The One Hundred Twenty-Ninth Commencement of Saint Peter ’s University Friday, May 21, 2021 Message from the President May 21, 2021 Dear Members of the Class of 2020: Today, we gather to recognize your achievement. I know this day looks a lot different from what you envisioned when you began your journey at Saint Peter’s. Your final weeks of being on-campus last year were abruptly uprooted. And yet during a time of great uncertainty you rose to the challenge, demonstrating great flexibility as you faced situations never faced before. While you have already begun the next chapter in your life, let us take this moment to officially recognize the successful completion of your degree. I am confident that your education has prepared you to excel intellectually, lead ethically, serve compassionately and promote justice as your journey continues. The Ignatian values instilled in you have provided a solid intellectual, moral and spiritual foundation on which to build a life full of gratitude, knowledge and community. Unquestionably, the Class of 2020 consists of future leaders who will forever be “men and women for others.” Know that as you join our Peacock family of more than 36,000 alumni, I am so proud of you and all that you have accomplished while here. You are part of a 129-year tradition and I look forward to seeing where the next journey takes you. In the words of Saint Ignatius, “go forth and set the world on fire.” Remember to stay in touch with alma mater so that we can continue to celebrate your successes. On behalf of everyone at Saint Peter’s, congratulations! Sincerely, Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D. President 3 The One Hundred Twenty-Ninth Commencement of Saint Peter ’s University Presiding: Frederick Bonato, Ph.D., Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Welcome Frederick Bonato, Ph.D., Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs Invocation Rev. Andrew Downing, S.J., Vice President for Mission and Ministry The National Anthem The Aidan C. McMullen Chorale Conferral of the Honorary Degree Rev. Gregory Boyle, S.J. Commencement Address Rev. Gregory Boyle, S.J. Recognition of the Jubilarians Class of 1970 Presentation of Graduate and Undergraduate Awards Valedictory Address Daniel James Gotshall ’20 Presentation of Graduates Conferral of Degrees in Course Farewell to the Graduates Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., President Final Blessing Jennifer Monsalve, M.A., Campus Minister The Alma Mater The Aidan C. McMullen Chorale Composed by Frederick Joslyn Lyrics by Richard I. Nevin Closing 3 Commencement Address Rev. Gregory Boyle, S.J. ev. Gregory Boyle, S.J., is the founder and director of Homeboy Industries, the world’s largest gang-intervention and rehabilitation program. Fr. Boyle taught at Loyola High School and worked with Christian Base Communities in Cochabamba, Bolivia. He was Pastor of Dolores Mission in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles from 1986 until 1992. Before returning to Dolores Mission, he served as Chaplain of the Islas RMarias Penal Colony in Mexico and at Folsom Prison. In 1992, as a response to the civil unrest in Los Angeles, Fr. Boyle launched Homeboy Bakery to provide training, work experience and the opportunity for rival gang members to work side by side. It would eventually become Homeboy Industries, which employs and trains former gang members in a range of social enterprises, as well as provides critical services to thousands of men and women who walk through its doors every year seeking a better life. Homeboy offers an “exit ramp” for those stuck in a cycle of violence and incarceration. The organization’s holistic approach, with free services and programs, supports 10,000 men and women a year as they work to overcome their pasts, re-imagine their futures, and break the inter-generational cycles of gang violence. Therapeutic and educational offerings (case management, counseling and classes), practical services (e.g., tattoo removal, work readiness and legal assistance) and job training-focused business (e.g., Homeboy Bakery, Homegirl Café and Homeboy Silkscreen & Embroidery) provide healing alternatives to gang life, while creating safer and healthier communities. Fr. Boyle is the author of the 2010 New York Times-bestseller Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion. His 2017 book is the Los Angeles Times-bestseller Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship. He has received the California Peace Prize and been inducted into the California Hall of Fame. In 2014, President Obama named Fr. Boyle a Champion of Change. He also received the University of Notre Dame’s 2017 Laetare Medal, the oldest honor given to American Catholics. Fr. Boyle holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and English from Gonzaga University, a master’s degree in English from Loyola Marymount University, a Master of Divinity from the Weston School of Theology and a Master of Sacred Theology from the Jesuit School of Theology. 