College of Fine Arts Convocation
The University of Utah Commencement 2026
Candidates for degrees whose names appear in this program were applicants for graduation as of March 6, 2026
Convocation Program
Kingsbury Hall, The University of Utah
May 1, 2026 – 12:00 PM
Procession
Welcoming Remarks
John W. Scheib, PhD
Dean, College of Fine Arts
Associate Vice President for the Arts
Introduction of Post-Baccalaureate Degrees
Lien Fan SHEN, PhD
Associate Dean, College of Fine Arts
Presentation of Graduate Degrees
Temma Balducci, PhD, Mary Lois Wheatley Presidential Endowed Chair, Department of Art & Art History
Kelby McIntyre-Martinez, MFA, Director, Master of Arts in Teaching—Fine Arts
Melonie B. Murray, MFA, PhD, Director, School of Dance
Tim Palmer, PhD, Chair, Department of Film & Media Arts
Kimberly H. Councill, PhD, Director, School of Music
Introduction of Outstanding Seniors for the Class of 2026
Student Speaker Representing the Class of 2026
Florencia Hernandez, Bachelor of Fine Arts
Presentation of Undergraduate Degrees
Temma Balducci, PhD, Mary Lois Wheatley Presidential Endowed Chair, Department of Art & Art History
Melonie B. Murray, MFA, PhD, Director, School of Dance
Tim Palmer, PhD, Chair, Department of Film & Media Arts
Kimberly H. Councill, PhD, Director, School of Music
D. Christopher DuVal, MFA, Chair, Department of Theatre
Conclusion
Recession
(Audience please remain seated until the graduates have left the auditorium. You will want to meet your graduate in the field south of the Kingsbury Hall Plaza.)
Procession and Recession Music provided by Brass Quintet from the School of Music
Advised by James Peyden Shelton, DMA,
Associate Director, School of Music
Kris Gilmore, trumpet
Joel Horton, tuba
Jaden Jones, trumpet
Bjorn Swanson, trombone
Jacob Wheelwright, horn
Degree Candidates Names Read By
Sarah Shippobotham, PgDip, Professor
Department of Theatre
Julie Wright-Costa, MM, Professor
School of Music
Awards
College of Fine Arts Outstanding Seniors for 2026
Department of Art & Art History
Cecilia Root, Honors Bachelor of Arts
School of Dance
Em Zinn, Bachelor of Fine Arts
Department of Film & Media Arts
Manhattan Wood, Bachelor of Arts
School of Music
Stella Wadsworth, Bachelor of Music
Department of Theatre
Alexa Shaheen, Bachelor of Fine Arts
Candidates for the Degree of Doctor of Musical Arts
Chen, Kuei-Jhu
Ding, Hao
Englund, Nadia Ann
Guo, Jingyu
Li, Xiaodong
Song, Shanshan
Zhang, Jingwei
Candidates for the Degree of Master of Arts
Coupe, Elli Rose, Art History
Wenstrom, Thais Pisa, Art History
Candidates for the Degree of Master of Arts in Teaching
Ashby, Natalie, Fine Arts
Blank, Margie Nicole, Fine Arts
Brown, Kendra, Fine Arts
Burton, Cassie, Fine Arts
Carter, Kellee, Fine Arts
Ercanbrack, Celeste Stephenson, Fine Arts
Jara Ortiz, Leslie Yovanna, Fine Arts
Jensen, Jessica Melodee, Fine Arts
Swain, Bryn Alexa, Fine Arts
Candidates for the Degree of Master of Fine Arts
Maikidou Poutrino, Alexia, Modern Dance
Memmott, Ruger Warren, Modern Dance
Parpouli, Aneta, Film and Media Arts
Price, Nora Lorraine, Film and Media Arts
Robertson, Kara Meredith, Modern Dance
Candidates for the Degree of Master of Music
Argyle, Heidi
Bennett, David Pennington
Benson, Emily Parker
