For Immediate Release
GALLATIN, TN—Welch College conferred degrees on 57 students in its May 3 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 2, and the Commencement ceremony on Friday morning, May 3. The college awarded degrees in multiple programs, including associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, the Master of Arts degree in Theology and Ministry, the Master of Arts in Teaching degree, and the Master of Divinity degree.
The Honorable John J. DeBerry, Jr., Senior Advisor to Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, delivered the Commencement address. Dr. Will Beauchamp, pastor of First Free Will Baptist Church of Tampa in Seffner, Florida, delivered the Baccalaureate sermon.
President Matt Pinson recognized Angie Edgmon, Financial Aid Coordinator, and Tina Tolbert, Assistant Professor of Speech, for their twenty-five years of service. Dr. Etta Patterson (Associate Undergraduate Dean of the School of Education), Christopher Talbot (Program Coordinator for the Youth and Family Ministry), and Frank Thornsbury (Program Coordinator for English) were recognized for their ten years of faithful service as a faculty member.
Dr. Ian Hawkins, Assistant Professor of Biology and Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, was named Teacher of the Year. The college also awarded the Academic Advisor of the Year to Dr. Barry Raper, Associate Professor of Ministry and Dean of Welch Divinity School.
The college congratulates the 2024 graduating class and commends them to the service of Christ and
the transformational work of His kingdom.
Associate of Science Degrees
| Sarah Elena Bernui Hendersonville, Tennessee Business | Kenadee Athens Osborne Cross Plains, Tennessee Biology |
| Chandler Ray Binkley Ashland City, Tennessee Business | Kade Aaron Riddle Hendersonville, Tennessee Ministry |
| Walker Hamilton Cummins Gallatin, Tennessee Business |
Associate of Arts Degree
Samuel Jae Riggs
Pleasant View, Tennessee
Bachelor of Science Degrees
| Isabella Nicole Alvarez** Sherwood, Arkansas Music Performance | Amelia Grace Harkleroad Bristol, Tennessee Psychology |
| Ellis Keaton Bass** Hendersonville, Tennessee Exercise Science | Charles Jackson Houske* Gallatin, Tennessee Psychology |
| Owen Riley Bass* Hendersonville, Tennessee Business Administration | Sarah Katherine Lovett*** Madison, Alabama Theological Studies |
| Eliza Grace Bernui Hendersonville, Tennessee Business Administration | Matthew Warren Markins*** Gallatin, Tennessee Business Administration |
| Chandler Ray Binkley Ashland City, Tennessee Exercise Science | Mason Thomas McClure Springfield, Tennessee Theological Studies |
| Anna Grace Blades*** Pleasant View, Tennessee Psychology | Noah Layne Midgette* Midlothian, Virginia Psychology |
| James Harrison Boyd* Northport, Alabama Business Administration | Marlon Raymond Mitchell Gallatin, Tennessee Exercise Science |
| LeeAnn Branch* Darlington, South Carolina Business Administration | Lindsey Sue Padden* Allen Park, Michigan Business Administration |
| Edward Keith Byrd, Jr. Charlotte, North Carolina Exercise Science | Colson Laine Puckett*** Gallatin, Tennessee Business Administration |
| Emily Hope Cruz* Alpedrete, Spain Psychology | Serenity Joann Smith Benton, Kentucky Psychology |
| Ellie Breann Daniel* Wabash, Indiana English—Licensure 6-12 | Eden Elizabeth Rose Suggs Tifton, Georgia Mathematics Education |
| Olivia Grant Delk* Hendersonville, Tennessee Exercise Science | Jordan Wayne Teem Dunlap, Tennessee Pastoral Ministry |
| Rebecca Eve-Ann Dotson*** Morristown, Tennessee General Christian Ministries | Robert Michael Mackinley Waddell Joelton, Tennessee Biology, Youth and Family Ministry |
| Justin Tyler Feight** Marion, Ohio General Christian Ministries | Hunter Douglas Walker Sevierville, Tennessee Exercise Science |
| Megan Michelle Gates* Pleasant View, Tennessee Child Development and Learning—Licensure K-5 | Brianna Eileen Weems Cottontown Tennessee Psychology |
| Joy Faith Green*** Pleasant Shade, Tennessee Child Development and Learning—Licensure K-5 | Truman Dana White Pleasant View, Tennessee International Business |
| Rachel Michelle Haralson** Atkins, Arkansas Child Development and Learning—Licensure K-5 | Stephen Andrew Yerby Madison, Alabama International Business |
Bachelor of Arts Degrees
| Bayley Louise Floyd Turbeville, South Carolina Intercultural Studies | Silas Graham Houser** Chesterfield, Virginia Intercultural Studies |
| Anna Marie Gedeon** Wakefield, Rhode Island Biblical Studies | Abigail Saige Pace** Hendersonville, Tennessee English |
| Olivia Mae Harrell** Pleasant View, Tennessee English | James Matthew Pinson, Jr. *** Gallatin, Tennessee Humanities and Arts |
| Justin Charles Hester Gallatin, Tennessee History |
Masters of Arts Degrees
| Adam William Brown Eldorado, Illinois Theology and Ministry | Jonathan Edward-Ray Cribb Cramerton, North Carolina Theology and Ministry |
| Devin Lyle Cominskie Jacksonville, North Carolina Theology and Ministry | Canaan Brick Crowder Grifton, North Carolina Theology and Ministry |
Master of Arts in Teaching Degrees
| Jenna Elizabeth Fleming Gallatin, Tennessee Instructional Leadership | Makenzie Paige Rankin Hendersonville, Tennessee Teaching |
| Ashley Elizabeth Holland Hendersonville, Tennessee Special Education | Victoria Anne Rogers Angier, North Carolina Special Education |
| Bethany Rose Moody Huntsville, Alabama Teaching | Kelly Smith Thompson Raleigh, North Carolina Instructional Leadership |
Master of Divinity Degree
Alexander Ray Johnson
Gallatin, Tennessee
*** Summa Cum Laude – 3.75
** Magna Cum Laude – 3.50
* Cum Laude – 3.25
Honors awarded only to recipients of Bachelor’s degrees