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COMMENCEMENT PROGRAMMay 16, 2015

College of Arts and Humanities

College of Business and Social Sciences

College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

College of Professional Studies

Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D.President

D. Stephen &1 Diane H. Walker Convocation CenterInstitute, West Virginia

WHAT IS WEST VIRGINIA STATE COLLEGE?••••~---------------------------------------------------------------------------r--~~~~

What is West Virginia State College? It is all of us who believe in it - who absent or present, work in it andwish it well. Its constituency is the living and dead, and from them the College enjoys an unrestrained loyaltyand willing service. It is an exponent of trust which sweeps aside the petty jealousies of men and all propagandicproposals which would minimize or depreciate personality. It is an institution containing faults and defects whichchallenge the constructive efforts of students, teachers, officers, and graduates. It is incomplete and desires to remainso, to be in an advantageous position for changing life situations.

What is West Virginia State College? It is spirit; it cannot be touched by hand; it is based upon communionsbetween the living and those who though dead yet live in immortality made practical through enlistment in thecollege program, which of necessity requires eternity for completion. What is the College? You and those graduatesahead of you are the College.

HISTORICAL SKETCH OFWEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

John W. DavisFifth President, West Virginia State College, 1932

•••••West Virginia State University was founded under the provisions of the Second Morrill Act of 1890 to provideeducation to black citizens in agriculture and the mechanical arts. Like many other states at that time, West Virginiamaintained a segregated education system. On March 17, 1891, the Legislature passed a bill creating the WestVirginia Colored Institute to be located in the Kanawha Valley. Federal funds provided $3,000 for faculty salariesand the West Virginia Legislature appropriated $10,000 to purchase land and to construct a building. We nowcelebrate that as the official "Founders Day" of West Virginia State University.

In 1915, the West Virginia Collegiate Institute began offering college degrees. Under the leadership of PresidentJohn W. Davis, academic programs were expanded and new buildings were constructed. In 1927, the Institutereceived accreditation from the North Central Association and in 1929 it became West Virginia State College.

After the 1954 United States Supreme Court historic decision outlawing school segregation, West Virginia StateCollege became an integrated institution serving a predominately white, adult, commuter student population. Atthat time, land-grant status was lost due to a decision of the West Virginia Board of Education; West Virginia StateCollege was the only 1890 land-grant institution to lose that status. The College regained land-grant status in 2001,by an act of Congress.

With reinstatement of its 1890 land-grant status, and accompanying federal funding, West Virginia State Collegestrengthened its mission of teaching, research and service to the community. The first graduate degree programsbegan in fall 2003. With the passage of Senate Bill 448 during the 2004 legislative session, the Institution becameWest Virginia State University.

From a modest beginning, West Virginia State University has emerged into a multipurpose institution serving adiverse student body. From a small tract of land and one building, the University has developed into a multimillion-dollar education system.

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONYMay 16, 2015

Order of Exercises 10:00 a.m 2

College of Arts and Humanities Candidates 4

College of Business and Social Sciences Candidates 5

College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Candidates 4~S

College of Professional Studies Candidates 6~7

Commencement Speaker 8

Honorary DoctorateCharles F. Bolden Jr 8

Posthumous Degree 9

U.S. Army Commissioning Ceremony 9

WVSU Alumni Pledge 9

Academic Honors 10~1l

The Academic Procession 12

The Mace 13

College Banners 13

The Star-Sp ang le d Banner Back Cover

Alma Mater ·· ·· ·· · ···.. ····.. ····. Back Cover

WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITYCOMMENCEMENT

ORDER OF EXERCISES.•••••~-----------------------------------------------------------------------------e.