Bishop, Amanda Jane
Booth, Kaitlin Nicole
Da Conceicao Rangel, Marcos
Dreher, Jason Derek
Duplissie, Saila Jean
Eddington, Braden Mckay
Evans, Chantel Marie
Fairbourn, Kimberly
Ghiya, Akshay Rajkumar
Gray, Ann Bateman
Harris, Cynthia
Holland, Drew
Ivie, Bridger Jim
Kelly, Sarah Elaine Francis
Lee, Siyoung
Lunceford, Mason Hancey
Mao, Shihua
Ouzts, Taylor James
Rossmango, Mia Grace
Wadsworth, Elida Louise
Candidates for the Degree of Honors Bachelor of Arts
Foulger, Madelyn Kate, Film and Media Arts
Laherty, Bronwyn Margaret, Film and Media Arts
Lamb, Emma Elizabeth, Music
Park, Susie, Film and Media Arts
Reese, Noah A, Film and Media Arts
Root, Cecilia Jane Porter, Art History
Candidates for the Degree of Honors Bachelor of Fine Arts
Holt, Charley Jean, Theatre
Polychronis, Reese S, Graphic Design
Scheer, Ella Hays*, Theatre
Waters, Ondraya, Art
Williamson, Emily Lewis, Theatre
Yang, Alison, Ballet
Candidate for the Degree of Honors Bachelor of Music
Coombs, Derek Ward
Candidates for the
Degree of Bachelor of Arts
Altantulga, Anu-Ujin, Art History
Anderson, Bradley Davis, Film and Media Arts
Babitskii, Viktor, Film and Media Arts
Barrett, Roland Lee, Art History
Barrick, Lina Britt, Film and Media Arts
Beckstead, Jalyn Shae, Art History
Bly, Mccartney Robert, Film and Media Arts
Bosse, Madison, Film and Media Arts
Buchert, Keaton Gregory, Film and Media Arts
Buckland, Isabell, Theatre
Burgess, Carson Brett, Film and Media Arts
Burrows, DéyJah Latonia, Film and Media Arts
Byun, Yeojin, Film and Media Arts
Campbell, Annie Marie, Film and Media Arts
Castillo, Hanna Karina, Film and Media Arts
Castleton, Hazel Lynne, Film and Media Arts
Cho, Alexis Hana, Film and Media Arts
Cho, Junha, Film and Media Arts
Cho, Yunjae Joy, Film and Media Arts
Choi, Yeeun, Film and Media Arts
Cohen, Ariella, Film and Media Arts
Collinge, John Cooper, Film and Media Arts
Conrad, Olivia Lee, Film and Media Arts
Coyne, Jack Ryder, Film and Media Arts
Crick, Lachlan, Film and Media Arts
Cutler, Michael Zion, Film and Media Arts
Decker, Angel Jenisse*, Film and Media Arts
Dickes, Erin, Film and Media Arts
Efstratis, Jack Eleftherios*, Film and Media Arts
Ellsworth, Lila Grace, Film and Media Arts
Enkhbat, Anand, Film and Media ArtsEom, Se Bin**, Film and Media Arts
Eubank, Angelena Michelle, Film and Media Arts
Evelyn, Mariah, Film and Media Arts
Flores, Juanfrancisco, Film and Media Arts
Foley, Patrick Aidan, Film and Media Arts
Gao, Ziyu, Film and Media Arts
Gardner, Hana Jade***, Film and Media Arts
Goncalves De Mendonca, Vinicius, Film and Media Arts
Gorder, Anya Lovely, Film and Media Arts
Gunsay, Noelle, Art History
Habib, Isra Shabnam*, Film and Media Arts
Hamilton, Tayah Le, Film and Media Arts
Han, Suyeon, Film and Media Arts
Handman, Reya Claire, Film and Media Arts
Holland, Emma Kathleen, Film and Media Arts
Huggins, Marley, Film and Media Arts
Hyland, Timothy Patrick, Film and Media Arts
Jang, Yeonho, Film and Media Arts
Jee, Christopher, Film and Media Arts
Jorgensen, Diana, Film and Media Arts
Jung, Hyovin, Film and Media Arts
Kang, Hayun, Film and Media Arts
Kim, Ahyoung, Film and Media Arts
Kim, Chaeyoung*, Film and Media Arts
Kim, Eun Yup, Film and Media Arts
Kim, Hee-Ju, Film and Media Arts
