COLUMBUS - Graduation week is here at Columbus State University and many students will walk across the big stage in the Frank G. Lumpkin, Jr. Center on Thursday and Friday, however, that is not the case for nine graduating student-athletes whose teams are competing for NCAA championships this weekend.
The Cougar men's golf, women's tennis and softball teams are chasing national championships beginning this weekend, so the seniors will not have the opportunity to join their classmates on stage in the commencement ceremonies happening on CSU's Main Campus. Because of this, the Columbus State University Department of Athletics held a special graduation ceremony for these student-athletes on Tuesday, May 7 in the President's Club at Columbus State.
"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory," said Interim Director of Athletics Jay Sparks. "This is always what we hope for with all of our student-athletes. CSU is a very fond memory."
Columbus State's President, Dr. Stuart Rayfield, began the ceremony with initial remarks and ended the ceremony conferring the graduates with their degrees. Interim Provost and Executive Vice President Dr. Patrick McHenry, certified that the nine student-athletes have met all the institutional and departmental requirements for their respective degrees.
Lee McCoy (Director of Men's Golf),
Evan Isaacs (Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach) and
Brad Huskisson (Head Softball Coach) introduced and recognized each graduate of their respective teams individually. The graduates who were honored are listed below.
Men's Golf
Karan Nalam
Karan is from Auckland, New Zealand, receiving a Master of Business Administration degree
Women's Tennis
Agostina Bigotti
Agostina is from Saint Martin, Argentina, receiving a Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership
Yelena Labat
Yelena is from Tarbes, France, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics
Softball
Reagan Mackenzie Bayer
Reagan is from Marbury, Alabama, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science
Katelyn Victoria Cooper
Katelyn is from Cumming, Georgia, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology
Darian Marie Gottfried
Darian is from Bellville, Ohio, receiving a Master of Education degree in Health & Physical Education
Laura Grace Harris
Laura is from Powder Springs, Georgia, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science
Jessica Joy Lopez
Jessica is from Norwalk, California, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology
Lindsey Nicole Patton
Lindsey is from Loganville, Georgia, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science
The men's golf team and softball team will play the first round of their respective regional on Thursday, May 9. The golf South/Southeast Regional is in Gainesville, Ga. and the softball Southeast Regional #2 is in Dahlonega, Ga. The women's tennis team will start the Southeast Regional #1 on Friday, May 10, also in Dahlonega. All three regional tournaments are being hosted by the University of North Georgia.
Fans can follow the progress of the team's online through www.csucougars.com. Results and updates of each tournament will be posted daily.
