OLLU held hybrid commencement ceremonies for spring 2021 graduates and virtual events on May 8. The day included the Baccalaureate Liturgy at 11 a.m. The commencement address ceremony took place at 5 p.m. and was followed by a drive-up degree conferral ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Graduates processed through the Main Building Plaza in their vehicles to receive their diploma, have their picture taken with President Diane E. Melby, EdD, and have their degree conferred in front of the Main Building. Guests had “front-row” seats as they watched from their vehicle as it passed in front of the commencement page.
Upon the conclusion of the Saints’ 14th season of NAIA athletics, 33 student-athletes graduated from OLLU.
Athletic Director Shane Hurley said, “We are proud of our student-athletes, who not only excel in their sport and academics but also fulfill their ultimate goal of receiving their degree. Our men and women have sacrificed so much to dedicate countless hours of studying while also practicing and playing their sport. We wish them many blessings as they pursue their additional goals and careers.”
Of the 33 degrees earned by student-athletes this past spring, one soccer alumnus, AJ Gonzalez, earned a Master of Science in Health Care.
Here is a list of who received their degrees this spring 2021:
BASEBALL
Connor Dayton
Robert Lopez
Andrew Ogletree
Triston Scherer
Xavier Solis
BASKETBALL
Cameron Fields
Christian Fields
Lennox Jones Jr.
Rebecca Kolawole
Amiel Lewis
Zerina Shatri
Alexis White
Ethan White
DANCE
Nadia Gloria
GOLF
Kane Ybarra
TRACK AND FIELD
Destiny Joseph
SOCCER
Bernard Alvarenga
Luan Balestieri
Gustavo Borba
Jose Delgado
AJ Gonzalez
Savannah Hernandez
Johnny Martinez
Victoria Morales
Miguel Sanchez
SOFTBALL
Kennah Kennedy
Ciera Martinez
Jalin Oliva-St. Romain
VOLLEYBALL
Amanda Esparza
Kalani Ketchens
Alyssa Marquez
Elizabeth Olivarez
Anissa Tamez
Since OLLU began competing in the NAIA, 497 student-athletes have earned degrees. In fall and spring, these are the numbers:
2008 – 1 * 2009 – 1 * 2010 – 7 * 2011 – 26 * 2012 – 33 * 2013 – 44 * 2014 – 40
2015 – 39 * 2016 – 47 * 2017 – 70 * 2018 – 62 * 2019 – 39 * 2020 – 56 * 2021 – 33
The top seven with the most graduates are:
Men’s Soccer – 86
Women’s Soccer – 57
Women’s Basketball – 50
Volleyball – 46
Baseball – 44
Men’s Basketball – 44
Softball – 41