Forty-Four JCSU Student-Athletes Receive Undergraduate Degrees :: Jennifer Lee Highlights Monumental Graduating Class of Student-Athletes

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Forty-Four JCSU Student-Athletes Receive Undergraduate Degrees

Jennifer Lee Highlights Monumental Graduating Class of Student-Athletes

Forty-four JCSU student-athletes received their undergraduate degrees, 20 of which were cum laude or higher

May 6, 2008

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Forty-four current and former Johnson C. Smith University student-athletes received their undergraduate degrees at the 141^st commencement exercises at Cricket Arena on Sunday, May 4, 2008. Twenty of those graduated with a 3.0 or better. That number of graduates represents 20 percent of the entire 2008 graduating class of 211.

This was an historic year for JCSU graduating athletes. Class valedictorian, Zena Conway, is a former cheerleader and track and field athlete, while the salutatorian, Jennifer Lee was a four-year participant on the women's tennis team. Both ladies held leadership positions on campus with Zena serving as the Student Government Association President and Jennifer, the President of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.

In addition, Venessa Roy (softball and volleyball) received two degrees, a bachelor of arts in economics and a bachelor of science in accounting. Trenton Guy, current assistant track and field coach and former track student-athlete, received his undergraduate degree after a 21 year hiatus. Salimot Akande a former member of the women's basketball team received her degree after serving two years in Iraq.

I congratulate all of the JCSU student-athletes for the way they have balanced class work, community involvement and competition," Johnson C. Smith University Director of Athletics Stephen Joyner, Sr. said. "These 44 graduates come from a diverse background from around the country and have represented JCSU at the highest level in academics and athletics. The athletic department and the University are proud of their accomplishments."

Johnson C. Smith University prides itself in its graduation rates which are among the highest in NCAA Division II. Steven Boyd, a 1979 JCSU graduate and Region Vice President of The Coca-Cola Company, delivered the commencement address. The foundation of his speech was how do I get from where I am to where I want to be? In a brief but powerful message, Mr. Boyd charged the graduates to "use their Global Position System (GPS) system of life".

A listing of the 2008 graduates and their sports are as follows:

Bachelor of Arts

Summa Cum Laude

Zena Conway - Cheerleading, Track and Field

Magna Cum Laude

Cara Brown - Cheerleading

Torri Flenor - Softball

Ateira Gilmer - Cheerleading

Cum Laude

Benjamin Alford, Jr. - Football

Brittney Carter - Cheerleading

Crystal Foster - Sports Medicine