PRE LU DE. .. . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Classical Selections

PRO C E S S ION A L Pomp and Circumstance

MARCHING ORDERGrand MarshalPresident and DeansPlatform PartyCollege Flag BearersFaculty and AdministratorsCandidates for Degrees

POSTING OF THE COLORS Yellow Jacket Battalion Color GuardUnited States Army ROTC

N AT ION A LAN THE M West Virginia State University Concert ChoirPiano Accompaniment by Associate Professor Brenda Vanderford

INVOCATION Kent EstepSenior Pastor, South Charleston First Nazarene Church

GREETINGS FROM THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS Tom SusmanChair, West Virginia State University Board of Governors

INTRODUCTION OF COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER Dr. KumaraJaysuriyaProvost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS CharlesF.BoldenJr.Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

CONFERMENT OF HONORARY DEGREE CharlesF.BoldenJr.Administrator of the National Aeronautics and SpaceAdministration

MUS I C A L S E L E C T ION Choose Something Like a Star WVSU Concert ChoirPiano Accompaniment by Associate Professor Brenda Vanderford

Dr. DirkJohnson, Director

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•CONFERMENT OF DEGREES AND PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES

Awarding of Posthumous Degree

Candidates for the Degree of Master of Arts and Sciences . . . . .. Dr. Paige CarneyActing Dean, College of Professional Studies

Dr. Kumara JayasuriyaProvost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dr. Brian O. HemphillPresident

Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts and Sciences . Dr. Scott WoodardDean, College of Arts and Humanities

Dr. Kumara JayasuriyaProvost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dr. Brian O. HemphillPresident

The Director of Registration and Records, Ms. Donna L. Hunter, announces the names of the graduates,during the conferring of degrees by President Hemphill.

U.S. ARMY COMMISSIONING CEREMONy . LTC Derrick SpearsMilitary Science Department

REMARKS .... Dr. Brian O. HemphillPresident

ALUMNI PLEDGE ..... . . . .. .. . . . Charles BoddyPresident, WVSU National Alumni Association

ALMA MATER .... ......... Brienna JenkinsPiano Accompaniment by Associate Professor Brenda Vanderford

CLOSING REMARKS .. .. Dr. KumaraJayasuriyaProvost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

BENEDICTION .... Kent EstepSenior Pastor, South Charleston First Nazarene Church

RECESSIONAL. .. . ... Grand March

Please remain seated while the graduates recess.

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PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATESAND CONFERRING OF DEGREES.~------------------------------------------------------------------------- .•••••

COLLEGE OF ARTSAND HUMANITIES

MASTER OF ARTS INMEDIA STUDIES

Kevin Michael ScarbroughMonica S. Thomas

COLLEGE OF NATURALSCIENCES ANDMATHEMATICS

MASTER OF SCIENCE INBIOTECHNOLOGY

Abiodun Patrick BodumrinJohanna Lynn BosseBrittany Shauntae DavenportKhyra Shade FullenMichael Drew McClainSupriya Shrestha

COLLEGE OF ARTSAND HUMANITIES

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ART

Bri'AnnaJoyce BassSamuel Alexander BoderDominique Chantel BollingEmory Jean CarseyKevin Byron CunninghamNatalie Sara-Marie LarsonDario Robert LukeKevin Daniel RobinsonAmber Nichole SchneiderKimberly Ruth Shrader

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ENGLISH

Ashton Nicole HughesJessica Liane JenkinsFrank David LarnerdKaila Michelle MullinsShayla Elizabeth OwensBianca Leigh PrinceVirginia Rose Taylor

BACHELOR OF ARTS ININTERNATIONAL STUDIES

Monica Azaleah ElswickAshton Tracy GauffNatalie Sara-Marie Larson

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE INCOMMUNICATIONS

Qareeb Aldridge BashirChristopher Lee CanadaKelly D. ClarkJoshua Daniel CollinsCurtis E. Haskins, Jr.Marta Tankersley HaysDimitrios MichaelJelen-JoyRendell KeithCarter Matthew MaynardCorey M. MeadowsMary Kathryn MolitorStephanie Leigh RobinsonJustin Taylor RogersRaynalle Angela RouseTimothy VenningScotty Odell WhiteEthan Michael Young

