Over 150 Blue Hen Student-Athletes Earn Degrees at University of Delaware Commencement Ceremony
May 28, 2011
Photos Courtesy of Photo Services
NEWARK, Del. -- Delaware Stadium was packed with nearly 23,000 family, friends, and fans on a beautiful sunny morning Saturday.
Blue Hen student-athletes crowded the field, but instead of jerseys, shoulder pads, and lacrosse sticks, all that could be seen were blue gowns, gold tassels, and colorful sashes.
Delaware’s 162nd Commencement exercises were held Saturday morning and Blue Hen student-athletes were well represented.
Over 150 current and recent Delaware student-athletes as well as several assistant coaches and athletics staff were on hand to receive their degrees after several years of hard work in the classroom.
University of Delaware President Dr. Patrick T. Harker presided over the event with nearly 4,200 students receiving their doctorate, master’s, and bachelor’s degrees. Former Delaware Governor, U.S. Senator and Representative Mike Castle addressed the crowd as the commencement speaker.
Receiving a doctorate degree was former Blue Hen football linebacker T.J. Laws IV.
Receiving master’s degrees were recent Blue Hen student-athletes Dan Mills (men’s lacrosse), Allison Borchers (softball), Caitlyn Germain (women’s soccer), Leo Ferrine (football), Kervin Michaud (football), Ryan Ward (men’s track & field), and Lexi Ambrogi (women’s track & field) as well as UD athletics staff members Bryan Vitagliano (former men’s soccer assistant), Drew Nystrom (former football assistant), Laura Ratz (women’s rowing assistant), Tiara Malcom (women’s basketball assistant), Alicia Greco (assistant AD for operations), Liz Hayes (assistant marketing director), and Saul Rafel-Frankel (men’s basketball operations).
Among the current and recent UD student-athletes receiving bachelor’s degrees were:
Baseball: Corey Crispell, Pat Dameron, Brian Rorick, Alex Dalsey, Steve Ulaky, Todd Menchaca
Men’s Basketball: Alphonso Dawson, D.J. Boney, Jawan Carter, Edwin Santiago, Brian Johnson
Women’s Basketball: Eva Riddick
Women’s Track & Field/Cross Country: Yesenia Boynton, Emily Bucciferro, Nicole Lombardo, Cristine Marquez, Tijen Ozcan, Jen Watunya, Marla Woodarek, Katie Rimpfel, Rachel Schaefer, Isabel Graf, Briana Gray, Rachel Hastings, Kayla Hennesy, Asia Hollis, Amanda McGowan, Karen Mandrachia, Tracy Powell, Leah Putman, Kemian Atkins, Kristi Cox, Bari Melker
Men’s Track & Field/Cross Country: Chris Gerges, Mitch Kastoff, Joe Passalaqua, Ross Shober, Kyle Hackett, Mike Tait, Ryan Braunagel, Ryan Kaiser, Seth Rohrbaugh, Phil Weigel, Mike Goldwasser, Ed Bonnevie, Alex Tingue
Field Hockey: Kacie Campbell, Alexis Esbitt, Cassie Grossman, Anje Rullman, Emily Wagner, Carli Shutter
Football: Sam Burrows, Colin Naugle, Carl Batson, Chris Daino, Mark Duncan, Siddiq Haynes, Benard Makumbi, Kevin Uhll, Scott von Duyke, Anthony Walters, Justin Johnson, Mark Mackey, Shea Allard, Charles Graves, Jared Bradley, Phillip Thaxton, Ed Wagner, Trevor Mooney, Brian Void, Andrew Harrison, Anthony Bratton, Tommy Crosby, Zach Reed
Golf: Justin Martinson, Kevin McLister
Men’s Lacrosse: Pat Dowling, Nick Elsmo, Anthony Ruiz, Andrew Unthank, Matt Stefurak, Carter Bloor, Martin Cahill, Mark Steverson, D.J. Widlake, Matt DiFede, Noah Fossner
Women’s Lacrosse: Corrine Drost, Julianna Jeffers, Nicole Flego, Stacey McPartland, Emily Schaknowski, Makenzie Worthington, Ali Libertini
Rowing: Clare Wardwell, Valerie Glace, Meredith Rubin, Ashley Maguire, Sarah Baillie, Courtney Williams, Amanda Hall, Leanna Colubriale, Darra Finnerty
Men’s Soccer: Demar Stephenson, Abdul Faisal Alhassan-Chibsah, Paul Danaher, Jon Scheer, E.J. Alvarado, Courtney Hewitt, Conrad Rusnak, Ben Rodkey,
Women’s Soccer: Ilyssa Friedman, Morgan Warrington
Softball: Michelle Grap, Marianne Marinella, Amanda Nyisztor, Anne Marie Pagano
Women’s Swimming & Diving: Rachel Greene, Lauren Guntner, Donna Healy, Cortney Barry, Erinne Butler, Meghan Barber, Cecily Connell,
Men’s Swimming: Grady Carter, Hans Gillan, Dominic Pavlik, Ross Buckwalter
Men’s Tennis: Gokay Celic, Nick Piacente, Chris Hincker
Women’s Tennis: Megan Doran, Ivana Petrich
Volleyball: Greta Gibboney, Paige Erickson, Katie Dennehy, Jess Chason
