From The Daily Times to Disney, Maryville College graduates line up impressive post-Commencement plans
May 6, 2024
They came to Maryville College to get an education, but members of the Class of 2024 are leaving with so much more, and the changes they’ve experienced during their MC journeys have set them up for exciting plans for the future.
Anchored by the MC ideals of scholarship, respect and integrity, those who crossed the stage on May 4 to claim their diplomas found callings and career paths they’ll now pursue as newly minted Maryville College alumni.
For some, that means the initial steps into jobs that will allow them to “do good on the largest possible scale,” as the College’s founder, Rev. Isaac Anderson, often extolled. For others, completion of the requirements for a Maryville College degree is just the first step toward an accumulation of knowledge that will continue at graduate schools and professional programs.
Shanon Adame ’24, however, couldn’t wait to get started. The Writing/Communication major from Maryville has finished the final month of her senior year while serving as a full-time journalist with The Daily Times newspaper. With minors in Political Science and Appalachian Studies, the Maryville resident is well-suited, she said, to serve as the publication’s new crime and courts reporter.
“I cover crime, law enforcement, first responders, court and anything else that needs to be covered,” she said. “I started a series called ‘K-9s in the Community,’ where I have been featuring officers and their K-9s, which has really been a blast. For my last story, I was able to visit the Blount County Sheriff’s K-9 training facility and watch them work with some of the K-9s. It was a really cool experience.
“I have also launched a version of my column, ‘Local Legends,’ that (originated in the MC campus newspaper) The Highland Echo. This one is called ‘Folklore and Phenomena,’ and it will hopefully be a column where readers can write in to report strange events or to highlight any Appalachian folklore that interests readers.”
While a newspaper job is one on which she set her sights before joining The Daily Times staff, she finds the role to be ideally suited for a Scot whose education was complemented by a call to service. Traditional journalism, she added, is another way of serving a community, and the ability to turn her love of writing into a vocation was an ideal way to end her non-traditional MC journey. That journey began, she pointed out, as a rocky one: She withdrew from Maryville College after completing one semester of her Senior Study (a year-long research project guided by a faculty supervisor that combines the educational touchstones of the MC Curriculum with major-specific research and exploration) in a different major, and after a semester online at another institution, she returned, unsure that doing so was the right choice.
“The Writing/Communication program was everything I wish my initial experience had been,” she said. “It’s really such a great program with wonderful instructors, and Dr. (Sam) Overstreet (chair of the Division of Languages and Literature) was so helpful when I came back and was transitioning to the Writing/Communication program. I really feel like I rediscovered myself within the program here.
“Through my classes and mentoring under the Writing/Communication program, I feel as though I got a lot of great advice about career choices and was able to work with some inspiring mentors who helped guide me toward my career goals. Through working with instructors like Kim Trevathan, Christina Seymour and Steve Wildsmith, I was able to see that writing as a career was possible, and I believe they all contributed to making me a better writer and storyteller.
“I believe my writing and literature classes, as well as my involvement with The Highland Echo, helped me develop and hone my writing skills as well as encouraged me to look closely at the power of words,” she added. “Being able to take classes from people who are active writers and journalists was extremely important to me and something I am very grateful for.”
Adame isn’t the only one who found so much more than just a degree at Maryville College. Kelton Bloxham ’24, a double major in American Sign Language-Deaf Studies and Developmental Psychology (with a Community Psychology track), initially considered agricultural mechanics or pre-veterinary studies. However, upon his arrival at MC from his hometown of Fort Mill, South Carolina, he found “the space to become involved and grow in numerous ways,” he said, and now he’ll head to Austin, Texas, to pursue a master’s in higher education leadership and policy at the University of Texas-Austin.
“Through this program, I will explore the dynamics and systems of higher education and their impact on underrepresented populations,” Bloxham said. “Additionally, I will be there during the main biennial Texas legislative sessions, working in the state capitol building on legislation and advocating for higher education. I have also accepted a position as a graduate research assistant at the National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes.
“The center is funded through the Department of Education, and I will be collaborating with Deaf professionals/researchers at Gallaudet University, the University of Texas, and others across the country. In this role, I’ll help research best practices, transition programs, and student wellness for Deaf students in higher education and beyond. They have been really flexible about incorporating my specialties, so we’re actually developing some new projects and research around Deaf students who are queer, persons of color, and Deaf+.”
