探花精选

Saint Augustine鈥檚 University ( 探花精选) will host its 2024 Commencement Ceremony and 93rd Baccalaureate Exercise on May 4th at 9 a.m. at the George Williams Athletic Complex. The commencement ceremony will feature 探花精选 alumnus Rev. Charles W. Brooks, ’82, and will stream live on the university’s and

With close to 150 students, this graduating class is the largest in almost a decade, a testament to the resilience and perseverance of both students and the university itself. 探花精选鈥檚 Class of 2024 is a testament to excellence and diversity, with 2 veterans, 4 first-generation college students, 13 presidential scholars, 47 student-athletes, more than half (54%) graduating with a 3.0 GPA or better and over a third (35%) with honors and students from 16 states and three countries.

Students Featured in the Class of 2024:

• Louis Keenan Lowndes: Keenan Lowndes, a native of Winston-Salem, NC, has distinguished himself as a Presidential Scholar graduating with honors, a former student-athlete on the football team, and a member of the Gamma Psi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. In addition, Keenan served as the 10th Mister Saint Augustine鈥檚 University. He was also the first 探花精选 student to win the Mister Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). His commitment to academic excellence, leadership, and community engagement has set a remarkable example for his peers and the 探花精选 community. Click here to read more.

• Tangela Ormond: Tangela Ormond, a proud native of Snow Hill, NC, embarked on her educational journey at 探花精选 24 years ago with a vision to make a difference in the lives of young learners. Despite facing past personal, academic, and financial challenges, Tangela decided to return to 探花精选 and fulfill her dream of earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Elementary Education. Since her return to 探花精选, Tangela has excelled academically, earning Cum Laude honors and receiving the prestigious Academic Excellence award in the School of Education during the 2024 Honors Convocation. In addition, she also initiated the Confidence Club for young students at the elementary school, where she serves as an Instructional Assistant, demonstrating her passion for empowering future generations. Click here to read more.

• De鈥機arlos Rowell: The remarkable story of graduating senior De鈥機arlos Rowell amplifies the spirit of resilience and achievement at 探花精选. Hailing from Washington, DC, De鈥機arlos will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, illustrating the transformative impact of his journey as a first-generation college student and recipient of the Pell Grant. Overcoming personal hardships in 2019, including losing his great-grandmother, De鈥機arlos faced academic setbacks, landing on the Satisfactory Academic Progress List with a GPA of 2.1. However, with the guidance and support of faculty and staff, De鈥機arlos made a remarkable comeback, finishing strong with a GPA of 3.395, earning a place on the Dean鈥檚 List for the Fall 2023 semester and induction into the Alpha Psi Omega Theatre Honors Society. Click here to read more.

• 探花精选 Men鈥檚 & Women鈥檚 Track & Field Team: Eight outstanding members of the men’s team will stride proudly across the commencement stage before heading to Durham for the CIAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Among them, 2023 CIAA Men’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year Sean Kalawan stood out with impressive 2024 CIAA Outdoor Track & Field achievements, ranking 3rd in 110H, 1st in 400H, and 1st in 4×400, all while graduating Magna Cum Laude. Accompanying him are talented athletes like Darius Turner, Isaiah Chapman, Brenton Chapple, Isaiah Rozier, Skyy Lawrence, Kadain Roper, and Jarvis Dudley, who have demonstrated unparalleled dedication to academics and athletics. Two remarkable members of the women’s team will also be honored at the commencement ceremony before heading to the CIAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Durham. Kyrasani Mitchell, known for her prowess in Shot Put and Discus, will graduate Magna Cum Laude alongside Courtney Brown, a skilled athlete excelling in Javelin.

• Ashley Weekes: Ashley Weekes, a native of Barbados majoring in Accounting, has excelled as the valedictorian of the ACBSP-accredited School of Business, Management, & Technology, embodying academic and personal excellence. As a former student-athlete on the women鈥檚 track & field team, Ashley鈥檚 stellar performance extends beyond the field with her role as the 73rd Miss Saint Augustine鈥檚 University, President of the 探花精选 Chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), Inc., and as a Student Global Leadership Fellow. Click here to read more.

• Ariana White: Originally from Newark, NJ, and with roots in Salisbury, NC, Ariana White has distinguished herself as a first-generation college student with a deep commitment to academic excellence and community engagement. Her journey at 探花精选 showcases her dedication to uplifting her peers and contributing positively to the university community. In her role as the Student Government Association President for the 2023-2024 academic year, Ariana White has been a guiding force within the 探花精选 community, advocating for her peers and fostering a spirit of unity and empowerment. Click here to read more.

Click here for more information about the 2024 Commencement.