UCU releases Spring 2024 Presidential Laureates and Dean's List

Maisie Nelson • June 12, 2024

The Office of Academic Affairs is pleased to acknowledge students for their academic achievement throughout the spring 2024 semester. A total of 109 students were named Presidential Laureates while 251 students were honored with recognition among the Dean’s List.


Presidential Laureates are undergraduate students who achieve at least a 3.75 GPA for two successive semesters, with at least twelve hours, no incompletes, no grades of “C” or below, and no unsatisfactory grades in either semester.


The Dean’s List is comprised of undergraduate students who have completed at least twelve hours, with a 3.33 GPA, no incompletes for the semester, no grades of “C” or below, and no unsatisfactory grades for the semester.


Union's Presidential Laureates and Dean’s List students are recognized each academic year at the close of the fall and spring semesters.


  • Spring 2024 Presidential Laureates

    Abby Taylor Bailey- Pineville,KY

    Hannah Madelyn Baker- Corbin,KY

    Megan Diane Baker- Woodbine,KY

    Brittany Nicole Basemore- Ary,KY

    Claire Delane Belcher- Hartsville,TN

    Presley  Boyle- Breich,Scotland

    Jeanie Marie Branham- Prestonsburg,KY

    Griffen James Brown- Lexington,KY

    Hunter Shawn Cain- Hendersonville,TN

    Logan Brady Callihan- Girdler,KY

    Biel Vallverd˙ Campo- Begues,Spain

    Skylar Rae Carnes- Walker,KY

    Niccolu  Chiriatti- Barbourville,KY

    Tia Marie Mae Cobb- Corbin,KY

    Annamarie Leea Cole- Versailles,KY

    Brian Leonard Couch- Happy,KY

    Titus Thomas Craig- Barbourville,KY

    Joshua Seth Crawford- Cannon,KY

    Breyden Eugene Daniels- Coldiron,KY

    Myriam Edith Dominguez- Denver,CO

    Deonte  Douglas- Owensboro,KY

    Angeliki  Efthymiou- Athens,Greece

    Abigail Grace Erby- Newport,TN

    Jordyn Alexandria Ferguson- Middlesboro,KY

    Mikita  Filipovich- Barbourville,KY

    Emma Grace Fisher- Dayhoit,KY

    Preston Lee Frost- Nancy,KY

    Charles L Garvin- Fayetteville,WV

    Kacper Adam Gurecki- Pobiedziska,Poland

    Bryson Alexander Grabowski- Copperhill,TN

    Matheos Iezo  Grahl Ribeiro- Barbourville,KY

    Jenna Susanne Grayson- Inez,KY

    Taylor Alexander Gwynette- Auburn,KY

    Hannah Elizabeth Haley- Hazard,KY

    Garomme Ramon Hanna- Nassau,Bahamas

    Jude Daniel Daniel Haser- Graceville,FL

    Courtney Leigh Hayes- Blackey,KY

    Madison N Hebert- Vine Grove,KY

    Anna Nevada L¯ndahl Henriksen- Vester Skerninge,Denmark

    Mackenzie Layne Herman- Bedford,KY

    Dylan Benjamin Hetzler- Corona,CA

    Mckenzi Marie Himes- Mount Vernon,KY

    Jacob Aaron Hodge- Crossville,TN

    Lauren Kelsey Horn- Paintsville,KY

    Guillermo Ian Jackson- Barbourville,KY

    Alberto  Johnson- San Diego,CA

    Hannah Brooke Johnson- Cumberland,KY

    June Suzanne Johnson- Barbourville,KY

    Tabitha Rae Jordan- Williamstown,KY

    Nathaniel Isaiah Knuth- Granger,IN

    Kassidy Rose Koogler- Hyden,KY

    Dalton Aaron Kottmer- Colona,IL

    Naomi Rachel Lewis- Chavies,KY

