FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 21, 2012)- Kentucky State University held its spring commencement ceremony Friday, May 4 at the Frankfort Convention Center at 6 p.m. This year's commencement included 38 Thorobred former and current Student-Athletes and four students who worked within the Department of Athletics as interns and/or student-workers.
 
Dr. Lorenzo L. Esters served as the 2012 Commencement Speaker and encouraged the graduates to be catalysts for change. Dr. Esters serves as the Vice President for the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities' Office for Access and the Advancement of Public Black Universities. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Dr. Esters works with the leadership of the member institutions to advance college access and success for all students, with a specific focus on underrepresented groups.
 
Kentucky State also recognized 39 Golden Graduates, who helped build the foundation of what the university has become today. The Golden Graduate tradition gives the university the opportunity to reconnect with some of its most seasoned graduates, who serve as an inspiration to our most recent graduates.
 
Of the 38 student-athletes and four student-workers, one graduated Summa Cum Laude (Courtney Pottinger, Women's Track and Field), two graduated Magna Cum Laude (Isaiah Adams, Football/Men's Track and Field; Erica Coleman, Women's Volleyball), and five graduated Cum Laude (Taylor Claiborne, Women's Volleyball; Diana Martinez, Sports Information Intern;  Shana McCombs, Women's Basketball; Kiarra Morgan, Women's Basketball; Lamara Parker, Softball).
 
Four student-athletes, Isaiah Adams, Erica Coleman, Tyrell Henderson and Monique Scroggins completed the Whitney Young School Honors Core Curriculum, while six graduated with Departmental Honors (Isaiah Adams, Erica Coleman, Diana Martinez, Lamara Parker, Courtney Pottinger and Fatimah Shabazz).

For the complete list of graduates, click here.
To view the photo gallery, click here.