Gateway to Service Commencement Weekend
April 30 – May 2, 2021
Commencement Weekend
April 30 – May 2, 2021 Mission Washington Adventist University is a learning community committed to the Seventh-day Adventist Christian vision of excellence and service. This cosmopolitan institution challenges students to seize the opportunities for learning in the nation’s capital, in order to become moral leaders in communities throughout the world.
Class of 2021 Theme “Oh the places we’ll go”
Class of 2021Motto P.U.S.H. – Persist Until Success Happens
Scripture “Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary.” – Galatians 6:9 (NASB)
Washington Adventist University 2 Commencement 2021 Gateway to Service Dear WAU Graduate: Congratulations on your outstanding academic accomplishment! A few years ago you entered through the Gateway to Service at Washington Adventist University seeking the required knowledge on your career pathway to become a competent moral leader in preparation to serve in communities throughout the world. We are excited that you chose WAU to support you on your career journey. Your success is not a surprise; it is well earned. As you leave the University through the Gateway to Service, put knowledge into action and change the world by linking scholarship with service. Continue to be committed to a belief and value system that results in responsible moral choices and the care of the body, mind, and spirit. The purpose of the Washington Adventist University experience is not only for you to earn a degree, but to prepare you to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Your earned degree is not designed to elevate you above others, but to vertically connect you to God and horizontally connect you with others in meaningful ways. Make every interaction with people an opportunity to leave people feeling a little better. Become a hero by submitting yourself to the needs of others. Class of 2021, put your academic accomplishments to work by serving your community; your every act of service makes a difference! Although COVID-19 remains a factor in our plans for celebrating your accomplishments, we will not allow it to dampen our spirits for recognizing celebrating your academic accomplishments. This new environment presented new challenges, but you demonstrated the tenacity, persistence, and grit to be successful in magnificent ways. Please join me in expressing appreciation to our valued faculty and to the entire WAU learning community for their dedication and commitment to your success. You are now a distinguished alumnus of Washington Adventist University! You are now a lifelong partner in making the mission of WAU a reality for others! Congratulations! May the Love of God, the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be your support throughout life’s journey!
Sincerely,
Weymouth Spence, Ed.D., R.T. President
Washington Adventist University 3 Commencement 2021 Consecration Friday, April 30, 2021 7:00 pm
Pre-Music Andante from Cello Sonata in G minor Sergei Rachmaninoff Ricardo Flores, Jr., cello Michael Patterson, piano
Welcome Ralph Johnson, Vice President Student Life
Invocation Brendon Albury, Graduate
Scripture Reading Galatians 6:9 NASB Daisy Lizama (English) Rosa Turcios (Spanish) V. Michelle Neyra (Italian) Stephen Horvath (Portuguese) Phina Jeannite (Hatian Creole)
Musical Selection Via Dolorosa Billy Sprague Felipe Paccagnella, voice & guitar
Tributes Class Reflections – Sihlé Sharrieff-Hayward, Video Presentations Class President Sherwin Simpson, Class Vice President
Introduction of Speaker Bogdan Scur, Professor of Religion
Consecration Address “No Excuses” Charles Tapp, President Potomac Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Class Pastor’s Response Javel Walcott, Graduate Class Pastor
Musical Selection The Christmas Lullaby Jason Robert Brown Rachael Jackson, mezzo-soprano Michael Patterson, piano
Litany of Consecration Cheryl Kisunzu, Leader V. Michelle Neyra, Graduate Jarilyn Conner, Faculty Reginald Garçon, Staff Ricardo Flores, Parent
Washington Adventist University 4 Commencement 2021 Consecration Friday, April 30, 2021 7:00 pm Leader: Lord, we now present this class to You in this time of opportunity and crisis. May they not lose their focus, by the distractions of the world. May they commit their abilities to You.
Graduates: As we begin our new roles, we accept the challenge, to trust in the Lord and use our gifts for service. We recognize that we are gifted differently, not because we should be separate or alienated from each other. We are different, in order to realize our need for each other.
Faculty/Staff/Administration: We have guided, nurtured, and shaped you during your years at Washington Adventist University. As you leave, we pray for your continued progress to serve in families and corporations, in businesses and schools, in hospitals and houses of worship—teaching, ministering, healing, and working for justice and equality.
Parents: Lord, may they use their talents for the good of humanity—knowing that their maturity will be judged by how well they are able to disagree and yet continue to love one another, to cherish one another, to seek the greater good of each other.
Leader: Forgive us Lord for having treated with disdain the weak, the poor, the unemployed, the immigrants, the depressed, the “failures.” Forgive us for not living out your love.
Graduates: Forgive us for not showing compassion and care, for making power and money the gods at whose altars we have bowed our knees. Now give us grace to trust in and rely confidently on You with all our hearts.
