IDEAL commencement celebrates graduation of 12th cohort
Office of Public Relations & Communications |
The graduation season officially began at Lipscomb University on Wednesday, April 29, with a ceremony celebrating the academic accomplishments of nine students who completed the requirements for certificates in career exploration this spring.
The students are members of the 12th cohort in Lipscomb’s IDEAL (Igniting the Dream of Education and Access) program to earn these certificates. They were met with cheers and applause from their families, peers, friends, faculty, staff, administrators and friends who came to celebrate their achievements at the ceremony held in the George Shinn Center.
Students receiving their certificates in career exploration this spring include Benjamin Micah Beard, Philip Carson Borgman, Elijah Jackson Deml, Bryan Tole Fisher Jr., Angel Colin Garcia, Shayne Devin Hanson, James Walker Hicks, Ayiana Janai Hill, London Olivia Latham, Isabella Jade McIntyre and Valerie Christine Suddarth. Latham also received the Savannah Miller Award.
Bayleigh Pirtle, who graduated in May with a degree in disability studies who has served as a peer mentor for IDEAL students offered a message to the graduates on behalf of all of the program’s peer mentors.
“I have spent countless hours with these incredible students, and it has been the honor of a lifetime to get to know all of you. I will miss each and every one of you. You will always have a friend in me,” she said.
Lipscomb President Candice McQueen shared with the graduates the impact they have made on the Lipscomb community.
“While at Lipscomb, our graduates have grown in knowledge, obtained job experience, learned life lessons, developed independence and gained confidence as part of their college experience,” said McQueen. “But even as important as what these graduates have received while a student what they have given to the Lipscomb community is far greater.”
“At Lipscomb we have a set of core values that guide how we act, our daily walk and our interactions with others. The students in the IDEAL program so beautifully reflect these values,” she continued. “Graduates, as you have embodied these values, you have provided an example to every member of the Lipscomb community of who we want to be.”
Misty Parsley, executive director of the Office of Accessibility and Learning Supports, shared a faculty message with the graduates.
In her remarks, she reflected on the question “What’s your why?” and encouraged IDEAL graduates to think about the purpose that brought them to college and the passions they discovered along the way. Parsley shared part of her own journey, from helping launch Lipscomb’s IDEAL program in 2014 to becoming involved in national efforts to expand inclusive postsecondary education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities.
She said the graduates’ experiences, performing at campus events, participating in Greek life, completing internships, presenting research and fully engaging in college life, are a powerful reminder of why these programs matter.
“This group of students sitting here today exemplifies my why,” she said. “These opportunities, these experiences, this learning — this is my why. I truly believe anyone who wants to should be able to go to college.”
The day began with the IDEAL graduates presenting posters about their internships and other experiences while students.
Learn more about the IDEAL program.
