Welch College conferred degrees on 50 students from 15 states in commencement exercises at Memorial Auditorium on Friday, May 8, 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-eight percent of the class graduated with honors.
Judge Alberto Gonzales, former U. S. Attorney General and current Dean of Belmont College of Law, delivered the commencement address. He warned graduates that life can be subject to “rogue waves,” unexpected events that turn our worlds upside down. Gonzales explained that while these hardships may come to define us, they do not have to destroy us. He encouraged graduates to use these difficulties as opportunities to grow closer to God and their families and friends. Gonzales also emphasized the importance of taking time to discover our passions and the gifts God has given us, and to pursue them.
Wayne Miracle, pastor of New Life Fellowship FWB Church in Statesboro, Georgia, presented Thursday evening’s baccalaureate sermon from Luke 10, encouraging graduates to give their lives to the harvest of God’s Kingdom. Miracle, moderator of the Georgia State Association of Free Will Baptists and member of the Executive Committee of the National Association of Free Will Baptists, emphasized the need for commitment to the work of the harvest, to the message of the gospel, and to one another. He implored graduates to take full advantage of the investments that teachers, family, and others have made in their lives and to not settle for a life beneath their potential.
Welch College Business Department Coordinator Dr. Rebecca Deel was named Academic Advisor of the Year. President Matt Pinson also recognized Dean of Women Susan Forlines for 25 years of faithful service to Welch College.
Dr. Bruce Barnes, former president of Gateway Christian College in Virginia Beach, Virginia, was included in the processional and led the prayer of consecration for the graduating class. Dr. Barnes worked closely with the administration of Welch College to aid in the enrollment of many former Gateway students after that school closed in 2013.
The college commends to you and to the work of the Lord the members of the 2015 graduating class.
Associate of Science Degrees
Camille René Driggers
Turbeville, SC
Nursing
Joslin Erin Ferguson
Hermitage, TN
Nursing
Celeste Anne Ford
Chapmansboro, TN
Nursing
Anna Carole Grimsley
Colquitt, GA
Nursing
Thomas Wesley Hoffmaster II
Inwood, WV
Ministry
Rae Ann Mahaney
Reynoldsburg, OH
Business
John Tyler Norris
Winfield, AL
Nursing
Hannah Elizabeth Skaggs
Ashland, KY
Nursing
Kelsey Brooke Turner
Tishomingo, MS
Nursing
Associates of Arts Degrees
Staci Anne Clarke
Columbus, OH
Tyler Brooke Fondren
Florence, MS
Bachelor of Science Degrees
Loren Rae Alexander
Mountain Home, AR
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-6
Charity Shea Brown***
Nashville, TN
English
Licensure 7-12
Nathan Ray Colvin
Dickson, TN
Biology
Licensure 7-12
Derek John Cominskie***
Virginia Beach, VA
General Christian Ministries
Daniel Lee Culwell
Rose Bud, AR
Youth and Family Ministry and Business
David Anthony Dell***
Virginia Beach, VA
General Christian Ministries
Joel Alexander Forlines*
Nashville, TN
Music Performance
Priscilla Barnes Hawkins
Nashville, TN
Psychology and Learning
Dakota Vance Herren*
Ashville, NC
Biology
Elizabeth Marie Hill***
Norton, VA
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-6
Matthew Lee Jackson
Nashville, TN
Business Administration
Lesley Allison Jenkins**
Spring Field, TN
Psychology
Audrey Kathleen Jordan***
Joelton, TN
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-6
Casey Leigh-Anne Lewis***
Washington, NC
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-6
Deandra Dawnae Lindsay*
Red Bay, AL
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-6
Amanda Leighann Mouser*
Nashville, TN
Business Administration
Matthew John Mouser
Nashville, TN
General Christian Ministries
Keegan Brent Murfin
Pleasant View, TN
Business Administration
Kelsey Brooke Nelson
New Bern, NC
Psychology
Melissa Lauren Nelson**
New Bern, NC
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-6
Courtney Renee Pennington
Tampa, FL
Exercise Science
Maria Lyn Petty**
Beecher City, IL
Psychology
Daniel Arthur Pugh*
Millington, TN
General Christian Ministry
Laura Chantal Riggs***
Nantes, France
Biology
Joshua Michael Simmons*
Virginia Beach, VA
General Christian Ministries
Elizabeth Gail Snow**
Old Hickory, TN
Exercise Science
Kevin Wayne Stox
Ayden, NC
Youth Ministry
Sean D. Taylor*
Richmond, VA
General Christian Ministries
Cody Lee Truett
Dover, FL
General Christian Ministries
Kristin Denise Trussell*
Seffner, FL
Psychology
Miles Reid Wilkerson**
Amory, MS
General Christian Ministries
Bachelor of Arts Degrees
Reese Richardson Brown***
Nashville, TN
History
Katherine Victoria Fry**
Mountain Grove, MO
English
Walter Hernandez, Jr.
Clinton, TN
Missions
Richie Gabriel Kyburz
Desoto, MO
Pastoral Ministry
Collin Michel Lane
Russellville, AR
History
Derreck Andrew Lute**
Wheelersburg, OH
Pastoral Ministry
Keri Dawn Simpson
Northport, AL
English
*** Summa Cum Laude
** Magna Cum Laude
* Cum Laude