Welch College Graduates 75 in Commencement Exercises

For Immediate Release

Welch College Graduates 75 in Commencement Exercises

GALLATIN, TN—Welch College conferred degrees on 75 students, 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 4, and the Commencement ceremony on Friday morning, May 5. 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 for the first time, the Master of Divinity degree. 

Dr. Albert Mohler, President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, delivered the Commencement address. Rev. Brad Ryan, pastor of Ina Free Will Baptist Church in Ina, Illinois, delivered the Baccalaureate sermon.

President Matt Pinson recognized Matthew Bracey, Vice Provost, for his ten years of faithful service as a faculty member and administrator. Dr. Ian Hawkins, Assistant Professor of Biology and Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, was named Academic Advisor of the Year. The college also awarded the inaugural Teacher of the Year Award to Dr. Linda Shipley, Professor of Music.  

The college congratulates the 2023 graduating class and commends them to the service of Christ and the transformational work of His kingdom.

Matthew Dillon Alphin
Kinston, North Carolina
Ministry

Cadence Cara Beauchamp
Plant City, Florida
Business

Erica La’Nise Boone
Gallatin, Tennessee
Business

Julia Faith Chandler
Pleasant View, Tennessee
Biology

Meril Makensie Moss DeFrank
Gallatin, Tennessee
Biology

Karrah Nicole Johnson
Sumerco, West Virginia
Biology

Colson Laine Puckett
Gallatin, Tennessee
Business

Sarah Marie Reynolds
North Kingstown, Rhode Island
Biology

Corinne Lee Washington
Gallatin, Tennessee
Biology

Juanell Elizah Chapman
Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Jackson Lee Hester
Gallatin, Tennessee

Justin Charles Hester
Spring Hill, Tennessee

Faith Ashley Miller
Gallatin, Tennessee

Alexander Nichole Tuttle
Portland, Tennessee
Teaching

Erric Tyrone Adams, Jr.
Nashville, Tennessee
Business Administration

Kyra Alisse Anderson**
Chapmansboro, Tennessee
Exercise Science

Harlee Christann Branson
Vilonia, Arkansas
Business Administration
Licensure K-12

Madison Lynn Carnes***
Wilson, North Carolina
Business Administration

Joseph Roy Cooper
Hendersonville, Tennessee
Business Administration

Loren Danielle Craig
Hermitage, Tennessee
Early Childhood Education

Shelby Elizabeth Dilda**
La Grange, North Carolina
Mathematics Education

Caleb Ronald Franks
Hamilton, Alabama
Pastoral Ministry

Brian David Fritts**
Limestone, Tennessee
General Christian Ministry

Andrew Robert Glass
Springfield, Ohio
General Christian Ministry

Jacob Alan Hannis
South Roxana, Illinois
Exercise Science

Gabrielle Jean Hicks*
Arkansas City, Kansas
Psychology

Ashley Elizabeth Holland**
Hendersonville, Tennessee
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-12, EL

John Alexander Howell
Chipley, Florida
General Christian Ministry

James Alan Hunt
Gallatin, Tennessee
Theological Studies

Brian Jay Johnson**
Gallatin, Tennessee
Biology

Kylah Alexandria Kivette***
Seymour, Tennessee
Mathematics Education
Licensure 6-12

Chloe Michelle Lawson*
Nashville, Tennessee
General Christian Ministry

Caia Gabrielle Lytle***
Ashland City, Tennessee
Psychology

Joshua Tyler Mayo
Greenville, North Carolina
General Christian Ministry

Bradley Troy Mercer
Raleigh, North Carolina
Exercise Science

Lanae Marie Miller
Park Hills, Missouri
Child Development and Learning

Bethany Rose Milling***
Ashland City, Tennessee
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-5, EL

Mitchell Edward Moody***
Clayton, North Carolina
Mathematics Education
Licensure 6-12
Music Education
Licensure K-12

McKennah Linde Moore*
Locust Grove, Oklahoma
English Education
Licensure 6-12

Kerena Nicole Morton*
Norfolk, Virginia
Child Development and Learning

Kevan Austin Owen*
Mooreville, Mississippi
Pastoral Ministry

Chance Hammond Pride
Louisville, Tennessee
Business Administration

Chelsea Leigh Rackley***
New Bern, North Carolina
Business Administration

Samuel José Rodríguez***
Miami, Florida
Music Education
Licensure K-12
Music Performance

Olivia Grace Ryan***
Ina, Illinois
Biology Education
Licensure 6-12

Chandler Aidan Spradlin***
Hoxie, Arkansas
Exercise Science

Lauren Heather Thomas***
Morristown, Tennessee
Child Development and Learning

Luke Everett Tyler***
Hendersonville, Tennessee
Youth and Family Ministry

Jackson Taylor Watts**
Pleasant View, Tennessee
Pastoral Ministry

Lauren Elizabeth Weese**
Greenville, North Carolina
Exercise Science

Rylan Gray Willaford**
Jacksonville, North Carolina
Business Administration

Mancer Camern Wilson
Columbia, South Carolina
Business Administration

Caleb Isaiah Boivin
Gallatin, Tennessee
English

Caleb Mark Creech
Macon, Georgia
English

Nicolas Isaiah Cruz*
Bristol, Tennessee
Humanities and Arts

Daniel David Delgado
Russellville, Arkansas
Intercultural Studies

Jacob Adam Johnson**
Smithville, Mississippi
Pastoral Ministry

Raygan Elizabeth Sellers**
Pleasant View, Tennessee
Humanities and Arts

Kevin Thomas Banberger
Clayton, North Carolina
Theology and Ministry

Eric L. Brown
Cedar Hill, Tennessee
Theology and Ministry

Billy Johnathan Champion
Folkston, Georgia
Theology and Ministry

Ryan Daniel Curtis
Paragould, Arkansas
Theology and Ministry

Michael Adam Holloway
Pikeville, Tennessee
Theology and Ministry

Anna Grace Kozyutynskyi
Nashville, Tennessee
Theology and Ministry

Derreck Andrew Lute
Wheelersburg, Ohio
Theology and Ministry

Jacob Tyler Lute
Gallatin, Tennessee
Theology and Ministry

Michael Houston Pugh
New Bern, North Carolina
Theology and Ministry

Theron Barton Scott
Turbeville, South Carolina
Theology and Ministry

Theron Barton Scott
Turbeville, South Carolina
Theology and Ministry

Theron Barton Scott
Turbeville, South Carolina
Theology and Ministry
THESIS: The Office and Mission of the Deacon: What It Means “To Serve Tables” in the Twenty-First Century

Mark Edward Webster
Gallatin, Tennessee
Theology and Ministry

Abby Grace Bragg
Senoia, Georgia
Special Education
AUTHENTIC LEARNING EXPERIENCE COMPENDIUM:
Effective Strategies for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Jennifer Lavonne Connor
Portland, Tennessee
Instructional Leadership
AUTHENTIC LEARNING EXPERIENCE COMPENDIUM:
The Relationship between Social and Emotional Skills and Academic Success

Rachel Elizabeth Goode
Champaign, Illinois
Teaching
AUTHENTIC LEARNING EXPERIENCE COMPENDIUM:
Growth Mindset, Motivation, and Grit in the Classroom

Amy Rene Lytle
Nashville, Tennessee
Instructional Leadership
AUTHENTIC LEARNING EXPERIENCE COMPENDIUM:
An Educational Leader’s Role in the Well-Being of Teachers and the Overall School Culture

Joshua Allen Hunter
Pleasant View, Tennessee

Dustin Michael Walters
Hamilton, Alabama