Nearly 300 receive degrees Saturday at Tusculum College

Graduates walk the faculty gauntlet following Commencement services on Saturday at Tusculum College.

Graduating from Tusculum College during winter commencement ceremonies were 287 individuals in two ceremonies held on Saturday, Dec. 10.

On Saturday 92 students earned Bachelor of Science degrees and 105 earned Bachelor of Arts degrees. In addition 63 graduates earned Master of Arts degrees and 27 received Master of Business Administration degrees.

The new graduates were addressed by Tusculum President Nancy B. Moody, who recognized the hard work of the path to graduation, saying “Commencement is an occasion of celebration and completion.” Adding, “Today is a testament to your efforts, to your persistence, and today is your day. Be proud of yourself and your accomplishment.”

She told the group, that while there was no doubt they were thinking about the many people in their lives who had helped them and supported them on this journey, that graduation day was a moment to celebrate the completion of a goal they had worked hard to attain.

“You are not finished today, but you are beginning. You have worked hard to reach this milestone, but its value will depend on what you do from this point forward.”

Calley Lawson

Two student speakers addressed the graduates, including Calley Lawson, a special education major from Gaithersburg, Maryland. Lawson was a member of the Pioneer Women’s Golf Team. She was a member and president of Alpha Chi Honor Society, a mentor for the program TNAchieves and the golf team representative for Pioneer Student Athlete Advisory Committee. She was twice named an Academic-All American.

Lawson encouraged the graduates to “acknowledge and appreciate the investment Tusculum has made” in each one of them and credited the supportive environment that encouraged personal connections for an “unforgettable experience.” Adding, that the “bond created here at Tusculum will keep us connected for years to come as Pioneers.”

Also speaking was Roben Hartsell, of Seymour, who received her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. Hartsell addressed the challenges of adult students who return to

Roben Hartsell

school to seek their degrees, all the while managing work and family responsibilities. She talked about learning to hustle – to become resourceful, savvy and hardworking, while staying in balance and maintaining sanity. “It doesn’t end here,” she said. “You will be fully prepared to recognize the significance of hard work, and I hope you recognize and appreciate everything that encouraged your hustle.”

Dr. Ron May was the featured guest speaker at both ceremonies. Dr. May, vice president of academic affairs at Tusculum College and a 1968 graduate, has had a distinguished career in higher education, retiring in June 2014 as president of Ancilla College in Donaldson, Indiana. In his career he has taught public school, as well as served as a college professor, department head, dean, vice president and twice as a college president, at Ancilla and at Louisburg College in Louisburg, North Carolina. Dr. May also holds faculty rank as professor of education.

In his career, Dr. May has been recognized by numerous organizations, including by the Leadership Marshall County program with their Leader of the Year Award in 2011. He served Tusculum College as dean of faculty from 1985 to 1988. He also served for a time as the president of the Tusculum College Alumni Association.

Dr. May earned a Doctorate of Education from Indiana University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from East Tennessee State University and an Associate of Science from Vincennes University. He returned to serve as interim vice president of academic affairs in June 2014.

He told the graduates he intended to give them one last exam before they were done. A vocabulary quiz, focused on five words: commencement, servant, leader, difference and “Sit Lux.”

He discussed commencement in the terms of beginning – a new stage in their lives that began that day. Servant leadership, he explained, go together. “It is my hope that you will all be leaders.” Adding, “Through service to others, lead and change lives, serving first with the conscious choice to aspire to lead.”

He told the graduates that difference is what they should try to make in their lives and their world, and that they should recognize those who have made a difference in their lives.  Finally he addressed “Sit Lux,” the motto of Tusculum College that means “Let there be light.” Since 1794 he said, “Graduates of Tusculum College have brought light into the world. I challenge you to continue to be the light.”

Following his address during the morning commencement ceremony, Dr. May was presented an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. During the presentation, Dr. Moody called him a “true Pioneer, who has had a life committed to education, family, faith and his alma mater.”

Dr. Ron May, vice president of Academic Affairs at Tusculum College and a 1968 graduate, was presented and Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.

She added, “Dr. May returned to Tusculum College in 2014 and has led the college’s academic programs for the past two years as vice president for academic affairs. Tusculum College is fortunate to have had the opportunity to continue to benefit from Dr. May’s leadership. His professional background has provided a vast experience in higher education administration and has support the College’s efforts to keep Tusculum first. He will most certainly leave Tusculum a better place for having been here.”