Kim, Hyunsoo, Film and Media Arts
Kim, Siwoo, Film and Media Arts
Klose, Christiana Elizabeth, Film and Media Arts
Kornyukhina, Anastasia, Film and Media Arts
Kraemer, Joshua Aughustus, Film and Media Arts
Langbehn, Maxwell Chang Hoon, Film and Media Arts
Larmon, Elizabeth Rose, Film and Media Arts
Ledford, Hailey, Film and Media Arts
Lee, Daejune, Film and Media Arts
Lee, Dayeon, Film and Media Arts
Lee, Esther, Film and Media Arts
Lee, Geonbeom, Film and Media Arts
Lee, Jaehyun, Film and Media Arts
Lee, Jeein, Film and Media Arts
Lee, Jiseop, Film and Media Arts
Lee, Kyulim, Film and Media Arts
Lee, Nagyeong, Film and Media Arts
Lee, Sangho, Film and Media Arts
Lee, Seoeun, Film and Media Arts
Lee, Soohwan, Film and Media Arts
Lee, Stella, Art History
Leitch, Hollis Granros, Film and Media Arts
Leithead, Caylie, Film and Media Arts
Li, Zhuoyang, Film and Media Arts
Lim, Hee Won, Film and Media Arts
Lind, Hannabeth Maren, Art History
Long, Brandon Eugene, Film and Media Arts
Lowsma, Joseph Henry, Film and Media Arts
Lund, Allysun, Art History
McFarland, Simon, Film and Media Arts
Mcewen, Liam Michael, Film and Media Arts
Mcmullen, Abigail Monique, Music
Meng, Yadi, Film and Media Arts
Miller, Elyse, Film and Media Arts
Mittelstadt, Thomas Orpheus, Music
Moore, Elise Marie, Film and Media Arts
Ngo, Courtney, Film and Media Arts
Norton-Hrabal, Tristan Cole, Film and Media Arts
Oh, Erin Kahyun, Film and Media Arts
Orozco Rojas, Edwin, Film and Media Arts
Palacios, Marlon Gabriel, Film and Media Arts
Park, Hayoung, Film and Media Arts
Park, Joeunse, Film and Media Arts
Park, Junwoo, Film and Media Arts
Patton, Sylvia Belen, Film and Media Arts
Pearce, Casey James, Film and Media Arts
Perry, Benjamin, Art History
Pinaffi Silva, Fernanda, Film and Media Arts
Porter, Conrad Dale, Film and Media Arts
Ramos, Dianne, Film and Media Arts
Randall, Miriam, Music
Rhineer, Maximus Clark, Film and Media Arts
Ronna, Colton R, Film and Media Arts
Rozsa, Garrett Allen, Music
Russell, Ruby, Film and Media Arts
Rutherford, Hannah Katarina, Film and Media Arts
Ryu, Yeon Seo, Film and Media Arts
Sanchez Venegas, Kevin Alexander, Film and Media Arts
Sawyer, Briana M, Film and Media Arts
Schild, Samuel Peter, Film and Media Arts
Sherry, Ryan Philip, Film and Media Arts
Shi, Shuyu, Music
Sin, Vladislav, Film and Media Arts
Smithee, Benjamin, Film and Media Arts
Steen, Dillon Michael, Film and Media Arts
Suaste, Miriam Lizbet, Film and Media Arts
Thomson, Christopher J, Film and Media Arts
Tu, Wenxinzhi, Film and Media Arts
Turley, Samantha Charlotte, Film and Media Arts
Ujifusa, Grace Ginny*, Art History
Veno, Cameron Sean, Film and Media Arts
Viola, John Paolo, Film and Media Arts
Walker, Julie Ann, Film and Media Arts
Wang, Lillian, Film and Media Arts
West, Christina, Film and Media Arts
Wihongi, Tuimutu Vaughn, Film and Media Arts
Wilson, Reese, Film and Media Arts
Woo, Jongyeong*, Film and Media Arts
Wood, Manhattan Hali, Film and Media Arts
Xia, Zhoufan, Film and Media Arts
Yang, Chenzhi, Film and Media Arts
Zeller, Samantha Mabel, Film and Media Arts
Zheng, Zhexi, Film and Media Arts
Zhu, Lijin, Film and Media Arts
Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts
Acosta, Cecilia Andrea**, Graphic Design
