Messages from 2020 USI graduates
December 11, 2020
Members of the Class of 2020 shared the following messages of thanks and reflection. These and many others will be published as part of the virtual Commencement Celebration on the USI Commencement website beginning Saturday, December 12 at 11 a.m. CST.
Congratulations, graduates!
College of Liberal Arts
Hunter Baird '20
Bachelor of Arts
Spanish Studies
"I would like to thank my friends and family for their continued support! 'Intelligence plus character-that is the goal of true education.' - Martin Luther King, Jr."
Bachelor of Arts
Spanish Studies
"I would like to thank my friends and family for their continued support! 'Intelligence plus character-that is the goal of true education.' - Martin Luther King, Jr."
Jaliyah Brown '20
Bachelor of Arts
Psychology
"All things can and will work for your good. You just have to be intentional! Be confident in your gift to the world and beyond!"
Bachelor of Arts
Psychology
"All things can and will work for your good. You just have to be intentional! Be confident in your gift to the world and beyond!"
Virginia Morgan M'20
Master of Arts
Second Language Acquisition, Policy, and Culture
"Thank you to all my family, friends and professors in the College of Liberal Arts who encouraged me to keep going in my education. I love you all!"
Master of Arts
Second Language Acquisition, Policy, and Culture
"Thank you to all my family, friends and professors in the College of Liberal Arts who encouraged me to keep going in my education. I love you all!"
Javontay Moss '20
Bachelor of Science
Communication Studies
"As I reflect on my time at USI, I get chills! I'm grateful for this place, as now I'm educated and can afford to pay my bills. Seriously, thank you!"
Bachelor of Science
Communication Studies
"As I reflect on my time at USI, I get chills! I'm grateful for this place, as now I'm educated and can afford to pay my bills. Seriously, thank you!"
Willie Sanders M'20
Master of Arts in Communication
"2 down, 1 to go. To my mom, I owe you everything; thank you for the lessons. To my dad, thank you for the financial support. To everyone else, all love."
Master of Arts in Communication
"2 down, 1 to go. To my mom, I owe you everything; thank you for the lessons. To my dad, thank you for the financial support. To everyone else, all love."
College of Nursing and Health Professions
Madison Dora M'20
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
"Thankful for my OT cohort, professors and clinical instructors! Thank you, Mom and Dad, for opening the gate and guiding my path to the future!"
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
"Thankful for my OT cohort, professors and clinical instructors! Thank you, Mom and Dad, for opening the gate and guiding my path to the future!"
Lateef Kelani M'20
Master of Science in Nursing
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
"I thank God for keeping me safe during this pandemic. I wish everyone a fruitful career. I also want to thank my family for their support."
Master of Science in Nursing
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
"I thank God for keeping me safe during this pandemic. I wish everyone a fruitful career. I also want to thank my family for their support."
Ahyjnai Turentine '20
Bachelor of Science
Health Services
"This has been an extraordinary journey, and I am tremendously proud of my accomplishment!"
Bachelor of Science
Health Services
"This has been an extraordinary journey, and I am tremendously proud of my accomplishment!"
Abigail Watkins '20
Bachelor of Science
Dental Hygiene
Cum Laude
"Although this past year didn't pan out the way everyone hoped, I'm very thankful to have been able to spend it at USI! Proud to be a Screagle."
Bachelor of Science
Dental Hygiene
Cum Laude
"Although this past year didn't pan out the way everyone hoped, I'm very thankful to have been able to spend it at USI! Proud to be a Screagle."
Tiffany Wheat M'20
Master of Science in Nursing
Family Nurse Practitioner
"Thank you, USI, for helping me achieve my goals in graduate school!"
Master of Science in Nursing
Family Nurse Practitioner
"Thank you, USI, for helping me achieve my goals in graduate school!"
Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education
Zachary Breault '20
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Cum Laude
"Mechanical Engineers: 'F = ma' Civil Engineers: 'F = 0' Electrical Engineers: 'F = Farad.'"
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Cum Laude
"Mechanical Engineers: 'F = ma' Civil Engineers: 'F = 0' Electrical Engineers: 'F = Farad.'"
Bryce Gilbert '20
Bachelor of Science
Sports Management
Cum Laude
"I want to thank all of my professors, especially Dr. Bower, and the SPTM Club for everything they have done to make me a better student and leader!"
Bachelor of Science
Sports Management
Cum Laude
"I want to thank all of my professors, especially Dr. Bower, and the SPTM Club for everything they have done to make me a better student and leader!"
Logan Sullivan '20
Bachelor of Science
Mathematics
"Wait ... what side does the tassel go on again?"
Bachelor of Science
Mathematics
"Wait ... what side does the tassel go on again?"
Jill Vandewalle '20
Bachelor of Arts
Elementary Education
Cum Laude
"I loved finding my home away from home at USI. I want to thank not only my parents and family but all of the people I met these last four years!"
Bachelor of Arts
Elementary Education
Cum Laude
"I loved finding my home away from home at USI. I want to thank not only my parents and family but all of the people I met these last four years!"
Angela Yarrell M'20
Master of Science in Education
Mathematics Teaching - Secondary
"To be young, black and gifted is a beautiful thing. Thank you to all the professors and to my family and friends that supported and encouraged me!"
Master of Science in Education
Mathematics Teaching - Secondary
"To be young, black and gifted is a beautiful thing. Thank you to all the professors and to my family and friends that supported and encouraged me!"
Romain College of Business
Brandon Curry M'20
Master of Business Administration
Data Analytics
"Things I've learned: pivot tables are amazing, accounting isn't that scary and energy drinks are your friend."
Master of Business Administration
Data Analytics
"Things I've learned: pivot tables are amazing, accounting isn't that scary and energy drinks are your friend."
Kathryn Koewler M'20
Master of Business Administration
Data Analytics
"I am incredibly grateful for my parents, grandparents, friends and Ranger, my best boy, for supporting me through my master's program."
Master of Business Administration
Data Analytics
"I am incredibly grateful for my parents, grandparents, friends and Ranger, my best boy, for supporting me through my master's program."
Dakota McCarter '20
Bachelor of Science
Accounting and Professional Services
Cum Laude
"Yes, I am an accounting major. No, I will not do your taxes for free in the future."
Bachelor of Science
Accounting and Professional Services
Cum Laude
"Yes, I am an accounting major. No, I will not do your taxes for free in the future."
Andrew Peistrup '20
Bachelor of Science
Business Administration
Magna Cum Laude
"USI has been an incredible school for me, and I have enjoyed every second of getting my degree. Thank you to everyone who helped me get here!"
Bachelor of Science
Business Administration
Magna Cum Laude
"USI has been an incredible school for me, and I have enjoyed every second of getting my degree. Thank you to everyone who helped me get here!"
Jordan Thomas '20
Bachelor of Science
Management
"Thank you to all my professors and peers at the RCOB-stay safe and well! Congratulations, Class of 2020; we did it!"
Bachelor of Science
Management
"Thank you to all my professors and peers at the RCOB-stay safe and well! Congratulations, Class of 2020; we did it!"