By: Arizona Athletics
Arizona Athletics and C.A.T.S. Academics hosted its fourth-annual student-athlete convocation as 112 Wildcats walked across the stage to earn their college degrees. This event is always special as our current seniors were recognized for all of their hard work as student-athletes while longtime Wildcats returned to receive their diplomas as Arizona graduates as part of our tremendous CATS Forever program.
We were honored to have a group of speakers on Thursday, including Valedictorian Gustavs Kehris of Men's Track and Field and NBA guard Jerryd Bayless representing CATS Forever. Katrina Konopka from Swimming and Diving and Yezan Hassan of our cheer program, received the University of Arizona's prestigious Freeman Medal as outstanding seniors.
Student-Athlete Spotlight
Name: Gustavs Kehris (Men's Track & Field)
Student-Athlete Valedictorian
Outstanding Senior in the Department of Physics
Hometown: Riga, Latvia
Major: Physics and Mathematics (Double Major)
GPA: 4.0
Why did you choose the University of Arizona and your major?
The way I grew up, I always knew academics was important to me and it was always made clear through my family. My father also stressed the importance of athletics. Arizona is a great academic and research institution, especially in Physics. My coach back home also knew coach Harvey, so that was a big deciding factor as well.
I've always been interested in physics before I even knew what physics was and I've always been intrigued by science and why things happen. I find something elegant about these theories of the world that are described by mathematic equations.
What's was your favorite moment at the University of Arizona?
You work hard at school and at track, but you only get good grades if you're learning in school and you only get better in track if you get stronger. That process has been a day in and day out process and I really appreciate it. Approaching graduation, I realized I was a little worried, not because I was scared of the world, but I was concerned with what am I going to do. I want to be useful in society and so I was worried. But when I thought about it, I was able to see that I have had wonderful opportunities here that not everyone has, and now is the time to start doing something. That has been a defining experience.
More specific, I visit the center called Artworks for adults with disabilities and I have been going once a week. One day I realized that they actually like me, and that is powerful. They made this big, beautiful card for me saying 'happy graduation' and it was clear that they spent a lot of time on it. They wouldn't do that if I wasn't doing something right. That meant so much to me and it's all a part of us trying to do something right.
Any advice you would give to freshman Gustavs?
There are two things. One is sometimes you're so caught in the moment that you don't actually take time to appreciate where you are. We have brilliant people all around us. We have all these professors that have dedicated their lives to their research and they are sharing their research with us. If you show them you are interested in what they are teaching and show them respect, so many opportunities will open for you.
I have such a close relationship with coach
Fred Harvey and it's because I took a step back and realized he's not just my coach. He's such a brilliant and wonderful person who is trying to make his mark on this world. There are all these people around us and are trying to make this world a better place and you realize there are opportunities all around you and you have to take advantage of those opportunities.
Plans for after graduation?
I want to be a good person first and foremost and inspire whoever I can. I will pursue a career in Physics. I have been accepted to graduate school at Cambridge in the United Kingdom and I will most likely go. However, I have applied for a junior fellowship at CERN, which is the biggest physics institution in the world. I might have the opportunity to work with that experiment for a few years. If I have that opportunity, I will take that and then go to graduate school afterwards and get a PhD.
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Name: Katrina Konopka (Women's Swimming and Diving)
Outstanding Senior in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Freeman Medal Recipient
Hometown: Greenville, S.C.
Major: Chemistry
GPA: 3.55
Why did you choose your major?
I was drawn to chemistry because of my experiences at the University of Arizona. In high school I was determined that I was going to be a medical doctor. However, at the beginning of my sophomore year, I joined Dr. Pyun's Research Group, which has a focus on the synthesis and characterization of new organic polymers. After beginning to understand what it takes to discover a new material, I recognized that this was something I wanted to pursue. I am currently working to further advance infrared imaging technologies with novel polymers.
What's was your favorite class at the University of Arizona?
My favorite part of my major so far would be the research, but if I had to chose a favorite class, it would be my CHEM 412 lab. The lab is a six-student class and we get to perform a variety of different experiments that include forming metal crystals, making our own catalysts, and then using those catalysts in an organic synthesis. It has been a great experience so far and I can't wait to see what I will do in the future!
Plans for after graduation?
Pursue a PhD in chemistry.
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Name: Lindsey Malecha (Women's Basketball)
Student-Athlete Salutatorian
Outstanding Senior in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Hometown: Mahtomedi, Minnesota
Major: Biology with a Biomedical Sciences Emphasis
GPA: 4.0
Why did you choose the University of Arizona and your major?
