Graduation 2023

PRELUDE
McPherson College Band (recorded)
“A Festival Prelude” – Alfred Reed

PROCESSIONAL*
Mr. Jason Frazier
Traditional Scottish Bagpipe Tunes

INVOCATION
Ms. Tricia Hartshorn, Registrar

WELCOME
Ms. Olivia Smith, Senior Class Representative

HOMILY
Dr. Vicki Schmidt, Associate Professor of Education

COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
Mr. Rod Gieselman, Professor of Business

PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES
Ms. Amanda Gutierrez, Provost/Executive Vice President

CONFERRING OF DEGREES AND HONORS
Dr. Michael Schneider, President
Ms. Amanda Gutierrez
Dr. Shane Kirchner, Professor of Education, Director of M.Ed. Program

BENEDICTION
Ms. Tricia Hartshorn

RECESSIONAL*
McPherson College Band (recorded)
“March from Second Suite in F” – Gustav Holst

* The audience will remain seated for the Processional and Recessional.

Program Notes

For Your Safety
College officials will monitor the weather throughout today’s graduation celebration. Should threatening weather approach, the ceremony may be delayed until it is safe to proceed. The Sport Center south of the stadium will be opened to provide shelter. Audience members should listen carefully to the information provided from the stage on how to evacuate the stadium and when to expect the ceremony to resume.

In the event of prolonged, threatening weather, Commencement ceremonies will be moved to Brown Auditorium. In such a case, contingency tickets made available to each graduate will be required for admission.

The Processional and Recessional
Preceded by the platform party, the faculty and staff of the College will process in order by length of tenure. The marshal for the processional of officiants and faculty is Ms. Olivia Smith, Student Government Association President-elect. The marshal for graduates is Ms. Tayor Bohannon, SGA Chief of Staff-elect. Graduates from all disciplines will process in alphabetical order.

Honor Graduates
Students who have attained a cumulative grade point average of 3.55 will be graduated cum laude (with honors). Students who have attained a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 will be graduated magna cum laude (with high honors). The designation summa cum laude (with highest honors) is reserved for those students who have attained a grade point average of 3.90 or above. Because honors are not computed until all grades have been recorded, honors will not be announced for summer graduates or persons with transfer credit outstanding.

Master of Education at McPherson College
McPherson College’s M.Ed. program leads to licensure in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) or Special Education. The students also complete an action research project in an effort to improve their teaching environment.

Photographs of Graduates
A professional photographer will be taking pictures of graduates receiving their diplomas. The photos will be available for download free of charge. A link to the photographs can be found on the commencement web page the week after graduation.

A student’s participation in the commencement ceremony neither guarantees nor implies graduation from McPherson College. Graduation is conferred upon completion of all program requirements.

About the Commencement Speaker

Rod Gieselman

Commencement Speaker, Professor Rod Gieselman

When Professor Rod Gieselman joined the McPherson College faculty, he had previously devoted 13 years to climbing the corporate ladder, working his way from accountant to senior management positions at Clarcor. Twenty years ago, he made a career change and came to McPherson College. His “real world” experience has fundamentally shaped his pedagogy and educational philosophy in teaching financial management, investments, economics, business strategy and policy, and several other courses at McPherson College.

The best example of his hands-on teaching style is found in his investments class. More than 10 years ago, Professor Gieselman proposed to the Board of Trustees that students in the investments course manage a portion of the college’s endowment. While learning about analyzing stocks and bonds, his students have consistently out-earned both the market averages and the results of the college’s professional endowment managers, growing the fund from an initial $200,000 to $550,000 to date.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in economics and finance at the University of Nebraska-Kearney in 1989 and his MBA from Bellarmine University in 1998. He currently serves as chair of the faculty and chair of the business department. He has previously served as chair of the Division of Social Sciences and the Educational Policies Committee. Outside of McPherson College, Professor Gieselman serves on the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity. He and his wife have been married 34 years (today!) and have two grown children.