While his long-term career goals are still evolving, he added, his experiences at MC have helped him realize that he wants to work in a student-facing administrative role within higher education, eventually serving as a provost, dean of students or president of an institution. He’s already presidential material: During his senior year, he served as president of the Student Government Association (SGA) at Maryville College, and his responsibilities as a Bonner Scholar demonstrated just how enriching it is to do that good of which Anderson spoke.
“This [Bonner] scholarship provided me the opportunity to explore my passions through community service and a series of diverse ‘internships,’ ranging from serving disabled adults at local nonprofits to working at the local school for the Deaf,” he said. “Additionally, I served as a researcher and assistant coordinator at the University of Tennessee with Bonner, which provided me with valuable experience in a large state school setting, complementing my education at a small liberal arts institution.
“As the student body president, I was fortunate to receive mentorship and guidance from college administrators on a weekly basis. They not only showed me the ropes but also supported my work every step of the way. What more could a student ask for in an undergraduate experience? Maryville College turned out to be the best opportunity for me in every aspect. Maryville College provided me with the space, time, and support to grow in ways that have left me not only comfortable but also confident in taking the next steps in life.
“I just want to thank the alumni, faculty, staff, students, and the unsung heroes,” he added. “I came in with a whole bunch of weird little skills, passions and drive, and Maryville refined me into the man, and hopefully the leader, I will become one day.”
Leadership is one trait so many Scots find themselves embracing through the education and the opportunities they received at MC. Amiana Grady ’24, for example, is another Bonner Scholar whose work with children has her planning on eventually opening a fitness center for children ages 3 to 18.
“I want a place where they can participate in physical activity such as football, karate, dance, basketball and more, and well as a place to give them nutrition education, mental health counseling and tutoring for the work they do in school,” she said.
A Health and Wellness Promotion major from Knoxville, Grady will first head to Atlanta, where she’ll attend graduate school at the Emory Rollins School of Public Health. During her time at Maryville College, she worked closely with children at the Boys and Girls Club of Blount County and the Emerald Youth Foundation in Knoxville, where she served as a tutor and mentor. In addition, she served at the Blount Memorial Wellness Center, and during her sophomore year, Grady was named a Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact. The honor recognizes students committed to finding solutions for challenges that communities face locally, nationally and internationally, and MC President Dr. Bryan Coker personally nominated her for the honor.
“Whether in an academic setting, where she leads her peers to deeper questions about the social implications of course materials, or through her Bonner Scholarship service, Amiana includes those who are left out, works diligently until the task is done, organizes events with an eye toward detail, and takes responsibility for helping each of her communities grow in strength and justice,” Coker wrote.
Taking such an active role in the community, Grady said, made for a rewarding return on her investment.
“Maryville College has enhanced my passion for working with children. By giving me the experience through the Bonner program, I was able to figure out what I am passionate about,” she said. “I would like to give a huge shout-out to the Bonner program for allowing me to become the person I am today, and allowing me to attend college because of the service we give to the community.
“And without Maryville College, I would not be able to attend my first choice of grad school. Maryville has provided me with endless support, hands-on experience, and more that has prepared me for my future career.”
Like Grady, Political Science major Lacey Hunter ’24, a native of Sevierville, received significant support from Maryville College … but her accomplishments throughout her four years reflected admirably on the institution as well.
During the 2023 Academic Awards Ceremony, for example, she claimed two honors: the Hall “Ethical Thinking” Award, given to a member of the junior class whose creative or practical essay on ethical thinking could be published in a journal or magazine; and the John W. Burgess Award for meritorious achievement in the field of political science. That same month, she was also recognized with a Spirit of the Covenant Award, which recognizes individuals “who embody the spirit of the principles of scholarship, respect and integrity as outlined in the College’s Covenant.”
But perhaps the biggest honor was bestowed recently in the form of Tennessee House Resolution 148, sponsored by Rep. Kelly Keisling (R-Byrdstown, Tennessee), for her “distinguished” service as a legislative intern during the 2024 legislative session. That resolution, read on the floor of the state House of Representatives, detailed her post-MC plans as well, which include pursuing a degree at the University of Tennessee College of Law.
