it will be our aim to become leaders in the
education of the young men and women
of Texas fitting them to creditably fill the
most important positions in
business and professional circles so spoke
founding president Joshua C
Chilton on September 16 1890 when he opened the
Texas Normal College and
teacher Training institute intended those
auspicious words emphasizing
leadership inclusion opportunity and service to
the state would echo
throughout the history of the University of
North Texas a story of
becoming a thriving institution in the heart of
a booming region a university
committed to providing the best education
possible and preparing
students from every background to become
thoughtful engaged citizens of the world
ours is a colorful story especially if that
color is green above all we're an
American success story one of growth in scope
and ambition in optimism
creativity and innovation UNT's inseparable
ties to Denton go back to
that 1890 beginning when a group of local
business leaders known as the
syndicate purchased 10 acres to establish the
college before the new
campus was ready classes met on the top floor
of a hardware store downtown 70
students men and women attended and later a
group of Creek Indians help
boost enrollment the new normal building
financed by the city opened on campus in
1891 our second president J.J. Crumley
continued the challenge of establishing
the college and gained state recognition for
the school's degrees
the legislation named us North Texas Normal
College and North has been a part
of our name ever since the college embraced
innovative research in the mid
30s with scientists like JKG Sylvie whose water
quality studies some of the
institution's earliest funded research started
the rising tide of UNT's passion
to protect the environment in 1935 our first
master's degree programs began
today UNT is a hub for bio-based research
focused on preserving the
planet in 1961 the college officially became
North Texas State University
acknowledgement that we were transforming into
an academic
institution of the first order the University
Day celebration featured
speeches dancing and the ringing of the Victory
Bell in the 1980s led by
President and Chancellor Alfred F Hurley the
University set a course for becoming
a national research institution bringing
distinguished faculty and research to
campus and contributing to the success of our
region state and nation over the
years the research and scholarship enterprise
has expanded to include plant
science, materials science, engineering,
computational chemistry, and logistics
just to name a few today with 12 colleges and
schools UNT is a pace
setter in finding multidisciplinary innovative
solutions in energy
agriculture nutrition medicine and many other
areas we have come a long way from
70 students above a hardware store but the
vision of founding President Chilton
to become leaders in the education of young men
and women rings as true as
ever today our 16th president Neil Smatresk
leads a UNT that aspires to
national prominence as a research institution
offers the best education
and remains vibrantly tied to the North Texas
region and our Denton community
at UNT we're just like every other university
no we're not you can be
yourself at UNT be part of a tier-one research
university and get the best
college food anywhere UNT likes to have fun
with so many degrees to help you
soar all in a caring community
oh it was a long journey but to be here today
is really an honor
honestly we're really proud because we've seen
the man hours that she's put
into all the time effort homework assignments
everything so I think it's
really exhilarating to see her finally make it
it's just huge we are so proud because I get
very emotional is that okay I'm so
a mom oh my gosh it's just a blessing and we're
so proud of him
I believe getting a degree period would do
wonders for us and the fact that we've
we've done it and there are other things that
are coming forth I'm just very excited
UNT was actually one of two schools that I
applied for the other one was in
Sweden and that was just to piss my mom off.
UNT was my first choice.
we had teachers that helped motivate us the
entire time they're truly there for
us to do our best and be successful in the
future so I mean even if those times
that we felt like we were going to fail they
made sure we did
if it wasn't for the program I wouldn't have
been able to do it
I definitely sought out a whole plethora of
things to do at UNT that could
definitely help me in my career
I'm actually going back to UNT for a master's
of public administration and
yeah and I just landed a really great job with
the Children's Advocacy Center
for Didney County
they helped me in mostly everything but then
I'm probably gonna help them now
that I have my education. We'll get it in writing
Give Daddy a hug
Love you guys.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the University
of North Texas Spring 2023
Commencement Ceremony for the College of
Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
There we go. Our ceremony will begin in just a
few minutes. Please take this
opportunity to turn off all cell phones and
other electronic devices. For the
safety of our candidates and guests, only
authorized press, university
photographers, staff and graduates are
permitted on the Coliseum floor. We hope
you will enjoy this ceremony and remember it
fondly for many years to
come because this is a special day for all our
graduates. We ask that you stay
until the end of the ceremony so that everyone
will feel honored by
your presence. Now please stand as you are able
and remain standing for the
processional and the National Anthem
The banner carriers are Dr. Stephanie Hawkins
from the Department of English
Dr. Nuli Paul from the Frank W. and Sue Mayborn
School of Journalism
Dr. Michael Weiss from the Department of History
Suzanne McCutcheon from Integrative Studies and
Social Sciences
Dr. Tara Rowe from the Department of Philosophy
and Religion
Dr. John Ishiyama from the Department of
Political Science
Dr. Sam McAnown from the Department of Spanish
and Dr. Marjorie Keplin from the Department of
World Languages, Literatures and Cultures
The National Anthem
Ladies and gentlemen, the members of the
platform party.
Dr. Neil Smatresk, President of the University
of North Texas.
Dr. James Mirnick, Executive Dean of the
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.
Dr. Andrea Miller, Dean of the Frank W. and Sue
Mayborn School of Journalism.
Dr. Steve Cobb, the Class Associate Dean for
Administrative Affairs.
