Clemson holds recognition for December 2024 service member and student veteran graduates

Clemson held its annual Service Member and Veteran Graduation Recognition on Tuesday, Dec. 17 in the Almeda Jacks Ballrooms of Hendrix Student Center. Undergraduate and graduate students were recognized for their service to the United States military and for preparing to graduate from Clemson in its December commencement ceremonies. Honorees were presented red, white and blue cords to adorn their graduation regalia.

"We congratulate all of our military-connected graduates on reaching this important milestone," says Vice President for Student Affairs Doug Hallenbeck. "They've been an important part of the Clemson Family and now will always be part of the Clemson Family. They've made our institution better by their presence, by their work and by their service."

The Office of Military & Veteran Engagement (M&VE) led a program that included keynote remarks from Executive Vice President Tony Wagner, the University's chief operating officer and veteran of the United States Navy. Following graduation from Penn State University, he entered the military and was a deep sea diver in the Navy. Wagner grew up just 20 miles from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and spoke extensively on how military service influenced his career in higher education, which has spanned more than two decades.

"Military service was foundational to my life," he says. "I want to thank all the veterans who are graduating this week for their service, and to say congratulations. Graduation is an incredible milestone, and they're in a position to make this world a better place."

Among the graduating seniors is outgoing Student Veterans Association President Chase Carter, an avionics technician in the United States Marine Corps who is earning a financial management degree from Clemson. Carter shared several heart-felt remarks with the graduating service members and veterans.

"Our time at Clemson will forever be integral in the successes that await in the future," he says. "On behalf of the Student Veterans Association, I wish all our graduates good luck in wherever life takes them."

Outstanding Student Veteran Award

Matt and Kara Rutter were co-recipients of the Fall 2024 Outstanding Student Veteran Award. Together, the two Ph.D. students established a non-profit to provide agritherapy, animal therapy and farm-to-table education for military veterans in the local community. They work alongside state leaders to provide agricultural opportunities for transitioning service members and veterans. With 45 years of combined service in the United States Army, the Rutters also provide invaluable guidance to student veterans and others in their transition to Clemson.

Military Student Leadership Awards

M&VE awarded four students with Military Leadership Awards, which provides $500 to each recipient for building community to overcome challenges that veterans and military-connected students face: Chase Carter, Andrea Cerda, Kaitlin Harris and Keith Price.

Veteran Impact Award

Brian Dominy received the Fall 2024 Veteran Impact Award. He serves as associate dean for undergraduate engagement and curriculum development in the Division of Undergraduate Learning. In his role, he is a strong advocate for the military student community and has displayed a keen understanding of the needs of service members and veterans.

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DOCTORAL AND MASTER'S GRADUATES

Keith Balts
• Ph.D. in engineering and science education
• Native of La Crosse, Wisconsin serves as vice chair of Clemson Corps and as the director of the leadership signature program in the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business
• Served in the Air Force for 28 years, achieving the rank of colonel

Derek Bussey
• Landscape architecture
• Native of North Augusta, South Carolina is a sergeant in the Army Reserves
• Hopes to become a licensed landscape architect and work for the Army Corps of Engineers

Daniel Croakman
• Public administration
• Native of Matthews, North Carolina served in the Navy for eight years, achieving the rank of second class petty officer
• Member of SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society

David Jeffcoat
• Data science and analytics
• Native of Charleston, South Carolina served 23 years in the Marine Corps, achieving the rank of chief warrant officer
• Served on deployments to Africa, Asia, Europe and South America

BACHELOR'S GRADUATES

Michael Bourgoin
• Criminal justice
• Native of Blacksburg, South Carolina served three years in the Army, achieving the rank of sergeant
• Deployed to Afghanistan in 2018

Chase Carter
• Financial management
• Native of Independence, Kansas served five years in the Marine Corps, achieving the rank of corporal
• Served as president of the Student Veterans Association and will be part of Clemson's MBA program

Andrew Cathey
• Business managements
• Native of Belton, South Carolina serves as a technical sergeant in the Air National Guard
• Served as treasurer of SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society

A.J. Garner
• Computer science
• Native of Augusta, Georgia served seven years in the Army, achieving the rank of staff sergeant
• Plans to work as a network engineer and AI specialist after graduation

Albert Hermann
• Parks, recreation and tourism management
• Served six years in the Marine Corps, achieving the rank of sergeant
• Served on deployments to Kuwait and Syria

Jaden Humphries
• Computer science
• Native of Anderson, South Carolina served six years in the Army, achieving the rank of E4 specialist
• Member of SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society and Clemson University Honors College

Julianna Lindsey
• International management
• Native of North Augusta, South Carolina serves as an E4 specialist in the Army National Guard
• Member of SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society

Siris Liptak
• Economics
• Native of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina serves as an E4 specialist in the Army National Guard
• Plans to pursue a master's degree in economics from Clemson

Kristine Luke
• Construction science and management
• Native of Tamassee, South Carolina served 10 years in the Air Force, achieving the rank of technical sergeant
• Member of SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society

Miles Nuckolls
• History and religious studies
• Native of Greenville, South Carolina served eight years in the Army, achieving the rank of staff sergeant
• Served on deployments to Afghanistan and Italy

Micah Parker
• Financial management
• Native of Greenville, South Carolina served nine years in the Marine Corps, achieving the rank of sergeant
• Served on deployments to Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe

Mitchell Pohar
• Computer science
• Native of Greenville, South Carolina served six years in the Army, achieving the rank of sergeant
• Served on a deployment to South Korea

Paul Riebe
• Industrial engineering
• Native of Charleston, South Carolina served 20 years in the Air Force, achieving the rank of master sergeant
• Member of SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society

Logan Wall
• Forest resource management
• Native of Ninety Six, South Carolina serves as a sergeant in the Army National Guard
• Member of SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society