Roanoke College celebrates Class of 2024 valedictorians and salutatorian

Four graduates have earned the top honors as valedictorians of the Class of 2024: Talia Maryann Cartafalsa, Sean William Kennedy, James Gray Suleyman and Katherine Haley Vaughan. Ethan Stevenson is the salutatorian. The valedictorians will each speak briefly as part of the Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 4. 

Talia Maryann Cartafalsa is a double major in chemistry and environmental studies from Massapequa, New York. She was also a member of the Honors Program. Cartafalsa was heavily involved in research while at Roanoke, working closely with Chelsea Peters, assistant professor of environmental studies, on research in environmental chemistry, ecological assessments, hydrological assessments and environmental education. She also served as the Environment Center Summer Scholar for two years and was a subject tutor. Cartafalsa is heading to Old Dominion University for a doctoral program in oceanography where she’ll be working in a lab focused on coastal environmental chemistry.  

Cartafalsa is not the first Maroon in her family. Her mother’s family was from Salem and Roanoke, her grandfather was a chemistry major at Roanoke College, and several of her maternal grandmother’s uncles were Roanoke students on a championship-winning baseball team in the 1920s.  

“I’ve found community in a number of different places with students, including the Honors Program, my majors and the theater,” Cartafalsa said. “The ability to be close with my professors and advisors was one of the most impactful parts of my Roanoke experience.” 
 
Sean William Kennedy is an actuarial science major with a minor in economics. He also has concentrations in finance, sports analytics and statistics. Kennedy is from Houston, Texas. He’s been a member of Roanoke’s men’s lacrosse team for four years and is a brother of Sigma Chi. He’s also been an officer for the Roanoke Fly Fishing Club and a member of the Stat Crew, the Economics Undergraduate Reading Group and the Student Athletic Advisory Committee. Kennedy is also a member of Alpha Lambda Delta (Freshman Honors Society), Omicron Delta Epsilon (Economics Honors Society) and Pi Mu Epsilon (Mathematics Honors Society). 

Kennedy already has a job lined up as an internal sales analyst for PIMCO, an investment management firm in Austin, Texas.  

“I have been blessed to have a great group of friends, teammates, brothers, coaches, professors and advisors who have been there to support me throughout my four years,” Kennedy said. “Roanoke is a special place full of amazing people, and I will always cherish the times that I had here in Salem. “ 
 
James Gray Suleyman is a double major in sociology and criminal justice with a double minor in psychology and Spanish. He’s also a member of the Honors Program. He is from Taylors, South Carolina.  

Suleyman worked as a wellness peer educator and was a research assistant for Associate Professor Daisy Ball in Public Affairs and Professor Chad Morris in sociology. He presented at two academic conferences as an undergraduate and co-authored an article with Ball that was published in the journal Laws in 2023.  

As a 2023 Summer Scholar, Suleyman conducted sociological research on school discipline with a local middle school. He interned with Mainstream Mental Health, Youth Advocate Programs and the Bridge Institute in Roanoke and Offender Aid & Restoration in Washington, D.C. during the Washington Semester. He was vice president of Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, Earthbound and the Public Affairs Society. Suleyman volunteered at the Salem Food Pantry, the West End Center in Roanoke, and Community Mediation DC. He’s also a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Phi Sigma, Alpha Kappa Delta and Alpha Lambda Delta.  

Suleyman plans to serve in a youth services or community mediation organization through Americorps before heading to graduate school.  

“The faculty, staff and students here are so kind and engaging,” Suleyman said. “I felt like everyone always cared about me, believed in me, valued me and encouraged me to do things I would never have dreamed of doing. I was definitely more than a number!” 

Katherine Haley Vaughan is a hometown valedictorian from Salem, Virginia. She’s a business administration major with a minor in economics and a concentration in global business. She’s been a member of the Honors Program, serving as both social coordinator and president throughout her time in the program.  

Vaughan’s incredible involvement at Roanoke included being a founding member and president of Women in Economics. She has also been a member of the Academic Integrity Council, ECONLab research group, Undergraduate Economics Reading Group and Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization, and she has worked as a subject tutor.  

She’s also a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, Omicron Delta Epsilon, Delta Mu Delta and Alpha Lambda Delta. She did what she describes as “an incredible May Term in Ireland and England with Dr. Nelson Barre.” She also did three internships: with Carilion Clinic, with a PR firm in D.C. and with the Lutheran College Washington Consortium.

Vaughan just accepted a job as an analyst with the Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond.  

 "When I think about Roanoke, I will remember the people: my amazing friends, wonderful professors and the hardworking staff,” Vaughan said. “I have forged some of the most meaningful connections of my life during the past four years. These people lift me up, inspire me, push me to succeed and love me unconditionally.” 
  
Salutatorian Ethan Stevenson 
The Class of 2024 salutatorian is Ethan Stevenson, who majored in economics and political science and had a concentration in finance. Stevenson also is a member of the Honors Program and he is from Apex, North Carolina. Stevenson will be working as a financial services associate at First Citizens Bank. He was president of RC Pride and the Roanoke College Chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa, the leadership honor society. He also was treasurer of the Public Affairs Society and was a member of the Honors Program and the Board Game Club.  

For his Honors Distinction Project, Stevenson created RETIRE, a board game designed to teach people about retirement. He worked with professors Alice Kassens, Michael Enz, Michelle Hagadorn and Mike Smith to create an accurate, educational and fun game. 

“Going to Roanoke College was the best decision I ever made,” Stevenson said. “It couldn't have been any other way.”