    Shaylin Dawn Lewis- Lexington,KY

    Takaius J Linton- Louisville,KY

    Gianni Paulo Loska- Newcastle,England

    Brandy Lasha Marsillett- Prestonsburg,KY

    Morgan Elise Mays- Barbourville,KY

    Taylor Elaine Mays- Barbourville,KY

    Maddyson Montana McGaughey- Chattanooga,TN

    Josie Camille McHargue- Barbourville,KY

    Kandace Michelle Messer- Barbourville,KY

    Sazi  Milazi- Johannesburg,South Africa

    Jonathan Dewayne Miles- Fort Myers,FL

    Evan Cole Miller- Columbia,MO

    Cara Faith Mills- Gray,KY

    Taryn Riley Mills- Bimble,KY

    David  Muniz Espin- Ovieda,Spain

    Reagan P Nantz- Rockholds,KY

    Mohit Singh Naphray- Walsall,England

    Orphia Michelle Napier- Hazard,KY

    Zachary Maximus Nepogoda- Canton,GA

    Jacob Ryan Newby- Lawrenceburg,KY

    David Lee Painter- Greeneville,TN

    Kaliana M Pangallo- Independence,KY

    Crystal Gail Philbeck- Hyden,KY

    Emma  Phillips- Brodhead,KY

    Mckenna Grace Pickett- Chattanooga,TN

    Lain Briann Prather- Somerset,KY

    Isabelle Grace Proctor- Raleigh,NC

    Katelyn Rose Rice- Parkesburg,PA

    Kayla Breanne Richardson- West Chicago,IL

    April Marie Rivera- Whitesburg,KY

    Ben Peter Rowlands- Wigan,England

    Aidan William Rush- Princeton,KY

    Walker Noah Russell- Maryville,TN

    Rylee Jaye Faith Saylor- Stoney Fork,KY

    Shubh  Sethia- Barbourville,KY

    Olivia Leanne Shearer- Carlisle KY,KY

    Chloe Brooke Shelton- Baxter,KY

    Carter Thomas Shinavier- Spring Hill,TN

    Adam  Smallwood- Quincy,England

    William Tayton Smith- Wooton,KY

    Theron Alan Sons- Decherd,TN

    Jessica Ann Sparks- Vicco,KY

    Samantha  Stidham- Hindman,KY

    Larry Tyler Sumner- Whitley City,KY

    Ryan Gerald Thomas- Corbin,KY

    Nathaniel James Turner- Louisville,KY

    Andre Cerceau Viegas- Belo Horizonte,Brazil

    Nicole  Viljoen- Johannesburg,South Africa

    Wade  Walker- Glasgow,KY

    William Jacob Webb- Irmo,SC

    Alexandria Kay Williams- Bargersville,IN

    Rachel Louise Withers- Eden Prairie,MN

    Avery Lee Worde- Alcoa,TN

    Sydney Jean Worde- Alcoa,TN

    Macy Love Yother- Rockholds,KY

    Yaniv  Zion- Barbourville,KY


  • Spring 2024 Dean's List

    Kobe Steve Abner- Dewitt,KY

    Aleeza Noor Ahmad- Middlesboro,KY

    Nathan Andrew Aldaz- Chino,CA

    Abby Taylor Bailey- Pineville,KY

    Hannah Madelyn Baker- Corbin,KY

    Megan Diane Baker- Woodbine,KY

    Pedro Miguel Alves Barcellos- Barbourville,KY

    Kacee  Bargo- Bimble,KY

    Jared Michael Barnhart- South Point,OH

    Brittany Nicole Basemore- Arjay,KY

    Tyler J Bean- Palm Beach Gardens,FL

    Claire Delane Belcher- Hartsville,TN

    Kason Alexander Bennett- Harker Heights,TX

    Morgan Kaylee Blakley- Harlan,KY

    Dennis  Bottcher- Solingen,Germany

    Presley  Boyle- Breich,Scotland

    Joey Anna Beth Bradshaw- Barbourville,KY

    Maria Eduarda Brandao Santos- Orlando,FL

    Jeanie Marie Branham- Prestonsburg,KY

    Haley  Brock- Science Hill,KY

    Dustin Wade Brown- Russellville,KY

