Class of 2017

Keynote Speaker

Honorary Class Speaker

Class of 2017

Vladyslav Akimenko Bachelor of Science, Management Information Systems Donetsk, Ukraine

Karley Louise Allen

Bachelor of Science, Psychology Lanexa, Virginia

Erin Marie Anderson

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Richmond, Virginia

Rachel Elizabeth Georgia Austin Bachelor of Science, Business Administration Norton, Virginia

Cassidy Elise Ayers Bachelor of Science in Nursing Pearisburg, Virginia

John Forrest Bailey

Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice Falls Church, Virginia

Kaitlyn Cheyenne Baker

Bachelor of Science, Biology Clintwood, Virginia

Morgan Brittni Baker Bachelor of Arts, Communication Studies Big Stone Gap, Virginia

Kenneth Dean Ball Bachelor of Arts, Health and Physical Education Azusa, California

Ashley Nicole Barnett

Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry Big Stone Gap, Virginia

Wesley Michael Baugh Bachelor of Science, Accounting Wise, Virginia

Thomas Milford Bauserman Bachelor of Arts, Government Luray, Virginia

Jean-Luc Baxter

Bachelor of Science, Biology Narrows, Virginia

Sarah Lynn Beamer

Bachelor of Science, Psychology Front Royal, Virginia

Garrett Cameron Belcher Bachelor of Science, Business Administration Bluefield, Virginia

Anthony Shangh Bentley Bachelor of Science, Business Administration Wise, Virginia

Roland Scott Berthold Jr.

Bachelor of Arts, Music Front Royal, Virginia

T’ontray Timmion Billups

Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice Norfolk, Virginia

Santana Tierra Bishop Bachelor of Arts, Health and Physical Education Gate City, Virginia

Daria Dominika Blach SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Science, Chemistry / Mathematics Katowice, Poland

McKenna Beth Blevins CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies Coeburn, Virginia

Israel Loren Bolling

Bachelor of Arts, Health and Physical Education Wise, Virginia

Jodie Ann Lewis Bolling Bachelor of Science in Nursing Pound, Virginia

Samuel Charles Boyle CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Science, Sociology Central Point, Oregon

Laken Elise Branson MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Arts, Theatre Saltville, Virginia

Kenneth Alexander Breckley

Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice Bealeton, Virginia

Briana LaShawn Brooks Bachelor of Science, Sociology Ringgold, Virginia

James Skylar Brownlow Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice Houston, Texas

Burnis Robert Brummitt

Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice Wise, Virginia

Chelsea Paige Brummitt

CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Wise, Virginia

Kazmier Adara Bucklen Bachelor of Science, Business Administration Coeburn, Virginia

Amanda Desiree Burns Bachelor of Science, Business Administration Big Stone Gap, Virginia

Jade LaShay Burton

CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science in Nursing Richmond, Virginia

John Brandon Cantrell Bachelor of Arts, English Literature Pound, Virginia

Katelyn Paige Carico

CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science, Business Administration Gate City, Virginia

Steven Eugene Carico Bachelor of Science, Sociology Fort Blackmore, Virginia

Cassie Rhea Carnes

MAGNA CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice Big Stone Gap, Virginia

Silk Pinero Carter

Bachelor of Arts, English Literature Hilton, Virginia

Alyssa Drew Castle

Bachelor of Science, Business Administration Castlewood, Virginia

Makayla Danielle Castle Bachelor of Arts, Communication Studies Coeburn, Virginia

Jacob Carlton Caudill Bachelor of Arts, Health and Physical Education Norton, Virginia

Matthew Allen Chapman Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Arts and Sciences Oakwood, Virginia

Nicholas Steven Childers

Bachelor of Science, Business Administration Norton, Virginia

Bailey Marie-Ward Christoforatos

CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science, Psychology Spotsylvania, Virginia

Caleb Andrew Church

Bachelor of Arts, Health and Physical Education Wise, Virginia

Clay Collins Clark

Bachelor of Arts, History Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice Drewryville, Virginia

Evan Michael Clark

MAGNA CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Arts, Government Big Stone Gap, Virginia

