{"id":32201,"date":"2025-12-13T17:26:12","date_gmt":"2025-12-13T22:26:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/?p=32201"},"modified":"2025-12-13T17:26:12","modified_gmt":"2025-12-13T22:26:12","slug":"compelling-stories-and-achievement-abound-for-more-than-100-graduates-who-earn-degrees-from-tusculum-university","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/news\/2025\/compelling-stories-and-achievement-abound-for-more-than-100-graduates-who-earn-degrees-from-tusculum-university\/","title":{"rendered":"Compelling stories and achievement abound for more than 100 graduates who earn degrees from Tusculum University"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>GREENEVILLE<\/strong> \u2013 Achievement brought abundant smiles from graduates and loud cheers from family members as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tusculum.edu\/\">Tusculum University<\/a> celebrated these students\u2019 transition to <a href=\"https:\/\/web.tusculum.edu\/alumni\/\">alumni<\/a> during the commencement ceremony Saturday, Dec. 13.<\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_32209\" style=\"width: 298px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-32209\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-32209\" src=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-8-5-288x300.jpg\" alt=\"Dorian Craven is hooded by Dr. Chris Kauffman.\" width=\"288\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-8-5-288x300.jpg 288w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-8-5-982x1024.jpg 982w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-8-5-768x801.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-8-5-1473x1536.jpg 1473w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-8-5-1964x2048.jpg 1964w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-8-5-192x200.jpg 192w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-8-5-144x150.jpg 144w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-8-5-115x120.jpg 115w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-8-5-96x100.jpg 96w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-8-5-48x50.jpg 48w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 288px) 100vw, 288px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-32209\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dorian Craven is hooded by Dr. Chris Kauffman.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_32208\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-32208\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-32208\" src=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-7-6-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Graduation begins at Tusculum University.\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-7-6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-7-6-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-7-6-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-7-6-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-7-6-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-7-6-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-7-6-120x80.jpg 120w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-7-6-100x67.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-7-6-50x33.jpg 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-32208\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Graduation begins at Tusculum University.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>More than 100 students completed their studies for an associate, bachelor\u2019s or master\u2019s degree and will now proceed with their careers or pursue further studies. The graduating class included students from nine states and four countries, reflecting the wide array of students the university attracts and the cultural enrichment that variety brings to Tusculum family members\u2019 lives and the community.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are thrilled to mark the culmination of these students\u2019 studies and recognize their personal and professional growth,\u201d said Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum\u2019s president. \u201cA Tusculum education transforms lives by not only instilling the academic knowledge students need but also helping them become even better citizens and strengthening their faith. This form of learning will undergird them as they enter the workforce or proceed to the next phase of their studies.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The ceremony came at the conclusion of a challenging week for the Tusculum family. Freshman Payton Cook, who was in the <a href=\"https:\/\/site.tusculum.edu\/bachelor-of-science-in-business-administration-2\/\">business administration<\/a> program and a member of the <a href=\"https:\/\/tusculum.prestosports.com\/sports\/mlax\/index\">men\u2019s lacrosse<\/a> team, passed away Friday, Dec. 5, in a car accident. Tusculum held a memorial service for him Monday, Dec. 8, and observed a moment of silence during graduation.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe service showed, in a powerful way, what the Tusculum family truly is \u2013 a Christian community that shows up for one another, grieves honestly, prays faithfully and surrounds those who are hurting with compassion and care,\u201d said Dr. David Cook, provost and vice president of academic affairs, who is not related to Payton. \u201cAs we continue to lift up Payton\u2019s family, his teammates and the four other students who were injured and are now recovering, we are reminded that even in moments of deep loss, God is near and present among His people.