Converse Celebrates the Class of 2025
On May 17, 2025, the Converse community gathered to celebrate the graduating Class of 2025.
We welcomed the Class of 2025 to Converse in the fall of 2021; it was the largest incoming class in more than 3 decades.
Our Class of 2025 spent the past few years pursuing their passions, participating in research and internships, and developing as individuals ready to pursue careers and support their communities as passionate, service-oriented citizens.
Doctoral Hooding
On May 13, 2025, the Converse community gathered at the University Center of Greenville to celebrate the Converse Doctoral candidates from Cohort Five.
Converse’s Doctorate in Professional Leadership prepares leaders who will have an impact not only in their organizations but in the broader global context. Our graduates possess the skills, passion, and integrity necessary to achieve goals.
Candidates for the EdD were hooded by the Converse Leadership Faculty: Dr. Lienne Medford (Dean, Graduate School), Dr. Lee Givins (Chair, Leadership Studies), Dr. Jack Knipe (Assistant Professor of Leadership), Dr. Aaron Peterson (Assistant Professor of Leadership) and Dr. Ray Royalty (Assistant Professor of Leadership).
Dr. Medford presented two Thomas McDaniel Awards for Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation.These awards recognize extraordinary dissertations that have far-reaching implications in their respective leadership.
The 2025 Quantitative Dissertation Award went to Ottilia Sue Dill for Engaging Today’s Workforce: Integrating Employee Engagement into Herzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene Theory with Tenure as a Moderating Variable.
The 2025 Qualitative Dissertation award was awarded to Ashley Marie Moreira for Change, Isomorphism, and Severed Storytelling: A Narrative Inquiry into The Lived Experiences of South Carolina Charter High School Teachers.
Dr. Thomas McDaniel was in attendance, and Dr. Medford spoke about his many roles at Converse, including Senior Vice President, Interim President, Acting Dean of the Petrie School of Music, Acting Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, and Provost.
Watch the 2025 Doctoral Hooding on the Converse YouTube channel.
Baccalaureate
Students, faculty, staff, and loved ones gathered for the Baccalaureate ceremony on Friday, May 16, 2025. A long standing Converse tradition, this celebration includes music, personal reflections, and readings by students and staff from diverse faith traditions.
Guests were invited to join the Class of 2025 in Johnson Plaza for the traditional “Hats Off Party” immediately following the service.
Watch Baccalaureate on our YouTube channel.
Undergraduate Commencement
On Saturday, May 17, 2025, the Wilson Tower Bell rang out as the Class of 2025 processed through Johnson Plaza to Twichell Auditorium, packed with families and friends.
President of Religious Life Council Gurjot Bahia ’26 gave a moving invocation when grads and guests were seated.
Converse University President, Dr. Boone J. Hopkins, enthusiastically welcomed guests and spoke about challenges both faced and overcome, by the Class of 2025. He said, “You have not only risen above challenges with courage and conviction but you have also navigated your time here with a grace and an unwavering enthusiasm that has transformed this campus.”
Converse University Chair of the Board of Trustees Linda Layman Redding ’88 spoke about what it means to be a transformative leader. Redding encouraged the Class of 2025 to reflect on what they have learned at Converse, and to “Trust your voice. Share your gifts. And as you walk across the stage today, do so with a deep confidence in yourself and your ability to thrive in your next adventure.”
About the Class of 2025 Undergraduates
- This is the largest graduating class in Converse’s history, with a total of 222 students receiving undergraduate degrees.
- 75 seniors were first-generation college students;
- 56 seniors were student-athletes;
- 81% were involved on campus outside of the classroom in roles including Orientation Leaders, Community Advisors, representatives in the Student Government Association, members or leaders in clubs and organizations, peer tutors, Presidential Student Ambassadors, and Converse Model League.
- 80% of seniors participated in at least one high-impact practice such as an internship, research project, or study/travel trip.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Will Case welcomed the 2025 Commencement speaker, Congressman James E. Clyburn, to the stage. Dr. Case acknowledged Converse alumna Kennedy Anderson ’21 (Nisbet Scholar), who is the former Press Secretary for Congressman Clyburn.