Olivia Danielle Cleary

Bachelor of Arts, Health and Physical Education Riner, Virginia

Taylor Nash Cline

Bachelor of Arts, Communication Studies West Point, Virginia

Brooke Elizabeth Colley Bachelor of Science, Environmental Science Wise, Virginia

Jared Keith Colley CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Arts, Theatre Lebanon, Virginia

Cheyenne Tierra Collier

Bachelor of Science, Psychology Norton, Virginia

Autumn Adams Collins Bachelor of Science, Psychology Vinton, Virginia

Thomas Chapman Commons Bachelor of Science, Computer Science Alexandria, Virginia

Samuel Alexander Cook

Bachelor of Arts, History Reston, Virginia

Jeremiah Keith Cooke

Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice Wise, Virginia

Zachary Ian Cooper Bachelor of Science, Business Administration Big Stone Gap, Virginia

Laura Elizabeth Couch CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Arts and Sciences St. Paul, Virginia

Austin Drake Counts Bachelor of Science, Environmental Science Coeburn, Virginia

Meghan Patricia Coyne

Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Arts and Sciences Chesapeake, Virginia

Mekdelawit Mekonnen Damtie Bachelor of Science, Business Administration Arlington, Virginia

Jamie Patrick Davis Bachelor of Science, Biology Hurley, Virginia

Kaitlynn Maxine Davis

Bachelor of Arts, Theatre Richmond, Virginia

Richard Laurence Day

Bachelor of Science, Management Information Systems Louisa, Virginia

Ashlynn Brooke Dean Bachelor of Science, Psychology Jonesville, Virginia

Sydney Dianna Dean Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice Wise, Virginia

Daniel Griffin Deane

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Charlottesville, Virginia

Gary Willard Deel

Bachelor of Arts, History Clintwood, Virginia

Karla Gail Degener Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice Cumberland, Tennessee

Matthew Jon Desaulnier Bachelor of Science, Business Administration Mineral, Virginia

Taysha Lee DeVaughan

Bachelor of Arts, Communication Studies Fort Cobb, Oklahoma

Griffin William Duy Bachelor of Arts, Government Oak Hill, Virginia

Nikki Jean Dye Bachelor of Science, Business Administration Fredericksburg, Virginia

Sarah Nicole Elbon

CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science, Biology Strasburg, Virginia

Kassidy Nicole Eldridge CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Blackwater, Virginia

Louis Edgard Eliacin Bachelor of Science, Psychology Danville, Virginia

Chelsey LeAnn Spencer Emershaw Bachelor of Arts, History

Bachelor of Science, Psychology Patrick Springs, Virginia

Robert Dalton Emershaw Bachelor of Arts, Theatre Norton, Virginia

Alvin Eronmosele Enahoro

Bachelor of Science, Economics Brentwood, New York

Nicholas Alexander England

Bachelor of Science, Biology Wise, Virginia

Paige Brienne Estep Bachelor of Arts, Art Big Stone Gap, Virginia

Jeremiah Watson Marr Eubank Bachelor of Science, Business Administration Varina, Virginia

Zachary Tyler Evans MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Science, Accounting Bridgewater, Virginia

Caleb Daniel Fast CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Science, Chemistry Pound, Virginia

Matthew Alexander Fields

Bachelor of Arts, Government Abingdon, Virginia

Harold John Fischer Bachelor of Arts, Health and Physical Education Virginia Beach, Virginia

Rachel Anastasia Fischer CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Arts, History Virginia Beach, Virginia

Crystal Lynn Fletcher Bachelor of Science, Sociology Coeburn, Virginia

Kayla Nicole Flint

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Clintwood, Virginia

Christopher Johnathan Flood

Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice Hampton, Virginia

Hannah Melissa Franklin Bachelor of Science, Biology Big Stone Gap, Virginia

Kimmy S. Frazier Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice Norfolk, Virginia

Carlie Elizabeth Fugate Bachelor of Arts, Communication Studies Castlewood, Virginia

Selina Danielle Gaddis

Bachelor of Arts, Communication Studies Appalachia, Virginia

Kaitlyn Nicole Gainer

Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Arts and Sciences Yorktown, Virginia

Madison Christine Gaither Bachelor of Arts, Communication Studies Ruther Glen, Virginia

