For Immediate Release
GALLATIN, TN—Welch College conferred degrees on 44 students in its May 9 Commencement ceremony, 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 8, and the Commencement ceremony on Friday morning, May 9. The college awarded degrees in multiple programs, including associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, the Master of Arts in Teaching degree, and the Master of Divinity degree.
Dr. Philip Dearborn, President of the Association for Biblical Higher Education, delivered the Commencement address. Dr. Jeff Crabtree, Head of Biblical Instruction for the Ohio Free Will Baptist Bible Institute and chairman of the Welch Board of Trustees, delivered the Baccalaureate sermon.
Dr. Darrell Holley, Instructor of English, was named Teacher of the Year. The college also awarded the Academic Advisor of the Year to Dr. Rebecca Deel, Professor of Business and Program Coordinator for Business.
The college congratulates the 2025 graduating class and commends them to the service of Christ and the transformational work of His kingdom.
Associate of Science Degrees
| Madeline Claire Burns Gallatin, Tennessee Biology | Halley Nichole Turner Hendersonville, Tennessee Ministry |
| Gavin Tyler Goodson Jacksonville, North Carolina Business | Marilyn Frances Voorhies Pleasant View, Tennessee Biology |
| Kelsie Elise Southerland Whites Creek, Tennessee Business |
Associate of Arts Degree
Madelyn Kay Henson
Owasso, Oklahoma
Teaching
Bachelor of Science Degrees
| Faith Ashley Austin Gallatin, Tennessee Psychology | Jason Elijah Miller Ozark, Alabama Exercise Science |
| Jackson Daniel Baer* Gastonia, North Carolina Business Administration | Andrew Jonathan Moody* Smithville, Mississippi Business Administration |
| Makayla Ann Binkley** Ashland City, Tennessee Child Development and Learning | Elizabeth Cheyenne Puckett*** Gallatin, Tennessee History |
| Laura Ann Boivin** Gallatin, Tennessee Child Development and Learning | Zoe Bella Rae Robinson* Mount Juliet, Tennessee Psychology |
| Ariana Skye Brachvogel*** Murfreesboro, Tennessee Pastoral Ministry | Joshua Jermaine Shapiro Jacksonville, North Carolina Exercise Science |
| Lukas Allen Carter* Madison, Indiana Business Administration | Ellie Grace Simpson* Fenton, Missouri Business Administration |
| Johannah Marie DeBruhl*** Westland, Michigan Child Development and Learning | Hanna Grace Snow*** Alpedrete, Spain Psychology |
| Isaiah Tullos Hatfield*** Sumerco, West Virginia Business Administration | Alexander Nichole Tuttle*** Portland, Tennessee Child Development and Learning |
| Andrew Bryant Henley Muscle Shoals, Alabama Psychology | Kimberly Ann Veteto** Springfield, Tennessee Biology |
| Reilly Glenn Holloman** Knoxville, Tennessee Business Administration | Mary Itzel Villarreal Alvarez San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic Psychology |
| Emily Brooke Lassiter** Washington, North Carolina Child Development and Learning Mathematics Education | Lauryn Grace Willis Tifton, Georgia General Christian Ministry |
| Maci James-Brown Lindsay* Red Bay, Alabama Mathematics Education | Landon Matthew Wolfe* Circleville, Ohio Theological Studies |
Bachelor of Arts Degrees
| Jaron Andrew Austin** Clarksville, Florida English | Kaylen Paige Hagan** Alford, Florida English |
| Alex Brunell Awtrey*** Svishtov, Bulgaria History | Aidan Scott Lytle Mount Juliet, Tennessee English |
| Katherine Eleanor Crabtree Etna, Ohio English | Daniel LuÃs RodrÃguez*** Miami, Florida English; History |
| Peter Alexander Gedeon*** Wakefield, Rhode Island Pastoral Ministry | Derek Corbin Whited** Hendersonville, Tennessee Humanities and Arts |
Bachelor of Music Education Degree
Jacob Charles Snow**
Hokkaido, Japan
Music Education; Music Performance
Master of Arts in Teaching Degrees
| Michelle Hilsinger Berry Goodlettsville, Tennessee Special Education | Dallas Tyler Erdman Murfreesboro, Tennessee Teaching |
| Chandler Ray Binkley Ashland City, Tennessee Teaching | Stephanie Leigh Hendricks Hendersonville, Tennessee Teaching |
Master of Divinity Degree
Jacob Adam Johnson
Smithville, Mississippi
*** Summa Cum Laude – 3.75
** Magna Cum Laude – 3.50
* Cum Laude – 3.25
Honors awarded only to recipients of Bachelor’s degrees