The Department of Entomology experienced two milestones this fall as a Ph.D. student was a speaker at the Ph.D. graduation ceremony and our students joined a record number of students that are expected to graduate at Reed Arena on Friday afternoon.
Recent Ph.D. graduate Zanthé Kotzé got the chance to speak at the inaugural doctoral hooding and commencement ceremony held at Rudder Theater on December 7. Kotzé was selected from thousands of applicants and wanted a way to help give back to her university.
“I am honored that the Texas A&M office of the Provost selected me from a lot of applicants, particularly since this was the inaugural doctoral hooding ceremony,” she said. “I applied to do the Expression of Appreciation as I felt this was the perfect way to give back to Texas A&M and to express my thanks and share my story, which is a fairly unique one.”
Kotzé was very honored to be a part of the ceremony and was excited to speak to the audience.
“I am privileged to have been afforded the opportunity and hope to have represented both the Department of Entomology, and Dr Tomberlin well,” Kotzé said.
Other doctoral graduates in the Department included the following:
Graduate Students – Ph.D.
Wei Chen | Entomology |
Ana Aurora Fontes Puebla | Entomology |
Zanthe Kotze | Entomology |
Luke Pruter | Entomology |
Aline Frietas Spindola | Entomology |
Liz Walsh | Entomology |
A total of 10 undergraduate students and Master’s candidates joined more than 5,400 students universitywide during graduation ceremonies at Reed Arena on Friday, December 13. The expected degrees include 7 undergraduates and 3 Master’s candidates.
Congratulations to all of our students that are expected to graduate this December and good luck in your futures!
Undergraduate Students:
Javier Christen Garza | Horticulture and Entomology |
Jennifer Maria Iglesias | Entomology |
Mason Lynn Marshall | Horticulture major, Entomology/Plant Breeding double minor |
Morgan Hailey Swoboda | Plant and Environmental Soil Science and Entomology |
Alexandra Brooke Smith | Biomedical Science and Entomology |
Alexandria Chase Strawn | Entomology and Bioenvironmental Science |
Steven Tanner Thweatt | Entomology |
Graduate Students-Master of Science:
Lauren Beebe | Entomology |
John David Gonzales | Entomology |
Ryan Tyler Gilreath | Entomology |