Graduating from Tusculum College during spring commencement were 277 individuals in a ceremony held on Saturday, May. 9.
On Saturday 72 students earned Bachelor of Science degrees and 144 earned Bachelor of Arts degrees. In addition 46 graduates earned Master of Arts degrees and 15 received Master of Business Administration degrees.
Graduates included 14 who represented the first class at Tusculum to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and three representing the first class at Tusculum to graduate in the new criminal justice major.
Walking with this spring’s graduates were 16 representatives of the Tusculum College Class of 1965 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. Moody.
The Golden Pioneers, represented by Mort V. Plumb, and the Class of 2015, represented by Ryan Barker, creative writing and history major from Laurens, S.C., presented a check to Dr. Moody for $8,513 as a gift to the college.
The new graduates were addressed by Tusculum Chaplain Mark Stokes, who recognized the hard work of the path to graduation, saying “you have made a commitment and stuck with it to the point that you have forever changed the direction of your life for the better.” Adding, “I am confident that you learned to think critically, not to accept at face value everything you read, hear, or see. You demonstrated your ability to debate ideas and to see both sides of an argument before making judgment. These are a few of the qualities of an educated person.”
He told the group, “May you be fortunate enough to earn in the years ahead, and may you be wise enough to return some of your blessings to those who aspire to follow in your footsteps.”
Two student speakers addressed the graduates, representing the graduating class. Anjelica Bolden is a member of the very first nursing class to graduate at Tusculum College. She lives in New Tazewell with her husband, Brandon. Bolden’s goal is to become a registered nurse working with children, and she has accepted a position with the East Tennessee’s Children’s Hospital in Knoxville.
Bolden told the graduates while the journey was long, they have been rewarded. “We have made friendships that will last a lifetime and obtained an education that will set us up for success.” She talked about her path to becoming a nurse, learning to deal with the emotions of the health care experience, as well as the technical skills. “I have become what I wanted to be when I grew up.”
Also speaking was Steven Hutson, representing the Graduate and Professional Studies programs. Following his graduation from high school, Hutson briefly attended Walters State Community College before going into manufacturing where he experienced much success. Having been with Phoenix Closures, Inc. for 10 years, Hutson was informed that if he wished to achieve a manager’s position he would have to either have a degree or be actively working on one.
This incentive brought him to Tusculum College where he began classes in June 2010. In December 2011 Hutson was promoted to plant manager.
His advice to graduates was to keep learning and sharing what they have learned with others. He said that education is the one thing that can never be taken away, and graduates should share what they know freely. “Having the opportunity to learn is a gift, and it’s never too late.”
Jo Ann Soderquist Kramer, the first woman to receive a master’s degree in aerospace engineering, was the keynote speaker. Kramer earned the aerospace engineering degree from The University of Virginia in 1967. She holds an undergraduate degree from Sweet Briar College, where she majored in physics.
Kramer’s mother, Mabel F. Soderquist, is a 1937 graduate of Tusculum College, and Kramer attended Tusculum as well.
She began her career as an aerospace engineer with Martin Marietta Corp. in Orlando, Fla., then with Lockheed Martin Corp. in Burlington, Vt. She retired in 2011 from her position as director of air and naval defense system programs for General Dynamics Corp. in Burlington.
Kramer is affiliated with Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi, the National Defense Industrial Association, and Women in Defense. She has worked on the Board of Directors for Sweet Briar College and the North Country Federal Credit Union, and also served on the Sweet Briar College Alumnae Association Board.
Recently, Kramer served on the Sweet Briar College Board of Directors and has been a leading fundraiser for the College. With the school’s recent announcement of its closure, she is heading the efforts of the “Save Sweet Briar College” campaign.
In her career, she told the graduates, she had spent a good deal of time reflecting on what made a good leader and what skills the leaders she admired possessed. Among them, she said, were honesty and personal integrity, the ability to “cut to the chase” and speak clearly and that they were passionate about everything they did, both in and out of the realm of work.
Receiving the Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership award for the Residential College was Dr. Brian Pope, faculty moderator, chair of the psychology department and professor of psychology. Receiving the award for the Graduate and Professional Studies program was Dr. Jennifer Harper, associate professor of psychology.
Walking with this spring’s graduates were 16 representatives of the Tusculum College Class of 1965 who are celebrating their 50th anniversary year. Representatives walked in the procession, clothed in golden caps and gowns and were recognized during the ceremony.
Tusculum College graduation speakers representing the Class of 2015 included from left Anjelica Bolden, Jo Ann Soderquist Kramer and Steven Hutson.
Tusculum President Nancy B. Moody accepts the class gift from Mort Plumb, 1965 Golden Pioneer Committee Chairman, and Ryan Barker, chair of the 2015 Graduate Philanthropy Council.
Dr. Brian Pope, left, professor of psychology, left, and Dr. Jennifer Harper, right, assistant professor of psychology, received the Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Awards. Dr. Lisa Johnson, associate vice president for student success, presented the awards.