Ms. Katherine Gold-Gullivan, the Class
Associate Dean for Fiscal and Human Resources.
Mr. Clayton Gibson, Vice President for Finance
and Administration and CFO.
Ms. Joanne Woodward, Vice President for
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access.
Dr. Emily Clement, Past Chair of the UNT Alumni
Association Board of Directors.
And Mr. Jermaine J.T. Turner, President of the
Student Government Association and Mace Bearer.
Good afternoon everyone. My name is James
Miernick and I'm the Executive Dean of the
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.
Please be seated.
I'd like to begin by thanking our fine
musicians, the UNT Wind Orchestra,
conducted by Professor Andrew Traxell, and our
vocalists, Ms. Rebecca Mugnolo,
Master of Music in Vocal Performance and
Keyboardist, Ms. Moonee Tan,
and Dr. of Musical Arts and Collaborative Piano
for their inspiring rendition
of our National Anthem.
Welcome to all of our students, their families,
caregivers, friends, and
supporters from across the country and around
the world. We thank everyone here
today and those who are watching somewhere else
for being part of our
Mean Green family. We are so proud of each and
every one of our graduates we
are celebrating today. Your journey began when
you first set foot on campus,
whether in person or online, and concludes here
today as you walk across
the stage to receive your diploma. The joyous
celebration today is the
culmination of this journey that will now take
you on the next adventures of
your lives. You are the proud recipient and
owner of a bachelor's degree from
the College of Liberal Arts and Social
Sciences, or as we like to call it, a
forever degree. A forever degree is a degree
that keeps on giving throughout
your whole life. A forever degree positions you
for success with the
critically important skills that our alumni,
employers, and CEOs tell us
students need. Communication skills, analytical
skills, research skills,
writing skills, and collaboration skills that
emphasize cultural competency and
working in diverse environments. All of these
skills are in very high demand
across so many professions and they will last
throughout your career. Your
degree will live on with you as you traverse
the many new and exciting roads
ahead in your lives and careers. You are ready
for this journey. You have a
degree that will equip you across whatever
terrain you may encounter,
whatever career you choose, whatever profession
you choose, or whatever
career chooses you. We are confident and proud
of you and the education you
receive in the College of Liberal Arts and
Social Sciences. And I want to give a
special recognition to all those students who
took part in our Students
Helping Students program by making a gift to
their senior class of $20.23.
This fund supports your fellow students, so
thank you for your generosity and for
thinking of others. Now, after you've walked
across the stage today, collected
your diploma, and have gone to celebrate with
family and friends, I'm going to ask
you to do one more thing. Please stay connected
with us. We want to hear all
about the news of your great accomplishments as
you send us
dispatches from around the world and over time.
Please know there will always
be a place for you at UNT to come back and
share your story.
Our very best wishes to you all and our very
best welcome back
whenever you return. Thank you. And now I'd
like to invite
President Smatresk to the podium to offer his congratulations.
Well, thank you, Dean Murnick. What a great day.
You all look fantastic. I love the Green arrayed
in front of me and the promise of the future
that you bring with it.
You've been through a lot, haven't you?
A couple years of COVID, some hard
studying, a few interesting
Armageddon days, and yet
here you are, ready to take on the world. And
boy, there's never been a better
time for it. We need your talent. We need your leadership.
And we need you. We need you more than we've
ever needed
bright, young leaders before.
The world's in a rocky place. Dictatorship's
popping up. War.
All kinds of crazy stuff is going on.
I mean, we can make a list here. And we need
you all to help lead the way to a better future.
For your children as well as for
my grandchildren and everybody else who's going
to come after us.
So there's a lot riding on you, but you've been
well prepared. You've been taught critical
reasoning skills.
How to take a collection of soft skills
and turn them into a job. As the Dean said, you
have a
forever degree that will keep yielding benefits
to you for years to come.
No matter how you got here,
this is kind of a defining moment. And it isn't
the end of a race.
It's just the beginning of the next phase and
opportunity in your life.
While we're here, audience, you may have seen
some people who are wearing
some fancy cords around their neck. Young
woman, would you please stand up?
Yeah. Look at the cords
we have here. Those cords denote someone who's
done something special.
A whole series of honors. And you'll see cords.
You'll also see
stoles and other regalia as you go through the day.
And I'm going to try to break it down for you
just a little bit. Thank you.
I won't make you stand the whole time. We have
cords for people who've
achieved very high GPAs. Like Magna and Summa
Cum Laude.
You're going to hear more about that today. A
feat that I never achieved
in my academic career. So congratulations to
all of you.
Our honors college graduates today, many of
whom are wearing medallions.
They're kind of like this, but not quite as fancy.
But they denote people who've worked in our
honors curriculum, who've studied,
who may have developed thesis work. We have
community engagement cords.
Cords around the neck that signify those who've
volunteered a great deal
of time and service to our communities. And
they're recognized by the gold
cords that they have.
And you've got one of those, don't you? Is that
a gold cord around your neck?
Okay. We also have special red, white, and blue cords
for graduates who've served or who are
currently serving in the armed forces.
And I just want to say, if you'd stand up and
let us thank you for your service. (applause)
And then there's something very near and dear
to my heart.
We have a number of people who are first generation
graduates. And they're wearing first generation
stoles today.
I too am a first generation college student. I
was supposed to be a ditch digger in Buffalo,
New York.