    Griffen James Brown- Lexington,KY

    Diego Jose Bsereni Rebolledo- Maracay,Venezuela

    Carly Jaylin Cain- Somerset,KY

    Hunter Shawn Cain- Hendersonville,TN

    Logan Brady Callihan- Girdler,KY

    Biel Vallverd˙ Campo- Begues,Spain

    Pedro Oliveira Cardoso- Taubate,Brazil

    Tanner P. Carlson- Goodyear,AZ

    Skylar Rae Carnes- Walker,KY

    Jeffrey Zachariah Carter- Corbin,KY

    Sarah Marie Charkosky- Sevierville,TN

    NiccolÚ  Chiriatti- Barbourville,KY

    Jackson Matthew Clark- San Clemente,CA

    Harrison William David Clayden- Barbourville,KY

    Tia Marie Mae Cobb- Corbin,KY

    Ashley Rose Coffing- Crawfordsville,IN

    Annamarie Leea Cole- Versailles,KY

    Cooper Reed Collins- Barbourville,KY

    Samuel Todd Conley- Taylorsville,KY

    Diogo Miguel Da Silva Costa- Vialonga,Portugal

    Luke Christian Cottrell- Harlan,KY

    Brian Leonard Couch- Happy,KY

    McKenzie Taylor Couch- Bear Branch,KY

    Titus Thomas Craig- Barbourville,KY

    Joshua Seth Crawford- Cannon,KY

    Jackson Shane Crume- Caneyville,KY

    Destiny Nicole Cureton- Williamsburg,KY

    Kayla Lee Curry- Corbin,KY

    Marcos Paulo da Silva- Sao Paulo,Brazil

    Shelby Leeanne  Daniel- Fort Mitchell,KY

    Breyden Eugene Daniels- Coldiron,KY

    Dylan Matthews Dethridge- Bowling Green,KY

    Myriam Edith Dominguez- Denver,CO

    Deonte  Douglas- Owensboro,KY

    Shelby Brice Easton- Lexington,KY

    Angeliki  Efthymiou- Athens,Greece

    Alexis Mae Eldridge- Hazard,KY

    Abigail Grace Erby- Newport,TN

    Charles J Eversole- Barbourville,KY

    Brayon Peirre Farley- Eatonton,GA

    Jordyn Alexandria Ferguson- Middlesboro,KY

    Kenzie Grace Fields- Williamsburg,KY

    Mikita  Filipovich- Barbourville,KY

    Robert Kohl Finch- Lebanon,TN

    Carter Joshua Finlay- Maryville,TN

    Emma Grace Fisher- Dayhoit,KY

    William James Fox- Barbourville,KY

    Kamryn J Frazier- Corbin,KY

    Preston Lee Frost- Nancy,KY

    Diego  Garcia Gil- Brooklyn,NY

    Charles L Garvin- Fayetteville,WV

    Lucas Dalton Gibson- Hazard,KY

    Esha Kaur Gill- Wolverhampton,England

    Lara  Gomes de Castro- Praia Grande,Brazil

    Kacper Adam GÛrecki- Pobiedziska,Poland

    Bryson Alexander Grabowski- Copperhill,TN

    Matheos Iezo  Grahl Ribeiro- Barbourville,KY

    Jenna Susanne Grayson- Inez,KY

    Andrew Connor Griffin- Middlesboro,KY

    Taylor Alexander Gwynette- Auburn,KY

    Hannah Elizabeth Haley- Hazard,KY

    Garomme Ramon Hanna- Nassau,Bahamas

    Ajiyah Chyanne Hariston- Middlesboro,KY

    Kaley  Harris- Somerset,KY

    Jude Daniel Daniel Haser- Graceville,FL

    Drew Michael Hawkins- Marion,IL

    Courtney Leigh Hayes- Blackey,KY

    Madison N Hebert- Vine Grove,KY

    Margaret Lynne Heinrich- O'Fallon,IL

    Anna Nevada L¯ndahl Henriksen- Vester Skerninge,Denmark

    William Travis Hensley- Bimble,KY

    Mackenzie Layne Herman- Bedford,KY

    Dylan Benjamin Hetzler- Corona,CA

    Danny Ray Hibbard- Barbourville,KY

    Mckenzi Marie Himes- Mount Vernon,KY

    Jacob Aaron Hodge- Crossville,TN