Candon Layton Alan Gardner Bachelor of Science, Environmental Science Wise, Virginia

Kody Hunter Gardner

COLLEGE HONORS SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Science, Computer Science Appalachia, Virginia

Marti Kate Gay

CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry Salisbury, North Carolina

Samuel Wesley Gibson

Bachelor of Science, Business Administration Castlewood, Virginia

Andrew Wesley Giles MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Arts, Government Duffield, Virginia

Jacob Robert Gilliam Bachelor of Arts, History Sandston, Virginia

Rachel Ann Glines CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Arts, Government Wise, Virginia

Adam Cody Greear Bachelor of Science, Business Administration Coeburn, Virginia

Shirley Michelle Guzman CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Science, Mathematics Stuart, Virginia

Andrew Bishop Hamilton MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Arts, Government / History Big Stone Gap, Virginia

Bethanie Page Hamilton

Bachelor of Arts, Biology Castlewood, Virginia

Alec Preston Hargreaves Bachelor of Arts, History Centreville, Virginia

Wayman Chad Hart

Bachelor of Science, Psychology Glendale, Kentucky

Nathaniel Kent Hatmaker

Bachelor of Arts, Health and Physical Education Harrogate, Tennessee

Taylor Mack Hayes Bachelor of Science, Accounting Pound, Virginia

Bailey Curtlan Helbert Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry Coeburn, Virginia

Roosevelt Denzell Everett Henderson Bachelor of Science, Management Information Systems Vienna, Virginia

Nicole Gabrielle Hermann

Bachelor of Arts, Government Midlothian, Virginia

Alexa Corinne Hernandez

Bachelor of Science, Economics Woodbridge, Virginia

Fred Wayne Hicks Bachelor of Science, Biology Gate City, Virginia

Michael Paul Hinkle CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Science, Biology Stickleyville, Virginia

Logan Danielle Hobbs Bachelor of Science in Nursing Norton, Virginia

Trevor Alexander Holdren Bachelor of Arts, Health and Physical Education Roanoke, Virginia

Alyssa Grace Holton

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Amherst, Virginia

Jessica Nicole Huff

Bachelor of Science, Sociology Coeburn, Virginia

Ashley Gail Huffman CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Science, Biology Castlewood, Virginia

Cassidy Jade Hughes

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Wise, Virginia

Donnell Tyrell Hunt Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice Newport News, Virginia

Ryan Wesley Huntington CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Arts, Music Bealeton, Virginia

Jacob Wyatt Hurd Bachelor of Science, Sociology St. Paul, Virginia

Nafisa Ibrahim Bachelor of Arts, Government Republic of China

Owen Poe Inkley

Bachelor of Science, Accounting Vienna, Virginia

Elmer James Jackson

Bachelor of Science, Sociology Vansant, Virginia

Amatha Sky Blaise Jenkins Bachelor of Arts, English Literature Pound, Virginia

Hannah Nicole Jessee Bachelor of Science, Business Administration Castlewood, Virginia

Cody Dylan Jewell

Bachelor of Science, Business Administration Manassas, Virginia

Austin Andrew Johnson Bachelor of Science, Economics Montpelier, Virginia

Chelsea Amber Justice Bachelor of Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies Stuart, Virginia

Emily Buchanan Justice

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Wise, Virginia

Emily Taylor Kale

CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Arts, Health and Physical Education Shelby, North Carolina

Kelly Dawn Katzer

Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice Patrick Springs, Virginia

Kayleigh Jordan Kent

Bachelor of Arts, Communication Studies Leesburg, Virginia

Hope Ariana Ketron CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Science, Psychology Gate City, Virginia

David Mwangi Kihiu

Bachelor of Science, Biology Fairfax, Virginia

Hannah Elizabeth King Bachelor of Science, Computer Science Cromona, Kentucky

Vincent Joseph Kuchenbuch

Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice Floyd, Virginia

Tyler Aristin Laney Bachelor of Science, Business Administration Big Stone Gap, Virginia

Erin Taylor Lee CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Science, Biology Fincastle, Virginia

Julian Alexander Lee Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice Portsmouth, Virginia

Kelsey Michelle Lee Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Arts and Sciences Saltville, Virginia