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Highlighting graduates<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Forty-seven graduates earned master\u2019s degrees in Tusculum\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/site.tusculum.edu\/master-of-business-administration\/\">business<\/a>, education and <a href=\"https:\/\/site.tusculum.edu\/master-of-sport-management\/\">sport management<\/a> programs. Forty-six obtained bachelor\u2019s degrees in fields such as business administration, <a href=\"https:\/\/site.tusculum.edu\/bachelor-of-arts-in-interdisciplinary-studies\/\">elementary education<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/site.tusculum.edu\/communication\/\">communication<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/site.tusculum.edu\/history\/\">history<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/site.tusculum.edu\/biology\/\">biology<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/site.tusculum.edu\/computer-science\/\">computer science<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/site.tusculum.edu\/psychology\/\">psychology<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/site.tusculum.edu\/sport-science\/\">sport science<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/site.tusculum.edu\/bachelor-of-science-in-sport-management\/\">sport management<\/a>. Twelve earned associate degrees in <a href=\"https:\/\/site.tusculum.edu\/apply-visit\/apply\/associate\/\">general studies<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_32204\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-32204\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-32204\" src=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-cropped-300x296.jpg\" alt=\"Xavier Velazquez, middle, stands with Chuck Sutton, right, from the Office of Student Affairs and Steve Anderson from Student Support Services after the ceremony.\" width=\"300\" height=\"296\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-cropped-300x296.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-cropped-1024x1011.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-cropped-768x759.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-cropped-1536x1517.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-cropped-2048x2023.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-cropped-202x200.jpg 202w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-cropped-150x148.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-cropped-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-cropped-50x50.jpg 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-32204\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Xavier Velazquez, middle, stands with Chuck Sutton, right, from the Office of Student Affairs and Steve Anderson from Student Support Services after the ceremony.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The additional degree will empower graduate students to take their careers to another level or offer them a chance to switch directions in their professional lives. A good example is the <a href=\"https:\/\/site.tusculum.edu\/master-of-arts-in-teaching\/\">Master of Arts in Teaching<\/a>, which enables students who have earned a degree in a noneducation field to become certified teachers. One of the graduates was Callie Kersey, who teaches in a rural area that was devastated by Hurricane Helene. She chose Tusculum because of the weekly synchronous Zoom sessions in which all of the students interact with one of the professors.<\/p>\n<p>One of the recipients of a Master of Sport Management was Sierra \u201cNic\u201d Doherty, who was a graduate assistant coach for Tusculum\u2019s baseball program and then worked for Major League Baseball as a replay operator. She helped decide the winner of this year\u2019s Home Run Derby.<\/p>\n<p>Many undergraduates have made the most of their time at the university and offer compelling stories.<\/p>\n<p>Xavier Velazquez, who came from Florida and earned a degree in business administration, developed into one of the more recognizable and beloved people on campus through his magnetic personality. Velazquez played <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tusculumpioneers.com\/sports\/fball\/index\">football<\/a> for part of his time at Tusculum and later became a real estate agent. His path to Tusculum was not the sunniest, but he did not let that stop him.<\/p>\n<p>During an episode of the national television show \u201cThe College Tour\u201d that featured Tusculum, Velazquez shared he was a first-generation student who lost his father when he was 4 and was homeless during his senior year of high school. He highlighted through personal experience how affordable Tusculum is and the additional help he received through <a href=\"https:\/\/site.tusculum.edu\/student-success\/academic-affairs\/first-gen\/sss\/\">Student Support Services<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>That program provides academic advising, tutoring, mentoring, financial aid and scholarship support, financial literacy guidance, cultural and social activities and visits to graduate schools to first-generation and income-eligible students as well as those with disabilities.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTusculum helped prepare me as a student for life\u2019s endeavors,\u201d he said. \u201cMy Tusculum experience helped show me that even through the ups and downs, anything is possible as long as you remain true and faithful. It helped me learn the true value of friendship and relationships.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Velazquez relishes his conversations with Chuck Sutton, vice president of <a href=\"https:\/\/site.tusculum.edu\/student-affairs\/\">student affairs<\/a> and retention, who provided advice on everything, including life, finances and religion.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_32206\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-32206\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-32206\" src=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-3-min-300x281.jpg\" alt=\"Zoey Seay, left, stands with her family after the ceremony.\" width=\"300\" height=\"281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-3-min-300x281.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-3-min-1024x958.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-3-min-768x719.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-3-min-1536x1437.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-3-min-2048x1916.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-3-min-214x200.jpg 214w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-3-min-150x140.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-3-min-120x112.jpg 120w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-3-min-100x94.