GREENEVILLE – Punctuating a joyous conclusion to the academic year at Tusculum University, graduating seniors triumphantly walked across the stage Saturday, May 11, and celebrated their degree from the first higher education institution in Tennessee.
Congressman Phil Roe, R-1st, addresses the graduates as guest speaker.
Tusculum conferred bachelor’s and master’s degrees on about 270 students during the commencement ceremony in the Pioneer Arena. Congressman Phil Roe, R-1st, served as guest speaker and inspired the audience with an optimistic message about the state of the United States.
“I can tell you that the best days of America are ahead of us,” Roe said. “And you’re going to be the ones that help change it and make it what it is. You’re capable of great, great things.”
Roe encouraged graduates to find jobs they love and told them to establish priorities. He recommended four and put them in the following order: God, family, one’s job and the need to leave the country better.
Dr. James Hurley, Tusculum’s president, also offered advice to graduates. He said he did not want them to give up on their dreams or themselves. He urged them to make excellence a habit and to be tough but kind.
“Never allow your past to define your future,” Dr. Hurley said. “Don’t be afraid to fail but always fail forward. And lastly, never, ever forget your alma mater, for we love and cherish each of you very much.”
Valedictorian Karin Mountain, right, and salutatorian Megan Southerland pose before the graduation ceremony.
Salutatorian Megan Southerland is a local student from Greene County who earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in environmental science from Tusculum. She sang sections of the Tusculum alma mater song about oaks, the horizon and the beauties of nature during her remarks.
“Ðuring the first few weeks at Tusculum, I realized my environmental science classes were not going to be similar to my previous classroom experiences,” she said. “The true meaning of ‘beauties of nature’ came alive. Participating in research had been a lifelong goal of mine, and I was finally able to accomplish this goal at Tusculum.”
Valedictorian Karin Mountain, who earned a master’s degree in talent development, was born in Bogotá, Columbia, and has taught Spanish for 17 years. She described many Tusculum Pioneer attributes, including surpassing expectations, inviting the future and never being afraid to face fears. Now, she is taking the next step in her academic career.
“Therefore, at the age of 45 and after having to wait for over 20 years to make this dream come true, I hope my testimony is an example for many people, especially my kids, that it’s never too late to go after your dreams,” she said.
Besides degrees, Tusculum presented the Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award to Dr. Mary Cooper and the Outstanding Service to Students Award to Dr. Debra McGinn.
In addition, Tusculum presented the President’s Award, which honors contributions in academics, athletics, leadership and personality to business graduate De’Erica Garrett. The university also recognized nursing graduate Courtney Booth with the Bruce G. Batts Award, which honors community service, civility, scholarship and critical thinking.
For more information about the university, please visit www.tusculum.edu.