University of the Ozarks conferred degrees on 100 graduates on Saturday, May 11, during its Spring 2024 Commencement held on the campus mall.
Alumnus and University trustee Peter Van Dyke served as the keynote speaker. The 1987 Ozarks graduate is the vice president of complex casualty claims at CNA Insurance headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. He is serving his third term on the University’s Board of Trustees
“So what is it about this ‘education’ that we’ve received that makes a difference?” Van Dyke said. “First, I must confess I have an unwavering commitment to and belief in a liberal arts education. What you have benefited from is an exposure to eclectic and diverse areas of studies. While this is beneficial in myriad ways, the crucial fact is you have gained the ability to think critically about problems, and fashion innovative and creative solutions to them. In short you will bring a broad, multi-dimensional perspective to all matters.”
“Second, you have benefited from a small school environment. I often hear people extol the advantages of mega universities, but the fact is that the opportunities you’ve been given during your time here, rival those of any large university. I have always told my kids, it’s not where you go; it’s what you do. And what you’ve had the chance to do here is take on leadership roles, forge direct and meaningful relationships with your professors, administrators and staff, and develop your capacity to accept responsibility and accountability in a safe and supportive environment.”
The students’ welcome was provided by Carter Little, a business administration major from Oklahoma City.
“We were not able to grow, succeed or even find ourselves without love, without the people who work so hard to make Ozarks what it is,” Little said. “Without the people who came before us, who cared enough to build us a chapel, to build us new facilities, to build a history, a culture, an environment for us to be better every day. People care about this place, but they care more about us. Who we are, and how we are. We all had someone love and support us along the way. Whether it was family, faculty, a friend, or someone that you consider to be all three. When we walk across this stage, remember what made us into who we are today. It was the people who cared about us and this place. I am proud of all of you, and I am proud to say I am from this University, that resides in the natural state. There is no hidden gem better than this one, tucked away in Clarksville, Arkansas.”
The graduating class of 2024 included:
Oday Redwan Alfaori
Fayetteville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Mathematics
Minor: Sociology
Magna Cum Laude
Solange Victoria Avalo Martínez
Masaya, Nicaragua
Bachelor of Science
Major: Psychology
Minor: Political Science
Bachelor of Arts
Majors: Sociology and Philosophy
Magna Cum Laude
McKenzie Brooke Becerra
San Antonio, TX
Bachelor of Science
Major: Physical Education
Minor: Athletic Coaching
Kervens Benjamin
Port-Au-Prince, Haiti
Bachelor of Science
Major: Business Administration
Minors: Psychology, Philosophy and Economics
Nicholas Reed Bennett
Little Elm, TX
Bachelor of Science
Major: Accounting
Minors: Health Science and American Studies
Summa Cum Laude
Daniel Liam Benoit
Chicago, IL
Bachelor of Science
Major: Business Administration
Minors: American Studies and Health Science
Halle Paige Bollman
Greenwood, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Psychology
Minors: Criminal Justice and American Studies
Cum Laude
Maria Celeste Bonilla Chirinos
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Bachelor of Arts
Majors: Communication Studies and Psychology
Minor: Theatre
Magna Cum Laude
Kylee Shay Booher
Lamar, AR
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Biology and Business Administration
Minors: History and Chemistry
Magna Cum Laude
Ciara Nicole Boswell
Paris, AR
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Psychology and Philosophy
Minor: Marketing
Magna Cum Laude
Chloe Sasha Boyer
Port-Au-Prince, Haiti
Bachelor of Science
Major: Sociology
Minors: Philosophy and Psychology