Dr. Case said Congressman Clyburn “has been a guiding voice for justice, education, and opportunity.”
President Hopkins presented Congressman Clyburn with the honorary degree of Doctor of Education, honoris causa, as Clyburn took the stage to give the Commencement address.
Congressman Clyburn expressed gratitude to the Board of Trustees and Converse faculty and staff. He asked the Class of 2025 to stand and honor their families and friends for supporting them on their journey. He spoke about how we can give others a better quality of life by the way we live our lives. “I have no idea who sits before me, but I know that within each and every one of you are possibilities.”
Student Government Association President Abeeha Sajid ’25 spoke about how Converse became her home over the past few years. She spoke of her pride for the Class of 2025, who turned the new and unfamiliar into something of their own. “I’m proud that by building each other’s stories, we built our own,” Sajid said. “The story of the first class of Converse University!”
Special Distinctions
Dr. Chris Vaneman, Dean of Converse University’s School of the Arts, presented the 2025 Pi Kappa Lambda Award to Kerrigan Walley ’25. The Pi Kappa Lambda Award recognizes the graduating senior with the highest grade point average in the Petrie School of Music Chapter of this national music honor society.
Dr. Erin Templeton, Dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, presented the Elford C. Morgan Award. The award is given by the family of Dr. Morgan to the graduating senior with the highest academic record in a traditional liberal arts major in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
Dr. Templeton acknowledged that this is the first time in 18 years that two students have tied for this award. This year’s recipients were Chloe Cleland ’25 (Nisbet Honors) and Tabitha Merrithew ’25 (Nisbet Honors).
Dr. Case presented the Mary Mildred Sullivan Student Award to Pashion Israel ‘25 (Nisbet Honors). This award is given to a graduating senior who offers meaningful contributions to both the college and the community.
President Hopkins presented the 2025 Algernon Sydney Sullivan to Greg Tolbert, President of ‘Kids Upstate’. The Algernon Sydney Sullivan award is presented annually to a member of the community whose benevolence, values, and character, among other traits, set an example and reflect the values for which Converse University is known.
President Hopkins presented the 2025 Mary Mildred Sullivan award to Kelley Ezell, Executive Director of Upstate Family Resource Center. The Mary Mildred Sullivan Award is given to a member of the greater Spartanburg community. It recognizes selfless service, dedication to sharing knowledge with others, and humane participation in the community’s life.
Mildred Roche ’79 and Emma Brooke Alley ’25 performed Chère nuit by Alfred Bachelet, and then Dr. Case took the stage and asked, “Graduates, are we ready for the main event?” The response was thunderous cheering, and the undergraduate degrees were conferred to the 222 seniors.
After the Class of 2025 turned their tassels symbolizing the transition from student to graduate, Valerie Dowling ’07 (Nisbet Scholar), President of the Converse Alumni Association Board, formally welcomed our newest alumni. She reminded all alumni to let Converse celebrate their journeys by sharing accomplishments with the Office of Alumni Relations. “Let us know where life takes you,” Dowling said. “The Converse Experience lives on through you — and we want to cheer you on, every step of the way.”
University Chaplain Rev. Eliza Smith DeBevoise formally ended Commencement with the Benediction. Graduates and their guests mingled outside on Johnson Plaza, taking photos and enjoying refreshments.
Watch the 2025 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony on the Converse YouTube channel.
The campus began to clear of guests, but Converse staff were still hard at work, preparing for the final celebration of the day — Graduate Commencement.
Graduate Commencement
As the Graduate Class of 2025 processed into Twichell on Saturday afternoon, they were welcomed by University Organist Brennan Szafron, who played Grand Choeur by William Reed.
Introit: from Duettino Hongrois by Franz Doppler was performed by Christopher Scott Gilbert ’25, Robert Allen Gilbert ’25 and Instructor of Accompanying and Musicianship Mildred Ragis Roche ’79.
University Chaplain Rev. DeBevoise formally opened the ceremony with the invocation.
