Category Archives: Graduation

Graduation, student, University Updates, Wingate University

Wingate’s Graduation season marks the beginning and end for many students

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I’Dajha Harris, Staff Writer

To many at this time, May is the end of a chapter and the beginning of a new one, for graduation season is upon us.

Wingate University will be having two Commencements. The first one is for the graduate/professional school graduates which will be held at 6 p.m. Friday. The  undergraduate graduation will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday. Both ceremonies will be held outside on the Academic Quad.

Options for those who are unable to attend include a live feed of the graduation. The link is on the Wingate University commencement page under the hyperlink: livestream. If weather conditions are poor, the graduation will be held in Cuddy Arena. 

The speaker for the graduate class will be Dr. Maria Pharr, president of South Piedmont Community College, who has worked with a vast number of other community colleges such as Pitt Community College in Greenville, both in admissions and as a faculty member and administrator. 

Stein, the state’s 50th Attorney General, sponsored the 2013 School Safety Act as a N.C. state senator.

The Baccalaureate service will be at 11 a.m. Friday in the McGee Theater. Speaker will be Rev. Amy Jacks Dean, co-pastor alongside her husband, Russ Dean, at the Park Road Baptist Church in Charlotte. It will follow a Farewell Celebration from 9:30 to 10:45 on the Batte Center lawn. 

With the graduation season rapidly approaching, so is the joy of the many graduates reaching their last leg of the semester. They are ending one chapter and opening a brand new one once the commencement comes to an end.

Wanting to get an insight from a graduating student, Amanda Alling offered an interview about her thoughts on graduation! “I am so excited to graduate! I have loved my four years at Wingate, and have made so many great memories, met so many amazing people and have learned so much. I have excelled not only just in the classroom but in my personal and professional life as well. I will always be grateful to Wingate for making me who I am today.” Alling expressed in our email interview.

amanda alling

Her parents, brother and his girlfriend will be coming from New Jersey to celebrate her big day along with her closest friends being in the audience and cheering her on. After graduation, Alling mentioned her upcoming pursuits for the next chapter of her life. “After graduation, I will be pursuing my MBA in either Marketing or Data Analytics. I am excited for this next step in my life, as well as putting to use everything my Communications major and minors have taught me. I can’t wait!”

Her excitement was prevalent and shined through in her all of her responses. Her time at Wingate University was well worth it for her and helped her reach the goals that was needed for her future

So, with that, she left the upcoming graduate classes with some words of encouragement. “Take every single opportunity presented to you. Whether it be a class excursion to Charlotte, or attending those extra study sessions. There are so many transferable skills you will gain from stepping out of your comfort zone and experiencing everything that this Wingate life has to offer you.”

Edited by: Brea Childs

academics, Graduation, student, Wingate University

Wingate Seniors talk about life after graduation

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Mariah Anderson, Staff Writer

As the spring semester comes to a close, Wingate seniors are looking forward to graduation and life outside of campus. Some will go on to graduate school, while others have found internships and jobs, and still others will make these decisions after graduating once coursework is behind them. We interviewed three graduating seniors to find out what their plans are and how their time at Wingate prepared them for life after graduation.

Marissa Vittorio is currently an Exercise Science major, a member of Tri-Sigma sorority, and program assistant of Employee Resources. Her wide involvement on campus at Wingate has prepared her for graduate school.marissavittorio

She has been accepted as a graduate assistant at Emory University to study Campus Recreation and is also waiting to hear back from Georgia State University’s Sports Administration Master’s program. Marissa says that she will miss the people at Wingate University: her friends, sorority, bosses, coworkers, and some professors.

Looking ahead to life after Wingate, Marissa said, “It’s scary to go from a set, protected schedule to do all these things on my own that I’ve never done before.” She also commented on the uncertainty of the future; even at this point in the semester, she is still waiting to hear back from different programs so that she can make concrete plans. In high school, we all knew where we were going after graduation by April; post-college plans are not as easy to decide on.

