S. JimenezBiologyCum LaudePresidential Award Recipient
Flor Y. JuradoEngineering Management
Ghali M. KassimElectrical Engineering
Luke A. KellerMechanical EngineeringCum Laude
Brittney V. LacekEngineering Science
Benjamin J. LeeMechanical EngineeringCum Laude
Stephanny LizarragaBiology
Todd N. LombardiApplied PhysicsSumma Cum Laude
Ovidio J. LopezMechanical Engineering
Armando MaciasElectrical Engineering
Kayla F. MartinezBiology
Megan T. MedranoBiologyCum LaudeHonors Program Scholar
Bahaa S. MogariIndustrial Engineering
St. Mary’s UniversityOne Hundred and Sixty-fifth Annual Spring Commencement
20
Montana MontesBiology
Jasmine N. MoralesBiology
Alma K. Moreno RomeroBiology
Joshua L. MosseriMechanical Engineering
Thanh N. NguyenBiochemistrySumma Cum LaudeHonors Program Scholar
Mario R. NuñezElectrical Engineering Honors Program
Cristian A. ParraBiology
Miguel A. PelayoMechanical Engineering
Kimberly E. PerdichoChemistry
Aenea M. Ponce De LeonBiologyMagna Cum LaudeHonors Program Scholar
Rayan H. QasemIndustrial Engineering
Joseph M. RamosIndustrial Engineering
Keyera L. RandolphBiochemistryMARC U*STAR Scholar
Ashley S. RangelBiologyCum LaudeHonors Program Scholar
Mario A. Rincon RecioMechanical Engineering
Jelmy D. Rivas GarzaIndustrial Engineering
Gerardo L. RiveraEngineering ManagementMagna Cum Laude Honors Program
Nathan D. RobertsEngineering Science
Michael A. RobledoMechanical Engineering
Jennifer RochaBiology
Aaron RodriguezApplied Physics
Augustin RodriguezBiologyMagna Cum Laude
Daniel A. RodriguezSoftware Engineering
Nicole M. RodriguezIndustrial EngineeringMcNair Scholar
Raul A. RodriguezPhysics - Biophysics OptionCum Laude
Stephany I. RodriguezBiology
Christian D. RomeroSoftware Engineering
Bianca A. RomoBiologySumma Cum LaudeMARC U*STAR Scholar
Brandon J. RuizBiology
Alejos SalazarSoftware EngineeringCum Laude
Amy M. SalgadoSoftware Engineering
Nadia N. SalibBiology
Alexandra SalinasEnvironmental ScienceHonors Program ScholarMcNair Scholar
Brett D. SchneiderChemistrySumma Cum LaudeHonors Program ScholarMARC U*STAR Scholar
Fernando A. UrbinaEngineering Management
Ethan E. ValdezBiochemistry
Juan ValdezBiochemistry
Daniel A. VargasComputer ScienceMagna Cum LaudeMcNair Scholar
St. Mary’s UniversityOne Hundred and Sixty-fifth Annual Spring Commencement
21
Bachelor of Arts
Michelle E. AkanaMathematicsCum LaudeHonors Program ScholarMARC U*STAR ScholarPresidential Award Recipient
Fatima F. Al-QuaitiMathematicsCum LaudeHonors Program ScholarMARC U*STAR ScholarPresidential Award Recipient
Lorena AlvarezChemistry
Jasmine N. BenavidezBiology
Charis E. CastilloComputer Science/Application SystemsSumma Cum Laude
Tori L. CrandallBiology
Richard V. DavilaMathematics
Brian J. DiazMathematicsSumma Cum LaudeMcNair Scholar
James A. GallowayMathematics
Alexis N. GonzalezMathematicsMcNair Scholar
Michael C. GregoryComputer Science/Application SystemsCum Laude
Tyler A. HaeckerMathematics
Miguel IbarraComputer Science/Application Systems
Genne LiuEnvironmental ScienceMcNair Scholar
Cassandra LozanoMathematics
Tiffany A. McDougalMathematics
Angelica M. MendozaBiology
Vicente MolinaComputer Science/Application Systems
Alena E. MorenoBiology
Vincent L. NelsonComputer Information SystemsCum Laude
Karina E. Perez GalindoBiology
Brandon Jared C. PosadasComputer Science/Application Systems
Graciela A. RamirezMathematics
Mario RoblesBiology
Joseph A. SandovalBiology
Brett D. SchneiderMathematicsSumma Cum LaudeHonors Program Scholar
Rachael A. ScicchitanoMathematicsSumma Cum LaudePresidential Award Recipient
Lauren N. SlaughterMathematics
Megan T. SteadmanMathematicsSumma Cum Laude
Melissa VargasEngineering Science
Nivaldo F. VicenteIndustrial Engineering
Ray Xyruz T. VillarizBiology
Ellysa J. VogtBiologyMARC U*STAR Scholar
Kristal A. WilliamsEngineering ScienceSumma Cum Laude
Edgar YanezSoftware EngineeringCum Laude
Diego I. ZamudioEngineering Management
Luis C. ZaragozaIndustrial Engineering
St. Mary’s UniversityOne Hundred and Sixty-fifth Annual Spring Commencement
22
Reserve Officer Training Corps
St. Mary’s University is proud to recognize its graduates who received commission as Second Lieutenants in the United States Army on Friday, May 12, 2017.
