Bluefield University Spring 2022 MABS Commencement

SPRING COMMENCEMENT for The Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences Bluefield University B luefield , V irginia

Saturday May 14, 2022 10:00 a.m.

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY Heber/Dykes

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;

Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee, Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see; Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee, Perfect in pow’r, in love and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea;

Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

COMMENCEMENT

Prelude

Ms. Alandra Blume University Accompanist , Piano

*Processional

Pomp and Circumstance Sir Edward Elgar

*Invocation

Ms. Jean Herndon Assistant Director of Education Programs Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences

*Scripture Reading

Dr. Meghan Wilson Associate Professor of Biology

Welcome and Introductions

Dr. David W. Olive President

Greetings from the Board of Trustees

Member, Board of Trustees

Student Graduate Addresses

Ms. Widad Salah Mr. Grant Hagglund

*Commencement Hymn

Holy, Holy, Holy

led by Mr. David J. Pedde

Heber/Dykes

Assistant Professor of Music Director, Center for Worship Arts Ms. Alandra Blume, Accompanist

Commencement Address

Dr. Emily A. Lambert Professor of Biology Dean, College of Sciences

Presentation of Graduates

Dr. Marshall E. Flowers, Jr. Provost Dr. Brian W. Hill Director, Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences

Conferral of Degrees

Dr. David W. Olive

Alumni Induction

Mr. Joshua Cline ʼ09 Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Marketing Secretary Alumni Association Board of Directors

*Alma Mater

led by Mr. David J. Pedde Ms. Alandra Blume, Accompanist

Zambus/Stovall

*Benediction

Dr. Ward Stevens Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences

* † Recessional

Triumphal March for Tarpeja Ludwig van Beethoven

* Please stand *†Please remain standing at your seat until after the Recessional.

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER Dr. Emily A. Lambert Professor of Biology Dean of the College of Sciences

“Somewhere along the way, we must learn that there is nothing greater than doing something for others.” Martin Luther King Jr . Born and raised in southern West Virginia, Emily Lambert always had a deep desire to serve the people of Appalachia. Having been given many priceless opportunities in life, she felt a responsibility to give back to the region by working to inspire and educate young adults that would meaningfully serve the world. With 15 years experience in higher education, the majority of which has been devoted to Christian higher education, Emily is in her 12 th year serving at Bluefield University. She currently serves as Dean of the College of Sciences and Health Sciences and Professor of Biology. During her time at Bluefield, she has overseen the launch of the Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences and proposed Master of Health Science in Anesthesiology programs. Emily received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with an emphasis in Recombinant Gene Technology from Concord University in Athens, West Virginia, and her Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Studies from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University where she studied Bacillus anthrasis, the causative agent of anthrax. Emily, her husband, William, and children, Ryann and Traver are also very involved in their hometown where they attend Carr Memorial United Methodist Church. They are the proud owners of two small businesses: Blue Ridge Bee Company and Lambert Properties. Emily enjoys educating her community outside of the University when she teaches vacation Bible school, beekeeping or even softball. She is a lifelong learner and teacher.

CANDIDATES FOR MASTER OF ARTS IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES Darian Ahmad Reston, Virginia Ahmad Najem Alakashi Jacksonville, Florida Priyanka Arunkumar Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania Sana Baig Katie Thanh Dang New Orleans, Louisiana Peter T. Demos Jr. West Springfield, Massachusetts Laura Dinh Haines City, Florida

Schenatsar Dorvilier Levittown, Pennsylvania Kanika Aisha Dunn Brandon, Florida Phillip Aaron Dunn

Thonotosassa, Florida Sarah Joy Ballance Manteo, North Carolina Elina M. Baltins Gambrills, Maryland Abina Baral Christiansburg, Virginia Jacob D. Barnett Salem, Virginia Michael Benavidez Linden, New Jersey Kushal Bera Fulshear, Texas Caitlyn Nicole Bernard Woodbridge, Virginia Audrey Bourdages Moncks Corner, South Carolina Da’Shira Andrenic Brown Opelousas, Louisiana

