Central State University honors students at Academic Recognition Convocation

On Tuesday, April 7, students, faculty and families gathered in the Paul Robeson Cultural and Performing Arts Auditorium at Central State University to celebrate academic achievement, leadership and excellence across campus.

The Academic Recognition Convocation (ARC) serves as a formal opportunity to honor full-time students who have demonstrated high scholastic achievement. Students recognized during the ceremony completed at least 12 credit hours and earned a minimum 3.2 grade point average at the conclusion of the fall semester.

The ceremony was both meaningful and well-deserved, recognizing the hard work and dedication of students whose efforts have not gone unnoticed.

The program opened with a performance by the university choir, which captured the audience’s attention and set a strong tone for the ceremony. The university band also performed selections that added a personal and celebratory atmosphere to the event.

A highlight of the ceremony included the recognition of Outstanding Senior Scholars, who are selected based on academic excellence, leadership, community service and involvement in their respective fields. Additional criteria include participation in university activities, strong communication skills and, in some cases, membership in the Honors College.

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Representing the College of Business

Ray Robinson was introduced by Dr. Marvin Reid, department chair of business administration and professor of management information systems. Robinson, a business administration major with a concentration in management, maintains a 3.60 GPA and has earned Dean’s List honors since fall 2022. He is actively involved in the university choir, the CSU Marketing Club and national HBCU technology competitions, where he has earned multiple top placements.

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From the John W. Garland College of Engineering, Science, Technology, and Agriculture

Kayvon Adderley was introduced by Dr. Deng Cao, department chair of mathematics and computer science. Adderley, a computer science major with a minor in mathematics, holds a 3.99 GPA and has participated in national research programs, conferences and internships. He also serves as a supplemental instructor and student leader within the university’s ACM chapter.

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Representing the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education

Pablo Oquendo II was introduced by Dr. Alvin Level. Oquendo, a music education and music technology major with a 4.0 GPA, is a violinist and student assistant band director for the Invincible Marching Marauders. He is also a campus leader, martial artist and member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., with aspirations to become a music educator and future band director.

In addition to the Outstanding Senior Scholars, students were recognized as College Scholars for achieving cumulative GPAs of 3.50 or higher and as Class Scholars for GPAs ranging from 3.20 to 3.49.

Throughout the ceremony, students from all classifications were called to the stage to receive certificates honoring their academic success. The large number of honorees reflected a strong culture of achievement and pride across the university.

The event created an uplifting and optimistic environment, bringing the campus community together to celebrate success. It also provided an opportunity for students to reflect on their journeys and recognize how far they have come.