WKU News
WKU's academic colleges recognize graduates, top students
- WKU News
- Saturday, May 12th, 2018
WKU’s six academic colleges celebrated their Class of 2018 graduates and recognized top students in ceremonies on Saturday (May 12) at Diddle Arena.
In the university-wide 183rd Commencement ceremony on Friday night, WKU conferred degrees and certificates to 3,283 spring and summer graduates -- 144 associate, 2,184 bachelor’s, 702 master’s, 10 specialist, 27 doctor of physical therapy, nine doctor of education, 13 doctor of nursing practice and four doctor of psychology degrees and 95 undergraduate certificates and 95 graduate certificates. (More: Commencement photo album)
More: The Gatton Academy recognized 88 students from 48 Kentucky counties in its 11th graduating class.
(Note: This story will be updated after each recognition ceremony)
College of Health and Human Services
Outstanding Graduate Student: Teresa Wiczynski of Columbus, Indiana, Master of Science in Kinesiology. Wiczynski plans to pursue a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and has been offered doctoral fellowships by two programs.
Doctor of Nursing Practice: The graduates of the Doctor of Nursing Practice are (name, current residence/hometown, dissertation title): Sana M. Ali, Bowling Green, Self-Reported Health Status and Dietary Practices: A Cross Sectional Study of Asian-Indians in the Southeastern United States; Brittney Belcher, Portland, Tennessee/White House, Tennessee, Nurse Practitioners’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Towards Post-Stroke Depression Screening: A Pilot Study; Jessica L. Blagys, Springfield, Tennessee, The Effects of a Yoga Program on Anxiety and Self-Efficacy in Adults with Addiction; Emilee Burton, Lexington/Monticello, Effects of an Educational Intervention on Chlorhexidine Adherence in Patients Admitted to a Bone Marrow Transplant Unit; Ginger Lee Conn, Alpha/Albany, Type 2 Diabetes Risk Reduction: A Text Messaging Intervention; Lenora Frances DeBord, Somerset, Working Nursing Students Willing to Seek Mental Health Care; Courtney Nicole Fazel, Scottsville, Perceptions of Electronic Cigarettes Among Adults in Bingo Halls; Victoria D. Harper, Rockfield/Lawton, Michigan, Health Care Workers Knowledge and Practice Regarding Tuberculosis; Sherelen Hodges, Bowling Green/Chattanooga, Tennessee, Practice, Attitudes, and Knowledge Related to Sunning in College-Age Women; Melissa A. Marguet, Greenville, Indiana/Georgetown, Indiana, The Effect of a Teamwork Intervention on Staff Perception of Teamwork and Patient Care on a Medical Surgical Unit; Meghan E. McKinley, Owensboro, Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Among Primapara Mothers: A Text-Message Approach; Lydia Elizabeth McQuinn, Louisville, Malignant Hyperthermia Simulation Effect on Perioperative Nurses’ Knowledge; Lindsay B. Medley, Springfield, Colorectal Cancer Screening Education in Faith-Based Communities; Tyler D. Miller, Glasgow, Pain Management in Adult Burn Patients: A Quality Improvement Project; Bennett Speck, Albany, Childhood Diabetes Knowledge in Non-Medical School Personnel: An Educational Intervention; Jennifer Tyree, Louisville, Perioperative Nursing Education: Effects on Nursing Students Knowledge and Interest Levels; Mallory Welborn, Central City, Implementation of an Educational Intervention in Primary Care to Improve Routine Depression Screening; Diana Hughes Wooden, Franklin, APRN Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Gestational Diabetes Care in a Southern State.
