Fall Commencement celebrates newest MSU graduates

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Participants in the 2019 Fall Rites of Passage
Front row, from left: Emelyn Wells (19), Salt Lick; Shawntasia Butler (19), Clearfield; Kiana Gilbert (19), Louisville; Payne Rochelle (19), Louisville; K’sha Stoner (19), Louisville and Darianne Seward (19), Columbus, Ohio. ​ Back row, from left: Allison Hull (19), Berea; Sydnee Bradley (19), Louisville; David Devaughn (19), Cincinnati, Ohio and Eulaun Beasley (19), Lexington.

Morehead State University’s Office of Student Activities sponsored its 37th Rites of Passage recognition ceremony on Friday, Dec. 13, in the Adron Doran University Center (ADUC) Ballrooms.    

The purpose of the ceremony was to recognize and celebrate the academic achievement of minority and international students at MSU. Each student will receive a certificate, a gift and a special Kente stole.    

Morehead State University honored nearly 600 degree candidates at the 2019 Fall Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Academic-Athletic Center.   

Graduates were recognized by MSU President Dr. Joseph A. (Jay) Morgan, who offered a congratulatory handshake to each of those completing graduate and undergraduate degree requirements.   

Sarah Young
Sarah Young (19) of Fayetteville, Ohio, served as the student speaker for the ceremony.

Sarah Young (19) of Fayetteville, Ohio, served as the student speaker for the ceremony. She is the daughter of Fred “Marty” Young and Joyce Young. She graduated with two degrees, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies with a minor in philosophy.    

Young has been a tutor with MSU’s Tutoring and Learning Center since October 2016. This year, she was awarded the Molly McBride Tutoring Excellence Award, the highest honor awarded to an MSU tutor. She has held executive positions in multiple student clubs and organizations.  

Young plans to enroll in law school at the University of South Dakota, where she also may earn a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology. She has career goals to become a trial lawyer or a defense attorney in criminal law.    

“There were days where we wanted to, or did, switch what we once believed to be our dream major. However, that is what makes our time here formative. We learned to fight, adjust, adapt, and overcome. We are here today proving that we could, and we did. We are the ones who have made it this far, and that is something to be proud of.”

– Sarah Young
Honorary Degree Recipient
MSU President Dr. Jay Morgan (left) and MSU Board of Regents chair Kathy Walker present John Price with an honorary degree awarded posthumously to his brother, Patrick, an alumnus and former regent.

An Honorary Doctor of Public Service degree was awarded to alumnus and former regent, Patrick Eugene “Pat” Price (71), who passed away during the fall semester. The degree was accepted by his brother John Price. 

ROTC Officer Commissioning
Graduates who were members of the MSU ROTC Eagle Battalion were commissioned as Army officers during commencement. Pictured from left to right are Jake E. Cogan (19), South Point, Ohio; Marvin R. Morris (19), Morehead; and Bailey Tutorow (19), Dry Ridge.

Following the ceremony, the newest alumni were inducted into the MSU Alumni Association Inc. by Dr. Bob Albert (86), provost and vice president of academic affairs. 

Additional information on commencement exercises is available by calling 606-783-2008 or visiting www.moreheadstate.edu/graduation.