Final class graduates from Emory & Henry College

The 176th commencement ceremony for Emory & Henry College graduating class of 2024 was held at the Fred Selfe Stadium on the Emory campus on Saturday, May 4 at 10 a.m. More than 200 graduates walked across the stage and received their diplomas and were the last class to have “College” on their diplomas as Emory & Henry will transition to “University” status this fall.

“As we make the transition on August first to university status, this special class will hold the distinction of being the final graduates of Emory & Henry College. Next year, we’ll celebrate the first graduates of Emory & Henry University,” said President John W. Wells.  “With a business school, a school of health sciences, and multiple doctoral degrees offered, this new status is a more fitting reflection of the powerful institution of learning into which we have grown. So, while our status is changing as we grow, what makes this place special will always remain.”

Additional participants at the ceremony included Dr. Michael Puglisi, Provost of Emory & Henry College; Rev. Sharon Wright, College Chaplain; Dr. Anne Sluder, Chairman on the Board of Trustees; John Holloway, Vice President for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging; and Dr. Cynthia A. Bond Hopkins as the keynote speaker addressing “The 4.5 Things You Need to Remember Tomorrow.” She is the interim president and CEO of Philander Smith University and renowned author and podcast host.

Hopkins reminded the students to be kind and to always say ‘please and thank you’. “You’ve learned much at Emory and Henry to launch your next chapter and careers but as you move forward in life, think of your legacy and how you made people feel and the difference you made. How did you make even the simple things better?  What will they remember about your contributions and you?”

Senior Orator

Peyton Derrick, who was selected by his classmates to deliver the senior oration. He is a first generation college student from Church Hill, Tennessee and received his bachelor of science degree with a major in exercise science. He plans to work as an optometry tech during a gap year, then wants to attend Optometry School at the University of Pikeville. Derrick has taken full advantage of the opportunities while at Emory & Henry. He was a Bonner Scholar and worked with the Appalachian Center for Civic Life to organize and lead community service work in exchange for reduced tuition. He was a student-athlete, having played both football and baseball. He studied abroad at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom last summer. 

Derrick shared, “Today, we stand on the precipice of greatness. We stand at the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, and determination. As we look back on our journey, we see the countless hours spent studying, the late nights fueled by ambition, and the moments of doubt that we overcame with resilience. But most importantly, we see the friendships forged, the memories created, and the growth that has transformed us into the individuals we are today. Class of 2024, we are a testament to the power of resilience. In the face of unprecedented challenges, we refused to be defeated. We adapted, we persisted, and we thrived. From navigating the complexities of remote learning to overcoming personal obstacles, each of us has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to success. Today, as we stand on the threshold of a new chapter, we carry with us the invaluable lessons learned along the way.”

Graduate student speaker

Representing the graduate students was Atkins native Ryley Sawyer. Sawyer is a two time graduate of Emory & Henry, having completed his bachelor of arts degree magna cum laude in 2023 with a major in secondary history and social sciences education. He worked 25-30 hours each week in leadership roles at Food City and Food Lion while completing his school work and student teaching. He also earned a scholarship from the Smyth County Rotary Club.

Sawyer gained his teaching license and began work as a 6-12th grade social studies teacher at Virginia Middle School in Bristol last year before completing his masters of education degree at Emory & Henry with a 3.8 grade point average out of 4.0, and earned both the academic excellence award in graduate education and the excellence in graduate educational research award at the College. 

“I ask that you take with you this Quote from Albert Einstein. “Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of a lifelong attempt to achieve it.” When you leave this campus today, you do not simply stop learning. Learning is a unique experience that is set apart by being infinite and timeless,” said Sawyer

Special nursing graduates and guests 

A special group of inaugural graduates were recognized – the first nursing cohort to graduate from Emory & Henry since the 1950s. Nine graduates completed the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees this year who will go forward to help address the nationwide nursing shortage. Many graduates will stay in this region after graduation to work to improve healthcare in Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee.  Special guests joined the ceremony from the last graduating class of nurses who finished in 1956. E&H welcomed Shirley Phillips Minter from Beckley, West Virginia; Charlotte Jones Webb from Salley, South Carolina; and Willie Jean Taylor Hall, from Marion, Virginia. 

Class Profile

The Class of 2024 had 123 students receiving a bachelor of arts degree, six receiving a bachelor of fine arts degree, 71 receiving a bachelor of science degree, nine receiving a bachelor of science in nursing degree, and 16 receiving masters degrees. There are 13 students graduating summa cum laude, 49 students graduating magna cum laude, and 33 students graduating cum laude. Two were from foreign countries, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Members of the class representing 20 states and the District of Columbia. 

