Grayson College is preparing to award 340 degrees and certificates in its Winter Commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 11. The ceremony will start at 10:00 a.m. in Cruce Stark Auditorium at the college’s Denison campus.

Students receiving Associate of Applied Science degrees (except Associate Degree Nursing), Associate of Science degrees, Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts in Teaching degrees and Certificates of Completion will participate in the 10:00 a.m. ceremony. Associate Degree Nursing students will graduate and complete their pinning ceremony that evening at 7:00 p.m.

The college is breaking away from its tradition of inviting a former student to deliver the keynote address, by inviting a current student to be the commencement speaker. Speaker Elizabeth Taylor was selected to be the speaker and will be a receiving an Associate of Arts degree during the ceremony. Taylor has been active in student organizations, and is currently holding an international office in the honor fraternity Phi Theta Kappa. Even though she was heavily involved in campus organizations, Taylor is graduating summa cum laude having maintained a 4.0 grade point average. Taylor’s transcript will also carry the designation of being an Honors College graduate, noting the completion of several honors sections classes while attending GC.

Music for family seating, processional and adjournment for the 53rd commencement ceremony will be provided by Tatiana Bays, GC Piano Professor. Norma Gomez and Alicia Martin, accompanied by Bays, will perform the National Anthem. The invocation and benediction will be presented by Bernie Gallagher, director of the Baptist Student Ministry at GC.

GC President Jeremy McMillen will present opening remarks and introduce the Board of Trustees before Vice President of Student Services Regina Organ certifies the degrees. McMillen and the Board of Trustees will confer the degrees.

McMillen will also recognize the outstanding contributions of retiring professor Ron Velten and administrators, Tina Dodson and Shelle Cassell. Velten has been a government professor since 1994, and also served as the Social and Behavioral Science department chair for many years. Dodson is retiring as the GC Foundation Annual Giving director. Cassell is retiring after 31 years as the Marketing and Public Information director. Vice President for Information Technology Gary Paikowski will present the graduates as they walk across the stage to receive their diploma.

Grayson awards degrees in Associate of Applied Science (AAS), Associate of Science (AS), Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) and Certificates of Completion (CERT). Students with exceptional grade point averages are noted for their distinction. Those with 3.70-3.84 graduate with cum laude (C ), gpa of 3.85-3.99 as magna cum laude (M) and 4.0 as summa cum laude (S). Students earning certificates of completion with A’s in all certificate classes are listed with ‘honors’ (H). Students completing the requirements of the Honors College program are designated with (HC).

Candidates for graduation, listed by hometowns, for December 2015 include:

 Allen TX: Helan Hamid Najib (AAS), Deloyce Ray Paulk III (CERT), Christian A Poole (AAS),

Anna TX: Ashley Dawn Ford (CERT), Raymon P Guerra (AAS, 2 CERT), Alyssa Lissette Lopez (CERT), Preston Jacob Thomas (AS),

Atoka OK: Takia Shawyta Alexander (CERT),

Bells TX: Clinton Dewayne Hubanks (AS), Seth Mason Kells (AAS), Jennifer Dean Littrell (AAS), Randi Danielle Prutch (AS), Brandon Evans Robinson (AS), Caitlin Nicole Scott (AS),

Blue Ridge TX: Heather Nicole Pugh (AAS), McKala Pearl Walls (2 AS),

Bokchito OK: Tamra Michelle Craige (AAS),

Bonham TX: Brittani Rene Anderson (CERT), Audra Lynn Andrew (CERT), Hector Manuel Galicia (AAS), Carlie Diane Glass (AAS), Christopher Lynn Healy (AAS), Sarah Elizabeth Holland (AS), Christopher Jacob Roberts (CERT-H), Amber Faye Taylor (AS), Sandra V Wheeler (CERT-H), Mattie Ruth Winkels (AAT),

Caddo Mills TX: Hunter Allen McDaniel (AS - S),

Calera OK: Christina Lynne Bentley (AAS), Luxery Raquiza Coughran (AAS), James Henry St Clair (2 CERT),

