TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Apr. 30) – The Alfred Lawson Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium was constructed to perform several functions.  One of its most pronounced ones was hosting commencement ceremonies for the university.  With two near-capacity crowds at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., several student-athletes were among the roster of graduates from the various departments and programs of the university.

Milton Overton, FAMU Director of Athletics, was all smiles as one of his goals for coming to FAMU was to improve the academic structure for its student-athletes.  “It's no wonder why our motto starts with the classroom.  This is the big stage.  No audience is more important than the thousands who travel from far and near to see graduates walk across that stage.  For some, crossing that stage took parents working extra jobs. For some, it meant calling on grandma or aunts or uncles to help provide funds.  We are happy to be a part of the success of these young graduates as they head out to conquer the world,” Overton said.

Among the graduates were three current softball players, two of whom have consecutive MEAC softball championships under their belts and now are working on their third.  Raven Moseley, Kieifi Myrick and Jessica Nathan were actually listed consecutively in the commencement program, all getting bachelor of science degrees in occupational therapy.

Nathan, who came to FAMU from the College of Central Florida, has been the top performer for the Lady Rattlers this season, earning the Most Valuable Player award at the annual athletics banquet.  “I'm really ecstatic.  At first I didn't expect to feel this way, but right now I'm very happy,” she said.

Moseley also talked about struggling to come to grips with the graduation.  “It's kind of unreal.  It's truly a bittersweet moment.  This was four years of my life and now I'm excited as to what the future has to hold,” Moseley said.

Myrick, who missed playing last season with an injury, has rebounded nicely, earning the softball “slugger” award for the team. “I think the fact that I was able to graduate with my teammates – my sisters, made it all the better.  To have them by my side made this accomplishment all the sweeter,” Myrick said.

The honorable speakers for this year's commencement ceremonies were John B. King, Ed.D., Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education and Adam Putnam, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture.

Alphabetical listing of student-athlete graduates:

Jaleesa Blue (Women's Basketball)                  B.S. Criminal Justice

Lakia Brown (FAMU Cheer)                                B.S. Social Work

John Boston (Football)                                          B.S. Criminal Justice

Neal Cunningham (Football)                               B.S. Criminal Justice

Ria Floyd (FAMU Cheer)                                      B.S. Health Science/Pre-Physical Therapy

Jerran Foster (Men's Basketball)                        B.S. Interdisciplinary Studies

Tamar Fowler (Volleyball)                                    B.S. Interdisciplinary Studies

Rashad Guyton (Football)                                    B.S. Business Administration

Tysean Holloway (Football)                                  B.S. Criminal Justice

Peter Jackson (Baseball)                                       B.S. Business Administration

Garrett Johnson (Baseball)                                   B.S. Health, Physical Education/Fitness

Jairockeis Jones (Football)                                   B.S. Interdisciplinary Studies

Mario Karailiev (Men's Basketball)                     B.S. Business Administration

Effiey Kosgei (Track & Cross Country)               B.S. Nursing

Ginna Lopez-Chavez (Volleyball)                      B.S. Business Administration

Kenny McDonald  (Baseball)                              B.S. Psychology                                                 

Raven Moseley (Softball)                                     B.S. Health Science/Pre-Occupational Therapy

Kieifi Myrick (Softball)                                            B.S. Health Science/Pre-Occupational Therapy

Jessica Nathan (Softball)                                      B.S. Health Science/Pre-Occupational Therapy

David Ogilvie (Baseball)                                      B.S. Health Science/Pre-Physical Therapy

Emmanuel Pellot-Valentin (Basketball)            B.S. Science Psychology

Antoine Pickett (Football)                                     B.S. Science Psychology

Marcus Roberts (Baseball)                                  B.S. Health Science/Pre-Physical Therapy

Logan Seymour (Baseball)                                  B.S. Health Science/Pre-Physical Therapy

William Smalls (Football)                                      B.S. Health Science/Pre-Occupational Therapy

Shawanna Steplight (Track & Field)                   B.A. Psychology

Wesley Taylor (Football)                                      Juris Doctorate

Ryan Templeton (Football)                                 B.S. Science Psychology

Jason Ulacio (men's Tennis)                               B.S. Economics

Kendal Weeks (Baseball)                                    B.S. Health, Physical Education/Fitness

Omari Whitmore (Golf)                                          B.S. Business Administration

Van Wilson (Football)                                           M.S. Applied Social Science/Political Science

Alec Wong (Baseball)                                           B.S. Business Administration

Rodney Woodberry (Football)                            B.S. Interdisciplinary Studies

Khadejra Young (Women's Basketball)           B.S. Criminal Justice