That was a good gig. And so ultimately I went
to school and did something
different. It's a chance to change your life.
It's a chance to change
your family tree. An opportunity for you to
be a role model. Your moms and dads will live a
better quality of life.
You'll live a better quality of life. Your
children will. Your nieces and nephews will
have someone to
look up to. And maybe they'll choose to go to
college as well.
So being a first generation student is the
beginning of
That's the ground floor of the social mobility
elevator that we feel college
should represent. So there are many other
stoles. Some representing societies. There's other
regalia adornments. And there's a number of
other special cords.
But basically when you see people walking the
stage with those, it means they've been
involved. They've been engaged. And they've
taken a big part
of the community that we are here.
So what's next?
Some of you already have it figured out. Some
of you are probably wondering yourself what's next.
How many of you know exactly what you're going
to do after you graduate?
Besides party. Hands are going down.
Okay. I think that's great. I wasn't
that lucky. I was confused. And I went through
a bunch of different
jobs and it took a near death experience
before I decided maybe I'd go back to school
and try something else.
So don't let it take a near death experience to
help you
move ahead and along. But also know that when
you graduate
a certain period of assessment. Trying new things
out. Trying to find out what and where you're
going to go. What you're
going to do and where you're going to go is
okay. It's natural. It's normal.
And with the training that you've had and the
skills that you've developed
you will find yourself weaving into
increasingly better positions and parts of your life.
So don't worry if you make a few mistakes.
We grow from our mistakes. Errors are okay.
Even failing is okay as long as we take
something home from it and learn from it.
While you've been here
you've probably had some setbacks. You've
certainly through
COVID and other things have had a chance to
show your resilience
and you have become more agile
and more adaptive and creative. So
put these skills to good work. I can't wait
to see where you go. And as your dean said, one
of the things that I think is really
amazing is when you reach back to us. If you've
had a
faculty member who's been instrumental in
helping you move ahead
shoot them an email or a text or whatever
mode of communication is available at that time.
It means a lot. I still hear from students I
had years ago
and whenever they tell me something good that
happened in their life
it really lifts me up and makes me remember why
I do this and why I love this job.
stay connected. You can also stay connected to
our alumni association.
Gain connections through our career counseling
program which
many people don't take advantage of but
certainly affords a great deal of
opportunity. And one thing I want you to
remember is
as you go through the day, I look at the
stands here. They're more full than they are
for any of our basketball games.
And even though we were the national invitation
Tournament champions. So it's great
that you have people here who love you and want
to see you walk across
this stage. And I'd say graduates, why don't you
all give them a big round of applause. (applause)
Today you'll graduate. The degree will be
conferred upon you. You will be the newest
graduates in the universe and you'll become part
of our Mean Green family and alumni community.
Congratulations class of
2023. I'm so proud of you and I can't wait to
see what you do in the future.
Thank you. applause (applause)
Thank you President Smatresk. Good afternoon.
My name is Steve Cobb. I'm Associate
Dean for Administrative Affairs in the College
of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.
In this segment of the ceremony, I have the
honor of recognizing students
that have not only completed their degrees, but
they've done so with distinction.
Undergraduate candidates whose overall grade point
average are 3.5-3.69
graduate cum laude with praise.
Of the students in the College of Liberal Arts
and Social Sciences, today there are
93 that will graduate cum laude. Would you
please stand
and be recognized. applause (applause)
Candidates with a grade point average
from 3.7-3.89 graduate
Magna cum laude with high praise.
Of the students in this College of Liberal Arts
and Social Sciences ceremony,
there are 107 that are graduating Magna cum laude.
Would you please stand and be recognized. applause
Thank you. Those candidates with a GPA
of 3.9 to a perfect 4.0
graduate summa cum laude with highest praise.
Of the students graduating in this ceremony,
there are 72
graduating summa cum laude. Would you please stand
and be recognized. applause (applause)
Thank you and congratulations to you all.
At this time,
would all the candidates for the baccalaureate
degree please rise and remain standing. (laughter)
President Smatresk, on the recommendation of
the faculty
of the College of Liberal Arts and Social
Sciences, I am pleased to present to you
these candidates for the baccalaureate degree.
On the recommendation of the faculty and the deans
and by the authority vested in me by the State
of Texas through the
UNT System Board of Regents, I hereby confer
upon you
the degree for which you have been certified
with all the rights, privileges, and honors
pertaining thereto.
Congratulations graduates. You are the newest
graduates in the world
right now today. A big round of applause for them.
And now, will the marshals please bring the candidates
forward to cross the stage and be recognized. (applause)
Presenting the candidates from the Department
of English.
