LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – No less than 25 current and former UNLV student-athletes are eligible to take part in this week's annual Winter Commencement Ceremonies at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Undergraduates will be recognized in ceremonies on Tuesday while masters and doctoral grads are taking part in their ceremony Wednesday – all led by UNLV President Keith E. Whitfield.
As part of the celebration, the UNLV Athletics Department hosted its annual Senior Send-Off reception for graduates and their families Tuesday morning at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Some of the Class of 2023 winter graduates have remaining eligibility and will compete for their respective teams again next season while pursuing either a master's or second bachelor's degree.
The estimated 2,300 graduates in the Class of 2023 represents a 5% increase over last year. These graduates range in age from 19 to 72, coming from 36 states and 39 foreign countries. The majority of this graduating class – 71% to be exact – are from ethnically diverse backgrounds. About 88% of UNLV's graduates this winter are residents of the Silver State.
These ceremonies mark the first time many have returned to campus while we continue to mourn the loss of three UNLV colleagues on December 6. President Whitfield expressed the need to persevere by gathering in-person to celebrate student accomplishments.
"We'll conclude the semester this week with Winter Commencement ceremonies," he said. "It is my hope that this week, and beyond, we will continue to honor the memories of those we lost by showcasing the realization of what they worked so hard for -- and what drives all of our faculty and staff in their work every day -- the success of UNLV's students. Please join me in congratulating the UNLV graduating class of 2023."
UNLV ATHLETICS WINTER 2023 GRADUATES
BASEBALL (2)
Alex Pimentel, B.A. – Economics
Payton Squier, B.A. -- Sociology
DANCE (4)
Abinet Hilete, B.A. – Criminal Justice
Gabrielle Pines, B.S.B.A. – Marketing
Elizabeth Rudisill, B.S. – Hospitality Management
Cassidie Turlan, B.S. – Kinesiology
FOOTBALL (11)
Daego Albert, B.A. – Political Science
Will Bonkavich, B.A. – Criminal Justice
Walker Hardan, B.S.B.A. -- Marketing
Trenton Holloway, B.A. -- Criminal Justice
Jordan Jakes, B.A. – Multidisciplinary Studies
Senika McKie, B.A. – Multidisciplinary Studies
Jordyn Morgan, B.A.-- Communications
Jerrae Williams, B.A. -- Sociology
Ryan O'Hara, B.A. -- Communications
Fred Thompkins, B.A. – Urban Studies
Andrew Wimmer, B.A. -- Communications
MEN'S BASKETBALL (1)
Keylan Boone, B.A. – Communications
WOMEN'S SOCCER (2)
Taylor Book, B.S. – Hospitality Management
Kaitlyn Kowalchuck, B.S.B.A. – Marketing
WOMEN'S SWIMMING & DIVING (2)
Alexia Taylor-Arredondo, B.S. – Kinesiology
Vika Yanovska, B.A. -- Sociology
MEN'S TENNIS (1)
Max Verboven, B.A. – Multidisciplinary Studies
TRACK & FIELD/CROSS COUNTRY (1)
Alia Scott, B.A. – Psychology
