Welch College conferred degrees on 68 graduates for the class of 2021 and recognized 26 recipients of degrees from the class of 2020 on Friday, May 7, according to Provost Matthew McAffee.
The college held two commencement ceremonies in the Student Activities Center. Attendees for both ceremonies were scaled back owing to COVID-19 social distancing protocols. Both ceremonies accommodated additional guests with overflow seating for livestream coverage in Celorio Auditorium.
During the 10:00 a.m. ceremony, the institution awarded all bachelor’s degrees to the Class of 2021. In the 2:00 p.m. ceremony, the college granted associate’s and master’s degrees for graduates of 2021 and recognized participants from the graduating Class of 2020.
Dr. Steve Lemke, Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness and Provost Emeritus at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, delivered the commencement address for both ceremonies. He challenged graduates to pursue their vocational aspirations as a spiritual calling. All graduates, regardless of major, he said, are being sent out on mission to make a difference in the world for the kingdom of Christ.
President Matt Pinson recognized Dr. Ron Callaway on his retirement from the faculty, the longest-serving Missions/Intercultural Studies professor in the colleges’s history. The president also recognized Dr. Thurman Pate, former chair of the Teacher Education Department, for his retirement from the faculty in May 2020. Other retiree recognitions included long-time Christian Service director Mr. John Murray, who served three decades in this post after missionary service; former director of online studies Mr. Allan Crowson, former director of cleaning operations Mr. Ernie Thomson; and Special Assistant to the President Dr. Charles Lea.
The college commends to you and to the work of the Lord the members of the 2021 and 2020 graduating classes.
Class of 2021
Associate of Science Degrees
Laura Ann Boivin
Gallatin, TN
Early Childhood
Lee Ann Branch
Darlington, SC
Business
Katelynn Grace Chandler
De Soto, MO
Biology
Rebekah Elaine Ammini Chapman
Hannibal, MO
Biology
Julianna Celeste Foster
Hendersonville, TN
Biology
Kelli Savannah Kelly
Fayette, Alabama
Business
Halle Beth Lewis
Norman, OK
Biology
Shelby Louise Owens
La Vergne, TN
Biology
Ashleigh Marlene Sage
Wilson, NC
Biology
Lillian Claire Simpson
Hendersonville, TN
Biology
Kalena Elaine Taylor
Dover, TN
Teacher Education for Early Childhood
Naomi Duran Vazquez
Bethpage, TN
Biology
Associate of Arts Degrees
Loren Danielle Craig
Hermitage, TN
Teaching
Joy Faith Green
Pleasant Shade, TN
Teaching
Abigail Lynn Myers
Flat Rock, MI
Teaching
Bachelor of Science Degrees
Emily Elizabeth Abel*
Hendersonville, TN
Child Development and Learning
Justice J. Alameda
Chattanooga, TN
Psychology
Catherine Rose Blades***
Cedar Hill, TN
Biology
Kenae Ashley Briggs
Chesterfield, VA
Psychology
Adam William Brown***
Eldorado, IL
Theological Studies
Mikaela Deanna Bullard**
Virginia Beach, VA
Psychology
Blake Christopher Chandler***
Westmoreland, TN
Business Administration
Makenzie Grace Crain*
Portland, TN
Psychology
Michaela Roshele Easley***
Dickson, TN
Early Childhood
James Wilson Gates
Pleasant View, TN
Exercise Science
Hannah Katherine Gorrell**
Scott Depot, WV
Biology Education
Allyson Kate Greenwood*
Nashville, TN
Elementary Education
Stacey Young Haralson
Nashville, TN
Theological Studies
Rachel DeAnn Hastings
Owasso, OK
Business Administration
Kelsey Renee Horton**
Ashland City, TN
Child Development and Learning
Bryan Thomas Houser***
Chesterfield, VA
Music Performance
Jami Miranda Howell**
Chipley, FL
Psychology
Daniel Elmore Hunter*
Tuscaloosa, AL
Biology
