NASHVILLE, TN—Welch College conferred degrees on 34 students from 10 states and two other countries in commencement exercises at Memorial Auditorium on Friday, May 9, according to President Matt Pinson. Students completed degrees in multiple programs ranging from two-year associate’s degrees to four-year bachelor’s degrees. Thirty-five percent of the class graduated with honors.
Dr. David Dockery, president of Union University and president-elect of Trinity International University, compared the list of graduates to the list of names in Paul’s closing in his epistle to the Romans. He challenged the graduates to stand firm, not grow weary in doing good, and to stay true to the things learned during their time at Welch. He advocated following in the footsteps of those listed by Paul who were willing to risk everything for the cause of Christ and who found their identity in Him.
Executive Director of Arkansas Free Will Baptist Tim Campbell delivered the Thursday evening baccalaureate message from James 4:13-17, imploring graduates to surrender their dreams and aspirations to the will of God as an act of sacrificial worship to Him. He reminded graduates that while we dream and plan, “our ambitions must be rooted in God’s will.” He concluded by telling the story of Dr. LaVerne and Mrs. Lorene Miley, encouraging graduates to emulate their willingness to be used by God to make an immeasurable difference in the lives of so many.
Theology Program Coordinator and Campus Pastor Matthew McAffee was named Academic Advisor of the Year. President Pinson recognized Ron Callaway, Dr. Kevin Hester, Dr. James Stevens, Brenda Spruill, Wayne Spruill, and Ernie Thompson for 10 years of service to Welch College. Terry Forrest was presented with a plaque recognizing his 23 years of service as he retires this spring.
The college commends to you and the work of the Lord the members of the 2014 graduating class.
2014 Graduates with Majors and Honors
Associate of Science Degrees
Jacy Summer Congleton
Clayton, NC
Business
Priscilla Colleen Kacha Good
Nashville, TN
Business
Kimberly Gail Hagood+
Whitesburg, TN
Business
Nathaniel Matthew Hagood+
Whitesburg, TN
Business
Samuel R. Hersey+
Atlanta, GA
Business
Stacey Lee Kelley
Marietta, GA
Business
Chris Allen Pate
LaVergne, TN
Business
Johanna Grace Riggs+
Nantes, France
Nursing
Candice Dawn Curtis Smith
Fielding, New Brunswick, Canada
Business
Frances Angela Williams
Nashville, TN
Business
Derek Lynn Wilson
Sparta, TN
Ministry
Associate of Arts Degree
Nathan Ray Colvin
Dickson, TN
Bachelor of Science Degrees
Jamie Elizabeth Beckermann
Barnhart, MO
Business Administration
Victoria Elizabeth Bell*
Lexington, NC
Exercise Science
John Preston Cloninger
Hendersonville, TN
Business Administration
Daniel Lee Coker*
Iuka, MS
History – Licensure 7-12
Taylor Jean Coker*
Chapmansboro, TN
Business Administration
Quentin Michael Dickerson
Nashville, TN
General Christian Ministries
Phillip Andrew Easley
Kansas City, MO
General Christian Ministries
Haylee Lanise Hubbard
Hot Springs, AR
Psychology
Timothy Jack Hutchinson*
Riverview, MI
Youth Ministry
Autumn Jade Monroe
Norman, OK
Psychology
Edith Barrett Perry***
Ashland City, TN
Business Administration
Kayla Marie Sample***
Sesser, IL
Child Development and Learning – Licensure K-6
Hope Nicole Sisk
Nashville, TN
Early Childhood Education – Licensure PreK-3
Jared Andrew Wall
Knightdale, NC
Youth Ministry
Emily Elizabeth Whitworth**
Pleasant View, TN
Business Administration
Bachelor of Arts Degrees
Bethany Mae Douglas***
Fredericktown, MO
English
Kenneth Robert Engel*
Jacksonville, FL
Pastoral Ministry
Anthony Ryan Horton
Joelton, TN
English
Jacob Alton Manning***
Greenville, NC
Pastoral Ministry
Josue Israel Suarez**
Hialeah, FL
Pastoral Ministry
Samantha Jean Williams***
Springfield, AR
English
Bachelor of Music Education Degree
Robert Andrew Blake Cyrus
Nashville, TN
Music Education – Licensure K-12
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*** Suma Cum Laude
** Magna Cum Laude
* Cum Laude
+ Not Present