REGENTS BACHELOR OF ARTS

Kara Michelle AtkinsonSuzette Michelle BaileyLonnie Dwight Bivins, Jr.Ronnie Dwayne BivinsJohnna B. BowlesCarla Elaine BrooksZachary Jordan CloxtonSteven Paul CorbinTammy Lynette CrockettWayne Francisco DelapasSteven Patrick FullertonCharles Garland Griffith, Jr.Maurice HarrisJudy Lynn HicksRobert Rashiem IngramSandy Lynn JeffreyLeigh Ann JonesKarim KerdiehJessica Lynette Lynch-KnoxRem!'Kenyon LewisDeborah Kay McCannKandy Kay McKinneyMary Beth MatherWilliam Bertel MattsonRyan Victor NavarroShena Lynn PayneCaitlyn Brooke PettryJoseph Wheeler RatliffErin Rachelle RhodesFelicia Ann RobertsRachael Elizabeth SidersScott Othel SmithRichard D. SteeleAlyse Catherine ThomasCaleb Donald ThomasKrista Marrs ThorntonMonique Joretta Watkins

A name on the program does not assure that final degree requirements have been met.

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•COLLEGE OF BUSINESSAND SOCIAL SCIENCES

BACHELOR OF ARTS INECONOMICS

Jaime MacKenzie BirchfieldAshton Tracy GauffBillieJo GillespieDavid Lowell GillespieJessica Kamer

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN HISTORY

Caitlin Lee CunninghamRonnie Ray Hubbard, Jr.Brandon Tyler HuffmanAnthony Charles MaticsDominique Cochise MatthewsBrooke Nickole NeeleyWesley Allen NutterCharles Clayton Ocheltree, IVDaniel Delano PayneDavid Wayne Plumley, IIEmily S. Snodgrass

BACHELOR OF ARTS INPSYCHOLOGY

Vanessa Mary BumpusPhoeneisha Jaquice DeahlCarmen Theresa DidianoMichael Kenyatta Durgan, Jr.Darynann Renee EllisWedeb Habtemariam GhileHannahJo GriffithFelicia Dawn GunnoeJessica Rae HixonRreo Rashad HobbsNasiyra McCorkleEmma Muriel NellhausSydney Gabrielle SimsMichele Dawn WellsAlana Hope Weyant

PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATESAND CONFERRING OF DEGREES

BACHELOR OF ARTS INPOLITICAL SCIENCE

Seth Michael FrederickLauren Michelle HallShane Robert LightClifton Lee Sanders, IIJordan Lee ShanklinKirstin Delanie Totten

BACHELOR OF ARTS INSOCIOLOGY

Linda Kay BanisaidCassie Leigh GilbertJared Allen Thomas

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE INBUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Alison K. AndersonCaleb J. BoneKierstin Paige BroganBrittany Dawn BurnsTyler Jeffrey ClendeninCaitlin Lee CunninghamRyan C. FiddlerSarah Louise HessElizabeth Agustus JumpHannah J. KellerBrandy Dawn RussellSamantha Kaye SpenceRobert Thomas TannerWade Eugene WaltersDonteako Earl'Ontay Wilson

COLLEGE OF NATURALSCIENCES ANDMATHEMATICS

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE INBIOLOGY

Cierra D. BoydAlnairouz KatribMicah Graham MonkKelvin D. Quan

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE INCHEMISTRY

Christopher Ryan NewmanJordan Patrick O'DellAnthony Tyler Payne

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE INCOMPUTER SCIENCE

Alemayehu G. Mengste

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE INMATHEMATICS

Taylor Ray FerrellAshton Tracy GauffLauren Whitney McKinneyChandra Simone Martin

A name on the program does not assure that final degree requirements have been met.

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PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATESAND CONFERRING OF DEGREES....••~------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ..