Carrollton TX: Trellis Rena Marr (AAS),

Celeste TX: Michael Lee Morrill (AAS),

Celina TX: Luke Bryant Cudnik (AAS, CERT), John Phillip Maternowski (AAS, CERT),

Cleburne TX: Gracie Hannah Smith (AAS - S),

Colbert OK: Donna Sue Brown (AAS, 2 CERT), Loxi Meagan Clepper (AS), Kristy Evelynn Nottingham (AAS, 2 CERT),

Collinsville TX: Elizabeth Marie Peacock (2 AS – S), Rachael Ann Watson (AA),

Dallas TX: Krista Kramer Hartman (AAS - S), Dumisani Ndlovu (AAS),

Denison TX: Christopher Scott Allison (CERT-H), Kalayanee T Arriola (CERT), Brittany Danielle Barron (AAS), Melissa Danielle Bass (AAS), Brandi Sun Bedford (CERT), Hannah Brooke Borg (AAS), Jayna Michelle Brown (AAS), Jessie Alan Brown (CERT-H), Addison Lance Coffman (CERT), Blake Walker Cunningham (AS), Austin Vincent Duval (AS), Kimberly Elizabeth Emert (AS), Michael Aaron Engemann (2 AS – S), Dakkota Kyle Foster (AS), Sandra Kay Foster (AAS, 2 CERT), Sarah Denise Foster (AAS, 2 CERT), Lea Ann Garcia (CERT), Miles Conner Greenway (AAT-C), Christopher Clay Hendrik (AA), Ivan Hernandez (AAS), Ashley Marie Jones (AS), Sonya Marie Jones (AS), Michael Jared Kirkpatrick (CERT-H), Lucas Ford Lemons (CERT), Katherine Leigh Littrell (CERT), Jennifer Lynn McCage (AAS), Curtis Eugene McElrath (AA), Kathy Lynn McKenzie (AAT), Wesley Paul Milner (AA), Jane Elizabeth Mitchell (AAT-S), Edwin Felipe Moya-Carpio (AAS), April Deann Neal (AAS-C), Shelby Lynn Newton (CERT), Madison Sarie Pankey (AS-M), Brooke Victoria Powers (CERT), Taylor Deonna Reedy (AS), Corey Andrew Reeves (AS), Crystal M Rendon (CERT), Christopher Eugene Robbins (CERT-H), Carolyn Brandy Ross (AAT), Kyle Roger Siems (AS), Jesse Lee Sloan (CERT-H), Jeremy Storm Stout (AS), Elizabeth Rachelle Taylor (AA – S, HC), Jenna Danielle Toland (AS -C), Mark Anthony Torre (AS), Curtis Gene Trissell (AS), Mark Steven Valentine (AAS), Samantha Leann Walker (AAS), Jeremy Ray Westdyke (AAS, CERT),

Durant OK: Dalton Wayne Airington (CERT), Danni DeAnna Blue (AAS), Adan Lee Longoria (AAS), Jessica Dawn Pedraza (AS), Cody Jarrett Willbanks (AS -C),

Ector TX: KatArena Marree Hoak (CERT), Billy Ray Kennedy (AS), Joseph Scott Spindle (AS), Shaiha Rachell Toney (CERT), Amanda Michelle White (CERT), Bailey Michelle Whitehead (AS -C),

Frisco TX: Joy Obiageli Anyanwu (AAS), Jonna Marie Figurell (AAS), Ronald Yapcengco Flores (AAS), Skylar Renee Logan Jones (AS), Michael Lee Melton (2 CERT), Jacquelyn Nicole Norred (AAS), Julie D'Anne Terhune (AAS),

Gainesville TX: Cade John Hess (AAS),

Garland TX: Anca Romina Catrinet (AAS), Bahar Ali Yusuf (AAS),

Grand Prairie TX: Kenneth Wayne Winnett (AAS–M, 2 CERT),

Gunter TX: Kaley Camille Cox (AAS), Kasandra Puebla (AS -C), Katelyn Jo Vulpitta (CERT),