Doctor of Physical Therapy: The graduates of the Doctor of Physical Therapy are (name, project title): Lauren Nicole Badstibner, Assessing Gross Motor Skills in Young Children with Intellectual Impairment Participating in the Young Athletes Program: A Prospective Case Study; William Isaac Buck, The Effects of Static and Dynamic Warm-Ups on Functional Performance in Older Adults; Emily Marie Burke, Limb Dominance and Symmetry During Functional Performance Tests; Allison Blair Chumbley, The Effects of Orthotics and Whole Body Vibration on Gait, Balance, and Gross Motor Function in Children with Down Syndrome; Morgen Brittany Clayton, The Effects of Orthotics and Whole Body Vibration on Gait, Balance, and Gross Motor Function in Children with Down Syndrome; Tate Paxton Downing, The Effects of Orthotics and Whole Body Vibration on Gait, Balance, and Gross Motor Function in Children with Down Syndrome; Robert W. Fuller, Doctor of Physical Therapy Student Debt: Amount, Impact, and Personal Financial Education to Address this Mounting Problem; Melissa Goldberg, A Systematic Review Examining the Exercise Parameters Required to Induce the Repeated Bout Effect: Implications for Acute Care Physical Therapists; Anna Elizabeth Green, A Systematic Review Examining the Exercise Parameters Required to Induce the Repeated Bout Effect: Implications for Acute Care Physical Therapists; Timothy J. Harrold II, A Systematic Review Examining the Exercise Parameters Required to Induce the Repeated Bout Effect: Implications for Acute Care Physical Therapists; Clinton Taylor Hartig, Acute Effects of a Yoga Based Warmup Compared to a Traditional Dynamic Warmup on Measures of Athletic Performance; Ben D. Jones, Acute Effects of a Yoga Based Warmup Compared to a Traditional Dynamic Warmup on Measures of Athletic Performance; Karilyn Marie Kitzinger, Assessing Gross Motor Skills in Young Children with Intellectual Impairment Participating in the Young Athletes Program: A Prospective Case Study; Carey Michael Laurent, The Effects of Static and Dynamic Warm-Ups on Functional Performance in Older Adults; Ryne McMullen, The Effects of Static and Dynamic Warm-Ups on Functional Performance in Older Adults; Michael Clark Newton, Limb Dominance and Symmetry During Functional Performance Tests; Taylor Walden Parker, Assessing Gross Motor Skills in Young Children with Intellectual Impairment Participating in the Young Athletes Program: A Prospective Case Study; Brittany Dawn Renfrow, Acute Effects of a Yoga Based Warmup Compared to a Traditional Dynamic Warmup on Measures of Athletic Performance; Fikret Sabic, Bosnians in the Bluegrass State: Development of a Survey to Assess Physical Activity in an Immigrant Population; Kevin Siu, Bosnians in the Bluegrass State: Development of a Survey to Assess Physical Activity in an Immigrant Population; Taylor V. Sydnor, Limb Dominance and Symmetry During Functional Performance Tests; Milo Tarighi, Bosnians in the Bluegrass State: Development of a Survey to Assess Physical Activity in an Immigrant Population; Mitchell Turner, Limb Dominance and Symmetry During Functional Performance Tests; Natalie Smith VanArsdall, The Effects of Orthotics and Whole Body Vibration on Gait, Balance, and Gross Motor Function in Children with Down Syndrome; Wesley Walden, The Effects of Static and Dynamic Warm-Ups on Functional Performance in Older Adults; Chelsea Watson, The Effects of Orthotics and Whole Body Vibration on Gait, Balance, and Gross Motor Function in Children with Down Syndrome; Wade T. Weatherholt, The Effects of Static and Dynamic Warm-Ups on Functional Performance in Older Adults.
Scholars of the College: Holly Boddeker of Bowling Green, a Nursing major and the daughter of Tammy and Jeff Younglove and Natalie and Paul Boddeker; Allison Glascock of Flemingsburg, a Communication Disorders major and the daughter of Lisa and Todd Glascock; Haley Jones of Elizabethtown, a Communication Disorders major, a Mahurin Honors College graduate and the daughter of Michelle and Kenny Jones. Krystin King of Columbia, Tennessee, a Sport Management major and the daughter of Lisa and Doug King; Amelia Little of Elkton, a Communication Disorders major and the daughter of Angela and Tim Little; Ashley Osman of Lexington, a Nursing major and the daughter of Viodalia Dalton and Jeffery Osman; Chaney Rose of Bowling Green, a Nursing major, a Mahurin Honors College graduate and the daughter of Stacey and Jeff Rose; Taylor Wathen of Owensboro, a Communication Disorders major and the daughter of Angela Thompson and Vernon Wathen.
University College
Outstanding Graduate Student: Katharine Quince of Portland, Oregon, Master of Arts in Social Responsibility and Sustainable Communities. Quince has more than a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector and her research has ranged from gender reform in Theravadin Buddhist monastics to gendered relations to food among a diverse group of women in Portland, Oregon.
Scholar of the College: Lillian Nellans of Des Moines, Iowa, a double major in Honors Self Designed Studies (International Conflict Studies) and Philosophy, a Mahurin Honors College graduate and the daughter of Jennifer and Bill Nellans. Nellans also was recognized Friday night as the Ogden Foundation Scholar, WKU’s top graduation honor.
Ogden College of Science and Engineering
Outstanding Graduate Student: Justin Jones of Fairfax Station, Virginia, Master of Science in Psychology. Jones will begin an Industrial-Organizational Psychology doctoral program this fall to pursue his passion of researching team dynamics in high demand performance situations such as the military and the NASA Mars mission.