COLLEGE OF PROFESSIONALSTUDIES

Brittney Leann CharcandyMatthew Hoffman ChesebroughTyler Benjamin CobbJamie Elizabeth CocheJames Wayne CrawfordJessica Sue CunninghamMark Jason CutlipCarrie Marie DaughertySarajha N. DavisKaylee Michelle DillonPatricia Sue DimsdaleMadison Marie DowneyAlicia Dawn EldridgeToni Sue FitzwaterHilary Caitlin HackneyCharity Anna HightowerToni Marlene HolcombTracy Nicole HudnallTyler Allen HudnallSavannah Arlene HudsonJoshua Will IsaacsHollie Ann JettSeth Alexander KirilukWendy Dawn LemonNicholas Casey McGheeChristin Lynn McLaughlinPaul Marvin Moore, IIIJennifer Diane MorrisKaitlan Paige RabyAmber Nichole SchneiderMegan Marie SchoolcraftSabrina Michelle SchoutenChristina Ashley SidebottomBilly Joe Smith, IIIStacy Lynn SnyderBrittney Ann SpinksMatthew Gordon StephensonMatthew Tyler StonestreetRachael Diane WheelerAmanda Kate WhitlockMegan Lee WrayChristopher Drake Young, II

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE INCRIMINAL JUSTICE

Erin Nikole BarberWenly BeliardSteven Glenn BolandCharles Edward Brown, IIIMarquis Deanthony BrownRyan Lane BuchananTasha N. CapperRozanna Marie ClineCorey Joseph CoenBrittany Lynn DavisTamara Lynn DavisCourtney Kaye EllisShana Marie GoodeAngelique Deon JohnstonJoshua Stephen KirbyKhadijah Amirah LovejoyKeith Edward MostellerSarah Elizabeth PriceRyan Cole ShamblinSamuel Lee SigmonCody Ryan SmithAmberJo TeelTiffany Ellen WardTiffany Yvonne WhiteRobert Lee Wright, Jr.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION

Ellen Vee AkersBrandon Alan AtkinsBrittany Nicole BarkerJessica Renee BlakeKacy Sue BoggessJonathan D. BrownStella Ann BuoyKaylah Dawn CarnellJustin David Carter

A name on the program does not assure that final degree requirements have been met.

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PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATESAND CONFERRING OF DEGREES

•

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE INHEALTH SCIENCE

Jenna Michelle BrandDionne Elizabeth Beverly HairstonAlicia Gaye MilamDennis Wade MosleyJami Anne PattonSarah Michelle PauleyJessica Lee Smith

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE INSPORTS STUDIES

Onea Resha AlbrightJamie Leigh CoolJoshua Scott EgnorHayley Lynn KirbyCameron Scott McCormickRussell Tyler ThompsonJoseph Ellis Thornton, Jr.Cody Mark TottenJordan D. UnrueJoshua Ted WadeJoseph Scott Whittington

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE INRECREATION

Robert Lewis Bratton, II

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE INSOCIAL WORK

Linda Kay BanisaidKalynn Elizabeth BarrettAmy Elizabeth BowlesLori Leigh BurtonBrandy Nicole ChapmanLona Erin Rae CoonJanet E. CourtsMisti Dawn CutlipBobbiJalia DyerHeather F. HarmonLauren Elizabeth HayeAlexandria Ann MahairasJasmine Danielle StavrakisJessica Anne StewartJames Donald StormerSara Nicole WarnerBrandi Michelle WestfallAshley Renee Wilcox

A name on the program does not assure that final degree requirements have been met.

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COMMENCEMENT SPEAKERCHARLES F. BOLDEN JR .

•••••

Charles F. Bolden Jr., Major General, U S. Marine Corps (Retired), is the rzth Administrator of the NationalAeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). At NASA, Bolden has overseen the safe transition from 30 yearsof space shuttle missions to a new era of exploration focused on full utilization of the International Space Stationand space and aeronautics technology development.

