More than 400 receive degrees at commencement

More than 400 students participated in the Saturday, May 9, ceremony, hearing comments from the 2009 Alumnus of the Year Barry Stowe, a charge from Dr. Val Prill, dean of the College of Arts & Humanities, and a charge from President L. Randolph Lowry.

 

“I wish for the graduates today that God will go with you and that you will remember that Lipscomb University was founded to give you the opportunity to develop your faith,” Lowry told the graduates and the assembled audience. “I also hope that you will return to Lipscomb. You are forever a part of this community. No matter where you go, Lipscomb University will forever be your college home.”

 

Prill challenged students to “rejoice and seize the day in Christ’s name” in the traditional faculty charge.

 

“As I look at your faces, I think, ‘so much potential.’ Years from now, we expect to look at you and say, ‘so many accomplishments.’ I want you not just to think about working hard, but I also want you to celebrate life,” she said.

 

A new feature of commencement exercises was the recognition of the Lipscomb University Alumnus of the Year. Barry Stowe, chief executive of Prudential Corporation Asia, is the 2009 recipient of this honor. A 1979 graduate of Lipscomb, Stowe is responsible for Prudential's network of life insurance, fund management and consumer finance operations spanning 13 diverse markets across Asia. Stowe, his wife, Sherri (Stewart ’79), and their three daughters live in Hong Kong.

 

“We’re sharing a journey that began on this campus,” Stowe told the graduates. “In spite of our geographic distance, I feel as connected to Lipscomb as ever. It remains a profound influence in my life. If you let this place continue to be a force in your life, you will be a better person.”

 

Valedictorians for the May 2009 class (those with a 4.0 GPA) were: Casie Frederick Adams, Benjamin David Bailey, Zackary Wayne Blair, Emily Jane Bloemer, William Bohannan Buselmeier, Megan Lynn Dickerson, Olivia Beth Ellis, Christopher Douglas Lucas, William Stephen Murrell and Irena Igorevna Sadovina.

 

Also awarded at the May 9 ceremonies:

Megan Lynn Dickerson, Nolensville, Tenn., won the Stephen Lee Marsh Christian Example Award;

Jessica Lynn Ohgren, Maryville, Tenn., was named the 2009 SALT Scholar;

Richard Goode, professor of political science; Paul Prill, professor of communication; and Carroll Wells, professor of mathematics, were selected as the 2009 Outstanding Teachers by the senior class.