Aryonnah Madelayne Briggs
Bryant, AR
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Psychology and Business Administration
Minor: Philosophy
Cum Laude
Cason Wayne Brigham*
Texarkana, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Management
Minor: Health Science
Olivia Kathryn Brown
Little Rock, AR
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Environmental Studies and Political Science
Magna Cum Laude
Madison Rose Butler
Lamar, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Elementary Education
Cum Laude
William Brice Cagle
Sherwood, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Health Science
Minors: Athletic Coaching and Entrepreneurship
Andrea Yael Calderon Valdes
Monagrillo, Panama
Bachelor of Science
Major: Business Administration
Minors: Psychology, Philosophy and Strategic Communication
Ethan Ryman Cash*
Maumelle, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Accounting
Minor: Health Science
Daniah Meritzel Castañeda Aguilar
Clarksville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Health Science
Minors: Spanish and Management
Summa Cum Laude
Joseph Francisco Chrisman Arce
Waldron, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Biology
Minors: Environmental Studies, Chemistry and Spanish
Magna Cum Laude
Cole Hunter Clark
Clarksville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Health Science
Minor: Athletic Coaching
Magna Cum Laude
Kallie Deann Conner*
Tulsa, OK
Bachelor of General Studies
Minors: Theatre, Psychology and Marketing
Jacob Kenneth Dado
Lockport, IL
Bachelor of Science
Major: Psychology
Minors: American Studies and Military Science
Joshua Dale Davidson
Mulberry, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Management
Minors: Psychology and American Studies
Isaiah Sullivan Dial
Kansas City, MO
Bachelor of Science
Major: Business Administration
Minors: History and Psychology
Cum Laude
McKeehan Ross Dilley*
Van Buren, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Psychology
Minors: Education and Theatre
Madisyn Elizabeth Doddridge
Malvern, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Health Science
Minors: Religion and Education
Magna Cum Laude
Fabian Jesus Duenas
Miami, FL
Bachelor of Science
Major: Management
Minor: Music
Jacob Raymond Dukes
Frisco, TX
Bachelor of Science
Major: Business Administration
Minors: Psychology, Philosophy and Accounting
Michael Blake Dunn
Morrilton, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Psychology
Minor: Sociology
Cum Laude
Laetitia Emilien
Port-Au-Prince, Haiti
Bachelor of Science
Major: Business Administration
Minors: Environmental Studies and American Studies
Magna Cum Laude
Blaise Erin English
Clarksville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Biology
Minors: Business Administration, English and Chemistry
Summa Cum Laude
Maria Mileidy Espinoza Espinoza
Santa Cruz, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Bachelor of Arts
Major: Political Science
Minors: Art and Health Science
Bachelor of Science
Major: Psychology
Summa Cum Laude
Diana Jyham Fernandez Bendeck
Guaimaca, Honduras
Bachelor of Science
Major: Business Administration
Minors: Music, Psychology and Strategic Communication
Magna Cum Laude
Walker Patton Fox*
Bella Vista, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Accounting
Minors: Health Science and American Studies
Summa Cum Laude
Jacob Steven Friemel
Subiaco, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Physical Education
Minor: Athletic Coaching
Cum Laude
Allyson Marie Fultz
Rogers, AR
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Biology and Political Science
Minor: American Studies
Magna Cum Laude
Daniela Gamez Molinito
Clarksville, AR
Bachelor of Arts
Major: English
Minors: Education and Psychology
Magna Cum Laude
Cassey April Gomez De León
Clarksville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Biology
Minors: Business Administration, Spanish and Chemistry
Magna Cum Laude
Seth Andrew Goodrich
Madera, CA
Bachelor of Science
Major: Health Science
Minor: History
Dax Gove
Draper, UT
Bachelor of Arts
Majors: English and Environmental Studies
