Graduating from Tusculum during spring commencement were 259 individuals in two ceremonies held on Saturday, May 5.
On Saturday, 90 students earned Bachelor of Science degrees and 106 earned Bachelor of Arts degrees. In addition, 39 graduates earned Master of Arts degrees and 14 received Master of Business Administration degrees. Eight students earned Associate of Arts degrees.
Walking with this spring’s graduates were seven representatives of the Tusculum College Class of 1968 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. James Hurley, president of Tusculum.
The new graduates, the last to graduate with Tusculum College on their diploma as the institution transitions to university July 1, were addressed by Dr. Hurley, who recognized the hard work of the path to graduation, saying, “Today you will receive the diploma you have spent years to earn, and in so doing you will join the longest line of alumni in Tennessee.”
Speaking at the morning ceremony was Carlie Thornber of Ontario, Canada. Thornber was a pre-med major with minors in chemistry and psychology. She plans on attending graduate school at Purdue University, where she will serve as a women’s soccer graduate assistant while working toward her Master of Science in biology.
Thornber told the graduates that she was a strong believer in pre-game rituals and had learned much from the “Five Key Points” provided before every soccer game by Women’s Soccer Coach Mike Joy. She provided her own “Five Key Points” for life beyond Tusculum. Thornber’s points included defining your own success by setting goals and deliberately working toward them, owning one’s mistakes and learning from them, staying hungry by wanting more, expecting more and giving more, refusing to settle and to pursue life with passion.
She added, “All of our experiences and life lessons have brought us to this point. Tusculum College is and always will be ‘Our House.’”
Speaking during the afternoon ceremony was Daniel Cate of Strawberry Plains who earned his MBA with concentrations in healthcare administration and general management. Cate, a patient advocate and risk management professional, plans someday to become a hospital administrator.
Cate encouraged the graduates to learn to serve.
“If you haven’t served someone recently give it a try. You might be surprised how much impact a single act of service can have. And, if you do it enough, it will eventually grow from a few acts of service into a lifestyle.”
Dr. Belle S. Wheelan
He added that continuing to learn is a crucial part of service. “Learn as much as you can in order to serve others better.”
During both ceremonies, students were addressed by Dr. Belle Wheelan, president of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Dr. Wheelan has held numerous titles over the course of her 40-year career including faculty member, chief of student services officer, campus provost, college president and Secretary of Education. She has been the first African-American and the first woman to serve in both her current role of president of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and the majority of the aforementioned roles.
She earned her bachelor’s degree from Trinity University in Texas in 1972, double majoring in psychology and sociology. Her master’s degree in developmental educational psychology is from Louisiana State University. She earned her doctorate in educational administration with a focus in community college leadership from the University of Texas at Austin in 1984.
Dr. Wheelan engaged with the students and expressed her admiration for their “hard work, time, energy and determination to reach this point.” She also offered some words of wisdom.
“I hope that you are the ones to bring back civility.” Adding that people need to get back to being able to express themselves in a civilized manner without using weapons.
Dr. Wheelan also asked the graduates to consider making giving back a routine part of their lives. “If you can, give financially, but give with your time. Be committed to a cause and stand up for it.”
Dr. James Hurley, president of Tusculum (left) receives a gift for $11,812.79 from Frank Horsman (center) of the Class of 1968 and Student Government Association President Kris Adams.
More than 250 graduates received diplomas during two Tusculum Commencement ceremonies on Saturday.