LWC Awards 645 Degrees to the Class of 2019 at 109th Commencement Ceremony
Pictured: Biology education graduate Carlyn Causey from Columbia, Ky., is all smiles as she passes through the "Academic Gauntlet" after receiving her degree on Saturday during the college's 2019 spring commencement ceremony.
COLUMBIA, KY., -- Lindsey Wilson College held its 109th commencement ceremony on Saturday in Biggers Sports Center.
“Today is one of the best days of the year,” said LWC President William T. Luckey Jr. who has served the liberal arts college as its eighth president for 21 years. “We are here to celebrate the accomplishments of our precious students. What a great and proud moment it is for them and we are honored to share in their triumph.”
Lindsey Wilson College awarded a total of 234 graduate and undergraduate degrees at Saturday’s spring ceremony held before a crowd of more than 2,500 guests. Combined with the 411 degrees awarded in December at winter commencement, the Class of 2019 was a total of 645 graduates. To put that number in perspective, that is only 43 fewer graduates than LWC’s largest graduating class, a record which was set in 2017.
LWC conferred its second doctorate degree in the history of the college on Saturday. Darlene Vaughn of Woodlawn, Va., became the second graduate of the Doctorate of Philosophy in Counselor Education & Supervision Program.
Also on Saturday, LWC inducted seven alumni from the Class of 1969 into the Golden Alumni Society, which honors alumni who graduated from the college 50 years ago.
Receiving an honorary doctorate from LWC was longtime supporter and businesswoman Bunny Parnell. Parnell along with her husband, Adair County native and LWC board chair Allan Parnell, have supported Lindsey Wilson for more than four decades. For the past five years, they have partnered with the LWC Development Office to issue “The Chair’s Challenge” – a 48-hour fundraising campaign. The 2018 campaign raised $1.4 million for scholarship aid.
“When most couples make a commitment to the college, we understand that decision is being made by both individuals,” said LWC President William T. Luckey Jr. “Bunny has been right there by Mr. P’s side and she loves Lindsey Wilson every bit as much as he does.”
The commencement ceremony was preceded on Friday night by the senior banquet and baccalaureate service. The Rev. Michael Powers, assistant pastor at St. Luke United Methodist Church, in Lexington, Ky., delivered the baccalaureate message.
More from the LWC Spring 2019 Commencement Celebration:
• Click here to see a photo blog from spring 2019 commencement.
• Click here to view and download Class of 2019 diploma presentation photos for free.
• Click here to see the album Scenes from Commencement, Part 1
• Click here to see the album Scenes from Commencement, Part 2
• Click here to see photos of the Golden Alumni celebration
• Click here to see Dr. Bunny Parnell receive an honorary doctorate from LWC
For more information or to apply to Lindsey Wilson College go to: www.lindsey.edu