Welch College conferred degrees on 58 students in its first commencement exercises since moving to Gallatin, TN, according to President Matt Pinson. Just a few days shy of the new Celorio Hall being available on the new campus, the college was blessed to have the use of nearby NorthField Church for its Commencement service on Friday, May 19, and Baccalaureate on Thursday evening, May 18. Students completed degrees in multiple programs ranging from two-year associate’s degrees to the new Master of Arts degree in Theology and Ministry. Forty-eight percent of the class graduated with honors.
Rev. Clint Morgan, General Director of Free Will Baptist International Missions, delivered the commencement address. He challenged graduates with seven African proverbs taken from his book African Proverbs: Wisdom without Borders, a product of his twenty-nine years of missionary service in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa. Rev. Todd Parrish, pastor of First Free Will Baptist Church, Washington, NC, presented Thursday evening’s baccalaureate sermon. He relayed to graduates the importance of servanthood as taught by Christ’s washing the disciples’ feet in John 13.
A hooding was held on Thursday afternoon, May 18, for Welch’s first graduates of the M.A. program in Theology and Ministry. This event took place in the new library of Coffman Hall. A reception followed for graduates and their families.
President Matt Pinson recognized Dr. Greg Ketteman for his eleven years of outstanding service as Welch College provost. Dr. Ketteman will begin a new position June 1 as Vice President for Strategic Initiatives. School of Theology Dean Dr. Kevin Hester was named Academic Advisor of the Year. Dr. Ian Hawkins, Chairman of the Arts and Sciences Department, was recognized for ten years of faithful service to Welch College.
Immediately following the Commencement service, the college family hosted a luncheon on the new campus grounds for all graduates and guests.
The college commends to you and to the work of the Lord the members of the 2017 graduating class.
Associate of Science Degrees
Michal Tinsley Bell
Joelton, TN
Biology
Macie Brooke Cothran
Pleasant View, TN
Biology
Lydia Grace Creech
Macon, GA
Biology
Tavares Tony Dixon
Clarksville, TN
Ministry
Jessica Lindsey Hilliard
Franklin, TN
Early Childhood
Barry Lane Kelly
Bowie, TX
Ministry
Lauren Elizabeth LaMotte
Ashland City, TN
Biology
Eileen Elis Norment
Montgomery, AL
Business
Elizabeth Rose Palmer
Wellington, KS
Biology
Taylor Brooke Walker
Albany, GA
Biology
Bachelor of Science Degrees
Zachary Don Barefield
Russellville, AR
Youth and Family Ministry
Autumn Gayle Blades**
Cedar Hill, TN
History Education – Licensure 7-12
Jordan Patrick Chandler**
Pleasant View, TN
Business Administration
Joshua Ray Colson***
Johnston City, IL
General Christian Ministry
Alexander J. Crawford
Cave Springs, AR
Youth and Family Ministry
Morgan Danae Droll**
Ina, IL
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-6
Gregory Allen Eaton
Waynesboro, TN
General Christian Ministry
Jared Andrew Forlines**
Nashville, TN
Psychology
Adam Heath Giles
Ashland City, TN
Psychology
Abigail Lauren Greenwood*
Nashville, TN
Early Childhood Education
Licensure PreK-3
Kimberly Gail Hagood**
Whitesburg, TN
General Christian Ministry
Trevor Allen Holden*
Searcy, AR
History Education
Licensure 7-12
Ashton Paige Johnson**
Ada, Oklahoma
Exercise Science
Jason Michael Jones*
Ernul, NC
Psychology
Jamie Lee Lane
Marion, NC
General Christian Ministry
Thomas Andrew Lovett
Madison, AL
General Christian Ministry
Albert Prestin Marable, Jr.
Nashville, TN
General Christian Ministry
Steven Nicholas Marsh
Plant City, FL
Business Administration
Megan Mackenzie McNeill***
Woodlawn, TN
Early Childhood Education
Licensure PreK-3
Caleb Montgomery***
Fayette, AL
Psychology
William Carson Outlaw***
Nashville, TN
General Christian Ministry
Hannah Jane Pappas*
Turbeville, SC
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-6
Shelby LeeAnn Payne**
Sesser, IL
Psychology
Travis A. Persinger*
Muncie, IN
Worship Music
Eric Pope
Wabash, IN
General Christian Ministry
Samuel Riggs***
Guin, AL
Exercise Science
Akelam Aswan Romain
St. Croix, Christiansted, USVI
Business Administration
Garrett Wayne Saunders
Seffner, FL
Biology
Ellen Marie Stox
Washington, NC
Psychology
Faron Wayne Thebeau**
Weslaco, TX
General Christian Ministry
Jeannine Nichole Tuttobene***
LaVergne, TN
Biology
Bachelor of Arts Degrees
Billy Jonathan Champion
Dothan, AL
Pastoral Ministry
Nicholas Kyle Coleman
Greenwood, AR
Youth and Family Ministry
Daniel Thomas Dell*
Nashville, TN
Pastoral Ministry
Devon Scott Jensen
Auburndale, FL
Pastoral Ministry
Renee Elizabeth Lancaster*
Mount Juliet, TN
English
Mackenzie Brianna McNeese*
Joelton, TN
English
Daniel Michael Reeves*
Owensboro, KY
Intercultural Studies
Benjamin Thomas Scott***
Clarksville, TN
English
Lauren Janel Strickland***
Jacksonville, NC
English
Cherish “Raven” Tuttobene***
LaVergne, TN
History
English
Rebekah Joy Zuniga**
Cedar Hill, TN
History
Bachelor of Music Education Degrees
Amy Hope McDonald**
Nashville, TN
Music Education
Licensure K-12
Zurisadai Zuniga Anaya***
Springdale, AR
Music Education
Licensure K-12
Master of Arts Degrees
Michael David Hollis
Nashville, TN
Theology and Ministry
Larry Lee Reynolds
Meridian, MS
Theology and Ministry
William Elliott Reynolds, Jr.
North Kingstown, RI
Theology and Ministry
Zachary Adam Vickery
Taylor, AL
Theology and Ministry
*** Summa Cum Laude
** Magna Cum Laude
* Cum Laude