Newberry College Celebrates Commencement for Class of 2015

Newberry College welcomes 139 graduates to the ranks of alumni.

Newberry College hosted the commencement ceremony for the Class of 2015, celebrating the accomplishments of 139 graduates on Saturday, May 9, in Eleazer Arena. Graduating seniors Summer Bartek and Christian Gilchrist delivered the commencement address.

“Newberry College gave us a sense of family and a home away from home; a place of familiar faces and friendships that will enrich our lives forever.” Bartek said. “Included in this group of people who made this place so memorable were our faculty and staff members. Not only were they our mentors but they guided us and helped us to find our identities.”

Student Speaker – Christian Gilchrist

Christian Gilchrist, a Sociology major with a minor in Criminal Justice and a Dean’s List member since 2011, enrolled in the College’s ROTC program where he completed his service as Company Commander. Gilchrist compared the growth students experience in college to that of a wolf cub and encouraged them to use the unique howls they learned at Newberry College but remember they are always part of the wolf pack. 

“As you leave the campus and view the howling wolf statue, remember that you are a wolf and every wolf has its own howl. There is a story in that howl that is filled with blood, sweat and tears; with failures and accomplishments. Use that story you learned here at Newberry College to drive on to bigger, better things throughout your life. If you do so, you will not travel this journey in life alone, because this pack will follow you.”

Senior Class Gift

Each year, graduating seniors make a class gift to their alma mater. This year’s class gift was made in support of the Speers Street School Revitalization Project, for which a groundbreaking celebration was held on May 8. When completed, the project will give new life to an old building in the Newberry community and will serv e as the home of the Department of Teacher Education and other education-focused grant-funded programs. 

Honors and Awards

Newberry College conferred the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters on President Emeritus Dr. John Hudgens in recognition of his service to Newberry College and to the Newberry community, for his dedication to education and learning, and for his service to the Board of Trustees. 

The College conferred the rank of professor emeritus on assistant professor of Biology Dr. Catherine D. Lovett, who retires after 21 years of service to the College.

The graduating class annually presents the Dr. L. Grady Cooper Award to faculty, staff and students who exemplify the loyalty and devotion to Newberry College that Cooper demonstrated during his long tenure as a professor of Religion and Greek. The 2015 awards were presented to retiring professor of Business Administration Dr. Joseph Franklin and to graduating seniors Theresa Bishop and Palmer Long.

The Algernon Sydney and Mary Mildred Sullivan Awards were established by the Sullivan Foundation to honor a man and woman from the graduating class for outstanding character and service to others. These awards were presented to Alex Hampton Kirby and Nicole Teal.

The Dr. George B. Cromer Award was established by the Newberry College Class of 1938 in memory of Dr. George B. Cromer, who served as president of the College from 1895-1904. The award is given annually to the graduating senior who, in the judgment of the faculty, exemplifies qualities Cromer demonstrated throughout his tenure: academic excellence, leadership ability and personal integrity. This year’s Dr. George B. Cromer Award was shared by Rebecca Ann Eddy and Alex Michael Roberts. 

“Today is to recognize the achievements of our seniors seated before us in caps and gowns,” said Newberry College president Dr. Maurice Scherrens. “We would be remiss if we failed to acknowledge the emotional and financial support they have received from you—their parents, grandparents, guardians, spouses and friends."