    Jackson Phillip Holcombe- Atlanta,GA

    Ashley Nicole Holland- Arjay,KY

    Natalee Graceann Hollis- Williamsburg,KY

    James Nathan Hollon- Versailles,KY

    Lauren Kelsey Horn- Paintsville,KY

    Nora Taya Howard- Salyersville,KY

    Nicholas Shawn Dee Howell- Ivel,KY

    Morgan Rae Hubbard- Hinkle,KY

    Savana Christine Hurd- Mascot,TN

    Chiara Maria Isanto- Velten,Germany

    Guillermo Ian Jackson- Barbourville,KY

    Alberto  Johnson- San Diego,CA

    Hannah Brooke Johnson- Cumberland,KY

    June Suzanne Johnson- Barbourville,KY

    Rachel Leann Jones- Bimble,KY

    Tabitha Rae Jordan- Williamstown,KY

    Raigan Mackenzie King- Pineville,KY

    Nathaniel Isaiah Knuth- Granger,IN

    Kassidy Rose Koogler- Hyden,KY

    Dalton Aaron Kottmer- Colona,IL

    Connor Lowe Lay- Corbin,KY

    Kien Kaikea Akio Leong- Waipahu,HI

    Hannah Grace Lewis- Hyden,KY

    Naomi Rachel Lewis- Chavies,KY

    Owen Michael Lewis- Barbourville,KY

    Shaylin Dawn Lewis- Lexington,KY

    Jewelyettee Majia Lilley- Atwater,OH

    Takaius J Linton- Louisville,KY

    Zackery  Lipson- Brighton,MI

    Ricardo  Lopez Beser- Vinaros,Spain

    Gianni Paulo Loska- Newcastle,England

    Sarah Joyce Lowe- Cumming,GA

    Holly Faye Marcum- Tyner,KY

    Brandy Lasha Marsillett- Prestonsburg,KY

    Rayvon Edward Marzette- Louisville,KY

    Kayleigh  Mason- Middlesboro,KY

    Morgan Elise Mays- Barbourville,KY

    Taylor Elaine Mays- Barbourville,KY

    Nathan Matthew McCabe- Oshawa,ON

    Christian Nicholas McCollough- Pace,FL

    Maddyson Montana McGaughey- Chattanooga,TN

    Josie Camille McHargue- Barbourville,KY

    Hope Elizabeth Mckeehan- Barbourville,KY

    Anastasia NA Menghini- Ascoli Piceno,Italy

    Kandace Michelle Messer- Barbourville,KY

    Kaitlyn Ann Mestemaker- Barbourville,KY

    Sazi  Milazi- Johannesburg,South Africa

    Jonathan Dewayne Miles- Fort Myers,FL

    Evan Cole Miller- Columbia,MO

    JoEmily Frances Miller- Corbin,KY

    Cara Faith Mills- Gray,KY

    Johnathon Alexander Mills- Barbourville,KY

    Laci Renee Mills- Corbin,KY

    Taryn Riley Mills- Bimble,KY

    Camron James Mitchell- Ashland,KY

    Keiju  Miyake- Minoh City,Japan

    Christy Shelanna Morton- Mayking,KY

    Anton Ray Mozga- Hemet,CA

    David  Muniz Espin- Ovieda,Spain

    Reagan P Nantz- Rockholds,KY

    Mohit Singh Naphray- Walsall,England

    Amelia Jo Napier- Barbourville,KY

    Orphia Michelle Napier- Hazard,KY

    Zachary Maximus Nepogoda- Canton,GA

    Jacob Ryan Newby- Lawrenceburg,KY

    Sydney Allyn Newsome- Teaberry,KY

    Shatasha Lashay Noe- London,KY

    Mylaiysha Tonique Norman- Killeen,TX

    Sydnee Grace Oaken- Waddy,KY

    Frank Alexander Osborne- Eastleigh,England

    David Lee Painter- Greeneville,TN

    Kaliana M Pangallo- Independence,KY

    Connor Garrett Partin- Williamsburg,KY

    Summer Alexis Partin- Pineville,KY

    Erin Elizabeth Pease- Flemingsburg,KY

    Luke  Pell- Joliet,IL

    Shanyah Azana Peters- Kingstown,Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

