Mahley dares MC graduates to live fully

May 22, 2006
Karen B. Eldridge, Director of News and Public Information
865.981.8207; karen.eldridge@maryvillecollege.edu

Dare to embrace a compelling theme for your life and dare to rise above failures, setbacks and shortcomings.

This was the advice to Maryville College’s Class of 2006 from Dr. Robert Mahley, president of The J. David Gladstone Institutes, who received an honorary degree from the College and delivered the commencement address Sunday on the campus grounds.

In his address entitled “Dare to Fly with the Eagles,” Mahley, who graduated from the College 43 years ago, shared observations that he and wife Linda Kenzie Mahley (MC Class of 1964) made during a lunch they hosted for some seniors in the College’s Proffitt Dining Room April 23. Mahley, who lives and works in San Francisco, Calif., said he “needed to know what the 2006 graduating class and Maryville College were really like today” in preparing his remarks.

“We were greatly inspired by their vision and sharing,” he said of the seniors.

Interwoven into Mahley’s address was information about the graduates, their plans for the future and their own answers to his questions regarding the students’ collected values, aspirations and fears.

“You said that having a commitment to the world, as well as having a world vision, is essential,” Mahley related in his address. “Some quotes or paraphrases from your classmates are as follows:  ‘Globalization is a reality’ – Drew, I believe you said that – ‘The world is at our doorstep,’ ‘We want to do something important for the world’ (as Ben put it ‘let’s go do something!’), ‘We want to make a difference,’ and you said ‘9/11 affected us deeply.’

“Wow, you guys already dare to fly with the eagles!” he continued.

Using the prophet Ezekiel as an example for how one individual can make a difference in the world, Mahley said God gives men and women power and ability “to influence the very destiny of peoples and lands.

“We have this awesome responsibility,” he continued, “and you already have the desire to make a difference in his world by standing in the gap for the sake of other peoples and countries.”

In daring students to embrace a compelling theme for their lives, Mahley offered three pieces of advice for preventing a mediocre life:  “Stay focused. Refuse to be average. Serve a noble cause.”

In daring them to rise above failures, setbacks and shortcomings, he reminded them that Albert Einstein was 4 years old before he could speak and 7 before he could read. He reminded them that Thomas Edison failed repeatedly before inventing a light bulb that worked.

“Like the eagle, there comes a time to leave the nest – Maryville College – and to soar, to enter the world,” he said. “You have, God willing, 50 to 60 more years of life ahead of you. Carl Sandburg once said, ‘Time is the coin of your life. Time is the only coin that you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent.’”

Charge to the Class of 2006

Following recognition of students inducted into Alpha Gamma Sigma and Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Societies and those seniors graduating cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude, Dr. Gerald W. Gibson, Maryville College president, awarded the diplomas.

In his charge to the Class of 2006, the president told the graduates to put their determination and education to work to make the world a better place.

“I warn you that the world is not inclined on its own, out of nature, to become a better place. It will try hard to resist your very best efforts. It will try to change you more than you change it,” he said. “I charge you, then, not to be discouraged, to face the challenge with dedication and enthusiasm, as generations of Maryville College graduates have done.

“In a moment you will be gone from this place, filled with optimism and looking to the future,” he concluded. “May God go with you.”

Employees recognized

During commencement exercises, recognition was also given to six faculty and staff members for outstanding service during the 2005-2006 academic year.

Dr. Robert Bonham, professor of music, was recognized for his retirement and election to the status of “professor emeritus” at the College. Bonham joined the MC faculty in 1965 and “his contributions to the life of this College are beyond number,” Vice President and Dean Dr. Robert Naylor told the crowd, adding that students will remember him for his endless patience, encouragement and sensitivity to their individual performance needs.

The Outstanding Teacher Award, the recipient of which is nominated by juniors and seniors at the College, went to Dr. Dean Bolden, professor of sociology and a 27-year member of the MC faculty. Dr. Jason Troyer, assistant professor of psychology, was recognized as the runner-up for the award. He joined the faculty in 2004.

Receiving the Nancy B. Hunter Outstanding Staff Award was Mary Lunsford, housekeeper at the College. Stacey Wilner, coordinator of choral music and director of the Maryville College Concert Choir and vocal ensemble Off Kilter, was named Outstanding Administrator. Karen Beaty Eldridge was presented the Sharon A. Murphy Crane Distinguished Service Award for her work as director of news and public information.

