TWC ARCHES Spring 2013
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T<br />
ennessee Wesleyan College celebrated its first winter<br />
commencement, graduating 83 students at the December<br />
ceremony in Townsend Memorial Hall. Family and friends of<br />
the students and the college gathered together to honor the new<br />
Tennessee Wesleyan graduates receiving their degrees and to<br />
hear commencement speaker Dr. James Dawson, a former <strong>TWC</strong><br />
president currently serving as president of Lincoln Memorial<br />
University, share his encouragement and wisdom with the<br />
graduating class.<br />
“This is a celebration of the achievements of our new graduates,”<br />
said Dr. Harley Knowles, <strong>TWC</strong> president. “In our 155th year of<br />
service as an educational leader in Southeast Tennessee, we are<br />
celebrating our first winter commencement. This is a milestone for<br />
the college as well as a milestone for our new graduates.”<br />
Friday’s graduates joined a <strong>TWC</strong> alumni association of more than<br />
6,000 members.<br />
“We are standing on the campus of an absolutely beautiful and<br />
historic college,” said Anne Montgomery, <strong>TWC</strong> chair of the<br />
alumni board and director of the Athens evening program. “The<br />
real significance of this college is you, the students, alumni, faculty<br />
4 <strong>ARCHES</strong> | <strong>Spring</strong> <strong>2013</strong><br />
Tennessee Wesleyan<br />
graduates 83 at college’s first<br />
Winter Commencement<br />
and staff. The bond you have made with your friends and colleagues<br />
here should be honored, remembered and preserved.”<br />
Dawson’s commencement speech echoed Montgomery’s<br />
encouragement for preserving the relationships made at<br />
Tennessee Wesleyan.<br />
“You’re joining a network of alumni who all share a common bond,”<br />
said Dawson, who served as president of Tennessee Wesleyan<br />
from 1995 until 2002. “Each of you now bears a responsibility to<br />
enhance the reputation of <strong>TWC</strong>. You will be leaving this place<br />
prepared to make your mark and prepared to make the name of<br />
Tennessee Wesleyan better known.”<br />
Dawson challenged the new Tennessee Wesleyan graduates to<br />
go out into the world and serve the reputation of their alma<br />
mater well.<br />
“This diploma, which is an indication of your success, it’s just a<br />
piece of paper,” said Dawson. “It’s up to you to bring definition<br />
and purpose to your degree. Your opportunities are expanding.<br />
Your vision for the future is growing each day. Tennessee<br />
Wesleyan College has prepared you to be productive citizens in