PHOTO GALLERY: Spring 2024 student-athlete graduates
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – One of the things Tennessee Tech Athletics prides itself on is a high graduation rate for its student-athletes. The proof of that was exemplified on Friday as the Golden Eagle program had 79 student-athletes walk across the Hooper Eblen Center stage during the University's commencement programs.
The total of 79 degrees conferred is among the highest totals achieved in a single semester in a recent era of success that peaked with 63 degrees in Spring 2019, 56 in Spring 2017, 53 last May and 52 in Spring 2021.
"It is an absolute honor to see these student-athletes celebrate their achievements on and off the field," said Tech Director of Athletics Mark Wilson. "These young men and women have spent countless hours in the classroom on top of their commitment to the University in their athletic endeavors. It has been a pleasure to watch them wear the Purple and Gold from the day they walked in through the end of their academic journey.
"It is through the tireless efforts and support from the University's professors, instructors, faculty and staff as well as our own Athletics Academic Support team in (Assistant Athletic Director for Academics and Student-Athlete Welfare) Dr. Leveda Birdwell and her staff, including Dr. Samantha Bates and Kara Phillips. All of them play a tremendous role in our department's ultimate goal of a championship ring on one hand and a diploma in the other."
BASEBALL: Troy Baunsgard, Preston Ford, Matt Gelorme, Hayden Gilliland, Andrew Guardino, Ryan Lee, Tanner Shiver, Landon Smiddy, Austin Turner, Nick Vaccaro, Daniel Walter;
FOOTBALL: Kanstin Brooks, Tim Coutras, Isaac Cross, Hayes Gibson, Nate Hodnett, Dominic Howard, Jaiden Lee-Brinkman, Aaron Lovins, Ashton Maples, Donoven McCallister, David Oghenekaro, Hayden Olsen, Eli Orr, Ethan Roberts, Devin Squires, Spencer Stachyra, James Swafford, Nyquan Washington, Jacorrian Wrenn;
MEN'S BASKETBALL: Jayvis Harvey, Diante Wood;
MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY: Clayton Kirkus;
MEN'S GOLF: Alexander Bassel, Mark McDearman, Jackson Skeen;
SOCCER: Selma Askildsen, Taylor Clark, Sami Cullum, Gabby Garcia, Bryanah Hack, Yao Giada Zhou;
SOFTBALL: Carmen Betts, Mac Fitzgerald, Callie Piper, Brooklin Richardson, S.J. Talley;
SPIRIT SQUADS: Deryn Allen, Ben Ebel, Hailee Hester, C.J. Hunter;
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Peyton Carter, Maaliya Owens, Harley Paynter, Anna Walker;
WOMEN'S GOLF: Gittle Sciolis, Ainsley Simms;
WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD / CROSS COUNTRY: Anya Akili, Emma Bradford, Tina Cesnik, Ashtin Holman, Cayla Johnson, Kendall Medders, Rahab Sawe;
VOLLEYBALL: Brooke Amann, Skylar Boom, Katie DiRaimondo, Madolyn Isringhausen, Aleeya Jones, Olivia Taylor, Bella Powell;
SUPPORT STAFF: Patrick Barnes, Brandon Bishop, Andrew Cherry, Nick Coleman, E.J. Freeman, Jaquan Nelson, Ito Ogbomo and Anthony Whited.
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information