Faculty/Staff/Administration: Lord, give them the courage to acknowledge their inadequacies and to rely on You for strength, to act justly in this chaotic world.
Graduates: Give us wisdom to understand and to act honestly, to use our diverse talents faithfully—not for personal advancement but for ministering to our broken homes and fractured communities.
Congregation (Leader): Give them good judgment to be models of authentic living, so others can learn of your love. Protect them from the gods of power, gold, and greed.
Graduates: As we leave the protection and support of this campus environment, we grounded champions, trust the Lord to grant us the desires of our hearts and pledge to serve Him and humanity.
All (Leader): Stay focused, God has promised to be with you. So Lord, give them the audacious compassion to be the humble servants this world needs.
Leader: Lord, help the graduates to always keep that vision in their view, to have the courage in their heart to be the change this world needs.
Graduates: Lord, with our varied gifts and abilities, we accept the challenge and present ourselves for consecration to You, for active service to humanity. Joan A. Francis
Washington Adventist University 5 Commencement 2021 Consecration Friday, April 30, 2021 7:00 pm
Benediction Sam Perez, Chair of Biology & Chemistry Departments
Post Music Ballad Albert Perilhou Courtney Tooley, flute Michael Patterson, piano
Washington Adventist University 6 Commencement 2021 Baccalaureate Saturday, May 1, 2021 11:00 Am
Sligo Live Angelique Spellman, Graduate Lakshmi Kistappa, Graduate
Prelude Notturno Edvard Grieg Marina Lopatina, piano
Processional Fanfare from La Peri Paul Dukas Washington Concert Winds
Welcome and Church Life Don McFarlane, Interim Senior Pastor Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church
Weymouth Spence, President Washington Adventist University
Invocation Emilie Flores, Graduate
Hymn of Praise There’s Sunshine in My Soul Today, No. 470
Anthem Concerto for 4 Violins in B minor Antonio Vivaldi Emilie Flores, Alexander Marte, Preston Hawes, Brian Liu, violins
Prayer Tijuana Griffin, Director of Nursing
Children’s Message Enoh Nkana, Assistant Professor of Education
Scripture Reading Galatians 6:9 NASB Brooke Tucker, Graduate
Introduction of Speaker Weymouth Spence, President
Anthem Let the People Praise Thee William Mathias Pro Musica
Sermon “IF” Henry Fordham, President Allegheny East Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Washington Adventist University 7 Commencement 2021 Baccalaureate Saturday, May 1, 2021 11:00 Am
Invitation to Give Sherwin Simpson, Class Vice President
Hymn of Dedication How Great Thou Art, No. 86
Benediction Michel Onongha, Graduate
Benediction Response Lighten Our Darkness Alexander L’Estrange Pro Musica
Recessional Concerto Grosso, No. 1 Ernest Block New England Youth Ensemble
Washington Concert Winds Michael Patterson, director
Pro Musica Anwar Ottley, director
New England Youth Ensemble Preston Hawes, director
Paul Byssainthe, organ
Washington Adventist University 8 Commencement 2021 Commencement Sunday, May 2, 2021 10:00 Am Presidential Processional Pomp and Circumstance No. 1 Edward Elgar
Invocation Dhaya Nandipamu, Professor of Nursing
Scripture Reading Galatians 6:9 NASB Javel Walcott, Class Pastor
SGPS Representative Lakshmi Kistappa, SGPS Representative
Class President’s Address Sihlé Sharrief-Hayward, Class President
Honors College Representative Remarks V. Michelle Neyra, Honors College Representative
Special Recognitions Weymouth Spence, President
Introduction of Speaker Weymouth Spence, President
Commencement Address “God’s Places” William Miller, Trustee, WAU Board
Conferring of Degrees Weymouth Spence, President Cheryl Kisunzu, Provost
Presentation of Diplomas Brenda Chase, Dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies Reginald Garçon, Registrar
President’s Charge Weymouth Spence, President
Class Gift Sherwin Simpson, Senior Class Vice President
Welcome to Alumni Stephen F. Brennwald, President WAU Alumni Association
Benediction Jonathan Scriven, Associate Director Honors College
Recessional Prelude from Te Deum Marc-Antoine Charpentier
Processional/Recessional Musicians Jose Oviedo, trumpet Mark Di Pinto, piano
Washington Adventist University 9 Commencement 2021 2021 Speaker Biographies Speaker Biography
CHARLES ANTOINE TAPP Consecration Address Pastor Charles Antoine Tapp was born in Evansville, Indiana, but spent the majority of his youth in St. Louis, Missouri where he joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church at the age of 16, becoming the only Adventist in his family. He attended Oakwood College and Andrews University where he received a Bachelors degree in Theology and Accounting and a Masters in Divinity respectively.