“My long-term career plan is to earn my (law degree) and become a practicing attorney,” she said. “I would like to work as a public defender in East Tennessee.”
Like so many of her peers, she credits Maryville College with fostering a sense of responsibility toward community involvement and improvement — hence, the desire to serve indigent clients in need of legal representation.
“Maryville College has been an important part of shaping my career aspirations by providing me with a platform to explore and integrate my interests into a cohesive career path,” she said. “The College’s commitment to fostering a sense of responsibility towards our community and the world has helped me to channel my interests into a career that would allow me to make a meaningful impact.
“Throughout my time at Maryville, I have had the privilege of learning from some of the most dedicated and involved professors and staff members, such as Dr. (Naji) Bsisu; Dr. (Mark) O’Gorman; and Dr. Sylvia Turner, who have not only imparted knowledge but have also served as mentors to me. Moreover, Maryville College’s holistic approach to education has equipped me with a diverse set of skills beyond the classroom.”
Emily Huffstetler ’24 is another Scot who took full advantage of all the various opportunities afforded by Maryville College’s liberal arts approach to education. A triple major who completed degrees in Spanish, Design and Writing/Communication, she also served as executive editor of The Highland Echo; two years as a member of the SGA; and four years as a staff member at Mountain Challenge, the College’s on-campus outdoor adventure partner, all while growing her conservation nonprofit, Build for Bees.
“I’m excited, rather than scared, to graduate because Maryville College has helped me eagerly anticipate what’s ahead,” Huffstetler said. “Sure, it’ll be a big adjustment, but I’m ready to take the next step. Thanks to MC, I’m leaving with tangible proof of what I’ve learned. I have a resume and portfolio I’m proud of. Meanwhile, my thesis demonstrates how I bridge my majors in Writing Communication, Spanish, and Design, as well as my passion for bee conservation, in one body of work.”
In the spring of 2023, she spent a semester studying abroad in Spain, a country to which she’ll return after graduation. She plans to pursue a master’s in either conversation, biodiversity and management, or conservation education, and she’s currently weighing her options and exploring potential scholarships before she finalizes her next step. She’ll also continue her work, albeit remotely, with Blount Partnership, an arm of the Blount County Chamber of Commerce that promotes economic growth and stability, community development and quality of life in the Maryville area, where Huffstetler grew up.
“I’ve been their marketing and design intern for the past couple of years and look forward to taking on new responsibilities,” she said. “My internship at Blount Partnership is turning into my first post-graduate career, and it’s been nice not stressing about how I’ll make a living when I graduate. On top of that, studying abroad also broadened my horizons. As soon as I returned to the States, I started strategizing how to pursue a career abroad. Fortunately, Blount Partnership has been accommodating my goals and has agreed to allow me to work from Spain for the next year.”
Her long-term goal, she said, is to continue growing her nonprofit organization into a full-time career, and her post-graduate education will provide her with an additional skillset upon which to draw in order to do so. Maryville College, however, laid the foundation for all of it, she added.
“MC has made me feel more confident in my long-term goal to turn my nonprofit into my career, thanks to the support and unique opportunities I’ve had over the past four years,” she said. “For instance, I’ve earned my Certified Nonprofit Professional credential and given a TEDx Talk on bees.”
Charting an individual path through a combination of Maryville College’s liberal arts approach and the encouragement by faculty and staff to explore new possibilities is a common theme among those who picked up diplomas on May 4. Savannah Mahery ’24, a Psychology major with a Criminal Justice minor who came to the College from Sweetwater, Tennessee, only recently confirmed her post-graduate plans: to work at Ridgeview Behavioral Health Services based in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, while pursuing a master’s degree in psychology on the forensic psychology track at Lincoln Memorial University.
“My long-term career plan is to be a certified forensic neuropsychologist,” Mahery said.
An internship with a forensic neuropsychologist during her senior year grew out of her passion for forensic psychology, and the introduction to her internship supervisor and the work that she hopes will become a future career came about when Dr. Kathie Shiba, professor of psychology and assistant dean for institutional equity at MC, brought the individual to campus as a guest speaker in Mahery’s Contemporary and Professional Issues in Psychology course. Through fieldwork that’s often difficult to obtain until graduate school, she developed a Senior Study focused on forensic psychology, one that has the potential to set up a pathway for like-minded future Scots to pursue it as well.
