GALLATIN, TN—Welch College conferred degrees on 41 students, according to Provost Matthew McAffee. Commencement exercises were held in the Student Activities Center. The gymnasium space was converted into a 700-plus seating auditorium for the Baccalaureate service on Thursday evening, May 5, and the Commencement ceremony on Friday morning, May 6. The college awarded degrees in multiple programs, including associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, the Master of Arts degree in Theology and Ministry, and the Master of Arts in Teaching degree.
Dr. Paul Harrison, pastor of Madison Free Will Baptist Church in Madison, Alabama, delivered the Commencement address. Harrison urged graduates to wage war with the weapons of God—seeking justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God. Rev. Steve Lindsay, pastor of Red Bay Free Will Baptist Church in Red Bay, Alabama, delivered the Baccalaureate sermon, providing a character study on the life of John the Baptist and urging graduates to follow in his example of living lives that make an impact for Christ.
President Matt Pinson recognized retiree David Williford on his retirement for his twenty years of faithful service as Vice President of Institutional Advancement for Welch College. His work in this role spanned across the college’s constituencies in building relationships with churches and individual donors and was vital in the funding of the Building on the Legacy campaign. Dr. Jeff Crabtree, chairmen of the college’s Board of Trustees, recognized President Pinson and his wife Melinda, honoring their twenty years of service in the role of college president. Dr. Sarah Bracey, Program Coordinator of Psychology and Campus Counselor, was named Academic Advisor of the Year.
The college congratulates the 2022 graduating class and commends them to the service of Christ’s kingdom.
Associate of Science Degrees
Macey Elyse Bowman
Tullahoma, Tennessee
Biology
Charles Buford Elam, Jr.
La Vergne, Tennessee
Ministry
Adam Anthony McKinnis†
Birchwood, Tennessee
Ministry
Joshua Bennett Simpson
Hendersonville, Tennessee
Biology
Samesha Chantel Thomas
Gallatin, Tennessee
Ministry
Associate of Arts Degree
Tiphany Renee Smith
Bethpage, Tennessee
Bachelor of Science Degrees
Emelia Grace Barnett***
Hendersonville, Tennessee
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-5
Lauren Elizabeth Batey**
Cross Plains, Tennessee
Business Administration
Abby Grace Bragg***
Senoia, Georgia
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-5
Sara Jean Carman***
Hartsville, Tennessee
English
Licensure 6-12
Luke Robert Charlton
Nashville, Tennessee
Business Administration
Hannah Eve Dyson
Greenville, North Carolina
Business Administration
Bryson Andrew Foulks***†
Chuckey, Tennessee
Exercise Science
Alexandrea Katherine Foust**
Gallatin, Tennessee
General Christian Ministry
Michael Joseph Fulcher
Ormonsville, North Carolina
Mathematics Education
Licensure 6-12
Jorden Brice Hoffman
Ashland City, Tennessee
Youth and Family Ministry
Cheyenne Meagan Johnson*
Cedar Hill, Tennessee
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-5
Krista Janae Lindsay**
Red Bay, Alabama
Business Administration
Jonathan Peter Lisbona
Hendersonville, Tennessee
Exercise Science
Meredith Anne Locklear***
Gastonia, North Carolina
Mathematics Education
Licensure 6-12
Music Education
Licensure K-12
Victoria Rose Masters**
Ahoskie, North Carolina
Business Administration
James Ben Miller III
New Boston, Michigan
Pastoral Ministry
Jonathan Garrett Pelleaux*
Smyrna, Tennessee
Business Administration
Abigail Renee Scott**
Raleigh, North Carolina
Biology Education
Licensure 6-12
Devan Luke Sexton**†
Owasso, Oklahoma
General Christian Ministry
Spencer Ryan Smith†
Hendersonville, Tennessee
Business Administration
Sydney Shae Walker**
Washington, North Carolina
Business Administration
Zealtiel Zuñiga Anaya***
Springdale, Arkansas
Music Performance
Bachelor of Arts Degrees
Benjamin Andrew Barcroft***
Jacksonville, Illinois
Intercultural Studies
Sarah Elizabeth Benton*
Trenton, North Carolina
History
Micah Quentin Borck***
Lebanon, Tennessee
History
Karah Nicole Delgado*
Cottontown, Tennessee
Intercultural Studies
Psychology
Alexander Ray Johnson***
Alpedrete, Spain
Intercultural Studies
Worship Ministry
Ryan Thomas Payne***
Ina, Illinois
Biblical Studies
Anna Elizabeth Pinson***
Gallatin, Tennessee
English
Brooklyn Paige Strickland
Jacksonville, North Carolina
Humanities and Arts
Ashten Leigh Winter
Decatur, Illinois
Intercultural Studies
Master of Arts Degree
Gregory Allen Eaton†
Waynesboro, Tennessee
Theology and Ministry
Thesis: History of the Tennessee River Free Will Baptist Association
Master of Arts in Teaching Degrees
John William Lancaster†
Nashville, Tennessee
Teaching
Thesis: Effectiveness of WIDA English Language Development Standards in Moving English Learners Toward Proficiency
Andrea Michelle Mefford
Kinston, North Carolina
Special Education
Authentic Learning Experience Compendium: Special Education Services within the Christian School Environment
Morgan Blake Riffey
Hendersonville, Tennessee
Teaching
Thesis: A Proposal for Restorative Justice Implementation in High School Education
*** Summa Cum Laude – 3.75
** Magna Cum Laude – 3.50
* Cum Laude – 3.25
† Not Present