The Academic Costume

Gowns
Since the clergy were the teachers of the Middle Ages, it was natural that their garb became symbolic of the teaching profession as it moved out of the cloister. In the United States, the general wearing of gowns for commencement began in the 1880s. Gowns were originally designed to be worn open or closed. However, closed gowns have become the tradition in this country. Currently, there are three distinct types of gowns: the undergraduate’s gown with its long, pointed sleeves; the master’s gown with long, closed sleeves; and the doctor’s gown with its rounded, full-balloon sleeves and chevrons.

At one time, the color of the gown denoted the wearer’s area of educational specialty, but in the United States the majority of gowns are black. Some universities have designated a particular color as appropriate for their gown, such as the Yale blue, the Cornell red, and the Northwestern purple. These are symbols of the schools’ colors rather than an area of educational specialty.

Gowns of the medieval period were woolen. Some were decorated, and some were lined with fur for warmth. In later eras, velvet came into use, primarily for decoration. In the nineteenth century, the bachelor’s gown was of worsted material; master’s and doctor’s were silk. Trim was used only on doctoral gowns, and the velvet trim on the facing, as well as the bars and chevrons on the sleeves, was either black or the color of the trimming on the hood. Contemporary materials of rayon, nylon, and polyester have replaced the lightweight wool formerly worn for warmth.

Hoods
Originally the hood was the upper part of the cowl worn by monks and friars of the Middle Ages and was designed to keep rain and drafts off its wearer. When not needed, it was pulled off and allowed to hang down over the tippet, or short cape, which was layered over the gown for additional warmth. Later the hood and tippet were joined in the American-style hood.

According to tradition, all hoods are of black material. Bachelor’s and master’s hoods have a “simple” shape attached to a tippet or small cape. The bachelor’s hood, from Oxford, should be three feet long. The master’s hood is four feet long, and the doctoral hood and panel are an additional six inches in length. The hood is usually the same material as the gown.

In medieval times, the hood lining was often fur, but in 1426 an order issued at Oxford allowed people to use hoods lined with silk for the summer months. Currently, most hoods are lined with rayon, nylon, or cotton satin instead of the more expensive silk or fur.

The trim around the edge of the hood, two to five inches wide, represents the department or faculty of learning. The hood lining is in the colors of the college or university conferring the degree. It is appropriate for the individual to wear lining colors of either the institution granting the degree or the institution to which the wearer is officially connected.

Caps
The Oxford cap or mortarboard worn by all graduates from a degree-granting institution comes from the biretta, a cap worn by the Venetian doges during the Italian Renaissance. This cap originally fit over the ears and had a square top with no tassel. Current usage has modified it to a black square on a skull cap pointed front to back. The attached tassel designates the area of educational specialty of the undergraduate degree.

Tassels
Graduates of McPherson College earning a bachelor of science degree wear gold tassels. Those receiving a bachelor of arts degree wear white tassels. Master of Education graduates wear blue tassels.

The College Seal
“Life and Light” (John 1:4) is sometimes given as an interpretation of the Greek motto on the McPherson College seal. The horizontal line (zoe) indicates life. The vertical line (phos) indicates light. The seal was designed in 1920 by W.E. Brubaker. The year 1887, which appears on the seal, is the date of the founding of the college.

The seal is reserved for use on official McPherson College documents and publications. It is stamped in raised letters on diplomas and transcripts, and a gold replica is placed or stamped on many official college certificates of award.