The agency's dynamic science activities under Bolden include an unprecedented landing on Mars with theCuriosity rover; launch of a spacecraft to Jupiter; enhancing the nation's fleet of Earth-observing satellites;continued progress toward the 2018 launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, the successor to the HubbleSpace Telescope; and the successful launch and recovery of the Orion deep-space crew module, the first humanrated spacecraft to be developed for flight beyond low Earth orbit by any nation in more than 40 years. His 34-year career with the Marine Corps included 14 years as a member of NASA's Astronaut Office. He traveled toorbit four times aboard the space shuttle, commanding two missions and piloting two others.

After his final shuttle flight in 1994, Bolden left NASA to return to active duty with the Marine Corps. He waspromoted to Major General in July 1998 and retired from the Marine Corps in 2003. Bolden received his Bachelorof Science degree from the US. Naval Academy and his Master of Science degree from the University of SouthernCalifornia.

HONORARY DOCTORATE•••••

Honorary degrees at West Virginia State University are conferred upon distinguished alumni and otherindividuals who have achieved prominence in education, government, business and other professions.

NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden Jr., Major General, U S. Marine Corps (Retired)Honorary Doctorate of Science

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POSTHUMOUS DEGREE•••••

u.s. Army Sgt. DeForest L. Talbert was 24 years old when he was killed on July 27,2004, when animprovised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Baladruc, Iraq. At the time Sgt. Talbert wasassigned to the ist Battalion, 150th Armor Regiment, of the West Virginia Army National Guard. A nativeof Alexandria, Va., Sgt. Talbert moved to West Virginia to attend West Virginia State University where hemajored in Education. He enlisted in the Army National Guard in 2001 and divided time between school andhis military service. In recognition of his service to the country, West Virginia State University is awardingSgt. Talbert a posthumous degree. Accepting Sgt. Talbert's degree are his son, Deontae Hamilett, and his sister,Tawanna Talbert Darring.

u.s. ARMY COMMISSIONING CEREMONY•••••

During the commencement service, a member of the West Virginia State University ROTC program will becommissioned as a znd Lieutenant. West Virginia State's ROTC Program has commissioned over 900 officersinto the United States Army. Fifteen of these officers have achieved the General Officer ranks. Cadet Ryan L.Buchanan is commissioned in the U.S. Army as an Infantry Officer. He will attend the Basic Officer LeadershipCourse at Fort Benning, Ga. Cadet Buchanan's znd Lieutenant Rank is being pinned on by his Mother, Lori L.Buchanan and his Father, Michael J. Buchanan.

WVSU ALUMNI PLEDGE•••••

To join hands with other alumni in perpetuating the ideals of West Virginia State University, nurturing itsgrowth and promoting its programs, to serve with honor in my chosen profession, and to make myself a symbolof the best traditions of West Virginia State University - this is my commission and my challenge.

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ACADEMIC HONORS.....•~----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------~.

Magna Cum LaudeCandidates who have attained cumulative gradepoint averages between 3-50 and 3.74

Alpha Delta MuNational Honor Society in Social WorkRita Brown, AdvisorKalyn BarrettLori BurtonCasey CastoJanet CourtsLauren Haye

Cum LaudeCandidates who have attained cumulative gradepoint averages between 3.25 and 3A9

Summa Cum LaudeCandidates who have attained cumulative gradepoint averages of 3.75 and above

Alpha Epsilon RhoNational Broadcasting Honor SocietySherri Shafer, AdvisorScotty WhiteWith Distinction

Candidates, who are graduating with a secondbachelor's degree, who have completed at least 30hours beyond the first degree and have attaineda grade point average of 3-5 and above in theseadditional hours.

Congratulations to the seniors listed for yourcommitment to academic excellence and thank youfor the national and international recognition thatyou bring to West Virginia State University by yourmembership in these societies.