Heather A. Adams, Summa Cum Laude
Taylor Elizabeth Arbuckle,
Summa Cum Laude
Emma McCall Botchok, Magna Cum Laude
Saloni Banerjee, Summa Cum Laude
Jonathan Ronald Bentley
Kat Sylvia Blackwell,
Cum Laude
Lauren Mae Belleteer
Hannah Mae Bravonick, Magna Cum Laude
Tyler Gregory Brucher,
Magna Cum Laude
Lauren Michelle Butterfield
Sydney Mae Kane, Cum Laude
Tatum Nicole Carlson
Casey Melanie Carson,
Summa Cum Laude
Emilio Cesenas, Magna Cum Laude
Bailey Michelle Clark
Braylee Diane Classen
Evan Michael Cline, Magna Cum Laude
Rachel Marie Couch
Josephine Maria Collins,
Magna Cum Laude
Jade D. Cox
Natasha Margaret Cutting,
Magna Cum Laude
Lauren Elizabeth DeVuti, Cum Laude
Trinity Alexis Dayton
Asel Ali De Los Santos, Cum Laude
Allie N. Dorsey
Hope M. Enno
Jaden E. Gehry
Clinton C. Gibson
Tarion Deontay Gray
Giselle Villareola
Michele Gonzalez, Magna Cum Laude
Austin T. Hernsberger
Marcella Hempel
Melinda Louane Hess, Summa Cum Laude
Charlie J. Hilliard
Joshua Bradley Hubbard, Magna Cum Laude
Lainey Abigail Griffith, Summa Cum Laude
Madison Lindsay Harvell
Allison F. Inge, Magna Cum Laude
Brody Tanner Kilgore, Summa Cum Laude
Connor A. Knox
Grace I. Lushin, Summa Cum Laude
Benjamin Blade McGee, Cum Laude
Jessica Mariah Michalak, Summa Cum Laude
Delaina Marie Neihib
Lorelei Celeste Nichols, Cum Laude
Raiken J. Nowlin
Jacqueline Dylan Rose Palmer, Cum Laude
Drew Payne
Alexander Gaylord Pettigrew, Cum Laude
Kelsey Ann Malone
Paloma Marie Leoni Martinez
Josue Emmanuel Macenet
Sydney Alexis McClellan
Karla A. Ontiveros, Cum Laude
Ileana Giselle Ortiz,
Magna Cum Laude
Abigail L. Pearson, Summa Cum Laude
Victoria Paige Pippins, Magna Cum Laude
Kaitlyn Renee Raspberry
Amy Claire Richter
Sophie Marie Robertson, Summa Cum Laude
Carly Beth Rogers
Shelby Renee Rodriguez
Kayla Lewis Savidman, Cum Laude
Bailey Erin Scantz
Chloe Julian Schrage, Summa Cum Laude
Samantha Nye Strawbridge
Abigail G. Stevens, Summa Cum Laude
Cameron A. Tavares, Cum Laude
Josie T. Thomas
Ariana S. Thompson
Lauren Renee Todorovic, Summa Cum Laude
Tabitha N. Tomlinson,
Magna Cum Laude
Cong Tran, Cum Laude
Trinity D. Varvel, Cum Laude
Alejandra M. Velasquez
Sam Elliott Williams, Magna Cum Laude
Amy Renee Wilson
Lauren T. Wood
Marisol Gisette Zubia
Let's congratulate those graduates from the
Department of English
Presenting the candidates from the Frank W. and
Sue Mayborn School of Journalism
Benga Michael Adebija
Sophia Alexandria Aguilar, Magna Cum Laude
Marvin L. Alexander III
Jordan Bobbie Nicole Allen, Magna Cum Laude
Chisara McPere Okwukweka Amechi
Kennedy L. Austin, Summa Cum Laude
Tessa R. Balderrama
Amethyst Diana Barrett
Armando Nicholas Berry, Magna Cum Laude
Tawny Renee Bee
Blake A. Bergman
Karina Bermudez Flores, Cum Laude
Nicholas C. Blair
Edward M. Brady, Cum Laude
Colin Payne Brown
Elizabeth L. Bulat
Maria Dolores Crane, Summa Cum Laude
Marco Antonio Barrera
Rebecca Burke
Ryan Andrew Cope
Leia Evelyn Collins
Noeli Cortez, Cum Laude
Justice Evander Fields
Alicia Giselle Garcia, Magna Cum Laude
Jasmine R. Grace
Jared David Hedges
Austin Cole Hedgecoff, Summa Cum Laude
Reyna Michelle Hernandez, Cum Laude
Mikayla Ann Haran, Magna Cum Laude
Frances C. Hinkle
Jamie Lee Hitchcock
Katherine Hong
Sarah Rose Hogan, Summa Cum Laude
Julia Louise Hooper, Magna Cum Laude
Kaitlyn Hudson
Kenny Momoko Ichimura
Angelica Itzel Illares, Magna Cum Laude
Leslie Juarez Romero, Cum Laude
Marilyn Linares Barrera
Maximillian McClain Lockhart
Tyler R. Luker, Magna Cum Laude
Jocelyn Martinez, Cum Laude
Alexis Olivia McKinley
Ariyama Mahari
Gabriela Medina
Ruby Mejia, Magna Cum Laude
Tristan Meza
Madeline Anna Michalewicz
Sarah M. Mochama
Tatiana E. Montes
Sydney Elise Munoz
Jessica Nicole Murdoch, Summa Cum Laude
Victoria Murillo, Cum Laude
Jillian Janae Nachtegel, Summa Cum Laude
Kayla M. Nelson, Cum Laude
