64 Kansas Student-Athletes Graduate from KU
May 17, 2013
LAWRENCE, Kan.– As the procession moved through the Memorial Campanile, down “the Hill,” and into Memorial Stadium Sunday morning, 64 Kansas student-athletes were part of KU’s 141st Commencement ceremony, which is steeped in centuries-old traditions.
Among that group were four of the five starters on the Jayhawks men’s basketball team – Elijah Johnson, Travis Releford, Jeff Withey and Kevin Young. Cole Aldrich, who played for the NBA’s Sacramento Kings last season, returned to receive his KU degree as will Billy Thomas who played at KU from 1995-98 and had a long professional career. Thomas will walk “the Hill” receiving his degree in African and African-American Studies this weekend. Additionally, Christian Moody (2003-06) received his doctorate degree from KU.
Draft picks Whitney Berry (soccer – FC Kansas City) and Maggie Hull (softball – Chicago Bandits) were on hand. KU women’s basketball team was represented by 1,000-point scorers Carolyn Davis and Monica Engelman who earned their degrees. Fellow women’s basketball senior Angel Goodrich had already received her degree.
Kansas men’s golfer Chris Gilbert, who is currently participating in the 2013 NCAA Regional, also received his diploma on Sunday, while KU’s No. 1 starting pitcher Thomas Taylor also earned his degree as the Jayhawks play a three-game non-conference series at Utah.
Second team All-Big 12 honoree Bradley McDougald from the KU football team also participated in the ceremony, along with four-time Big 12 Conference long jump champion Francine Simpson.
Here is a complete list of Kansas student-athletes graduating:
Baseball – Jordan Dreiling, Thomas Taylor
Men’s Basketball – Cole Aldrich, Elijah Johnson, Chris Moody (doctorate degree), Travis Releford, Billy Thomas, Jeff Withey, Kevin Young
Women’s Basketball – Carolyn Davis, Angel Goodrich, Monica Engelman
Football – Tunde Bakare, DJ Beshears, Justin Carnes, Randall Dent, Gavin Howard, Prinz Kande, Dexter Linton, Christian Matthews, Bradley McDougald, Chris Omigie, Toben Opurum, Tyler Patmon, Nick Sizemore, Huldon Tharp, Kevin Young
Men’s Golf – Chris Gilbert, Alex Gutesha, Paul Harris
Rowing – Danielle Adam, Molly Boehner, Olivia Catloth, Katy MacCormack, Amber Malone, Paige Stephens
Softball – Morgan Druhan, Maggie Hull, Rosie Hull
Soccer – Whitney Berry, Nicole Chrisopulos, Amy Grow, Kat Liebetrau, Sarah Robbins
Swimming & Diving – Brooke Brull, Svetlana Golovhun, Danielle Herrmann, Iulia Kuzhil, Alyssa Potter, Brittany Potter, Cora Powers, Erin Savas, Madison Wagner
Tennis – Vika Khanevskaya
Men’s Track & Field – Isaac Bradshaw, Kevin Hays, Kaman Schneider
Women’s Track & Field – Tessa Cole-Turcotte, Sara Hedberg, Kathryn Lupton, Rebecca Neville, Francine Simpson, Kathleen Thompson
Volleyball – Morgan Boub
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