Alpha Kappa MuJunior and Senior National Honor SocietySonya Armstrong, AdvisorCarla Elaine BrooksBrittany Shauntae DavenportKaylee Michelle DillonAshton Tracy GauffLauren Michelle HallTracy Nicole HudnallSavannah Arlene HudsonChandra Simone MartinMicah Graham MonkEmma Muriel NelhausSarah Elizabeth PriceKaitlan Paige RabyKevin ScarbroughVirginia Rose TaylorAmberJo TeelTiffany Ellen WardAlana Hope WeyantDanteako Wilson

Graduating Seniors in Honor SocietiesTo become a member in a University Honor Society,a student must have earned 30 hours toward his/her degree and must have met the society's specificrequirements for eligibility.

Alpha Mu GammaNational Foreign Language Honor SocietyRebecca Conner, AdvisorMonica ElswickAshton GauffJessica Clark JenkinsNatalie Larson

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•ACADEMIC HONORS

Alpha Phi SigmaNational Criminal Justice Honor SocietyCassandra B. Whyte and Kerrie Steele, AdvisorsCarla BrooksRozanna M. ClineBrittany L. DavisTammy L. DavisKeith Edward MostellerSarah E. PriceSam SigmonAmber J. Teel

Alpha Psi OmegaNational Theatre Honor SocietySusan Marrash-Minnerly, AdvisorScotty White

Delta Mu DeltaInternational Honor Society in BusinessJohn Hodges, advisorCaleb J. BoneAshton Tracy GauffHannah J. Keller

Omicron Delta EpsilonInternational Economics Honor SocietySuvayan De, AdvisorJaime MacKenzie BirchfieldAshton Tracy GauffBillie Jo GillespieDavid Lowell GillespieJessica Kamer

Phi Alpha ThetaNational History Honor SocietyT.]. Park, AdvisorBrandon Tyler HuffmanAnthony Charles MaticsWesley Allen NutterCharles Clayton Orcheltree

PinnacleNational Honor Society for Non-TraditionalStudentsKellie Toledo, advisorCarla Brooks

Pi Sigma AlphaNational Political Science Honor SocietyFrank Vaughan, AdvisorSeth Michael FrederickLauren Michelle HallShane Robert LightClifton Lee Sanders

Sigma Tau DeltaInternational English Honor SocietyJessica Barnes-Pietruszynski andDavid Wilson, AdvisorsJessica ClarkBianca Prince

WVSU Honors ProgramGenia Sklute, AdvisorAshton GauffHannah GriffithAlnairouz KatribShayla OwensAlana Weyant

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THE ACADEMIC PROCESSION•••••

The Academic Procession is composed of administrators, honored guests, faculty, graduates and the UniversityBoard of Governors. This procession is led by a marshal who seats the graduates, faculty and platform guests.Faculty members wear costumes that had their origin in the Medieval English University system. The costumeswere devised to distinguish academic persons from lay persons, since everyone wore robes or gowns to ward offthe cold. The recession is in reverse order, with the platform guests leaving the dais first, followed by the facultyand the graduates.

The colors of the academic dress have a significance deeply rooted in the tradition of academic life and are specifiedby a uniformed code maintained by the American Council on Education. Caps are black and are usually mortarboards with tassels. Doctors of Philosophy wear gold tassels, usually of metallic thread; other degrees wear blackor discipline colors.

The bachelor's gown is simple and black with long, pointed sleeves. Master's gowns, also black, are longer thanbachelors. Older gowns have sleeves that terminate at the elbow, while those since 1960 have sleeves extended tothe wrist. Doctor's gowns are full, with bell-like sleeves. The front is marked by velvet panels, and the sleeves aremarked by three velvet bars. While most gowns are black with black velvet, one variation is to replace black velvetwith velvet in the discipline color. A second variation is a colored gown, usually of the university's colors.

All hoods specify the level of degree, the discipline studied, and the awarding institution. First, degree level issignified by the size of the hood with bachelor's smallest, master's larger and doctor's quite large and of a differentshape. West Virginia State University does not award hoods for bachelors' degrees. The width of the velvet trimalso conveys the degree. Secondly, the discipline is indicated by the color of the trim edging the hood to formthe throat over the gown. Finally, the color of the hood's lining specifies the awarding institution. The colors aredisplayed in combinations that are drawn from heraldry.

