For Immediate Release
GALLATIN, TN—John J. DeBerry, Jr., Senior Advisor to Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, and Dr. Will Beauchamp, pastor of First Free Will Baptist Church of Tampa, Seffner, Florida, will address the Welch College graduating class of 2024 on May 2–3. Beauchamp will bring the baccalaureate sermon Thursday evening, May 2, at 7:00 p.m. DeBerry will address the graduates during the commencement ceremony at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 3.
John J. DeBerry, Jr., is a native of rural West Tennessee who served for twenty-six years as a state representative in the Tennessee House of Representatives. He currently serves as Senior Advisor to Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. DeBerry graduated from Freed-Hardeman University and the University of Memphis. A distinguished representative to the Tennessee House, he served in a number of influential roles, including Speaker Pro Tempore. His leadership has emphasized character and the values of the Christian tradition and has focused on education and mentoring young people. He was married to his late wife Georgia for 40 years. They had two children, now grown, Chevida and Victoria.
Will Beauchamp, a 1994 Welch graduate, has served on the college’s Board of Trustees for the past twelve years, five as vice-chairman. A Florida native, he has been pastor of First Free Will Baptist Church of Tampa since 2012. He holds a master’s degree from Dallas Theological Seminary and a doctorate from Liberty University. In addition to serving as a Welch trustee, Beauchamp has been active in service to the Free Will Baptist denomination, especially in the Florida State Association. He and his wife Jennifer, whom he met at Welch, have been married for 29 years and have two daughters, Cadence, a Welch graduate, and Emory.
To learn more about Welch College, visit welch.edu.
