ETSU bestows more than 1,700 degrees at spring commencement

By Staff Reports

JOHNSON CITY — East Tennessee State University conferred some 1,704 degrees in two spring commencement ceremonies, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, on May 5.

Graduating students who earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average during their ETSU careers included April Barrett of Kingsport, Michael Birdsong of Orlando, Fla., Lindsey Marie Cox of Gate City, Va., Miranda Doss of Chilhowie, Va., Cherry Freeman of Church Hill, Cindy Gates of Newport, Reynolds Grice of Mullinde, S.C., Meghan McGee of Gate City, Va., Patricia Miller of Grundy, Va., Karen Rauhuff of Sevierville, Ruth Stevenson of Chattanooga, Hayley Templeton of Gate City, Va., and Wenru Wang and Suang Zhang, both of China.

In addition to awarding bachelors and masters degrees, as well as graduate certificates, ETSU bestowed doctor of education (EdD), doctor of public health (Dr.P.H.), doctor of audiology (AudD), doctor of philosophy (PhD), medical doctor (MD) and pharmacy (PharmD) degrees on successful candidates.

The featured speaker was Dr. Richard G. Rhoda, executive director of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.

The Distinguished Faculty Marshals for the ceremony were Dr. Joel Hillhouse, recipient of the 2011 ETSU Distinguished Faculty Award in Research, Melissa Shafer, recipient of the 2010 Distinguished Faculty Award in Service and Dr. Roberta Herrin, recipient of the 2011 ETSU Distinguished Faculty Award in Service.

The Mace Bearer was Dr. Chris Dula, recipient of the 2011 ETSU Distinguished Faculty Award in Teaching.

Local students receiving degrees included:

BUTLER — Brandi N. McCloud, Master of Arts

ELIZABETHTON — Brandi L. Allen, Bachelor of Science; Shawn L. Beamish, Bachelor of Science; Billy E. Boone, Bachelor of Science; Chloe K. Bremer, Bachelor of Science; Amanda L. Brumfield, Bachelor of Science; Wesley A. Coates, Bachelor of Arts; Nicholas B. Colbaugh, B.S. in Education; P. Darlene W. Constantine, Bachelor of Applied Science; Courtney A. Cox, Bachelor of Science; Andrea L. Day, Bachelor of Arts; Joshua B. Deyton, Bachelor of Science; Erin L. Dula, Bachelor of Science; April M. Edens, Bachelor of Business Administration; Brian W. Glover, Bachelor of Science; Audrey M. Gouge, Bachelor of Arts; Margo L. Guinn, Bachelor of Science; Ashley A. Hamilton, Bachelor of Science; Melodie L. Harris, Bachelor of Science; Mackenzie A. Hazelwood, Bachelor of Science; Alexander R. Henthorne, Bachelor of Science; Ammi S. Hepler, Bachelor of Business Administration; Brian K. Jenkins, Bachelor of Science; Raymond D. Jones, Bachelor of Arts; Sarah E. Jones, B.S. in Education; Kermit R. Largent, Bachelor of Science; Daniel T. Melton, Bachelor of Business Administration; Jody D. Mitchell, Bachelor of Fine Arts; Brandon K. Nave, Bachelor of General Studies; Gregory S. Norris, Bachelor of Science; Rachel A. Parsons, Bachelor of Arts; Amanda L. Pike, Master of Arts in Teaching; Lisa L. Richardson, Master of Arts; Calla R. Sanders, B.S. in Nursing; Vickie H. Sewell, Master of Education; April D. Shumate, B.S. in Education; Zachary M. Smith, Bachelor of Arts; Joshua S. Sorah, Bachelor of Business Administration; Thomas Spence, Bachelor of Science; Julie E. Stewart, Bachelor of Business Administration; Matthew T. Stout, Bachelor of Business Administration; Joseph L. Taylor, Bachelor of Social Work; Michaela A. Warner, Bachelor of Science; Stacey J. Whitson, Bachelor of Business Administration; Charles D. Williams, M.S. in Nursing; Bradley J. Woods, Bachelor of Science; and Barbara E. Wright, B.S. in Nursing.

HAMPTON — Layla Bristol, Bachelor of Business Administration; Kacey R. Davis, B.S. in Nursing; Amy L. Hyder, Master of Education; Kevin Leonard, Master of Arts in Teaching; and Jessica L. Miller, Bachelor of Science.

MILLIGAN COLLEGE — Thom E. Barry, Bachelor of Social Work; Sarah K. Cappelmann, Doctor of Audiology; Jacob J. McCann, Bachelor of Science; and Megan L. Shelton, Bachelor of Science.

MOUNTAIN CITY — Aria H. Dunn, Bachelor of Science; Clifton C. Dunn, Master of Professional Studies; Randall Medley, B.S. in Nursing; and David W. Walter, Bachelor of Science.

ROAN MOUNTAIN — Gabriel W. Felty, Bachelor of Science; Aaron D. Gray, Master of Arts in Teaching; Jonathan W. Holtsclaw, Bachelor of Science; and Tricia D. Thompson, Bachelor of Science.

WATAUGA — Mark W. Bailey, Bachelor of Business Administration; Cassondra D. Vonglis, B.S. in Education.