University of the District of Columbia Hosts Student-Athlete Graduation Reception
WASHINGTON, DC – The University of the District of Columbia Athletic Department hosted a Student-Athlete Graduation Reception in the upper concourse of the UDC Gym on Friday, May 10th, 2013 to honor the 25 Firebird student-athletes who will graduate tomorrow afternoon.
"We have seen unprecedented growth and success in the athletic department over the last four years, but the ultimate accomplishment is what these outstanding young men and women are about to do tomorrow – and that is graduate from the University of the District of Columbia," Director of Athletics Patricia Thomas said. "I could not be more proud of this group."
The Firebirds Class of 2013 helped usher in a new era in University of the District of Columbia athletics that saw the program become a full-fledged member of the East Coast Conference.
The women's tennis team, led by graduating seniors Kristyna Nepivodova, Maria Vitkina and Ty Abilla, captured the school's first ever ECC Championship in the fall 2011. They also advanced to the NCAA Round of 16 in spring 2012.
The men's tennis team, with significant contributions by graduating seniors Tomas Gajdusek and Bruno Reich, reached the NCAA Tournament 2nd round in the spring 2012 and also earned a berth in this year's NCAA East Regional as well.
The women's indoor and outdoor track teams have enjoyed tremendous success the past four years as well. Graduating seniors Latoya Allen and Kaneesha Hollis both earned All-America honors in 2009 and this season, senior Callister Jones was First Team All-ECC in the 4x200M relay (Indoor), 400M (Outdoor) and Second Team All-ECC in the 400M (Indoor).
Men's basketball earned the program's first NCAA Division II tournament berth in 25 years in 2012 with steady contributions from graduating seniors Keith Brooks, Milton Colquehoun and David Saunders. Women's Basketball also earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament in 2012, led by graduating seniors Dohnay Banice, Jamilia Bonner, Aida Gueye and Jasmine Rich.
The men's soccer and volleyball teams also transitioned smoothly into the very competitive East Coast Conference. The men's soccer team, with the leadership of graduating seniors Nana Bamfo, Mario Banegas, Adriel Garcia and Tansu Korkmaz, defeated an eventual Final Four Team in Mercyhurst this past season and earned the program's first ECC win over Dowling on September 29th.
See below for a list of the student-athlete graduates.
Tadai Abilla – Spring 2013 – BA, Television Production
Latoya Allen – Fall 2012 – BSW, Social Work
Nana Bamfo – Spring 2013 – BS, Biology
Mario Banegas – Spring 2013 – BA, Political Science & History
Dohnay Banice – Fall 2012 – BBA, Business Management
Shemeia Barnes – Spring 2013 – BA, Administration of Justice
Jamilia Bonner – Fall 2012 – BA, Economics
Keith Brooks – Spring 2013 – BA, Journalism
Justin Chemallan – Fall 2012 – AAS, Nursing
Milton Colquehoun – Spring 2013 – BA, History
Tomas Gajdusek – Fall 2013 – BBA, Finance
Adriel Garcia – Fall 2012 – BS, Health Education
Vanessa Garley – Spring 2013 – BBA, Marketing
Aida Gueye – Fall 2012 – BBA, Business Management
Kaneesha Hollis – Fall 2012 – BA, Administration of Justice
Callister Jones – Summer 2013 – BBA, Marketing
Tansu Korkmaz – Spring 2013 – BA, Television Production
Kristyna Nepivodova – Fall 2012 – BA, Economics
Mirella Nunes – Spring 2013 – BBA, Business Management
Grace Perilli – Spring 2013 – BA, Economics
Jasmine Rich – Fall 2012 – BBA, Business Management
Bruno Reich – Fall 2012 – BBA, Business Management
David Sanders – Spring 2013 – BBA, Computer Information & Systems Science
Maria Vitkina – Fall 2012 – BA, Sociology
Ralph Watts – Spring 2013 – BA, Sociology