PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - On May 26, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore saw nearly 450 students receive their degrees after listening to an inspirational speech from commencement speaker The Honorable Rushen L. Baker III, County Executive of Prince George's County, Maryland.

Among the graduates, more than two dozen student-athletes were recognized for their academic accomplishment.

"I couldn't be prouder to see our student-athletes graduate," said Maryland Eastern Shore Director of Athletics Keith Davidson. "We have committed and talented young people who work hard not only representing our University in competition, but in the classroom and then later in life."

During the graduation ceremonies, 12 Hawks graduated with honors.

Summa Cum Laude (3.700 to 4.000)

Albert Owusu-Ansah (Tennis)

Donisha Porter (Track & Field)

Moengaroa Subritzky (Women's Basketball)

Magna Cum Laude (3.500 to 3.699)

Jennaya Hield (Track & Field)

Shauntel Lucius (Track & Field)

Briana Mack (Women's Basketball)

Jordan Martin (Baseball)

Khalil Rmidi Kinini (Track & Field)

Briana Sye (Women's Basketball)

Cum Laude (3.300 to 3.499)

Derrick Cheruiyot (Track & Field)

Cierra Powell (Cheerleading)

Mere Serea (Volleyball)

Other student-athletes graduating included:

Baseball

Justin Somerville (New Windsor, Md.)

Men's Basketball

Bakari Copeland (Decatur, Ga.)

Marc Seylan (Paris, France)

Women's Basketball

Mariah McCoy (Rock Hill, S.C.)

Softball

Kelly Cullen (Fruitland, Md.)

Morgan King (Danville, Ill.)

Trenece Nash (Decatur, Ga.)

Ciara Schnyder (Arcadia, Calif.)

Tennis

Melequa King (Washington, D.C.)

Track & Field

Justin Atkins (Temple Hills, Md.)

Shellasia Leitch (Newark, N.J.)

Taj Showalter (Anchorage, Alaska)

Two-Sport Student-Athlete

Mark Blackmon (Charlotte, N.C.) - Men's Basketball/Track & Field

"It is no coincidence that our department has collected the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference award for the highest NCAA Graduation Success Rate for eight straight years," Davidson added. "I challenge each one of our coaches with recruiting student-athletes that want to earn a degree, not just play their sport at the college level. Our entire athletic staff tirelessly supports the student athletes and the results speak for themselves."

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