FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2020
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION COMMISSIONING SERVICE
Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson is founder, chancellor and CEO of Regent University. Robertson has achieved national and international recognition as a religious broadcaster, philanthropist, educator, religious leader, businessman and prolific author. In addition to his significant role at Regent, he is the founder and chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) Inc., and founder of International Family Entertainment Inc., Operation Blessing International, American Center for Law and Justice, The Flying Hospital Inc., and several other organizations and broadcast entities.
Robertson is the son of Gladys Churchill Robertson and A. Willis Robertson, who served for 34 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. He entered Washington and Lee University in 1946, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. In 1948, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. After graduating magna cum laude from Washington and Lee University in 1950, Robertson served as assistant adjutant of the First Marine Division in combat in Korea and was promoted to first lieutenant upon his return to the states in 1952. He received a Juris Doctor degree from Yale University Law School in 1955 and a Master of Divinity degree from New York Theological Seminary in 1959.
Honors for his humanitarian efforts include: Lifetime Achievement Award, 2017 - 25th Silver Anniversary Movieguide Awards Winston Churchill Lifetime Achievement Award, 2013 - Faith & Freedom Coalition Hampton Roads Business Hall of Fame, 2009 New York Theological Seminary Distinction in Ministry Award, 2009 The State of Israel Friendship Award, 2002 - Zionist Organization of America, Chicago Cross of Nails Award for his work with The Flying Hospital, 2000 Defender of Israel Award, 1994 - Christians’ Israel Public Action Campaign One of America’s 100 Cultural Elite, 1992 - Newsweek Magazine Christian Broadcaster of the Year, 1989 - National Religious Broadcasters Man of the Year, 1988 - Students for America Humanitarian of the Year, 1982 - Food for the Hungry Robertson is past president of the prestigious Council on National Policy. He has served on President Ronald Reagan’s Task Force on Victims of Crime, the Board of Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Robertson also founded and served on the Christian Coalition of America.
He and his wife, Dede, have four children, 14 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren, and reside in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
DR. M.G. “PAT” ROBERTSON
2020 Commissioning Address
School of Education 2020 Commissioning Ceremony
Welcome & Address from the Dean ..................................................................................... Dean Kurt Kreassig
Academic Awards
Outstanding Graduate Award (M.Ed.) ........................................................................................ Marissa Christine Ash
Outstanding Graduate Award (Ed.S.) ........................................................................................................ Janet Whitmer
Outstanding Graduate Award (Ed.D.)................................................................................................ Nicci Tokel Dowd
Outstanding Graduate Award (Ph.D.) ........................................................................................ Kimberly Dene Tucker
Outstanding Staff Award .......................................................................................................................... Rachel Copeland
Outstanding Faculty Award .......................................................................................................................... Dr. Paul Carr
Congratulatory Remarks from Academic Affairs ...................................................... Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño Executive Vice President
Chancellor’s Commissioning Address ........................................................................ Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson Founder, Chancellor & CEO, Regent University
Closing & Prayer .................................................................................................................... Dean Kurt Kreassig
Message from the Dean On behalf of the School of Education and Regent University, I extend a sincere congratulations. It is an honor
and privilege to have partnered with you over the years, and it brings us great joy to witness your faithfulness and
diligence in successfully completing your degree. You have been exceptional representatives of the School of
Education and I know that you will continue to serve as worthy ambassadors for the School of Education by
building upon our reputation for innovation and leadership in your chosen fields.
I want to remind you of what you came to our School of Education to accomplish and why, and what lies ahead
for you. The Lord has prepared you not just over these few years at Regent University in the discipline you
studied, but for a lifetime of service to come. I want to remind you of a repeated theme in the Bible – what the
Lord told Peter - Each of you has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's grace (1 Pet 4:10). Each
of you has the opportunity to serve and enrich the lives of those around you. So, as you move forward from
Regent University, remember your gift of service and seek to share it with others for the Glory of God.
