BALTIMORE – A distinguished group of Coppin State student-athletes were among the 540 members of the class of 2015 that earned degrees during recent commencement ceremonies that were held in the Physical Education Complex.

Some of the best student-athletes to ever step foot on Coppin State’s campus earned their degrees during a spirited program that featured an awesome rendition of “Total Praise” by the Coppin State University choir. Among some of the student-athletes that received their degrees were eight who earned All Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) honors during their careers. In addition, five of them leave as school record holders in various categories of their respective sports.

Another source of pride was that 11 of CSU’s student-athletes graduated with Cum Laude or Magnum Cum Laude honors. While the Eagles shined on the field, they soared in the classroom.

“This is our largest graduating class ever,” Coppin State Director of Athletics Derrick K. Ramsey said. “I am not surprised that a number of our student-athletes graduated with Magnum Cum Laude or Cum Laude honors. From day one, our departmental goal is a 3.0 GPA and an 80 percent graduation rate. Our student-athletes have done what we’ve asked them to do. Proud is putting it mildly. I am more than proud of what we’ve accomplished over the last four years with our student-athletes.”

Highlights from Saturday’s Undergraduate Commencement ceremony included a motivational keynote address by Mr. Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., President & CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund who challenged graduates to work hard to fulfill their ultimate potential. Emerson “Randy” Hall, Jr. received an Honorary Doctor of Public Service degree in recognition of his distinguished and dedicated efforts as a health care advocate for the underserved as well as his decades of service to non-profit organizations, including serving as past chair of Coppin’s Foundation Development Board.

Here’s a complete listing of student-athletes who earned their degrees:

Men’s Basketball: Taariq Cephas (Criminal Justice), Arnold Fripp (Criminal Justice), Dallas Gary (Criminal Justice), Jahvari Josiah (Criminal Justice), Daquan Brickhouse (Interdisciplinary Studies) and Sterling Smith (Criminal Justice)

Women’s Basketball: Bria Harris (Criminal Justice)

Softball: Candice Van Horn (Sport Management) – Magnum Cum Laude, Samantha Denlinger (Biology) -- Magnum Cum Laude and Gabriel Ziller (Interdisciplinary Studies)

Volleyball: Kandace Thomas (Applied Psychology) – Cum Laude, Gabrielle Otero (Early Childhood Education) – Magnum Cum Laude, Ariel Richard (Sport Management) – Magnum Cum Laude and Nicole Malave-Adams (Marketing)

Women’s Track and Field: Melissa Caddle-Hope (Criminal Justice)

Baseball: John Walls (Accounting), Darryl Martinez (Interdisciplanary Studies), William Brown (Sport Management) – Cum Laude, Michael Wright (Sport Management) – Cum Laude, Alejandro Hernandez (Management), Jeffrey Fitch (Criminal Justice), Nathan Pitts (Criminal Justice)

Men’s Track and Field: Imhotep Simba (Global Studies) – Cum Laude, Rohan Stewart (Criminal Justice), Kerrone White (Criminal Justice), Robert Arrington (Sport Management) – Cum Laude, Jeremy Dorsey (Sport Management) and Dujon McDonald (Sport Management)

Men’s Tennis: Reggie Robinson (Management) – Cum Laude and Roderick Peyton (Accounting) – Magnum Cum Laude