Welch College conferred degrees on 52 students in its second Commencement exercises on the new campus in Gallatin, TN, according to Provost Matthew McAffee. The Student Activities Center space was converted into a 700-plus seating auditorium for the Baccalaureate service on Thursday evening, May 9, and the Commencement ceremony on Friday morning, May 10. The college awarded degrees in multiple programs, including two-year associate’s degrees, four-year bachelor’s degrees, and the Master of Arts degree in Theology and Ministry. Fifty-two percent of the class graduated with honors.
Dr. Bruce Ashford, provost of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, delivered this year’s Commencement address. Ashford urged graduates not to withdraw from culture but to transform every square inch with the gospel of the kingdom of Christ. Dr. Mark Stripling, pastor of North Little Rock Free Will Baptist Church in North Little Rock, Arkansas, reminded the graduating class at Baccalaureate of God’s faithfulness, calling them to a life of thankfulness and service to Christ.
On Thursday afternoon, May 9, six graduate students received the M.A. in Theology and Ministry and participated in the hooding ceremony, held in the Presidents Dining Room of Celorio Hall. Dr. Jeffrey Cockrell, program coordinator of the M.A. in Theology and Ministry, reflected on their course of study throughout the program and the importance of scriptural exegesis and its faithful application to life and ministry in a secular age. A reception followed for graduates and their families.
President Matt Pinson recognized retiree Sandy Goodfellow on his retirement for thirty-nine years of faithful service as director of plant operations of Welch College. His work in this role was crucial to the successful relocation of the college to Gallatin from its West End campus. Martha Fletcher, executive assistant to the president, was honored for her ten years of distinguished service. Dr. Ron Callaway, Program Coordinator of Intercultural Studies, was named Academic Advisor of the Year for the second year in a row. President Pinson also honored Mr. John Carter by naming him Professor Emeritus of History. Mr. Carter recently retired from his decades of service as history program coordinator and is only the fourth retiree to receive this designation along with Mr. Leroy Forlines, Dr. Robert Picirilli, and Mr. Ralph Hampton (deceased).
The college congratulates the 2019 graduating class and commends them to the service of Christ’s kingdom.
Associate of Science Degrees
Kandace Joyce Ailworth
Pleasant View, Tennessee
Biology
Riley Malone Bell
Joelton, Tennessee
Biology
Alegna Leelaine Cochran
Cottontown, Tennessee
Business
Madelynn Grace Crawford†
Cave Springs, Arkansas
Biology
Victoria Jazmine Crook
Portland, Tennessee
Biology
Christy Lynn Harris
Greenville, North Carolina
Business
Anna Elizabeth Kear†
Mount Carmel, Tennessee
Early Childhood
Maggie Rae Parrish
Lake Butler, Florida
Biology
Meredith Ashley Parrish
Smithfield, North Carolina
Biology
Alexis Marie Saunders
Dover, Tennessee
Biology
Ashley Michelle Snipes
Jesup, Georgia
Biology
Christopher Devante Thompson
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Business
Associate of Arts Degrees
Daniel James DeCresie
Greenville, North Carolina
Kelsey Renée Horton†
Ashland City, Tennessee
Teaching
Victoria Elizabeth Thomsen†
Joelton, Tennessee
William Garry Walker†
Spruce Pine, Alabama
Savannah Grace Watts
Pleasant View, Tennessee
Bachelor of Science Degrees
Karlee Elizabeth Alberty*
Chouteau, Oklahoma
Exercise Science
Dalton Warren Alvis**†
Erie, Pennsylvania
General Christian Ministry
Caitlyn Rose Braxton
Greenville, North Carolina
Exercise Science
Adra McClellan Brown*
Nashville, Tennessee
Psychology
Erica Elizabeth Brown
Alma, Georgia
Psychology
Brenan Hardy Clyatt
Lake Butler, Florida
Pastoral Ministry
Haley Breanna Cole*
Killen, Alabama
Psychology
Michaela Lynn Cowart**
North Kingstown, Rhode Island
Music Performance
Ashley Merritt Floyd
Turbeville, South Carolina
Psychology
Anna Grace Forlines
Hendersonville, Tennessee
General Christian Ministry
Baylea Renee Freeman***
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Psychology
Joshua Allen Hunter***
Pleasant View, Tennessee
Youth and Family Ministry
Brandon Scott Justice
Wellington, Kansas
Youth and Family Ministry
Dakota Kailyn Kron***
Knoxville, Tennessee
Early Childhood
Licensure PreK-3
Thomas Coveak Moody**
Nashville, Tennessee
General Christian Ministry
Hannah Caroline Morgan***
Cedar Hill, Tennessee
English
Licensure 6-12
Jonathon Gregory Reed
Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Youth and Family Ministry
Elizabeth Kathryn Stevanus**
Pleasant View, Tennessee
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-5
Kimberly Mikayla Strickland
Jacksonville, North Carolina
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-5
Michael James Szabo†
Deerfield, Michigan
Business Administration
Erick Lee Werner
Norfolk, Virginia
Business Administration
Erick DeVaughn Wilson
Nashville, Tennessee
Business Administration
Joshua Randall Wright
McKinney, Texas
Business Administration
Bachelor of Arts Degrees
Jacob Alexander Austin**
Clarksville, Florida
English
Michaela Lynn Cowart**
North Kingstown, Rhode Island
English
Keren Delgado**
Russellville, Arkansas
Intercultural Studies
Corbin Garrett Madden
Crossville, Tennessee
Youth and Family Ministry
Emily Anne Petty
Beecher City, Illinois
Intercultural Studies
Ryan David Whiticker***
Westmoreland, Tennessee
History
Master of Arts Degrees
Joshua Ray Colson
Johnston City, Illinois
Theology and Ministry
Gregory Randall Fawbush
Greenbrier, Tennessee
Theology and Ministry
Matthew Douglas Honeycutt
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Theology and Ministry
James Michael Keel
Dover, Tennessee
Theology and Ministry
Julie Marie Montero
Hialeah, Florida
Theology and Ministry
Cherish Christine Steigauf
Nashville, TN
Theology and Ministry
*** Summa Cum Laude – 3.75
** Magna Cum Laude – 3.50
* Cum Laude – 3.25
† Not Present