Kaitlyn Meyers, an Athletics Training major, is currently busy attending clinicals with the Wingate football team every day while also participating in the Athletics Training club. Next year, she will work as a graduate assistant at Georgia State University, where she will work as an athletic trainer while earning her Master’s degree in Sports Administration.

She is currently waiting on her results from the Board of Certification test, which will allow her to work independently as a certified athletic trainer. In addition to being nervous about her test results, she is also nervous about living on her own for the first time and finding an apartment. She says that what she will miss most about Wingate is the family atmosphere, since everybody knows everybody and it’s caring environment.

Dani Wolfe is also majoring in Athletics Training, and is a member of the Athletics Training club and the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, and currently works with the football team. She does not currently have a job lined up, but she is waiting to hear back from a couple of Physical Therapy schools.

She hopes to be accepted to one and continue with her education as a physical therapist. If she is not accepted to a physical therapy program this year, then she plans to work as an athletic trainer. She is concerned that her post-graduation plans are not yet set in stone, but she knows that she has options available.

Looking back on her time at Wingate, Dani said, “I am not ready for these four years to be over. It’s crazy how fast they’ve gone by.” What Dani will miss most about Wingate is living with and seeing her best friends every day, the family dinners, endless laughs, athletic training clinicals, and the friends that have turned into family over the past four years.

Even though the seniors do not all know what the future holds, they all share four years of memories of their time at Wingate and will take what they have learned here to excel in their future jobs and studies. Good luck, graduating seniors! Thank you for making an impact on the university, and we wish you the best in whatever the future holds for you.

Edited by: Brea Childs

academics, Graduation, student, University Updates, Wingate University

Graduation List for May 2018

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Bachelor of Arts Sp/Su 2018

Ana Ruth Acosta

Human Services

 

Amanda Marie Alling

Communication Studies Public Relations

magna cum laude

 

Naomi Denise Askew

Music Performance

 

LaDejia Tenille Bittle

Music Performance

 

Katie Powers Deese

Religious Studies

 

Hunter Neal Edwards

History

cum laude

 

Mariona Medina Espinalt

Marketing

 

Alexandra Leigh Ferro

Music

 

Jessica Lynn Grant

Psychology & Criminal Justice

cum laude

 

Amber Nicole Harkey

Psychology

cum laude

 

Shana Nicole Hayes

Biology

summa cum laude

 

Mary-Kate Kinsey Hill

English and Education

cum laude

 

Alycia Marie McDaniel

English

 

Katlyn Thamara Montoya Urrea

Human Services

 

Laurel Hope O’Connor

English

 

Stephanie Dawn Palmer

Human Services

 

Matthew Christian Reese

Music Performance

 

Kamery Lawing Reynolds

English

University Honors

 

Maryann Ruiz

Psychology

 

Lauren Nicole Russell

Music Performance

 

Kathryn Ariel Sain

Church Music

Kelton Lane Stone

Music

 

Macy Brianne Stutts

Criminal Justice

magna cum laude with University Honors

 

Justin Theodore Traxler

Music Performance

 

Rachel Moyer Truslow

Biology

cum laude

 

Andrew Thomas Vann

English

University Honors

 

*Ana Maria Vásconez Carrera-Andrade

Political Science

 

Anne Marie Wall

English

 

Whitney Marie Wood

Criminal Justice

 

*Graduated December 2017 or expected to graduate August 2018.