Second Lieutenant
Krisztofer BanalesSignal Corps Texas National Guard
Alicia CadenaMedical ServicesActive Duty
Jalahn Cucuta HarrisAdjutant General ’s Corps Army Reserve
Joshua DavilaInfantryActive Duty
Max LagunaArmor Active Duty
Nathaniel LandryAviationActive Duty
Jessica LunaMilitary Intelligence Army Reserves
Katherine MyersMilitary Intelligence Texas National Guard
Nathan RobertsField Artillery Active Duty
Elisha RoybalTransportation Corps Active Duty
Juan Torres ValenzuelaInfantryActive Duty
St. Mary’s UniversityOne Hundred and Sixty-fifth Annual Spring Commencement
23
2016–2017 Distinguished Faculty Teaching Awards
Jillian Pierucci, Ph.D.Assistant Professor of Psychology
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
J. Colin McQuillan, Ph.D.Assistant Professor of Philosophy
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Margaret Langford, Ph.D.Professor of Management
Greehey School of Business
Jason Shaw, Ph.D.Associate Professor of Mathematics
School of Science, Engineering and Technology
Carolyn Tubbs, Ph.D.Associate Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy
School of Humanities and Social Sciences Graduate Studies
Genevieve Hébert-Fajardo, J.D.Clinical Professor of Law
School of Law
St. Mary’s UniversityOne Hundred and Sixty-fifth Annual Spring Commencement
24
An intercollegiate commission in 1893 drafted a uniform code for academic caps, gowns and hoods which has since been accepted by 800 or more degree-granting colleges and universities in the United States. With the exception of revision of 1937 and 1959, the code has been virtually unchanged since its inception.
Three types of gowns and three types of hoods have been devised for candidates for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, respectively. Of the three components of the academic costume, the hood provides the best clues for identifying the level of the degree, the field of learning in which it is given, and the institution which awarded it.
The level of the degree is shown by the size of the hood, the width of the velvet trimming, and, in the case of the doctors, by the shape. The bachelor’s, master’s and doctor’s hoods are three feet, three and one-half feet, and four feet long, respectively. In the same order, the velvet trimming is two, three and five inches wide. This velvet trimming extends all around the hood on the exposed edge, but to make a more comfortable fit, it is allowed to narrow at the neck band. The color of the trim denotes the field of learning. The school from which a degree is received is indicated by the school’s colors on the hood lining.
Following is a list of colors established by the intercollegiate code to represent the different departments of learning:
Today, St. Mary’s University will formally hood the recipients of the Doctor of Philosophy degree. Thewording of the degree and not the department in which major work was done determines the color forthe velvet trim on the hood; thus, the Doctor of Philosophy degree requires the dark blue for Philosophy.Recipients of the Master of Arts, Master of Public Administration, Master of Business Administrationand Master of Science will enter the arena wearing the hoods of their respective degrees.
(adapted from the Encyclopedia Britannica, “Robes”)
WhiteDrabCopperLight BlueOrangeBrownCrimsonPurpleLemon
GreenPinkSilver GrayDark BlueSage GreenPeacock BlueGold YellowCitronScarlet
Arts, Letters and Humanities Business AdministrationEconomicsEducationEngineeringFine ArtsJournalismLawLibrary Sciences
History of Academic Apparel
MedicineMusicSpeech, DramaPhilosophyPhysical EducationPublic AdministrationSciencesSocial SciencesTheology
Hooding of Degree Candidates at St. Mary’s University