Where they are headed:

The student government president is attending law school at Lincoln Memorial University on a full scholarship, while others are headed to Auburn University for veterinary school; medical education in Emory & Henry’s doctor of physical therapy program; masters programs in mental health counseling; or physician assistant studies at the Marion School of Health Sciences campus.  Some will pursue similar degrees at other institutions.  Several will be seeking masters degrees in business administration at Emory & Henry School of Business or elsewhere. One student is combining an MBA with motorsport management at Belmont Abbey, while another is pursuing a masters in business analytics at William & Mary. 

Others are going to pursue masters in history, public relations, Appalachian studies, political communication and equine studies, or outdoor education. Others have accepted full-time employment teaching or coaching, in nursing, business, sport marketing, communications, banking and theatre. Two are joining big four accounting firms. One is joining AmeriCorp, and one is achieving a goal of becoming a railroad conductor.

“We salute all of you, Class of 2024, for working hard to realize your dreams. You have a degree that teaches you to think and adapt over time as skills and technology change. As lifelong learners, you will be prepared to lead and to serve,” said Wells.

Award Winners:

The Byars Medal in Science was established in 1855 by Colonel William Byars, one of Emory & Henry’s founders, and is awarded to the graduating senior who has compiled the most outstanding academic record in the sciences.  The 2024 recipient was Abigail Briane Bowman from Bristol, Virginia.

The Eleanor Gibson via Science Award was established in 1970 by the 13th president of the College, Dr. Foye G. Gibson, and Mrs. Gibson as a memorial to their daughter.  The award recognizes a female candidate for the Bachelor of Science degree for marked achievement and unusual promise for future service and includes a cash stipend. The 2024 recipient of the was Sarah Walters. Walters is also the winner of the senior research award as noted in the program.  She is from Abingdon, Virginia.

The Senior Service Award is bestowed by vote of the faculty upon a member of the senior class in recognition of unusual and distinctive service to Emory & Henry College. The 2024 recipient was Haliegh Cooper, from Knoxville, Tennessee.

The Snavely Senior Scholarship Prize is established by Dr. Tipton R. Snavely, a member of the Class of 1912, honors the student who holds the highest academic average in the senior class. The recipient was Carlee Rose Sullins, from Elizabethton, Tennessee.

The Outstanding Senior Awards are selected by vote of the faculty, and honor two representatives from the senior class for outstanding records of campus leadership and academic scholarship. The awardees were Haleigh Cooper (Knoxville) and Carlee Sullins (Elizabethton). 

The William and Martha DeFriece Award is made to an alumnus or faculty member who has made an outstanding, worthwhile contribution to civilization or humanity. The Award, which includes a medal, was established in 1951 by Frank W. DeFriece, Sr. and John Clark in honor of their parents William R. DeFriece and Martha Jane Clark DeFriece who, like many of the parents in our audience, struggled and sacrificed so their children could attend Emory & Henry. 

Beverly Sheddan, chair of the Health & Human Performance Department presented Eleanor Hutton with the DeFriece Award.

Eleanor Hutton grew up in Damascus Virginia, but her last stop before coming to Emory & Henry College was San Diego, California. 

After a successful 40 year professional career at Emory & Henry, and her being recognized as the National Coach of the Year for Division III women’s tennis with the award being presented by none other than Chris Everett, she left behind numerous accomplishments in Education and Athletics. From founding the Physical Education major to starting our women’s athletics programs, and numerous other accomplishments as listed in your program, it is fair to say that Eleanor Hall Hutton had a tremendous impact on E&H.

“I am honored to have benefitted from Coach Hutton’s coaching and teaching. All of us who were fortunate enough to call her “Coach Hutton” can attest to the impact she has had on our lives. As an educator, she was a dynamic professor that tied in aspects of psychology, sociology, kinesiology, biomechanics and literature into the field of Physical Education and she was well-versed in all of these disciplines,” said Sheddan. “In her classes, physical education was for everyone, not just athletes. She taught us that instilling a lifelong love of activity was one of the greatest gifts you could impart as a teacher to your students. She instilled in all of her players the values of leadership, discipline, and sportsmanship. Winning was important, as attested to by her numerous honors, but to Coach Hutton, character development was her mission as a teacher and coach.”

Musical selections were performed by Emory & Henry choirs, directed by Natalie Shaffer, and the Emory & Henry Brass Ensemble directed by Dr. Matt Frederick.

The spoken benediction was delivered by senior Kyra Stinson-Wesley, from Pineville, North Carolina. 

To read more about about our the class of 2024, please visit https://www.ehc.edu/commencement/