news at welch college   Welch College in Gallatin, Tennessee, has been the official college of the Free Will Baptist Denomination since 1942. To find out more information about the school, visit www.Welch.edu.

Welch Divinity School Celebrates First M.Div Graduates

Two years after its inception, Welch Divinity School celebrated its first two graduates: Josh Hunter and Dustin Walters.

Josh Hunter (below, right) is a native of Missouri who came to Welch for his bachelor's degree in 2015 and completed it in 2019, moving straight into the M.A. in Theology and Ministry. Upon completing the M.A. in 2019, Josh took a short break, working as a curriculum instructional designer before returning to pursue the M.Div. at Welch. Josh plans to pursue further study at other institutions as he continues to explore the broader cultural and religious contexts of the Scriptures. He desires to continue engaging in evangelical scholarship within the academy.

Dustin Walters (above, left) is a native of Hamilton, Alabama. He and his wife, Laci, currently reside in Chandler, Indiana, where Dustin serves as connections and next steps pastor at Faith Church. Dustin graduated from Welch College in 2016 with a B.A. in pastoral ministry, studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and just completed his M.Div. at Welch Divinity School. Dustin enjoys coffee and conversations about theology and discipleship. Dustin was not only one of the first M.Div. students, but he also became the first administrative assistant for the Divinity School.

We congratulate Josh and Dustin on their accomplishment. For information about Welch Divinity School and its programs of study, contact Dr. Martin Sheldon, director of administration at msheldon@welch.edu or (615) 675-5285.

Welch College Graduates 75 in Commencement Exercises

Welch College conferred degrees on 75 students, according to Provost Matthew McAffee.

Commencement exercises were held in the Student Activities center. The gymnasium space was converted into a 700-plus seating auditorium for the Baccalaureate service on Thursday evening, May 4, and the Commencement ceremony on Friday morning, May 5. The college awarded degrees in multiple programs, including associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, the Master of Arts degree in Theology and Ministry, the Master of Arts in Teaching degree, and for the first time, the Master of Divinity degree.

Dr. Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, delivered the Commencement address. Rev. Brad Ryan, pastor of Ina Free Will Baptist Church in Ina, Illinois, delivered the Baccalaureate sermon.

President Matt Pinson recognized Matthew Bracey, vice provost, for his ten years of faithful service as a faculty member and administrator. Dr. Ian Hawkins, aassistant professor of Biology and dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, was named Academic Advisor of the Year. The college also awarded the inaugural Teacher of the Year Award to Dr. Linda Shipley, professor of Music.

The college congratulates the 2023 graduating class and commends them to the service of Christ and the transformational work of His kingdom.

Associate of Science Degrees

Matthew Dillon Alphin
Kinston, North Carolina
Ministry

Cadence Cara Beauchamp
Plant City, Florida
Business

Erica La’Nise Boone
Gallatin, Tennessee
Business

Julia Faith Chandler
Pleasant View, Tennessee
Biology

Meril Makensie Moss DeFrank
Gallatin, Tennessee
Biology

Karrah Nicole Johnson
Sumerco, West Virginia
Biology

Colson Laine Puckett
Gallatin, Tennessee
Business

Sarah Marie Reynolds
North Kingstown, Rhode Island
Biology

Corinne Lee Washington
Gallatin, Tennessee
Biology

Associate of Arts Degrees

Juanell Elizah Chapman
Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Jackson Lee Hester
Gallatin, Tennessee