We would like to personally thank all spouses, parents, family members, and loved ones who have supported
you along the way. We are keenly aware that your success is not always achieved alone. The commissioning
service and graduation are a reflection of the effort, sacrifice, and support of many. Kurt Kreassig, Ed.D. Dean, School of Education
Reflection
In light of the challenging circumstances affecting the United States and many other nations worldwide, we
remind you of God’s faithfulness and His declaration to all who trust in Him:
In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Rom 8:37
Class of 2020
CANDIDATES FOR THE
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN EDUCATION
Emily Marie Grad
Dissertation: Transitional therapies for third culture kids: expressive writing and mentorship.
Viva Marie Hathaway
Dissertation: Underrepresented black males in STEM: AP Statistics- a possible "gap" game changer.
Margaret Constance Hope
Dissertation: The relationship between teacher self-efficacy and school environment for student teachers.
Dorothy A. Jackson
Dissertation: An examination of the relationships between attitudes towards bullying and school climate and the impact on student engagement.
Amy Susan Renn
Dissertation: An examination of factors impacting adolescent opioid drug misuse.
Irreka Ruffin-Knotts
Dissertation: The effects of the H.R.1 tax on private higher education institutions' endowments.
Kimberly Dene Tucker Dissertation: A phenomenological study of contributing factors and effects of perceived chronic stress experienced by title 1 elementary educators.
Julie Ann Waples
Dissertation: Investigating doctoral student experiences in online statistics courses: a mixed-methods study.
Brenda E. White
Dissertation: The perceived effects of guided reflection activities on self-confidence level in clinical decision-making ability in entry-level student athletic trainers.
CANDIDATES FOR THE
DOCTOR OF EDUCATION
DEGREE
Christopher Ahlstrom Dissertation: An examination of
the relationship between ethical ideology and public service motivation of public service employees.
Brenda F. Atkins
Dissertation: A mixed-method study investigating teachers' perceptions of quality of character education implementation based upon teachers' gender, age, ethnicity, and years of teaching experience.
Michelle Banks Dissertation: The impact of
relational pedagogy based on Rodin's steward leadership principles on student-teacher relationships.
Raymond Paul Chung
Dissertation: Examining the perceptions of middle school teachers and principals on PLC implementation in a suburban school district in the Southwestern United States.
Kathryn A. Close
Dissertation: The lies we think: a review of entry-level doctoral student self-talk.
Nicci Tokel Dowd Dissertation: Experiences of African American males with disabilities and their family’s self-determination with community-based programs: a transcendental phenomenology approach.
Alissa Renae Gibbs Dissertation: A phenomenological study to determine if teachers experience anxiety as they teach students with dyslexia.
Michael Todd Greene Dissertation: A correlational
study of perceived levels of spirituality and teacher self-efficacy in teachers who believe in God.
Catherine Jo Jones
Dissertation: Exploring public school principals' perceptions and self-efficacy in addressing student mental health.
Ee Lin Lam Dissertation: Spiritual formation
in the online learning community of a bible college.
Jennifer Marie Lindemuth
Dissertation: New teacher induction in international Christian schools: self-perceptions of administrators and new teachers.
Karitta Andrecia Page Dissertation: A correlational
study of educator’s self-perception of servant leadership factors on their attitude toward teaching students with disabilities in the secondary general education setting.
Mosese Koz Paul Ngungu
Dissertation: Perceived climate for diversity and frontline-employee psychological well- being: the mediating role of organizational trust.
Marisa Joy Quinn
Dissertation: The impact of mission formation programs on senior administrators at Lasallian catholic institutions in the midwest district.
Atiya Casandra Ravens Dissertation: The relationship
between teachers' demographics and their perceptions of African American males on the referral of African American males to special education in one southeastern Virginia school district.
Bevin Kateri Reinen Dissertation: Pre-K-3 educators'
use of twitter as a tool for professional learning.
Joy Elizabeth Anderson
Richardson Dissertation: Perceived organizational support and organizational commitment in an urban school division.