Israel  J. Acosta, BS
magna cum laude
Automotive Restoration: Technology
Communication

Nathan M. Addis, BA
Communication

Kaylie Kamaluhiamakawenakalā Akiona, BS
summa cum laude
Business Administration: Management, Marketing

David G. Alvarado, BS
Automotive Restoration: Technology

Alexander W. Amaral, BS
Physical Education & Health

Amanda Kay Ambrosy, BS
cum laude
Interdisciplinary: Health Science

Austin Dewayne Apple, BS
Biology
Chemistry

Maya C. Austin, BS
Sport Studies

Bailey Avila, BS
cum laude
Sport Studies

Mason Don Ball, BS
Automotive Restoration: Management

Heidi Beckham, BS
Biology
Psychology

Cheneal R. Benne, BA
summa cum laude
Art & Design: Licensure
Art & Design: Graphic Design

Caden John Beurkens, BS †
summa cum laude
Automotive Restoration: Technology

Gabriel A. Boese, BS
Biology
Chemistry

Justin David Borden, BS
Sociology: Criminal Justice

Samuel Box, BS
Physical Education: Sports Management
Business Administration

Zachary James Bredfield, BS
Automotive Restoration: History

Chase M. Brous, BA
English: Licensure

Victoria Bruno, BS
summa cum laude
Automotive Restoration: Technology

Hannah D. Butler, BA
Art & Design: Graphic Design
English

Trystan Butterfield, BS
Physical Education & Health

James Canar, BS
magna cum laude
Business Administration: Finance, Management, Marketing

Kaci Jo Chadwick, BS
cum laude
Business Administration: Accounting, Finance

Brandon Chaffin, BS †*
Automotive Restoration: Technology

Cory Chairs, BA
Digital Media: Communication

Joe Chapman, BS
Business Administration: Marketing

Ryan B. Child, BS *
Physical Education: Sports Management

Tate Michael Clem, BA
cum laude
Art & Design: Graphic Design
Digital Media: Visual Design

Cole Coggins, BS
cum laude
Business Administration: Accounting, Finance

Daniel Connell, BS
magna cum laude
Business Administration: Accounting

Katherine M. Corrigan, BS
Business Administration: Management

Jared Matt Daniel Curtis, BS
Environmental Stewardship

Antoine Detavernier, BS
cum laude
Business Administration: Finance, Management, Marketing

Jean Marie Dingler, M.Ed.
Curriculum & Instruction

Paul Calvin Dusabe, BS †
Biology

Mackenzie Katherine Egan, BS
magna cum laude
Business Administration: Marketing

Thomas Henry Eichelberger, BS
Automotive Restoration: Technology

Alexis S. Elkins, BA *
English: Licensure
Writing

Gershom Epp, BA
cum laude
Art & Design: Graphic Design

Jacob Esch, BS
Biochemistry

Alexander C. Escobar, BS
Physical Education: Sports Management

Sarah Louise Ewing, BS
magna cum laude
History: Political Science

Antonio Fernandez, BS
Business Administration: Finance

Caleb Feuerstake, BS †
summa cum laude
Psychology: Child Development

Heidi Neiman Fischer, BS
summa cum laude
Interdisciplinary: Health Science
Psychology

Rolando L. Fletes D., BS
Business Administration: Management

Thomas W. Frick, BS
Automotive Restoration: Management

Summer Garcia, BS
Health Science

Travon Gibson, BS *
Physical Education & Health

Darby Allen Gilbert, BS
Business Administration: Management

Kurt Evan Golubski, BA *
History: Licensure

Conrad L. Gramckow, BS *
Automotive Restoration: Management

Graedon C. Green, BA
cum laude
Art & Design: Graphic Design
Business Administration

Samuel J. Grim, BS
Business Administration: Finance, Management, Marketing

Michael G. Halgren, BS
Automotive Restoration: Technology

Bryson Hase, BS *
Automotive Restoration: Technology

J. Levi Hawkins, BA
Art & Design: Graphic Design

Scott C. Hayford, BS
Automotive Restoration: Technology

Lola Bree Hipp, BA
summa cum laude
Art & Design: Graphic Design

Georgia D. Hitchcock, BS & M.Ed.
summa cum laude
Elementary Education
Curriculum & Instruction
Special Education