 

Bachelor of Music Education Sp/Su 2018

Bruce McKinley Boorman

 

Jessica Lyndon Daniel

cum laude

 

Kimberly Margaret Gilbert

magna cum laude

 

Bachelor of Science Sp/Su 2018

*Kanosha Shine Adams

Criminal Justice

 

Kori Blaine Adams

Communication Studies Sports Broadcasting

 

*Jordan Faye Adcock

Human Services

magna cum laude

 

*Jessica Nicole Allen

Exercise Science Fitness Professional

 

Samantha Angella Allen

Accounting

 

Jonathan Patrick Almond

Exercise Science Fitness Professional

 

Ty Alan Andrus

Criminal Justice

summa cum laude

 

Isaac Yeboah Aning

Biology

cum laude with University Honors

 

Samantha Jo Apple

Exercise Science Fitness Professional

 

Amanda Rose Aversa

Elementary Education

cum laude

 

Flavia Lorena Baies

Human Services

 

John Allen Bangle

Environmental Biology

 

*Jason Matthew Barbee

Exercise Science Fitness Professional

 

*Tiffany Nichole Barbee

Community and Commercial Recreation

 

Michaela Lynn Bates

Psychology

 

Cameron Todd Baucom

Sport Management

 

Cecilia Ann Baumgardner

Chemistry

cum laude

 

Blair Lindsey Beaman

Environmental Biology

 

Ghada Ali Bedwan

Biology

cum laude with University Honors Biology

 

Ian Michael Bergmann

Management

 

Adam Landon Berry

Biology

 

Madelon Sydney Berryhill

Psychology

cum laude

 

Katie Marie Bludau

Marketing

 

Jessica Nicole Boursiquot

Sociology

 

Christopher Charles Ervin Boykins

Sport Management

magna cum laude

 

Akela Donyell Branch

Human Services

 

Garrett Lee Bridgewater

Sport Management

 

Susannah Grace Brower

Mathematics & Human Services

cum laude

 

*Bradley Jerred Brown

Management

 

Kiara Bryniah Bullock

Psychology

*Bricesen Dylan Burton

Sport Management

 

Lillian Michaela Burton

Biology

summa cum laude

 

Randel Renee Caldwell

Sport Management

 

Haley Nicole Camp

Marketing

 

Rory Michael Casey

Mathematics

summa cum laude with University Honors

 

Katie Dianne Cates

Communication Studies Public Relations

 

Brandi Nicole Celia

Biology

cum laude

 

*Maria Paula Cepeda

Community and Commercial Recreation

 

Karina Elizabeth Chavez

Accounting

 

Filipe Massoni Checco

Sport Management

magna cum laude

 

Brea Marie Marcellus Childs

Communication Studies Journalism Mass Media

cum laude

 

Devarious Natwan Christian

Sport Management

 

Rachael Anne Claxton

Management

 

Cheyanne Amanda Clouse

Exercise Science Fitness Professional

 

McKenzie Jacumin Conner

Psychology

 

Cameron Paul Conover

Psychology

 

Mateo Correa

Human Services

cum laude

 

Levi Lucas Cummings

Sport Management

cum laude

 

Joshua Michael Cutlip

Sport Management

 

LaShana JeNai Davis

Human Services

 

Patrick Logan Deese

Athletic Training

 

Jerome Desrosiers

Finance

 

*Manichau Rebecca Devi

Management

 

Nikolas Ramos Dos Santos

Chemistry

University Honors Chemistry

 

Andrew Simon Dowds

Marketing

 

*Daniel James Dunning

Finance

 

Katie McCall Edwards

Human Services & Criminal Justice

 

*Nkenge Octancia Ruth Edwards

Biology

 

Jessica Anallely Escutia Miranda

Human Services

 

David Richard Fairgrieve

Marketing

summa cum laude

 

Mary Fakhori

Accounting

 

Kaitlyn Elizabeth Fletcher

Sociology

magna cum laude

 

Tyrone Austin Fleurizard

Psychology

cum laude with University Honors

 

*Preston Lee Flowers

Political Science

 

Daniel Atlas Free

Chemistry

*Crystal Nicole Fuller

Communication Studies Sports Broadcasting

 

Shannon Irene Futrell

Educational Studies in Elementary Education

 

Sarah Elizabeth Gainey

Psychology

summa cum laude with University Honors

 

*Abbey Jeannette Gantt

Biology

 

Pablo Damian Gaona

Biology

 

*Maria Fernanda García Herrera

Sport Management

 

*Crystal Arlene Gatling

Exercise Science Pre-Professional

 

Christopher Albert Gazzio, Jr.

