64 Golden Flashes Receive Diplomas in Spring 2016
5/24/2016 12:25:00 PM | General
Following the university's commencement ceremony, Kent State football's Kyle Payton was presented with the helmet he wore during the 2013 GoDaddy.com Bowl, given to him as a gift by season ticket holders Dale and Patty Hartshorn. Â
KENT, Ohio – A total of 64 undergraduate Golden Flashes representing 15 of Kent State's athletic programs were part of the Spring 2016 Kent State University graduating class. A majority of the student-athletes in this year's class were honored at the university-wide ceremony on Saturday, May 14, in the M.A.C. Center, while the baseball, softball, and track and field programs held their own ceremonies due to schedule conflicts. Â
Collectively, this years' graduates posted a 3.264 GPA and were responsible for a combined 22 MAC regular season and tournament championships over the last four years. Â The class includes student-athletes from six different countries.
"We feel such a sense of pride witnessing our student-athletes achieve their goal of graduating," said Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services Angie Hull. "In working closely with our student-athletes, our staff has fostered the Flash-family atmosphere which believe helps student-athletes succeed," Hull added.
During the university's commencement, Kent State's baseball team was in the midst of a three-game series against Bowling Green in which they swept the Falcons, clinching the MAC regular season title. To honor their graduates, the team held a ceremony prior to their game against Western Carolina on Friday, May 20. Former Flashes John Birkbeck, John Fasola, Andrew Sonnanstine, and John Van Benschoten were among those honored after returning to Kent State to finish their degrees. Chuck Seacrist, who served as a coach for the Flashes, was also honored as he completed he completed his advanced nursing degree. Photo Gallery  Graduation Night Video Highlight
Kent State's track and field teams were in Toledo competing for the Outdoor MAC Championships during the university's graduation ceremony, as the men captured third place and the women captured fourth place. The team held their ceremony the night of Wednesday, May 11, honoring their graduates and those that will graduate in the summer or fall but are in their last season of eligibility.  Photo Gallery
The Kent State softball team held their own ceremony honoring its six graduates due to a possible schedule conflict with the MAC tournament. The team held their ceremony prior to their game against Akron on Saturday, May 7, before they clinched the MAC regular season title with 6-3 win over the Zips.  Graduation Night Video HighlightÂ
Baseball (8):Â John Birkbeck; John Fasola, Eric Lauer; Eli Martin; Jacob Neuschaefer; Andrew Sonnanstine; John Van Benschoten; Zarley Zalewski
Men's Basketball (2):Â Chris Ortiz; Xavier Pollard
Football (8):Â Matt Dellinger; Tad France; Anthony Melchiori; Alex Nielsen; Kyle Payton; Colin Reardon; Reno Reda; Joe Ziccardi
Men's Golf (1):Â Sebastian Bendsen
Men's Cross Country/Track and Field (10):Â Justin Bailey; Roosevelt Dotson; Tyler Jones; Micheal King; Jesse Oxley; Kyle Schlumbohm; Jacob Swords; Donovan Tolbert; Connor Whelan; Joe Wisniewski
Wrestling (6):Â Tyler Buckwalter; Michael DePalma; Mack McGuire; Ian Miller; Del Vinas; Mike Vollant
Field Hockey (3):Â Kelly Baick; Caroline Corthouts; Alayna Harris
Women's Golf (2):Â Amira Alexander; Josee Doyon
Women's Gymnastics (2):Â Kayla Kosmerl; Rebecca Osmer
Women's Soccer (3):Â Briana Bartolone; Madison Helterbran; Stephanie Senn
Softball (6):Â Nicki Cregan; Michele Duffy; Alyssa Frankenfield; Arika Roush; Shelbi Tilton; Erika Warren
Women's Cross Country/Track and Field (11):Â Dior Delophont; Roseanne Erickson; Kaila Gardner; Rebecca Herte; Lakia Kent-Allen; Anna Lombardo; Audra Puckrin; Danniel Thomas; Mallory Vetter; Chanitta Westbrooks; Taylor Wickey
Volleyball (2):Â Kelly Hutchison; Bridget Wilhelm
