PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - On May 20, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) witnessed nearly 475 students receive their degrees after listening to an inspiring speech from guest speaker Gregory A. Thomas, a 2006 UMES Athletic Hall of Famer and Senior Executive for Law Enforcement Operations for the Kings County (N.Y.).

Among the graduates, several current and former student-athletes were recognized for their academic accomplishments.

"We are very proud of our student-athletes," said UMES Director of Athletics Keith Davidson. "They are very committed and talented young people who work hard not only representing our University in competition, but in the classroom."

From the UMES School of Graduate Studies, former women's basketball student-athlete and Coordinator of Student-Athlete Services Talareah Campbell received her Master of Education in Counselor Education.

During the graduation ceremonies, eight student-athletes, along with men's golf assistant coach Nivel Felicien, graduated with honors.

Summa Cum Laude (3.700 to 4.000)

J.P. Black (Baseball)

Emily Diseroad (Softball)

Nivel Felicien (Men's Golf)

Thashaina Seraus (Women's Bowling)

Ashley Smith (Women's Volleyball)

Chalyse Taylor (Women's Basketball)

Magna Cum Laude (3.500 to 3.699)

Mike Escanilla (Baseball)

Cum Laude (3.300 to 3.499)

Jasmyne Carter (Cheerleading)

Evelyn Chappell (Track & Field and Tennis)

Other student-athletes graduating included:

Baseball

Connor Breslin (Saylorsburg, Pa.)

James DiBuo (Bishopville, Md.)

Devin Repine (Salisbury, Md.)

Men's Basketball

Dominique Elliott (Savannah, Ga.)

Devon Walker (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Women's Basketball

TeAmber Burke (Washington, N.C.)

Taryana Kelly (North Brunswick, N.J.)

Jameelah Pickard (Greensboro, N.C.)

Softball

Vanessa Gomez (Belleville, N.J.)

Tennis

Edwin Kanu (Laurel, Md.)

Jamal Palmer (Brooklyn, N.Y.)

Track & Field

Rico Duncan (Bladensburg, Md.)

Romeika Jackson (Fort Washington, Md.)

Shawnata Young (Temple Hills, Md.)

Two-Sport Student-Athlete

Kijontray McClay (San Diego, Calif.) - Men's Golf & Men's Tennis

"We have the highest graduation success rate in our conference for six years running and it is because our department instills the belief that if you work hard enough you will graduate from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore," Davidson added. "I challenge each one of my coaches with recruiting student-athletes that want to earn a degree from our University, not just play their sport. Graduation is the ultimate victory for the Hawks."

For complete recaps, results and news of Hawk athletics, please visitwww.umeshawks.com.