Countless hours spent studying textbooks, writing papers and doing research came to fruition Saturday for 315 individuals who received degrees during Tusculum College’s winter commencement ceremonies on December 15.
One hundred and seventy four earned Bachelor of Science degrees in organizational management during a morning ceremony. During an afternoon ceremony 49 earned Master of Arts degrees in education and 92 received Bachelor of Arts degrees.
The new graduates were addressed by Dr. Nancy B. Moody, participating in her first commencement ceremony at Tusculum College. Moody encouraged the students “to keep the College in your heart and in your mind.” Adding, “You have made a commitment and stuck with it to the point that you have forever changed the direction of your life.”
Tammy Meadows of Bristol and Leslie England of Oliver Springs, who both earned Bachelor of Science degrees in organizational management (BSOM), were chosen by the faculty as speakers to represent their classmates in the morning ceremony.
England focused on her classmates, calling them “profound, memorable and inspirational.” She added, “Tusculum is a good program, and excellent College and gave us the opportunity if we worked hard. We have a degree we can be proud of and that is respected by the business community.”
Meadows recognized her fellow graduates as “hard-working adults who endeavored to make their lives better. She spoke of the various reasons many of them returned to school – to improve their job position, to open doors of opportunity or to serve as an inspiring example to others. She encouraged them to continue their journey and to “recognize their accomplishment as one that no one can ever take away from them.”
In the afternoon ceremony, Robbie Mitchell of Greeneville, who earned her Masters of Arts degree in education, encouraged her classmates to “remember who you are.” Mitchell told her fellow graduates that they now bear another name – Tusculum College graduate. “Spend some time reflecting on who you are and recognize that you have a sphere of influence that is unique to you.”
Brian Hand of Morristown thanked his classmate for their support and encouragement. “We have worked together to accomplish our goals.” He also thanked the faculty and staff who helped him to reach this point. After a career in law enforcement and service as a United States Marine, Hand plans to begin a new life as a teacher in Hamblen County. “It’s a chance for me to inspire and influence the future.”
Jarrell NeSmith of Russellville, AL, was selected to speak as the representative of the Tusculum College Residential College. As one of the most decorated scholar-athletes in the College’s history, the pre-med major talked about the difficulties he found starting out and the tremendous support he found at Tusculum that helped him succeed.
“The faculty and staff here truly care about their students,” he said. “We leave here equipped with the necessary skills to enter society and make a difference.”
Also speaking was Dr. Stephen R. Weisz, chaplain and associate professor of religious studies. Weisz presented a sermon titled, “The Heartlessness of Greed.” Weisz said that “wealth in and of its self is not evil. It’s what you do with it.” He encouraged the graduates to be successful, but to think of others and not just accumulate possessions and wealth for oneself.”
In the week preceding commencement, the graduating students were recognized in a variety of ways.
For the Residential College, one of the College’s oldest traditions was renewed five days before graduation as seniors passed on their legacy of campus leadership to underclassmen in the Lantern Festival.
As the seniors passed their lanterns and robes to the underclassmen symbolizing their passing of the mantle of leadership, they described the difference their chosen individuals had made in their lives.
The evening also included one of the College’s newest traditions, the Golden Lantern presentation, in which the graduating seniors recognized the professors who had made the most significant impact on their lives at Tusculum.
Later in the week, two special ceremonies recognized those students in the Graduate and Professional Studies Program who had been chosen for induction in the Omicron-Psi National Honor Society. Graduates from the Northeast Tennessee area were recognized with an event on the Greeneville campus, and those from the Knoxville area had their accomplishment celebrated at an event at Tusculum’s Knoxville Regional Center.
Fifty students were inducted into the honor society, which recognizes the achievements of non-traditional students. Omicron-Psi stands for duty, honor and service. The society’s mission is to recognize achievements of non-traditional students, to encourage the continuation of educational pursuits, to supply scholarships to members, to provide referrals and references on request and to encourage members to commit to a life of honor, integrity and service in their home, community and workplace as well as duty to country.
To be eligible for membership in Omicron-Psi, students in master’s degree programs must have grade point averages of 3.5 or higher and be involved in service to their communities. Eleven students in the master’s of arts degree in education program were inducted.