Scholars of the College: Jacob Brumley of Lawrenceburg, dual degrees with majors in Biology and Religious Studies, also a Scholar of the Potter College of Arts & Letters, a Mahurin Honors College graduate, the son of Juliah and John Brumley and the fiancé to Tori Lynch; Nicholas Coffey of Dunnville, a Chemistry and Biology double major, a Mahurin Honors College graduate and the son of Susan and Darrell Coffey; Jason Fox of Russellville, dual degrees in Geography/Environmental Studies and Music, also a Scholar of the Potter College of Arts & Letters, a Mahurin Honors College graduate and the son of Susan and Brian Fox; Jordan Alexis Gregory of Louisville, a Psychological Sciences major, a Mahurin Honors College graduate and the daughter of Jennifer and John Gregory; Jacob Hubbuch of London, a Biochemistry chemistry major and the son of Dawn and Christopher Hubbuch; Mary Lacy of Bowling Green, a Mathematics, Science and Math Education and Middle Grades Mathematics triple major, the daughter of Nancy and Daniel Lacy and the spouse to Dustin Lee; Benjamin Garrett Morrison of Bowling Green, a Biology major, a Mahurin Honors College graduate and the son of Stacey and Keith Morrison; Millicent Ronkainen of Hodgenville, dual degrees with majors in Biology and Chemistry, a Mahurin Honors College graduate and the daughter of Diane and James Ronkainen; Amy Michelle Teta of Louisville, a Chemistry major, a Mahurin Honors College graduate and the daughter of Ellen and Bob Teta; Jessica Vaughan of Bowling Green, dual degrees with majors in Biology and Chemistry, a Mahurin Honors College graduate and the daughter of Kathleen and Timothy Vaughan; Jared Walden of Scottsville, an Electrical Engineering major and the son of Debbie and James Walden.
College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
Outstanding Graduate Student: Brittany Marshall of Saint Ignace, Michigan, Doctor of Psychology in Applied Psychology. Marshall, who is a school psychologist for Bowling Green City Schools, was a member of the first cohort of graduates from WKU’s fourth doctoral program.
Doctor of Psychology in Applied Psychology: The inaugural graduates of the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Applied Psychology are (name, current residence/hometown, dissertation title): Regina M. Guthrie, Bowling Green/Bremen, Effectiveness of Repeated Reading and Error Correction Strategies on the Reading Fluency Skills of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder; Crystal T. Henson, The Role of Self-Care as it Pertains to Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, and Compassion Satisfaction Among Suicide Prevention Crisis Hotline Workers; Brittany Marshall, Bowling Green/St. Ignace, Michigan, The Effect of Embedding the Restricted Interests of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Text on Reading Comprehension; Anissa Syreen Pugh, Hopkinsville/Evansville, Indiana, Client Perceptions of the Five Facets of Mindfulness Based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Educational Leadership Doctoral Program: The graduates of the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership are (name/dissertation title): Angela Ash, Joint-Admissions Explored: Determining the Existence of a Transfer-Affirming Culture Between Owensboro Community and Technical College and Western Kentucky University – Owensboro; Brian D. Brausch, The Relationship Between Financial Literacy, Financial Status, and Academic Success in College Students; Sidney Glenn Carthell Sr., African-American College and University Presidents’ Perception of Effective Leadership Attributes; Colette Anderson Chelf, A Critical Discourse Analysis of Higher Education Leaders as Portrayed in The Chronicle of Higher Education; Yang Liu, Acquisition of Word Spellings and Meanings During Reading in Nonnative Chinese Speakers; Trudy-Ann Crossbourne Richards, Do Faculty In-Class Incivility Behaviors Predict Type of Out-of-Class Interactions Between Faculty and Students?; Stephanie M. Riehn, Effectiveness of Autism Education in Accredited Hygiene Programs
Scholars of the College: Jodi Hagan of Utica, an Elementary Education major and the daughter of Joanie and Joey Hagan; Emily Lawrence of Versailles, dual degrees in Psychology and Theatre, also a Scholar of the Potter College of Arts & Letters, a Mahurin Honors College graduate and the daughter of Ninon and Dennis Lawrence; Elizabeth Trader of Crestwood, a Psychology major, a Mahurin Honors College graduate and the daughter of Marilu and Jim Trader; Kaitlin Woodrow of Bowling Green, a Special Education: LBD and Elementary Education major, a Mahurin Honors College graduate and the daughter of Rhonda and Brian Woodrow.