Finance

 

Nataly Yasmin Gomez Geng

Educational Studies in Elementary Education

 

*Micah William Wenzel Goodwin

Criminal Justice

 

Devyn Breanne Gowan

Management

 

Grace Elizabeth Gregory

Accounting

summa cum laude

 

Valerie Griesche

Biology

summa cum laude with University Honors Biology

 

Veronica Rachel Griffin

Chemistry

cum laude with University Honors

 

*Seth Grimwood

Community and Commercial Recreation

 

Kaitlyn Marie Halbrook

Elementary Education

 

*Mikayla Amelia Hannah

Exercise Science Fitness Professional

 

*Lindsey Nicole Hapeman

Educational Studies in Elementary Education

 

Samuel Joseph Heda

Marketing

 

Haley Brooke Hedrick

Psychology

 

William Graham Heisner

Human Services

 

Chandler Mark Helms

Criminal Justice

 

Tony Cale Helms

Communication Studies Public Relations

 

Zachary Helms

Marketing

 

Shekinah Glory Henderson

Psychology

 

*Morgan Brooke Hendrix

Human Services

 

Asherel Bernice Herman

Communication Studies Public Relations

 

Cody Steven Hicks

Biology

cum laude with University Honors Biology

 

Beau Hunter Hildebrand

Accounting

magna cum laude

 

Brandon Chase Hill

Sport Management

 

Nathaniel Robert Hinderer

Athletic Training

magna cum laude

 

Nicole Taylor Hinkle

Sport Management

 

Allison Taylor Hinson

Human Services

 

Sebastian Bengt Holmberg

Exercise Science Fitness Professional

cum laude

 

Maury Olando Holt

Sport Management

 

Gabrielle Faythe Hooker

Finance

 

Courtney Taylor Hopkins

Criminal Justice

 

Taylor Brook Hoskins

Human Services

 

Zeb Cline Hull

Environmental Biology

 

Brandon R. Hunt

Sport Management

 

Vincent Xuan Huynh

Biology

 

Amy Mary Jackson

Exercise Science Pre-Professional

summa cum laude

 

Marc Draven James

Sport Management

 

Danta Cameron Jarrell

Management

 

*Kimran Jean Jacques

Finance

 

John Victor Jensen

Psychology

 

Jobie Andrea Johnson

Human Services

 

Alexis Rochelle Jones

Biology

 

Kayla Delores Jones

Psychology

 

Christoffer Alan Joyce

Mathematics

 

Leah Cohen Joyner

Communication Studies Public Relations

cum laude

 

Jordan Caleb Kendrick

Sport Management

 

*Dustin Taylor Kiggins

Communication Studies Journalism Mass Media

 

Tammy Jo Kimrey

Environmental Biology

cum laude

 

Sierra Belle Kincaid

Environmental Biology

summa cum laude

 

Lauren Elise Kiser

Elementary Education

 

Preston Collin Klesat

Marketing

 

Madison Ann LaBarbera

Sport Management

 

Kasara Marie Lear

Accounting

 

*Bryson Rhett Lee

Management

 

Gregory Jordan Lee

Athletic Training

 

*Isaiah Monquel Lee

Human Services

 

Olivia Anne Lee

Communication Studies Journalism Mass Media

 

Amanda Brooke Lemacks

Psychology

 

Taylor May Leyble

Psychology

 

Katelyn Michelle Lliso

Athletic Training

 

Rachel Christine Lods

Communication Studies Public Relations

Zeriq Andrés Lolar

Communication Studies Sports Broadcasting

 

Timothy Deon Longmire

Sport Management

 