    Crystal Gail Philbeck- Hyden,KY

    Emma  Phillips- Brodhead,KY

    Mckenna Grace Pickett- Chattanooga,TN

    Yardley  Polsen- Narellan Vale,Australia

    Jasmine Grace Porter- Louisville,KY

    Lain Briann Prather- Somerset,KY

    Isabelle Grace Proctor- Raleigh,NC

    Lise  Puissant- Ghlin,Beglium

    Eric Todd Ramsey- Lexington,KY

    Kinsley Renee Redmon- Frankfort,KY

    Sean Paul Reece- Lexington,KY

    Katelyn Rose Rice- Parkesburg,PA

    Kayla Breanne Richardson- West Chicago,IL

    April Marie Rivera- Whitesburg,KY

    Briley E Robbins- Horse Cave,KY

    Phynixx Celeste Roth- Woodbridge,VA

    Ben Peter Rowlands- Wigan,England

    Aidan William Rush- Princeton,KY

    Walker Noah Russell- Maryville,TN

    Wyatt C Rutgerson- Greenback,TN

    Carlos  Sainz Barroso- Barbourville,KY

    Augusto Cesar Salom„o- Pinhais,Brazil

    Rylee Jaye Faith Saylor- Stoney Fork,KY

    Jamie Daniel Seago- Desborough,England

    Nicholas Jeffery Seelman- Calgary,Canada

    Joao Marcos de Sousa Seguti- Barbourville,KY

    Jarrod  Seibel- Ormond Beach,FL

    Samuel Diego Serrano- Phoenix,AZ

    Shubh  Sethia- Barbourville,KY

    Olivia Leanne Shearer- Carlisle KY,KY

    Chloe Brooke Shelton- Baxter,KY

    Carter Thomas Shinavier- Spring Hill,TN

    Destiny Rachelle Shupe- Woodbine,KY

    Phazohn  Sire- Richmond,VA

    Adam  Smallwood- Quincy,England

    Alexander Jason Smith- Barbourville,KY

    Lindsey Summer Smith- Cannon,KY

    Peyton Makae Smith- Barbourville,KY

    Rachel Cecelia Smith- Georgetown,KY

    Tracy Nicole Smith- Letcher,KY

    William Tayton Smith- Wooton,KY

    Theron Alan Sons- Decherd,TN

    Jessica Ann Sparks- Vicco,KY

    Johnathan Ray Stanley- Prestonsburg,KY

    Samantha  Stidham- Hindman,KY

    Sebastian  Stipanov- Barbourville,KY

    Adriann Cierra Strouth- Middlesboro,KY

    Larry Tyler Sumner- Whitley City,KY

    Patrick Finlay Taylor- Manchester,England

    Chris Davalillo Thomas- Knoxville,TN

    Ryan Gerald Thomas- Corbin,KY

    Nathaniel James Turner- Louisville,KY

    Victoria Elizabeth Turner- Cowpens,SC

    Amy Lynn Tye- Cumberland Gap,TN

    Ciara Rose Uphoff- Lenoir City,TN

    Noemi  Vargas- Amarillo,TX

    Jean Jorge Vargas Breton- Santo Domingo,Dominican Republic

    Ana  Velasco Fernandez- Valencia,Spain

    Andre Cerceau Viegas- Belo Horizonte,Brazil

    Nicole  Viljoen- Johannesburg,South Africa

    Lena  Visarius- Wetter,Germany

    Virginia Sue Wagers- Manchester,KY

    Wade  Walker- Glasgow,KY

    Chelsie Brooke Walls- Emmalena,KY

    Timothy Cade Watson- Barbourville,KY

    William Jacob Webb- Irmo,SC

    Austin Wayne West- Whitley City,KY

    Ethan Luke Whyte- Barbourville,KY

    Brittany Dawn Wilkerson- Heiskell,TN

    Alexandria Kay Williams- Bargersville,IN

    Shirley Victorious Williams- Quincy,IL

    Rachel Louise Withers- Eden Prairie,MN

    Avery Lee Worde- Alcoa,TN

    Sydney Jean Worde- Alcoa,TN

    Macy Love Yother- Rockholds,KY

    Zachary Todd Young- Lagrange,KY

    Yaniv  Zion- Barbourville,KY


By Maisie Nelson June 25, 2025
Union Commonwealth University proudly announces the next ten distinguished alumni honored as part of the university’s ongoing “50 Under 50” recognition program. The initiative celebrates alumni under the age of 50 who are driving change and making a difference in their professions and communities.
Bill and Merrill Davies with the Union Mascot, Mack the Bulldog.
By David Saylor June 24, 2025
William “Bill” Davies ’66 and Merrill Johnson Davies ’64 were brought together by their education at Union College and their Baptist faith in 1962. Since then, they have built a lasting legacy of service, learning, and community impact — one that has spanned more than 56 years of marriage.