Margaret Grace Jackson
Algood, TN
Theological Studies
Tyler Jordan Justice
Greenville, NC
Business
Samuel Arden Lane*
Bluff City, TN
Psychology
John Andrew McClure
Pleasant View, TN
Music Performance
Destinee Autumn Payne***
Box Elder, SD
Child Development and Learning
Jonathan McGuire Payne***
Ina, IL
Theological Studies
Ashlee Rose Presley*
Oak Ridge, TN
Psychology
Laurel Madelyn Woodis Pruitt**
White House, TN
Child Development and Learning
Elaine Taylor Park Pugh*
Gallatin, TN
Psychology
Kendal Lee Ryan***
Ina, IL
English, Secondary Education
Ashley Rae Sammons
Westerville, OH
Psychology
Jim Bryson Taylor
Roan Mountain, TN
Theological Studies
William Garry Walker*
Spruce Pine, AL
Theological Studies
Rebecca Lynn Wall*
Belmont, NC
Psychology
Kullen Reece Williams***
Antioch, TN
Theological Studies
Emily Claire Wise*
Lebanon, TN
Psychology
Andrew Bryant Yerby**
Fayette, AL
Business Administration
Elizabeth Ann Yerby**
Madison, AL
Child Development and Learning
Bachelor of Arts Degrees
Hailey Savannah Boyer*
Fredericktown, MO
English
Hannah Katherine Goucher**
Hernando, MS
Intercultural Studies
Taylor Melayne Pate**
Lake Butler, FL
Intercultural Studies
Kasey L Perry
Goldsboro, NC
English
Mallie Scott Sharenberger***
Elmwood, TN
History
Jonathan Brooks Truett*
Kinston, NC
Pastoral Ministry
Bachelor of Music Education
Summer Dawn Walker**
Depew, NY
Music Education
Master of Arts Degrees
Derek Allen Altom
Old Hickory, TN
Theology and Ministry
Russell Douglas Houske
Gallatin, TN
Theology and Ministry
Joshua Allen Hunter
Pleasant View, TN
Theology and Ministry
Lazaro Riesgo
Miami, FL
Theology and Ministry
Matthew Wayne Rose
Coeburn, VA
Theology and Ministry
Carl David Short
Blue Springs, MO
Theology and Ministry
Master of Arts in Teaching Degrees
Jennifer Trice Morrison
Gallatin, TN
Special Education
Carrigan Taylor Pate
Hendersonville, TN
Teaching
Hannah Elizabeth Postlewaite
Christiansted, VI
Teaching
Maredith Claire Ryan
Hendersonville, TN
Instructional Leadership
Class of 2020
Associate of Science Degrees
Tanner Michael Carson
Gallatin, TN
Business
Kiera Kiyomi Jorden
Grand Junction, CO
Biology
Robert Michael Mackinley Waddell
Joelton, TN
Biology
Bachelor of Science Degrees
Meagan Marie Fulcher Charlton*
Ayden, NC
English
Licensure 6-12
Nikolette Jones Collier
Tuscaloosa, AL
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-5
Emilee Savannah Davis**
Charlotte, NC
Psychology
Ryan Alexander Erb
Knoxville, TN
Business Administration
Emma Elizabeth Guthrie*
Hartford, IL
Psychology
Hannah Noel Reynolds Jimmeye*
North Kingstown, RI
Exercise Science
Avery Noell Jones**
Owasso, OK
Business Administration
Kinsley Victoria Kivette***
Sevierville, TN
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-5
Allison Marie Pogue
Wentzville, MO
History
Licensure 6-12
Jacklyn Rachel Grizzle Reed***
Bristol, TN
Business Administration
Kelsey Lynn Reed
Perryville, MO
Business Administration
Daniel Alejandro Rojas***
Prosser, WA
History
Licensure 6-12
Newman Maxwell Ward
Mount Juliet, TN
Exercise Science
Bachelor of Arts Degrees
Abigail Caitlin Fawbush*
Greenbrier, TN
Humanities
Jacqueline Abigail Hunter**
Pleasant View, TN
Humanities
Sarah Elizabeth Pierce*
Mount Vernon, IL
Intercultural Studies
Master of Arts Degrees
Joshua Blake Alderman
Dothan, AL
Theology and Ministry
William Ross Hicks
West Plains, MO
Theology and Ministry
Brandon Kyle Presley
Knoxville, TN
Theology and Ministry
Master of Arts in Teaching Degrees
Rejyna McClure Beck
Cottontown, TN
Teaching
Joshua Patrick Burba
Nashville, TN
Teaching
Cassie Morgan Davenport
Gallatin, TN
Teaching
Christine Ruth Lewis
Chicago, IL
Special Education
*** Summa Cum Laude – 3.75
** Magna Cum Laude-3.50
* Cum Laude-3.25
† Not Present