Convocation 2018

​The Associate in Arts Program was honored to host students, parents, family, and friends at convocation events celebrating the achievements of our 2018 northern and southern Delaware graduates! The Southern Delaware Convocation ceremony was held at the Virden Center in Lewes on Wednesday, May 23, 2018, and the Wilmington Convocation ceremony was held at the Baby Grand Theatre on Thursday, May 24. 

The Associate in Arts Program gratefully recognizes David W. Curtis ‘87M and Donna Eaton Curtis ‘84M for their commitment to the Associate in Arts Transitioning Students Fund. Their annual contribution provides necessary support to students seeking to continue their studies at the University of Delaware. 

The AAP would also like to thank Associate in Arts Program staff members for their tireless work in preparing for our yearly convocation events. Our staff are integral components in our program's — and our students' — continued success! 

Dr. Sarah Trembanis, faculty coordinator of the Dover AAP campus, welcomed all attendees to the event. Featured speakers at the start of the ceremony included Deputy Provost Lynn Okagaki, who congratulated students on their perseverance and recognized students participating in undergraduate research and study abroad programs, and AAP Faculty Director David Satran, who acknowledged students' achievements and thanked the gathered parents, family and friends for their encouragement and support. Dr. James Keegan of the Georgetown campus spoke in memory of AAP math professor Norman Passmore, who passed away in May after 44 years teaching for the program. Robert Weber, AAP alumnus and social studies teacher at Sussex Central High School, gave the alumni address.

Other featured speakers included Dr. George Watson, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Dr. Carol Vukelich, dean of the College of Education and Human Development; Dr. Scott Lykens, Southern Delaware coordinator of the AAP Elementary Teacher Education (ETE) Program; Dr. Robin Underhill, faculty coordinator of the Georgetown campus; and Steve Beattie, president of the UD Alumni Association. Honored guest Sen. Gary Simpson read the names of AAP graduates as they received their certificates. Graduating students and their families were honored at a reception following the ceremony.

At the northern Delaware ceremony, held at the Baby Grand Theatre in downtown Wilmington, attendees were welcomed by Dr. Vickie Fedele, faculty coordinator of the Wilmington AAP campus. Featured speakers included Vice Provost Matthew Kinservik, who welcomed students and their families and urged the assembled graduates to follow their hearts as they make the decisions that will shape their futures. AAP Faculty Director David Satran thanked the students for the varied perspectives they have brought to the Wilmington campus and encouraged them to seek the counsel of others' diverse perspectives as they continue their educations and enter the workforce.

The AAP alumni address was given by Wisdom Mills-Owoo, a 2012 alumnus of the Wilmington campus who is now a software developer with J.P. Morgan Chase in Newark. 

Other featured speakers at the Wilmington ceremony included Dr. George Watson and Dr. Doug Doren, dean and deputy dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, respectively; Dr. David Teague, professor of English at the Wilmington campus; and Steve Beattie, president of the UD Alumni Association. In addition to the official awards and honors presented during the event, Dr. Satran also acknowledged the UDairy Creamery Market's graduating student employees, who have been an instrumental part of the Market's success in its inaugural year.  

The Baby Grand hosted graduates and their families at a reception following the ceremony (featuring, of course, UDairy Creamery ice cream). Congratulations to all of our graduates — the AAP is proud to be a part of your continuing success!   

Robert W. Baker Memorial Scholarship: Cara Warren
ETE Highest GPA: Cayla Christian
ETE Outstanding Student Award: Charity Merrell
Curtis Scholarship for Transitioning Students: Jennifer Ptak
UD Alumni Undergraduate Sophomore History-Major Prize: Jennifer Ptak
Dover Outstanding Student Award: Krystal Mendez
Georgetown Faculty Achievement Award: Shawn-Matthew Martinez McCullough
Highest GPA Award, Dover: Dustin Carey
Highest GPA Award, Georgetown: Jennifer Ptak
Student Service Award, Dover: Gerardo Diaz
Student Service Award, Georgetown: Brendan Self and Joshua Yawn
Esther C. Williams Memorial Scholarship: Shawn-Matthew Martinez McCullough

Curtis Awards—Transitioning Students Scholarship: Anayse Nanette Miller and Aeon Blake Scott
Director's Awards: Joyliany Rios, Jenna Ann Bessel, Ameerah Taylor
Student Service Awards: Christian Wills, D'ante Palmer, Briana Milton, Olivia O'Neal, Ameerah Taylor, and Adolphus Fletcher

​Candid photos of both events are available on the AAP Facebook page. Professional photos are available from GradImages.