The colors of the tassels worn by candidates for bachelor's degrees represent the fields of study in which thedegrees will be conferred. At West Virginia State University, the following colors are used to designate thevarious degrees:

• Bachelor of Arts - White• Bachelor of Science - Yellow• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Drab• Bachelor of Science in Communications - Yellow• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Royal Blue• Bachelor of Science in Education - Light Blue• Bachelor of Science in Recreation Service - Yellow• Bachelor of Science in Social Work - Citron• Master of Arts in Media Studies - White• Master of Arts/Science in Biotechnology - Yellow

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THE MACE•••••

The Academic Mace precedes the entire procession. The Grand Marshal carries in his hand this ceremonial staffthat is used as a symbol of authority. Its placement and removal from a place of honor signifies the opening andclosing of ceremonial sessions. The mace had its origin in the Middle Ages, being used first as a weapon by royalbodyguards to protect their monarchs in processions. Today, the mace is primarily used in academic processions,particularly in English-speaking countries.

The original mace used by West Virginia State University had historical significance in that it was created froma spindle used in the staircase of West Hall, the second building erected on the campus, in 1895- This mace wasrestored by James Huffman when he was the assistant director of Admissions at the University.

The mace used today was designed by former Art faculty member Dr. Cubert Smith. The circular ring design in itscenter symbolizes the four colleges of the University: Arts and Humanities, Business and Social Sciences, NaturalSciences and Mathematics, and Professional Studies.

COLLEGE BANNERS•••••

West Virginia State University students will proceed to their respective places behind gonfalons. Gonfalons areflags or banners hung from crosspieces on poles, used since medieval times in the republics of Italy as symbols ofstate or office. Universities and colleges around the world have adopted gonfalons to increase the ceremonial natureof commencement exercises.

This new tradition associated with commencement symbolizes the accomplishments of the graduates whom wehonor on this occasion and the University's commitment to their success.

Four gonfalons of the old gold with black lettering will be carried by two faculty members from each College: theCollege of Arts and Humanities; the College of Business and Social Sciences; the College of Natural Sciences andMathematics, and the College of Professional Studies.

Banner CarriersArts and HumanitiesDr. Ali ZiyatiProf. Sherri Shafer

Grand MarshalProvost and Vice President for Academic AffairsDr. KumaraJayasuriya

Business Administration and Social SciencesDr. Frehot HailouDr. Matt Carroll

Faculty MarshalsDr. Daton DeanProf. Patricia Wilson

Natural Sciences and MathematicsDr. Linwei NiuDr. Micheal Fultz

Stage MarshalsDr. Gail MosbyDr. Walter Stroupe

Professional StudiesDr. Mickey BlackwellDr. Kerri Steele

Student MarshalsProf. Patricia KingProf. Debra Anderson-Conlitle

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REFRAINWest Virginia's praise we'll sing-Lift our voices 'til heavens ring-

As we gaily march along-We'll sing a song-ForAlma MaterHow we love her

Pride of all our loyal hearts-From her we will never part-

Thoughts of thee will ne'er befewAlma Mater we love you.

THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNERFrancis Scott Key

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early lightWhat so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thru the perilous fight,O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air,Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

ALMA MATERErnest Wade '30, Martha Spencer '31

There is a place we love so dear-Its name we'll ever praise and revere

'Tis West Virginia State we love-Just one more step from there is Heav'n above.

We'll love her more as days go by,And send her praises to the sky;

Toplace her over all the rest,And keep her e'er the dearest and the best.

Shadowed 'neath a deep blue sky;Is STATE for whom we'll live and we'll die-

Arise! 0 men of God and sing;We're loyal, and to her we'll always cling.

WEST VIRGINIA STATEUNIVERSITY