GREENEVILLE – Completing their studies as career-ready professionals, another 125 Tusculum University students have graduated and are ready to tackle the next phase of life with a pioneering spirit.
Dr. Scott Hummel, left, congratulates Mirna Jacinto Ramirez, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science.
Dr. Nick Davidson, right, hoods Mya Belton, who received a Master of Sport Management.
Tusculum held its fall semester commencement ceremony Saturday, Dec. 9, which featured jubilant graduates, families and other supporters. The university celebrated the graduation of this impressive cohort, which came from 10 states as well as Puerto Rico and Spain and studied in associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.
“When our students arrive, they are full of potential and talent, but over the course of their studies and through their Tusculum experience, their skills are honed, and they are transformed into better citizens, people and career-ready professionals,” said Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president. “Our students are our mission, so we are honored to play such an important role in their preparation for their future.”
Many graduates took full advantage of the opportunities available to them as Tusculum students.
This included participating in undergraduate research that enabled them to travel to places such as Puerto Rico or earn a stipend to work on their project during the summer as a Ledford Scholar of the Appalachian College Association. Others were active in the Student Government Association and as Pioneer Peers, won awards for their writing, led in theater productions and represented Tusculum as student-athletes.
Undergraduate student speaker
Grayson Patterson delivers her remarks as the undergraduate student speaker.
One new alumna made the most of her experience as a Pioneer is Grayson Patterson by graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in English, with a concentration in creative writing. She was also a goalie for the women’s soccer team, was an intern for two law firms in Northeast Tennessee and participated in the filming of an upcoming episode of the national show “The College Tour” that will feature Tusculum. Her plan is to enter law school in fall 2024.
Patterson was the undergraduate speaker at commencement.
“Really and truly, it’s the teachers here and the Greenville community that make Tusculum such a unique and wonderful place,” Patterson said. “The thing about Tusculum is that the experiences students go through here are pretty frequently shared with everyone. I love that. I found out quickly it’s not uncommon to have a close relationship with your teachers here. Your teachers ask about your game the night before. They ask about a recent test you took in another class. They know you and want to know you. I don’t think you could find another tight-knit school like Tusculum.”
Patterson touted Wayne Thomas, dean of the College of Civic and Liberal Arts, who also taught and advised her. She also honored him with a pin during Tusculum’s Lantern Festival, a longtime tradition at the university, held Wednesday, Dec. 6.
“Wayne instantly took me under his wing, constantly checked in on how my studies were going, occasionally got mad at me for not stopping by to see him when things got busy and gave me reassurance that I will be great after graduating from Tusculum,” she said. “I don’t think I remember a time that I went into Professor Wayne’s office and the words, ‘Girl, you stress too much; stop stressing’ didn’t come out of his mouth. He has a way of saying what you truly needed to hear, like it or not.”
Graduate student speaker
Ross Frizzell, right, and his wife, Erin, celebrate after he graduated with his master’s degree.
Ross Frizzell, who obtained a Master of Arts in Organizational Training and Performance Management, was the speaker for the graduate students. He said his wife, Erin, who is associate director of Upward Bound at Tusculum, suggested he apply. He rewarded her faith in and support of him by giving her a pin during the Lantern Festival.
He focused his graduation remarks on one word: love.
“Had I not had people surrounding me, loving and encouraging me to take this journey, I would have never taken that first step,” Frizzell said. “It is a fact that none of us would be here today, receiving these honors, without love. Love is what made us, it is what drives us and it is what we should carry into the world when we leave here today. We were all created out of God’s love. We owe our very existence to it and we are commanded to go out into the world and display it.”
Frizzell said each graduate’s love for someone or something drove them to receive their education. He noted that the graduates could not have completed their degrees without the love of those who admitted, guided, instructed and supported them at the university.
“Proverbs 18:15 tells us, ‘The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out,’” he said. “We all have our discerning reasons for acquiring knowledge. For some, it may be to start a career; for others, it may be to advance their current career; and for some, it may be to prepare for additional education. For me, the love for my family and the love of training others led me to pursue this degree and this knowledge, after encouragement that I actually could, of course. I hope to set an example for my children of what love, discernment and wisdom mean.”
Frizzell encouraged all graduates to spread love.
“You are leaving here today with degrees to do many different things,” he said. “In all of those things, display love – love for your chosen endeavors and love for those with whom you interact in those endeavors. It is the most precious thing that we can give back after the love that has been shown to us.”
Mother-daughter connection
Stacie Bergquist, right, and her daughter, Alexandra, enjoy a moment together before the start of graduation.
Another highlight of the commencement ceremony was a mother-daughter graduation. Stacie Bergquist, the mother, earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and her 20-year-old daughter, Alexandra Bergquist, received an Associate of Science with a concentration in business. Stacie grew understandably emotional when she talked about being able to participate in the ceremony with her daughter.
“It means a lot because I felt like we pushed each other during our studies,” she said. “What pushed me was to be a role model for her. She didn’t want to walk the stage because she was receiving an associate degree, but I told her, ‘You worked hard for it.’ And not many people get to walk with their mother or daughter. It makes me very proud to have her there with me.”
Alexandra completed her degree requirements in August and is now pursuing her bachelor’s in business administration, majoring in accounting, at Tusculum. Stacie started her pursuit of a college degree before her daughter, but the two of them enrolled in a World Religion class together when Alexandra was in high school and taking dual enrollment courses. Stacie said it was fun to have a class together. At the same time Alexandra graduated from high school, Stacie earned her associate degree from Tusculum.
Stacie is the administrative assistant for Tusculum’s Facilities Management Department, and one of the reasons she chose to work at Tusculum was the ability to also earn a bachelor’s degree at no cost to her as a benefit of her employment. She wanted to earn her degree but had some qualms because she would be almost 50 when she graduated. But she concluded she was going to turn 50 anyway and might as well have a degree.
Stacie was a first-generation student who participated in the ARCHES program for online undergraduate students. The free federally funded program provides participants with additional support services as well as opportunities to take cultural and educational trips.
Final thoughts from the administration
Dr. Tricia Hunsader, provost and vice president of academic affairs, congratulated the graduates and the team effort involved.
“We nurtured our graduates in a caring Christian environment with faculty members committed to preparing their students for the workforce and life after graduation and staff members who provided valuable holistic support that culminated in today’s ceremony,” Dr. Hunsader said. “We are proud of our students for embracing this opportunity and sticking with it. We look forward to watching them succeed and bragging on them as Tusculum alumni well into the future.”
You can watch the ceremony at https://youtube.com/live/1IDFBIAbsJk?feature=share. To learn more about the university, please visit www.tusculum.edu.