16 Student-Athletes Graduate Saturday
Boise State Athletics is proud to announce 16 current and former student-athletes will earn degrees Saturday, as part of the 2023 Boise State University Winter Commencement at ExtraMile Arena. The group represents eight different sports.
A student-athlete graduation reception was held Friday, for those graduates and their families who could attend. With the Bronco football team on the road preparing for the LA Bowl, the five football student-athletes earning degrees this term were celebrated at a ceremony at the team hotel Friday night. Boise State's student-athlete graduation reception, held biannually in May and December, honors all current and former Bronco student-athletes earning a degree from Boise State at the respective commencement. The ceremony also includes individual awards. The winners of this year's department awards are below.
Chinma Njoku was selected as one of two students to deliver an address at the winter commencement ceremonies. Njoku will speak to her fellow graduates as a representative of the College of Health Sciences. She is the first student-athlete to be selected to speak at a Boise State commencement since Oceane Pelloille in May 2017.
A complete list of student-athletes graduating in December 2023 is below, including their accomplishments on and off the field.
December 2023 Graduates
Genevieve Crenshaw - Women's Soccer
Bachelor's Degree: Health Studies
Awards
- CSC Academic All-District (2022, 2023)
- Mountain West Scholar-Athlete (2020-21, 2021-22)
- Academic All-Mountain West (2020-21, Fall 2022)
- All-Mountain West First Team (2022)
- Mountain West All-Tournament Team (2023)
- Four-time Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week
- Boise State career leader in shutouts
- Boise State career leader in goals against average
Thank You
“Thank you to my parents for supporting me through every endeavor I've set my eyes on and for always believing in me no matter what. Thank you to my brother for instilling a competitive drive in me from the start. And finally, thank you to my coaches here at Boise State for believing in me as not only a soccer player, but even more so as a person.”
What's Next
Plans to use her final year of eligibility at Boise State while completing an academic certificate before playing professional soccer overseas.
Benjamin Dooley - Football
Bachelor's Degree: Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication
Certificate: UX Design
Awards
- Academic All-Mountain West (Fall 2020, Fall 2021, Fall 2022)
- All-Mountain West Second Team (2021)
- Phil Steele Preseason All-Mountain West Second Team (2023)
Thank You
“I want to give a special thanks to my family. They have been a rock for me during my time here and always helped guide me to the right way. I also want to thank my coaches who have helped me develop into the man I have become today. A special shoutout to coach Keane, he is a special dude and because of him I have been able to have success on and off the field. A final thank you to my girlfriend, Willis Draper. When I think of the sacrifices people have made for me, she is the first person who comes to mind.”
What's Next
Plans to attend law school and obtain his Juris Doctorate. He is unsure of the specific law he wants to practice, but knows he wants to be in litigation.
Erin Elkabchi - Women's Gymnastics
Bachelor's Degree: Elementary Education
Awards
- WCGA Scholastic All-American (2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22)
- Academic All-Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference (2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22)
- NCAA Regional Championships Participant (2021, 2023)
Thank You
“Thank you to my family for supporting me throughout my gymnastics career; to my coaches for giving me the opportunity to be part of the Bronco family; and to my teammates for always believing in me.”
What's Next
Pursuing a master's degree in curriculum and instruction.
Makayla Hansen - Women's Volleyball
Bachelor's Degree: Digital Innovation and Design
Awards
- Two-Time Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week
Thank You
“Thank you to my family who has always supported me. A special thank you to Hunter, you're the best! And thank you to the volleyball staff, you all have helped me in so many ways and I am so grateful for you.”
What's Next
Plans to coach volleyball and work in graphic design.
George Holani - Football
Bachelor's Degree: Business Administration
Minor: Entrepreneurial Management
Awards
- Academic All-Mountain West (Fall 2021, Fall 2022)
- Mountain West Freshman of the Year (2019)
- All-Mountain West Second Team (2019, 2022)
- Senior Bowl Watch List (2023)
- Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List (2023)
- Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll (2022)
- Mountain West Preseason All-Conference Team (2023)
- Athlon Preseason All-Mountain West First Team (2023)
- Phil Steele Preseason All-Mountain West First Team (2023)
Thank You
“Special thanks to my teammates, mom and dad, family, friends and girlfriend for the love and support.”
What's Next
Plans to enjoy life and have a positive impact on people around him.
Erin Morden - Women's Gymnastics
Bachelor's Degree: Elementary Education
Minor: English
Awards
- WCGA Scholastic All-American (2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22)
- Academic All-Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference (2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22)
- NCAA Regional Championships Participant (2023)
Thank You
“Thank you to my family for always supporting me and being in my corner. I also want to thank my coaches for believing in me throughout my time at Boise State. It has been a privilege to have been a part of such an amazing program.”
What's Next
Pursuing a master's degree.
Abby Muse - Women's Basketball
Bachelor's Degree: Business Administration
Minors: Marketing and Entrepreneurial Management
Summa Cum Laude
Awards
- CSC Academic All-District (2022-23)
- Mountain West Scholar-Athlete (2020-21, 2021-22)
- Academic All-Mountain West (Spring 2021, 2022 and 2023)
- Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year (2022-23)
- All-Mountain West Honorable Mention (2022-23)
- Mountain West All-Freshman Team (2020-21)
Thank You
“Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey. It is one of my proudest accomplishments to represent the Broncos.”