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-3-min-50x47.jpg 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-32206\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Zoey Seay, left, stands with her family after the ceremony.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_32205\" style=\"width: 258px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-32205\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-32205\" src=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduationn-6-min-248x300.jpg\" alt=\"Todd Wallin, right, wears his mascot boots as he shakes hands with Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum\u2019s president.\" width=\"248\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduationn-6-min-248x300.jpg 248w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduationn-6-min-847x1024.jpg 847w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduationn-6-min-768x928.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduationn-6-min-1271x1536.jpg 1271w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduationn-6-min-1695x2048.jpg 1695w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduationn-6-min-165x200.jpg 165w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduationn-6-min-124x150.jpg 124w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduationn-6-min-99x120.jpg 99w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduationn-6-min-83x100.jpg 83w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduationn-6-min-41x50.jpg 41w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 248px) 100vw, 248px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-32205\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Todd Wallin, right, wears his mascot boots as he shakes hands with Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum\u2019s president.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Todd Wallin, who earned a bachelor\u2019s in <a href=\"https:\/\/site.tusculum.edu\/history-education\/\">history education 6-12<\/a>, played a significant role in the campus environment through his extracurricular activities. He was the male lead in the productions of \u201cMamma Mia\u201d and \u201cNewsies\u201d and a member of the cast of \u201cThe Glass Menagerie\u201d at Tusculum. He was also a producer for the Tusculum Young Actors Studio Showcase and appeared in \u201cThe College Tour episode\u201d to talk about Tusculum\u2019s arts programs.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, he specialized in entertaining audiences by wearing the costume of Zeke, Tusculum\u2019s mascot, once nailing a half court shot at a special event.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere has been a lot to enjoy at Tusculum, but for me, the best part has been the people \u2013 the teachers who showed me that I could always strive for more, the opportunities they presented to me, the chance to put smiles on children\u2019s faces as the mascot and the fellow students who I had the pleasure of embarking on this journey with,\u201d Wallin said. \u201cAnother thing that I certainly enjoyed was the opportunities I had in the theater program at Tusculum. The chance to tell so many stories to people as I was walking through my own \u2013 I will never forget that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Zoey Seay, who now holds a degree in communication, was a member of Tusculum\u2019s debate team for three years and rose to the position of team vice president. She was also in the <a href=\"https:\/\/site.tusculum.edu\/honors\/\">Honors Program<\/a> and SSS.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_32207\" style=\"width: 295px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-32207\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-32207\" src=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-5-6-285x300.jpg\" alt=\"Lily Burgner, right, receives congratulations from Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum\u2019s president.\" width=\"285\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-5-6-285x300.jpg 285w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-5-6-974x1024.jpg 974w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-5-6-768x807.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-5-6-1461x1536.jpg 1461w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-5-6-1948x2048.jpg 1948w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-5-6-190x200.jpg 190w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-5-6-143x150.jpg 143w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-5-6-114x120.jpg 114w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-5-6-95x100.jpg 95w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-5-6-48x50.jpg 48w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 285px) 100vw, 285px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-32207\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lily Burgner, right, receives congratulations from Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum\u2019s president.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>In addition, Seay served as managing editor and assistant fiction editor for \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/ttr.tusculum.edu\/\">The Tusculum Review,<\/a>\u201d the university\u2019s international literary journal, this year. She was the publication\u2019s assistant poetry editor in 2024. Through that experience, she was able to read submissions from authors who wanted to appear in \u201cThe Tusculum Review,\u201d perform the layout of the ones being published and correspond with the authors.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI really enjoyed participating in extracurricular activities like debate and doing things with the Honors Program because I got to meet more people. I got to develop my public speaking skills. I learned a lot that is going to be transferrable to my career \u2013 stuff that wasn\u2019t even part of my major. I definitely think that all of the classes I\u2019ve taken and all the skills I\u2019ve learned through my internships and through my courses have helped me prepare to enter the workforce.