Over the past 37 years, he has served in the Northeastern Conference, the Inter- American Division, the South Central and the Potomac Conferences of Seventh- day Adventists. Pastor Tapp’s ministry has not been limited to the pulpit, but in addition to his pastoral ministry, he has worked in the field of radio and television broadcasting as an announcer, voiceover artist, producer and host of several programs. In addition to his work in media, Pastor Tapp has also served as an instructor on several Adventists college and university campuses including Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville Jamaica and Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama.
For the past 10 years he has served as the Senior Pastor of the Sligo SDA Church in Takoma Park, MD and as an adjunct instructor in the Department of Religion, as well as the School of Graduate and Professional Studies at Washington Adventist University (formerly Columbia Union College) located in Takoma Park, Maryland since 1996. His desire to see prayer become an integral part in the lives of young people prompted him to develop the course, The Fundamentals of Prayer, which in 2001 became a part of the WAU’s curriculum. Most recently, he was appointed President of the Potomac Conference in Virginia.
Pastor Tapp has been married to the former Maureen Mair for thirty-five years. They have been blessed with three adult daughters, Maeling, Tiffany and Victoria.
Playing tennis, gardening, writing, listening to inspirational music, researching Adventist history, and vacationing with his family, are just a few of the activities that he enjoys.
The passage of scripture that has provided both strength and encouragement throughout his life and ministry is Zechariah 4:6, “...for it is not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord of Hosts.”
Washington Adventist University 11 Commencement 2021 Speaker Biography
HENRY J. FORDHAM, III Baccalaureate Speaker Elder Henry J. Fordham, III attended Pine Forge Academy; however, graduated from Oakwood Academy in 1961. He also attended Benjamin Franklin School of Science and Arts and was certified as an X-Ray Technician. Shortly after this, he married Sharon Elaine Wright. Together, the two started a family in Germantown, OH, and were blessed with three sons and one daughter, recently deceased. At this point in Elder Fordham’s life, he expected to quietly live and raise his family in this rural area of Ohio, but his life would soon change quite drastically.
Shortly after the birth of his last child, he felt that the Holy Spirit wanted him to join the ministry, and in 1970 he and his family moved to Huntsville, AL, so that he might attend Oakwood University – “God’s School.”
In 1973, Elder Fordham graduated with a double major in History and Theology. Almost immediately he enrolled in the graduate program at Ohio State University and received a Master’s degree in Jewish history. In the fall of 1974, he was hired as a teacher by Pine Forge Academy and taught several subjects which included: history, world culture, Bible and art. He continued to teach until 1976 when he was called to the ministry by Elder Luther R. Palmer. After much fasting and praying, he accepted this call and was finally ordained in 1979.
Elder Fordham has pastored the following churches: Sharon Temple Church of Wilmington, DE; Emmanuel in Brinklow, MD/Berryville, Virginia/Frederick, MD district; and Berea Temple in Baltimore, MD. From Berea Temple, Elder Fordham was elected by the constituency to serve as the Ministerial Secretary, Personal Ministries Director and the Director for Religious Liberty for the Allegheny East Conference Corporation. It was while serving in this capacity, that he was also assigned to serve as interim pastor of several of the conference churches, which included Capitol Hill in Washington, DC; Dupont Park in Washington, DC; Trinity Temple in Newark, NJ; Cedars of Lebanon in Chesapeake, VA; and again Emmanuel in Brinklow, MD. Elder Fordham is privileged to have evangelized in South Africa; East Africa; West Africa; England; Australia; Puerto Rico; Bogotá Columbia in South America. He also participated in several campaigns in India and had the honor of personally meeting Mother Theresa in Calcutta.
Elder Fordham has served on several committees with the Allegheny East Conference Corporation, the Columbia Union, and also on the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Communications Commission. He has also been awarded several commendations from the political establishments of the Maryland area for his work in the community which includes commendations from Mayor Kurt Schmoke of Baltimore City, and also from the U.S. Congress House of Representatives, and the Honorable Kwasi Mfume, Democrat from Maryland. He has served as Mayor for the day in Preston, England and was declared a Distinguished Citizen of Louisville, Kentucky by its mayor, David L. Amstrong.
On December 10, 2010, Elder Fordham was awarded a Doctorate in Theology after successfully completing The United Theological Research University’s, External Studies and Research scheme as prescribed by the University, which has approved accreditation by Berkeley University, California.
On October 14, 2012, Elder Henry J. Fordham, III was elected to serve as the president of the Allegheny East Conference.
Through his life, Elder Fordham has continued to prove that “We can build on the possibilities and make them realities and by the sweat of our brow and the execution of our faith, we will not only become the avant-garde of our time, but also the children of our Most High God!”