Hendrix OK: Patricia Sue Dunegan (AS), Christina Lou Redden (CERT),

Honey Grove TX: Tynisha Denise Burton (AS), Aubry Lynn Ordonez (CERT -H),

Howe TX: Cavin Duran Bellows (AS), Cynthia LaVerne Benton (CERT), Krystina Marie Burns (AA), Morgan LeAnn Burns (AS), Brittany Nichole Eenigenburg (AA -C), Amanda Gail Elston (AAS), Sheila Darlene Fowler (AAS, 2 CERT), Lisa Renee George (AAS), Marshall Wayne Hariman Jr (CERT -H), Traves Dale McCorkle (AS -S), Rusty Daniel Roberson (AAS), Chyna Kaitlyn Vincent (CERT-H), Eduardo Andre Webber (AAS),

Irving TX: Folashade Adebukola Makanju (AAS),

Leonard TX: Jordan Lee Buckaloo (AS), Andrew Caleb Spencer Simmons (AAS),

Little Elm TX: Brandie Leigh Budd (AAS), Rosemond Ijeoma Ijioma (AAS),

McKinney TX: Tonye Houston Aseminaso (AAS), Diana Marie Ayala (AS), Tayler Abril Burnside (AAS), Marcos Elias Garcia (CERT), Alan Brock Jones (CERT), Coleman William Morefield (CERT-H), Eric Michel Soderberg (CERT-H),

Melissa TX: Holly Deanne Trayler (AAS),

Murphy TX: Colleen Ann Hendy (AAS), Misty Dawn Rose (AS),

Paris TX: Taylor Leigh Tredway (AAS),

Pilot Point TX: Giovani Garcia (CERT-H),

Plano TX: Jaleesa Lachae Ateman (AAS), Patricia Gale Carmona (AAS), Tricia Gail Chronister (AAS), Brennan William Ganey (CERT), Daniel Patrick Grogan (CERT), Cody Land Lenderman (AAS), Gizachew kelemu Negesse (AAS), Ashley Lauren Woodruff (AAS),

Portsmouth VA: Kristine Nichole Curtis (AS),

Pottsboro TX: Marcy JoAnn Babb (AS), Jacob Childress Bond (AAS), Trina Kay Cummings (CERT), Brianna Renee Davis (AAT), Alexia Wayne Elk (AS), Amanda Marie Flanagan (CERT), Ashley Elizabeth Girard (AS), Carley Renee Guerrero (CERT), Austin Michael Hasten (AS), April Melinda Howell (AAT), Gabrielle Marie Hundley (AS -C), Shawn William Jones (AAS), Kalie Melissa Land (CERT), Taylor Renee Morris (CERT), Darian Ashton-Ray Owens (AAT), Maxwell Wayne Owens (AS), Rhonda Michelle Segovia (AAS), Mallory Leann Smith (AS),

Randolph TX: Tayler Raney Lee Hughes (AS),

Ravenna TX: Jon T Bond (CERT), Anthony Boyce Eskue (AAS-C),

Richardson TX: Thitipat Potchana (AAS),

Rowlett TX: Ryan Andrew Ramirez (AS),

Sachse TX: Katie Ngo Le (AAS),

Sadler TX: Matthew David Brown (AAS-M), Judith Arizbeth Hernandez (CERT), William Hobson Marshall (CERT), DeLaney Dawn Ortega (AAS),

Savoy TX: Robert Santino Demarco (CERT), Spencer Sierra Snow (AAS-C), Thomas Raymond Witmer (CERT-H),

