LMU AWARDS 327 DEGREES AT SPRING COMMENCEMENT

May 7, 2007 - Harrogate, Tennessee — Two hundred and seventy graduates participated in the spring commencement exercises at Lincoln Memorial University on Saturday, May 5. LMU welcomed the families and friends of the graduate and undergraduate degree recipients in Tex Turner Arena. A total of 327 associate, baccalaureate and master degrees were awarded during the annual spring commencement program.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Director Dr. Jeffrey Wadsworth was awarded the Honorary Doctorate of Science and gave the commencement address. Bachelor of Business Administration recipient Melissa McFadden (Johnson City, Tenn.) graduated with the highest honor as valedictorian and gave the student address. Bachelor of Arts in English degree recipient Jana Redmond (Harrogate, Tenn.) was the salutatorian.

Wadsworth, ORNL’s Director since August 2003, is an internationally recognized metallurgist. During his time as Laboratory Director, ORNL has cemented its reputation as a destination of choice for the world's best scientists and engineers in the fields of materials science, energy research, scientific computing, neutron science and national security. Wadsworth's tenure as Director at ORNL has witnessed the Laboratory's selection as the site for the Office of Science's Leadership Computing Facility, the completion of the Spallation Neutron Source and Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, and the Laboratory's east campus modernization.

In his address, he told the graduates of his travels around the world and shared with them his observations about happenings around the world. He observed that the three major issues that this generation will face are national security, the use and production of energy and how it impacts the environment and human health. He ended his speech by telling the graduates to “Find their passion. When you find your passion the work becomes easy. I will close with a simple request, thank your parents and thank your teachers.”

LMU also handed out two special awards during the ceremony. Lincoln Memorial University is one of a select few institutions selected to award the coveted Algernon Sidney Sullivan Award for humanitarian effort and community mindedness. Steven Lawrence Taylor was presented the award for personifying the spirit of volunteerism and for his selfless concern for his fellow man. Taylor moved from California to Harrogate to be able to follow his daughter Stefani’s soccer career at LMU. Along the way, he never missed a game and became both the Lady Railsplitter and Railsplitter soccer teams’ unofficial photographer and always shared his expertise with the athletic department for use on the website and in publications.

Along with the Algernon Sidney Sullivan Award, LMU is also privileged to award the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award. The recipient this year was Judy Beal as Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services. She was recognized for her over 18 years of service to LMU and its students. Beal retired earlier in the year. For the past 18 years she has touched the lives of many students, faculty and staff.

The University also dedicated a new academic mace at the spring commencement ceremony. Commissioned by university officials, craftsman Gerald Cooper from Berea, Ky., carved the new mace with a design highlighting LMU’s history. The mace was commissioned through a fund which was established to honor Dr. R. Martin Peters, who has been associated with LMU for over 60 years. Peters affiliation with the University began with his time as a student athlete at LMU and continues today as a current member of the board of trustees. Peters has also been a faculty member, dean and past president of LMU.

Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in the liberal arts and professional studies. The main campus is located in Harrogate, Tennessee. For more information about the undergraduate and graduate programs available at LMU, contact the Office of Admissions at 423-869-6280 or e-mail at admissions@lmunet.edu.

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