More than 1,300 students to graduate at Wright State’s virtual fall commencement

More than 1,300 students are expected to graduate during Wright State University’s virtual 2020 fall commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 12. The virtual ceremony begins at 10 a.m.

Wright State will broadcast the virtual ceremony on the following university social media channels: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Viewers who prefer to watch with subtitles should watch the ceremony on Facebook, as that platform currently has the best live captioning capabilities of the three available options.

The name of every graduate will be read immediately following the ceremony. Photos submitted by graduates in graduation apparel or Wright State gear will be shared during the virtual experience, on the university website and on university social media accounts.

The fall class of 2020 includes graduates with 851 bachelor’s degrees, 425 master’s degrees, 71 doctoral degrees and 24 associate degrees.

The class features 129 international students from 23 different countries. India boasts the largest number of foreign graduates, with 64.

The two youngest graduating students are 18, earning associate degrees in liberal studies and psychology. The oldest graduate is 63, earning a master’s degree in English.

Graduates by college:

• College of Education and Human Services: 210
• College of Engineering and Computer Science: 266
• College of Liberal Arts: 199
• College of Nursing and Health: 67
• College of Science and Mathematics: 218
• Raj Soin College of Business: 275
• Lake Campus: 58
• Boonshoft School of Medicine: 20 (master’s degree only)

Notable fall class of 2020 graduates

Michele Miller

Michele Miller

Michele Miller will receive her doctorate in environmental science.

Miller has conducted research into the public reaction to anthrax scares in 2017 and 2018 and the social response to the Zika virus in 2016. For her master’s degree, she studied misconceptions about the Ebola virus.

Miller used machine-learning methodologies to find relevant tweets and then put them into the categories related to transmission, treatment, prevention and symptoms. Her work was designed to help health officials provide real-time interventions.

Miller is interested in pursuing ways to stop bioterrorism. In 2017, she interned at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, where she worked in a food defense lab.

In 2018, Miller and grad student Fan Yang captured first place in a prestigious international data competition by analyzing biomedical data to create a model that could be used to help patients with sickle cell disease better manage their pain.

Miller works for The Greentree Group, a Beavercreek-based strategic technology consulting company. After graduation, she plans to work in the defense industry.

Jugad Mattu

Jugad Mattu

Jugad Mattu will receive her bachelor’s degree in business and a certificate in legal studies.

Mattu says the International Business Program has given her skills in almost every field of business, including finance, marketing and management.

Mattu was president of the International Business Club, a student leader and speaker at the Take Flight Retreat in 2019, and the founder of the Food Recovery Network, a student club that focuses on delivering leftover meals and food to pantries in the area.

Following graduation, Mattu will work for AmeriCorps. She will be based in Iowa but travel all over the northern United States, helping complete hands-on projects.

Next summer, she will travel to Washington, D.C., for a teaching position with City Year, a program designed to unite young adults from diverse backgrounds for a year of community service.

Mattu eventually hopes to earn her master’s degree in international studies. Her ultimate goal is to work for the United Nations and travel the world.

Tara-Yesomi Wenegieme

Tara-Yesomi Wenegieme

Tara-Yesomi Wenegieme will receive her bachelor’s degree in biology.

Wenegieme was an integral part of a team of undergraduate researchers led by Clintoria Williams, assistant professor of physiology who linked zinc deficiency to high blood pressure.

In 2019, Wenegieme received a scientific poster presentation award for her novel research work at the Ohio Physiological Society’s Annual Meeting, a statewide scientific conference where she was pitted against students with far more training.

“Tara’s impressive ability to generate scientific data, understand the significance of her research findings and clearly communicate the gained scientific knowledge allowed her to successfully compete on a level with graduate students and postdocs who had years of research experience,” said Williams.

After graduation, Wenegieme plans to continue pursuing her passion for research and strengthen her application to medical school in hopes of getting accepted at the Boonshoft School of Medicine.