Sherman TX: Colby Ryan Ake (AS), Sandra Alvarez (AS), Frank Antwi-Mensah (AAS), Jason Ray Badgett (AAS), Brandon Michael Barrow (CERT-H), Mason Wright Beaver (AS), Christopher Wayne Berry (AS), Rebecca Nicole Braden (AAT), Tanner Joe Bright (AS), Richard Jason Brown (AS), Thomas William Busch (CERT), Sara Charlene Buttery (AAS), Charles Dewayne Carr (CERT), Amanda Blake Cashion (AAS), Whitney Renee Chaney (AAS), Jessica Renee Craddock (AS), Dustin Wayne Crook (CERT), Barbara Gail Crowder (AAS), Kristina Renee Donoho (AAS), Stacy Rene Doss (CERT), Dasia Jaqae Dunlap (AS), Stasia Danae Dunlap (AS), Philip Scott Elston (CERT), Manda Lynn Esparza (AAS-C), Ashley D'Ann Farrow (CERT), Alejandro Francisco Garcia (AAS, 2 CERT), Sarah Lynne Goad (CERT), Christina Marie Harper (AAS-C), Porsche Nichole Higgs (AS), Britney Jordon Hubbard (AAS, CERT), Tiffany Anne Humphrey (AS), Maria Denise Jeffrey (CERT), James Cardwell Johnson (CERT-H), Kayla Leanne Kent (AAS), Austin James Langford (CERT-H), Theodore Lawrence Jr (CERT), Dee Ann Lewis (AS), Jennifer Charlene Little (AAS, CERT), Jennifer Lane Lowder (AAS), Norma Patricia Macias (AA, AS), Ariadnna Clarissa Malpica (CERT), Byron K McBride (CERT), Erik Thomas Mendenhall (AAT), Anthony Baron Mendez (AS), Sarahi Y Mendez (CERT), Michelle Lee Mercer (AAT), Lyndsie Diane Metz (AAT), Barbara Lee-Ann Mitchell (AAS), Kiefer Woodrow Mitchell (AS), Denise Lee Mohling (AAS –C, CERT –H, CERT), Samuel Aaron Murphy (AS), Erin Claire Murray (AAS), Chad Lyndsay Nicholson (AS), Lynsi Leigh Nix (AS), Sandra Yaneli Perez (CERT), and Emily Michele Perkins (CERT).

            Also from Sherman:  Dora LeAnn Ramirez (AAS), Victor Leon Rhodes (AA, AS), Geraldine Roa (AA, AS), Samantha Marques Rodriguez (CERT), Alexia Nicole Rogers (AAS), Jamey Renee Rogers (AAS), Leonor Banelly Salazar (CERT-H), Hassan Saleem (AS), Christy Elaine Sallaz (AAS), Chelsea Lynn Schock (AAS-C), Cailey Christine Sherrill (AS-C), Collin Jacob Shinault (AS), Erik Soto (AS), Michael Lavere Sperry (AAS), Edward Eugene Strickland (AS), Latisha Deshuen Swinger (AAS), Amber Denise Terrell (AS - S), Kazumi Uchibori (AAS), Jennifer Renae Vawter (AAS), Paola Isamar Villarreal (CERT), Veronica Jane Walker (AAS), Louis Wayne Wallace (CERT), Keagan Michael Walsh (CERT), Carolyn Effie West (AAS), Bradley Keith Whitney (AS), Cody Renne' Willis (AS), Autumn Leigh Wilson (CERT), Christian Tyler Witkowsky (AAS, 2 CERT), Renata Kristine Wright (AAS), Terri Lee Wyman (AAS), Christopher Allen Yancey (CERT), Bridynet Lionnel Yayo (AS), Johnna Joy Yowell (AAS),

The Colony TX: Tina Louise Dreger (AAS),

Tioga TX: Daniel Adolfo Rivera Belzares (AS),

Tom Bean TX: Samantha Lee Ramsey (CERT-H),

Trenton TX: Kathleen Alyce Miller (AAS),

Van Alstyne TX: Juan Armenta Jr (AS), Kristy Lea Burden (AS - S), Ashley Marie Glockzin (AAS), Jordan David Kinkaid (CERT-H), Traci Lynn Perez (AAS, CERT – H, 2 CERT), Ray Keith Roberts (CERT), William Joseph Shepherd IV (CERT),

Whitesboro TX: Lyndon Kay Davis (AAS), Tori Michele Flanagan (AAT), Shanna Michelle Harrison (AAS), Chadwick Aaron Lokker (CERT), Garrett Tyler Mitchell (CERT), Ladina Marie Porter (AAS, 2 CERT), Andrea Jane Raber (AS), Jessica Ann Riddels (AS), Amber Renee Roberts-Hammer (AAT),

Whitewright TX: Amanda Denise Bagwell (AAS), Brooklynn Mackenzie Burk (CERT), Tammy Marie Davies (AS), Michele Lyn Kirby (AS-M), Larry Dale Maggard (CERT), Johnathan Paul Myers (CERT), Jessica Lynn Rau (AS-M), Taelor Brooke Williams (AS).