SAGU AIC Celebrates Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 Graduates

May 1, 2023

Phoenix, Arizona

Keilah Villa

On Saturday April 29, 2023, SAGU American Indian College held a commencement ceremony in Henson Chapel to celebrate Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 graduates.

The ceremony began with a processional of SAGU AIC administration, faculty, and graduates, which was followed by a welcome and invocation from President Jonathan Gannon. Dr. Joseph Saggio, Executive Vice President and Administrative Dean, shared his gratitude for all the recent prayers and gave his sentiments to the graduates. Ruth Urquidy then led the audience in worship.

Dr. Sherry Jones, Interim Administrative Dean, presented the Sigma Chi Pi Award to Gabriela Imán Cota. This honor is given to graduates who demonstrate outstanding academic scholarship, approved Christian character, and Christian leadership. 

Graduates Harley Upton and Gabriela Imán Cota both spoke on their experience at SAGU AIC and encouraged the graduates. Rev. Jeff Peterson, Pastoral Care Directory of the Arizona Ministry Network, gave the keynote address. He challenged graduates to find their identity in Christ. 

President Jonathan Gannon conferred the degrees, which included Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Master of Arts. Professor Blair Schlepp read the graduates’ biographies as they received a Fire Bible, received a diploma cover, and took a picture with the President.

Rev. Stephen Harris, Arizona Ministry Network District Superintendent, led the commissioning prayer for the graduates. Professor Barry Shennum led the benediction. The ceremony closed on a joyous note with a recessional and a celebration that included a photo booth, refreshments, and fellowship. 

SAGU AIC once again congratulates the following graduates:

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS — BIBLE

Martin Manual

Harley Upton

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE — GENERAL STUDIES

Christin Bahe

Latisha Nastacio

Gabrielle Thomas

BACHELOR OF ARTS — CHURCH LEADERSHIP

Gabriela Imán Cota***

Grant Fall

Shayne Keith

BACHELOR OF ARTS — ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

Taye Wilson

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE — PSYCHOLOGY PRE-PROFESSIONAL

Vanessa Molina

MASTER OF ARTS — ENGLISH

Keilah Villa

*Cum Laude (3.50-3.74)

**Magna Cum Laude (3.75-3.89)

***Summa Cum Laude (3.90- 4.0)

(Latin honors are given to bachelor’s level graduates who have attained the requisite GPA for those honors.)

Congrats to our graduates!