Washington Adventist University 12 Commencement 2021 Speaker Biography
WILLIAM MILLER Commencement Speaker
Dr. Miller began his ministry in 1981 with the Pacific Union Conference as a College Pastoral Intern, Taskforce Worker Youth Ministries, Associate Pastor, Bible Teacher and a Youth Pastor for the Northern California Conference and ordained in 1987. He accepted a call to the Hawaii Conference as their Youth, Sabbath School, Temperance, NSO Director in 1987 until 1991, and in 1991 became the Youth Ministries Director for the Northern California Conference. In 1996 he began a ministry with North Pacific Union Conference as the Senior Pastor of Olympia Seventh-day Adventist Church for the Washington Conference. Elder Miller then became the Vice President of Administration in 1997.
In 2001 he accepted a call to the Mid America Union Conference as President of the Minnesota Conference and served until the Fall of 2006.
He was elected president of Potomac Conference in August 2006 and served until March of 2021. He completed his Doctorate of Ministry in Leadership with a special emphasis in Servant Leadership from Andrews University in 2014.
Dr. Miller is married to Dr. Sally Miller who serves as the director for Advanced Practice Providers for the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. She received her doctorate from Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA. They are the parents of three young adults: Dwight (Pulmonologist), Calvin (Pharm D) & daughter-in-law Jewels (Radiologist), and Brianna MBA who serves as a VP for Advent Health in Orlando FL.
Dr. Miller enjoys: Reading and seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus Adventure sports (white water rafting, mountaineering; marathons) Working on high points of the different states Mentoring, Coaching leadership Traveling to experience new cultures
Washington Adventist University 13 Commencement 2021 Class of 2021 Class of 2021
CLASS STATISTICS* Class Organization
President July 2020 Graduates: 42 Sihlé Nailah Nishunti Sharrieff-Hayward
December 2020 Graduates: 80 Vice President Sherwin Geraad Simpson May 2021 Graduates: 156* Secretary Kedon Francois George The 275 graduates are comprised of the following degrees: Pastor Graduate degrees: Javel Wade Walcott 1 Master of Science in Nursing Education 3 Master of Science in Nursing and Business Leadership SGPS Representative 8 Master of Business Administration Lakshmi Kistappa 13 Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology Grand Marshall 14 Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Grant Leitma, Professor 22 Master of Arts in Health Care Administration Department of Psychology 2 Master of Arts in Public Administration 1 Master of Arts in Religion Sponsors Lloyd Yutuc, Manager University Baccalaureate degrees: Bookstore 45 Bachelor of Arts Ashlee Chambers, First Year Resident 4 Bachelor of Music Life Coordinator and Assistant Dean of 161 Bachelor of Science Women
Associate degrees: 13 Associate of Applied Science 1 Associate of Arts
*May 2021 Statistics will not be officially confirmed until final grades have been received.
Washington Adventist University 15 Commencement 2021 Candidates July 2020 – May 2021
The list of degree and award recipients is tentative, and the University reserves the right to withdraw or add names. Official proof of degree completion is provided only by diploma and transcript. ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE Melanie Clarissa Villanueva≠ Radiologic Technology Mohammed Shikur Awol≠ Cum Laude Radiologic Technology Jackline Wambui Wahu≠ Worku Negi Ayano≠ Radiologic Technology Radiologic Technology Cum Laude
Eric Rodrigue Bitkeu Bongni≠ Radiologic Technology ASSOCIATE OF ARTS Cum Laude Sylvia Solomon≠ Kailee Noel Blackard≠ General Studies (Science/Social Science) Radiologic Technology
Jacqualine Breman* BACHELOR OF SCIENCE Radiologic Technology Ruth Ujiro Abolade≠ Fasika Eshetu≠ Nursing Radiologic Technology Cum Laude Lazar Acimic* Business Studies Ephrem Tsegaye Hailemichael≠ Radiologic Technology Marisel Adames-Nunez≠ Health Science Yessica Verenis Martinez-Molina≠ Radiologic Technology Tolulope F. Adedeji≠ Nursing Orphelia Hermine Senaya≠ Radiologic Technology Omowunmi Bunmi Adedokun† General Studies (Allied Health and Science) Farhat Shaikh≠ Radiologic Technology Adebimpe Adeyiga# Nursing Sihlé Nailah Nishunti Sharrieff-Hayward≠ Accounting Arinola Folasade Akingbesote≠ Cum Laude Nursing
