More than 200 receive degrees Saturday

There was much to celebrate on Saturday, May 5, for 242 individuals who received degrees during Tusculum College’s spring commencement ceremony.

Sixty-two students earned Bachelor of Science degrees and 135 earned Bachelor of Arts degrees. In addition 45 earned Master of Arts degrees.

The newest Golden Pioneers, the Class of 1962, was part of the commencement procession on Saturday morning. In their gold cap and gowns are, from left, Ed Ramm, Jack Fowler, Bob Riser, Ron Van Essen, Bob Nielson, Linda Clowers Nielson, Joe Howard, Peggy Hayes Ottinger, Tom Light, Gary Meier, Jane Rausch Battle, Lynn Battle and Hal Pruitt.

Walking with this spring’s graduates were 14 representatives of the Tusculum College Class of 1962 who are celebrating their 50th anniversary year. Representatives walked in the procession, clothed in golden caps and gowns and were recognized during the ceremony by Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of Tusculum College.

Also receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters was Leonard Riggio, chairman of Barnes and Noble, Inc. Beginning with a single college bookstore in 1965, Riggio built one of the largest enterprises in the history of American retail. He is widely known as a visionary in the bookselling industry and as a brilliant marketer and entrepreneur.

Riggio devotes himself as well to many philanthropic initiatives, having served on nearly two dozen not-for-profit boards. Since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, he has been building homes for families who lost their homes in New Orleans. This year, he and his wife will have gifted 101 homes to displaced families through a not-for-profit he created known as Project Home Again. Riggio devotes much of his time to public education. Riggio served on the board of the New York City Fund for Public Schools and led the nation’s first-ever private endowment for a public high school.

Leonard Riggio, CEO of Barnes and Noble, was presented an honorary degree. With him after the ceremony are, from left, Dr. Jennette Volpe, Dr. Angelo Volpe (who assisted with the robing ceremony), Riggio and his wife, Louise.

The new graduates were addressed by Moody, who recognized the commencement ceremony as “an occasion of celebration and completion.” Adding, “Each of you have made sacrifices, adjustments and also made tough decisions along the way. You have worked hard and have earned the right to walk across this stage. This is a testament to your own efforts and to your persistence. Today is your reward.”

Kirstie Gust, a business administration major with a concentration in accounting and management from Rutledge, addressed the crowd as a representative of the residential college program.

She told the group, to “find your passion in life, whether your career, your children, your faith, or a combination. Be willing to sacrifice for it, knowing that the end product will be worth it. Return your passion to the community. And, finally, advise others in how to make it all possible.”

Kirstie Gust, left, and Amy Kirk were the commencement speakers for the morning ceremony, representing the residential college and the Bachelor of Arts in Education program in the Graduate and Professional Studies program, respectively.

Amy Kirk of Athens, spoke on behalf of the college’s Graduate and Professional Studies education program. Kirk talked her journey to completing her degree.

“Years from now, I will not remember the assignments or the grades I received on certain tests, but I will recall all the wonderful people I have had the opportunity to meet and how I was a part of their journey and they were a part of mine,” she said.

Mark Taylor of Strawberry Plains spoke on behalf of the Graduate and Professional Studies bachelor degree program in Organizational Management.

He told his fellow graduates, “From the beginning, I had a clear roadmap to follow and ample assistance to overcome any obstacles I encountered along the way. I credit Tusculum’s Graduate and Professional Studies program with providing the framework I needed as a working professional to pursue my college degree.”

Melissa Frazier of Knoxville spoke on behalf of the bachelor degree program in Business Administration. She spoke the difficult decision to return to school as an adult learner.

Melissa Frazier, from left, Mark Taylor and Rebecca Hunley were the commencement speakers for the afternoon ceremony, representing their fellow graduates from the Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Organizational Management and Master of Education programs.

