By: Life U Athletics
MARIETTA, Ga. — Today, Life University Athletics celebrated the academic achievements of its student-athletes during the Fall 2025 Commencement, as 35 Running Eagles from 14 athletic programs earned their degrees.
The Fall 2025 graduating class continued the department's strong tradition of academic excellence, with 14 student-athletes graduating with honors, including seven Doctors of Chiropractic and seven graduate degrees.
The ceremony also featured a historic achievement for Life U Athletics, as Women's Soccer completed a team sweep of the university's top academic honors. Nellie Pedersen was named the university's Valedictorian, becoming the eighth consecutive Life U student-athlete to earn the distinction, while teammate Lilja Olafsdottir was honored as Salutatorian for the fall quarter. Both graduates earned Summa Cum Laude recognition.
Deputy Athletic Director Alaina Smith Walker praised the graduating class and the impact they have made during their time at Life U.
"I am so pleased to see this group of student-athletes walk across the podium. This extremely diverse group of graduates represents so many stories, so many cultures, plenty of academic achievements, and numerous championships over their time with us. They have truly taken the department to new heights, blazing a path for many more to follow. I couldn't be prouder of the growth and success that this group of people represent!"
The Fall 2025 class leaves a lasting legacy both academically and athletically, continuing to set the standard for excellence as Running Eagles.
The full list of Fall 2025 Life University student-athlete graduates is below.
|
Sport
|
First Name
|
Last Name
|
Honors
|
|
WSC
|
Joselyn
|
Avila
|
Magna Cum Laude
|
|
MWR
|
Brevin
|
Balmeceda
|
Graduate Degree
|
|
WSW
|
Nathalia
|
Bento
|
Graduate Degree
|
|
WRG
|
Julia
|
Butzirus
|
Summa Cum Laude
|
|
MWR
|
Mason
|
Calvert
|
Doctor of Chiropractic
|
|
MSC
|
Chima
|
Chukwu
|
Cum Laude
|
|
MWR
|
Alexander
|
Couto
|
|
|
CLRG
|
Adrian
|
Escobedo
|
Doctor of Chiropractic
|
|
MSC
|
Kaua
|
Ferreira
|
|
|
MBK
|
William
|
Freeman
|
|
|
WWR
|
Millian
|
Garrett
|
|
|
WVB
|
Sydney
|
Gonzales
|
|
|
MWR
|
Patrick
|
Gould
|
Graduate Degree
|
|
MSC
|
Angel
|
Guevara
|
Cum Laude
|
|
MVB
|
Quintin
|
Hornberger
|
|
|
MWR
|
Earnest
|
Johnson
|
Graduate Degree
|
|
CLRG
|
Seth
|
Kramlich
|
|
|
MBK
|
Baqi
|
Lecky
|
Summa Cum Laude
|
|
WSC
|
Jasmine
|
Mathis
|
Graduate Degree
|
|
MRG
|
Gabriel
|
Michnya
|
Graduate Degree
|
|
CLRG
|
Jared
|
Miller
|
Doctor of Chiropractic & Graduate Degree
|
|
MWR
|
Ricardo
|
Moraguez
|
Doctor of Chiropractic
|
|
WRG
|
Avery
|
O'Brien
|
Magna Cum Laude
|
|
WSC
|
Lilja
|
Olafsdottir
|
Salutatorian: Summa Cum Laude
|
|
MVB
|
Ryan
|
Ollie
|
Doctor of Chiropractic
|
|
WSC
|
Nellie
|
Pedersen
|
Valedictorian: Summa Cum Laude
|
|
MSC
|
Lorenzo
|
Peluso
|
|
|
MVB
|
Alexis
|
Prado
|
Cum Laude
|
|
CHR
|
Angel
|
Priebe
|
Doctor of Chiropractic; Cum Laude
|
|
MTRF
|
Alejandro
|
Ramos Veglio
|
Magna Cum Laude
|
|
WBK
|
Kaci
|
Scott
|
|
|
CLRG
|
Philani
|
Simamane
|
Magna Cum Laude
|
|
MWR
|
Riley
|
Smucker
|
Doctor of Chiropractic; Summa Cum Laude
|
|
MVB
|
Owen
|
Springfield
|
Magna Cum Laude
|
|
MWR
|
Jacob
|
Vermeesch
|
|
