GREENEVILLE – As the end of the academic year nears, it is natural for graduates to reflect on their years as a student and the people who have impacted their lives.
Tusculum University adopted a special program about 60 years ago that enables graduating students to recognize fellow Pioneers who have graced their paths. Called the Lantern Festival, the event provides an opportunity for graduates to give a lamp to a younger student who has been particularly meaningful. In addition, the recipient dons the senior’s graduation robe.
MaKayla Tittle puts her graduation robe on Emily Brinton during the Lantern Festival.
“You are beacons of light inspired by those who have invested in you,” Dr. Madison Sowell, Tusculum’s provost and vice president of academic affairs, told soon-to-be graduates during the recent Lantern Festival on campus. “As you move to new adventures, to new challenges and to new mountains you must climb, I hope that you’ll let your light serve as a guide and serve as an inspiration to others. Do good works by lighting other torches along your way, always remembering that Tusculum contributed to that light that you will share.”
The lantern is incorporated in Tusculum’s seal, and the university’s motto is Sit Lux, which means “let there be light.” Taylor Rigatti, Tusculum’s coordinator of multicultural affairs and educational programming, said the Lantern Festival is a way for the senior to recognize the potential in his or her fellow student and to encourage that person to be a campus leader. Through this ceremony, the younger student has an opportunity to continue the legacy left by the graduate while expanding on it, she said.
During the event, 19 seniors gave a lantern and robe to a fellow underclassman.
Another component of the Lantern Festival is for seniors to honor faculty and staff members who have helped them. About 40 students recognized 29 faculty and staff members by giving them a golden lantern pin.
“Not only are you passing that light along to those who follow you, in many ways you’re honoring professors, administrators and staff members who shared their light with you,” Dr. Sowell said. “These are the people whose work, mentorship, service and light helped you achieve and reach this stage in your academic career.”
The student-to-student exchanges contained a variety of messages – some serious, others humorous and a few with a great deal of depth to them.
Amber Loggains said she has known Sierra Phillips since the first day Phillips moved in on campus. Loggains discovered that she and Phillips owned the same comforters, which adorn their beds to this day. They are now roommates.
“When she was a freshman, I was her mentor,” Loggains said. “I’ve been able to see my influence on her and how she has grown since her freshman year. I’m really glad she’s going to be my roommate for my last semester, and I’m so thankful to have her.”
De’Erica Garrett said she met Andre Jones during an honors seminar class and became friends with him because of their challenges with it.
De’Erica Garrett gives a lamp to Andre Jones during the Lantern Festival.
“Now, we’ve become close friends,” she said. “We’re tutors and mentors together. I don’t think he realizes how much he’s helped me grow as a person, whether it’s with my classes or in my confidence. I see something in you that I saw in myself, and I just know you’ll do me justice. I’m so proud of you.”
The sentiment was just as strong when students lined up to sing the praises of professors and staff members. Students highlighted how their teachers or staff members were supportive at important junctures in their lives, allowed them to express their emotions and helped motivate them to improve in the classroom.
Ashton Watson described Dr. Robert Gall, chairman of the psychology department, as wise and helpful. He quoted Proverbs 1:5 “And a wise man will hear and increase in learning and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel.”
“I once went in for a two-minute question with him, and we ended up being in there for an hour and a half and talked about anything,” Watson said. “He helped me answer a lot of questions. He’s also faith-grounded, which helps me relate with him very well.”
Shawn McClure described many attributes of Shannon Brown, an administrative assistant on the Knoxville campus.
“She’s tough, she’s bold, she’s fierce and she’s very honest,” McClure said. “She’s more than a staff member. Shannon is stuck with me for life now. She values all of her kids, even though most of them are the same age as her. She’s challenged me to be a better person, she’s helped me to think for myself and she’s helping me to be true to myself. And for that, I’ll honor her. If you don’t know Shannon Brown, get to know her because she rocks.”