President Hopkins took the stage with his trademark energy and welcomed guests to the 2025 Graduate Commencement Ceremony.
He reminded the audience that no one achieves success alone, and offered gratitude to the families, friends, loved ones, and Converse faculty and staff who guided and supported the graduates. “You are the heart of this institution,” President Hopkins said. “Thank you for your steadfast commitment to excellence and for creating a community where curiosity, creativity, and transformation thrive.”
Linda Layman Redding ’88, Vice Chair for the Converse Board of Trustees, welcomed guests and expressed pride for the graduates. “You have invested yourselves fully, with great commitment, and that has prepared you well for the road ahead,” she said.
This year’s Graduate Keynote speaker, Dr. Jeff Martin, took the stage. Martin shared that their favorite day in higher education is commencement. “It represents a day of achievement, pride, family, and rejoicing—a milestone completed in the long journey of life and leadership,” Martin said.
He reminded the guests that our learning journey is lifelong, and we are not only learners but teachers too. “Each day presents an opportunity to embrace your leadership, draw on the training that life experiences and mentors have equipped you with, and love all our neighbors,” Martin said.
Special Distinctions
Dr. Lienne Medford presented the 2025 Lovett Promising School Leader Award to Alison Duckett ’25. This award was established in 2014 with the financial support of former Dean of the School of Education and Graduate Studies, Dr. Martha T. Lovett, who served Converse from 1986 to 2002. This award is given annually to a graduate student completing a degree in school administration.
Dr. Medford presented the 2025 Nancy Breard Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching to Dr. Jack Knipe. Dr. Knipe is the Director of the Master in Management program, and Assistant Professor of Leadership at Converse University, where he teaches graduate courses related to cultural studies, qualitative research, and leadership.
Dr. Knipe is known for being exceptionally supportive of students, particularly athletes and students heavily involved in other activities on campus; Knipe regularly attends games and events. Dr. Medford said, “He heavily supports the international students who enrich the Converse community. Not only does he speak multiple languages, which he uses to help students acclimate, but he also meets with these students anytime they have a need. In doing this, he is the consummate Valkyrie ambassador for the Department of Leadership, the Graduate School, and the University.”
The award is named for Dr. Breard in recognition of her contributions to graduate education at Converse, as she represents the best in graduate education and service to graduate programs.
After the degrees were conferred, Dr. Medford referenced John Donne, saying “No man or woman is an island, we are all a part of the main. And our main, conveniently located on East Main Street, is Converse. You belong to something bigger than an island. It has a long and proud tradition and you are all a part of that now.”
Watch the 2025 Graduate Commencement Ceremony on the Converse YouTube channel.
The Converse Legacy Club
The Converse Legacy Club is an esteemed group of graduates with a family Converse legacy. Graduates whose parent, grandparent or great-grandparent, aunt or uncle, or sibling attended Converse are considered a Converse legacy. The Legacy Club plays a part in the University’s rich history and we honor these legacies by recognizing this special bond.
Congratulations to our 2025 Legacies:
Gretchen Elise Berry – Gretchen was hooded by her mother, Ms. Sharon Simmons Berry, Class of 2001.
Damihje Jieru Ferguson – Damihje was hooded by his aunt, the Honorable Stinson Woodward Ferguson, Class of 2007.
Madison Nicole Gardin – Madison is the daughter of Mrs. Nicole Gardin, Class of 2018.
Brianna Brooke Genoble – Brianna Is the niece of Mrs. Amy Rohring, Class of 2006.
Claryn Ivy Greenway (Nisbet Honors) – Claryn was hooded by her mother, Mrs. Pamela Lancaster Greenway, Class of 2024.
Shelby Anne Kincannon – Shelby was hooded in honor of her grandmother, Mrs. Barbara Wrightson Bobotes, Class of 1965.
Brianna Marie Tucker – Brianna was hooded by her Ggrandfather, Mr. Aubrey Tucker, Class of 1979.
Makensie Elizabeth Wilson – Makensie is the niece Of Vicki Wilson Davidson, Class of 1988.