Arnold Bunch Jr. To Deliver Commencement Address
May 1, 2023
Arnold Bunch Jr.
Walters State Community Colleges will mark its 64th commencement with ceremonies at
10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 6 at the Great Smoky Mountains Expo Center in
White Pine.
Arnold W. Bunch Jr., superintendent of the Hamblen County School System, will deliver
the commencement address at both ceremonies. Prior to becoming superintendent, Bunch
served in the U.S. Air Force for 38 years and retired at the rank of general.
Walters State Community College will confer 824 degrees and certificates during the
ceremony for students scheduled to complete requirements during spring or summer semester.
The associate of science will be conferred to 405 graduates. Most of these students
plan on transferring to a four-year institution to continue their studies. The most
popular subject under this degree is general studies, which is comprised of the first
two years of most subject areas. Other popular fields are accounting, pre-engineering
and psychology.
The associate of arts will be awarded to 23 students; the associate of science in
teaching to 17; and the associate of fine arts to four. All of these degrees are for
students planning to transfer.
The associate of applied science is given to students whose studies have prepared
them to enter the workforce following graduation. Popular studies in this area include
nursing, physical therapist assistant, occupational therapy assistant, engineering
technology and business.
Graduates earning technical certificates have also chosen fields to enter immediately
following completion. Technical certificates will be awarded to 194 graduates. The
most popular certificates are in emergency medical technician and advanced emergency
medical technician.
Ceremonies can be viewed live online at www.ws.edu.