“Life is not always easy and at times it down right difficult, and all that we really want to do is throw in the towel and call it quits.”  However, she said, with the support of others, she and the other graduates had stayed the course. “Just like running in a marathon, we have people along our path cheering us on. Friends, family members and professors all shouting, good job, keep going, you’re almost there, you can do this.”

Representing the master’s program was Rebecca Hunley of Dandridge. Hunley encouraged her fellow graduates to keep on learning.

“Learning should never really cease to happen, but be a continuum of building ideas and thoughts.” She added, “Take what you’ve learned in your classes and think beyond your classroom or workplace, your school and consider how you can impact the next generation globally using the resources that are within you and share them.”

Aretha Scott beautifully sang "I Believe I Can Fly" as a special musical tribute during the afternoon ceremony.

Also speaking was Mark Stokes, director of religious life, church and community relations. Stokes presented a sermon titled, “Are We Closer Than We Were?”

He compared life’s journey to that of a trip, where the question is often asked, “Are we there yet?” Noting, in all of life’s variety of physical and spiritual journeys, the better question is “are we closer than we were?”

In addition to the presentation of the undergraduate and graduate degrees, two faculty awards were presented.

Receiving the Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership award for the Residential College was Wayne Thomas, chair of the Department of Fine Arts and associate professor of English. Receiving the award for the Graduate and Professional Studies program was Dr. Geir Bergvin, associate professor of marketing and the director of the Center for Global Studies.

The first cohort in the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration graduated during the ceremony. The cohort met for classes at Tusculum’s Knoxville Regional Center.

 

Graduates include:

Master of Arts in Education, Curriculum and Instruction Concentration
ME167 – Greeneville
Crystal Lee Sanderson Blankenship
Shannon Springer Caldwell
Jennifer Elaine Greene, Honors
Chastity Shelton Jenkins, High Honors
Lisa Michelle Jenkins, High Honors
Holly Rector Massey, High Honors

Dr. Michelle Freeman, left, faculty moderator, presents the Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award for the Residential College to Wayne Thomas, associate professor of English.

Tammy Wallin Massey, Honors
Monica Ray Metcalf, Honors
Jennifer Marie Miller
Heather Shelton Mitchell, Honors
Tina Takoma Payne, High Honors
Jacklyn Renee Taylor Peragine, High Honors
Rebecca Morris Rector, High Honors
Monica Lynn Roberts, High Honors
LaValle Johnson Tipton, Honors
Shannon Ramsey Vilcinskas, Honors
Kasaundra Lewis Wallin, High Honors
Christie Waynette Wilson

 

ME168 – Morristown
Myra Jayne Amason
Kristie Ann Barsé, High Honors
Kristy Harrison Cantwell, Honors*
Christy LeAnn Collins, High Honors
Brooklyn Turnmire Cornett
Shirley Liford Greene, Honors*
Amy Darlene Harrell*

Dr. Freeman presents the Teaching Excellence and Campus Leaders Award for the Graduation and Professional Studies program to Dr. Geir Bergvin, associate professor of marketing and the director of the Center for Global Studies.

Rebecca Christine Hunley, High Honors*
Sheila James Huskey, Honors
Andrea Lee Kyker, Honors
Mindy Cheree Langford, Honors
Angie Smith Misenheimer, Honors
Patricia Myers Morgan, High Honors
Amanda Denise Smith*

Master of Arts in Education, Human Resource Development Concentration

MH018 – Knoxville
Tiffani Ann Armontroutt, Honors
Lindsay Marie Baessler, High Honors
Connie Buis Baker*
Pamela Sue Condon
Jack D. Dennis, High Honors
Rhonda Lynn Foster, High Honors
Kenneth Roy McClain, Honors*
Jeremy Thomas Reed, High Honors*

Master of Arts in Organizational Management

MM082- Knoxville
Melinda Ann Byrge
Commie Reed Byrum III
Derrick Edward Childs
Ann-Marie Pell Johnson
Ralph D. Johnson

