Top Academic Awards Given to Six Seniors at Commencement (05/07/24)

May 07, 2024

HIGHLIGHTS

• In the morning ceremony, Vianna Rodriguez, Hannah Switzer and Catherine Windham were called to the stage to receive their awards from President Edward Serna '02.

• In the afternoon ceremony, three other students were recognized - Sarah Barnett, Erik Gommer and Haley Duggan.

ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA - Six Winthrop University seniors received special recognition as recipients of the President's Award for Academic Excellence along with their diplomas during the May 4 Commencement ceremonies at the Winthrop Coliseum. The award is given to the students who have the highest GPA for the graduating class.

In the morning ceremony, Vianna Rodriguez, Hannah Switzer and Catherine Windham were called to the stage to receive their awards from President Edward Serna '02.

In the afternoon ceremony, three other students were recognized - Sarah Barnett, Erik Gommer and Haley Duggan.

Learn more about each student:

· Vianna Rodriguez of Cary, North Carolina, navigated the rigorous B.S. in nutrition's dietetics curriculum while an athlete on the softball team and as a participant in community nutrition outreach programs. She will continue her education at Winthrop by pursuing a master's degree in human nutrition and in completing the dietetic internship.

· Hannah Switzer of Charleston, South Carolina, completed an honors degree in political science and women's and gender studies. She served as president of Winthrop's Honors Association, as president of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and as coordinator-general of Winthrop's 47th annual Model United Nations. She will attend law school this fall at Georgia State University.

· Catherine Windham of West Columbia, South Carolina, earned a double major in psychology and philosophy and religious studies. She won multiple awards for her research at professional conferences and has been accepted into Winthrop's school psychology graduate program.

· Sarah Barnett of Lugoff, South Carolina, successfully completed a degree in human development and family studies. She served as Chief Student Marshal in 2022. Her plans involve going to Germany where she will teach English before returning to the United States to attend graduate school.

· Erik Gommer of Fort Mill, South Carolina, graduated with a degree in educational studies. He served as a College of Education, Sport and Human Sciences ambassador and was the student representative on the college's Dean's Search Committee. He is exploring options for his future.

· Haley Duggan of Rock Hill, South Carolina, completed a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting and a minor in risk assurance. A member of Beta Alpha Psi sorority, she will spend the summer interning with Ernst & Young in Washington, D.C., before pursuing a master's degree in professional accountancy at Clemson University with a goal of obtaining her CPA license.

For more information, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at 803/323-2404 or e-mail her at [email protected].