Dec. 18, 2012

ASU Reaches 80 Percent Athletic Graduation Success Rate

TEMPE, Ariz. - Arizona State University and Sun Devil Athletics proudly announces that 24 student-athletes will graduate with their undergraduate degrees this week as part of fall commencement ceremonies.

Five student-athletes graduated with honors: Two Summa Cum Laude (3.80 to 4.00 GPA), one Magna Cum Laude (3.60 to 3.79 GPA) and two Cum Laude (3.40 to 3.59 GPA).

Four student-athletes graduated in less than four years and one is a Barrett, the Honors College graduate.

Five student-athletes returned to ASU to get their degrees after their collegiate playing days were over: Austin Barnes (2009-11), Chris Bando (1975-78), Colin Curtis (2004-06), Lester Neal (1991-93) and Justin Taplin (1998, 2000-02).

Read here about Lester Neal! azcentral.com/sports/asu/art... and also here venturacollege.edu/athletics/hall... 20 years later getting his degree! Awesome!

— ASU Men's Basketball (@SunDevilHoops) December 19, 2012

The following is a list of the student-athletes who will partake in graduation ceremonies this week:

Jesper Akesson, Swimming, BA Business Communication
Chris Bando, Baseball, BLS Liberal Studies
Austin Barnes, Baseball, BA Communication
Chris Benard, Track & Field, BIS (Exercise & Wellness/Communications)
*** Michelle Brycki, Tennis, BA Journalism & Mass Communication
Cara Carpenter, Track & Field, BSE Special/Elementary Education
Andrea Crook, Track & Field, BS Family & Human Development
Colin Curtis, Baseball, BIS (Communications & Sociology)
Alyssa Freeman, Soccer, BS Criminal Justice & Criminology
Stephanie Hangartner, Gymnastics, BS Family and Human Development and Sociology
Michael Hawkins, Wrestling, BS Justice Studies
*** Brandon Johnson, Football, BS Sociology
+ Sierra Joseph, Soccer, BS Exercise & Wellness
Mason McHenry, Track & Field, BA Elementary Education
** Giulia Molinaro, Women's Golf, BA Tourism Development & Management
James Morrison, Football, BIS (Justice Studies/Sociology)
Lester Neal, Men's Basketball, BLS Liberal Studies
+ Alexis Pinson, Volleyball, BA Business Communication
+ Christina Salavec, Gymnastics, BS Exercise & Wellness
* Mariam Salloum, Water Polo, BS Political Science with French & Sociology Minors
Max Smith, Football, BIS (Sociology & Business)
Justin Taplin, Football, BIS (Justice Studies & Sociology)
^* Natasa Vulic, Cross Country/Track & Field, BS Mechanical Engineering & Sustainability
+ Kiara Williams, Soccer, BS Criminal Justice & Criminology

* Denotes Summa Cum Laude (3.80 to 4.00 GPA) 

** Denotes Magna Cum Laude (3.60 to 3.79 GPA)

*** Denotes Cum Laude (3.40 to 3.59 GPA) 

^ Denotes Barrett Honors College Graduate
+ Denotes graduated in less than four years