Washington Adventist University 16 Commencement 2021 Syndie Alcius# Candice Jean Berner* Nursing Computer Science
Bukola Bamidele Alofe≠ Anthony Matinez Best≠ Nursing Business Administration
Aila Saleh Alqarni≠ Ejigayehu Yitna Beyene# Computer Science Nursing
Abdulrahman Tawfiq Alshiha* Eric Rodrigue Bitkeu Bongni≠ Health Science Medical Imaging Cum Laude Adzo Tania Amega# Nursing Carole Gerodine Leukam Bittner# Nursing Tirzah Ruth Noelle Andrade≠ Counseling Psychology Kailee Noel Blackard≠ Summa Cum Laude Medical Imaging
Nivdarla Anselme# Celon Blair≠ General Studies (Psychology and Respiratory Care) Counseling Psychology; Health Care Administration Worku Negi Ayano≠ Medical Imaging D’Shanee A. Blake≠ Health Science Mekedlawet Getachew Ayele≠ Nursing Ronald Eugene Blankenship≠ Information Systems Mowaninuola Ayodeji# Cum Laude Nursing Rosalynn Boakye≠ Aissata Barry≠ Health Care Administration Accounting; Business Administration Cum Laude (Management) Cum Laude Evelyn Awuradjoa Bonney≠ Nursing Esther Madiana Bayoh≠ Counseling Psychology Sohail Javid Buggan≠ Medical Laboratory Science Youree S. Beason≠ Cum Laude Nursing Rhodell Carter, Jr.≠ Yajaira Melisa Beletzuy Donis# Health Care Administration Nursing
Washington Adventist University 17 Commencement 2021 Gordon Lander Cartnail III≠ Maimouna Diarra≠ Counseling Psychology Business Administration (Management) Cum Laude Gianfranco Miguel Castillon≠ Business Administration (International Business) Ellerab Grace-Suze Dorval≠ Business Administration (Management) Linda M. Charaf≠ Nursing Edgardo Luis Echevarria, Jr.≠ Fitness and Sport Science Ji Youn Choi≠ ≠ Nursing Emmanuel Enriquez Health Science Ifunanya Chukwu# ≠ Nursing Elaina Carmela Ertel Cum Laude Counseling Psychology Cum Laude ≠ Stefone A. Coburn ≠ General Studies (Social Science and Social Work) Rossie Abigail Espino Business Administration (Entrepreneurship)
Courtney Collier≠ Amaka Emmanuella Ezirike≠ General Studies (Social Science and Social Work) Nursing
≠ Summa Cum Laude Lydia Mballu Conteh Nursing Hadiatu Kadija Falama≠ Nursing D’Ombrix Cooper≠ Cum Laude Counseling Psychology Miriam Sia Fayia# ≠ Nicholas Andrew Cunningham Counseling Psychology Computer Science Gabriela Fernandez Linares≠ ≠ Abibatu Dainkeh Business Administration (Marketing) Health Care Administration Mekonnen Geremew Firew≠ Irene Fafa Degbe≠ Nursing Nursing Ricardo Flores≠ Lizeth Noemy Del-Cid≠ Accounting; Business Administration (Finance) General Studies (Social Science and Social Work) Magna Cum Laude Nathalie Ngankam Foyet≠ Nursing Mamadou Pathe Diallo# Nursing Patricia M. Francis-Budd# Health Care Administration
Washington Adventist University 18 Commencement 2021 Cindy Giselle Garcia≠ Brittany Ngozi Ibeawuchi≠ Counseling Psychology Nursing
Taiwo Hassan Gbadebo≠ Nancy Ihuoma Ichita# Nursing Nursing
Mahlet Negussie Geteye≠ Adeola Oluwatoyin Ifekoya# Nursing Nursing
Tackesha Gordon≠ Phina Jeannite≠ Nursing Nursing
Alejandro Arturo Grandez≠ Fiseline Jeannite# Nursing Nursing Cum Laude Alexis Marie Johnson≠ Sarah Nicole Gutierrez# Counseling Psychology Nursing Cum Laude Marie Claire Kaberamanzi≠ Nursing Ephrem Tsegaye Hailemichael≠ Medical Imaging Richard Arinda Kabonero# Business Administration Ayele Zewge Hailmeskel≠ Nursing Joceline Ntumba Kabongo≠ Nursing Shauna Delina Harvey# General Studies (Health Fitness Management Matilda Chinenye Kalu# and Fitness and Sport Science) Nursing
Stephen Brian Hassel≠ Adebukola A. Kayode≠ Information Systems Nursing
Litisha Z. Hawkins# Arno Keshishi# Nursing Medical Imaging
D’Anna Kay Hines* Francillia Gabrielle Kimbembe# General Studies (Biology and Mathematics) Biology
Licia Holsendorff* Eleanor Nahbila Kobe# Fitness and Sport Science Nursing
John Williams Yayisse Houedenou≠ Salamatu Neneh Koroma≠ Biology Nursing
Washington Adventist University 19 Commencement 2021 Ismatu Fatima Koroma# Daniel Price Morgan* Nursing Medical Imaging
Fatima Zamzam Kudsy# Gladys Nantchouang Djampa≠ Nursing Nursing
