news at welch college   Welch College (formerly Free Will Baptist Bible 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.

 

Houske and Talbot to Serve as Resident Directors

Welch College has named Russell Houske (below, with wife Amber) as men’s resident director at Welch College and Rebekah Talbot (below, with husband Chris, William, and James Elliott) as women’s resident director, according to Jon Forlines, vice president for student services.

“We are pleased to announce Mr. Houske and Mrs. Talbot will serve in these roles,” Forlines said. “We believe they will continue the excellent job done by Anna McAffee, who served as women’s resident director for eight years, and Mike Edwards, who served as men’s resident director for seven years, as well as five years in the 1990s.”

Talbot, a 2012 Welch music education graduate, served as a music teacher in North Carolina public schools before returning to Welch as academic office manager for two years. She has served as a homemaker and photographer since 2016. She and her husband, Chris, who serves as campus pastor and teaches youth and family ministry at Welch, have two sons: William (age 2) and James Elliott (eight months).

Houske recently joined the Welch staff as facilities services manager, after serving as a bi-vocational youth pastor, pastor, and paramedic. He recently completed a B.S. in General Christian Ministry and is now enrolled in the master’s program in Theology and Ministry. He and his wife Amber have four children: Jacob, a freshman at Welch, Jackson (15), Carleigh (14), and Cayden (12).

“Our resident directors and their spouses are really like dorm parents,” Forlines said. “In recent years, the spouses have played such an active role, we’ve begun to think of them in this way. Chris Talbot and Amber Houske are going to be sharing some of the RD responsibilities. Both the Talbots and Houskes are exceptional Christian couples who will bring their ministry backgrounds to this role which is so important in the spiritual formation of our students.”
The new resident directors began their duties in June.

College Graduates 56 in Commencement Exercises

Welch College conferred degrees on 56 students in its first commencement exercises on the new campus in Gallatin, Tennessee, according to Provost Matthew McAffee. Commencement exercises were held in the Student Activities Center. The gymnasium space was converted into an auditorium with more than 700 seats for the baccalaureate service on Thursday evening, May 10, and commencement on Friday morning, May 11. The college awarded degrees in multiple programs, including two-year associate’s degrees, four-year bachelor’s degrees, and the new Master of Arts degree in Theology and Ministry. Forty-four percent of the class graduated with honors.

Dr. Claude O. Pressnell, Jr., president of Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association, delivered the commencement address, challenging graduates to pursue Christ’s call to glorify Him in their vocations and to transform the world for His Kingdom. Dr. Robert E. Picirilli, professor emeritus of Welch College, presented Thursday evening’s baccalaureate sermon. He urged this year’s graduating class to consider how they will finish their course of life, drawing their attention to the words of Paul to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:7-8.

On Thursday afternoon, May 10, Welch’s second class of graduate students received the M.A. in Theology and Ministry and participated in the hooding ceremony, held in the Presidents Dining Room of Celorio Hall. Dr. Kevin Hester, dean of the School of Theology, charged these graduates regarding the importance of maintaining appropriate emphasis on both theological study and its application to life and ministry. A reception followed for graduates and their families.

President Matt Pinson recognized Physical Plant Director Bruce Bilbrey on his retirement for 40 years of faithful service to Welch College. “His life of service showcases the call to glorify Christ in one’s vocation with excellence and hard work,” Pinson said. Mike Anderson, also a member of the maintenance department, was recognized for 25 years of faithful service to the college and Michael Oliver, program coordinator for psychology and major gifts officer, was recognized for ten years of faithful service. President Pinson also honored Gary Turner on his retirement as athletic director and program coordinator for exercise science. Dr. Ron Callaway, program coordinator of intercultural studies, was named Academic Advisor of the Year.

The college commends to you and to the work of the Lord the members of the 2018 graduating class.

