Lipscomb's fall commencement features 300+ graduates, 72 majors
Janel Shoun |
Lipscomb's fall commencement features 300+ graduates, representing 72 majors
| Vietnam veteran Tom Busell gets to walk at graduation 41 years after he earned his degree. |
| Johnetta Blakely is awarded the Young Alumna of the Year Award. |
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Lipscomb University’s fall 2009 commencement ceremony featured 309 participating graduates, which represents a 64% increase in the number of graduates over the last four years. Seventy-two majors were represented in the students filing past President L. Randolph Lowry to receive their degree.
At the Saturday, Dec. 19, ceremony in Allen Arena, Lowry made remarks and granted 131 bachelors degrees and 178 masters degrees.
During the ceremony, Dr. Johnetta Blakely (’94), 2009 Young Alumnus of the Year was honored. Blakely is a medical oncologist and clinical researcher at The West Clinic in Memphis, Tenn.
"I want to say thank you to my teachers, professors and mentors," said Blakely, a former biology major. "The professors in the science college not onlygave me knowledge and guidance, but mentorship. It's rare to find a professor who truly cares about you... at Lipscomb, caring is the standard."
Also during the ceremony, Lipscomb honored Tom Bussell, a Vietnam veteran and 1968 Lipscomb graduate, with a surprise presentation of a robe, mortarboard and diploma. Bussell was unable to attend his own Lipscomb graduation ceremony in December 1968 because his Army unit had been shipped to the front lines in Vietnam.
"We thought you might be willing to welcome (Bussell) to your class," Lowry told the graduates, "and award him the degree he was never awarded because he had to complete his service... In doing so we show honor to him and to all those who have served our country," Lowry said.
Graduates were invited to the Provost’s Breakfast on Saturday morning and President’s Receptions for masters and bachelors graduates in the afternoon in the Student Activities Center.
"I wish for you, that you will use the talents you have acquired here... and find a life both satifying and a life full of service," Lowry said during the ceremony. "This will always be your college home."
Lipscomb University’s Fall Graduation
By the Numbers
By the Numbers
On Saturday, Dec. 19, Lipscomb University will award:
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130 Masters’ degrees in education programs
68 Bachelors of Science
51 Bachelors of Arts
17 Masters of Business Administration
15 Masters of Science (psychology/counseling)
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10 Bachelors of Business Administration
8 Masters’ degrees in Bible programs
6 Masters of Accounting
3 Masters of Conflict Management
1 Bachelor of Music
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Participation in fall commencement through the years:
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Students in the ceremony hail from:
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