By Maisie Nelson June 13, 2025
Union Commonwealth University is proud to recognize the achievements of seniors from Barbourville High School who have committed to continue their academic and athletic pursuits at Union. Together, these students have been awarded more than $88,000 in scholarships as part of the university’s commitment to supporting local talent and making higher education more accessible.
Lynn and Amanda with Union's mascot, Mack the Bulldog, all wearing caps and gowns on Union's campus.
By Rachel Dorroh June 5, 2025
This past fall, Lynn Smith was appointed as Executive Vice President of Union Commonwealth University. She draws on her nearly 25 years of service and three Union degrees to oversee operations including business & finance, information technology, and human resources, among other responsibilities.
By Maisie Nelson June 4, 2025
Union Commonwealth University is proud to share several exciting updates as work gets underway on key campus improvement projects this summer. These initiatives, made possible through successful fundraising efforts, reflect Union’s commitment to creating a welcoming, well-maintained environment for students, visitors, and the broader community.
By Maisie Nelson June 4, 2025
Union Commonwealth University is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of seniors from Bell County High School who have committed to continue their academic journeys at Union. Together, these students have been awarded over $190,000 in scholarships, recognizing both academic excellence and athletic talent.
By Maisie Nelson June 2, 2025
Union Commonwealth University is inviting school-aged children to enjoy free swim days every Saturday in June, beginning June 7 at the Center for Health & Learning’s Stivers Aquatic Center. These open swim opportunities are a way to give back to the community and celebrate the start of summer with local families.
Miller standing beside the sign for Conway Boatman Chapel.
By Rachel Dorroh May 30, 2025
After 21 years as the chaplain of Union Commonwealth University (UCU), the Rev. David Miller is retiring this month. Since his first ministerial appointment in 1984, he has served as the pastor of several Kentucky congregations, has taken on leadership roles in multiple Kentucky organizations, and has led countless campus programs and groups dedicated to student development. He says supporting students to find their personal calling, however, has been the highlight of his career.
By Maisie Nelson May 27, 2025
Union Commonwealth University proudly announces the next ten distinguished alumni honored as part of the university’s inaugural “50 Under 50” recognition program. Celebrating alumni who are making an impact before the age of 50, the program continues to highlight exceptional leaders across diverse industries — from public service and business innovation to healthcare, marketing, education, and law.
Leadership Tri-County class of 2025 with Andra Butler and Tori Doyle standing at the far right end.
By David Saylor May 22, 2025
Leadership is about more than a title, it's a commitment to personal growth, professional excellence, and something greater than yourself. For many, this may mean embracing new challenges or simply striving to make a meaningful impact. At Union Commonwealth University, however, leadership also means investing in the potential of others by creating opportunities for growth, mentorship, and collaboration at every level.
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