Justin Charles Hester
Spring Hill, Tennessee

Faith Ashley Miller
Gallatin, Tennessee

Alexander Nichole Tuttle
Portland, Tennessee
Teaching

Bachelor of Arts Degrees

Caleb Isaiah Boivin
Gallatin, Tennessee
English

Caleb Mark Creech
Macon, Georgia
English

Nicolas Isaiah Cruz*
Bristol, Tennessee
Humanities and Arts

Daniel David Delgado
Russellville, Arkansas
Intercultural Studies

Jacob Adam Johnson**
Smithville, Mississippi
Pastoral Ministry

Raygan Elizabeth Sellers**
Pleasant View, Tennessee
Humanities and Arts

Bachelor of Science Degrees

Erric Tyrone Adams, Jr.
Nashville, Tennessee
Business Administration

Kyra Alisse Anderson**
Chapmansboro, Tennessee
Exercise Science—Licensure K-12

Harlee Christann Branson
Vilonia, Arkansas
Business Administration

Madison Lynn Carnes***
Wilson, North Carolina
Business Administration

Joseph Roy Cooper
Hendersonville, Tennessee
Business Administration

Loren Danielle Craig
Hermitage, Tennessee
Early Childhood Education

Shelby Elizabeth Dilda**
La Grange, North Carolina
Mathematics Education

Caleb Ronald Franks
Hamilton, Alabama
Pastoral Ministry

Brian David Fritts**
Limestone, Tennessee
General Christian Ministry

Andrew Robert Glass
Springfield, Ohio
General Christian Ministry

Jacob Alan Hannis
South Roxana, Illinois
Exercise Science

Gabrielle Jean Hicks*
Arkansas City, Kansas
Psychology

Ashley Elizabeth Holland**
Hendersonville, Tennessee
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-12, EL

John Alexander Howell
Chipley, Florida
General Christian Ministry

James Alan Hunt
Gallatin, Tennessee
Theological Studies

Brian Jay Johnson**
Gallatin, Tennessee
Biology

Kylah Alexandria Kivette***
Seymour, Tennessee
Mathematics Education
Licensure 6-12

Chloe Michelle Lawson*
Nashville, Tennessee
General Christian Ministry

Caia Gabrielle Lytle***
Ashland City, Tennessee
Psychology

Joshua Tyler Mayo
Greenville, North Carolina
General Christian Ministry

Bradley Troy Mercer
Raleigh, North Carolina
Exercise Science

Lanae Marie Miller
Park Hills, Missouri
Child Development and Learning

Bethany Rose Milling***
Ashland City, Tennessee
Child Development and Learning—
Licensure K-5, EL

Mitchell Edward Moody***
Clayton, North Carolina
Mathematics Education—
Licensure 6-12
Music Education—Licensure K-12

McKennah Linde Moore*
Locust Grove, Oklahoma
English Education—Licensure 6-12

Kerena Nicole Morton*
Norfolk, Virginia
Child Development and Learning

Kevan Austin Owen*
Mooreville, Mississippi
Pastoral Ministry

Chance Hammond Pride
Louisville, Tennessee
Business Administration

Chelsea Leigh Rackley***
New Bern, North Carolina
Business Administration

Samuel José Rodríguez***
Miami, Florida
Music Education—Licensure K-12
Music Performance

Olivia Grace Ryan***
Ina, Illinois
Biology Education—Licensure 6-12

Chandler Aidan Spradlin***
Hoxie, Arkansas
Exercise Science

Lauren Heather Thomas***
Morristown, Tennessee
Child Development and Learning

Luke Everett Tyler***
Hendersonville, Tennessee
Youth and Family Ministry

Jackson Taylor Watts**
Pleasant View, Tennessee
Pastoral Ministry

Lauren Elizabeth Weese**
Greenville, North Carolina
Exercise Science

Rylan Gray Willaford**
Jacksonville, North Carolina
Business Administration

Mancer Camern Wilson
Columbia, South Carolina
Business Administration

Master of Arts Degrees

Kevin Thomas Banberger
Clayton, North Carolina
Theology and Ministry

Eric L. Brown
Cedar Hill, Tennessee
Theology and Ministry

Billy Johnathan Champion
Folkston, Georgia
Theology and Ministry

Ryan Daniel Curtis
Paragould, Arkansas
Theology and Ministry

Michael Adam Holloway
Pikeville, Tennessee
Theology and Ministry

Anna Grace Kozyutynskyi
Nashville, Tennessee
Theology and Ministry

Derreck Andrew Lute
Wheelersburg, Ohio
Theology and Ministry

Jacob Tyler Lute
Gallatin, Tennessee
Theology and Ministry

Michael Houston Pugh
New Bern, North Carolina
Theology and Ministry

Theron Barton Scott
Turbeville, South Carolina
Theology and Ministry

Mark Edward Webster
Gallatin, Tennessee
Theology and Ministry

Master of Arts in Teaching Degrees

Abby Grace Bragg
Senoia, Georgia
Special Education

Jennifer Lavonne Connor
Portland, Tennessee
Instructional Leadership

Rachel Elizabeth Goode
Champaign, Illinois
Teaching

Amy Rene Lytle
Nashville, Tennessee
Instructional Leadership

Master of Divinity Degrees

Joshua Allen Hunter
Pleasant View, Tennessee

Dustin Michael Walters
Hamilton, Alabama

*** Summa Cum Laude - 3.75
** Magna Cum Laude - 3.50
* Cum Laude - 3.25