Meredith Jones Ross
Dissertation: Exploring the effectiveness of collaborative strategic reading for k-12 students through an integrative review
Janine K. Smith Dissertation: The naval officer
spouse: the influence of college student services during periods of deployment and non-deployment
Jeanette Dean Walczak Dissertation: Exploring the
variables that impact the perceived self-efficacy in managing a culturally responsive classroom.
Melissa Baker Wredt
Dissertation: Trait emotional intelligence and teacher longevity: an interpretative phenomenological analysis.
Joy Lucille Yaeger
Dissertation: Evaluating student preference for textbooks vs. Open resources in online higher education courses.
CANDIDATES FOR THE
EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST
DEGREE
Michele Jane Azumbrado-
SantaMaria
Mandy Nicole Blair
Coretta R. Brown
Brittany Nicole Brunson
Michala Cardwell
Abigail Monique Carnegie
Charles P. Carrington
Kristine Liane Castro
Courtney Robins Clark
Frances Cooney
Bruce Arthur Cruickshank
Nancy Jeanene Daniels
Sarah Jane Desir
Coraleta Victoria Dill
Sherri Leigh DiNoia
Ryann Ja'nelle Brown
Jeannett Edwards
Sherida Inez Evans
Jasmine Dawn Farnsworth
Jessica Ferguson
Courtney Holmes Fuller
Laura Lynn Goll
Theresa A. Goltermann
Taushia Haist
Shanega Hawkes
Sherri Lynn Irons
Katharine Jackson
JaCourtney Sharlene Jenkins
Geannie Kathy Johnson
Shantae Jasmine Johnson
Cassandra Lynn Koch
Kerri Hahn Lancaster
Debra Letsinger
Kimberley Ann Long
Pedro J. Martinez
Christy Jane Mathews
Timothy May
Kristie Jo Meyers
Nsombi Kemba Lewis Morrison
Aretha Michell Neal
Toy Sparkle Parrish
Christa Faye Penson
Karen Dorothea Pernell
Melissa Gwenell Purvis
Nikisha Williams Ragsdale
Tracy M. Reynolds
Calandra Rivers
Daryle Rodgers
Daniel K. Russell
Shana Lynn Sandin
Jonita Renee Shabazz
Claudia Elizabeth Smith
Fallin Ashley Snyder
Helen Brown Sunderland
LaShunda L. Taylor
Darin Antoine Thompson
Ella C. Thompson
Portia Michelle Wade
Sherri Nicole Warren
April Michelle Weems
Janet Whitmer
Ronald Lee Wise
Karla Young
CANDIDATES FOR THE
MASTER OF EDUCATION
DEGREE
Jovan Latesia Adams
Kathi Addaman
Melanie Dawn Ali
Kelly Marie Allen
Ashley Alligood
Crystal Denay Artis
Marissa Christine Ash
Shannon Lynn Burke Ayala
Kristina L. Bailey
Ashley Nicole Baker
Noel T. Basma
Jessica Nicole Beck
Michelle Elizabeth Benard
Kathryn Claire Bender
Michael Laurence Betsch
Sedra Bryanca Bias
Stephen Edward Blake
Gregory Albert Bliss
Kari Michelle Bondar
Alyssa Marie Boone
Sarah Bormann
Catherine Boulet
Mallory Sue Bradley
LaKisha Brandon
Altoya C. Brinkley
James Brown III
Janee Andrea Bullock
Brittany Ann Byler-Estes
Sierra Capri Carr
Yael Isabel Cavero Isakowitz
Elise Cerillo
Gabriel D. Cerrillo
Mame Bassine Coly
Amy Katherine Converse
KerriAnne Corbett Cooper
Faith Bonita Coppedge
Maxine Althea Cosbert
Leigh Anne Coverstone
Tiffany Joy Crisp
Adam Danna
Andrea Darden
Amanda M. Davis
Mykera E'Lycia Days
Renee Alexandra De Cancio
Sarah Marie de Vuyst
Danielle Mari De'Braux
Christine M. Delos Santos
Courtney Leigh Morris Diette
Shannan Kelly Drew
Jerry L. Dunkley
Douglas Nathaniel Eames
Rebekah Christine Egdorf
Susan Paige Shriver Elmer
Selena Marie Erraziqi
Michael E. Estep Jr.
