Spring Commencement 2023, LOPES Academy

By Ralph Freso

The LOPES Academy at the Cardon Center celebrated the first students to complete the two-year, nondegree program. Participants received certificates of completion and were celebrated at the Friday afternoon Commencement ceremony at GCU Arena. Story

  • Emma Cardon leads the LOPES Academy participants through check-in and end-of-program photos during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy’s Vicky Richardson takes photos in her cap and gown at Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy’s Emma Cardon gets her photo taken during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy’s Matthew Adams gets his photo taken during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy’s Chase Baird gets his photo taken during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy’s Alexa Herriman gets her photo taken during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy's Matthew Adams waves to family in the crowd during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy’s Emma Cardon is congratulated by university Provost Dr. Randy Gibb before the start of Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy’s Vicky Richardson (center) talks with other program participants during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy’s Chase Baird (left) fist bumps Parker Manitsas (right) and Matthew Adams before the start of Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy’s Emma Cardon (center) gets a photo taken before the start of Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • Kyle Bragelman and Jaden Lowery (from left) with Dr. Heidi Boldway, LOPES Academy Director, before the start of Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • LOPES Academy participants (from left) Alexa Herriman, Chase Baird and Matthew Adams with Program Manager Allison Mancinelli Kolanko and Parker Manitsas during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • LOPES Academy participant Emma Cardon waves to family in the crowd during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • Don and Kim Cardon watch during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • College of Humanities and Social Sciences Dean Dr. Sherman Elliott addresses the nine LOPES Academy participants during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy's Emma Cardon receives her certificate from Dr. Sherman Elliott during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy's Vicky Richardson receives her certificate from Dr. Sherman Elliott during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy's Lindsey Eaton with Dr. Sherman Elliott during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy's Kyle Bragelman receives his certificate from Dr. Sherman Elliott during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy's Jaden Lowery receives his certificate from Dr. Sherman Elliott during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy's Ray Chiago receives his certificate from Dr. Sherman Elliott during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy's Alexa Herriman receives her certificate from Dr. Sherman Elliott during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy's Chase Baird receives his certificate from Dr. Sherman Elliott during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy's Chase Baird reacts after receiving his certificate from Dr. Sherman Elliott during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy's Matthew Adams receives his certificate from Dr. Sherman Elliott during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy's Matthew Adams with Dr. Sherman Elliott during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • (From left) Emma Cardon, Vicky Richardson and Lindsey Eaton react to the confetti streamers at the end of the ceremony during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • Emma Cardon (left) and Vicky Richardson high-five during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • Matthew Adams, Chase Baird and Jaden Lowery (from left) embrace at the end of the ceremony during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • Don Cardon, along with wife Kim (right), speaks at a reception following the LOPES Academy ceremony at Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • LOPES Academy alumna Emma Cardon looks over her gifts during a reception following Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • LOPES Academy alumna Vicky Richardson with gifts during a reception following Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • Chase Baird (second from left) with LOPES Academy faculty and staff during a reception following Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • Ray Chiago (left) with LOPES Academy faculty and staff during a reception following Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • Emma Cardon (left) with LOPES Academy faculty and staff during a reception following Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • Matthew Adams (second from right) with LOPES Academy faculty and staff during a reception following Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • Jaden Lowery (left) with LOPES Academy faculty and staff during a reception following Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • Serena Lowery, mother of LOPES Academy graduate Jaden Lowery, proudly looks on during a reception following Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • Alumna Alexa Herriman (left) with LOPES Academy faculty and staff during a reception following Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • Alumna Lindsey Eaton with LOPES Academy faculty and staff during a reception following Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • Alumnus Kyle Bragelman with LOPES Academy faculty and staff during a reception following Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.

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