Randolph honors mid-year graduates

Three of the graduates who were honored at Friday’s reception.

Randolph honored 13 winter graduates at the annual Mid-Year Graduation Luncheon Friday in the Alice Ashley Jack Room of Smith Memorial Hall.

At the ceremony, Carl Girelli, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the College, addressed the graduates, their families, and other invited guests. In addition to congratulating the graduates on their achievement, he encouraged them to go forward and use their talents and skills to make the world a better place.

“Randolph prepares its students to engage the world critically and creatively, live and work honorably, and experience life abundantly,” Girelli said. “Like the thousands of alumnae and alumni who have come before you, you have the opportunity to make a difference.”

Some members of the graduating class are already employed or plan to continue their education in graduate school. Joseph Uzdavinis ’17, a biology major from Carrollton, Virginia, has been hired by Lynchburg General Hospital as a medical scribe.

“The tight-knit community and small class sizes here at Randolph have not only provided me with a great education, but also internship and job opportunities,” Uzdavinis said. “The Career Development Center and my professor, Dr. [Ann] Fabirkiewicz, recommended that I should apply for a medical scribe position. Now that I am working there I could not be more thankful, since the job is helping me to develop invaluable experience essential to my future career plans.”

Winter graduates were: Maia Bayuzick (Curriculum and Instruction, M.A.T.), Susan Royer (Special Education, M.A.T.), Russell Burt (Physics), Maureen Edu (Biology), Javonta Jones (Sport and Exercise Studies), Andrew Risse (Environmental Studies), Evan Scarborough (Political Science), Dario Schiano-Moriello (Sport and Exercise Studies), Emily Scott (Biology), Erik Seastead (Physics), Jessica Sidebottom (Biology), Baylee Snead (Political Science), Joseph Uzdavinis (Biology).