Members of the Class of 2006 receive diplomas

The following students were awarded a bachelor of arts degree or are expected to complete requirements for degrees later this year: 

A-C

Jessica Ann Abbott, Jessica Ellen-Azita Abedi, Bridget Foriwaa Afram, Ramona Effler Akin, Emily Ryan Allen, Jennifer Lynn Ammons, Catherine Mary Amrich, Joshua Kirby Anderson, Joseph Michael Andrews, Drew Landon Armstrong, Tabatha Evon Arwood, Robert Barry Atchley, Helen Mee young Auer, William Sina Azada, Patsy Aletha Babb, Elizabeth Thomas Bailey, Terra Charise Bain, David Wayne Baumgardner, Pamela Denise Bennett, Matthew James Berra, Amber Lane Black, Thomas Allen Blackwell, Amanda Anna Blair, Brian Scott Boles, Jason Bryan Boone, Nicholas Blake Bradford, Lynn Whitman Brown, Michelle Rae Broyles, Rachel Denee’ Brubaker, Jessie Allen Burkhart, Steven Cabrera, Monte Deshawn Calloway, Adam Blake Carringer, Mark Joseph Chait, Savannah Ilene Chandler, Charles Andrew Chaney, Daniel Alan Childs, Angelica Noel Clark, Kelly Beth Clinebelle, Matthew James Cogburn, Andrea Darice Coleman, Jason Douglas Collins, Julia Ann Cook, Mary Elizabeth Copeland, Georgia Lynn Copeland, Wesley Dwayne Cunningham, Mary Amelia Czentnar;

D-H

Elizabeth Jean Pemberton de Oliveira, Shannon Michelle DeArmond, Damon Alexander DeLeon, Andrea Lynn DeMarco, Kathleen Marie Dittmann, Mary Erin Donnell, Dustin Sean Dunham, Justin Daniel Ellis, Timothy Kevin Ellrich, Carol Lee Esmark, Melanie Denise Fann, Rachael Marie Fehr, Taylor Lee Fields, Robert Howard Floyd, Nathan Stephen Forrester, Jennifer Luci Francescon, Jennifer Marie Francis, Joshua Blake French, Miranda Dee Gadd, Zachary Robert Garron, Megan Elizabeth Gast, Nicole Renee Geerlof, Nicholas Anthony Giles, Christina Danielle Gilreath, Jeffrey Everett Gotcher, Christopher Andrew Gouge, Heather Renee Gragg, Kevin Andrew Grigsby, Travis John Groth, Adam Charles Gutzman, Derrick Allen Harmon, Jeremy James Hart, Travis Montgomery Hawkins, Kathryn Lynn Hazzard, Shaun Eugene Hayes, Jennifer Lynn Headrick, Heather Alison Hedden, Charles Dustin Heffner, Ryan Nathan Heichelbech, Kimberly Ann Henderson, Joshua Andrew Herndon, Elena Leigh Hill, Linda Aleene Holder, David Roy Houbre, Spencer Reid Huddleston, Monica Yvette Hughes, John Victor Hultquist, Mark Mitchell Hunter, Jacob Logan Hurst, Amy Kay Hurst;

I-L

Michael Godfrey Isaacs, Patrick Anthony Jannett, Jessica Leigh Jarrett, Atlean Ophelia Johnson, Kelly Delane Jones, Derek James Keefe, Marcus Allen Kenny, Heather Leigh Kiefer, Tyler Thomas Kilday, Brian Richard Kincaid, Britton Johnathan Knight, Wanda Carney Knighten, Tosha Anne Kurzynske, Matthew Wade Lambert, Tara-Karin Bargteil Lanagan, Meghan Montgomery Large, Christopher Lawrence Lastarza, Shelley Ann Lawson, Adam Marshall Leatherwood, Daniel Wayne Ledford, Erin Kathleen Liedle, Isiah Timothy Lindsey, Bret William Lindsey, Ginger Kate Lovingood, Craig Harris Lovingood, Natasha Colette Lumb, Amy Rebecca Lundell;

M-P

Jimmy Deng Makuach, Tomas Fernando Mann, Gregory Allen Martin, Andrew Mark Masterson, Heather Rae Mathis, Danny Bray Maxwell, Leslie Sanders McDade, Nicholas Eugene McMahan, Jeanine M. McMillan, Rachael Renee Melton, Laura Michelle Merritt, Trevor Allan Metzger, Simon Minas Minassian, Jewell Anna Minnich, Marian Lisa Mitchell, Ashley Rebecca Moeller, Latoya Arionce Moreland, Drew Whitney Morgan, Kelsea Louise Morse, John Bradley Mount, Amy Danielle Mullins, Rehema Cynthia Mwangi, Shayna Danielle Myers, Stephanie Brook Myers, Patricia Elizabeth Nee, Charmone Rae Newell, James Brickey Nuchols, Rebecca Sherin’ O’Brien, Frankie O’Fallon, Jessica Lynn Ottinger, Meagan Lynette Overstreet, Ivy Gale Parsons, Andrea Kathleen Parton, Sharon Ragland Patrick, Dara Elisabeth Peacock, Erin Alix Phillippi, Raul Placeres, Kate Elizabeth Poeppelman, Heather Michelle Prater, Sherry Lynn Price, Sarah Elizabeth Pross;