Maribel Ewens
Annette Heretz Farrokh
Dana White Feeney
Belinda Rose Fenwick
Dekita Ferguson
Salena Fernandez
Christie Marie Floyd
Alanna Catherine Franklin
Jerrilyn Paige Friedsam
Christina Elisabeth Gatti
Tiffany Lynne Gillespie
Mary Larzelere Glass-Vinet
Mary Trimeloni Goetz
Erin Lyn Gore
Kimberly Shawn Green
Aneesha N. Greene
Khari Griffin
Michelle N. Griffin
Jill Jenkins Gwaltney
Heidi Marie Hadley
Jack Benton Halpern
Dorien Barrington Hart
Neil Hartigan
Enzhao He Capps
April Nicole Hinton
Tom Edward Holland
LaTonya Shantay Hughes
Amy Hurt
Melissa Anne Inserra
Helena Cristina Irwin
George William Jaggers
Michelle Johnson
Janet Lynn Johnson
Tiffany Jetaun Jones
Linda W. Jones
Erica R. Jones-Williams
Robin Marie Keith
Michael Joseph Kendzora
Bridgette Koudamah Lucas
Amanda Terrell Lambert
Merle Kathrin Leduc
Eric Christopher Lee
John Joseph Loch
Edwin Franklin Long III
Megan Louise Lubin
Teresa K. Madigan
Contessa Magee
Walter Thomas Marshall III
Gabrielle Esther Martin
Reza Aaron Marvashti
Janice Mason Parham
Edmon S. McClam
Katy McCombs
Caitlin McHale
Katherine Joana Melgar Gonzalez
Lacey Alanna Meneide
Penelope Whitley Menges
Kevin Lincoln Mikulka
Sigita Miltier
Nichole Barnes Minot
Christina M. Monsulick
Jenna Mullas
Erin Siobhan Murtagh
Christina Marie Nealy
Chaun Cornelia Newkirk
Mario Nozzarella Jr.
Marcella Renee Oliver
Sara Kathryn O'Malley
Claire Palermo-Re
Howard Anwar-Saeed Paras
Kimberly Lynn Paumen
Suzanna Shanks Paxton
Courtney Anne Pedraza
Maria Ann Pettinato
Voucile Geneva Phelps
Brittany Lynise Price
Faith Nicole Pyrch
Roderick Huron Ray
Christopher Michael Rhoades
Undra Richardson
Billy Earl Rickman
JoAnn Danielle Rivas
Shaunte Sherie Roberts
Bettina Barrein Robertson
Candice Rokusek
Maureen Roma
Sheila Ruyack
Cheri Saburi
Teri Renee Saindon
Cursina Sanchez
Sarai Santiago-Ortiz
Lawrence Sanson Schwartz IV
Jessica Sears
Jinni Shafer
Bobbie Jean Shaw-Hunter
Derrick M. Sherman
Stephen Roger Sherwood
Elizabeth Ann Kolka Shovelin
Brandon Lamar Showell
Laura Beth Sircy
Rachel Danielle Smoak
Cindy Renee Snead
William Snow
Kim M. Stanley
Kathleen Marie Starman
Jessica Ann Stearns
John K. Stork
Kia L. Taylor
Kiana LaVonda Taylor
Travis Leon Tennessee
Megan Hughes Thomason
Megan McCune Thompson
Caitlin Trigiani
Detra Anne Tutton
Edgar Stratton Twining III
Amanda Carol Van Wagenen
Bonita Varney-Lachance
Keyaria Octaves Waller
Mary Fanchon Wang
Christina Elizabeth Watson
Jasmine Monae Wells
Christopher Clifton Williams
Nyasha Helen Williams
Cynthia C. Winston
Nancy Rebecca Wofford
Gini Paschal Woods
Allison Workman
Ciara Workman
Arnitra Donnique Young
Faculty of the School of Education
Jason D. Baker, Ph.D. Professor
Paul B. Carr, Ed.D. Professor
William F. Cox Jr., Ph.D. Program Chair, Professor Donald E. Finn Jr., Ph.D. Program Chair, Associate Professor
Linda D. Grooms, Ph.D. Professor
John C. Hanes Jr., Ph.D. Associate Professor
Sheila G. Hill, Ed.D. Assistant Professor
Jiuhan Huang, Ed.D. Associate Professor
Elizabeth M. Hunter, Ed.D. Program Chair, Assistant Professor
Kurt R. Kreassig, Ed.D. Dean
Glenn L. Koonce, Ed.D. Program Chair, Associate Professor
Mark P. Mostert, Ph.D. Professor
Deanna L. Nisbet, Ed.D. Program Chair, Professor
Jeffrey S. Pittman, Ph.D. Program Chair, Associate Professor
W. George Selig, Ed.D. Distinguished Chair of Educational Leadership, Professor
Mervyn J. Wighting, Ph.D. Program Chair, Professor
DR. HOPE MARIE JORDAN
