ATHENS, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Concord University held the 147th Spring Commencement during four ceremonies on two days. Master’s degree candidates were honored on Friday, May, 6, 2022 at 6 p.m. Candidates for undergraduate degrees were recognized on Saturday, May 7, 2022 during ceremonies at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. All ceremonies were held in the Main Gym of the Leslie R. and Ruby Webb Carter Center.
The Spring 2022 class has four valedictorians: Katherine Michelle Helmick of Meadow Bridge, W.Va.; Chloe Martin King of Peterstown, W.Va.; Marisa S. Montgomery of Oak Hill, W.Va.; and Colton Elliott Lively of Bluefield, W.Va. Helmick is receiving a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, summa cum laude; King is receiving a Bachelor of Science in Education, summa cum laude; Montgomery is receiving a Bachelor of Science in Education, summa cum laude; and Lively is receiving a Bachelor of Science, summa cum laude.
Two honorary doctorates were presented during the commencement ceremonies. West Virginia Del. Joe Ellington was recognized during the 11 a.m. ceremony on May 7. Concord alumnus Mr. Gregory Allen was honored during the 1 p.m. ceremony on May 7. Both individuals received the Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa for their professional achievements and dedicated service to Concord University.
The Spring 2022 Class includes 334 candidates for graduation with 122 graduate candidates and 212 undergraduate candidates. One hundred and four are graduating with honors. Two veterans are among the candidates for graduation.
Along with West Virginia, states represented in the Spring 2022 Class include Virginia, Pennsylvania, Texas, Florida, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Nevada, Colorado, Kentucky, Tennessee, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, and New Jersey.
Countries represented include the United States, Spain, Vietnam, England, United Kingdom, The Bahamas, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Sweden, and Venezuela.
Candidates for graduation participated in a ceremony based upon their degree. The May 6 ceremony honored master’s degree candidates receiving the following degrees: Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Business Administration,
Promotion, and Master of Social Work.
The 9 a.m. ceremony on May 7 honored candidates for graduation from the Department of Fine Arts and Communication, the Department of Social Sciences, the Department of The 11 a.m. ceremony on May 7 honored candidates for graduation from the Department of Social Work and Sociology, the Department of Biology, the Department of Health Sciences, and the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences. Master of Education, Master of Arts in Health Humanities, Interdisciplinary Studies and those receiving the Regents Bachelor of Arts degree.
Candidates for graduation from the Department of Business, the Department of Education, and the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science were honored during the 1 p.m. ceremony on May 7.
Dr. Kendra Boggess, President, issued the welcome and offered remarks during the ceremonies. Dr. Susan Robinett, Department Chair and Professor of Business, served as Grand Marshal. The candidates were presented to the President by Dr. Edward W. Huffstetler, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Dr. Kathryn Liptak, Associate Provost and Interim Dean of the College of Professional and Liberal Studies, assisted Dr. Boggess with the hooding ceremonies for the master’s degree candidates.
The ceremonies were recorded and commemorative jump drives of the recording are available at a cost of $20 each. Orders may be placed online.