On Wednesday afternoon, 18 FIU Theatre students officially became graduates at the Spring 2019 Commencement. With their professors, families, and friends in attendance they walked across the stage, shook President Mark B. Rosenberg’s hand, and brought their college careers to a close.
Twelve students received their Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre: Diana Buitrago, Rachel Gil de Gibaja, Maria Guerrero, Carlos Jara, Lauren Jenkins, Leonard J. Moore II, Natalia Quintero-Riestra, Hollis Stamatyades, Shannon Veguilla, Anthonysha Warfield, Athena Watkins, and Apriah Williams.
Six students received their Bachelor of Arts in Theatre: Abigail Ebanks, Shana Goldman, Michelle Gonzalez, Lauren Horgan, Isidora Miranda, and Oscar Quesada.
Apriah Williams was recognized as a Worlds Ahead Graduate. She was one of four students among the hundreds of graduates in the College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts recognized with that distinction.
President Rosenberg asked her to rise as he recounted Williams’ accomplishments. When she entered FIU, she had no experience in theatre. Two years later she was recognized by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival with the National Award for Theatrical Design for her scenic design of Ubu Rex.
Next up for Williams, she will move to the west coast to pursue her Master of Fine Arts in Technical Direction at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts).
Another graduate, Natalia Quintero-Riestra, will also be heading to California to pursue her MFA in Acting at the University of California San Diego (UCSD).
Among the graduates, many of them graduated with distinction.
Quintero-Riestra and Athena Watkins graduated summa cum laude, meaning they earned a 3.9 GPA or above.
Three students graduated magna cum laude, meaning they earned a GPA between a 3.7 and 3.89. Those graduates were Rachel Gil de Gibaja, Lauren Horgan, and Carlos Jara.
Five students graduated cum laude, earning a GPA between 3.5 and 3.69. Those graduates were Abigail Ebanks, Michelle Gonzalez, Lauren Jenkins, Anthonysha Warfield, and Apriah Williams.
Leonard J. Moore, II received two degrees. Along with his BFA in Theatre he received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