Monday, October 28, 2019, marked the passing of Dr. Hope Marie Jordan, a beloved professor in the School of Education for over 20 years. Jordan was the chair for both the Exceptional Educational Executive Leadership and Reading Specialist & Special Education programs. Her background as a K-12 special and general educator provided practical expertise in her roles as a professor and consultant. Her work in teacher/leader preparation resulted in developing thousands of instructors and administrators in the field who are better prepared to teach and lead 21st century students. She will be greatly missed by her colleagues and the many students and interns whom she impacted at Regent and around the world.
DR. W. GEORGE SELIG Dr. W. George Selig, the Distinguished Professor of Educational Leadership, came to Regent in 1980 as a founding professor of special education. He has served Regent University in several capacities including Dean of the College of Education and Counseling (1988), and Provost of Regent University (1989), a position he held for 11 years. During his tenure the university grew from approximately 700 to more than 3,000 students. His leadership in the formative years of the university contributed to the founding and development of several schools, the launching of distance learning programs, and the expansion of the number and types of degrees offered. In 2000, he returned to his first love, teaching, and since then has been a valued colleague in the School of Education.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RETIREMENT!
IN MEMORIAM
The Regent University School of Education: History
The School of Education was formed in 1980 with approximately 16 students and three full-time faculty members. The school initially enrolled mostly students interested in Christian school education. The interests changed when the university introduced programs geared toward practicing public school teachers and administrators as well as using more convenient formats such as weekend courses and online instruction. Today, the majority of students seeking advanced degrees are public school employees. The school has since grown to serve 1200 degree-seeking students each year and offers 23 distinct areas of study ranging from master’s level through Ph.D. The school employs 18 full-time faculty members. Our mission states, “The School of Education, through its commitment to excellence in teaching, research and service, provides a biblically based, Christian education to equip men and women in mind, heart, and character for lives of educational service and transformational leadership.” The faculty believe that curriculum is enhanced by the infusion of Judeo-Christian values found in Scripture, especially in cultivating our students as ambassadors of hope and compassion. Our vision is that our graduates portray a lifestyle that ignites change because of their commitment to these eternal values. We give God thanks for His faithfulness for forty years of service to the Regent community, including our alumni and students and the sectors in which they serve, especially education. Our impact has gone throughout the world. With His help, we have proved that we are indeed more than conquerors (Rom 8:37).
“We Are More Than Conquerors.”
ROMANS 8:37
Mission & Vision
The mission of Regent University is to serve as a leading center of Christian thought and action, providing excellent education
from a biblical perspective and global context in pivotal professions to equip Christian leaders to change the world.
The vision of Regent University is to be the most influential, Christian, transformational university in the world.
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