Minor: Sustainable Agriculture
Summa Cum Laude
Ethan McAlister Hambric
Benton, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Business Administration
Minors: American Studies and Psychology
Kyra Bailey Hargrove
Perryville, AR
Bachelor of Arts
Major: Communication Studies
Minors: American Studies and Health Science
Magna Cum Laude
Hope Olivia Faye Hensley*
Heber Springs, AR
Bachelor of Arts
Major: Communication Studies
Minors: Theatre and Psychology
Dylan Michael Herring
Scranton, AR
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Biology and Business Administration
Minors: Accounting and American Studies
Daniel Tyler Hicks
Oologah, OK
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Psychology and Religion
Minor: Strategic Communication
Magna Cum Laude
Haley Grace Howard
Lamar, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Elementary Education
Minor: Psychology
Magna Cum Laude
Parker James Howell
Wichita, KS
Bachelor of Science
Major: Management
Minor: Psychology
Magna Cum Laude
Ricktak Israel Iban
Springdale, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Business Administration
Minors: Theatre and Health Science
Hans Michel Jabouin
Port-Au-Prince, Haiti
Bachelor of Science
Major: Marketing
Minors: Psychology, Spanish and Entrepreneurship
Cum Laude
James Dausman Johnson
Washington, MO
Bachelor of Science
Major: Physical Education
Cum Laude
Gracie Ann Jones
Walker, LA
Bachelor of Science
Major: Health Science
Minors: Athletic Coaching and American Studies
O’desha Elaine Olivia Jones
Freeport, Grand Bahama
Bachelor of Science
Major: Health Science
Minors: Theatre, Chemistry and Athletic Coaching
Cum Laude
Edris M. Joseph
Union, NJ
Bachelor of Science
Major: Accounting
Minors: Spanish and Psychology
Alexandra Marie Kasper
Poteau, OK
Bachelor of Science
Major: Biology
Minors: American Studies and Political Science
Magna Cum Laude
Lane Garrett Klohn
Aztec, NM
Bachelor of Science
Major: Environmental Studies
Minors: Criminal Justice,
American Studies and Sustainable Agriculture
Carter Wesley Little
Oklahoma City, OK
Bachelor of Science
Major: Business Administration
Minors: Philosophy and Health Science
Victoria Lopez
Comanche, TX
Bachelor of Science
Major: Biology
Minors: Business Administration, Chemistry, American Studies and Psychology
Magna Cum Laude
Paulina Lukini Magloire
Port-Au-Prince, Haiti
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Psychology and Political Science
Minor: American Studies
Summa Cum Laude
Cesar Erinque Martinez
Houston, TX
Bachelor of Science
Major: Health Science
Minors: Business Administration and History
Nadia Lanae Martinez
Mesquite, TX
Bachelor of Science
Major: Health Science
Minors: Athletic Coaching and History
Solena Angeli Martinez Aleman
León, Nicaragua
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Health Science and Business Administration
Minors: Economics and Political Science
Summa Cum Laude
Eber Israel Martínez Renteral
Veracruz, Mexico
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Mathematics and Music
Minor: Film Studies
Magna Cum Laude
Karlee Gail McCaghren*
Mayflower, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Biology
Minors: Education and Chemistry
Bachelor of Arts
Major: Spanish
Summa Cum Laude
Wyatt Lee McCaghren
Mayflower, AR
Bachelor of Arts
Major: Communication Studies
Minors: Biology and Art
Jerico Demond McClure
West Memphis, AR
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Accounting and Business Administration
Minors: Psychology and Philosophy
Cum Laude
Nicholas Shay Moore*
Rogers, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Psychology
Minors: Art and Business Administration
Marisol Alejandra Moreno
Clarksville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Elementary Education
Xenia Lucia Munoz Maradiaga
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Psychology and Communication Studies
Minor: Music
Cum Laude
Natalie Ann Naramore
Lufkin, TX
Bachelor of Science
Major: Accounting
Minors: American Studies and Mathematics
Summa Cum Laude
Kathryn Loretta Nash
Torrance, CA
Bachelor of Science
Major: Biology
Minor: Sociology
