TUSKEGEE, Ala. | Tuskegee University held its 2016 Spring Commencement ceremonies in Chappie James Arena on Saturday and 64 current and former Tuskegee student-athletes were among the some 500 students who received their degrees.
The Tuskegee graduating class had representation from 34 U.S. states, the nation's capital (Washington, DC), one territory and five other nations. Tuskegee's 64 student-athletes represented all 12 sports. Former tennis player Christa Ratcliff - a 2015 summer graduate - was also commissioned into the United States Navy as an active duty ensign aboard the USS Russell stationed in San Diego.
Entertainment mogul Tyler Perry addressed the graduating class, delivering the keynote address.
Perry's inspirational journey from the hard streets of New Orleans to the heights of Hollywood's A-list is the stuff of an American legend. Born into poverty and raised in a household scarred by abuse, he fought from a young age to find the strength, faith and perseverance that would later form the foundations of his much-acclaimed plays, films, books and shows.
It was a simple piece of advice from Oprah Winfrey that set Perry's career in motion. Encouraged to keep a diary of his daily thoughts and experiences, he began writing a series of soul-searching letters to himself.
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Tuskegee 2016 Spring Commencement Student-Athletes
Baseball
Danny Barnes, Jr. - Sociology
Christopher Emerson – Electrical Engineering
Alexander Henderson - Biology
Kenneth Johnson – Supply Chain Management
Miles Martin – Business Administration
Stanley Smith - Psychology
Basketball (women)
Halle Bentley – Agriculture Business
Tahja Ingram – Sales and Marketing
Torreece Maxey - Architecture
Demetries McNealey – Biology
Natasha Williams - Psychology
Basketball (men)
David Alexander – Mechanical Engineering
Keon Blackledge – Master's in Public Health
Vladimir Tilme – Business Administration
Cheerleadiing
Sydney Walton - Electrical Engineering
Cross Country/Track and Field
Bria Anderson – Chemical Engineering
Corinthia Bell – Social Work
Tristeen Bownes - Psychology
Greg Coleman – Mechanical Engineering
Rayanna Davis – Animal, Poultry and Veterinary Sciences
Shamaye Dixon - Biology
Derwin Foreman - Animal, Poultry and Veterinary Sciences
Roger Gray - Psychology
Anthony-Michael Harris - Sociology
Blair Major – Master's in Public Health
Maurice McGee - Physics
Elaina Garza Rodriguez - Psychology
Mekal Smith - Psychology
Ariel Truitt - Animal, Poultry and Veterinary Sciences
Football
Jason Ashley – Physical Education
Anderson Baber - Psychology
Danny Barnes, Jr. - Sociology
Jovon Bennett – Sales and Marketing
Trier Bennett - History
El'Malik Chinn – Occupational Therapy
Stephen Clements – Mechanical Engineering
Stacey Ford - Psychology
Leo Gilbert – Sociology
Cornelius Johnson – Electrical Engineering
Nathan Johnson - History
Asim Manuel – Mechanical Engineering
Marquiste Mason – Electrical Engineering
Tavarius McNeil - Psychology
Corey Mungo - Sociology
Cameron Nash – Supply Chain Management
Edward Pritchett - Finance
David Ray – Physical Education
Michael Robinson - Sociology
Ashton Shelton – History
Dominique Thornton – Economics and Finance (double major)
Michael D. Thornton – Hospitality Management
Michael J. Thornton – Construction Science and Management
Tyrin Thurmon – Mechanical Engineering
Derrick Washington – Hospitality Management
William Webb – Construction Science and Management
Kaleep Williams – Mechanical Engineering
Softball
Karisa Foye – Occupational Therapy
Gabrielle Franklin – Social Work
Tennis (men)
Oshane Trail – Electrical Engineering
Atiba Phillip - Finance
Tennis (women)
Kimberly Bowen - Finance
Amanda Rogers - Psychology
Volleyball
Ashley Mason – Occupational Therapy
Amber East - Electrical Engineering
Kristal Woodard - Psychology