Associate of Science Degrees

Mariah Bonet Moore
Wellington, KS
Biology

Abby Danielle Walker
Washington, NC
Biology

Brittany Lynn Wilson
Willow Springs, NC
Business

Whitney Gail Wright
Lucasville, OH
Biology

Associate of Arts Degrees

Elisha Kenneth Cameron
Macon, GA

Andrew Michael Deel
Antioch, TN

Rachel Marie White
Bristol, VA

Bachelor of Science Degrees

Rachel Laine Anderson*
Pleasant View, TN
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-5

Hunter Aaron Barnes
Guin, AL
General Christian Ministry

Samuel David Benninghoff***
New Bern, NC
General Christian Ministry

Lisa Marie Bromley
Joplin, MO
Music Performance

Jannai Rose Bullard
Virginia Beach, VA
Exercise Science

Gabriel William Cameron***
Macon, GA
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-5

Benjamin Glynn Campbell
Pocahontas, AR
General Christian Ministry

Joshua Lewis Mohan Chapman*
Hannibal, MO
General Christian Ministry

Eleanor Brett Conley*
Eureka, MO
Business Administration

Eric Lansdon Cowart
Eastpointe, MI
General Christian Ministry

Jimmy Earl Daniels***
Reyno, AR
General Christian Ministry

Madison Haley Eastman*
Toney, AL
Business Administration

Camryn Allen Eaton
Cypress Inn, TN
General Christian Ministry

Alyssa Juanita Hill***
Norton, VA
Business Administration

Russell Douglas Houske*
Dover, TN
General Christian Ministry

JaTravius Charrod Jones
Atlanta, GA
Business Administration

Jonathan Andrew Lewis***
Chicago, IL
Exercise Science

Jacob Tyler Lute***
Wheelersburg, OH
Music Performance

Rae Ann Mahaney
Reynoldsburg, OH
General Christian Ministry

Hailee Renèe Mann**
Bristol, TN
Biology

Taylor Nicole Marsh*
Nashville, TN
Early Childhood
Licensure PreK-3
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-5

Kendra Elizabeth Massey
Belmont, MS
Business Administration

Bailey Cheyenne Metcalf
Salem, IL
Psychology

Carlos Miguel Mireles
Miami, FL
Exercise Science

Mackenzie Blaire Moody***
Clayton, NC
Business Administration

Robert Gene Moore
Wilmington, NC
General Christian Ministry

Kayla Dawn Newland
Washington, NC
Biology

Samantha Diane Patton
Nashville, TN
Psychology

Tanner Christian Pruett
Greeneville, TN
Psychology

Taylor Austin Pruett
Greeneville, TN
Psychology

Maredith Claire Ryan*
Ina, IL
English Education
Licensure 6-12

Caleb Wayne Saunders
Seffner, FL
General Christian Ministry

Stephen Anthony Seeley*
Dallas, NC
General Christian Ministry

Kori LeeAnn Slemp
Manassas, VA
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-5

Layton Gregory Smith*
Ozark, MO
General Christian Ministry

Sam Anthony Temple
Olive Branch, MS
Business Administration

Jacob Daniel Voltz
Magnolia, TX
Business Administration

Kennedy Ivana White
Pleasant View, TN
Biology

Josiah Carey Willis
New Bern, NC
Youth and Family Ministry

Whitney Gail Wright***
Lucasville, OH
Psychology

Bachelor of Arts Degrees

Stacy Nicole Allison***
Dickson, TN
Intercultural Studies

Damaris C. Hernandez*
Clinton, TN
Intercultural Studies

Brandon Kyle Presley*
Knoxville, TN
History

Michael Houston Pugh
Millington, TN
Pastoral Ministry

Matthew John Saunders**
Dover, TN
History

Abigail Catherine Settle*
Pleasant View, TN
History

Master of Arts Degrees in Theology and Ministry

Joshua Adam Butler
Ahoskie, NC

Franklin Todd Parrish
Gallatin, TN

Ricky Wayne Taylor
Northport, Alabama

Eric K. Thomsen
Joelton, TN
Theology and Ministry

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