Bachelor of Arts
Kent Ebuwa Aigbe
Danielle Nicole Armstrong, Summa Cum Laude**
Morgan Lee Baese
Courtney Savannah Bare, Cum Laude
Amber Marie Barnard, Cum Laude
Kyle Thomas Barnes
Stacy Lee Belletete, Cum Laude
Nicolette Connors Blackstone, Cum  Laude
Heather Carmela Blanton
Sawyer Lee Brady
Calvin Christopher Britt Jr.
Matthais C. Brown
Alesha Leann Buckner, Cum Laude
Christopher Matthew Burton
Nathan Ward Carver, Cum Laude
Rachel Elaine Clabo, Cum Laude
Blair Norman Cowley
Brianna Rebecca Cox
Kelly Diane Dixon, Magna Cum Laude**
Katrin Mattie Doane, Magna Cum Laude
Scott Andrew Duffy, Magna Cum Laude**
Whitney Claire Duncan, Magna Cum Laude
Matthew Coty Dykes
Savannah Elizabeth Ewing
Kayla Alice Ford
Marcus Reshawn Foster
William Michael Franklin
Jason Robert Gardner
Robert Craig Goodman
Ashley Nicole Greever
Dionte Jamerle Grey
Ernest Pittman Grimsley III
Jasmine Denise Gunn
Kirstie Lauren Gust, Magna Cum Laude**
Bess Rachel Gutenstein
Amanda Leigh Harvel
Justin Conley Harvey
Lelia Helen Heinbach
Kenneth Wayne Hill, Magna Cum Laude**
Kaitlin Anne Hillis
William Garrison Hogg
Michelle Leann Hoover, Magna Cum Laude**
Michael Scott Hopson
JohnDavid Howard, Magna Cum Laude**
Elizabeth Michelle Johnson, Cum Laude
Kristen Marie Keefer
Joshua Tyler Kibert
Hannah Paige Kirk, Cum Laude
Andrew Brendan Kiser, Cum Laude
Thomas Michael Klempin
Jennifer Ann Lawson
Jessica Nicole Lee, Cum Laude
Heather Nicole LeMay, Cum Laude
Yu Wen Lin, Magna Cum Laude**
Amanda Louise Love
Ulysses McAliley IV
Devan Louise McIntyre
Matthew L. McKeever
Emily Michelle Meade, Magna Cum Laude
Katie Kelley Milhollon, Cum Laude**
Kyle Clifton Mitchell
Jason Brian Muehling
Derek Edward Murrell, Summa Cum Laude**
Quyen Van Nguyen, Magna Cum Laude**
Patrick Walker Orr
Deangelo Quintez Paschal
Joseph Edward Paysinger
Matthew Adam Poff
Robert Frank Pollock
Orlando D. Price
Alyson Lauren Pugh
David Taylor Rakes, Magna Cum Laude**
Ashley Nicole Reynolds
Mara Nichole Rutherford
Haley Rose Rye, Cum Laude
Chad Allen Shelton
Lucas Charles Shipley, Cum Laude**
Charles A. Shrewsbury
Brittany Nicole Shults
Justin Nicholas Steigerwald
Jessimine Renee Strauss, Magna Cum Laude**
Katy Michelle Stuckwish, Magna Cum Laude**
Marcus Glen Taylor, Cum Laude
David McCall Terrell**
Bethany Sarah Trent, Cum Laude
Anton V. Tuz
Sarah Amanda Tweed
Donayle Henry Watson
Kayla Amber Watts, Magna Cum Laude**
Charles H. Whitfield
Roxie Marie Whitt, Magna Cum Laude**
Abigail Elizabeth Wolfenbarger, Cum  Laude**
Amanda Faith Yonce

BA057- Knoxville
Bernice Marie McClure, Cum Laude

BA061 – Knoxville
Whittney Rebecca Burris
Toni Lynn Davis-Schultzman, Cum Laude
Ashlie Jennifer Kunkel
Shannon Lea Nelson