“Coming in as a transfer student, I already knew what my career plans were, but Maryville College provided a safe and supportive environment to explore different aspects of my path,” she said. “They provided me with professional and personal skills as well as opportunities for networking and internships.”
And that work has been rewarded: In addition to being a finalist for the Carl ’63 and Jean McDonald Outstanding Senior Award, the highest honor given to students at Maryville College, Mahery was also the recipient of the David H. Briggs Award at the College’s Celebration of Student Achievement ceremony held on April 5. The award recognizes the senior psychology major with the best academic performance in the field as judged by classroom performance, overall scholarship and grade point average.
Numerous graduates on May 4 added to their collection of similar awards and honors when they claimed their diplomas. Alayna Myers ’24, for example, was also presented the Distinguished Achievement in Chemistry Award, given to a graduating senior who demonstrates the most outstanding accomplishments in chemistry, at the College’s Celebration of Student Achievement, held on April 5. As is the case with many of her peers, it’s onward and upward for the Maryville native, who will remain in East Tennessee and pursue a master’s of health science in physician assistant studies at South College in Knoxville.
“I’ll spend 15 months in a classroom learning the ins and outs on how to treat and diagnose patients in various specialties, and then 12 months doing clinical rotations where I get to apply the skills I’ve learned,” Myers said. “My end goal is to work in emergency medicine and/or primary care. I’ve worked as a medical assistant in a local urgent care clinic for the past three years, and have loved never knowing what is going to walk through the doors. I can definitely see myself working in that environment as a career.”
The ability to supplement classroom instruction with hands-on experience in the laboratory, as well as the robust demands of putting together a Senior Study, served her well in that environment, Myers said. As a result, she feels well-prepared for the course load at South College, she added.
“My thesis focused on analyzing antibiotic tablets from lower- and middle-income countries for identification of medication that was substandard, and that made me fall in love with medical research,” she said. “I want to pursue my doctor of medical sciences once I finish PA school. This will allow me to research as a PA.
“One of my favorite parts of the South College PA curriculum is the capstone research project that students do during their clinical year. Students get to research a topic of their choosing and write up their findings, much like our thesis here. There have been many projects that get published in journals for PAs and PA education. I’m excited to be able to apply what I’ve learned during my thesis to this capstone project.”
For Scots like Myers, the STEM majors at Maryville College provide unique opportunities that often aren’t available at larger institutions. Smaller class sizes, more one-on-one instruction time with faculty members and a goal of always ensuring that lessons have real-world applications are all skills that will serve her well on the next leg of her journey, she said.
“Maryville’s Chemistry curriculum is extremely rigorous and the critical thinking skills I’ve gained from these classes have prepared me well,” she said. “I will have to think quickly and accurately on my feet to diagnose and treat a patient, and that is exactly what I’ve done for the past four years. I know that all the skills I’ve developed from my time here will serve me well in the future, and I’m excited for what’s to come!”
For other Scots, the excellence they’ve demonstrated in pursuit of a Maryville College degree has presented them with a literal embarrassment of riches as they weigh options for their futures. Jenni Cate Rhodes ’24, for example — a Theatre Studies and American Sign Language-Deaf Studies double major from Hartselle, Alabama — is still deciding between two graduate programs.
One, through Oklahoma City University, would allow her to work toward an MFA in screen acting while she lived in Los Angeles for the first year of the program and London for the second year. The second option, she said, would finish with an MFA in Acting for the Stage and Screen from Edinburgh Napier University in Edinburgh, Scotland.
“My long-term career goals are to continue to pursue acting while integrating accessibility and activism into my work,” she said. “I also hope to continue using the skills I’ve learned in my three years working at the Clayton Center for the Arts in arts administration and front-of-house management jobs. Before attending Maryville College, I was not confident in my acting abilities, but through the training, support and opportunities I’ve received here, I have gained enough confidence to pursue my dreams.”
At Maryville College, she added, the smaller size of the Theatre Department gave her greater opportunities to audition for bigger roles than she might have at a larger school. And because of the all-hands-on-deck approach to productions by a smaller-sized department, she received a much broader experiential education as well.