Kelly Hoffman, BS
cum laude
Healthcare Management

Dashawn L. Holliman, BA
Art & Design: Graphic Design Photography

Ally Holloway, M.Ed.
Curriculum & Instruction

Ethan M. Huston, BS
Environmental Stewardship

Bethany Masters Ice, BS
magna cum laude
Biochemistry
Psychology

Spencer C. Ice, BS
summa cum laude
Automotive Restoration: Communication

Brandt L. Johnson, BS
cum laude
Health Science

Kennedy A. Johnson, BS
summa cum laude
Psychology: Health & Human Services

Chloe Dawn Jones, BA
Communication

Eli Jordan, BA
Communication

Laheerah Joseph, BS
Mathematics

Lasheicka Joseph, BS
cum laude
Health Science

Fabrice Kambale, BS
Business Administration: Management
Psychology

Zachary A. Kantor, BS
Automotive Restoration: Technology

Liliane Kavira Kathoheryo, BS
Business Administration: Finance, Management

Jennyfer A. Kemper, BS *
Chemistry

Jheda Markiya Kennedy, BS *
Sociology: Criminal Justice

Courtney Alex Keyes, BS
Biology
Biochemistry

Jordan Kingcaid, BS
Business Administration: Marketing

Raegan Renae Kleppe, BS
cum laude
Business Administration: Management, Marketing

Matthew Christopher Kroeker, BS
magna cum laude
Automotive Restoration: Management

Andrew John Laird, BS
Automotive Restoration: Management

Alyssa A. Lambert, BA
Communication

Emily Lynne Leeson, BS
magna cum laude
Elementary Education

Peyton Lindsey, BS
Sociology: Criminal Justice
Psychology: Health & Human Services

Alfred Jonathan Llamas, BS
Business Administration: Finance, Management

Brandon Derek Lockett, BS
Physical Education: Sports Management

Mitchell J. Ludinich, BS †
Environmental Stewardship

Cameron Stockton Luther, BS
Automotive Restoration: Technology

Blake W. Maddock, BS
Interdisciplinary: Health Science

Matthew B. Mahan, BS
cum laude
Automotive Restoration: Management

Kendra Maples, BS
Physical Education: Licensure

Jace T. Mapston, BS
Physical Education: Sports Management

Colby Marshall, BS
cum laude
Automotive Restoration: Technology

Nichole A. Martinez, BS
Sociology: Criminal Justice

Christian J. Maxey, BA
Communication

Grace Evelyn Maxey, BS
Business Administration: Marketing

Jaden Elise Mayfield, BS
Business Administration: Management

Richard Mukeninay Mbuyamba, BS
Biochemistry

Killian McDonald, BS
Sociology: Health & Human Services and Criminal Justice

Dymond M. McElrath, BA
Communication

Savannah Nicole McHugh, BS & M.Ed.
magna cum laude
Elementary Education
Curriculum & Instruction

Tyler Menard, BS
Automotive Restoration: Technology

Nhlakanipho Methula, BA
Communication

Drake E. Miller, BS
Business Administration: Management

Martin Millos Iglesias, BS
Biochemistry

Kale Mog, BS
Automotive Restoration: Management

Ezra N. Monroe, BS
magna cum laude
Business Administration: Management, Marketing

Nathan K. Muamba, BS
Business Administration: Accounting, Finance, Management

Trey Murphy, BS
summa cum laude
Interdisciplinary: Health Science

Junior Mulaja Mutombo, BS *
Business Administration: Management

Michel Mpundu Mwengwe, BS
cum laude
Mathematics
Business Administration

Paul Kapya Mwengwe, BS
cum laude
Mathematics

Tyler Natkin, BS †*
Automotive Restoration: Technology

Immanuel Newsome, BS
Business Administration: Finance

Kalli Olivar, BS
Mathematics: Licensure

Kapema R. Ongala, BS
Business Administration: Management

Kayla Gisselle Ortiz, BS
Interdisciplinary: Health Science

Haven Ousley, BS
cum laude
Business Administration: Finance

Emma Parker, BS
summa cum laude
Automotive Restoration: Technology

Alvin Gerald Patterson III, BS
Business Administration: Accounting, Finance

Andrew R. Penrose, BS
cum laude
Business Administration: Management
Environmental Stewardship

