Welch College conferred degrees on 49 students from 15 states in commencement exercises at Memorial Auditorium on Friday, May 6, according to President Matt Pinson. Students completed degrees in multiple programs ranging from two-year associate’s degrees to four-year bachelor’s degrees. Forty-nine percent of the class graduated with honors.
Rev. Keith Burden, Executive Secretary of the National Association of Free Will Baptists, delivered the commencement address. He challenged graduates to be the best they can be, to take responsibility for their actions, and expect great things from God and attempt great things for God.
Jeff Nichols, executive pastor of The Donelson Fellowship in Nashville, Tennessee, presented Thursday evening’s baccalaureate sermon. He relayed to graduates that they were made by God who knows their future and to look at their years of preparation with patience for the future.
Welch College Pastoral Ministry Coordinator Dr. Barry Raper was named Academic Advisor of the Year. President Matt Pinson also recognized Christian Service Director John Murray for 25 years of faithful service to Welch College.
The college commends to you and to the work of the Lord the members of the 2016 graduating class.
Associate of Science Degrees
Adam Heath Giles
Ashland City, TN
Business
Kenneth Mark Murphy
Kannapolis, NC
Ministry
David Alan Robinson
Lexington, NC
Ministry
Keith Michael Stegall
Moline, IL
Ministry
Elisabeth Grace Webster
Norfolk, VA
Nursing
Bachelor of Science Degrees
Erik Mark Armstrong
Red Bay, AL
Youth and Family Ministry
Nathaniel Bacon Brimer**
Norfolk, VA
General Christian Ministry
Rachel Ann Burns
Springfield, OH
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-5
Sunni Coral Champion
Florence, AL
General Christian Ministry
Lim Nhial Chol
Nashville, TN
Exercise Science
Shelby Faith Cominskie*
Virginia Beach, VA
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-5
Nathaniel Austin Deel**
Antioch, TN
History
Licensure 6-12 in History and English
Leah Carol Dell**
Ashland City, TN
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-5
Hannah Renee Driggers**
Scranton, SC
English
Licensure 6-12
Joshua Daniel Dunbar*
Russellville, AR
Business Administration
Youth and Family Ministry
Hanna Alicia Dunham*
Wheelersburg, OH
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-5
George Hudson Shaw Dunlap
Nashville, TN
Exercise Science
Taylor Rebecca Greer
Manassas, VA
English
Licensure 6-12
Nathaniel Matthew Hagood
Whitesburg, TN
General Christian Ministry
Benjamin Corey Hobbs
Willow Spring, NC
General Christian Ministry
Carl M. Hooper**
Waverly, TN
General Christian Ministry
Michael Edward Hunt**
Wagoner, OK
General Christian Ministry
Gabriel Thomas Kear
Chula Vista, CA
Business Administration
Allison Ruth Lewis
Chicago, IL
Early Childhood
Emily Jane Lute
Warren, MI
Business Administration
Jessica Wey Melvin**
Mt. Juliet, TN
Exercise Science
Caroline Elizabeth Merkh
Nashville, TN
Business Administration
Caleb Luke Milling*
Ashland City, TN
General Christian Ministry
John Daniel Newland**
Joelton, TN
Music Performance
Leslie Blake Nichols*
Old Hickory, TN
Exercise Science
Melissa Taylor Owen
Canton, GA
Business Administration
Emily Jane Parrish***
Washington, NC
Psychology
Amy Michelle Pickett**
Pocahontas, AR
Early Childhood Education
Licensure PreK-3
Andrew Evan Pierce
Tupelo, MS
General Christian Ministry
David Andrew Reeves*
Owensboro, KY
Business Administration
Adison Kyler Showalter*
Butler, GA
General Christian Ministry
Caleb Ryan Smith
Mount Holly, NC
Youth and Family Ministry
Wayne Thomas Smith*
Fort Lawn, SC
General Christian Ministry
Paula Melinda Stonerock***
Columbus, OH
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-5
Larissa Cheree Thomas***
Greenwood, AR
Psychology
Gregory Wayne Tucker
Huntsville, AL
Pastoral Ministry
Tracye Shawnette Tucker
Franklin, TN
General Christian Ministry
Zachary Adam Vickery*
Taylor, AL
General Christian Ministry
James Victor
Francis Creek, WI
Physical Education
Bachelor of Arts Degrees
Stephen Dempsey Bozeman**
Butler, GA
History
Nathaniel Austin Deel**
Antioch, TN
English
Cameron Michael Edwards
Cane Ridge, TN
English
Michael David Hollis***
Washington, NC
Pastoral Ministry
Brittany La Shae Walker*
Spruce Pine, AL
Missions
Dustin Michael Walters
Hamilton, AL
Pastoral Ministry
*** Summa Cum Laude
** Magna Cum Laude
* Cum Laude