273 Students To Graduate From Reinhardt University

Editor's note: this story has been updated.

WALESKA, GA -- Reinhardt University will hold its 2016 Commencement Ceremony on Friday where degrees will be conferred for 273 students.

The ceremony will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. May 6 at the Sis Brown Athletic Center. The keynote speaker will be Cherokee County Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Hightower, a 1983 Reinhardt alumnus and the 2015-16 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year.

“Being asked to deliver the commencement address at your alma mater is such an honor and so humbling,” Dr. Hightower said. “As a young man sitting in the auditorium for my own commencement, the thought of one day being the speaker myself never crossed my mind. By accepting this incredible opportunity, I hope to return thanks to the University and professors who years ago guided me toward my path as an educator.”

Hightower said he hopes his story will help inspire those who are taking their next steps in life as they earn their degrees.

“College graduation is one of the most significant milestones in one’s life,” said Reinhardt University President Dr. Kina Mallard said. “We congratulate each Reinhardt graduate for their persistence and hard work to meet this goal, and we look forward to following their journey as they use what they have learned at Reinhardt to make an impact in their communities and in the world."

Residents in the Waleska area on Friday should expect traffic delays before and after the ceremony. The Cherokee Sheriff’s Office and the Reinhardt Public Safety Department will be on site helping to mitigate any traffic issues.

For information on parking and more, visit the university's website. In addition to Friday’s Commencement Ceremony, a Baccalaureate Ceremony will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Falany Performing Arts Center.

