SAN FRANCISCO – Representing the largest graduating class of student-athletes from Academy of Art University, the Class of 2017 saw 47 Urban Knights receive their degrees at commencement ceremonies at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on May 11. A diverse collection of talented individuals from 11 different fields of study crossed the stage to join the growing alumni contingent from the only art school in the NCAA.

Track & field/cross country had a total of 10 student-athletes followed by baseball's largest class to date with nine and another nine from women's soccer. Women's basketball was next with five graduates followed by four apiece from men's basketball and softball, two from both volleyball and men's golf, then lone individuals from men's soccer and women's tennis.

As is often the case, the most graduates came from the School of Communications & Media Technologies. Seven were former baseball players including infielder and current Studio Editing Coordinator Brett Adami, outfielder Joseph Marchini, infielder Cody Edmunds, infielder Tyler Strawn, outfielder Greg Ivory, outfielder Daniel Robertson, and most recent All-PacWest Second Team reliever Jacob Green.

"Graduation was huge for me it was an end of a milestone, but the start of a whole different milestone," said Green. "It was great graduating with the baseball guys because those were the same guys who I started playing with at the school. The moment was surreal. You always dream of graduating and finishing college baseball, but always think it is too far away until you realize you are walking across the stage and getting your diploma."

From volleyball, outside hitter Melissa Brum received her Communications & Media Technologies degree after becoming the program's record-holder in career points, kills, and digs in her final competitive semester this past fall. Another highly decorated student-athlete, track & field/cross country's Valentin Pepiot, was under the COM umbrella as well. Pepiot finished his collegiate career as a three-time All-American, 2015-16 PacWest Men's Cross Country Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and ART U's only CoSIDA Academic All-American.

Other graduates from track & field included nine-time All-American Keanna Moody, 2017 All-American in the 400m hurdles Quinlan Wright, and Omotoyosi Oniru. From men's basketball was forward Nick Cary, guard Marshawn McMahan, and forward Tyler Sabino while women's soccer had defenders Caina Field and Kiyomi Mitsuda.

The School of Communications & Media Technologies softball graduates featured one-time battery mates catcher Elise Oldham and pitcher Alexa Peters and a pair of women's basketball forwards, Priscilla Mora and D'Andree Galipeau, was conferred COM degrees as well. Peters ended her spring as the school's Producer of the Year and Galipeau took home the NXT UP Excellence in On-Camera Talent – Female Award.

Out of the School of Photography came track & field sprinters and former relay teammates Jordan Edwards and Alexander McNally. Edwards concluded a stellar career as a three-time national champion (400m), nine-time All-American, and three-time West Region Track Athlete of the Year while McNally, who earned the 2017 ARTYs Fifth Year of the Year award, was a three-time All-American himself. Those two were also reunited with track & field/cross country's Nicholas Alexander. Women's soccer had 2016 ARTYs Fifth Year of the Year forward Marley Sutter cross the commencement stage along with former outfielder Hallie Curtis from softball.

Women's soccer had the lone two graduates from the School of Interior Architecture & Design with midfielder Esme Garner-Purkis and forward Réa Laudat. At the conclusion of ART U's 2016 season, Laudat remained the program's career record-holder in game-winning goals (5) and is second in both points (36) and goals (15) in her career.

Although she did not walk as she was abroad, Michelle Dandik Zaale of women's tennis highlighted the Knights' graduates from the School of Graphic Design. Owner of the program's most doubles wins for a single season (19 in 2014), Dandik Zaale was also the winner of the second-most career doubles matches (53). Others from the school were baseball utility Wade Broadstreet and midfielder Brooke Stewart of women's soccer.

From the School of Animation & Visual Effects came women's basketball guard Jasmin Guinn and women's soccer defender Mariandrea Otero-Molano. One of the most accomplished Urban Knights in program history, Guinn, who scored the most career points, grabbed the most career rebounds, and registered the most career steals in program history, was a two-time PacWest Defender of the Year, made the All-PacWest Team three of four years, was the 2014 PacWest Long Jump Champion during her time as a dual-sport athlete, finished Academic All-PacWest all four years, and ended up a semi-finalist for the prestigious Coach Wooden Cup in 2016.

"Walking across the stage knowing that I and my fellow graduates had reached what may be the pinnacle of our academic aspirations was truly almost surreal," said Guinn. "From the awe-inspiring artwork that was displayed on screen to the personality that decorated the stage as each graduate walked across, [actress/producer and School of Acting Executive Director] Diane Baker's message rung true: 'Just be yourself.' Looking back, Academy of Art has done so much for us because it has allowed us to define our individuality not only as artists and athletes, but as people. We were given the unique opportunity to explore our creativity while also winning championships and breaking records in our athletic fields."

Completing the collection of nine women's soccer graduates from the School of Fine Art was Natalie Gabriel. One of a select group to earn the Division II ADA Academic Achievement Award three times and designer of a mural on display in the Strength & Conditioning Room, Gabriel was also joined by track & field's Thomas Benson as the lone male student-athlete Fine Art major.

The School of Motion Pictures & Television produced three graduates: baseball catcher Chucky Cavestany, women's basketball guard Alex Washington, and men's soccer defender/midfielder Malcolm McLellan.

A mix of sport programs made up the female trio from the School of Fashion with women's basketball guard Zoie Sheng (Fashion Merchandising), women's soccer defender Aly Morgan (Fashion Styling), and softball pitcher Hunter Allen (Fashion Merchandising). A three-time All-PacWest Team honoree, Sheng concluded her collegiate career as the program's career leader in both assists and free throws made.

Former men's golf teammates Eugene Wang (Fashion Merchandising) and Alberto "Dago" Esponda (Architecture) were also among this year's graduating class.

Two former track & field student-athletes, Roman Skovronski and Amanda Odesjo, completed their time in the School of Web Design & New Media. Skovronski was a two-time All-American with the Urban Knights' indoor 4x400m relay team and remains part of the all five of the program's historical top times in the event.

Another duo came from the School of Advertising with volleyball's libero/outside hitter Kabrina Speakman and men's basketball guard Sergio Valdeolmillos walking the stage. Speakman finished with over 900 career digs to serve as third in program history.

"Each student-athlete, current and former, whose name was called had a cheering section from our athletics community that filled the room and that showed how connected we are to each other," said Guinn. "I couldn't be more thankful for the athletics department administration for their tireless work in achieving that connectivity. And seeing the love and support from the family and friends of each Urban Knight as well as my own just made it that much better."

This Class of 2017 enters their respective industries with sophisticated portfolios as the Academy of Art University Athletics Department continues to celebrate its student-athletes' academic successes along with their athletic accomplishments.