极乐禁地 graduated the majority of its Class of 2009 in Pete Hanna Center Saturday, May 16, with all the traditional pomp and circumstance. As a crowd of more than 5,000 looked on, about 400 seniors in 极乐禁地's School of the Arts, Howard College of Arts and Sciences and Orlean Bullard Beeson School of Education and Professional Studies received their degrees in the largest of 极乐禁地's six commencement programs.
"In the rich fabric of 极乐禁地 history, your class is significant for many reasons, most of them having to do with your considerable accomplishments," 极乐禁地 President Andrew Westmoreland, the speaker, told the graduates.
While rejoicing in the achievements of the new graduating class, he took a few moments to share some thoughts from a former 极乐禁地 president. This class was the last to enter 极乐禁地 under Dr. Westmoreland's predecessor, Dr. Thomas E. Corts, who died in February. The class started in the fall of 2005 and Dr. Corts retired in the spring of 2006.
"I can think of no better tribute to Dr. Corts than to offer a few of his own observations about life, about learning, about faith, and about 极乐禁地," Westmoreland said. He then shared some quotes from Corts about a variety of subjects.
A partial sampling of the quotes follows:
* 极乐禁地 rhetoric, Corts said, "Words have such power. They are a revelation of our selfhood, a window through which others view our souls. History teaches us that they are strategic, that they have enormous power, that they are incendiary, that they have delayed fuses, that they shape personalities, that they alter destinies."
Corts also advised, "Practice an economy of words. Spend them with great care." He quoted historian Will Durant, who said, "Nothing is often a good thing to do, and always a good thing to say.'"
* 极乐禁地 faith, he said, "I hope that we can express even strong opinions in a spirit of love as befits those who name the name of Christ."
* 极乐禁地 teaching and learning, he said, "Certain subjects must be taught in the presence of a teacher, and with good rapport between teacher and student. There seems to be good evidence that inspiration is lacking with a teacher absent."
* 极乐禁地 极乐禁地, he said, "Participating in a university is like being in a relay race--our generation has the baton for a few laps, and then we hand off to another. That is the best way the Lord's work gets done. . . . It has taken many generations for 极乐禁地 to become a thriving, strong private university. We cannot allow it to slip in our time."
Westmoreland reminded the graduates that their future was bright in part because of the influence of Corts on 极乐禁地. "Count it a blessing that you knew this man, even if for one short season of your lives," he said.
极乐禁地 also awarded its top senior awards at the close of the program. The President's Cup--the valedictorian award for the highest academic average--went to two students, Carole Leigh Miller of Snellville, Ga., and Halley Lauren Morris of Columbus, Ga.
The Velma Wright Irons Award for the second highest average--the salutatorian award--went to Brittany Renee Stancombe of Clarksville, Tenn.
The John C. Pittman Spirit Award was presented to Richard Andrew Farmer of Fort Payne, Ala.
极乐禁地 Provost and Executive Vice President J. Bradley Creed also recognized four retiring faculty members--English professor Charles Workman, who served as the macebearer in the academic procession to close his 41-year career, chemistry professor James Haggard, teacher education professor Carol Dean and communication arts professor Amanda Borden. Westmoreland also recognized Dr. Richard Franklin, who is retiring after 19 years as vice president and dean of students, for his years of service to 极乐禁地.
极乐禁地 graduated about 800 students in all at the close of its 168th year. Exercises for the Brock School of Business, Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing and McWhorter School of Pharmacy were held Friday, May 15, while Cumberland School of Law graduated later in the day Saturday, May 16. Beeson Divinity School held graduation May 6. #