37 Athletes Receive Degrees at May Commencement

Dionne Gibson accepting the Hunter Cup (Photo by Tam Odom)

CHARLESTON, S.C. – A total of 37 current and former Charleston Southern athletes, as well as one assistant coach, walked across the stage at the North Charleston Coliseum, Saturday as part of CSU’s commencement ceremony.

Highlighting the day was track star Dionne Gibson, who was presented with the Hunter Cup after earning her degree in December. Gibson earned a B.S. in psychology with a minor in kinesiology, and was honored with what is considered to be one of the top honors, given to the athlete who excels in competition, in the classroom, and is a spiritual leader on their team. It is the second year of the award, with kicker Nick Ellis of football earning the honor last year.

Nick Abercrombie (cross country), Melanie Blaschke-Gilliard (soccer) and Caitlin Gunyan (soccer) each graduated as part of Alpha Chi Honor Society, while a total of 10 athletes graduated with honors.

Blaschke-Gilliard was also commissioned into the United State Air Force as a 2nd lieutenant at the ceremony.

Former football player Marvin McHellon and assistant track and field coach Octavia Goode each earned their MBA.

A full list of the honors and graduates from May 2009 can be found below.

SPRING 2009 GRADUATES

Special Recognitions:
Dionne Gibson (W Track) – Awarded the Hunter Cup: Dionne graduated in December 08 with a BS in Psychology and a minor in Kinesiology

Alpha Chi Honor Society Graduating Seniors
Nick Abercrombie (Men’s Cross Country)
Melanie Blaschke-Gilliard (Women’s Soccer)
Caitlin Gunyan (Women’s Soccer)

Graduating with Honors:
Nick Abercrombie – Men’s Cross Country (cum laude)
Melanie Blaschke-Gilliard – Women’s Soccer (summa cum laude)
Brittany Bolick -- Women’s Soccer (magna cum laude)
Ashley Conway – Softball (cum laude)
Marie Doan – Women’s Track (cum laude)
Herve Gevers – Men’s Golf (cum laude)
Caitlin Gunyan – Women’s Soccer (magna cum laude)
Brittany Owens – Women’s Cross Country (magna cum laude)
Mark Perry – Baseball (cum laude)
Justin Witzmann – Football (magna cum laude)

Melanie Blaschke-Gilliard was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant into the United States Air Force at graduation.

Bachelor of Arts:
Nick Abercrombie (Men’s Cross Country)
Aundraya Camp (Women’s Cross Country and Track)
Guy David (Men’s Tennis)
Brittany Giannini (Softball)
Nazli Kutuk (Women’s Tennis)
Ebony Muller (Women’s Track)
Michael Obuchowski (Baseball)
Michael Rhue (Men’s Track)

Bachelor of Science:
Ryan Ard (Football)
Melanie Blaschke-Gilliard (Women’s Soccer)
Brittany Bolick (Women’s Soccer)
Alex Bragg (Football)
Clayton Coffman (Football)
Ashley Conway (Softball)
Bridgette Copeland (Women’s Track)
Marie Doan (Women’s Track)
Herve Gevers (Men’s Golf)
Jason Gilliard (Men’s Track)
Erin Green (Softball)
T.J. Green (Baseball)
Cailtin Gunyan (Women’s Soccer)
James Hayes (Men’s Track)
Rick Howell (Football)
Newland Isaac (Football)
Whitney James (Softball)
Jake Killeen (Football)
Rhiannon Loebs (Women’s Golf)
Eric McGough (Baseball)
Brittany Owens (Women’s Cross Country and Track)
Mark Perry (Baseball)
Alonzo Spurley (Men’s Track)
Alex Thomas (Football)
Pam Tolbert (Women’s Basketball)
Payton Tweddale (Baseball)
Andrew White (Baseball)
Justin Witzmann (Football)

Master of Business Administration:
Octavia Goode (Assistant Women’s Track Coach)
Marvin McHellon (Football)

Photos from the event
(All photos taken by Christie Faircloth-Dixon and Tam Odom)