Class Of 2015: Big Things Poppin'

I was around to see them come in as baby-faced freshmen back in August, 2011. But to have the honor to watch them cross the stage a few Sunday's ago, was something pretty remarkable.

I guess that's why I work the long hours. The nights. The weekends. It's because of them, the student-athletes. 

Seeing them grow into mature (mostly) adults that have conviction, purpose and beliefs is truly amazing. 

Having had the opportunity to watch them all compete for the last four years, I can tell you, it has been my honor to tell their stories of victories on the field, in the classroom and in the community.

So, to the 80 or so names listed below, congratulations. Your dreams are far from fulfilled.Be proud of what you have done here, but don't let these accomplishments be your lasting legacies. Go out and go after your dreams. Each and everyone of you deserve it.

Always remember to #RollCougs because #CougarNation is always behind you.

More the 80 individuals with ties to the Department of Athletics received either a bachelors or masters degree at Clark University's 111th Commencement. The individuals honored are listed below:

Candidates for the Degree of Masters of Arts – Community Development and Planning
Emily Glaubitz, Women’s Rowing
Leah Guliasi, Women’s Diving
Emma Lynch, Women’s Soccer
Emily Neubig, Wom
Samantha Vadakin, Women’s Cross Country

Candidates for the Degree of Masters of Arts – History
Timothy Sistare, Men’s Swimming 

Candidates for the Degree of Masters of Arts – International Development And Social Change
Lisa Anderberg, Men’s & Women’s Cross Country Assistant Coach

Candidates for the Degree of Masters of Arts – Teaching
Annmarie Fransen, Women’s Basketball & Softball
Molly Igo, Women’s Tennis
Rose Koerner, Women’s Soccer
Kelsey Ring, Women’s Soccer
Jenna Zarou, Women’s Soccer

Candidates for the Degree of Masters of Science – Biology
Max Anderson, Men’s Swimming
Caroling Johnson, Women’s Cross Country

Candidates for the Degree of Masters of Science – Environmental Science And Policy
Gina Jenkins, Women’s Rowing

Candidates for the Degree of Masters of Science – Geographic Information Science
Alex Kappel, Men’s Swimming

Candidates for the Degree of Master of Business AdministrationMaya Allen, Softball
Julio Butter, Men’s Rowing
Tatiana Chunis, Softball
Esther Cohn, Women’s Basketball
Ian Daly, Lacrosse & Men’s Soccer
Nicholas DaPrato, Men’s Basketball
Jake Gubitose, Men’s Basketball
Andrew LeBlanc, Baseball
Cristina Mendoza, Women’s Soccer
Oliver Samples, Men’s Basketball
Daniel Stein, Men’s Tennis

Candidates for the Degree of Master of Science in Finance
Andrew Musler, Men’s Basketball

Candidates for the Degree of Master of Public Administration
Talia Fish, Field Hockey
Kellee Kosiorek, Field Hockey
Erin O’Neil, Field Hockey
Holly Palardy, Women’s Swimming
Sarah Sachs, Women’s Tennis
Alex Santos, Men’s Swimming
Sarah Testoni, Field Hockey

Candidates For The Degree of Bachelor of Arts
Ratthapoom Adsornvuttikrai, Baseball
Kathryn Baldyga, Women’s Rowing
Elizabeth Barker, Women’s Swimming
Lydia Berry, Women’s Swimming (Magna Cum Laude, Highest Honors In Studio Art)
Hayley Buckheit, Softball
Joshua Burger, Men’s Tennis
Scott Cabell, Men’s Tennis (Cum Laude)
Rebecca Chapman, Men’s Rowing (Cum Laude, with honors in Economics & with High Honors In Geography)
Mickael Chertov, Men’s Swimming (Cum Laude, with high honors in Economics)
Peter Christiansen, Lacrosse
Sarah Clay, Women’s Tennis
Melanie Conde, Volleyball (Magna Cum Laude)
Luke Crocker, Baseball
Nathan Donoso-Reddick, Lacrosse
Conor Dow, Men’s Basketball
Emily Drewniany, Women’s Swimming
David Eschen, Baseball
Matthew George, Lacrosse (Magna Cum Laude)
Vaske Gjino, Men’s Soccer
Erin Glennie, Women’s Cross Country (Summa Cum Laude, With Highest Honors In Geography)
Dennis Glynn, Baseball
Elizabeth Gomes, Women’s Soccer (Cum Laude)
Zachary Goodstein, Men’s Tennis
John D. Hall, Men’s Swimming (Cum Laude)
Kelly Hart, Field Hockey
Taylor Johnson, Sports Information/Intramural Assistant (Cum Laude)
Tanya Jung, Sports Medicine Aide (Magna Cum Laude
Gina Kelley, Women’s Swimming (Cum Laude)
Nathaniel Lapides, Sports Information Assistant (Magna Cum Laude)
Daniel Lima, Baseball
Maxwell Lopez, Men’s Soccer
Ryan Marsh, Lacrosse
Charlotte Mays, Women’s Soccer (Magna Cum Laude, With High Honors In Geography)
Rebecca Miller, Women’s Swimming (Cum Laude)
Kiah Murphy, Field Hockey/Softball
Alexandra Niclou, Women’s Rowing
Max Nyquist, Lacrosse (Cum Laude)
Dennis O’Brien, Lacrosse
Natalie Omary, Women’s Swimming (Cum Laude)
Hannah Reich, Women’s Swimming (Cum Laude)
Savonnah Rowe, Volleyball
Delia Schroeder, Women’s Basketball
Leah Siegel-Reamer, Women’s Tennis
Joel Simonson, Men’s Tennis (Magna Cum Laude)
Kaitlyn Stuck, Volleyball
Kyle Sullivan, Men’s Cross Country (Cum Laude)
Breanna Tucker, Women’s Diving (Magna Cum Laude, With Honors in Studio Art)
Alexander Wheeler, Men’s Rowing (Cum Laude)
Erin Wurtemberger, Women’s Cross Country (Summa Cum Laude)
Oscar Zapata, Men’s Soccer (Magna Cum Laude)

Senior Members Of Phi Beta Kappa
Amanda Brackett, Women’s Swimming
Erin Wurtemberger, Women’s Cross Country

Members Of Fiat Lux Honor Society
Taylor Johnson, Sports Information/Intramural Assistant

Member Of Gryphon & Pleiades Senior Honor Society
Scott Cabell, Men’s Tennis
Nathaniel Lapides, Sports Information Assistant

Gamma Theta Upsilon – International Geography Honor Society
Charlotte Mays, Women’s Soccer
Rebecca Miller, Women’s Swimming

Phi Sigma Tau – National Philosophy Honor Society
Alexander Wheeler, Men’s Rowing

Pi Sigma Alpha – National Political Science Honor Society
Natalie Omary, Women’s Swimming

Psi Chi – National Psychology Honor Society
Melanie Conde, Volleyball
Tanya Jung, Sports Medicine Aide
Erin Wurtemberger, Women’s Cross Country

IDRISI Excellence in Geographic Information Science Award
Rebecca Chapman, Men’s Rowing

Edward N. Trachtenberg Endowed Prize
Matthew George, Lacrosse

Linda Roth Memorial Activist Scholar Award
Rebecca Miller, Women’s Swimming