R-Y

Sara Marcella Ann Richardson, Loren Elayne Rion, Andrew Byron Rust, Colleen Erin Sacco, Robert Jackson Sadler, Bethany Vernae Sales, Shawn William Scholem, Shelley Lynn Schumacher, Daniel Allen Shepherd, Christopher Martin Shibley, Jessica Ann Shurina, Heather Leigh Sitzlar, Tanya Lynn Sloan, Michael Edward Smith, Kenneth Chase Snyder, Katy Elizabeth Spicer, Robert Thomas Spurling, Dena Louise Stevenson, Jessie Kathleen Stubblefield, Mary Louise Sullivan, Benton Neil Taylor, Calvin Patrick Taylor, Tiffanye Nicole Terrell, Justin Scott Timmerman, Russell Gary Tipton, Chase Handley Tipton, Mary Elizabeth Unthank, Jenna Ann Wade, Emily Louise Waggoner, Lauren Brianna Ward, George Algernon Ward, Earl William Watkins, Eric Charles Weatherbee, Zachary Newman Weaver, Jessica Kate Webb, Christopher Joseph Webb, Hylaman Alison Webster, Melissa Anne Weiss, Philip Jordan Wells, Yvonne Paulina Wenta-Wells, Anna Katherine Wentzky, John Edward West, Joshua Shane Whitehead, Caleb Curtis Whitworth, Andrea Nichole Nevils Wieck, Katie Lynn Williams, Nicole Denise Winters, Teaun Maurice Winton, Margaret Blair Yates.

The following students were awarded bachelor of arts degrees, completing requirements by December 2005:

Eric Emanuel Ardouin, Ariunbold Ayur, Scarlet Catherine Bell, Jeremy Curtis Clabough, Justin Dwight Cook, Jessica Rhonda Drake, Matthew Tyler Dunn, Lauren Ashley Ferguson, Joe Lucious Fitzgerald, Jordan Suzanne Fleming, Jonathan Boon Chye Goh, Adam Hanley, Sidney Edward Knight, Kasey Nell Lawson-Jones, William Bradley Little, Austin Wes Mackens, Robert Darl Malin, Marshall Ian McCauley, Elisha Nicole McCloud, Daniel Newell Mounger, Charles Patrick Myers, Larry G. Nelson, Allison Lee Penn, John Michael Sowell, Valerie Segar Spence, Robert Thomas Spurling, Gregory Scott Stanley, Alicia Diane West.

The following students were awarded bachelor of music degrees, completing requirements by December 2005:

Laura Catherine Atkinson, Vernon Dwight Dockery, Brittany Erin Lloyd, Shelley Lane Maddox.

64 graduate with honors

Sixty-four graduates receiving diplomas May 21 graduated with honors, requirements for which include completion of at least 64 credit hours and a minimum grade point average of 3.4 for all work undertaken.

Those students completing their requirements for the bachelor’s degree with the distinction of cum laude (a grade point average between 3.40 and 3.75) included:  Ramona Effler Akin, Emily Ryan Allen, Jennifer Lynn Ammons, Elizabeth Thomas Bailey, Pamela Denise Bennett, Matthew James Berra, Michelle Rae Broyles, Rachel Denee’ Brubaker, Mark Joseph Chait, Jr., Savannah Ilene Chandler, Daniel Alan Childs, Jason Douglas Collins, Georgia Lynn Copeland, Andrea Lynn DeMarco, Taylor Lee Fields, Travis John Groth, Heather Alison Hedden, Charles Dustin Heffner, David Roy Houbre, Kelly Delane Jones, Adam Leatherwood, Natasha Lumb, Austin Wes Mackens, Gregory Allen Martin, Heather Rae Mathis, Rachael Renee Melton, Ashley Rebecca Moeller, Drew W. Morgan, Amy Danielle Mullins, Stephanie Brook Myers, James Brickey Nuchols, Jessica Lynn Ottinger, Sharon R. Patrick, Elizabeth Jean Pemberton, Colleen Erin Sacco, Benton Neil Taylor, Russell Gary Tipton, Jenna Ann Wade, Zachary Newman Weaver, Jessica Kate Webb, Yvonne Paulina Wenta-Wells and Nicole Denise Winters.

Those students completing their requirements for the bachelor’s degree with the distinction of magna cum laude (a grade point average between 3.75 and 3.95) included:  Jeremy Curtis Clabough, Damon Alexander DeLeon, Carol Lee Esmark, Melanie Denise Fann, Jennifer Marie Francis, Joshua Blake French, Kathryn Lynn Hazzard, John Victor Hultquist, Meghan Montgomery Large, Erin Kathleen Liedle, Ginger Kate Lovingood, Amy Rebecca Lundell, Andrew Mark Masterson, Patricia Elizabeth Nee, Meagan Lynette Overstreet, Loren Elayne Rion, Mary Louise Sullivan and Margaret Blair Yates.

Those students completing their requirements for the bachelor’s degree with the distinction of summa cum laude (a grade point average of 3.95 and above) included:  Kimberly Ann Henderson, Brian Richard Dane Battle Kincaid, Heather Michelle Prater and Valerie Segar-Spence.

Maryville College is ideally situated in Maryville, Tenn., between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Knoxville, the state's third largest city. Founded in 1819, it is the 12th oldest institution of higher learning in the South and maintains an affiliation with the Presbyterian Church (USA). Known for its academic rigor and its focus on the liberal arts, Maryville is where students come to stretch their minds, stretch themselves and learn how to make a difference in the world. Total enrollment for the fall 2009 semester is 1,103.