Madison Alexandra Nevers, Cum Laude
Kayla Mykel Nichols
Maya Sinay Nicholson
Natasha Nilarat
Vakay Dorcas Honorioso, Cum Laude
Maricruz Leon Ontiveros
Leah Elizabeth Pate, Magna Cum Laude
Joshua Gerard Pavelio
Sierra R. Piper
Kayla Taylor Pineda
Silly E. Price
Marissa Ramirez Jackson
Landry Grace Raymond, Magna Cum Laude
Giovanna L. Rodriguez, Cum Laude
Katherine A. Rodriguez
Melissa G. Rojas
Melanie Giselle Romero
Isabella Zane Rosado
Nicole Alejandra Salas, Cum Laude
Kaylee M. Sanchez
Krilos Tsaman
Daniel Sanchez
Christina Angelica Sandoval
Valerie F. Shams, Cum Laude
Kaylee M. Segundo
Zoe Valentina Shaw
John M. Slaga
Dylan A. Smith, Magna Cum Laude
Jalyn Charles Smoot
Dylan T. Spitaletto
Victoria M. Stewart
Amrita Varshini Sundarachan, Summa Cum Laude
Andrew J. Stiles, Cum Laude
James Hunter Tanner, Magna Cum Laude
Garrett Tarango, Magna Cum Laude
Lucas Tasiri
Johnson Vo Tran Thai, Cum Laude
Kelly Tran, Cum Laude
Connor Trapani
Andrea Victoria Valdez
Corey L. Valen
Briseida Priscila Vazquez, Cum Laude
Katya Voinov
Elaine N. Walters, Magna Cum Laude
Daisha Shalicia Watkins, Magna Cum Laude
Kasey Mikayla Whitenack, Summa Cum Laude
Lauren N. Whitfield, Magna Cum Laude
Lexi Marie Whitworth, Summa Cum Laude
Samuel Quinn Whaley-Kentrell, Magna Cum Laude
Natalie H. Winkler, Magna Cum Laude
Ariana Elena Xavier, Summa Cum Laude
Let's congratulate those graduates from the
Frank W. and Sue Mayborn School of Journalism
Presenting the candidates from the Department
of History
Amar Amek
Dylan G. Allen, Cum Laude
Isaac Areola Ramirez, Cum Laude
Rachel R. Bain, Magna Cum Laude
Kiefer Lynn Birdsong
Dayton M. Blue
Luke David Boswell
Jessie Lynn Brimmage, Summa Cum Laude
Kimberly Michelle Calais
Nathan W. Chenevert
Sophia A. Crowder, Magna Cum Laude
David Joseph Coughlin
Emma Rose Dovers, Summa Cum Laude
Brayden J. Dykes, Cum Laude
Bailey Ann Fulton, Cum Laude
Sergio Alejandro Garcia
Stefan Reese Garcia, Magna Cum Laude
Felipe Antonio Garza
Sarah Goley
Lexi Elizabeth Gehrman, Magna Cum Laude
Julia K. Green
Christina A. Guajardo
Dylan Harris, Cum Laude
Banu Hayas, Magna Cum Laude
Liam Glennon-Hayes
Mary Rachelle Hogue
Davis M. Holden
Katherine Jinting Wang, Summa Cum Laude
Samuel G. Kirby
Alexandra Frances Lally Sutcliffe, Cum Laude
Tommy Joe Landis II
Ezra Genevieve Lytle, Summa Cum Laude
Albany Brooke Martin, Cum Laude
Fatima Jacqueline Martinez
Gabriela Matos, Magna Cum Laude
Kenneth R. McAlpin, Magna Cum Laude
Luke James McDougall
Mason McKenzie
Asia Janae Miller Congratulations!
Kaitlyn E. Miller, Magna Cum Laude
Madison Rose Mills
Lance Alexander Moore, Cum Laude
Amanda Bautista Moratadeo, Cum Laude
Casey Amanda Narzum
Alexander Jonathan Oglesby, Cum Laude
Lauren A. Mallott
Brandon James Pelzel
Riley James Pearson
Tristan Clark Polk
Elizabeth Brianna Ratzer
Hayden Pless Reeder
Hannah Alyse Richardson, Summa Cum Laude
Liliana Rios
Zachary Thomas Rios
Mirna Valeria Salas
Mallory Ann Sather, Summa Cum Laude
Nicholas W. Sautter, Cum Laude
Lisa Margaret Simpson, Magna Cum Laude
Alex Carter Smith, Summa Cum Laude
Donnie Allen Smith, Summa Cum Laude
Kaitlyn Rose Smith
Mikayla Hope Smith
Katrina L. Soliz, Cum Laude
Victoria Esther Sparger
Jeffrey Lee Seinhorst
Nayeko Nathaniel Vaughan
Vanessa Wallace
Miriam Del Real
Let's congratulate those graduates from the
Department of History.
Presenting the candidates from the Department
of Philosophy and Religion.
Jayden Nicole Bailey
Madeline Brecourt, Summa Cum Laude
Harrison B. Camp, Summa Cum Laude
Nicholas Shane Dotson
Laura Sude Gunduz, Cum Laude
Ezra Kerkos
Ethan Alberto Lopez
Francis Stephen Schmeling Jr.
Cynthia Terrazas
Sean Cordell Walker, Cum Laude
Let's congratulate those graduates from the
Department of Philosophy and Religion.
Presenting the candidates from the Department
of Political Science.