Cherokee County graduates include: Jordyn Elizabeth Dobbins, of Woodstock, Bachelor of Criminal Justice in criminal justice, cum laude; Megan Danielle Dyer, of Canton, Associate of Science in pre-nursing; Kenneth Dale Furman, of Canton, Associate of Science in criminal justice; Jenna Dianne Bednarsky, of Canton, Bachelor of Arts in English, magna cum laude; Tracy Elaine Bishop, of Canton, Bachelor of Arts in English; Jarae Mckelle Comstock, of Acworth, Bachelor of Arts in public relations and advertising; Wyatt Ty Dean, of Ball Ground, Bachelor of Arts in history, magna cum laude; Kayla Neal Diehl, of Woodstock, Bachelor of Arts in communication; Ryan Daniel Licht, of Canton, Bachelor of Arts in communication, cum laude; Kelsey Blair Swofford, of Ball Ground, Bachelor of Fine Arts in digital art and graphic design, magna cum laude; Kristin Devon Clegg, of Canton, Bachelor of Science in business administration, magna cum laude; Jakob David Dalfonso, of Woodstock, Bachelor of Arts in organizational management & leadership; Anthony Shane Dobson, of Canton, Bachelor of Arts in organizational management & leadership, magna cum laude; Jordan Mikayla Gillis, of Woodstock, Bachelor of Science in business administration; Dillon King Harrington, of Woodstock, Bachelor of Science in business administration; Chase Francis Holmes, of Canton, Bachelor of Science in business administration Jimmy L. Ivey, of Canton, Bachelor of Arts in organizational management & leadership, cum laude; Gardner Allan Jones, of Canton, Bachelor of Arts in organizational management & leadership, cum laude; James Paul Major, of Roswell, Bachelor of Arts in organizational management & leadership; Shane Brinson McClesky, of Woodstock, Bachelor of Science in business administration; Alan Gabriel Mercado, of Canton, Bachelor of Science in business administration, summa cum laude; Drayton Phi Mercure, of Ball Ground, Bachelor of Science in business administration, magna cum laude; Anna Winnice Oswald, of Canton; Bachelor of Science in business administration; Brandon Scott Price, of Ball Ground, Bachelor of Science in business administration, cum laude; Jessica Maria Price, of Woodstock, Bachelor of Arts in organizational management & leadership; Alyssa Marie Siebold, of Woodstock, Bachelor of Science in business administration; Kaleigh Nicole Clark, of Woodstock, Bachelor of Science in sports studies; Joshua Caleb Cooper, of Canton, Bachelor of Science in middle grades education, magna cum laude; Kristin Faith Day, of Woodstock, Bachelor of Science in early childhood education, summa cum laude; Kraig Jackson Doremus, of Woodstock, Bachelor of Science in sports studies, summa cum laude; Molly Savanna Gerrell, of Canton, Bachelor of Science in early childhood education; Reanna Emily Hammond, of Canton, Bachelor of Science in early childhood education, cum laude; Whitney Rene Hazlewood, of Canton, Bachelor of Science in early childhood education, magna cum laude; Haley Lynne Jacobs, of Woodstock, Bachelor of Science in early childhood education, cum laude; Morgan Ryan Johnson, of Canton, Bachelor of Science in early childhood education, magna cum laude; Heather Anne Jump, of Canton, Bachelor of Science early childhood education, magna cum laude; Zachary Bryon Lindsey, of Woodstock, Bachelor of Science in sports studies; Lauren Ashley Mullinax, of Canton, Bachelor of Science in sports studies, cum laude; Courtney Lynn Norris, of Canton, Bachelor of Science in early childhood education; Jessica Brandie DeLay, of Woodstock, Bachelor of Science in biology; Natalee Nicole Gordon, of Canton, Bachelor of Science in biology, summa cum laude; Paridas Murielle Gouba, of Canton, Bachelor of Science in biology; Colby Jane LaFever, of Woodstock, Bachelor of Science in biology, magna cum laude; Tara Michelle Lopez, of Woodstock, Bachelor of Science in biology, magna cum laude; Charles Edward Pierce, of Canton, Bachelor of Science in biology; Stephanie Brianna Smith, of Canton, Bachelor of Science in psychology, summa cum laude; Kayla Delaine Spenard, of Canton, Bachelor of Science in criminal justice-sociology, summa cum laude; John English Curry, of Waleska, Bachelor of Music Education; Leah Brianna Davis, of Canton, Bachelor of Arts in theatre, magna cum laude; Matthew Charles Duncan, of Woodstock, Bachelor of Music Education, magna cum laude; Rachel Elizabeth Kay, of Canton, Bachelor of Music, magna cum laude; Lindsay Marie Ligon, of Canton, Bachelor of Music Education, cum laude; Matthew Victor Luce, of Canton, Bachelor of Arts in theatre, cum laude; LeeAnn Ashley Moore, of Woodstock, Bachelor of Music in performance; Brandon Thomas Sosebee, of Ball Ground, Bachelor of Music in performance, magna cum laude; Casey Cooper Baxter, of Canton, Bachelor of Healthcare Administration in healthcare administration, cum laude; Courtney Biehl Delano, of Canton, Bachelor of Criminal Justice in criminal justice, cum laude; Christopher Michael Evans, of Canton, Bachelor of Criminal Justice in criminal justice, cum laude; Kinsey Melissa Gober, of Canton, Bachelor of Healthcare Administration in healthcare administration; Jeremy Wayne Huggins, of Canton, Bachelor of Criminal Justice in criminal justice, magna cum laude Jonathan Hunter Kissee, of Woodstock, Bachelor of Criminal Justice in criminal justice; Marlea Shae Martin, of Acworth, Bachelor of Healthcare Administration in healthcare administration; Lindsey Nicolle Stainback, of Woodstock, Bachelor of Healthcare Administration in healthcare administration; Holly Mashburn Bates, of Canton, Master of Business Administration; Melissa K. Forrester, of Canton, Master of Business Administration; Justin Richard Wagner, of Acworth, Master of Business Administration; Callie Elizabeth Wheeler, of Canton, Master of Business Administration; Ashley Antoinette Grande, of Woodstock, Master of Arts in Teaching; Jessica Star Grant-Tweedie, of Woodstock, Master of Arts in Teaching; Lisa Lynn Long, of Canton, Master of Arts in Teaching; Margie Ann Pullen, of Canton, Master of Arts in Teaching; Mary Rebecca Robinson, of Woodstock, Master of Arts in Teaching; Jonathan H. Sexton, of Ball Ground, Master of Arts in Teaching; Meredith L. Waters, of Canton, Master of Arts in Teaching; Steven Michael Vosika, of Canton, Master of Public Administration; Adam Craighead, of Woodstock, Master of Music in conducting; Jefferson D. Doyle, of Canton, Master of Music in conducting; and Christin Leigh Lawhorne, of Woodstock, Master of Music in conducting.

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