Cara Audrene Jamila Legge

Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice Norton, Virginia

Julia Lange Maggard

COLLEGE HONORS MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies Wise, Virginia

Jason Matthew Marsingill Bachelor of Science, Psychology Pound, Virginia

Christopher Matthew Martin

CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice St. Paul, Virginia

Tiffany Starr Evans Martin Bachelor of Science, Mathematics Damascus, Virginia

Trenton Lyle Martin

Bachelor of Science, Business Administration Virginia Beach, Virginia

Edward Sylvester Massaquoi Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice Alexandria, Virginia

Brianna Kayleen Matney Bachelor of Arts, Art Tazewell, Virginia

Shacodi Rayne Mays

Bachelor of Science, Psychology Norton, Virginia

Michael West McCollum

Bachelor of Arts, Health and Physical Education Richmond, Virginia

Keely Winston McCormick Bachelor of Arts, Spanish Abingdon, Virginia

Timothy Michael McDonald Bachelor of Science, Environmental Science Lynchburg, Virginia

Renee Mamiko McKinney

Bachelor of Arts, Foreign Studies Clintwood, Virginia

Alyssa Danielle Meade

MAGNA CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Arts, Art Wise, Virginia

Fallon Nicole Meade

MAGNA CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Arts, Spanish Coeburn, Virginia

Sara Ann Meade

Bachelor of Arts, Music Coeburn, Virginia

Amanda Margaretha Meffert Bachelor of Science, Psychology Hillsborough, California

Austin Elizabeth Miller Bachelor of Science, Psychology Chesterfield, Virginia

Kayla Rachelle Miller

CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Arts and Sciences Big Stone Gap, Virginia

Nathan Lee Minor Bachelor of Arts, Biology Coeburn, Virginia

Mariela Elizabeth Mira

Bachelor of Science, Psychology Alexandria, Virginia

Lewis Edward Moore II

MAGNA CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science, Psychology /Administration of Justice Jonesville, Virginia

Devon Thomas Moring

Bachelor of Science, Psychology /Administration of Justice Portsmouth, Virginia

Andrea Dawn Mullins

Bachelor of Arts, Communication Studies Clintwood, Virginia

Caitlin MacKenzie Mullins Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Arts and Sciences Norton, Virginia

Jessica Leigh Mullins

CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Arts, Theatre Jenkins, Kentucky

Logan Jacob Mullins Bachelor of Science, Psychology /Administration of Justice Norton, Virginia

Matthew Taylor Mullins Bachelor of Arts, Music Clintwood, Virginia

Chelsea Lynn Murphy

Bachelor of Science, Business Administration Big Stone Gap, Virginia

Tiffany Renee Murray

Bachelor of Arts, Health and Physical Education Big Stone Gap, Virginia

Bezawit Terefe Negash Bachelor of Science, Business Administration Arlington, Virginia

Micah Reece Nida Bachelor of Arts, Government Big Stone Gap, Virginia

Tyler John Odle

Bachelor of Science, Accounting Coeburn, Virginia

Mustapha Ouzia

Bachelor of Science, Software Engineering / Computer Science Algiers, Algeria

Kaitlyn Nicole Owens MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Arts and Sciences Grundy, Virginia

William Robert Palmer

MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Science, Accounting / Business Administration Norton, Virginia

Chase Macnabb Patrylak Bachelor of Arts, Health and Physical Education Virginia Beach, Virginia

Amon Ivory Patterson Bachelor of Science, Psychology Richmond, Virginia

Justin Tyler Peters

Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice Wise, Virginia

Raqueal Nashea Phillips

Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Arts and Sciences Castlewood, Virginia

Sarah Rose Phipps Bachelor of Arts, Art Flatridge, Virginia

Madison Grace Powers Bachelor of Science, Business Administration Coeburn, Virginia

Veronica Rene Presley

Bachelor of Arts, English Literature Gate City, Virginia

Aaron Daniel Price

Bachelor of Arts, Health and Physical Education Norton, Virginia

Alexis Kourtlyn Price Bachelor of Science, Psychology Lebanon, Virginia

Emily Diana Puckett MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Arts, English Literature Haysi, Virginia