Marcus Gregory Adkins
Victory Adun
Angelique Roslyn Marianne Elngren, Cum Laude
Chikemka Abichukwu Anemekwe, Cum Laude
Peyton Rain Anderson, Summa Cum Laude
Maha Awan, Magna Cum Laude
Jacqueline Banda, Magna Cum Laude
Iman Annalisa Blose
Hannah K. Bwamezi
Musham Batare
Maribel Bermejo Esquivel
Luisa Catarina Barreto Rodriguez, Magna Cum Laude
Megan Elizabeth Canfield, Magna Cum Laude
Alejandro Castellanos, Magna Cum Laude
Sura Zaman Chowdhury
Elijah D. Clark, Magna Cum Laude
Brant P. DeWall
Taylin A. Edwards, Cum Laude
Riley Flood
Daniel P. Garcia, Magna Cum Laude
Kayla G. Green, Cum Laude
Nyla Simone Green, Cum Laude
Samuel Andres Hayes
Jennifer Hernandez
Genesis J. Hernandez
Gulanteb Hulari
Partha Hnyang
Anastasia I. Hodge, Cum Laude
Tishani Tambra Hunter
Taryn Brianna Husband, Summa Cum Laude
Hayden P. Hewson
Madeline A. King, Magna Cum Laude
Undre O. Knox
Adetola Badeojo, Summa Cum Laude
Joseph Vincent Langton, Magna Cum Laude
Lisette Carolina Lopez, Summa Cum Laude
Katherine L. McCormick
Malia R. McClanahan
Jessica Tanya Mina Galvan, Summa Cum Laude
Carson T. Miller
Aliyah Latasha Moore
Jada Elaine Morrow, Cum Laude
Darlene Nicole Ortega, Summa Cum Laude
Jace P. Overton
Priscilla Michelle Porbaugh, Cum Laude
Audrey K. Portillo
Jareth Anthony Quintero-Opatowski, Magna Cum Laude
Samah S. Rahal, Summa Cum Laude
Marco Ricci, Summa Cum Laude
Bernabee Roman
Maria Jose Rosas Martinez
Kaylin A. Ruiz, Magna Cum Laude
Emily Paige Ritter, Summa Cum Laude
Mohamed A. Salma, Magna Cum Laude
Mason L. Sanders, Magna Cum Laude
Joseph Arthur Schmeling
Joshua Barton Scott, Magna Cum Laude
Jeremy Daniel Sims, Cum Laude
Desiree Felice Standoak, Magna Cum Laude
Preston Major Tabor, Magna Cum Laude
Hunter J. Taylor
Josiah D. Thomas
Ethan T. Stover
Steven Paul Moitz
Devin A. Soucy, Magna Cum Laude
Jeremy Ryan Price, Cum Laude
Tomal Wagner
Alexander Lee Pearlman, Cum Laude
Vemisola Nofisatraji, Magna Cum Laude
Nya Felicity Watkins-Garner
Lucy Welterlin
Angel Atria White, Magna Cum Laude
Hannah Ziba
Anna E. Zemin
Let's congratulate those graduates from the
Department of Political Science
Presenting the candidates from the Department
of Spanish
Jacqueline Nicole Andrade
Daniel Castorina
Raul Castorina, Cum Laude
Giancarlo Alexander Feliciano, Magna Cum Laude
Luis Daniel Guerrero
Grayson Anthony Harris, Cum Laude
Emily Gardner Marr, Summa Cum Laude
LaVonna Christina McLean
Fatima G. Mendiola
Carolina Perez Vargas
Karen Ramirez, Summa Cum Laude
Daphne Thais Ramos, Magna Cum Laude
Cassidy A. Rendon, Magna Cum Laude
Gabriel Jackson Smith, Magna Cum Laude
Kristen Leigh Taylor
Lizbeth Tyner, Cum Laude
Jasmine M. Velazquez, Magna Cum Laude
Let's congratulate those graduates from the
Department of Spanish
Presenting the candidates from the Department
of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Joshua Drew Babino
Kayla Bloodworth
Flor Delis Ramia Guillory, Cum Laude
Sydney Austin Mulder
Hannah Oettinger
Michelle Alejandra Palacios Navas, Summa Cum Laude
Filagonio Joseph Perez
Hannah M. Price, Cum Laude
Renee Renteria
Oriana Mercedes Silva Belisario, Cum Laude
Yumi Joyce Standley, Summa Cum Laude
Bridget Hope Teschendorf, Magna Cum Laude
Haley Wewers, Magna Cum Laude
Let's congratulate those graduates from the
Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Presenting the candidates from Social Science
Tori B. Carroll
Brittany Lauren Esparza Estevez
Larissa A. Hernandez, Cum Laude
Olivia Ruth Martin
Brenda Nayeli Montanez Echeverria
Abigail Kwakama Moore
Desiree Ortega
Colleen Zimmerman
Let's congratulate those graduates from the
Department of Social Sciences
Presenting the candidates from Integrative Studies
Jermaine Rashad Turner
Campbell Smith
Jessica Mao
Rosalind Cheenn Hosanty
Michelle Hartman
Jethro Rodriguez
Lydia Padilla
Kevin Jackson
Plendi Stewart
Malakai Al-Zarraki, Magna Cum Laude.
Saron Rezenayaraya, Magna Cum Laude.
Karla V. Arista.
James Wesley Baker.
Ebony M. Benz.
Mackenzie Rae Borden.
Erica N. Bridges.