“I went from continually getting ensemble roles from elementary school to high school to my first role here, which was Trisha in ‘Five Women Wearing the Same Dress,’” Rhodes said. “She was confident, assertive and caring, and she did not leave the stage for 80 pages of the script. I was thrown into the deep end and had to take on a leadership position.
“I am deeply grateful for that experience because it completely changed the way I viewed myself as an actor and theater-maker. I became a great deal more confident and assured in my competency. I was even able to play a role that has been my dream since elementary school, which was Jo March in ‘Little Women’ as part of my thesis project.”
Andy Vaught, visiting lecturer of theater, and Stephanie Proctor, assistant professor of American Sign Language, gave her both knowledge and encouragement; Clayton Center for the Arts Associate Technical Director Kevin Grigsby ’05 and Allison Parton ’20, artist hospitality and guest experience manager at the Clayton Center, both helped her understand that what takes place off stage and behind the scenes is just as important to a production as what happens beneath the spotlights.
Such relationships, she added, are par for the course at Maryville College, where learning involves so much more than the impartation of textbook knowledge.
“I learned so many more technical theater skills that have made me understand the theatrical process more,” she said. “I have become a very well-rounded theater practitioner because I have had my hands on every step of the process at some point during my four years here. My term serving as president of Alpha Psi Omega (theater honor society) helped me grow as a producer and manager. And I cannot overstate the vitalness of my career preparation that has come from working at the Clayton Center for the Arts. It is a wonderful work environment with bosses who care about students and want them to learn as much as possible.”
How much they learn is up to each individual Scot, of course. For Alex Sonner ’24, a native of Maryville, once he found his lane as a Business Analytics major, every class became an opportunity to soak up knowledge.
“My long-term career plan is to work in logistics; specifically, I want to work with freight movement for a company,” said Sonner, who recently applied for entry into the graduate program at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, where he hopes to pursue a master’s in supply chain management. “Maryville College has a great foundation in analytics, and I love going to class to learn ways to harness data-driven insights that can shape strategic decisions and drive innovation in the world of logistics.”
A member of the MC Men’s Soccer Team, Sonner is an example of a Maryville College student-athlete who is as dedicated to academics as athletics. Early on in his MC journey, he took advantage of internship opportunities with organizations and companies the Maryville College Career Center has longstanding and reciprocal relationships with. In the summer of 2022, he was a business analytics intern at Dollywood, the theme park tourist attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, owned by superstar Dolly Parton; in 2023, he was an operations intern with Red Stag Fulfillment in Knoxville, during which he acquired a comprehensive understanding of warehouse operations and improved the company’s overall efficiency by overseeing the installation of automatic pallet wrappers in the warehouse.
The ability to shift fluidly into such professional roles, as well as the confidence he has about excelling in classrooms beyond Maryville College, is a direct reflection of MC’s approach.
“Maryville College has prepared me for my next steps by equipping me with a comprehensive skill set, a strong academic foundation, and invaluable real-world experiences that have honed my abilities and confidence for success in my future endeavors,” he said.
At UTK, Sonner might well have a few classes with Alcoa’s Colby Vesser ’24, a Finance/Accounting major who plans to pursue an MBA at the school. Unsure of what area of business he wants to focus on for a career, the MBA program allows him to explore a broader array of interests, he said.
“I’ll be taking classes in finance, management, operations, supply chain, economics, corporate strategy and more, which will allow me to have a lot more doors opened instead of just accounting,” he said. “I’m also excited to network and build relationships with people. I hope getting my master’s at UT will give me a leg up.”
Already, his work has earned him accolades: At the April 5 Celebration of Student Achievement, Vesser was one of two winners of the Judson B. Murphy Endowed Business Award, presented annually to a senior who demonstrates outstanding work in business and organization management and who possesses outstanding character, well-rounded achievement and career promise. And while he may not have decided on a specific career path yet, the foundation stones he laid here at Maryville College, he feels, are sturdy enough to hold whatever he chooses to build atop them.
“I am still figuring it out, but as of right now I am leaning more towards the finance side of business,” he said. “I will likely start out as a financial analyst where I will then work my way up to be a director or VP of finance for a company. I am also very interested in wealth management and advising positions.”