Christian Montez Raja-Estes Bachelor of Science, Management Information Systems Richmond, Virginia

Alexander Keats Rickman Bachelor of Science, Mathematics Wise, Virginia

Marissa Ann Riley CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Grundy, Virginia

Shelby Caroline Roberts Bachelor of Arts, English Literature Abingdon, Virginia

Allie Jo Robinson CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Arts, Communication Studies Clintwood, Virginia

Hannah Ruth Rose Bachelor of Arts, History Norton, Virginia

Kayla Melissa Rose Bachelor of Arts, Health and Physical Education Bluefield, Virginia

Kennedy Elisabeth Rose

Bachelor of Science, Psychology Marion, Virginia

Natalia Stephanie Saar

Bachelor of Arts, Biology Curitiba, Brazil

Corey Ethan Salyers CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice Gate City, Virginia

Ethan Michael Samerdyke COLLEGE HONORS

MAGNA CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Arts, English Literature Wise, Virginia

Taylor Lauren Sandidge Bachelor of Arts, Health and Physical Education Waynesboro, Virginia

Fallon Nichole Saunders Bachelor of Arts, Government Lynchburg, Virginia

Joshua Rick Shoemaker

Bachelor of Arts, History Dryden, Virginia

Kelsey Noelle Skaggs

SUMMA CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science, Psychology Jonesville, Virginia

Cassandra Carrie Smith

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Falls, Pennsylvania

Christopher Dustin Smith

Bachelor of Science, Biology Duffield, Virginia

Gabrielle Lee Smith Bachelor of Science, Mathematics Manassas, Virginia

Jessica Eryn Smith MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Science, Accounting /Business Administration Clifton Forge, Virginia

Caitlin Dawn Sprouse Bachelor of Arts, Biology Craigsville, Virginia

Joshua James Stephens

Bachelor of Arts, History Whitesburg, Kentucky

Tyler Reid Stone Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice Ridgeway, Virginia

William Cassidy Strange Bachelor of Science, Biology Wise, Virginia

Sharmae Leigh Stringfield

MAGNA CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science, Psychology Hampton, Virginia

Zane Matthew Sturgill MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Science, Accounting Wise, Virginia

Katelyn Marie Sutherland COLLEGE HONORS

CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science, Computer Science Clintwood, Virginia

Michael Shane Sutherland

Bachelor of Science, Psychology St. Paul, Virginia

Catherine Maria Taylor

CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science, Psychology Wise, Virginia

Megan Hope Taylor

Bachelor of Science, Biology Honaker, Virginia

Haley Autumn Thacker

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Elizabethton, Tennessee

Robert Darnell Torres Bachelor of Arts, Theatre / Government Hampton, Virginia

Joshua Thomas Townsend Bachelor of Science, Mathematics Greensboro, North Carolina

Mackenzie Lauren Trent SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Castlewood, Virginia

Lindsey Frances Tucker Bachelor of Arts, Health and Physical Education Newark, Deleware

John Donnelly Tuite Bachelor of Arts

Health and Physical Education Virginia Beach, Virginia

Rebecca Colleen Turner Bachelor of Science, Environmental Science Clintwood, Virginia

Jose Andres Urrutia Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice Alexandria, Virginia

Eulala Samantha Vanover

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Clintwood, Virginia

James Ira Vanover

MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Science, Computer Science / Mathematics Coeburn, Virginia

Laura Elizabeth Viers

Bachelor of Arts, English Literature Coeburn, Virginia

Jonathon Taylor Vipperman Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice Stuart, Virginia

Javier Adolfo Wagner CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Science, Economics Pulaski, Virginia

Anthony Christopher Wallis

MAGNA CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science, Accounting Strasburg, Virginia

Kelsey Rochelle Webb

CHANCELLOR’S MEDAL SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Science, Chemistry Big Stone Gap, Virginia

Alexander Marc Webster

Bachelor of Science, Business Administration Mollusk, Virginia

Lauren Elizabeth Welborn Bachelor of Science in Nursing Poquoson, Virginia

Cynthia Renee White

Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Arts and Sciences Castlewood, Virginia