Trey Mikiel Brown.
Alexandra Bailey Brungardt.
DeAndre Danforth Burton.
Samuel Henry Byers.
Steven Allen Byrum.
Connor Chapman Calhoun, Cum Laude.
Nirvana Mercedes Campos.
Lily Leanne Capetillo.
Mariam Chelebi.
Giselle Anne B. Serra.
Cooper Chase.
Saliwe Chinahumno.
Craig S. Collinsworth.
Jacinto Contreras.
Juan Luis Coronel.
Madeline Elizabeth Colston, Magna Cum Laude.
Grayson T. Cranfill.
River Colby David.
Amy Cuevas Molinito.
Kara Catriona Curtis.
Jillian Martha Darnell.
Johanna Alejandra De La Cruz Rodriguez.
Isabella Grace De Lise.
Elisan Ramirez Dominguez.
Jasmine Desiree Dones.
Jaylin M. Douglas.
Alexis M. Drugan.
Sydney Ann Duraviam.
Ashley Rose Rivera.
Jacob Matthew Eck.
Julianne Encizo.
Kaijai M. Foy.
Janayma Mee Frederick-Aguazar, Magna Cum Laude.
Haley J. Gardner, Summa Cum Laude.
Liliana Jade Garrett, Cum Laude.
Jeremy Adam Gibson.
Kira Serene Gill, Magna Cum Laude.
Destonia Marie Glavon, Magna Cum Laude.
Cody Thomas Gonzalez.
Madeline Taylor Gonzalez.
Daniel James Goodman.
Chandler Elizabeth Gill, Cum Laude.
Cortland Z. Jones.
Harrison Cole Griffin.
Alessandra J. Hagler.
Crystal Marshae Haney.
Glencoya Rayon Hardy.
Zachary Hart.
Dayhan Hong.
Felicity Houston, Cum Laude.
Eric Guerrero.
Kiana Karen Floyd.
Natalie M. Gamez.
Lindsey Faye Graves.
Jessica M. Hammond.
Corey Wayne Hank.
Kate Iola Hickerson, Summa Cum Laude.
Madeline Nicole Hill, Magna Cum Laude.
Mark Allen Hewlett Jr.
Kennedy Renee Hunter.
Rashid Nartine Brown.
Jorge Ibarra.
D'Ariel L. Jackson, Magna Cum Laude.
Taylor William Jacobs.
Jasmine Rose James.
Kendrick Xavier Johnson.
Kadren Johnson.
Tayshawn Rainier Johnson.
Aaron Riley Jones.
Tara Deanne Jones, Cum Laude.
Madison Claire Kammerer.
Dylan Thomas Kays.
Traven Omar Kelly.
Isabella Narisse Klipsch, Cum Laude.
Rainey Alexis Kirk, Cum Laude.
Alex Nicole Lanzafame.
Jessie Luanne Laverdiere.
Matthew Allen Lemons.
Taylor Rae Lizenby, Cum Laude.
Andrea Loera.
Sydney Alyse Mahurin.
Brandon Jacob Maldonado.
Clarissa Monique Malone.
Brian D. Manning.
Jonathan Martin.
Isaac L. Martinez.
Sofia Trancita Martinez, Cum Laude.
Joshua Payton Mason.
Casey Nicole Mayberry.
Payton Mayu, Summa Cum Laude.
Sean T. McClure.
Darian Gerald McMillan.
Marilyn Rose McWhorter, Summa Cum Laude.
Alexis Reese Melendez.
Tyler R. Millar Sr.
Madison S. Miller.
James Wesley Harry Mills, Summa Cum Laude.
Quinn Thomas Minear.
Kristina Danielle Miranda.
Vanessa Montoya.
Madison Hannah Moore, Summa Cum Laude.
Patricia Yvette Moreno.
Finley Murdoch Muela, Cum Laude.
Abigail Muller, Summa Cum Laude.
Dashauna A. Nellam.
Marissa Christine Nybarger.
Joshua Obie.
Chibuzo Hygenus Obinwane.
Tara Marie Olson.
Anna Asha Awusu-Seshare.
Samantha Alejandra Pacas.
Marcella Padgins.
Pedro Pastrano Jr.
Destiny Renee Pena.
Brooklyn Kelly Penny.
Noah R. Pilar.
Lindsey Renee Porter.
James E. Pospisil.
Jacob Curtis Powers.
Madison M. Powers.
Tyler Timar Perry.
Rafael Javier Quinonez.
Garrett E. Ragsdale.
Tanner Rahoy.
Avery L. Ransberger, Cum Laude.
Paige Kaitlyn Rasberry, Magna Cum Laude.
Jason Rollins.
Sunny N. Reza.
Joseph Anthony Reano.
Elizabeth Ann Riggs, Magna Cum Laude.
Langston T. Roberts.
Paul Thomas Roberts.
April Rodriguez.
Richard Juwan Rogers.
Cooper Rolison.
Vanessa Shekaye Sampson.
Kaitlyn Nicole Sandifer.
Kimberly San Juan.
Kaitlyn N. Scott.
Ashley K. Seifert.
Krista McKay Schonefeldt.
Malik A. Simmons.
Hunter A. Scaria.
Kaitlyn Ruth Smathers.
Cameron A. Segura.
Stephanie Lynn Sewell.