Summa Cum Laude
Abigail Negrete Gonzalez*
Clarksville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Psychology
Minors: Art and Sociology
Cinthia Paola Ortega Medina*
Clarksville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Health Science
Minors: Spanish and Athletic Coaching
Isaac Clark Pelts
Knoxville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Accounting
Minor: Psychology
Magna Cum Laude
Robert Kawika Pope
Fort Smith, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Psychology
Minors: Philosophy and Sociology
Cum Laude
Isaac Jackson Price
Siloam Springs, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Environmental Studies
Minor: Health Science
Magna Cum Laude
Reese Caren Ramirez
Cedar Park, TX
Bachelor of Science
Major: Biology
Minors: Sociology, Philosophy and Chemistry
Summa Cum Laude
Almalila Jimlau Ramirez Valdez
Managua, Nicaragua
Bachelor of Science
Major: Psychology
Minors: Education and English
Bachelor of Arts
Major: Communication Studies
Summa Cum Laude
Chenice Anthena Roker
Nassau, The Bahamas
Bachelor of Science
Major: Business Administration
Minors: Economics, Philosophy and Environmental Studies
Summa Cum Laude
Arianna Taylor Rosario
Katy, TX
Bachelor of Science
Major: Biology
Minors: Art, Religion and Business Administration
Jessye Danielle Rowland*
Hot Springs, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Health Science
Minors: Athletic Coaching and Criminal Justice
Magna Cum Laude
Rayli Lauren Ruby
Granbury, TX
Bachelor of Science
Major: Biology
Minors: Marketing, Philosophy and Chemistry
Magna Cum Laude
Lakyn Roxanna Louise Sanders
Lamar, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Physical Education
Minor: Athletic Coaching
Summa Cum Laude
Chase William Smith
Elkins, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Environmental Studies
Minors: American Studies and Health Science
Magna Cum Laude
Jacob Henry Squires
Springfield, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Sociology
Minor: American Studies
Elijah Nathan St. Armand
Freeport, Grand Bahama
Bachelor of Science
Major: Business Administration
Minors: Environmental Studies and Music
Magna Cum Laude
Benjamin Charles Stormes IV*
Fort Smith, AR
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Biology and Philosophy
Minors: Strategic
Communication and Chemistry
Cum Laude
Stephfan Briceno Tabe
El Dorado, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Health Science
Minor: Entrepreneurship
Fizza Tahir
Katy, TX
Bachelor of Arts
Majors: Philosophy and Business Administration
Minor: Psychology
Summa Cum Laude
Joshlyn Faith Terry
Scranton, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Business Administration
Minors: Health Science and History
Jimmy Tostado
Clarksville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Business Administration
Minors: Psychology and Spanish
Summa Cum Laude
Austin Nicholas Turley
Modesto, CA
Bachelor of Science
Major: Health Science
Minors: Entrepreneurship and Athletic Coaching
Cum Laude
Amanda Maria Turpin
Cypress, TX
Bachelor of Science
Major: Health Science
Minor: Athletic Coaching
Magna Cum Laude
Marcela Guisselle Valladares
Russellville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Majors: Psychology and Business Administration
Minors: Philosophy and Sociology
Magna Cum Laude
Ariana Grace White
Broken Arrow, OK
Bachelor of Arts
Major: English
Minors: Education and Health Science
Amaris Lee Williams McGill
Dallas, TX
Bachelor of Science
Major: Psychology
Minors: History and Criminal Justice
Zachary Robert Winans
Tyler, TX
Bachelor of General Studies
Minors: Entrepreneurship and American Studies
Aislinn Alondra Zapata
Clarksville, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Elementary Education
Minors: Health Science and
Psychology
Summa Cum Laude
Maria Fabiola Zarate
Ozark, AR
Bachelor of Science
Major: Business Administration
Minors: Art, Psychology and Marketing
Cum Laude
Cameron Joseph Ziarko
Galena, IL
Bachelor of Science
Major: Environmental Studies
Minors: Criminal Justice and American Studies
*Denotes summer graduate
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