Family and friends of more than 230 new graduates celebrated as they watched family members walk across the stage to receive their degrees during Tusculum College’s winter commencement ceremonies on Saturday, December 17.
Sixty nine earned master of arts degrees in education during a morning ceremony, along with 83 who received bachelor of arts degrees and two who earned master of arts degrees in organizational management. During an afternoon ceremony, 72 earned bachelor of science degrees in organizational management.
The new graduates were addressed by Dr. Nancy B. Moody, the 27th president of the college. Moody encouraged the students “to keep Tusculum College in your thoughts, prayers and in your heart through the holiday season and beyond.” Adding, “Each of you has made a commitment and stuck to it to the point that you have forever changed the direction of your lives for the better.”
Taylor MacDonald of Toronto, Canada, and Nicole Scarlett Storm Vance of Elizabethton, who both earned bachelor of arts degrees through the Greeneville Residential College program, were chosen by the faculty as speakers to represent their classmates in the morning ceremony.
MacDonald talked about how coming to Greeneville, Tenn., from Toronto was difficult, particularly leaving her home, family and friends. Although, she said, she never regretted her decision.
“Everyone was so kind and welcoming when I came on my first visit, from the moment I was picked up at the airport, to the first staff member who greeted me on campus, to the wonderful softball team that quickly became my family. “
She added, “But I’ve learned that sometimes the greatest things happen when you take chances and leave your comfort zone. Try new things. Learn from others. Be a little adventurous.”
Vance spoke about the faculty that has supported her in her journey to reach this day.
“I want to thank Dr. Antonio Bos for exposing me to international business, a business world outside of the classroom and cultures outside of my own. Secondly, I’d like to thank Dr. Michelle Freeman for encouraging me throughout accounting when I felt there was no way I could finish out those classes. Dr. Freeman, I love you, and I feel accomplished now.”
Odell Fearn of Harriman, Tenn., represented those earning master’s degrees, his in education. He spoke about his journey as an adult student and the importance of staying on the path.
“When I wanted to take the short cut, I could always hear the voice of my grandfather saying – stay on the path that you know will get you where you want to go; and so I did. The path here at Tusculum is very clear, very clean and very concise. The path here is maintained by the proficient individuals who work here every day. These individuals guided all of us along the correct path to ensure that we get to where we want to go, and for that I’m confident that we all are grateful. We are very grateful.”
In the afternoon ceremony, Debbie McCoy of Harriman, who received her bachelor of science degree in organizational management, was one of the featured speakers. McCoy quoted quote Johann Wolfgang von Goethe who said, “Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.”
She told the audience her personal story and her long, winding road to higher education, ending today, with the conferring of her bachelor’s degree.
“Graduates, you have been equipped with many tools over these months and years. Do strive to make a good memory every day.”
Brian Warf of Morristown, who was also chosen to speak from the bachelor of science degree program, told the audience, “In today’s world education is everything. We should all be proud to say that we are graduates of Tusculum College. I feel that Tusculum is one of the most prestigious colleges in our area, and is well respected in the business world. One of our teachers once told me that college not only teaches, but also broadens your horizon.”
He added, “To the graduating class, now that we are finished with our collegiate career, we must take the tools and education that have been given to us and try to make a difference in this world. My advice to everyone graduating today is to trust. Have trust in yourself, have trust what we have been taught, have trust in the belief that you can accomplish your goals in life, and most of all, put all of your trust in the Lord.”
Also speaking was Mark Stokes, director of religious life, church and community relations at Tusculum College. Stokes presented a sermon titled, “Exclusive Gifts.” Stokes said that each individual has an exclusive gift and God wants each person to use his or her intelligence to see and understand that gift.
Stokes discussed practical ways to consider exclusive gifts such as counseling, trust and healing, and their uses professionally, in family relationships and in serving others.
Faculty members applaud graduates during commencement exercises Saturday at Tusculum College. The “gauntlet” of applauding faculty to end the ceremony has become a tradition at the college.
The speakers for the morning ceremony were Odell Fearn, Storm Vance and Taylor MacDonald, from left.