HT Confers Degrees To Largest Class Ever

Huston-Tillotson University celebrated its largest graduating class ever, as both the 2020 and 2021 graduating classes received degrees in the first in-person commencement convocation since 2019.

Huston-Tillotson conferred more than 200 degrees to the Class of 2020 (33 Associate of Arts graduates, 171 Bachelor’s graduates, and five inaugural graduates in the Master of Business Administration program).

For the Class of 2021, HT conferred nearly 260 degrees (31 Associate of Arts graduates, 210 Bachelor’s graduates, and eight MBA graduates).

The Golden Classes of 1970 and 1971 were also honored and celebrated during the convocation.

Natalia Marie Cox, an HT student who passed away on March 31 of this year, was conferred a Bachelor of Science degree posthumously. President Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette presented Natalia’s family members with her degree, cap, gown, and tassel.

Astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison, the first Black woman to go into space, delivered an inspiring commencement address, emphasizing the need for involvement and the importance of education.

“What we do in this world today depends on the people who participate, and how they are involved,” Dr. Jemison said. “Whether we are talking about voting, which is a fundamental right that we hold clear and dear – and we should not change that. We have to get there and make sure these things happen. That’s fundamental for us, and a strong education. A strong education exposes us to the breath of knowledge needed to participate and contribute to this society. Education fosters those critical thinking skills and awareness. That’s what you have when you’re here (as a student). That’s what you take away. That’s what you go into society with right now…You have a mission to discover.”

Dr. Jemison, who has made more than 120 orbits around the globe, challenged the graduating classes to act, that it’s ok to care about humanity, and to continue to evolve.

“I want to leave you with the idea to live deeply and look up,” Dr. Jemison said. “You need to touch your lives and be fully connected with it and look up. I hope that no matter where you end up, or whatever work that you do, that you never forget to look up. To keep this bigger picture in mind, I never want you to forget from where you came from, and what this is all for.”

HT graduate Joseph Mpande was commissioned into the United States Navy and will be stationed in Jacksonville, Fla.

A trio of faculty were named as Professor Emeriti in their respective areas:

• Katherine Durham Oldmixon –English
• Steven Edmond – Business
• Kathy Wiley Schwab (posthumously) – Biology

Top ranking 2021 graduates by major include (*denotes with honors):

• Master of Business Administration –
  • Natomi Akia Austin, With Distinction
  • Mayra D. Delgado, Briones With Distinction
  • Deniann A. Grant, With Distinction
  • Charley Christianna Mack, With Distinction

• Bachelor’s Degrees
  • Biology
    • Hepsiba C. Barar
    • Christabelle Chiamaka Ogbonnaa
  • Business Administration
    • Chevalier R. DeShaya
    • Roco Mondragon-Chaveza
    • Saffana Margaret Veljia
  • Chemistry
    • Stefani Ruiz
  • Communication
    • Kennedy Avion Thompson
    • Zacharia Elece Washington
  • Computer Information Systems
    • Kevin Ramon Murphy
    • Celestie Obinatom Okechukwu
  • Criminal Justice
    • Deshelle Dionne Welcome
  • Education
    • Kathryn Demi Bodden
    • Cynthia J. Castellanos
    • Rebekah N. Fox*
  • English
    • Kajuana LaShun Summons
  • Kinesiology
    • Mitchell Todd Rice*
    • Lewis Alberto Martinez*
  • Mathematics
    • Tony Lucas*
    • Javier A. Castellanos Montelongo*
  • Music
    • Alexander Nhat Khang Ngo
    • Kiera Chante Percy*
  • Political Science
    • Jeffery Lamar Clemmons
  • Psychology
    • Mia Lydia Molinar
    • Tashala Thompkins*
    • Latoria Willis*
  • Sociology
    • Lenora Nicole Boone

• Associate Degrees
  • Liberal Arts
    • Amber LeTishe Brawley*
    • Chevalier Rachel DeShay*
    • Yesenia Esquivel Gonzales*
    • Iman Josey*

Top ranking 2020 graduates by major include:

• Master of Business Administration
  • Juanita Budd*
  • Sulipsa Luque

• Bachelor’s Degrees
  • Biology
    • Perkins James Jackson
    • Luvango Musungira
    • Nangah Ngum Tabukum
    • Tiara C. Thompson
  • Business Administration
    • Jesse Aaron Adkins*
    • Grace Denise Nolitse
  • Communication
    • Kirby Francis Delgado
    • Ahmad Mohammad Shreidi
  • Computer Information Systems
    • Yan Lu
    • Marc Anthony Mascorro*
  • Computer Science
    • Chima Precious Ezirim
  • Criminal Justice
    • Andrew Loiuise Paiz
    • Eric De Los Santos
  • Education
    • Patricia E. Esquivel*
    • Daniela M. Vela
  • History
    • Ojuwa Nikaila Lewis
    • Nichelle Shawnette Nelson*
  • Kinesiology
    • Aleiyah LaShawn Brantley
    • Lydie Darla Wandji*
  • Mathematics
    • Timothy Baba*
  • Music
    • Kiera Chante Percy
  • Political Science
    • Mercedes D. Craney
    • Antanese Areonna Kinard
  • Psychology
    • Lorina M. Cantu*
    • Lisa Chavez*
  • Sociology
    • Garrett deGraffenreid*

• Associate Degrees
  • Liberal Arts
    • Amber LeTishe Brawley*
    • Chevalier Rachel DeShay*
    • Yesenia Esquivel Gonzales*
    • Iman Josey*

#HTisIDEAL