Olateju Ladenegan# Lauren A. Nelson# Nursing Fitness and Sport Science Summa Cum Laude Hasani Brandon Lee# Biology Mariama Njoya# Nursing Eric Joseph Lindsey# General Studies (Public Relations & Rosemary Chidinma Nnabue-Ngwuike≠ Intercultural/Media Productions) Nursing Cum Laude Xavier Aquial Lyons≠ Health Fitness Management Mireille Francine Nountong Menko≠ Nursing Daniel D. K. Mahn* Nursing Carine Sirri Numfor# Nursing Laurice Georgette Mathe≠ Nursing Batool Mohammed Ridha Obaid≠ Medical Imaging Janaine Matthew≠ Health Science Glory C. Obi≠ Nursing Elijah Nai-kean Davon Maynard≠ Fitness and Sport Science Frances Osarugue Ojiemen≠ Nursing Spring Bonet Alexcia McCarthy≠ Counseling Psychology Cynthia I. Okala≠ Nursing Fitz-Earl Andrew McKenzie* Business Administration Jude Odogwu Okongwu≠ Medical Imaging Rigoberto Miga* Health Science Gbemisola Sade Olarewaju# Nursing Rachel Melissa Molina≠ Medical Imaging Michel Erim Onongha# Business Administration (Marketing) Cum Laude
Washington Adventist University 20 Commencement 2021 Roselyne A. Otanga≠ Sia Sesay≠ Nursing Biochemistry Magna Cum Laude Reynero Pacheco* Fitness and Sport Science Bethany Joy Sheridan≠ Cum Laude General Studies (Social Science and Social Work) Cum Laude Edith Kema Paul# Nursing Sydney Diane Simmons* Counseling Psychology Ciara Piquion≠ Nursing Sherwin Geraad Simpson≠ Business Administration (Management) Danielle Rose Pitter≠ Nursing Jorge Antonio Sorto Perez≠ Fitness and Sport Science Marylin Vanessa Portillo≠ Nursing Angelique Natasha Spellman# Nursing Sophia Samuelle Presume# Nursing Kadijah Chantel Stephenson≠ Health Care Administration Daniel Pinheiro Raimundo≠ Departmental Distinction Business Administration (Management) Taeylor Marie Stokes# Diamond Crystal Rankine* Counseling Psychology General Studies (Social Science and Social Work) Tina Tatiyana Stone# Brian Israel Reyes≠ Nursing Counseling Psychology Cordelia Muyang Tendoh# Monica Lissette Reyes-Serrano≠ Nursing Biology Tigist T. Tereda≠ Paola Rojas Rosario# Nursing Counseling Psychology Salomon Thiombiano* Andrew Karl Schug# Accounting Nursing Cum Laude Vanessa M. Thompson# Health Care Administration Orphelia Hermine Senaya≠ Departmental Distinction Medical Imaging
Washington Adventist University 21 Commencement 2021 Maggie Silas Tien≠ Martin DaeVon Wilson* Fitness and Sport Science General Studies (Computer Science/Information Systems and Mathematics/Graphic Arts) Eliezer Isaac Tineo≠ Health Care Administration Amen Yemane≠ Nursing Courtney Jeanne Tooley≠ Physical Education (Honors Interdisciplinary) Margaret Tin Zing# Nursing Brooke Ashley Denise Tucker≠ Counseling Psychology BACHELOR OF MUSIC Rosa Maria Turcios≠ General Studies (Education and Humanities) Courtney Ellen Daley# Cum Laude Music Education Cum Laude # Meron Rodolfo Vallery Nursing Emilie Rose Flores≠ Music Performance # Willes Vertilus Cum Laude Nursing Beatrice Serban* ≠ Thiago Vespa Moreira Music Performance Accounting Magna Cum Laude
# Lucas Vespa Moreira Sonali Olivia Singh≠ Business Administration (International Business) Music Performance
Gisselle Stephanie Villeda≠ Health Care Administration BACHELOR OF ARTS Cum Laude
≠ Ashley Brittany Wilhite* Ahmed Mohamed Al Omari General Studies (Intercultural Communication Political Studies and Public Relations) # Meshari Ali Albishi Haley Alexis Williams# Public Communication (Public Relations) Biology ≠ Meshari Ahmed Alharbi Stuart Gavin Williams# Public Communication (Public Relations) Information Systems ≠ Omar Abdullah Alkhalifah Public Communication (Public Relations)
Washington Adventist University 22 Commencement 2021 Mouyyed Maged Ayamani* Emmanuel Clarence Fortin* Political Studies Theology (Pastoral Ministry)
Katherine Elizabeth Ashworth# Kedon Francois George≠ Early Childhood Education/Special Education Religion
Muhab Mohammed Asiri* Mackenzie G. Goaneh≠ Public Communication (Public Relations) Psychology
Chata Atuanya≠ Keston Timothy Greene* Elementary Education/Special Education Religion
Ora Rebecca Battle≠ Stephen Michael Horvath≠ Public Communication (Intercultural Liberal Studies: Elementary Education/Special Communication) Education Cum Laude Nerisa Suzette Ho-Sang† Jonathan Lewis Beebe≠ Early Childhood Education/Special Education Political Studies (Honors Interdisciplinary) Magna Cum Laude Rachael Anne Jackson# Music Ashley Morgan Blazek≠ Liberal Studies: Early Childhood Education/ Ashley Veronica Laing* Special Education Liberal Studies: Elementary Education/Special Cum Laude Education