Londonderry, New Hampshire Youmna Khaled Elkamhawy Cary, North Carolina Dessiry Valencia Eugenio Virginia Beach, Virginia Oumy Rokhaya Faye Blacksburg, Virginia Brianna Noelle Fernandez Fayetteville, North Carolina Yameke A. Fletcher Miramar, Florida Diego Flores Salazar Woodbridge, Virginia Priyanka Gandhi Nottingham, Maryland Jessica Dolores Grisez Jefferson, Maryland Susanna Emily Grow Lexington, Virginia Grant Harris Hagglund Westerville, Ohio Benjamin Harron Roanoke, Virginia Sabryna LaVerne Haynes Orangeburg, South Carolina

Mannat Chawla Ashburn, Virginia Dohyun Choi Gaithersburg, Maryland Chinaemerem Jeffrey Chukwudoro Houston, Texas Wesley Cox Parkersburg, West Virginia Paige Daly Allison Park, Pennsylvania

Monika Moheb Henin Yorktown, Virginia Katherine Ann Hennion Apex, North Carolina John Edward Higgins Chevy Chase, Maryland Kael T. Holloway Ridgeway, Virginia Najima A. Ibrahim Federal Way, Washington Parker Wade Jackson Charlotte, North Carolina Meghana Jacob Houston, Texas Julia Taylor Jones Lexington, South Carolina

Dan Luu Elk Grove, California McKenzie Lorraine Lydon Stuart, Florida Matthew Todd Magers Port Charlotte, Florida

Aysha Mahmud Scottsdale, Arizona Fadi S. Mamari

Allentown, Pennsylvania Anna Marie Marchek Greer, South Carolina Jared Michael McAda Dallas, Texas Victoria McKinnon

Midland, North Carolina Gabrielle Tiana Melick Newport News, Virginia De’Mari Monique Menefee Bassett, Virginia Donna Sophia Artemis Meryanos

Niharika Kandala Cupertino, California Ryan Matthew Espejo Karabell

Yardley, Pennsylvania Peter Karner-Brown

Palm City, Florida Mitchell Katkic Brighton, Michigan Archit Satish Kumar Tampa, Florida Khoi Minh Tuan Le Sachse, Texas Creson Ju-Ann Lee Burke, Virginia Ji Su Lee Woodstock, Georgia Austin Ching-Hong Leung Springfield, Virginia Ellis Genevieve Linder-Elkins Johnson City, Tennessee Benita Luke Chantilly, Virginia

Conway, South Carolina Dylan James Miller Rockwood, Pennsylvania Ngwamitang Mitti Celina, Texas Hannah Moran Salem, Virginia An Nguyen Greensboro, North Carolina Christie Nguyen Pinellas Park, Florida Tony Ngo Nguyen Virginia Beach, Virginia Merrick Elijah Nicksic Hebron, Indiana Tasha Nkemdilim Ogoh Macon, Georgia

Georgia Hudson O’Leary Charleston, South Carolina Fenil Patel Charlottesville, Virginia Shivani Ranjan Patel Orangeburg, South Carolina Jessica Le Phan Richmond, Virginia Danielle Pierson Wytheville, Virginia Colby Scott Purvis Charleston, South Carolina Sarah Katharine Radziewicz Greenville, South Carolina Naa’Jah Richardson Evergreen, Alabama Brooklynn Runyan Dayton, Tennessee Widad Salah Herndon, Virginia John Clayton Scarborough Eastman, Georgia Vincent Michael Senneca El Cerrito, California

Joshua Sison Roanoke, Virginia Kristen Swanson Boca Raton, Florida Anupa J. Thirmiya Oviedo, Florida Rachel Ann Thomas Ashburn, Virginia Rachel E. Thomas Bel Air, Maryland Samantha Jean Thurman Sikeston, Missouri Matthew William Tindall Columbia, South Carolina Kishan Unija Allentown, Pennsylvania Jhanvi Ajaykumar Vansia Chase City, Virginia Nicholas Villar

Alexandria, Virginia Gbutue T. Vorkpor Lexington, Kentucky Natalie Mae Weaver Guntersville, Alabama Zaynab Yunis La Plata, Maryland

Moozen Shalabi Bowie, Maryland

ACADEMIC REGALIA The origins of academic regalia date back to the 12th and 13th centuries, when universities were beginning. The first gowns were patterned after the dress of the cleric and were believed to be a necessity for warmth in unheated buildings. Hoods were designed to serve as head coverings. Caps were not used at that time. The shape of the gown indicates the academic level: bachelor, master, or doctor. Black is the most common color in America, although now many colleges and universities are using one of their colors. The doctor’s robe usually has three velvet stripes on the sleeves, in black or in the color of the discipline of the degree. The colors of the hood indicate the academic discipline and the institution. The colors associated with the different disciplines are as follows:

Accountancy...................................................Drab Anthropology.................................................. Gold Arts...............................................................White Behavioral Science. ..................................... Oyster Biochemistry. ................................................. Gold Business Administration................................Drab Chiropractic.................................................... Grey Commerce. .....................................................Drab Communication........................................Crimson Counseling & Guidance......................... Light Blue Divinity........................................................Scarlet Dramatic Arts.............................................. Brown Economics.................................................. Copper Education. ............................................. Light Blue Engineering................................................Orange English..........................................................White Fine Arts...................................................... Brown History..........................................................White Home Economics......................................Maroon Humanities...................................................White Journalism. ..............................................Crimson Jurisprudence. ............................................ Purple Law. ............................................................. Purple Letters...........................................................White Library Science........................................... Lemon Literature......................................................White Medicine.......................................... Hunter Green Music.............................................................. Pink Nursing.......................................................Apricot Oratory (Speech)...........................................Silver Philosophy............................................ Ph.D. Blue Physical Education.............................. Sage Green Physical Therapy.............................................Teal Psychology...................................................... Gold Public Administration...................... Peacock Blue Public Health..............................................Salmon Physics.................................................Bright Gold Science.................................................Bright Gold Social Work. .................................................Citron Speech. ..........................................................Silver Theology......................................................Scarlet Urban Planning ................................... Blue-Violet

THE UNIVERSITY GONFALON The Bluefield University Gonfalon is a symbol of our collective responsibility to engage in a Christ-centered community of integrity and learning. Bluefield University’s colors, which compose the University Gonfalon, are blue, white, and red. The University Seal adorns the top of the Gonfalon, and at its base, is the symbol of inspiration for the University, which is the University Spire. In this official version, the Spire is left half open to convey the responsibility that each individual, be they student, faculty, staff, or administration, has to do their part to complete the work of learning to which we have been entrusted. THE UNIVERSITY MACE Bluefield University ceremonial occasions begin with the entrance of the University Mace, carried by the University senior faculty member and Faculty Marshal. The mace symbolizes the University’s governing authority and is present when the University leadership and faculty are in attendance. The tradition of the mace derives frommedieval times in England, when the mace was held by a bodyguard for dignitaries at ceremonial functions. Today, ceremonial maces are used by governing bodies worldwide, including the U.S. House of Representatives and the British Parliament. As an ancient symbol of authority, it reminds us that colleges and universities are custodians both of the enduring traditions of learning and of the power they bestow upon those who come to learn. It is also a reminder that the learning process has not always been comfortable and easy. The Bluefield University Mace is seen regularly at the President’s Convocation, the Honors Convocation, and the Winter and Spring Commencement ceremonies. The Bluefield University Mace is 42 inches in length. The four-sided head-piece displays blue enamel reproductions of the University Seal on antique bronze medals. The mahogany shaft is ringed in brass banners engraved with the University’s four core values, which read “Christ-centered Learning,” “Academic Excellence,” “Integrity and Mutual Respect,” and “Serves to Transform the World.” THE UNIVERSITY SEAL The University Seal has been in existence since the doors of Bluefield University opened in 1922. Designed by the daughter of Dr. R. A. Lansdell, first President of Bluefield University, it features three Latin words, “Deus,” meaning God, “Patria,” meaning country, and “Lux,” meaning light. The seal has been a beacon of light for those who study, teach, and serve at Bluefield University, as it speaks of the duty to serve God and to be divine light in this country and indeed throughout the world.

ALUMNI CREED As a member of The Bluefield University Alumni Association, I will take an active role in the life of my University through prayer, advocacy, and gifts of time and resources. Good work ethic, compassion, community involvement, appreciation for others, and faith in God have become a foundation for me as a student. These values give me a hope and a passion to share the Bluefield University mission with others as I journey through each chapter of my life. I will remember the lighted spire on the hill, and may it remain a symbol to guide me all of my days. May God continue to bless the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Bluefield University, and may God bless each of us as we impact our world.