24 Panamanian students get degrees at Midway Univ.

Graduates from Panama posed with their diplomas after the ceremony. (Midway University photo)

Midway University hosted a commencement ceremony Thursday, Dec. 13 for 24 students from Panama who came to the university as part of a program sponsored by the Panamanian Institute for the Development of Human Resources.

After completing high school in Panama, the students came to Midway in spring 2014 and participated in a nine-month college readiness program developed by Midway University faculty and staff. It included courses in English conversation, leadership and cultural activities, and weekend excursions. Then the students enrolled as regular students.

“We congratulate this group of new alumni on their accomplishments,” said Dr. John P. Marsden, president of the university. “The students came to Midway speaking little English and most had never traveled outside their home country. It has been a privilege to watch them learn, mature and grow and now be Midway University graduates ready to take on the world.”

Faculty member Gayle Bartilow and former staff member Emily Evans, the featured commencement speakers, reflected on the accomplishments of the students and offered them well wishes.

The graduates are:

Alexis Javier Aguirre Mojica BA Business Administration Chiriqui, Panama Glorisneth Yadhir Arcias Saenz BA Business Administration Colon, Panama Milagros Del Carmen Broce Pardo BA Business Administration Veraguas, Panama Maria Cristina Castillo Castillo BA Business Administration Veraguas, Panama Odalys Cedeño Gutierrez BA Education Studies: English Darien, Panama Jose Jesus Coronado Alveo BA Mathematics Cocle, Panama Katherine Milena Cortez Barria BA Interdisciplinary Studies Chiriqui, Panama Vielka Itzel Cruz Bonaga BA Education Studies: English Los Santos, Panama Elsy Elizabeth Duarte Arena BA Interdisciplinary Studies Chiriqui, Panama Dania Isel Frias Chavez BA Business Administration Los Santos, Panama Ilcia González Garcia BA Business Administration Colon, Panama Eliel Alberto Guerra Alveo BA Business Administration Cocle, Panama Velkys Lismeth Montemayor Jordán BS Health Care Administration Chiriqui, Panama Amado Manuel Mendoza BA Interdisciplinary Studies Darien, Panama Ibeth Karina Morales BA Business Administration: Accounting Chiriqui, Panama Beverly Murillo De León BA Education Studies: English Darien, Panama Rosaura Ortega Rodríguez BA Business Administration Cocle, Panama Nelydeth Peralta Cortez BA Business Administration Los Santos, Panama Carlos Manuel Pinto Villarreal BS Health Care Administration Los Santos, Panama Jarol Alexander Prado BA Mathematics Los Santos, Panama David Francisco Rios Gomez BA Business Administration Panama City, Panama Yiniva Madelen Sarmiento BA Business Administration Veraguas, Panama Marianela Valdés Concepcion BA Education Studies: English Veraguas, Panama Ada Lisbeth Valdés Santo BS Biology Veraguas, Panama