Zachary Thomas Griffin Lord

Marketing

 

Auntrell Joseph Mack

Management

 

Ryan Joseph Francis Mackintosh

Sport Management

 

Tevita Finau Mafi

Mathematics Business

 

Brittany Elizabeth Mangum

Elementary Education

 

Kelly Marie Manning

Biology

 

Hailey Leigh Manns

Biology

 

Ilyen Macedonia Marban Figueroa

Elementary Education

 

Jalen Anthony Marlowe

Psychology

 

Lindsay Kirschner Martin

Psychology

 

*Paula Martinez Ponce

Environmental Biology

 

Meagan Alexandra Martucci

Psychology & Sociology

summa cum laude with University Honors

 

Kaylan Hannah McCain

Biology

 

*Leander McCall IV

Mathematics

 

*Jacob Myles McEwen

Biology

 

Samuel James McGee III

Human Services

 

Kara Elizabeth McHouell

Athletic Training

 

*Ashley Joann Meer

Human Services

 

Kaitlyn Elizabeth Meyers

Athletic Training

magna cum laude

 

Akera Janea’ Miller

Biology

 

Brock Alexander Miller

Chemistry

summa cum laude

 

Rosemary Paige Miller

Middle Grades Education Science

magna cum laude

 

Ryan Daniel Miller

Psychology

 

Jennifer Reyne Mills

Elementary Education

magna cum laude

 

Philip R. Mink

Management

 

*Marta Krista Miscenko

Exercise Science Pre-Professional

 

Bryan Austin Mitchell

Sport Management

 

*Taziya Tynajwa Moody

Community and Commercial Recreation

 

*Shalon Makiba Moore

Criminal Justice

 

Shannon Rose Moore

Middle Grades Education Mathematics

 

Erika Paige Morelock

Psychology

Melissa Marie Morgal

Educational Studies in Elementary Education

 

Hunter Michael Morgan

Sport Management

cum laude

 

Kamel Amjad Muhyeddin

Mathematics

 

Erika Morales Mullis

Management

cum laude

 

Vicente José Muñoz Reyes

Mathematics Business

 

Timothy Ralpheal Myers II

Sport Management

 

Tyler Gregory Napierala

Sport Management

 

Haley Marie Newton

Psychology

Charles Tai Nguyen

Sociology

 

Tab Rollins Oakley

Marketing

 

*Nahashon Nathaniel Ogutu

Human Services

 

Nícholas Santos De Oliveira

Finance

 

Shannon Duprey O’Neal

Psychology

 

Hannah Paige Overcash

Elementary Education

Jordan Ann Elizabeth Owens

Psychology

 

Jordan Caroline Owens

Human Services

 

Raj Narendrakumar Patel

Biology

 

Shivani Jayesh Kumar Patel

Biology

 

Nathanael Romario Patterson

Accounting

 

Carsyn Beth Patton

Biology

cum laude with University Honors Biology

 

James Kemper Patton

Political Science

magna cum laude

 

Miranda Morgan Paul

Human Services

Hannah Brooke Payne

Human Services

 

*Emily Katlyn Littrell Penny

Exercise Science Pre-Professional

 

Elizabeth Philachanh

Chemistry Business

 

Brittney Leigh Pierce

Human Services

 

*Jacob Lee Plyler

Criminal Justice

 

Mackenzie Carson Ponds

Human Services

 

Meghan Brittani Pope

Sociology

cum laude

 

Stephen James Potter

Community and Commercial Recreation

 

Brittney Jewelle Powell

Mathematics

 

*Olivia Anne Price

Management

 

Marinela Procopii

Psychology

 

Derrick Allen Proctor

Management

 

Emily LouAnne Pruitt

Chemistry

magna cum laude with University Honors Chemistry

 

Lennart Queiss

Management

Arianna Jo Reichardt

Biology

 

Allie Katelyn Reitzell

Elementary Education

cum laude

 

Bryan Kenneth Rial

Sport Management

 

Lauren Marie Robinson

Environmental Biology

 

Moneico Voshawn Robinson, Jr.

