---
"title": "Alcorn State awards 42 degrees to student-athletes at spring commencement"
"description": "LORMAN, Miss. — Even with a shift to all-online classes midway through the semester, 42 student-athletes from the Alcorn State University department of athletics completed their coursework and earned degrees at Spring 2020 Commencement. It was Alcorn’s first-ever virtual commencement ceremony that was held due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All graduates had their names read […]"
"date": "2020-05-03"
"authors":
  -
    "name": "HBCU Sports"
"url": "https://hbcusports.com/2020/05/03/alcorn-state-awards-42-degrees-to-student-athletes-at-spring-commencement/"
"categories":
  - "News"
"tags":
  - "Alcorn State"
---

# Alcorn State awards 42 degrees to student-athletes at spring commencement

LORMAN, Miss. — Even with a shift to all-online classes midway through the semester, 42 student-athletes from the Alcorn State University department of athletics completed their coursework and earned degrees at Spring 2020 Commencement. It was Alcorn’s first-ever virtual commencement ceremony that was held due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All graduates had their names read during the live online stream. “The class of 2020s accomplishments are not diminished by the recent world events. Although their time at Alcorn may have been cut short and the traditional commencement activities may look a little different this year, we celebrate these student-athletes’ academic achievement, the sacrifices they have made, the love and support of their families and friends, and the legacy of excellence they upheld in the most challenging of times,” said assistant vice president for athletic compliance and academic services Cyrus K. Russ. The 42 student-athletes came from 12 different sports. Football had 11 student-athletes earn degrees, followed by baseball with seven and volleyball and women’s track & field each garnered five. “Although we couldn’t celebrate in person, we had student-athletes from all over the world earn degrees today. This is a very special group who overcame enormous obstacles that were beyond their control. They were able to adapt in the middle of a semester, persevere through the circumstances and complete their coursework. Our graduates showed remarkable resilience during this unconventional time and we couldn’t be prouder,” said director of athletics Derek Horne. **Spring 2020 Graduates** Benedicta Amankwah (W. Soccer), Applied Science Raidarious Anderson (Football), Criminal Justice Aliyah Bachelor (W. Soccer), BSN De’Asia Brown (W. Basketball), Computer Science Allen Bruce Jr. (Football), General Studies Kirdis Clark (W. Basketball), Biology Ambria Dorsey (Softball), Political Science Gemma Dunn (W. Soccer), Health & Physical Education Justice Edwards (W. Track & Field), Sport Management Kyontez Everett (Football), Biology Jose Fernandez (Baseball), Computer Networking & Info Tec Kasey Fillingame (Baseball), Sport Management Barbara Grubisic Cabo (Volleyball/Tennis), Business Administration Kevin Hall (Football), General Studies Shaquanda Hill (W. Cross-country/Track & Field), Sport Management Mustaffa Ibrahim (Football), Sport Management Josias Jean (M. Track & Field), Business Administration Kyle Jenkins (Baseball), Computer Science Devon Key (Baseball), Electro-Mechanical Engineering Taja Landry (Softball), Criminal Justice Alessandra Maganuco (W. Tennis), Business Administration Simone McKinney (Softball), Psychology Nathalya McMillion (W. Track & Field), Biology Pre-Physical Therapy Tyreq Miles (M. Cross-country/Track & Field), Accounting Wanya Morris, (W. Volleyball), Psychology Solomon Muhammad (Football), Recreation Tymesha Nabors (W. Track & Field), Agricultural Science/Environmental Science Jemar Nunley (Football), General Studies Melinda Perrilloux (W. Volleyball), Biology Thaddeus Peyton (Football), Business Administration Gjorgji Popovski (M. Tennis), Business Administration Veronika Pytlikova (W. Tennis), Accounting Jessica Ransom (W. Track & Field), Agricultural Science/Environmental Science Joe Smith (Baseball), Electro-Mechanical Engineering Quintin Smith (Football), Business Administration Tyler Smith (Baseball), Electro-Mechanical Engineering Daharri Thompkins (W. Volleyball), Psychology Singryd Valadares (W. Volleyball), Psychology Hakeim Warren (Football), Criminal Justice Makayla Wiley (W. Soccer), Moecular Biology & Agricultural Science/Animal Science Mikail Webb (Football), Biology Pre-Physical Therapy Hunter Wilson (Baseball), General Studies *Courtesy: Alcorn State Athletics*