Alania Bryan# Joseph Lazaro Estrella≠ Psychology Theology (Metropolitan Ministry) Cum Laude Josephene Burge≠ Liberal Studies: Early Childhood Education/ Rodrigo Lima Pereira# Special Education Political Studies (Pre-Law)
MacKenzie Synclair Cush≠ Daisy Marisol Lizama≠ Public Communication (Public Relations) Early Childhood Education/Special Education Summa Cum Laude Cum Laude
Ashley Monteiro Dasilva# Marina Lopatina≠ Political Studies (Pre-Law) English (Honors Interdisciplinary) Magna Cum Laude Madison Wells DeCamp* Liberal Studies: Early Childhood Education/ Michael Andre Malcolm≠ Special Education Religion (Metropolitan Ministry)
Washington Adventist University 23 Commencement 2021 Alexander V. Marte# Shelliaan Samantha Thorpe# Music Early Childhood Education/Special Education
Zakiya Renell McFarlane≠ Courtney Jeanne Tooley≠ English Music (Honors Interdisciplinary)
Emily Gisel Mendoza≠ Javel Wade Walcott≠ Psychology Theology (Pastoral Ministry) Magna Cum Laude Jorge William Mendoza≠ Theology (Pastoral Ministry) Lillian Wanjiku* History; Political Studies Caroline Moscoso≠ Liberal Studies: Early Childhood Care and Gabriela Leigh Whonder# Education History
Valerie Michelle Neyra≠ Public Communication (Public Relations, MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING Honors Interdisciplinary) EDUCATION Magna Cum Laude Miriam Cheptoo Kimetto*
Wendell David Phipps* Music MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING Cum Laude AND BUSINESS LEADERSHIP
Alis Danitza Rivera# Anny Liliane Keumeni* Early Childhood Education/Special Education Devie Lanice (Green) Phipps≠ Cum Laude Nuvi Lawson Fonkeheh Sama#
Anita Aman Sakhi≠ Liberal Studies: Elementary Education/Special MASTER OF BUSINESS Education ADMINISTRATION
Javier Esteban Scharon≠ Brendon Evan Albury# Theology (Urban Ministry) Alejandra Campos† Candida Dhanaraj# Sihlé Nailah Nishunti Sharrieff-Hayward≠ Cassilda Dhanaraj# Liberal Studies: Elementary Education/Special Tenbite Esayas* Education Abeer Seraj Hmaam≠ Cum Laude Julienne Esther Metellus† Chinenye Edna Ogbonna† Shannon Markita Nicole Smith* Asiatu Bintu Serry* English; Music Tarea Bianca Sturrup# Magna Cum Laude Vladimir Valeris*
Washington Adventist University 24 Commencement 2021 MASTER OF ARTS IN COUNSELING Deborah Chidiebere Daniel-Nzelu≠ PSYCHOLOGY Mayra Rebeca Dominguez de Ramirez# Obianuju Chinyere Efobi≠ Angelisa Dorothy Andrade# Ricardo Flores, Sr.* Rhode Shephelte Ducheine* Sheeba Franklin≠ Camardi Niemah Ezell* Elizabeth Gomes# Sherri-Ann Alicia Henry* Najma S. Khan≠ Coryne Sessions Lewis# Miriam Cheptoo Kimetto* Lorena Susana Martinez* Lakshmi Kistappa≠ Ashley Anne Moses# Naa Oyoo Shidaa Korney≠ Candice Lauren Pal# Nancy Lissbeth Lopez≠ Damaris Elisa Ramirez-Tolentino≠ Jemimah Mayanja≠ Kelli Marie Scheib* Jody Lynn Menick# Abdul Karim Sesay≠ Onaolapo Oluwaseun Oluwatayo≠ Kimberly B. Westfield* Dennis Brako Sarpong≠ Delicia Shemona Williams* Abasiakama Kenneth Umoh≠ Rebecca Waidande≠ Jason Yesudhas# MASTER OF ARTS IN CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING MASTER OF ARTS IN PUBLIC Adeteniola Adenike Adebayo* ADMINISTRATION Myesha Shawnie Booker# Camardi Niemah Ezell≠ Olusola Mary Oragbade# Cinia Galdames≠ Thomas Williams III# Jonathan Hernandez≠ Tsogong Penanjo Huguette# Charity Rebekah Jones# MASTER OF ARTS IN RELIGION Ambrose Edwin Christian Martin≠ Jomar Nicholas McFarlane* Elijah Kissi Offei# Themba Wanangwa Msisha≠ Religion (Clinical Pastoral Education) Lisa Naomi Pierre# Garmis A. Sena# Anthony Powell Terrelonge* ------Lissette Reyes Wright≠
† May 10, 2020 graduate MASTER OF ARTS IN HEALTH CARE * July 31, 2020 graduate ADMINISTRATION # December 31, 2020 graduate ≠ Graduating May 2, 2021 subject to completion Sherlin Banerjee≠ of coursework Suzana R. Callahan* Joy Chilipamushi≠ Carlan Alexander Melbourne Cogen≠
Washington Adventist University 25 Commencement 2021 Honors
ACADEMIC HONORS Shown within the candidates list are the following Latin and departmental honors:
Cum Laude - 3.50 Magna Cum Laude – 3.75 Summa Cum Ladue – 3.90
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Departmental Honors Departmental Distinction Cumulative below 3.50, but 3.90 within major
Washington Adventist University 26 Commencement 2021 The Washington Adventist University Honors College
