By Mariah Stearns
Twelve Adair County residents recently graduated from Lindsey Wilson College.
The 12 area residents were among 340 students who received undergraduate or graduate degrees at the college's 106th commencement ceremony, held December 9th in Biggers Sports Center.
The 12 area residents who received degrees from Lindsey Wilson were:
- Samantha Ballou of Columbia earned a bachelor of arts degree in sustainability & energy apps
- Tyler Bennett of Columbia earned a bachelor of arts degree in business administration
- Natalie Bertram of Columbia earned a bachelor of science degree in biology
- Martin Blakenship earned a bachelor of arts degree in sustainability & energy apps
- Johnathon Burbridge of Columbia earned a bachelor of arts degree in business administration
- Cheyayne Coffey of Columbia earned a bachelor of arts degree in human services and counseling
- Jacob Harris of Columbia earned a bachelor of arts degree in business administration
- Paul Holland of Columbia earned a bachelor of arts degree in human services and counseling
- Crystal Kimbler of Columbia earned a bachelor of arts degree in human services and counseling
- Hayley McQueary of Columbia earned a bachelor of arts degree in communication
- Virginia Turner of Columbia earned a bachelor of arts degree in business administration
- Sarah Wheeler of Columbia earned a bachelor of arts degree in contract/multi-disciplinary
Members of the first half of the Lindsey Wilson College Class of 2017-18 were told Saturday morning to go forward with a "glass half-full" attitude because a positive perspective will shape the way they lead and adapt to change.
Those were the words 45-year automotive industry veteran and LWC trustee James J. Pike delivered at the college's 106th commencement ceremony, held Saturday morning in Biggers Sports Center.
"We were always looking for people in my companies with a "glass half-full" outlook," said Pike. "It was the people with a positive perspective that made the best leaders."
"Everyone has leadership qualities. You may not be using it yet but it is within you. Expand, grow and nurture your leadership potential because you will use it forever - in your family, business, community and faith. And you have taken the first step today by becoming a college graduate."
LWC awarded an honorary doctorate to Pike and posthumously, to local businessman and LWC trustee Robert Lewis Garrison who passed away suddenly in November. Lindsey Wilson awarded 340 degrees at this year's winter commencement - 196 undergraduate degrees and 144 graduate degrees. The winter class also included LWC's first graduates from the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.
