Flashes Celebrate Spring Commencement
5/13/2019 4:32:00 PM | Football, General
Sixty-six current and former Kent State student-athletes were among the 5,300 new graduates Saturday, May 11, at the One University Commencement Dix Stadium. The first to walk across the elongated stage was reigning Super Bowl MVP Julian Edelman accepting his bachelor's degree.
More than a decade after playing his final game at Dix Stadium, the former Golden Flashes' quarterback took care of some unfinished business away from the gridiron. Edelman completed coursework toward a bachelor's degree in integrative studies and brought the crowd to its feet Saturday, this time while wearing a cap and gown.
"What a great accomplishment for Julian!" Senior Associate Provost Melody Tankersley said. "He turned that same relentless determination and drive you witness on the field to his goal of completing his academic program. Julian poured himself into this final push to earn his degree with great success. He has always been an incredible Golden Flash, and his graduation provides us a new reason to celebrate our outstanding family member!"
The New England Patriots wide receiver finished a journey he started in 2005 at the College of San Mateo before transferring to Kent State University in 2006.
"Our academic services staff does a great job of assisting former student-athletes in creating a path toward degree completion," said Director of Athletics Joel Nielsen. "And when Julian has a goal in front of him, there's no stopping him. Commencement is such a special day for so many people at Kent State University, and to see Julian in a cap and gown with the other graduates makes it even more memorable for everyone. We're so proud of Julian!"
Edelman was among 57 current or former student-athletes to earn a bachelor's degree. Eight others earned master's degrees, while former women's basketball player Lorianne Odhiambo, earned her PhD in public health.
Master's Degrees
|
Student-Athlete |
Sport |
Major |
|
Luke Burch |
Baseball |
Sport & Recreation Management |
|
Chris Martin |
Baseball |
Exercise Physiology |
|
Men's Basketball |
Sport & Recreation Management |
|
|
Alexa Golden |
Women's Basketball |
Sport & Recreation Management |
|
Cheylene Harper |
Women's Basketball |
Journalism & Mass Communication |
|
Pippa Best |
Field Hockey |
Special Education |
|
Football |
Public Administration |
|
|
Sebastian Bendsen |
Men's Golf |
Sport & Recreation Management |
PhD
|
Student-Athlete |
Sport |
Major |
|
Lorriane Odhiambo |
Women's Basketball |
Public Health |
Bachelor's Degrees
|
Student-Athlete |
Sport |
Major |
|
Josh Hollander |
Baseball |
Organizational Communication |
|
John Schreiber |
Baseball |
Educational Studies |
|
Pete Schuler |
Baseball |
Organizational Communication |
|
Joe Watts |
Baseball |
Business Management |
|
Jalen Avery |
Men's Basketball |
Psychology |
|
Akiean Frederick |
Men's Basketball |
Organizational Communication |
|
Kain Harris |
Men's Basketball |
Organizational Communication |
|
Jaylin Walker |
Men's Basketball |
Integrative Studies |
|
Merissa Barber-Smith |
Women's Basketball |
Human Development & Family Studies |
|
Aileen Ahlers |
Field Hockey |
Business Management & Economics |
|
Jessica Apelt |
Field Hockey |
Pre-Physical Therapy |
|
Helen Harper |
Field Hockey |
Physical Education |
|
Courtney Weise |
Field Hockey |
Integrated Health Studies |
|
Football |
Business Management |
|
|
Julian Edelman |
Football |
Integrative Studies |
|
Football |
Public Communication |
|
|
Football |
Accounting |
|
|
Football |
Entrepreneurship |
|
|
Football |
Criminology & Justice Studies |
|
|
Football |
Interpersonal Communication |
|
|
Football |
Digital Sciences |
|
|
Football |
Integrative Studies |
|
|
Kevin Miller |
Men's Golf |
Integrative Studies |
|
Bjarki Petursson |
Men's Golf |
Organizational Communication |
|
Gisli Sveinbergsson |
Men's Golf |
Organizational Communication |
|
Michaela Finn |
Women's Golf |
Fashion Merchandising |
|
Sarah Lippowitsch |
Gymnastics |
Nursing |
|
Nuriya Mack |
Gymnastics |
Public Health – Clinical Trials |
|
Kennedy Plude |
Gymnastics |
Biology/Pre-Med |
|
Dara Williams |
Gymnastics |
Psychology |
|
Paige Culver |
Soccer |
Finance |
|
Dominique DiNardo |
Soccer |
Business Management |
|
Miranda Lambert |
Soccer |
Integrated Health Sciences |
|
Ashleah McDonald |
Soccer |
Biology/Pre-Med |
|
Cassandra Sauter |
Soccer |
Economics and Finance |
|
Sydney Anderson |
Softball |
Nutrition |
|
Hunter Brancifort |
Softball |
Finance |
|
Jen Cader |
Softball |
Exercise Physiology |
|
Shelby Hard |
Softball |
Psychology |
|
Hailey Hopkins |
Softball |
Sports Administration |
|
Brandon Avers |
Men's Track & Field |
Accounting |
|
Samory Fraga |
Men's Track & Field |
International Relations |
|
Sam Goodman |
Men's Track & Field |
Economics |
|
Brandon Harris |
Men's Track & Field |
Public Health |
|
Kevin Jones |
Men's Track & Field |
Criminology & Justice Studies |
|
DJ Ohlson |
Men's Track & Field |
Organizational Communication |
|
Dairius Ragland |
Men's Track & Field |
Public Health |
|
Craig Stevens Jr. |
Men's Track & Field |
Sports Administration |
|
Olivia Davis |
Women's Track & Field |
Chemistry |
|
Talia Falco |
Women's Track & Field |
Fashion Merchandising |
|
Gabrielle Figueroa |
Women's Track & Field |
Integrated Language Arts |
|
Maria Horrigan |
Women's Track & Field |
Marketing |
|
Irene Skinner |
Women's Track & Field |
Public Health |
|
Darby Connors |
Volleyball |
Nursing |
|
Amy Kober |
Volleyball |
Public Health |
|
Alexia Mantas |
Volleyball |
Business Management |
|
Isaac Bast |
Wrestling |
Earth Science |