4 5 College of Arts & Sciences Master of Arts in Communication and Public Relations Veronica Agudelo ** Rosa Maria Larios Zahria S. Perkins ** Jojenet Corpuz Encarnacion ** Annalisa Angela Leite ** Samantha Marie Rios * Felicia Grace Firmin Anthony Lopez-Rizzo * Nicole Francesca Santis * Christina Lisa Herbst ** Nicole Perilla ** Master of Public Administration Isaaida Carmona-Belliard ** Brenda Lee Lopez * Erica Y. Rodriguez ** Henriette Diene * Destini Veronique Lozada Johanna Soriano Keisher Denise Harris Alexis Monique Perez ** Bachelor of Arts Savannah Karim Abedrabbo ** Khier Angelo Casino * Vanessa Gomez Ashley Abuela ** Antonio Carlos P. Cruz Sara Cristina Gonzalez t Joshua Andrew Adkins ** Sabrina N. Cruz Maureen Rose Gorman Kelly Aguilar Almazo Patrick J. Cucurullo t Chevoyne S. Green Avosuahi Albert Christopher Matthew Czyzewski Jerry Damian Guallpa t Isaiah J. Anderson Marina Rose DeSantis t Neidy Melissa Gutierrez Alexandra Marie Antonucci t Matthew Zachary DeVera Leanna Rae Hernandez t Deanna Augustin Cledys Gricelda Diaz Castillo Michael John Hester Johari A. Barber ** Emmanuella Iyobosa Ekhaguere ** Alba Rosa Holguin Barbara Monica Bazemore Khawla Elharmouchi * Amani Holloway * Abena Joy Bentum Melissa Ashley Escobar Kimberly Gina Jaramillo t Alexandra Bernal Karen Jacqueline Estrada Aaron G. Kates Alyssa Ann Biancamano Samantha Felix * Olivia Elizabeth Krasucki * Matthew James Blumensteel Lia Marie Finnegan Kyle Joseph Labrincha t Naana Akyaa Boamah DeAndra Naera Fitzgerald * Brianna N. Lorenzana ** Darius T. Booth Karalyn Floyd * Eduardo Macias Garrido Giovana Sarena Burgess-Humes *** Nicole Elizabeth Font t Ashalee Madden * Jameela Burnham Edward Gamboa Kelly Ann Mahadeo * Amber Kyra Camacho Amalia Beatriz Garrido ** Emily Majano Pyetra Moraes da Rosa Camargo Danielle Marie Goble Kambria Loren Mallory Sajaida M. Carswell Cesar Gomez Lizbeth Manchisi * Degree conferred in 2019 t in cursu honorum ** August Graduate *** December Graduate 5 College of Arts & Sciences Bachelor of Arts (continued) Adaliz L. Martinez Radhika Patel Amanda Sanchez ** Ryan Kristen Martinez Yasmeen Lordes Pauling ** Shane Richard Seepersad Jenny Martinez Rojas Hector M. Pena Xochilt Julissa Segundo Dominick John Mastrodonato t Jennifer Amanda Peralta Mahreen Shahzadi * Kelvin Mejia Ashley Leemarys Perez Angela Carrie Smith Brenda Mendez ** Tonya N. Peterson ** Michael J. Spark ** Michael J. Mitchell Yasmine S. Powell Victoria St. John Anna Carolina Vitorino Moraes Zarin Qurbanzada Alyson Kiara St. Omer Alexis Marie Morales t Anthony Ramos Quinn’Tavious Re’Shaud Taylor Gabrielle Nicole Morales Aliyah Tahnee Rawles Fabienne Tanika Thelemaque Ashley Nicole Moreira Annel Ashley Reich Ariel Miguel Torres Alexander Moscote Yafreisy D. Reyes Angelica Amber Vasquez Keniah Christina Newton Adrian M. Reyes Ramirez Tania Noemi Velez-Ayala Michael T. Nguyen * Kapri Shareed Robinson Mirian A. Ventura Joshua Norris t Anthony P. Rodrigues t Mario J. Viera t Alix Michael Oliva Alyssa Tianna Rodriguez Myah R. Warren Diego Ornelas Kevin A. Rojas t Nicolle Marie Wetzel Diana H. Paredes Garcia Monica Rojas Alcaraz Jordan Omar Williams Sabrina Parra Adrienne Joyce Romero Derrick Woods Jessica L. Parrilla ** Jessica Romo * Monay Y. Woodyard Bachelor of Science Aaliyah Akins Giselle Brito Breanna Annmarie Coates Nida Alam Tashee Shanice Brown Alyssa Marie Conanan Lina Altafulla Francesco G. Buongiorno Hunter Zion Criollo *** t Naiva Fardly Altenor *** Marcia Lucia Bustamante Gianna Marie Crocitto Kailen Sidney Arambulo Juanita Natalia Caballero Adela Cruz ** Veronica Elizabeth Archer Nicole Caetano Adia Dakota Daglow Catherine Argueta Leidy Carolina Camelo Tyane T. Daley Arooj Arif Breann J. Carter ** Rodrigo Cesar Da Silva Jr. Cinddy Jocelyn Banegas ** Elda Eunice Castellon t Jesus Dejesus-Asiatico Rachel E. Baylon Miguel Castro Ariane P. Dela Peña Joshua Benson Odalys E. Castro Elizabeth A. Demers t Hannah Marie Birkmire Newstein Chang t Hak Ja de Sousa *** t Nazeer Sultan Bostick ** Emillie Nicole Cinevert Andreina M. Diaz * Degree conferred in 2019 t in cursu honorum ** August Graduate 6 *** December Graduate 7 College of Arts & Sciences Bachelor of Science (continued) Julia Diaz Ramandeep Kaur Charise Ashley R. Ramos Oskayril Diaz-Hiciano Wonja Kim t Matthew Luis Ramos Erica Kyerewaa Duah * Cassandra M. Kitzman Francis Realuyo Ramos Keli Kwaku Dzikunoo ** Felicia Indira Knight ** Denieka Jennise Reid * Issis Nicolle Elvir * Ana Kuburovic * Eleazar F. Reyes Jesmarie Antonia Estevez Myrlissa Rebecca Lamothe * Jasmine E. Roca Thomas Anthony Farrar * Mariet Libreros Ana L. Rodriguez ** Yasmine