Communication Studies Public Relations

 

Rocio Aracely Robles Rodríguez

Human Services

magna cum laude

 

Shannon Anne Roche

Health and Physical Education

 

Justin Tyler Rodgers

Political Science

cum laude with University Honors

 

Makayla Jo Rudisill

Human Services

cum laude

 

Caitlin Hope Russell

Athletic Training

 

José S. Moris

Exercise Science Fitness Professional

 

Juliet Marie Salgueiro

Management

magna cum laude

 

Emily Rose Scully

Marketing

Miranda Dare Seegars

Human Services

cum laude

 

Joshua Weston Shelton

Psychology

 

William Ike Sheridan

Criminal Justice

 

Somer Nicole Sherrin

Marketing

 

Kelly Jessica Shiverdecker

Elementary Education

cum laude

 

Robin Christian Siegel

Finance

magna cum laude

 

Mary Elizabeth Simpson

Psychology

 

*Zachariah Cole Singleton

Community and Commercial Recreation

summa cum laude

 

*Matthew Slover

Criminal Justice

 

Emily Lauren Smedek

Biology

 

Briyah Cierra Smith

Communication Studies Journalism Mass Media

magna cum laude

 

*Maria Frances Sofia

Biology

 

Kristen Marie Speight

History

Gordon S. Sprague IV

Human Services

summa cum laude

 

Kacey Elisabeth Stephenson

Biology

 

Takoreyia Shauné Stevenson

Management

 

*Courtney Erin Stewart

Human Services

 

*Sierra Lynne Stubblefield

Marketing

 

Joshua Dakoda Suddeth

Sport Management

 

Carolyn Julie Sullivan

Environmental Biology

 

Jeremy Strauss Sullivan

Biology

 

Joshua Robert Tarlton

Finance

summa cum laude

 

Taylor Sinclair Tarte

Biology

 

Mason Rusty Teague

Communication Studies Journalism Mass Media

cum laude

 

Halie Michelle Terry

Human Services

 

Melody Elizabeth Terry

Biology 3+1

 

*James Colin Thatcher

Exercise Science Pre-Professional

 

Taylor Nicole Thompson

Psychology

 

William Alexander Tidwell

Biology

 

Isaac Orlando Tilghman

Management

 

Katrice Alisa Tolbert

Environmental Biology

 

Jesus Torres

Management

 

Stephen Christopher Tresslar

Finance

 

Binita Tripathi

Biology

 

Abigail Lois Valenta

Psychology

magna cum laude with University Honors

 

*Kelly Mai See Vang

Communication Studies Public Relations

 

Nicholas Woodson Vaughn

Communication Studies Public Relations

 

Caitlin Marie Villela

Criminal Justice & Psychology

 

*Marissa Nicole Vittorio

Exercise Science Fitness Professional

 

Steven Dylan Williams

Finance

 

Anna Lee Wilson

Psychology

 

Joseph Banks Wise

History

Danielle Marie Wolfe

Athletic Training

cum laude

 

Taylor Elaine Wolfe

Biology

 

Robin Oroma Womeodu

Political Science

 

Cody Garrett Wood

Mathematics

 

Kenneth Wayne Wright III

Communication Studies Rhetoric Performance

magna cum laude

 

*Trent Langdon Wynn

Exercise Science Fitness Professional

 

Anna Moseley Youssef

Educational Studies in Elementary Education

 

Mounika Atef Zakaria

Biology

 

*Graduated December 2017 or expected to graduate August 2018.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Sp 2018

Jalleah Jamilia Chapman

 

Maranda Michelle Duncan

cum laude

 

Morgan Dair English

 

Jamie Lynne Forester

 

Trenton James Gregg

 

Josué Guevara

 

