Dear Graduates of the College of Creative Arts,
Congratulations, you have many reasons to celebrate!
In addition to the many reasons previous generations have had for celebration, most of you are the class that started your career in a pandemic. Though it was not by design, you learned an important lesson that has been expertly captured by Kara Lawson: you learned “Don’t wait for life to get easier, learn how to handle hard better.” With the constant uncertainty you had to endure, you learned how to adapt and evolve. You learned how to “handle hard.”
As a class you have adapted and evolved during a time that has been tabbed, “the new normal.” This ability to adapt has inspired us and makes us proud of you. This ability to adapt also gives us hope as YOU create the “new normal.” You are creating this “new normal” at a time when the world should realize it needs the arts. You are creating a new normal for a world that needs healing. You graduate into a world that needs culture and the arts more than ever before. You graduate into a world that should realize, when the arts are loved, there is less space for hate.
You graduate into a world that needs the truth and hope that comes from the arts. The arts are truth because they are the best reflection of the times we live in and hope for the world we long for. Regardless of your discipline, you will lead the way by creating a sincere and relevant “true voice” for our times and a clearer “hopeful vision” for our future.
The moment to lead is close, but now is the moment to reflect and enjoy this achievement. Now is the time to know we will miss you (so please visit!). Now is the time to share hugs (if you are OK with that) and take lots of selfies. Now is the time to rest before being the “truth” and “hope” our world needs.
Congratulations, you are ready to add the power of your “voice” to the world!!
H. Keith Jackson, DMA
Philip J. Faini/Falbo Family Dean
December 2023 Graduates
Doctor of Musical Arts
Composition
- Jason Thomas Hoffmann
Performance
- Islei Mariano Correa Hammer
- Samantha Ann Holloman
- Albert James Houde III
- Hyoan Park
- Gerardo Sanchez Pastrana
- Carl William Richter
- Fei Xia
Master of Arts
Art Education
- Alison Zoe Tucker
Music Business and Industry
- Annalivia Plurabelle McFee
Music Theory
- McKenna Marie Lee
Master of Fine Arts
Costume Design and Technology
- Katrina Lundquist
Master of Music
Conducting
- Shaun Michael Hancher
Music
- Andrew Clay Harris
Performance
- McKenna Marie Lee
Bachelor of Arts
Art Therapy
- Madison Elaine Witmer
- Simone Yanogacio
Music Business and Industry
- Alexis Grace Abdalla**
Music Industry
- Lane Hunter Cutright ***
- Caleb James Killett *
- Lexi Lauren Mankamyer **
- Misael Gilot Oquendo
- Elizabeth Lin Smith **
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Acting
- Erica Leigh Cottrill ☙ ***
Art and Design
- Alicia Haley Goss
- Blaire Ryan Phillips **
Art Education
- Esperanza Abarca **
- Kennedy Anne Kacik ***
- Reece Michael Lopatka ☙ ***
- Emma Mae Musser *
- Michaela Swiger **
Graphic Design
- Anthony James Fox
- Jordan Elizabeth Gibilisco
- Casey Teagan Murt **
- Zoe Ann Papps
- Shea Louis Pena *
- Bethany Marie Severance
- Patience Ruby Maxine Whipkey
Puppetry
- Chelsea J Elliff **
Bachelor of Music
Music Education
- Gavin Lee Lewis Shaffer
Music Performance: Jazz Studies
- Constantinos Milton Kayafas
Music Performance: Piano
- Charif Inskul ***
Music Therapy
- Fiona Elizabeth Connell ☙ ***
- Alexis Loraine Zoglio **
Bachelor of Science
Music and Health
- Victoria Paige Mazzie *
Certificate
Therapeutic Art
- Alison Zoe Tucker
August 2023 Graduates
Doctor of Musical Arts
Performance
- Jordan Wallace Bennett
- Travis Lee Nestor
- Andrew Amadeus Ortega
- Hao Zhang
Master of Arts
Music Business and Industry
- Scott H. Winland
Bachelor of Arts
Music
- Haley Smith
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Acting
- Julianna Rose Hazlett ***
Art and Design
- Cara Renee Colletti
Graphic Design
- Joseph Waldron Giambi ***
Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies
Multidisciplinary Studies
- Sophia D. Aston *
Bachelor of Music
Music Therapy
- Christopher Connor Capron **
- Kathryn Ann Roe **
Bachelor of Science
Music and Health
- Jacob Cole Hendricks *
Certificate
Therapeutic Art
- Angelina L. Lusto
- * Cum Laude
- ** Magna Cum Laude
- *** Summa Cum Laude
- ☸ Honors EXCEL Scholar
- ☙ Honors Foundations Scholar
- ⟡ Honors Laureate
Names listed in this program are taken from applications for graduation made to the WVU Office of the University Registrar. This document is not an official record of degrees awarded. Honors listed in this program are based upon the next-to-last term of enrollment and are not official until all academic work has been certified by the WVU Office of the University Registrar.