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This year, the assistant poetry editor for \u201cThe Tusculum Review\u201d was Lily Burgner, who earned her associate degree. What is particularly impressive about her degree is that she received it while she remains a student at Chuckey-Doak High School. She has been a <a href=\"https:\/\/site.tusculum.edu\/apply-visit\/apply\/dual-enrollment\/\">dual enrollment student<\/a> at Tusculum. She said she was honored to be a member of the publication\u2019s staff and that it was special to work with the authors<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s really just working closely with all of these authors and all of these professionals and being able to be that mediating point,\u201d Burgner said. \u201cThis is something important that\u2019s going to be published. I have to make sure that it\u2019s good. I have to make sure that it\u2019s right. I have to make sure that it looks nice. It really helped push me into a world of, \u2018Oh, this is probably my first step into adulthood.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Undergraduate speaker<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The undergraduate speaker during Saturday\u2019s graduation was Fisher Overton, who earned a bachelor\u2019s in interdisciplinary studies, elementary education K-5. His goal is to pursue a career in instructional leadership. As an online Tusculum student, he became a member of the Kappa Delta Pi education honor society and was selected for Teachers of Promise, a program that enabled him to spend a weekend with educators from Tusculum and other universities to advance his knowledge in the field.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_32202\" style=\"width: 265px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-32202\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-32202\" src=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-1-8-255x300.jpg\" alt=\"Fisher Overton delivers the undergraduate student speech at graduation.\" width=\"255\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-1-8-255x300.jpg 255w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-1-8-870x1024.jpg 870w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-1-8-768x904.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-1-8-1305x1536.jpg 1305w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-1-8-1739x2048.jpg 1739w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-1-8-170x200.jpg 170w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-1-8-127x150.jpg 127w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-1-8-102x120.jpg 102w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-1-8-85x100.jpg 85w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-1-8-42x50.jpg 42w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 255px) 100vw, 255px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-32202\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fisher Overton delivers the undergraduate student speech at graduation.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Overton follows in the footsteps of his father, Dr. Ronald Overton, who graduated from Tusculum 14 years ago. He described having a wonderful experience at the university, with professors who were committed to sharing their insights and creating a loving and caring relationship. In his remarks, he talked about impact and change.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRegardless of the fields we will end up in, we will come across countless individuals that we can and should make a change for,\u201d Overton said. \u201cFor myself, teachers have had the greatest impact on me and truly shaped my journey to pursue the educational field. I have been blessed to teach fifth grade as I finish my degree, and the moments that I have spent with my students through these five months are moments that are already irreplaceable. I am in a position of change. A position where my impact matters.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>No matter what the backgrounds are of the people one meets, the most fulfilling outcome one could desire for them is success, Overton said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe should encourage those around us to take risks, to stand up to challenges and act outside of their comfort zones because these key events help people discover who they are, what they want to become and ultimately, the path that they will take,\u201d he said. \u201cThe time we are allotted with those we love and care for is not infinite, so act now and diligently.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Graduate speaker<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Speaking on behalf of the graduate students was Dalton Ramsey, who was hooded as a Master of Arts in Teaching recipient. He became an elementary school teacher in the summer. He focused his remarks on passion. He said that feeling helped him to persevere through his graduate studies and said it was what led many people to choose their particular fields of study.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_32203\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-32203\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-32203\" src=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-2-8-300x292.jpg\" alt=\"Dalton Ramsey, the graduate student speaker, is hooded by Dr. Peggy Goodson-Rochelle during commencement.\" width=\"300\" height=\"292\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-2-8-300x292.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-2-8-1024x995.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-2-8-768x747.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-2-8-1536x1493.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-2-8-2048x1991.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-2-8-206x200.jpg 206w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-2-8-150x146.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-2-8-120x117.jpg 120w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-2-8-100x97.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-2-8-50x50.jpg 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-32203\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dalton Ramsey, the graduate student speaker, is hooded by Dr. Peggy Goodson-Rochelle during commencement.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\u201cPassion is the spark that nudged us forward before we had the knowledge, the skills or even the confidence,\u201d Ramsey said. \u201cIt was that inner voice saying, \u2018This is where you belong.\u2019 But passion isn\u2019t always loud. Sometimes it\u2019s a commitment to showing up, even on the days when enthusiasm feels out of reach. Throughout our college journey, passion did not just mean loving what we do. It meant learning to push through confusion, asking for help, stumbling, relearning and finally understanding. It meant discovering joy in the process, not just in the outcome.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ramsey said passion also supplies purpose.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt reminds us that our jobs are more than just careers\u2014 they\u2019re contributions to our fields. Each of us have the opportunity to make an impact, whether we\u2019re designing safer communities, advancing technology, healing others or inspiring the next generation. When we bring passion to our occupation, we elevate not just ourselves but also everyone our work touches. So, I say to my fellow graduates, \u2018Hold onto that spark you discovered during your time here. Let it guide you and push you toward excellence.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<p>After the graduates walked the stage, Dr. Cook addressed them.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYour legacy at Tusculum University will not be defined solely by what you accomplished while you were students here, but by how you live out what you have received. Our hope is that the Christian care you experienced at Tusculum will be a springboard for lives marked by service, generosity and love. Just as you were poured into, may you pour into others \u2013 excelling, as Scripture calls us, in faith, in knowledge and in love. Please know that we will continue to pray for you, and we look forward with great anticipation to seeing where God leads you next.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Additional information about the university is available at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tusculum.edu\">www.tusculum.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><h3><strong>GREENEVILLE<\/strong> \u2013 Achievement brought abundant smiles from graduates and loud cheers from family members as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tusculum.edu\/\">Tusculum University<\/a> celebrated these students\u2019 transition to <a href=\"https:\/\/web.tusculum.edu\/alumni\/\">alumni<\/a> during the commencement ceremony Saturday, Dec. 13.<\/h3>\n<p>More than 100 students completed their studies for an associate, bachelor\u2019s or master\u2019s degree and will now proceed with their careers or pursue further studies. The graduating class included students from nine states and four countries, reflecting the wide array of students the university attracts and the cultural enrichment that variety brings to Tusculum family members\u2019 lives and the community.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are thrilled to mark the culmination of these students\u2019 studies and recognize their personal and professional growth,\u201d said Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum\u2019s president. \u201cA Tusculum education transforms lives by not only instilling the academic knowledge students need but also helping them become even better citizens and strengthening their faith. This form of learning will undergird them as they enter the workforce or proceed to the next phase of their studies.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/news\/2025\/compelling-stories-and-achievement-abound-for-more-than-100-graduates-who-earn-degrees-from-tusculum-university\/\"> Read the full article&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[131,91,7,19,142,169,146,1,6,148,147,149,172],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Compelling stories and achievement abound for more than 100 graduates who earn degrees from Tusculum University :: Tusculum University<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/news\/2025\/compelling-stories-and-achievement-abound-for-more-than-100-graduates-who-earn-degrees-from-tusculum-university\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Compelling stories and achievement abound for more than 100 graduates who earn degrees from Tusculum University :: Tusculum University\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"GREENEVILLE \u2013 Achievement brought abundant smiles from graduates and loud cheers from family members as Tusculum University celebrated these students\u2019 transition to alumni during the commencement ceremony Saturday, Dec. 13. More than 100 students completed their studies for an associate, bachelor\u2019s or master\u2019s degree and will now proceed with their careers or pursue further studies. The graduating class included students from nine states and four countries, reflecting the wide array of students the university attracts and the cultural enrichment that variety brings to Tusculum family members\u2019 lives and the community. \u201cWe are thrilled to mark the culmination of these students\u2019 studies and recognize their personal and professional growth,\u201d said Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum\u2019s president. \u201cA Tusculum education transforms lives by not only instilling the academic knowledge students need but also helping them become even better citizens and strengthening their faith. This form of learning will undergird them as they enter the workforce or proceed to the next phase of their studies.\u201d Read the full article...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/news\/2025\/compelling-stories-and-achievement-abound-for-more-than-100-graduates-who-earn-degrees-from-tusculum-university\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"TUSCULUM UNIVERSITY NEWS\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-12-13T22:26:12+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduation-8-5-288x300.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jim Wozniak\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Jim Wozniak\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" 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