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, \u201cToday 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking at the morning ceremony was Carlie Thornber of Ontario, Canada. Thornber was a pre-med major with minors in chemistry and psychology.\u00a0 She plans on attending graduate school at Purdue University, where she will serve as a women\u2019s soccer graduate assistant while working toward her Master of Science in biology.<\/p>\n
Thornber told the graduates that she was a strong believer in pre-game rituals and had learned much from the \u201cFive Key Points\u201d provided before every soccer game by Women\u2019s Soccer Coach Mike Joy. She provided her own \u201cFive Key Points\u201d for life beyond Tusculum. Thornber\u2019s points included defining your own success by setting goals and deliberately working toward them, owning one\u2019s mistakes and learning from them, staying hungry by wanting more, expecting more and giving more, refusing to settle and to pursue life with passion.<\/p>\n
She added, \u201cAll of our experiences and life lessons have brought us to this point. Tusculum College is and always will be \u2018Our House.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Cate encouraged the graduates to learn to serve.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you haven\u2019t 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Belle-Wheelans-Photoweb-1-290x290.jpg\")
Dr. Belle S. Wheelan<\/p><\/div>\n
He added that continuing to learn is a crucial part of service. \u201cLearn as much as you can in order to serve others better.\u201d<\/p>\n
During both ceremonies, students were addressed by Dr. Belle Wheelan, president of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
She earned her bachelor\u2019s degree from Trinity University in Texas in 1972, double majoring in psychology and sociology. Her master\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Dr. Wheelan engaged with the students and expressed her admiration for their \u201chard work, time, energy and determination to reach this point.\u201d She also offered some words of wisdom.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope that you are the ones to bring back civility.\u201d Adding that people need to get back to being able to express themselves in a civilized manner without using weapons.<\/p>\n
Dr. Wheelan also asked the graduates to consider making giving back a routine part of their lives. \u201cIf you can, give financially, but give with your time. Be committed to a cause and stand up for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hurleycheckweb.jpg\")
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.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduatesweb.jpg\")
More than 250 graduates received diplomas during two Tusculum Commencement ceremonies on Saturday.<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Graduating from Tusculum during spring commencement were 259 individuals in two ceremonies held on Saturday, May 5.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[131,91,7,19,1,6],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n