Vesser credits faculty members Dr. Sarah Clinton, associate professor of finance, and Rebecca Treadway, associate professor of accounting, with opening his eyes to the satisfaction that comes from learning about and working in economic fields. In addition, he said, the MC Career Center proved an invaluable resource when it came time to select his summer internships, and those opportunities helped hone the direction he’s looking toward with his graduate studies.
“Maryville College had a lot of networking opportunities, and I now feel like I have many connections in multiple companies for when I graduate from UT,” he said. “They helped me with knowledge and experience in my field, resumes and tips when it comes to applications and interviews, and so much more. I loved the community feel of Maryville, as well as being able to build a strong bond with my professors.
“They were very instrumental in helping make my Senior Study exemplary, finding my internships, and helping me get accepted into UT, among other things. You can tell they care a lot about their students. I am definitely going to miss my Maryville family.”
Applying such personal investment by faculty members and applying it to her teaching is a priority for Ava Whitmire ’24, an Elementary Education major from Madison, Alabama, who’s headed to Montana State University to pursue a master’s in science education.
“My long-term plans are to complete my master’s degree and go on to get an Ed.S. (education specialist) in administration and leadership, all while teaching in the classroom. After that, I would love to become an administrator,” said Whitmire, whose experience as a student-athlete, jugging classwork with time on the MC Softball squad, has well prepared her for the challenges of standing in front of a classroom while sitting in one as a student as well.
“Maryville has given me a well-rounded education, helping me prepare for my future career,” she said. “I have gained so much real experience in classrooms, schools and various settings. This has given me all the confidence to go into teaching as a knowledgeable educator. I feel that Maryville has prepared me for my future career through the academic work.”
Her teaching experience already includes working as a counselor and crew trainer at Space Camp at the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama; as a nature camp counselor at the luxury resort Blackberry Farm; and as both a student-teacher and substitute teacher for the Blount County Schools system.
The enthusiasm she possesses for education, she said, was instilled in the classrooms on the Maryville College campus.
“Maryville College helped me grow my love for teaching and inspiring future generations,” she said. “Maryville has helped me to love learning even more. This has inspired me to keep pursuing higher degrees to better educate future students.
“This place has been so supportive throughout my journey. At this campus, I love how our voices are heard, how I know that we can make an impact here, and how prepared I feel for my career because of Maryville. I am thankful for this home away from home!”
A “home away from home” is truly what Maryville College becomes for so many Scots. Austin Zettle ’24, a Design major from Knoxville, is headed to Orlando, Florida, after graduation to pursue a dream job: work with the Walt Disney Company.
Disney, he said, has been a lifelong love, so to land a role in the Costuming Operations Department at the Disney theme park Magic Kingdom is literally a dream come true.
But leaving Maryville College behind, he added, will be a bittersweet parting he had no idea would become such when he first arrived on campus.
“I’ve gained a lot of knowledge from my time here at Maryville,” said Zettle, whose involvement in campus activities includes three positions on Impressions, the College’s literary magazine, including editor-in-chief during the 2022-23 academic year.
“I think the most impactful aspect for me is the connections you can make here at the College,” he said. “I never would have thought I would have the connections to faculty and staff and those that I can call friends, and it goes to show that Maryville College is truly an amazing community to be a part of. It makes me hopeful for the future and gives me hope that when I do start this next journey, it won’t be as scary as it looks.”
While MC faculty members — Morgan Manning and Adrienne Schwarte, the College’s design professors, and retiring Art Professor Dr. Carl Gombert, all served influential roles, he said — provided the encouragement he needed to thrive, they also provided the space, the work and the support system through which to do so as well. The MC Division of Fine Arts became a second family, and springboarding from it to Disney is a serendipitous leap indeed, he added.
“My long-term goal overall is to become an imagineer for The Walt Disney Company,” he said. “I want to help design the interiors of attractions located in the Walt Disney World theme parks, and being a student graduating with a Design degree who is a part of the Fine Arts Division aligns perfectly with my dream of working there.
“I would just like to say to those who are still on their journey here to not take it for granted and to enjoy these four years, as they will fly by. I would encourage them to spend their time building as many connections as possible and living their four years to the fullest. I did, and it’s paid off, and now I’m going to miss this College very much.”