Alyssa M. Handley

cum laude with University Honors Nursing

 

Hannah Irene Helms

 

Jonathon Charles Helms

 

Meagan Brooke Littlefield

 

Marina Maystruk

 

Anna Brooke McCollum

 

Morgan Blair Peninger

 

Daisha Danae Phillips-Wynn

 

Ashley Nicole Riley

 

Morgan Lynn Rorie

 

Vitaliy Svarishchuk

 

Andrea Huneycutt Wilber

 

Caroline Elizabeth Zwick

 

Bachelor of Liberal Studies Sp/Su 2018

Lynne C. Bowler

Human Services

magna cum laude

 

Rajni Manvendra Chanshetty

Organizational Communication and Management

magna cum laude

 

Marcus Taekwuan Clyburn

Human Services

 

*Jennifer Arlette Corbett

Organizational Communication and Management

cum laude

 

Irish Nichole Danner

Human Services & Organizational Communication and Management

 

*Debbie O. Farrell

Human Services

magna cum laude

 

Laurel Alexandra Fortwengler

Human Services

 

*Odessia Lindsey Houston

Organizational Communication and Management

 

Koneish Lotharp

Human Services

 

William Roger Maye

Organizational Communication and Management

 

Kimberly Anne Moreno

Organizational Communication and Management & Human Services

 

*Korey Garnet Randall

Organizational Communication and Management

 

Luisa Tejeda

Organizational Communication and Management

 

*Agatha Shanel Threatt

Human Services

 

*Luming Wang

Organizational Communication and Management

Edited by: Brea Childs

academics, Graduation, Lyceum, Wingate University

Lyceum Requirement Changes Cause Confusion, Relief for Many Students

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Savanna Harris, Staff Writer

When the word “Lyceum” is mentioned around the Wingate University campus, one would immediately think of a program put into place to enrich students and to broaden their educational experience. It offers students the opportunity to attend for lectures, performances, etc. that they might otherwise not be able to attend.

Even though Lyceums are a graduation requirement, they are not viewed as a burden. In fact, the majority of students get excited when an interesting Lyceum is announced.

Until this year, students were required to attend 40 Lyceums in order to complete the conditions for graduation. At the start of the 2017 school year, however, the requirement was dropped to 24.

Incoming freshmen shared an overall feeling of reprieve in learning this new information, seeing that it made college seem a little less overwhelming. Upperclassmen on the other hand, met the change with a different reaction.

Since they came to Wingate under the 40 Lyceum requirement, it wasn’t clear if the change applied to them too. Dr. Christy Carter, Associate Professor of Biology and Chair of the Lyceum Committee, was able to offer some insight.

As it turns out, the change in the number of required Lyceums applies to EVERYONE, including upperclassman who were enrolled under the original requirement.

The main cause for the change was an overall accommodation issue. With the incoming freshmen class, along with the whole student body, increasing every year, there simply wasn’t enough large areas to seat and host the events in.

Another large factor, Dr. Carter said, was intentionality, and wanting the Lyceum experience to be meaningful and enjoyable rather than oppressive. Commuter and nontraditional students and their unique situations were taken into consideration, as well. “We want students to chose Lyceums they feel they’ll actually get something out of instead of just checking off boxes for a graduation requirement.”

The change was made under the impression that students will be able to get the same benefits from going to 24 Lyceums as they could from going to 40. And thankfully, the changes seem to be a success. “So far, all of the feedback I’ve gotten from students has been good. Some faculty didn’t want the change, but there were enough who did want it for it to happen.”

For now, however, this is the only major change that is being made to the program anytime soon. The categories will remain the same, as well as attendance policies. If any other changes are made soon, they will be mainly for refinement purposes. “I think the Lyceum program should be reevaluated regularly and adapted to current situations on campus,” Dr. Carter said, “so the program will be as beneficial as possible to all who are involved.”

Edited by: Brea Childs