BALTIMORE --- A distinguished group of Coppin State University student-athletes earned their degrees Saturday, May 18 during commencement ceremonies that were held at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. They were among the largest graduating class in the 114-year history of Coppin State University.

Overall, Coppin State conferred over 549 baccalaureate and master degrees at its 2014 Spring Commencement ceremony. Patricia L. Schmoke, M.D., a practicing ophthalmologist in Baltimore City and a Coppin State alumnus, delivered a passionate commencement address sharing how Coppin helped transform her life. Dr. Patricia S. Florestano, member of the Board of Regents, spoke on behalf of University Systems of Maryland.

This class of student-athletes featuring NCAA track All-American, MEAC individual champions and three 1,000-point scorers in basketball created many special memories during their careers and were among the elite of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in their respective sports.

In addition, several athletes contributed to unprecedented team success during their time on North Avenue such as leading the women’s bowling team to its first MEAC tournament appearance in program history, helping the baseball team enjoy the best win turnaround in Division I and guiding the softball team to its most MEAC wins in program history in 2012.

Here’s the list of student-athletes who earned degrees:

College of Arts and Sciences & Education: Larrisa Carter, Women’s Basketball (Biology), Ashle Craig, Women’s Basketball (Computer Science) and Loren Johnston, Bowling (Biology).

College of Behavioral and Social Sciences: Andre Armstrong, Men’s Basketball (Criminal Justice), Ashley Bacote, Women’s Track (Criminal Justice), Edward Brown, Men’s Cross-Country/Track (Applied Psychology), Shena Brownell, Women’s Track (Applied Psychology), Kyra Coleman, Women’s Basketball (Interdisciplinary Studies), Troy Franklin, Men’s Basketball (Interdisciplinary Studies), Chris Godfrey, Baseball (Criminal Justice), Charles Ieans, Men’s Basketball (Criminal Justice) and Shawntae Payne, Women’s Basketball (Interdisciplinary Studies).

College of Business: Alexis Easterling, Women’s Track (Sport Management), David Hamlett, Baseball (Sport Management), Heather Josker, Softball (Sport Management), Latasha Kennedy, Women’s Basketball (Sport Management), Jennifer Mitchell, Women’s Tennis & Track (Management), Michael Murray, Men’s Basketball (Sport Management), Brandon St. Louis, Men’s Basketball (Accountin), Shanee Smith, Women’s Track (Sport Management), Erica Washington, Women’s Bowling (Management) and Jibri Victorian, Men’s Track (Sport Management).

College of Health Professions: Irene Cherubet, Women’s Track (Allied Health Sciences).

Murray, who was named the Coppin State Male President’s Eagle Award winner and Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year, graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors. Mitchell earned Magna Cum Laude honors. Brownell, Cherubet, Ieans, St. Louis and Washington all graduated Cum Laude.

St. Louis, who graduated in three years, and Hamlett will play for their respective teams during the upcoming 2014-15 academic year. Hamlett and Godfrey couldn’t attend the ceremony because the baseball team was competing in the MEAC tournament at Norfolk State. Hamlett arrived to Marty L. Miller Field wearing his black graduation cap and gown.