Zachary Wyatt Petrie, BS
Automotive Restoration: Management

Jacquiline Isabella Pfautz, BS
Health Science

Arriyonn Dajanay Phillips, BA
Communication

Brianna Powers, BA
cum laude
Communication
History

Kaden M. Quint, BS
cum laude
Business Administration: Finance, Management, Marketing

David Rees, BS †
magna cum laude
Automotive Restoration: Technology

Zachary H. Reynolds, BS
Physical Education & Health

Hunter Robinson, BS
Physical Education: Sports Management
Business Administration

Luis E. Rodriguez Jr., BS
summa cum laude
Business Administration: Marketing
Graphic Design

Peyton Lee Rogers, BS
Physical Education & Health

Pamela Rosales Zapata, M.Ed.
Curriculum & Instruction

Draven R. Ruiz, BS
Automotive Restoration: Management

Nathan A. Saffer, BS
Biochemistry

Kent Saiki, BA
History

Gustavo G. Sanchez, BS
Sociology: Criminal Justice

Ricardo Sanchez, M.Ed.
Curriculum & Instruction

Janet M. Sanner, BA
Spanish

Travis Schultz, BS
Automotive Restoration: Technology

Kaitlyn Sedlack, BS
Biology
Psychology

Chandler A. Segovia, BS
Interdisciplinary: Social Health & Fitness

Broc M. Selstrom, BS
Physical Education: Licensure

Aidan Sharkey, BS
Automotive Restoration: Design

Brianna Nicole Shaw, BS
Sociology: Health & Human Services and Criminal Justice

Austin Jordan Siegal, BA
magna cum laude
Digital Media: Communication

Lauren A. Skinner, BS
Mathematics
Business Administration

Meghan Marlena Smith, BS
summa cum laude
Business Administration: Accounting, Finance
Communication

Olivia Smith, BS
summa cum laude
Biochemistry
Art

Maria Elizabeth Scheryl Smoot, BS
Biology
Chemistry
Psychology

Liam C. Spaw, BS
Sociology: Health & Human Services and Criminal Justice

Emma L. Speer, BS
Sociology: Criminal Justice

Kenneth T. Storer, BS
magna cum laude
Automotive Restoration: Technology

Owen G. Sutherland, BS
Sociology: Criminal Justice

Colby Dean Swift, BS
cum laude
Physical Education: Licensure

Trenton Wade Szydlowski, BS
Automotive Restoration: Technology

Bradley Tastove, BS
Automotive Restoration: Communication

Ryan Nathaniel Tate, BA
Digital Media: Visual Design

Mychael M. Tripp, BS
Business Administration: Management
Communication

Todd Truelove, BS
Business Administration: Management, Marketing

Grace Alanna van Asselt, BA
Communication
Peace Studies

Isaiah Barajas Vazquez, BS
cum laude
Business Administration: Marketing

Yaniel Adrian Vidal, BS
Business Administration: Management

Jeremie Vivuya Vawite, BS
Business Administration: Accounting, Finance, Management

Kassidy R. Weaver, BA *
Art & Design: Licensure

Lacy Renee Weaver, BS
Health Science

Ann Marie Weesner, BS
cum laude
Biochemistry

John David Wells II, BA *
Art & Design: Graphic Design Marketing

Benjamin David Wiebe, BS
summa cum laude
Automotive Restoration: History

Lucas Andres Williams Fernandez, BS
Biology

Nicholas Lee Wilson, BA
Digital Media: Visual Design

denotes minor emphasis
* denotes summer graduates
† denotes in absentia