MBU’s 2024 graduates comprise commissioning naval officers, Murphy Deming’s first class of Nurse Practitioners, and other laudable ambitions.
As Mary Baldwin University prepares to bid farewell to its graduating class, we take a moment to celebrate the achievements and future plans of our remarkable students. Each story embodies the vibrant, diverse, and ambitious spirit that thrives at MBU. Here are just a few of the outstanding graduates stepping boldly into the future.
Olivia Gagne: A Mathematical Mind with Global Aspirations
From Nokesville, Olivia Gagne graduates with a bachelor of science in applied mathematics and a minor in computer science. A leader at heart, Gagne’s most memorable MBU experience was her role as a lead orientation leader during the 2023–24 academic year. Her senior thesis on “The Effects of Kernel Functions on Support Vector Machines for Handwritten Digit Recognition” not only earned her the Best Q-Award at MBU’s Capstone Festival but also underscored her academic prowess. This summer, Gagne will enhance her academic journey at St. Anne’s College, University of Oxford, proving her belief that she can thrive in any situation with confidence and support.
Gerardo Escalera Cardoso: A Future in Law Shaped by Advocacy and Inquiry
Gerardo Escalera Cardoso, hailing from Harrisonburg, graduates with a BA in political science and economics. His active engagement in Quest, an interfaith dialogue initiative, demonstrates his commitment to fostering community and understanding at Mary Baldwin University. Escalera’s academic pinnacle was his senior thesis, “When Logic Trumped Anger,” which not only earned him a presentation spot at the 2023 Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Research Conference but also publication in their journal. As he prepares to attend the University of Richmond Law School in Fall 2024, Escalera credits his MBU education with honing the critical reasoning, writing, and interpersonal skills essential for his future legal career. His advice to incoming students underscores the value of extracurricular involvement for enriching both academic and personal growth.
Katelin Whitcomb: A Chemist Commissioning into the Navy
Katelin Whitcomb, from Montrose, Colorado, graduates with a BS in chemistry, with minors in criminal justice and leadership. For Whitcomb, MBU’s annual Apple Day stands out as a cherished tradition. Notably, she has consistently earned the Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership’s “Top Gun” award for outstanding cadets. Whitcomb is set to commission into the Navy as the first VWIL nuclear submarine officer, a path made possible through MBU’s robust VWIL program and its partnership with Virginia Military Institute.
Jackeline Peraza: Business and Sustainability Advocate
Jackeline Peraza of Woodbridge, graduates with a bachelor of arts in business with an emphasis in sustainability. Her most memorable MBU experience was the 2024 Kwanzaa Celebration, which was marked by laughter, challenges, and unforgettable friendships. Peraza ‘s leadership was recognized with the Campus Leadership Award in 2022–23. After graduation, she plans to take a gap year to gain practical experience in the business world, building on her academic foundation and the professional development opportunities MBU has provided.
Quentin Hart: Champion of Innovation and Leadership
From Herndon, Quentin Hart is graduating from Mary Baldwin University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and communications, and a minor in business. Notable for founding and leading MBU’s first men’s basketball team to a conference championship, Hart also excelled academically, being nominated for the annual Capstone Festival for his marketing campaign for a local nonprofit. Post-graduation, Hart will pursue an MBA at MBU and intern at the National Reconnaissance Office, ready to tackle future challenges with the leadership skills and professionalism developed at the university. Hart feels his experience exemplifies the profound personal and professional growth facilitated by MBU’s supportive and dynamic environment.
Trenise Turner: Bridging Military Service and Advanced Nursing Practice
Trenise “Nise” Turner, a standout graduate from Mary Baldwin University, is receiving her family nurse practitioner and doctorate of nursing practice degrees. Her journey at MBU is highlighted by her successful defense of her DNP project and her invaluable clinical experience at a military health facility serving U.S. service members, veterans, and their families. Turner’s dedication extends beyond academia into her role as a Navy Reservist, where she plans to leverage her advanced nursing skills to enhance her service. She advises new MBU students to maintain a fervent desire to learn, establish strong connections with professors, and embrace the learning process with enthusiasm.
Nina Copeland: A Scholar’s Journey from MBU to the University of Virginia
Nina Copeland, from Stuarts Draft, graduates from Mary Baldwin University with a degree in English and history and a minor in sociology, enhanced by an honors degree from the Baldwin Honors Scholars program. Her academic journey is marked by notable achievements including writing two theses and serving as honors scholars’ president and co-editor-in-chief of the Outrageous Fortune literary magazine. Copeland’s roles as a tutor, tour guide, and peer mentor have all contributed to her comprehensive development. She will continue her academic pursuits by studying for her master’s degree in English at the University of Virginia this fall. Copeland credits the unwavering support and mentorship of her MBU professors as pivotal in her personal and professional growth, advising new students to forge strong connections with their instructors.
Lauryn Faulkner-Sitton: Aspiring Veterinarian with a Passion for Large Animal Welfare
Lauryn Faulkner-Sitton, originally from Durant, Oklahoma and now residing in Staunton, is graduating from Mary Baldwin University with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Biology. Faulkner-Sitton’s memorable study abroad experience in Costa Rica, led by Dr. Paul Callo, deepened her passion for ornithology and ecological conservation, enhancing her understanding of diverse ecosystems and cultures. A highlight of her academic journey was winning Best Oral Presentation in Microbiology at the Association for Southern Biologists conference for her thesis on Cryptosporidium infection in Angus cattle. Faulkner-Sitton’s ambition extends to attending veterinary school to specialize in large animal care, including cows, elephants, and rhinos, driven by her desire to research and improve wildlife welfare. She credits MBU with fostering her love for learning and advises future students to engage fully with their education, utilize campus resources, and build relationships with their professors, who she finds exceptionally approachable and insightful.
Amanda McComas: From MBU to Community Care
Amanda McComas, hailing from Raphine, achieves a significant milestone as she graduates with her doctor of nursing practice (DNP), specializing as a family nurse practitioner. McComas’ journey at MBU is highlighted by deep connections with faculty and staff, which she describes as pivotal to her success. Her doctoral project, which placed second at the Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners event, marks a proud achievement as she was the first DNP student representing Murphy Deming at this level. Post-Commencement, McComas plans to serve her community as a nurse practitioner, leveraging the extensive hands-on experience gained through her studies at MBU.
This handful of students is a cross-section representing the drive, creativity, and success of the entire graduating Class of 2024. Each student’s graduation is an estimable accomplishment, only made possibly with resilience through adversity, perseverance against discouragement, and effort despite exhaustion. These are the lessons that each MBU grad will carry with them, not just for time, but for eternity.
Looking for more information about MBU’s 182nd Commencement? Visit the Commencement Preview article for information about the ceremony and what it entails.