Eric Louis White

Bachelor of Science, Environmental Science Seymour, Tennessee

Jordyn Breann White Bachelor of Science in Nursing Wise, Virginia

Chelsea Elizabeth Whittington CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Science, Biology St. Paul, Virginia

Shaquon Otez Wilkins Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice Fredericksburg, Virginia

Jimmy Franklin Williams III Bachelor of Science, Business Administration Wise, Virginia

Whitney Logyn Williams Bachelor of Science, Psychology Charleston, South Carolina

Tanner Samuel Winesett

CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry Bluefield, Virginia

Katie Marie Wolle Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Arts and Sciences Pennington Gap, Virginia

Megan Leann Woodward

Bachelor of Arts, Communication Studies Saltville, Virginia

Stephanie Lynn Wright

SUMMA CUM LAUDE Bachelor of Science

Accounting / Business Administration Pennington Gap, Virginia

Hope Sierra Wymer SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Science, Biology Marion, Virginia

Taylor Rae Yeary Bachelor of Science in Nursing Wise, Virginia

Talon Gerald Young Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice Woodbridge, Virginia

William Lee Young

Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice Fredericksburg, Virginia

Simona Aukse Zduoba Bachelor of Science, Psychology Boyce, Virginia

Ning Zhou SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Bachelor of Science, Accounting Republic of China

Keynote Speaker

Delegate Terry G. Kilgore began serving in the Virginia General Assembly in 1994. The Scott

County native represents the 1st Legislative District in the House of Delegates.

Kilgore, a 1983 graduate of Clinch Valley College, later named The University of

Virginia’s College at Wise, received his juris doctorate from the Marshall-Wythe School of

Law at the College of William and Mary. He practices law in Gate City.

He has made education, economic development and jobs priorities during his

tenure in the nation’s oldest legislative bodies. Kilgore serves on the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission and serves as chair of the House

Commerce and Labor Committee. He also serves on the House Courts of Justice and Rules committees.

The lawmaker serves on the Appalachian Region Interstate Compact Commission, Coal and Energy Commission Uranium Mining Subcommittee,

Coal and Energy, Virginia Commission on Electric Utility Regulation, Commission on Growth and Opportunity Board, Judicial Panel, Southwest

Virginia Cultural Heritage Foundation, Southwest Virginia Health Authority, Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center Board of Trustees, Southwest

Virginia Public Education Consortium, Wireless Communications Infrastructure Group, and Joint Subcommittees of House Commerce and

Labor, Senate Commerce and Labor, and Senate General Laws and Technology.

Kilgore and his wife, Debbie, have two children, Kayla and Kyle.

Honorary Class Speaker

Gabrielle Smith, a math major, has been selected as honorary student speaker for

Commencement 2017 at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise.

The 21-year-old Manassas, Virginia resident arrived at UVa-Wise four years

ago and quickly earned a reputation across campus for her strong work ethic

in the classroom and in the undergraduate research program. Smith,

along with her faculty mentor James Vance, spent two years driving a specific

route through Southwest Virginia surveying wildlife collisions with vehicles. The road kill study uses a logistic regression analysis to identify hot spots for

wildlife collisions so mediation measures may be taken if viable. Ironically, as a youngster, Smith, when on long trips with her mother, would pass the

time by pointing out the variety of road kill they would encounter on roadways.

A born teacher, Smith tutors math and Spanish on campus, worked with the Summer Bridge Program, and, as a licensed educator, teaches math at Union High School as a long-term substitute.

Smith, who graduated from Stonewall Jackson High, plays piano, sings, and has participated in several theater productions on campus. A self-proclaimed

outdoor enthusiast, Smith has enjoyed her time living in the mountains of Southwest Virginia.

She enjoys life on a small campus because of the close ties that are formed with students, faculty and staff. Smith, a member of the Sigma Zeta Honor

Society, says she will always treasure the times that she and her fellow math majors would sit in the atrium in the second floor of Darden Hall and discuss all aspects of mathematics.

“It’s a family,” she said. “We became a close-knit family, just sitting with like-minded people talking about math.”

Smith, who wants to teach mathematics while continuing research, has applied to begin a Ph.D. program in genetics, bioinformatics and computational biology at Virginia Tech.