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Commencement ceremony sends 275 graduates on to successful careers and lives

Janel Shoun | 

 

Lipscomb University’s fall commencement, Saturday, Dec. 18 in Allen Arena, honored 275 graduates in more master’s-level degree fields than ever before.
 
Lipscomb President L. Randolph Lowry
speaks to the graduates.
Lowry with Young Alumnus of the Year
Mitch Edgeworth.
Faculty, students and parents celebrated
after the ceremony.
The university awarded degrees to 149 master’s graduates in seven degree programs, including first-time graduates in exercise and nutrition science and in the math and instructional technology specialties in education.
 
 During the ceremony, Mitch Edgeworth (’95), 2010-11 Young Alumnus of the Year, made remarks to the students. Edgeworth is regional vice president of Quorum Health Resources.
 
Edgeworth told the graduates that it’s normal to feel uncertain about the future as they sat waiting to recieve their college degrees.
 
“Who you are isn’t defined by what you will be doing five, 10 or 15 years from now. Who you are is going to be defined by what you are going to do today, right now,” he said.
 
“Success isn’t going to be defined by titles that you carry. Success isn’t going to be defined by what other people think about you. Success isn’t even going to be defined by what you think of yourself. Success is going to be defined by what God thinks about you.”
 
Similarly, Linda Peek Schacht, executive director of the Nelson and Sue Andrews Institute for Civic Leadership, delivering the faculty charge, challenged the graduates to fulfill God’s calling for their lives as Esther did in the Bible.
 
“I challenge you to consider that you are graduating from Lipscomb with your degree today for just such a time as this.  You may not be called to save the Israelites, but you will be given opportunities to transform lives and communities. Be bold in meeting that call.”
 
President L. Randolph Lowry also made remarks during the ceremony, which also included 126 bachelors’ degrees.
 
At the Saturday, Dec. 18 ceremony, the university awarded:
 
  • 49 master’s degrees in business administration and accountancy;
  • 9 master’s degrees in conflict management;
  • 51 master’s degrees in education;
  • 3 master’s degrees in exercise and nutrition science;
  • 23 master’s degrees in psychology;
  • 6 master’s degrees in sustainability;
  • 8 master’s degrees in theology;
  • 34 bachelor’s degrees in the arts;
  • 34 bachelor’s degrees in business administration;
  • 3 bachelor’s degrees in fine arts;
  • 53 bachelor’s degrees in the sciences; and
  • 2 bachelor’s degrees in social work.
 
Graduates, their families and guests were invited to the President’s Reception for master’s graduates in the Bennett Campus Center before the Saturday ceremony and to the President’s Reception for the bachelor’s graduates after the ceremony in the Student Activities Center.
 
 
During the ceremony, several students were honored for their accomplishments.
 
The December 2010 honor graduates are:
  • Amy Cannon
  • Amber Coe
  • Chad Martin
The December 2010 SALT Scholars, who completed specific criteria in service learning, are:
  • Diana Khan
  • Johna Miller
  • Molly Newman
  • Aaron Rummage
  • Holly Wolfe