Graduating from Tusculum College during winter commencement ceremonies were 198 individuals in a ceremony held on Saturday, Dec. 12.
On Saturday 86 students earned Bachelor of Science degrees and 76 earned Bachelor of Arts degrees. In addition 20 graduates earned Master of Arts degrees and 16 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.
Two student speakers addressed the graduates, including Pamela Ammons, a nursing graduate from Midway. Ammons returned to Tusculum to complete her Bachelor of Science in nursing after having earned her associate degree 1990. “I would like to express my gratitude and thanks to the faculty and staff of Tusculum College, without each and every one of you, we would not be here today.”
She added, “We have all had a goal to accomplish and that day is today. It will forever be a day we will never forget. It has been a journey well taken.”
Also speaking was Michael Scott, of Colorado Springs, Colo. who received his MBA, after earning his bachelor degree from Tusculum College in 2013.
“We are more similar to real Pioneers than we give ourselves credit for,” he told his fellow graduates. “We didn’t fight bears or wrestle alligators, but we did work day and night and studied for hours. We moved forward no matter the sacrifice.”
The Rev. Dr. Dan Donaldson, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, the mother church of Tusculum College, and a member of the Tusculum College Board of Trustees also spoke to the graduates.
He spoke in tribute to the late Mark Stokes, Tusculum College chaplain, who passed away suddenly this fall, and had for several years provided the commencement sermon. Dr. Donaldson said that in Stokes’ nearly 30 years of service to Tusculum College he saw a remarkable amount of change.
“The world is changing so rapidly and higher education is no different,” he said. “Take your education and change with it as you go.”
Download the December 2015 Commencement Program
Graduation speakers representing the Class of 2015 were Michael Scott, left, and Pamela Ammons.
Graduates walk the faculty gauntlet following Commencement services on Saturday at Tusculum College.