I chose the University of Arizona because I wanted to go somewhere away from home to experience new things, but I also have family nearby in Phoenix which was comforting. Arizona also has very good science programs to prepare me for medical school. I chose to study biology because I have always had a fascination with the intricacies of life.
What's was your favorite moment at the University of Arizona?
My favorite non-athletics related experience was participating in breast cancer research and my favorite moment as an athlete was winning the WNIT championship.
Any advice you would give to freshman Lindsey?
I would tell myself to be more outgoing and try new things. I was more nervous and hesitant to try things freshman year and did not begin exploring opportunities until my sophomore year, and I wish I would have started sooner.
Plans for after graduation?
After graduation I plan to scribe and volunteer as I apply to medical schools.
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Name: Matt Salerno (Men's Swimming and Diving)
Hometown: Aurora, Ill.
Major: Veterinary Science
GPA: 3.82
Why did you choose the University of Arizona?
I took an unofficial visit after being recruited by the University of Arizona and absolutely fell in love with the school. I originally thought I would be a business major like my two older brothers, but I realized that it was not truly what I was interested in learning about. After doing some reflecting and researching I discovered the veterinary science degree program and gave it a shot. The rest is history!
What's was your favorite moment at the University of Arizona?
My favorite moments as a student have to be from my time in Dr. King's anatomy lectures while also interning for her at an emergency veterinary clinic. I loved relating what I had learned in lecture to a clinical setting. My favorite moments as a student-athlete had to be watching Nick Thorne place second in the 400 IM at the 2018 NCAA Championships and also watching Justin Wright win the 200 Meter butterfly at U.S. Summer Nationals in 2018.
Any advice you would give to freshman Matt?
It always works out. Take a breath and enjoy the moment.
Plans for after graduation?
I will be attending The Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine to earn my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. In the more distant future my goal is to return to academia and earn my PhD so I can be a professor and mentor future generations of veterinary students.
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Name: Sophia Thomas (Women's Tennis)
Hometown: Bexley, England
Major: Geography
GPA: 3.60
Why did you choose the University of Arizona?
I chose the University of Arizona because of the amazing facilities and support staff they have here. McKale's gym and training room are incredible and the staff are some of the best in the country. The tennis team was also a huge reason why I chose Arizona because we are a family and will always have each others' back. Finally, the weather in Tucson is amazing compared to England's grey rainy weather!
What's was your favorite moment at the University of Arizona?
My favorite moment as a student was attending Andrea Gerlak's class on sustainable cities. I knew I liked sustainability but I found my passion with sustainable cities with her class. As an athlete it was when I was a sophomore and we were playing against Rice and it was tied 3-3 and I was playing to clinch. I played some of the best tennis and went on to win the match!
Any advice you would give to freshman Sophia?
My advice would be to have fun, enjoy the moment and explore other opportunities rather than just sticking to tennis, like participating in community service and attend C.A.T.S Life Skills workshops. They helped me build skills that I will use in the future.
Plans for after graduation?
I just got offered to attend graduate school at King's College London to study Sustainable Cities. They only accept 20 people worldwide and I worked very hard to earn that spot in the program. I can't wait to start in September!
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2019 Graduates
Women's Track Field and Cross Country
Head Coach, Fred Harvey
Malia Bryant | Law
Megan Dulaney | Social, Behavioral and Human Understanding
Lisanne Hagens* | Mechanical Engineering
Amarissa Hawker Handy* | Nutritional Sciences
Chandra Hawthorne
1 | Retailing and Consumer Sciences
Sasha Jarrett
1 | Public Health
Margie Moyer | Physiology
Karolina Pahlitzsch* | Psychology
Teagan Rasche* | Journalism
Tiffany Riley* | Physiology
Na'Asha Robinson | Literacy, Learning and Leadership
April Sutton | Psychology
Karla Teran* | Care, Health and Society
Kirsten Vergara*
D | Elementary Education, Information Science and eSociety