Ahmad, Ajmal, Art
Aleman, Eduardo Andres, ArtAllen, Mary Belen, Graphic Design
Allred, Ryan Carter*, Art
Andersen, Ian Mathew, Theatre
Anderson, Jack Paul*, Theatre
Anderson, Sophia Grace, Modern Dance
Apa, Mars, Art
Aycock, Morgan Isabella, Art
Baldwin, Brooke Elizabeth, Ballet
Barnum, Lydia Kalista, Graphic Design
Bautista, Cynthia Lee, Graphic Design
Beidleman, Chloe Dawn, Modern Dance
Bischoff, Brandon, Graphic Design
Bogdan, Lucas, Art
Bonner, Mackenna Violet, Ballet
Bos, Andrew, Art
Brasher, Matthew Janeil, Art Teaching
Brisco, Nendalynn, Theatre
Burnell, Mckenna, Art
Butterfield, Isabella Faith, Art Teaching
Capener, Mckenna Rose, Graphic Design
Carlisle, Hannah Ruth, Art
Castro Rosa, Isabella, Graphic Design
Charlesworth, Porter Scott Jay, Theatre
Cipriano, Brianna, Graphic Design
Cook, Melia, Ballet
Crush, Stephanie Doreen, Graphic Design
Cuallo, Samanta Tsering Dolma, Theatre
Dao, Khang An, Graphic Design
Davis, Owen Miles, Graphic Design
Desmond, Jack R, Graphic Design
Doan, Chelsea Kim, Art
DuBay, Derek, Theatre
Duffy, Mika Kailyn, Graphic Design
Echeverria, Elaia Matea, Theatre
Farley, Eva Rose, Graphic Design
Fenton, Hans Oliver, Theatre
Frank, Ella Seema, Theatre
Gardinier, Meshayla*, Modern Dance
Germaine, Sumner Elizabeth, Ballet
Gilbert, Tori Elizabeth, Ballet
Greenwood, Sophie Joy, Modern Dance
Grimm, Samantha Egon, Graphic Design
Gum, Tyler Jay, Ballet
Hall, Joseph Ryan, Graphic Design
Hanna, Ethan Brian, Graphic Design
Hansen, Miriam C, Art
Hargrove, Connor R, Graphic Design
Hart, Josh, Art
Hearther, Emma, Graphic Design
Hendrickson, Autumn Leigh, Theatre
Heo, April Park, Art Teaching
Hernandez, Florencia, Graphic Design
Hethmon, Mackenzie, Theatre Teaching
Hoon, Kristofer Gregory, Graphic Design
Hunt, Kaylin, Art Teaching
Hurley, Grace Katharine, Modern Dance
Isenhour, Dalton, Graphic Design
Jenkins, James Rose, Graphic Design
Jensen, Jake Christopher, Art
Jensen, Maria Juliana, Theatre Teaching
Jin, Yu Hyun, Art
Johnson, Luke, Art
Johnson, Rachel Morgan*, Theatre
Johnson, Zoe Anne Alexis, Art
Jones, Max Parker, Graphic Design
Jones, Syscilia Anasova, Graphic Design
Jones, Tessa Selah, Theatre
Kawai, Manami Christine, Ballet
Larkins, Makayla, Art
LeMelle, Skyler Matthew, Theatre
Lee, Georgia Kate, Art
Loertscher, Sierra, Theatre
Lupcho, Zoe Belle, Theatre
Luu, Trish, Graphic Design
Mangers, Emma Noelle, Modern Dance
Marshall, Rosa***, Art
Martinez, Kevin Arturo, Graphic Design
McDonald, Storey Blue, Graphic Design
Mcgraw, Diana Beth, Graphic Design
Miller, Rachel Leona, Art
Milliken, Daria Elisabeth, Ballet
Moesinger, Maria Lillian***, Theatre
Monsalve, Fernanda, Graphic Design
Montanes Gonzalez, Yenifer, Art Teaching
Moore, Cameron D, Graphic Design
Murphy, Jacob, Art
Nguyen, Vivian, Graphic Design
Obrien, Sophia Rose, Ballet
Ohrn, Kiera Christena, Art
Palmer, Jordan James, Theatre
Parente, Jasmine Carol Coleman, Ballet
Pasinelli, Lorenzo Giacomo, Art
Petersen, Hailey Ann, Theatre
Phim, Monica Kanetha, Graphic Design
Ragulin, Ievgen, Modern Dance
Randle, Eliza Jane, Graphic Design
Rasmussen, Jensen Julianne, Ballet
Reynolds, Valentine***, Art
Richards, Ella Matisse*, Graphic Design
Richards, Hanna, Theatre
Root, Gabriel Christopher, Theatre
