Liberty students receive degrees in special ceremonies at military installations

Note: This article was updated on Dec. 16 to include the Fort Rucker (Ala.) Army Education Center graduation on Dec. 9 and the JRTC & Fort Polk College Graduation Recognition Ceremony on Dec. 14.

Service members, veterans, and military spouses who earn degrees from Liberty University as well as other institutions can celebrate this major accomplishment through graduation ceremonies at their respective military installations.

Thirty-nine Liberty University graduates were honored at five different graduation ceremonies held on military installations in recent months. Each site traditionally holds a graduation ceremony where all service members, veterans, and military spouses from that installation who have earned a college degree have the chance to be recognized. All Liberty graduates earned their degrees through Liberty’s online programs.

Four Liberty students were honored at the Fort Knox (Ky.) College Graduation Ceremony on Oct. 21. Liberty conferred three graduate degrees and one doctorate. Commanding General of Fort Knox Maj. Gen. Davis delivered the keynote address, and a total of 37 graduates from 19 different schools attended. (See list of graduates below.)

The following week, eight Liberty graduates attended the Fort Stewart (Ga.) Graduation Ceremony on Oct. 28. These students joined a group of about 60 graduates and earned a combined five graduate degrees, two bachelor’s degrees, and one associate’s degree. Dr. Olivia Penrod, ESO, led the ceremony, and the commencement address was delivered by Brig. Gen. Lambert, Deputy Commanding General 3^rd Infantry Division.

On Nov. 18, 20 Liberty graduates were honored at the Annual Fort Bragg (N.C.) Graduation Ceremony in the Iron Mike Conference Center. Liberty Vice Provost for Online Administration Michael Shenkle delivered the charge to Liberty’s graduates.

“It is an absolute honor to celebrate with our military-affiliated graduates at Fort Bragg,” Shenkle said after the event. “We have so much appreciation for the effort, determination and perseverance required to excel in both service and scholarship, and we are continually in admiration of their accomplishments.”

The graduates were presented with four undergraduate, 10 graduate, four doctorate, and two education specialist degrees, from a variety of different fields, including business, divinity, and education.

On Dec. 9, four more Liberty graduates were honored at the Fort Rucker (Ala.) Army Education Center ACES Graduation Ceremony, in which a total of 16 graduates from 11 different institutions attended. SGM Kirk Coley, training sergeant major for the U.S. Army Aviation Center, spoke at the event. Liberty students received one bachelor’s and three graduate degrees.

Military Education Coordinator for Liberty, Cheryl Nelson, attended the Fort Knox, Fort Stewart, Fort Rucker, and Fort Polk ceremonies on behalf of the university.

On Dec. 14, three more Liberty students attended the JRTC & Fort Polk (La.) College Graduation Recognition Ceremony, which had a total of 17 graduates representing five different institutions. Each student received a graduate degree. The guest speaker for the event was Brig. Gen. Gardner, General, HQ U.S. Army Garrison, JRTC and Fort Polk.

Military Education Coordinator for Liberty, Cheryl Nelson, attended the Fort Knox, Fort Stewart, Fort Rucker, and Fort Polk ceremonies on behalf of the university.

Military graduates

Fort Knox

Krista Banister, Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction: Special Education

Chauncy Craig, Master of Arts in Christian Ministry

Henry Onwughai, Master of Divinity in Military Chaplaincy: Non-Thesis

Michael Vargas, Master of Education in Higher Education

Fort Stewart

Mary Jo Boyles, Master of Science in Exercise Science and Wellness

Ronnie Caudle, Bachelor of Science in Psychology: Military Resilience

Amanda Ferrera, Bachelor of Science in Special Education and Bachelor of Science in Developmental Psychology

Ulysses Larry, Master of Divinity: Christian Ministry

Nicole Null, Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Anthony Perez, Associates Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies

Nakisia Sims, CTG: Autism Education and CTG: School Leadership

Amanda Wampler, Master of Education in School Counseling

Fort Bragg 

Chris Adams, Master of Science in Criminal Justice with a Public Administration Cognate

Amanda J. Bailey, Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Kevin D. Blackshear, Bachelor of Science Business Administration

MAJ Eric P. Burmahl, Doctor of Ministry in Expository Preaching and Teaching

Tosha L. Evans, Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

SFC Cory J. Freeman, Master of Public Administration: Disaster Management

John E. Fuller, Master of Divinity with a concentration in Christian Ministries

Brenda I. Harris, Education Specialist in Curriculum & Instruction

SSG Nathan O. Heggen, Bachelor of Science in History with a Minor in Military History

SSGT Crystal N. Hunt, Master of Science in Accounting with a concentration in Auditing and Financial Reporting

Kathryn M. Jadotte Elliott, Education Specialist Educational Leadership

Sirena Kamga, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Economics

Beverley L. Lammie, Master of Business Administration

Karla A. Lugo, Master of Arts Elementary Education

Tiffany N. Murray, Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

Sharon N. Pollard, Master of Arts Interdisciplinary Studies

MSG Angela E. Purdie-Hanks, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: Project Management

Sheila R. Stroman, Doctor of Education – Community Care & Counseling: Marriage & Family Counseling

Joshua S. Stroud, Master of Public Administration: Disaster Management

Inez Turner, Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling: Crisis Response and Trauma

Fort Rucker

Emily Conlin, Master of Arts in Professional Writing – with high distinction

Jon Hunt, Master of Political Science with Advanced Graduate Certificate in Public Policy – with high distinction

Cathy Miller, Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education

Rita Summerlin, Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Educator

Fort Polk

Jasmine Sprauer, Master of Arts in Human Service Counseling: Crisis Response and Trauma – with high distinction

Boycie Dobbins, Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction Student Services – with high distinction

Angela Nicholas, Master of Education – Math Specialist