San Francisco, CA -- Last week was a historic one for the Academy of Art University athletic department, as 23 student-athletes representing 10 sports completed their undergraduate degrees. The celebration of these dedicated individuals took place as part of ART U's 2011-12 Commencement ceremony held at the Cow Palace on Friday, May 25. It marked the second year that the Urban Knights had any recruited athletes graduate, as former women's basketball player and current Compliance Assistant Sondra Stilwell was the first recruited athlete to walk across the stage last year. 
 
"I told President Stephens when we started this journey that my ultimate goal in defying the myth that art and athletics are mutually exclusive, was to create a waterfall of athletes graduating from the Academy of Art University, the top art institution in the country," said Director of Athletics Dr. Jamie Williams. "Mission accomplished! The class of 2012 signifies that each athlete who walks across the stage to receive a BFA or BA is a professional artist, donning skills to truly make a living in their respective field of study. There is a shelf-life to competitive eligibility but a degree can be life-transcending. This graduating class is proof of concept and the start of something truly special. For that, I am proud."
   The Urban Knights had graduates from every corner and in every field. The Knights volleyball team offered five graduates, representing the biggest graduating class, as Amy Bush and Nicolette Hagan represented the 2011 squad, while Jelena Jakovljevic, Dan "Phooey" Yang, and Heather Allen were all on the coaching staff this past year. Yang and Bush both graduated with degrees in Fashion. Hagan was a Multimedia Communications major, Jakovljevic received her Bachelor's in Interior Architecture and Design, and Allen graduated with a degree in Illustration. 
   The men's soccer team had five graduates from both the 2011 and 2010 campaigns, including Vilmundur Sveinsson, Daniel Waller, and Richard Martin from this year's squad. Josh Garn and Jaime Patino-Calvo from the 2010 team also received their diplomas. Sveinsson, a Graphic Design graduate, was a captain in 2011 and also received All-PacWest Second Team honors this past season. Waller and Garn both earned their Bachelor's in Multimedia Communications, and Martin and Patino-Calvo joined Sveinsson in graduating from the School of Graphic Design. Women's soccer also had two representatives, as Emi Sullivan (Fashion Merchandising) and Veronica Gutierrez (Advertising) also completed their respective Academy of Art University careers.
  Phillip Samuel represented the men's basketball team after finishing up his degree in Multimedia Communications. He was a graduate assistant on the team in 2011-12 after closing out his collegiate athletic career the year prior. Former women's basketball player Jasmine English also graduated after her fifth year with a degree in Game Design, and Michelle Koike was the first Urban Knight to graduate with an MA in Multimedia Communications. 
  The Urban Knights had three softball players walk, as 2011-12 Assistant Coach Shampayne Clay (Multimedia Communications) and 2011 standout Alana Aweau (Advertising) joined 2012 All-PacWest First Team member Ashley Lokey (Multimedia Communications) in becoming ART U alumni. Quintin Hawkins represented the baseball team, graduating with a degree in Fashion. 
  Erik Majzner (Advertising) and Matt Garcia (Web Design & New Media) both earned degrees for men's golf, and Carolina Ivarsson (Advertising) was the lone women's golfer to earn her degree. The track & field/cross country teams had four representatives, as Geoffrey Cheriuyot and Denisse Correa both earned degrees in Interior Architecture and Design while Hannah Otey and Daveson Marindich represented the Urban Knights in Multimedia Communications. 

With this 2011-12 graduating class, the Academy of Art University now sends a well-prepared group of artist-athletes out into the world ready to thrive and win in their respective industries. This set of 23 Urban Knights, who helped build the "Be Artist. Be Athlete." concept, will look to proudly continue their tradition as pioneers in all future endeavors.