The Washington Adventist University Honors College, the first honors college in the Seventh- day Adventist higher-education system, offers exceptional students the opportunity to take unique interdisciplinary majors and minors, and to combine the breadth of the Honors curriculum with the more specialized knowledge in other degree areas. Honors Interdisciplinary Double Majors are required to combine two major fields of study, or a major and a pre-professional program (such as Pre-Law or Pre-Medicine), and must complete Leadership and Service requirements that prepare them for future endeavors. All Honors College students who meet the curricular and GPA requirements wear the Honors College seal medallion at graduation and also be easily identified by their distinctive red robes. In addition, students who have completed the Honors College major requirements also wear an antique gold tassel to recognize their curricular achievement.
HONORS INTERDISCIPLINARY DOUBLE MAJOR: V. Michelle Neyra – Public Communication (Public Relations) Marina Lopatina – English Courtney Tooley – Music; Physical Education Jonathan Beebe – Political Studies
HONORS INTERDISCIPLINARY MINOR: Nicholas Cunningham Michel Onongha (Dec 2020)
Washington Adventist University 27 Commencement 2021 Academic Regalia
The black caps and gowns worn by the students, faculty, and staff in the academic procession have been the traditional costume of scholars since medieval times. In the United States, it is more commonly referred to as academic regalia.
Most colleges and universities in the United States have adopted the uniform code for costumes, drafted by an intercollegiate commission in 1893 and later formally adopted by the American Council on Education in 1959. Each of the three academic degrees—bachelor, master, and doctoral—has its own distinctive gown and hood. The bachelor’s gown is distinguished by its long, pointed sleeve. The master’s gown has a longer, narrower closed sleeve extending below the knee; the arm fits through a slit at the elbow. The doctor’s gown has a full, bell-shaped sleeve trimmed with three bars of velvet. The velvet trim on the gown can be black or a color indicating the wearer’s general field of learning—for example, green for medicine or purple for law. A list of departments and colors follows:
Business Administration—drab Communications—gray Economics—copper Education—light blue Law—purple Liberal Arts, Humanities—white Library Science—lemon Medicine—green Music—pink Nursing—apricot Philosophy—dark blue Public Administration—peacock blue Public Health—salmon Physical Education—sage green Social and Natural Sciences—golden yellow Social Work—citron Theology—scarlet
The most colorful and distinctive part of the academic costume is the hood extending down the back. The doctor’s is the largest of the hoods, and the bachelor’s is the smallest.
Silk lining of various colors in the center of the hood indicate the college or university which conferred the degree. Consistent for all degrees is the cap, or mortar board, which has a tassel of black or another color indicating the field of learning. The tassel of the doctor’s cap can be gold.
Some institutions of higher learning include cords or stoles as a component of the academic costume to represent certain achievements and honors. Washington Adventist University graduates are awarded silver cords to represent departmental distinction and gold cords to indicate academic honors.
Washington Adventist University 28 Commencement 2021 Graduation Events
Medical Imaging Pinning Ceremony Wednesday, April 28, 10:00am Student Activity Center Graduates Only
Honors College Senior Dedication Friday, April 30, 4:30-6:00pm Virtual
Nursing Pinning Sligo SDA Church Saturday, May 1, 4:00pm & 6:00pm Participants Only
Washington Adventist University 29 Commencement 2021 Provost Blessing
And now may these blessings come and stay with you. As you are blessed in the city and blessed in the country. Your children will be blessed.
You will be blessed when you come in and when you go out. The Lord will help you defeat the enemies that come to fight you. The Lord will bless you with full barns and He will bless everything you do. You will lend to other nations, but you will not need to borrow from them. The Lord will make you the head not the tail. (Deut. 28:3-13)
This is my prayer, it is my declaration over you ...
Cheryl H. Kisunzu, Your Provost
Washington Adventist University 30 Commencement 2021
Gateway to Service