Hannah Whetzel* | Mechanical Engineering
Men's Track Field and Cross Country Head Coach, Fred Harvey
Cody Dalton | Real Estate Development**
David Egbo | Physiology
Daniel Egbo | Biology
Grayson Fleming | Electrical and Computer Engineering
Gustavs Kehris*
D | Mathematics, Physics
Erik Mensendiek | Systems Engineering
Matthew Post | Economics
Travis Thorne* | Optical Sciences and Engineering
Myles Hawkins | Biology
Baseball Head Coach, Jay Johnson
Michael Benson | Economics
Nick Cunningham | Urban and Regional Development
Trent Gilbert | Marketing
Steve Selsky | Science, Technology, Health, and Society Emphasis
Zachary Stone | Real Estate Development**
Avery Weems
1 | Sports and Society Emphasis
Mitchell Morimoto* | Business Economics
Seve Romo | Economics
Beach Volleyball Head Coach, Steve Walker
Jordan Rene Abalos | Educational Leadership**
Ainise Havili | Marketing**
Mia Mason | Film and Television
Sara Watanabe | Arts, Media, and Entertainment
Women's Basketball Head Coach, Adia Barnes
Lindsey Malecha* | Biology
Eugenie Simonet-Keller*
D | Criminal Justice Studies, Psychology
T'Aire Starks
1 | Criminal Justice Studies
Men's Basketball Head Coach, Sean Miller
Jerryd Bayless | Africana Studies
Justin Coleman
1 | Educational Leadership**
Chase Jeter | Social, Behavioral, and Human Understanding
Ryan Luther | Educational Leadership**
Ray Smith | Social, Behavioral, and Human Understanding
Dylan Smith | Social, Behavioral, and Human Understanding
Women's Golf Head Coach, Laura Ianello
Desiree Hong*
1 | Care, Health, and Society
Haley Moore | Sports and Society
Bianca Pagdanganan | Sports and Society
Giovanna Stoll | Sports and Society
Men's Golf Head Coach, Jim Anderson
Travis Fredborg | Sports and Society
Ethan Marcus | Economy and Industry
Dylan Stein | Economy and Industry
Gymnastics Head Coach, John Court
Haylie Hendrickson | Physiology
Lauryn Mattson* | Accounting
Dani Spencer-Bearham
1 | Biomedical Engineering
Soccer Head Coach, Tony Amato
Kennedy Kieneker | Economy and Industry
Hailey Jo Mazzola | Social, Behavioral, and Human Understanding
Morgan McGarry | Accounting
Taryn Siegele | Marketing
Softball Head Coach, Mike Candrea
Hillary Edior
D | Psychology, Public Health
Joelle Krist | Public Health
Taylor McQuillin | Care, Health, and Society
Rylee Pierce | Psychology
Gina Snyder | Science, Technology, Health, and Society
T Statman* | Political Science
Women's Swimming and Diving Head Coach, Augie Busch
Katrina Konopka* | Chemistry
Emma McCarthy | Business Economics
Mik Ranslem | Communication
Mackenzie Rumrill* | Accounting
Sarah Shimomura* | Retailing and Consumer Sciences
Ashley Sutherland* | Marketing
Men's Swimming and Diving Head Coach, Augie Busch
Chatham Dobbs* | Philosophy
Parks Jones | Arts, Media, and Entertainment
Matt Lujan* | Physiology
Mathias Oh | Accounting
Matt Salerno* | Veterinary Sciences
Ricky Maestri* | Mathematics
Women's Tennis Head Coach, Ryan Stotland
Taylor Allison Tamblyn | Finance
Sophia Thomas* | Geography
Mila Wesbrooks | Journalism
Emma Wilson | Mathematics
Men's Tennis Head Coach, Clancy Shields
Trent Botha
D | Business Management, Entrepreneurship
Shoti Meparidze
D | Entrepreneurship, Finance
Volleyball Head Coach, David Rubio
Kendra Dahlke | Criminal Justice Studies
Mackenzie Hernandez | Psychology
Victoria Svorinic | Political Science
Football Head Coach, Kevin Sumlin
Brion Anduze | Criminal Justice Studies
Matt Aragon | Geography
Justin Belknap | Sports and Society
Dereck Boles | Social, Behavioral, and Human Understanding
Shun Brown | Literacy, Learning, and Leadership
Cody Creason | Accounting
Nathan Eldridge | Literacy, Learning, and Leadership
Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles | Economy and Industry
Jake H. Glatting*
D | Industrial Engineering, Industrial Engineering**
Chandler Gumbs | Social, Behavioral, and Human Understanding
Isaiah C. Hayes | Psychology
Malcolm Holland | Accounting
PJ Johnson | Sociology
Branden Leon
1 | Criminal Justice Studies
Anthony Mariscal
1 | Criminal Justice Studies
Sammy Morrison | Arts, Media and Entertainment
Jamie Spencer Nunley | Literacy, Learning, and Leadership
Antonio Parks | Literacy, Learning, and Leadership
Cedric Peterson | Public Management, and Policy
Khalil Tate | Information Science, and eSociety
Sione Taufahema
1 | Sociology
Matthew Thomas | Economy and Industry
Paul Vassallo
1 | Public Health
Carrington Eugene Vaughn | Law
Jace Whittaker | Criminal Justice Studies
Key
1 indicates a First Cat (First-Generation College Student)
*
indicates students eligible for academic distinction at graduation. Bachelor's degree candidates must have completed at least 45 graded units with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
**
indicates a Master's degree
D indicates students with more than one major
