WILSON, N.C. — May 11, 2024 — Blue skies and favorable temps set the stage for a beautiful morning, as graduates and their families gathered with the Barton College community for the 122nd Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 11.
Rick Schlesinger, President of Business Operations for the Milwaukee Brewers, was the featured speaker. His inspirational message focused on four paths that Barton graduates can set and follow as they embark on the next steps of their personal journeys. The four paths include: Swing Big, Cherish Relationships, Treat Obstacles as Opportunities, and Openly Celebrate the Good Times.
(The archived video of the full Commencement Exercises, including Rick Schlesinger’s speech, is available to view at this link — https://youtu.be/FF7CDtufaiI.)
Two hundred and fifty-eight undergraduate and graduate students participated in the annual commencement exercises held on Saturday morning. Dr. Douglas N. Searcy presided over his ninth commencement program as president of Barton College. Dr. Kevin N. Pennington, vice president for academic affairs, presented the graduating class. Eric Sellers, chair of the Barton College Board of Trustees, presented the Board’s Approval of the Graduating Class.
Participating in this year’s Commencement Exercises were students who completed their baccalaureate degree requirements in December 2023 and May 2024, as well as undergraduate candidates who expect to fulfill requirements over the summer. Also participating were graduates of the Master of Business Administration degree in Strategic Leadership, Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice, Master of Science degree in Kinesiology, and Master of School Administration degree programs.
The three highest honors presented to Barton students: the Hilley Cup, the Coggins Cup, and the Hemby Leadership Cup, were awarded during the program.
The Hilley Cup, presented annually to the graduating senior with the highest cumulative grade point average, was awarded to Daniel Jason Adkins II of Holly Springs, who graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. (Daniel Jason Adkins II was participating with the Barton Golf Team in the 2024 NCAA Division II South/Southeast Regional Championship and was unavailable for a photograph.)
The Coggins Cup, presented annually to the student voted best all-around by the Barton faculty and staff, was awarded to Margaret Ann Andrews of Wendell, who graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in Nursing.
The Hemby Leadership Cup, presented to the graduating senior who, in the estimation of the college community (including students, faculty and staff), has demonstrated outstanding leadership throughout a career at Barton College was awarded this year to Sherica Yvette Cox of Goldsboro, who graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Social Work degree in Social Work and a Bachelor of Science degree in Gerontology.
In celebration of teaching excellence in the classroom and faculty commitment to student success, the Lincoln Financial Excellence in Teaching Fund Faculty Member of the Year awards were presented to Sheri Browning, associate professor of psychology in the School of Health Sciences, and Yvette Richardson, assistant professor of social work in the School of Education and Social Sciences.
Senior class representative Karla Esmeralda Trejo Lopez of Bluffton, S.C., who graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish, addressed the 2024 graduating class.
Amy Denton, class of 1994, president of the Barton College Alumni Association and its Alumni Board, also brought greetings to graduating seniors on behalf of the Alumni Association on Saturday morning.
The Baccalaureate Service was held on Friday afternoon, May 10, in Howard Chapel.
Additional Commencement Week activities included the Hooding Ceremony for the Master of Science in Criminal Justice graduates and the Master of School Administration graduates in the School of Education and Social Sciences and the Master of Science in Kinesiology graduates in the School of Health Sciences held on Thursday. The Pinning Ceremony for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates in the School of Health Sciences and the Hooding Ceremony for the Master of Business Administration in Strategic Leadership graduates in the School of Business and Innovation were held on Friday.
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