Two Commencement Ceremonies Planned for Spring/Summer Graduates

Ceremonies will be held at the Walters State Great Smoky Mountains Expo Center in White Pine.

Congratulations, Graduates!

     Walters State Community College will award 782 certificates and associate degrees during two commencement ceremonies on May 8. 
     The Health Programs Commencement will be held at 4:30 p.m. with the General Commencement following at 7:30 p.m. Both ceremonies will be held at the Great Smoky Mountains Expo Center in White Pine. Both ceremonies can be view live at www.ws.edu and will be available on the college’s YouTube channel the following day. 
     Gordon Lintz, president and chief administrative office for Covenant Morristown-Hamblen Hospital, will deliver the commencement address to health program graduates. Lintz also serves as chief administrative officer for Claiborne Medical Center. He has been with Covenant Healthcare Systems since 2008. He previously served in several administrative positions with Baptist Healthcare in Memphis. While there, he made the decision to become a registered nurse, attending Southwest Community College in Memphis. For many years, he worked as an administrator by day and a registered nurse during several evening shifts. The experience gave Lintz a very unique knowledge and experience regarding healthcare administration.
     Dr. Heidi Leming, vice chancellor for student success and strategic partnerships with the Tennessee Board of Regents, will address graduates participating in the second ceremony. Leming works closely with those leading student services at TBR colleges and advocated for students with other agencies. She has been instrumental in advancing students affairs and student success initiatives related to accessibility, high-impact practices and international education. She has also championed support for low-income, English language learners, and first-generation students. Dr. Leming has worked in student affairs for over 20 years and received the NAPSA Student Administrators in Higher Education as the NAPSA Region III Outstanding Senior Student Affairs Officer award.
     General studies is the most popular major among students receiving associate of science degrees, with 121 graduates. Other popular majors within this degree include criminal justice, business and psychology. Students receiving the associate of science, the associate of science in teaching, associate of arts and associate of fine arts are usually planning to transfer and complete the final two years of a four-year degree. 
     Among recipients of the associate of applied science, nursing is the most popular major with 70 graduates. Other popular majors within this degree include law enforcement, physical therapist assistant and computer information technology. This degree prepares graduates to enter the workforce with in-demand skills immediately.
     Twenty-two students will receive the associate of science in teaching. This degree is the first two years of a bachelor's degree in education. 
     Advanced emergency medical technician, pharmacy technician and medical coding are the most popular certificates.