May 04, 2018

Early commencement ceremonies set for SIU student-athletes

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Commencement ceremonies for Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates will get an early start next week with the celebration of academic accomplishments of 27 student-athletes.

Commencement ceremonies for graduating seniors in baseball, softball and track and field will be at 7 p.m., May 8, in the Stadium Club on the second floor of Saluki Stadium.

Jerry Kill, a special assistant to Chancellor Carlo Montemagno who recently took over responsibility for overseeing the Salukis’ athletics program, will welcome students and guests. Montemagno will present the student-athletes with their degrees and academic honors medallions and cords.

All three Saluki spring sports teams are on the road next week

There have been smaller ceremonies in the past for student-athletes unable to attend due to athletic competition during regular commencement events. There are a larger number of student-athletes this year because the three spring sports are all on the road during May 12 ceremonies at the SIU Arena.

The student-athletes who will be graduating, with their major and hometown are:

Baseball

  • Hunter Anderson, management, Brentwood, Tennessee.
  • Michael Baird, speech communication, Parker, Colorado.
  • Logan Blackfan, exercise science, Cordova, Tennessee.
  • Connor Kopach, sport administration, Westmont, Illinois.
  • Jamison Steege, agricultural systems and education, Fredericksburg, Iowa.

Softball

  • Haley Andrus, communication studies, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
  • Savanna Dover, communication disorders and sciences, Canton, Georgia.
  • Savannah Fisher, exercise science, Orlando, Florida.
  • Sydney Jones, sport administration, Royal Palm Beach, Florida.
  • Brittany Turner, exercise science, Bloomington, Illinois.

Track & Field

  • Franklin Adams, mechanical engineering, West Orange, New Jersey.
  • Chase Black, agricultural business, Charleston, Illinois.
  • Kyle Carter, health care management, Maple Park, Illinois.
  • Claire Darnell, exercise science, Festus, Missouri.
  • Louis Dotson, biomedical science, Rockford, Illinois.
  • Shannon Effron, business management, Newburgh, Indiana.
  • Natalia Hajduk, architectural studies, Miedzylesie, Poland.
  • Chrissa Harris, criminal justice, Carbondale, Illinois.
  • Warren Hazel, information systems technology, Old Roads, St. Kitts.
  • Lucas Horton, criminology and criminal justice, Harrisburg, Illinois.
  • Isaac Ingram, criminal justice, Harrisburg, Illinois.
  • Kyle Kling, management, Machesney Park, Illinois.
  • Joshua Maier, computer science, Alsip, Illinois.
  • Kezia Martin, behavior analysis and therapy, Jefferson City, Missouri.
  • Ryan Mayberry, civil and environmental engineering, Morrison, Illinois.
  • Kelly O’Shea, public health, Valparaiso, Indiana.
  • Mystique Thompson, exercise science, Rock Island, Illinois.