Rudel, Sydney Leigh, Theatre
Ryskoski, Autumn**, Ballet
Sanson, Janeth, Art Teaching
Saucedo, Vanessa, Art
Savoie, Erin Faith, Art
Seely, Sarah, Art
Senefsky, Sarah Rose, Ballet
Shaheen, Alexa Kelly, Theatre
Shaw, Tyler Michael, Theatre
Sim, Morgan T, Art
Simmons, Esther, Modern Dance
Skolnick, Max Abraham, Graphic Design
Smart, Lauren Laree, Graphic Design
Soffe, Samantha Marie, Graphic Design
Soper, Jordan Catherine, TheatreStanley, Tia Rion, Graphic Design
Stocking, Annalea Yaning, Ballet
Stratton, September Rose, Graphic Design
Stull, Kellen Gauthier, Art
Sullivan, Cooper, Modern Dance
Sullivan, Sean, Modern Dance
Tafiti, Keily Leuta’alepotoefetala’i, Modern Dance
Taylor, Madison Sage, Modern Dance
Thompson, Eva Bell, Ballet
Thorpe, Talia Reece, Theatre
Tierney, Castle Kaden Christopher, Theatre
Timm, Harrison Chad, Theatre
Tippetts, Kapri Lyla, Art
Turley, Elizabeth Leigh, Ballet
Ure, Hayden Scott, Art
Utendorfer, Tyler Faith, Graphic Design
Van Der Wal, Genevieve Amy, Art
Vaughn, Gwendolyn Brooke, Art
Whitley, Mary Claire, Ballet
Williamson, Ella Mei, Theatre
Willis, Tyler G, Graphic Design
Wilson, Laurelin Adele Rose, Art Teaching
Wood, Abyanna Jewel, Theatre
Wood, Annalise K, Ballet
Yezer, Katherine Anita, Ballet
Zardus, Jenna Aizhong, Graphic Design
Zinn, Emily Ai, Modern Dance
Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Music
Alvarez, Nathalia M
Anderson, Melissa Mabel
Baker, Rebecca G
Bigler, Scott James
Bowen, Nikei Kai
Burnett, Dillan Edward
Clark, Carly
Davalos, Isabella Maria
Fallon, Andrew Charles
Fierro, Julia Elizabeth
Fowers, Jackson Jedd
Funk, Andie Lynne
Gardner, Ethan John
Girgenti, Peter
Hall, Megan
Hiatt, Ronald Porter
Johnson, Conner
Leduc, Nelson J***
Marz, Jackson Daniel
McMillan, Aidan William
Mcfarland, Trevor S*
Mcmillan, Jordan Scott
Mitchell, Lydia Raquel**
Morrell, Abigail Fay
Nugent, Justice
Olive, Tianna Marie
Swallow, Karley Rose
Torkelson, Sorn Samuel*
Wadsworth, Stella Joy***
Watson, Avery Lin
Wilson, Eden Taylor**
Certificates
Candidate for the Undergraduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Cho, Alexis Hana
***Summa Cum Laude
**Magna Cum Laude
*Cum Laude
The University of Utah has both historical and contemporary relationships with Indigenous Peoples. Given that the Salt Lake Valley has always been a gathering place for Indigenous Peoples, we acknowledge that this land, which is named for the Ute Tribe, is the traditional and ancestral homelands of the Shoshone, Paiute, Goshute, and Ute Tribes and is a crossroad for Indigenous Peoples. The University of Utah recognizes the enduring relationships between many Indigenous Peoples and their traditional homelands. We are grateful for the territory upon which we gather today; we respect Utah’s Indigenous Peoples, the original stewards of this land; and we value the sovereign relationships that exist between tribal governments, state governments, and the federal government. Today, approximately 60,000 American Indian and Alaska Native peoples live in Utah. As a state institution, the University of Utah is committed to serving Native communities throughout Utah in partnership with Native Nations and our Urban Indian communities through research, education, and community outreach activities.
