DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Under the direction of Reginald Thomas, Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Student Support Services, Bethune-Cookman University had a total of 52 former and/or current student-athletes earn undergraduate or graduate degrees from the university prior to the winter holiday break. The graduates were recognized from their work finishing their degree process either in the summer or winter of 2017.
 
For the Bethune-Cookman University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, the total number of graduates is the most for the winter commencement period in quite some time.
 
"I want to thank everyone involved with our student-athletes on a daily basis in and out of the classroom, in study halls, computer labs and around the campus," stated Lynn W. Thompson, BCU Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics. "Seeing our student-athletes compete is truly exciting. But when we see them earn the highest achievement of graduating with a degree from Bethune-Cookman University, it is a feeling that I cannot describe."
 
Among the number of graduates that earned degrees in the winter, 21 came from the sport of football. Another five graduating seniors were support staff as student-assistants with sports for the Wildcats.
 
In women's basketball, Taylor Houston and Kailyn Wilson earned their graduate degree in Transformative Leadership, while women's and men's track & field walked six (three from each side, respectfully). Baseball had three student-athletes earn degrees, while men's golf saw one come back to complete his degree. Softball added one, and it was men's and women's tennis combining to graduate six, including a former student-athlete.

"Reggie Thomas and the Office of Student-Athlete Support, as well as the Office of Athletics Compliance, they all did a phenomenal job tracking our young people and making sure they remain focused on the ultimate task of attending college – earning a degree," continued Thompson. "The numbers speak for themselves, and I am so proud of each of these young women and men for what they achieved not only for us on the playing surface in Maroon and Gold, but for themselves with where graduation will take them far into the future."
 
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