What's Next
Starting her master's degree at Boise State (MBA Career Track Program). Will use her extra COVID year of eligibility to compete on the basketball court and finish her MBA.
Mary Kay Naro - Women's Basketball
Bachelor's Degree: Health Studies
Awards
- CSC Academic All-District (2021-22, 2022-23)
- Mountain West Scholar-Athlete (2020-21, 2021-22)
- Academic All-Mountain West (Spring 2021, 2022 and 2023)
- Currently ranks sixth all-time in assists in program history
Thank You
“I want to thank all of my coaches, teammates, boosters and athletic academic staff members who have helped me get to this point. I also would like to thank my family and friends for always supporting me throughout the entire process.”
What's Next
Pursuing a master's degree in public administration.
Chinma Njoku - Women's Basketball
Bachelor's Degree: Health Studies (emphasis in science)
Minor: Psychology
Selected as the student speaker at the 10 a.m. commencement ceremony
Awards
- Mountain West Scholar-Athlete (2021-22)
- Academic All-Mountain West (Spring 2021)
Thank You
“I want to say thank you to all the staff, teachers, coaches and students here at Boise State for making my time so memorable. I am grateful for the experiences shared with the community around me and I am forever filled with gratitude to be a Bronco.”
What's Next
Attending nursing school at Boise State. Her end goal is to get a master's degree and open a clinic to serve underrepresented communities with quality healthcare.
Aidan Palmer - Men's Cross Country
Bachelor's Degree: Business Administration
Awards
- CSC Academic All-District (2023)
- Mountain West Scholar-Athlete (2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23)
- Academic All-Mountain West (Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023)
Thank You
“Thank you to my friends, family and coaches who have helped me to achieve my academic and athletic goals.”
What's Next
Plans to finish out his eligibility and pursue a master's degree in business administration at Boise State.
Markel Reed - Football
Bachelor's Degree: Communication
Awards
- Academic All-Mountain West (Fall 2019)
- Comeback Player of the Year Watch List (2023)
Thank You
“I want to thank the Boise State coaching staff for pouring into me and believing in my abilities to play this game. I also want to thank the medical training staff for the amount of time the spent helping me recover from my injury. To the Boise State strength staff, thank you for the development over the years. Thank you to The Brotherhood for giving me motivation to keep striving for greatness. And lastly, thank you Bronco Nation!!!”
What's Next
Plans to return to Boise State for one more year and pursue a career in product management.
Riley Smith - Football
Master's Degree: Business Administration (emphasis in management)
Awards
- CSC Academic All-District (2022, 2023)
- Mountain West Scholar-Athlete (2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22)
- Academic All-Mountain West (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
- William V. Campbell Trophy Semifinalist (2023)
- Athlon Preseason All-Mountain West Third Team (2023)
- Phil Steele Preseason All-Mountain West Third Team (2023)
Thank You
“Thank you to all my family, friends, teammates and coaches that have supported me as I've lived my dream playing college football as a Bronco. Your mentorship, belief, encouragement and sacrifices have truly shapes me into the man I am today. Thank you to the city of Boise for being an amazing home to me for the past six years. God bless!!”
What's Next
Plans to continue his football career at the next level or coach college football. Also plans to explore the real estate development industry.
Brayden Spears - Baseball
Bachelor's Degree: Social Science
Awards
- Academic All-Mountain West (Spring 2020)
Thank You
“Thank you to my parents, Robyn and Daron Spears, as well as my sister Allyson Spears.”
What's Next
Plans to pursue a career in professional baseball and get a master's degree from Texas A&M University.
Holly Stewart - Women's Tennis
Bachelor's Degree: Communication
Awards
- ITA Scholar-Athlete (2020, 2021, 2023)
- Mountain West Scholar-Athlete (2020-21, 2022-23)
- Academic All-Mountain West (Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023)
Thank You
“I would like to say a special thank you to my family back home for their constant support in my athletic and academic career."
What's Next
Plans to stay in Boise for one more year and begin her career in communications and marketing.
Morgan Stone - Women's Soccer
Bachelor's Degree: Entrepreneurship Management
Minor: Spanish
Awards
- CSC Academic All-District (2022, 2023)
- Mountain West Scholar-Athlete (2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23)
- Academic All-Mountain West (Fall 2019, Spring 2021, Fall 2022)
- All-Mountain West Second Team (2022)
- Mountain West All-Tournament Team (2019)
- Boise State career leader in matches played
Thank You
“Thank you to my family and all of the amazing people in the athletics department.”
What's Next
Plans to continue soccer career by playing professionally.
Alexander Teubner - Football
Bachelor's Degree: Finance
Awards
- CSC Academic All-District (2022, 2023)
- Mountain West Scholar-Athlete (2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22)
- Academic All-Mountain West (2020, 2021, 2022)
- All-Mountain West Honorable Mention (2023)
- Mountain West Championship Game Defensive MVP (2023)
Thank You
“I want to give a special thank to my momma, dad and the entire Seaside community who helped me get to where I am today. Lastly, I want to thank my coaches and teammates who helped make my time here at Boise State so special.”
Award Winners
Academic Excellence
Awarded to the male and female student-athlete in the graduating class with the highest cumulative GPA.
Bronco In The Community
Awarded to the student-athlete in the graduating class who has gone above and beyond in their efforts to give back.
Varsity B Honorary Captains
Awarded to the male and female student-athlete in the graduating class who displays commitment and service to the department and University beyond their participation in sport.