BA062 – Morristown
Lindsey Denise Collins
Rebecca Leigh Gorenflo, Cum Laude*
Lisa Ann Herndon, Cum Laude*
Amanda Rose Holt, Cum Laude
William Bryan Hux
Crystal Renee Keck, Magna Cum Laude
Tara Lynne Kinsler
Sandra Jordan Voiles
Stephanie Buchanan West, Magna Cum Laude

BA063 – Morristown
Amy Michelle Anderson-Ilic, Cum Laude*
Tammy Elaine Dudley, Cum Laude
Jacqueline Mikala Fontes, Cum Laude*
Lisa Lynn Harrison, Magna Cum Laude*
Donna Lynn Heinz
Kerri Gwen Johnson, Cum Laude
Amy Cox Kirk, Cum Laude
Angela Kay Ott
Kristen Renee Snyder, Magna Cum Laude
Ashley June Spurgeon, Cum Laude*
Whitney Terran Clevenger Spurgeon
Kayla Noel Young

BA064 – Knoxville
Kacie Lynn Abbott, Cum Laude
Kylie Elizabeth Henegar, Cum Laude
Christina D. Lewis-Adams
Jennifer Marie Hensley Smith

BA065 – Knoxville
Amye-Susan Beatty
Lance Christopher DePew, Cum Laude
Wendy Kaye Ellis, Magna Cum Laude
Tabatha Gail Lester, Summa Cum Laude
Michelle Renee Robinson, Cum Laude

BA066 – Greeneville
Tina Marie Estep, Magna Cum Laude*
Mary Jane Foister, Cum Laude*
Reba Ann Leedy, Magna Cum  Laude*
Lenton Scott Parks, Cum Laude
Debbie Ann Powers, Summa Cum Laude*
Terri Ann Sharpe Rothe, Cum Laude*

Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management

BS560 – Knoxville
Mark Amos Taylor, Summa Cum Laude*

BS561 – Greeneville
Nicki Ruth Christian, Cum Laude*
Gary Keith Glover, Cum Laude*
Sonja Leanne Grooms
Jerry Ray Hux Jr., Cum Laude
Chad David Ricker
Brandi Jean Shelton, Cum Laude

BS562 – Knoxville
Amber Kay Collins, Magna Cum Laude*
Kevin Wade Dukes, Cum Laude
Larry Alvin Headrick
Steven Douglas Seagle, Magna CumLaude
Ronald Alfred Steimel, Cum Laude
Sandra Renee Williams

BS563 –  Gray
Laura Evans Brown
Sherie L. Rowe
Aretha Olivia Scott

BS564 – Morristown
Leah Nicole Dial
Janice Sue Fields
Stephanie Nicole Holbert
Will Curtis Sliger
Jennifer Nicole Wesson, Cum Laude

BS565 – Greeneville
Traci Miranda Ellenburg
Scott Duane Osborne, Cum Laude*
Tammatha Lynn Roper
James Roy Williams

Wesley Edward Baessler
Barbara S. Berquist
Amanda Hope Gossett
Markus Anthony Scott Graham
Jason Eric Jones, Cum Laude
Michael William Kuehl
Sammena Y. Blevins Mason
Richard Todd McAfee
Heather Nicole Moles
Sean Robert O’Donnell
Erin Wendy Ramsey
Lee Son Russell
Shannon D. Shultz
Randal Robert Smith
Keima Shanell Talley
Malika Dannielle Tate
David Allen Williams

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

BB001 – Knoxville
Myron Dana Clarke, Cum Laude
Melissa Kay Frazier, Cum Laude
Billie G. Freeman
Brian Alan Henegar
Jennifer Richardson Holden
Michael Warren Light
Amy Mae Livingston
Kimberly Lynn Murray
Lori Jane Smith
Roy Keith Sturgill, Cum Laude
Lorraine Elisabeth Ward
Aaron James Weaver
Clarence A. Wilmoth Jr.