Fall 2016 Commencement

Congratulations to #CLEstate’s Class of 2016!

By Cleveland State University

Pomp & Circumstance

More than 900 students participated in Fall Commencement, held December 18 at the Wolstein Center:

Valedictorian: Mackenzie Paul

Valedictorian Mackenzie Paul graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in history from the College of Liberal Arts and Social Science and the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Honors College:

Commencement Speaker: Rich Paul

The Commencement address was delivered by Rich Paul, founder of Klutch Sports Group, a premier sports management agency that represents LeBron James and other NBA talents. CSU also bestowed an honorary degree on Paul:

LeBron James and J.R. Smith of the Cleveland Cavaliers were on hand to celebrate the big day for Paul and CSU's graduates:

Distinguished Faculty and Staff Awards

Anton Komar (below), Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Biological, Geological & Environmental Sciences and director of the Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease in the College of Sciences and Health Professions, received the Dr. Jennie S. Hwang Award for Faculty Excellence. Dr. Komar also received a Distinguished Faculty Award for Research:

These CSU faculty and staff members also were honored during the ceremony in the following categories:

DISTINGUISHED FACULTY AWARD FOR RESEARCH

Katherine Judge, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology, College of Sciences and Health Professions

DISTINGUISHED FACULTY AWARD FOR SERVICE

Cheryl Bracken, Ph.D., professor in the School of Communication and interim director of the Women's Studies Program, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Joan Toman, Ph.D., R.N., C.N.S., C.D.E., associate professor of nursing, School of Nursing

DISTINGUISHED FACULTY AWARD FOR TEACHING

Michael Borden, J.D., associate professor of law, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law

Pong Chu, M.F.A., associate professor of electrical engineering and computer science, Washkewicz College of Engineering

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD FOR PROFESSIONAL STAFF

Jody Milkie, manager of administrative operations, Office of the Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD FOR CLASSIFIED STAFF

Jane Dugan, administrative secretary, English Department, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

‘Lift Your Voices, Join the Chorus ‘til Our Work Is Through...’

All told, 596 bachelor's degrees, 276 master's degrees and 51 doctorates were conferred: