Welch College Graduates 52 in Commencement Exercises

by jowens | May 18, 2019

Welch College conferred degrees on 52 students in its second Commencement exercises on the new campus in Gallatin, TN, according to Provost Matthew McAffee. The Student Activities Center space was converted into a 700-plus seating auditorium for the Baccalaureate service on Thursday evening, May 9, and the Commencement ceremony on Friday morning, May 10. The college awarded degrees in multiple programs, including two-year associate’s degrees, four-year bachelor’s degrees, and the Master of Arts degree in Theology and Ministry. Fifty-two percent of the class graduated with honors.

Dr. Bruce Ashford, provost of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, delivered this year’s Commencement address. Ashford urged graduates not to withdraw from culture but to transform every square inch with the gospel of the kingdom of Christ. Dr. Mark Stripling, pastor of North Little Rock Free Will Baptist Church in North Little Rock, Arkansas, reminded the graduating class at Baccalaureate of God’s faithfulness, calling them to a life of thankfulness and service to Christ.

On Thursday afternoon, May 9, six graduate students received the M.A. in Theology and Ministry and participated in the hooding ceremony, held in the Presidents Dining Room of Celorio Hall. Dr. Jeffrey Cockrell, program coordinator of the M.A. in Theology and Ministry, reflected on their course of study throughout the program and the importance of scriptural exegesis and its faithful application to life and ministry in a secular age. A reception followed for graduates and their families.

President Matt Pinson recognized retiree Sandy Goodfellow on his retirement for thirty-nine years of faithful service as director of plant operations of Welch College. His work in this role was crucial to the successful relocation of the college to Gallatin from its West End campus. Martha Fletcher, executive assistant to the president, was honored for her ten years of distinguished service. Dr. Ron Callaway, Program Coordinator of Intercultural Studies, was named Academic Advisor of the Year for the second year in a row. President Pinson also honored Mr. John Carter by naming him Professor Emeritus of History. Mr. Carter recently retired from his decades of service as history program coordinator and is only the fourth retiree to receive this designation along with Mr. Leroy Forlines, Dr. Robert Picirilli, and Mr. Ralph Hampton (deceased).

The college congratulates the 2019 graduating class and commends them to the service of Christ’s kingdom.

Associate of Science Degrees

Kandace Joyce Ailworth
Pleasant View, Tennessee
Biology

Riley Malone Bell
Joelton, Tennessee
Biology

Alegna Leelaine Cochran
Cottontown, Tennessee
Business

Madelynn Grace Crawford†
Cave Springs, Arkansas
Biology

Victoria Jazmine Crook
Portland, Tennessee
Biology

Christy Lynn Harris
Greenville, North Carolina
Business

Anna Elizabeth Kear†
Mount Carmel, Tennessee
Early Childhood

Maggie Rae Parrish
Lake Butler, Florida
Biology

Meredith Ashley Parrish
Smithfield, North Carolina
Biology

Alexis Marie Saunders
Dover, Tennessee
Biology

Ashley Michelle Snipes
Jesup, Georgia
Biology

Christopher Devante Thompson
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Business

Associate of Arts Degrees

Daniel James DeCresie
Greenville, North Carolina

Kelsey Renée Horton†
Ashland City, Tennessee
Teaching

Victoria Elizabeth Thomsen†
Joelton, Tennessee

William Garry Walker†
Spruce Pine, Alabama

Savannah Grace Watts
Pleasant View, Tennessee

Bachelor of Science Degrees

Karlee Elizabeth Alberty*
Chouteau, Oklahoma
Exercise Science

Dalton Warren Alvis**†
Erie, Pennsylvania
General Christian Ministry

Caitlyn Rose Braxton
Greenville, North Carolina
Exercise Science

Adra McClellan Brown*
Nashville, Tennessee
Psychology

Erica Elizabeth Brown
Alma, Georgia
Psychology

Brenan Hardy Clyatt
Lake Butler, Florida
Pastoral Ministry

Haley Breanna Cole*
Killen, Alabama
Psychology

Michaela Lynn Cowart**
North Kingstown, Rhode Island
Music Performance

Ashley Merritt Floyd
Turbeville, South Carolina
Psychology

Anna Grace Forlines
Hendersonville, Tennessee
General Christian Ministry

Baylea Renee Freeman***
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Psychology

Joshua Allen Hunter***
Pleasant View, Tennessee
Youth and Family Ministry

Brandon Scott Justice
Wellington, Kansas
Youth and Family Ministry

Dakota Kailyn Kron***
Knoxville, Tennessee
Early Childhood
Licensure PreK-3

Thomas Coveak Moody**
Nashville, Tennessee
General Christian Ministry

Hannah Caroline Morgan***
Cedar Hill, Tennessee
English
Licensure 6-12

Jonathon Gregory Reed
Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Youth and Family Ministry

Elizabeth Kathryn Stevanus**
Pleasant View, Tennessee
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-5

Kimberly Mikayla Strickland
Jacksonville, North Carolina
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-5

Michael James Szabo†
Deerfield, Michigan
Business Administration

Erick Lee Werner
Norfolk, Virginia
Business Administration

Erick DeVaughn Wilson
Nashville, Tennessee
Business Administration

Joshua Randall Wright
McKinney, Texas
Business Administration

Bachelor of Arts Degrees

Jacob Alexander Austin**
Clarksville, Florida
English

Michaela Lynn Cowart**
North Kingstown, Rhode Island
English

Keren Delgado**
Russellville, Arkansas
Intercultural Studies

Corbin Garrett Madden
Crossville, Tennessee
Youth and Family Ministry

Emily Anne Petty
Beecher City, Illinois
Intercultural Studies

Ryan David Whiticker***
Westmoreland, Tennessee
History

Master of Arts Degrees

Joshua Ray Colson
Johnston City, Illinois
Theology and Ministry

Gregory Randall Fawbush
Greenbrier, Tennessee
Theology and Ministry

Matthew Douglas Honeycutt
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Theology and Ministry

James Michael Keel
Dover, Tennessee
Theology and Ministry

Julie Marie Montero
Hialeah, Florida
Theology and Ministry

Cherish Christine Steigauf
Nashville, TN
Theology and Ministry

*** Summa Cum Laude – 3.75
** Magna Cum Laude – 3.50
* Cum Laude – 3.25
† Not Present

Congressman and Dr. Black Receive Welch’s Strong and Courageous Award

by jowens | May 14, 2019

Congressman Diane Black and Dr. David Black were presented the Strong and CourageousAward honoring their Christian faith and service in Sumner County, according to Dr. Charles Lea, Special Assistant to the President. The award was presented during the May 13 second annual Welch College Strong and Courageous Banquet, sponsored by Sumner Regional Medical Center and HighPoint Health System.

In introducing the award recipients, Lea noted the many accomplishments and Christian example of this special couple. Congressman Black has helped people through her service as a registered nurse, her instruction as an educator at Vol State Community College, and her work as a state representative, state senator, and member of the United States House of Representatives.

Dr. David Black, a nationally renowned toxicologist, is the founder of Aegis Science Corporation, which he led from its formation in 1990 until September 2016. Dr. Black is well known for his collection of Bibles and historical documents linking his love of country and the Christian faith.

Approximately 250 individuals attended the sold out community event on the Welch College campus. The evening began with a special rendition of the national anthem performed by State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver. Welch College ensemble Rejoice!provided music before Congressman John Rose presented a challenge and testimony.

The ancient leader of Israel, Joshua, portrayed by Greg Wilson, also made an appearing to share with the audience. Welch President Matt Pinson shared the college’s mission as a Christian community of faith and learning. Event patrons, along with event speakers, enjoyed an opening reception hosted by President and Mrs. Pinson in the Presidents Dining Room in Celorio Hall.

Although donations continue to be received, the Strong and Courageousevent has raised over $80,000 for student scholarships at Welch.

Welch College Signs Articulation Agreement with New Orleans Seminary

by jowens | May 7, 2019

Earlier this month Welch College signed an articulation agreement with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) for transfer of credit, according to Kevin Hester, Dean of the School of Theology and Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness at Welch. “This agreement, signed May 2019, will provide an easy pathway for Welch College graduates into graduate degree programs at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary,” Hester said. “This transfer-of-credit agreement is a pre-approval of Welch College courses for comparable New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary courses.” “Graduates from Welch College’s Master of Arts (M.A.) in Theology and Ministry may transfer twenty-seven hours of the thirty-three-hour program into the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Such a graduate could complete his or her first year of seminary study at Welch College and complete the remainder of NOBTS’s three-year M.Div. in two additional years of study.” The agreement also states that graduates of Welch College’s bachelor’s degree programs in ministry studies with a grade of “B” in associated courses will receive up to twenty-three hours of credit or 25% of the required coursework in NOBTS’s accelerated M.Div. program. All Welch graduates with sufficient coursework will enjoy advanced standing at the seminary. The agreement also allows students who have taken Welch Greek and Hebrew courses to move seamlessly into more advanced language courses as NOBTS. “Our work with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in securing this articulation agreement provides an important external confirmation of the excellence of our existing biblical, theological, and ministry programs on the graduate and undergraduate level and will prove very helpful to our graduates moving forward,” Hester said. “New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a conservative Baptist seminary which has given voice to the Arminian side of the Baptist tradition. I pray that this relationship will be fruitful for both institutions for many years to come.” Questions about Welch College’s M.A. in Theology and Ministry or undergraduate programs in biblical studies, theology, or ministry can be directed to Dr. Jeff Cockrell, Program Coordinator of the M.A. in Theology and Ministry, at (615) 675-5255 or jcockrell@welch.edu.