Jamie Lee Silva.
Dabria Elena Shanks.
Samantha Yvonne Shed.
Sean Lahey Smith.
Mackenzie Kaylee Strocki, Cum Laude.
Veronica Bronwyn Struble, Magna Cum Laude.
Star Elizabeth Taber.
Gayla Odette Tate.
Anthony J. Taylor.
Zachary Micah Torres.
Haley Marie Trangina.
Veronica A. Trevino.
Maxwell Ryan Twaddle.
Amanda L. Osry, Magna Cum Laude.
Maria Delgadrujillo Velasco, Magna Cum Laude.
Christopher Thomas Vickery.
Megan Rebecca Wagner, Summa Cum Laude.
Carissa N. Wallace.
Charlotte A. Wallstead, Magna Cum Laude.
Damon Jerome Ward Jr.
William Douglas Weatherford.
Ariyah Eden Willard, Cum Laude.
Christopher Sean Williams Jr. Ariana.
I I. God.
Oh oh oh.
Please be seated.
Emily Madeline Williams.
Mikayla Tiara Williams.
Amber Michelle Wolfe.
Matthew Joseph Woods, Summa Cum Laude.
Kayla Ann Walpole, Cum Laude.
Anna Kaye Wine, Summa Cum Laude.
Victoria Ala-Yabuye.
Yina Wang.
Kimberly Zermenow.
Ijeoma Nicole Inlam, Magna Cum Laude.
Let's congratulate these graduates
from the Department of Integrative Studies.
Thank you.
And I'd now like to ask the representative,
Emily Clement, from our Alumni Association
to say a few words to our new graduates.
Thank you, I'll just ask her to come up.
Wow, that was amazing.
Well, hello, UNT graduates.
My name is Emily Clement, and I am a former chair
of the UNT Alumni Association Board of Directors.
I am also a very proud UNT Alumna.
First, I want to share my sincerest congratulations
on your remarkable achievements.
Earning a degree is worth celebrating,
and I hope you are proud of your perseverance
and determination that brought you here
to this day and to this moment.
In my time at UNT, I've discovered
that this university is much more than a place.
It's a proud and powerful community.
Beyond your personal achievements,
your UNT degree signifies that you are a member
of a truly caring, creative, and resilient
alumni family.
On this important day, you're joining ranks
with a network of imaginative leaders and innovators,
people who are changing the world around them.
We are 476,000 alumni strong across the country
and the globe.
Wherever you are, we are there with you.
Now it's time for you to join that network
and create your own legacy.
As you move on to pursue your purpose,
remember that your alma mater will be there for you
through every stage of your life and your career.
The UNT Alumni Association is a special organization
that keeps our students and alumni connected
to the university and to each other.
We wanna make sure you have the support
of a strong Mean Green network
long after you receive your diploma.
So stay connected.
Stay connected to your alma mater
through the Alumni Association.
Join us at alumni events.
Participate in our online Mean Green Mentors program.
Connect with us on social media
and tell us about your successes.
Tell us your stories so we can celebrate with you.
And now and then, take a moment to look back at
your time
as a UNT student.
Then go forward to do great things
with the confidence that you have
the lifelong support of your university.
You know, there were many gaps in my education
at North Texas because life happens.
But this amazing university always seemed to be waiting
and wanting me to come home.
And I'm so humble and so forever grateful.
And now, know that your Mean Green community
is proud of you and excited to watch you go
through life
and watch you go out and make a difference in
the world.
Lastly, to our graduate with class rings,
it's time to turn your rings
so the University of North Texas faces away
from you.
This tradition symbolizes that you are ready
to face the world.
We hope you will continue to wear your UNT ring
with pride.
To everyone, always remember that you are part
of a community that believes in you
and deeply cares about your future.
So, always be brave, always do good,
and welcome to our alumni family.
We are always waiting and wanting you to come
home too.
Congratulations, and go Mean Green.
Now, we have almost reached the conclusion
of this wonderful ceremony,
but we have one more ritual to perform.
Class graduates, it is now my honor to instruct you
to move the tassel of your cap to the left
to proclaim your new status as college graduates
and UNT alumni.
Now, before we conclude, I know you'll want to
join me
in thanking our vocalist, Ms. Rebecca Mignolo,
and keyboardist, Ms. Moonee Tan,
and Mr. Russ Stuckel of the Texas Academy
of Math and Science and the ASL Interpreters.
Finally, it goes without saying that many of you
would not be here today if not for the support
of family, friends, faculty, and your fellow students.
Graduates, I would like to offer you an opportunity
to stand, look into the audience,
and join me in applauding those
who helped you earn your degree. Wellness,
graduates, as you remain standing,
I would like to invite everyone else
rise for the conclusion of the ceremony. Ms.
Rebecca Mignola will lead us in
singing the alma mater after which the marshals
will lead the recessional. Best
wishes for a fine future as graduates and
alumni of UNT's College of Liberal
Arts and Social Sciences.
Singing glory to the green, singing glory to
the white. For we know our university is
striving for the right.
Down the corridor of years, we'll forget the
joys and tears, but North Texas, North Texas we love.
Singing glory to the green, singing glory to
the white. For we know our university is
striving for the right.
Singing glory to the green, singing glory to
the white.
Let's go, let's go!
I love you!
Let's go, let's go!