Potter College of Arts & Letters
Outstanding Graduate Student: Nicole Musgrave of Columbus, Ohio, Master of Arts in Folk Studies. Musgrave served as graduate assistant for the Kentucky Folklife Program at WKU and was recognized Friday night as the John D. Minton Award recipient, The Graduate School’s top award.
Scholars of the College: Megan Armstrong of Morehead, dual degrees with majors in Public Relations and Political Science, a Mahurin Honors College graduate and the daughter of Mary Beth and Tommy Armstrong; Madlyn Kay Beasley of Bowling Green, a Communication Studies and Spanish double major, a Mahurin Honors College graduate and the daughter of Britney and Clarke Beasley; Jacob Brumley of Lawrenceburg, dual degrees with majors in Religious Studies and Biology, also a Scholar of the Ogden College of Science and Engineering, a Mahurin Honors College graduate, the son of Juliah and John Brumley and the fiancé to Tori Lynch; Nicole Bufford of Hopkinsville, a Corporate and Organizational Communication major, a Mahurin Honors College graduate, the daughter of Shelly and Jeffrey DiMatties and the spouse to Ryan Bufford; Adam Carbone of Shelbyville, a Music Education major, a Mahurin Honors College graduate and the son of Pamela and Mark Carbone; Jason Fox of Russellville, dual degrees in Music and Geography/Environmental Studies, also a Scholar of the Ogden College of Science and Engineering, a Mahurin Honors College graduate and the son of Susan and Brian Fox; Emily Johns of Bowling Green, an Advertising major and the daughter of LaRae and Johnny Johns; Emma King of Madisonville, a Music Education major, a Mahurin Honors College graduate and the daughter of Jennifer and Richard King; Emily Lawrence of Versailles, dual degrees in Theatre and Psychology, also a Scholar of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, a Mahurin Honors College graduate and the daughter of Ninon and Dennis Lawrence; Lillian Nellans of Des Moines, Iowa, a double major in Honors Self Designed Studies (International Conflict Studies) and Philosophy, a Mahurin Honors College graduate, Ogden Foundation Scholar and the daughter of Jennifer and Bill Nellans; Jocelyn Porter of Louisville, a Broadcasting and Political Science double major, a Mahurin Honors College graduate and the daughter of Stacey and Corden Porter; Christa St. John of Bowling Green, a Dance major, the daughter of Robin and Robert Henry and the spouse to Brian St. John; Maggie Sullivan of Louisville, an International Affairs major, a Mahurin Honors College graduate and the daughter of Laura and Joe Sullivan; Kayla Walters of Louisville, an Advertising major, a Mahurin Honors College graduate and the daughter of Michelle and Bryan Walters.
Gordon Ford College of Business
Outstanding Graduate Student: Elvis Meskovic of Bowling Green, Master of Accountancy. Meskovic, an accounting JUMP (Joint Undergraduate-Master’s Program) student who passed the CPA and CMA exams, has accepted a full-time position with KPMG.
Scholars of the College: Jordan Barbagallo of Mount Washington, a Finance major and the son of Jennifer and John Barbagallo; Anne Thomas Belcher of Bowling Green, an Accounting major, a Mahurin Honors College graduate and the daughter of Debbie and Gerald Belcher; Nathan Cherry of Alvaton, a Management major, a Mahurin Honors College graduate and the son of Gretchen and Steve Cherry; Kaylee Johnson of Danville, an Accounting major, a Mahurin Honors College graduate and the daughter of Kay and Alex Johnson; Elizabeth Moss of Alvaton, a Finance major and the daughter of Sharon and William Moss.
Regional campus ceremonies
On Monday (May 14), WKU regional campuses in Elizabethtown-Fort Knox and Owensboro will recognize their graduates.
The WKU Elizabethtown-Fort Knox Ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. ET at Hardin County Schools Performing Arts Center, 384 W.A. Jenkins Road, Elizabethtown. Student Christina A. Cook and Dr. Beth Laves, Associate Vice President for WKU’s Division of Extended Learning and Outreach, will make remarks.
The WKU Owensboro Ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the RiverPark Center, 101 Daviess St., Owensboro. The keynote speaker will be Madison Silvert, president of The Malcolm Bryant Corporation. Provost David Lee and student Cindy Williams also will make remarks.
WKU Glasgow hosted its Graduand Ceremony on Thursday night (May 10). The keynote speaker was 2017 Miss Kentucky Molly Matney, a junior agriculture major from Center in Metcalfe County. Provost David Lee and Trista Childress, a graduating senior, also made remarks. More: Graduand photo gallery
Contact: Registrar’s Office, (270) 745-3351