The Class of 2024 claimed its diplomas Saturday, May 4, in a joyful morning of pomp, circumstance and celebration.
Roanoke College presented degrees to 406 students during its Commencement ceremony held on the Turbyfill Quadrangle. The awarding of diplomas included 178 Bachelor of Arts degrees, 145 Bachelor of Science degrees, 73 Bachelor of Business Administration degrees and — in a major milestone for campus — 10 Master of Business Administration degrees earned by the first graduating class of Roanoke’s new 4+1 MBA program.
Gazing out over the crowd of graduates, President Frank Shushok Jr. said he’s been continually inspired by their passion and curiosity. He’s also noticed within them a secret superpower: an instinct to care deeply about others and share in the type of empathy that can expand minds, warm hearts and change whole communities for the better.
"That’s how hope gets loose in the world. That’s how you build a life of purpose. That’s how you leave a legacy. That’s why you are our superpower," Shushok said.
"I truly believe you are going to take the world by storm — investing, inventing, tackling huge problems and strengthening just about everything in our culture."
Dear Old Roanoke
The Class of 2024 hails from 27 states and 12 countries. From all corners of the world, they converged here at Roanoke College to learn, grow and discover their purpose.
“I’d like to express my gratitude for all of the little beautiful moments that I’ve experienced at Roanoke College,” said James Suleyman, Class of 2024 co-valedictorian.
"Every single day for the past four years, so many people have thoroughly and unconditionally loved me, supported me, mentored me, challenged me and believed in me,” he said. “I don't know where I'd be without you all.”
This year’s group of four high-achieving valedictorians marked the third largest cohort in Roanoke College history. Each student who earned the distinction was invited on stage to share parting reflections with their classmates as they prepare for their next adventure in life.
The 2024 valedictorians are:
- Talia Maryann Cartafalsa, an environmental studies and chemistry major from Massapequa, New York;
- Sean William Kennedy, an actuarial science major from Houston, Texas;
- James Gray Suleyman, a criminal justice and sociology major from Taylors, South Carolina;
- Katherine Haley Vaughan, a business administration major from Salem, Virginia.
Salutatorian honors went to Ethan Paul Stevenson, an economics and political science major from Apex, North Carolina.
RELATED: Roanoke College celebrates Class of 2024 valedictorians and salutatorian
During Saturday’s celebration, graduates, family and friends also heard from Board of Trustees Chairman Malon Courts ’92 and Dean of the College Kathy Wolfe.
Virginia Western Community College President Robert "Bobby" Sandel was presented with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in appreciation for his immense contributions to education across the region. For more than 20 years, Sandel has been a champion for expanding access to higher learning and building regional partnerships to support student success.
Virginia Western and Roanoke College are longtime allies in that pursuit. Nearly 7% of Saturday’s graduates started their college journey at Virginia Western before transferring to Roanoke College to earn a four-year degree.
The two schools recently announced plans to expand on that good work with Rapid Maroons, a new initiative designed to create a seamless transfer path for Virginia Western students.
“Bobby has long held Roanoke College in his heart,” Shushok said. “Time and time again, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to our institutions' mutual success and, more importantly, the success of all students.”
"I'm just thrilled that today he is officially a Maroon.”
Sandel, after being bestowed with the recognition, led the crowd in the signature call-and-response that can be heard often on campus: “Here we go ... Maroons!”
Three retiring faculty members were recognized with the Simon Carson Wells Medal, an honor bestowed on tenured, retiring faculty:
- Roland B. Minton, professor of mathematics, 38 years of service;
- Joshua B. Rubongoya, professor of public affairs, 33 years of service;
- Lynn K. Talbot, professor of Spanish, 35 years of service.
Commencement exercises for the Class of 2024 were livestreamed and archived. The recording of the ceremony can be replayed here.
Pomp & Circumstance
Flagbearers Mateo Biggs and Gianna Hannum (right) lead the opening procession of Roanoke College's 182nd Commencement.
"You look terrific," President Frank Shushok Jr. said as he looked out at the crowd while preparing to start his remarks. "Here we go!"
Board of Trustees Chairman Malon Courts ’92 (left) presents Virginia Western Community College President Robert Sandel with an honorary degree hood during Saturday's ceremony.
This calls for confetti! Saturday's festivities were capped off with a burst of maroon-and-white confetti across the quad.
Elise Upright, a biology graduate, joins the ceremony's opening procession with her classmates.
Joseph Kenney, an art graduate, celebrates while crossing the Commencement stage.
Members of the first graduating class of Roanoke College's 4+1 MBA program rise to be applauded by the crowd.
Hats off to the creative and talented Class of 2024!
Huda Hashash, a biochemistry graduate, cheers for her classmates during the ceremony. Hashash is going on to graduate school with plans to run her own research lab one day.
Luca Docking, an engineering science graduate and lacrosse player, waves to classmates while crossing the Commencement stage.
Wrestler and criminal justice graduate Mahlic Sallah celebrates while crossing the Commencement stage.
Faculty members Maggie Rahmoeller, Meg Steinweg, Chris Buchholz, Chelsea Peters and Ian Michalski were among the hundreds of Roanoke College representatives who took part in Saturday's celebration to support the Class of 2024.
A few spring showers can't dampen the excitement on campus as Roanoke College celebrates the Class of 2024.
Mack Calvert, a biology graduate, mugs for the camera during the Commencement festivities. Calvert is headed to graduate school and a research assistantship with a focus on the ecology of a vulnerable species of freshwater minnow known as the Peppered Shiner (Miniellus perpallidus).
Maxwell Koch, a literary studies and French double major, laughs as his friends help him don his Commencement regalia.
Mia Scheerer, a public health studies graduate, smiles while accepting her diploma.
Class of 2024 valedictorians (from left) Sean Kennedy, Katherine Vaughan, Talia Cartafalsa and James Suleyman are heading out into the world to do great things.
Retiring, longtime faculty members (from left) Roland Minton, Joshua Rubongoya and Lynn Talbot rise to be applauded by the crowd for their decades of dedication to students and the pursuit of knowledge.
The "Rooney's Feet" tradition revealed Jack Graves, a history graduate, as one of the students who bring Roanoke's beloved mascot to life. The students' identities are kept a closely guarded secret until their graduation day.
Of course, Rooney himself didn't miss the celebration! The Maroon-tailed hawk was there to cheer on the Class of 2024.