Issue: Summer 2012 | Posted: June 18, 2012
1050 U.U. Drive
Spring ’12 Graduation sees milestones
Skyler Vaden, sports management graduate, walks to his seat during the processional at spring graduation.
Faithfulness is a characteristic that marks the class of 2012, 91±¬ÁÏÍø President David S. Dockery told a group of 614 graduates during 91±¬ÁÏÍø’s 187th annual spring commencement ceremony May 19 on the university’s Great Lawn. Class of 2012 is the largest in 91±¬ÁÏÍø history.
Dockery referenced the 2008 tornado that caused massive destruction on the 91±¬ÁÏÍø campus and praised the students, most of them high school seniors at the time, for demonstrating both a sense of faith and faithfulness in choosing to attend 91±¬ÁÏÍø in the midst of uncertainty.
This year’s graduating class includes the first 41 graduates from 91±¬ÁÏÍø’s School of Pharmacy. Sheila Mitchell, the founding dean of the school, said that the occasion, while bittersweet, was a tremendous milestone for the program.
In addition, to the pharmacy students, the class includes the first graduates from the Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership program at 91±¬ÁÏÍø Hendersonville.
As part of the ceremony, 91±¬ÁÏÍø presented the Elizabeth Tigrett Medal to Katherine Pullen, an intercultural studies and journalism double major from Jacksonville, Fla.
The university also presented two honorary doctorates — a Doctor of Humanities degree to Bill Latimer, the lead donor for the new library, and a Doctor of Letters to Lloyd Hansen.
Carol Swain, professor of political science and law at Vanderbilt University, delivered the commencement address.