Grads need ‘grace,’ ability to face challenges (w/video)

New graduates gather for a photo at MTSU’s fall 2012 morning commencement ceremony. (MTSU photo by Classic Photography)

MTSU’s newest alumni now have something that 67 percent of their fellow Tennessee residents lack, state House Speaker Beth Harwell said Dec. 15.

Only 33 percent of Tennesseans possess a college degree, Harwell reminded students graduating in the university’s fall 2012 morning commencement.

“After this ceremony, you will be head and shoulders above far too many of your fellow Tennesseans. … You really have achieved something today, so savor it,” the Nashville legislator said, then offered four suggestions for success for the new graduates.

“Be humble,” said Harwell, who is currently serving her 12th term in the Tennessee House of Representatives. “Be different in not being showy. There is a certain grace that comes with humility.

“Don’t go into debt. … Our current fiscal crisis in this nation is a result of living beyond our means. It’s OK to admit we have financial limits.

The Honorable Beth Harwell, speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives, makes a point during her address to MTSU’s morning commencement ceremony. (MTSU photo by Classic Photography)

“Be thankful for what you have, and be generous with it. And meet the challenging moments of life head-on and persevere.”

One of the nation’s most recent challenges was obviously on the minds of many inside Murphy Center for the ceremonies.

University Provost Brad Bartel asked for a moment of silence at the beginning of each ceremony to honor the victims and survivors of the Newtown, Conn., school shootings.

As happy as she was on this joyous occasion, 23-year-old Kara Elizabeth Daniel of Memphis also remembered the victims of the Shady Hook Elementary School tragedy, which occurred the day before MTSU’s fall commencement.

Teachers at the primary school, which served kindergarten through fourth grades, are being praised for saving students in the chaos that ultimately claimed 28 lives, including 20 children.

Kara Elizabeth Daniel of Memphis listens to graduation instructions before MTSU’s fall commencement morning ceremony. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

“It’s very, very sad,” said Daniel, who received a Bachelor of Science in education in the Dec. 15 morning ceremony. “My heart is broken over it. It’s so upsetting.”

The early childhood education major sported a big red apple on her mortarboard alongside the words, “Education is the mother of leadership,” a quote from former presidential candidate Wendell Willkie.

“I just love how many kids in life I will be able to touch … and may be able to be that person who could make that big difference in someone’s life,” Daniel continued, adding that she wants to obtain a teaching job and earn her master’s degree while teaching. She’s now qualified to teach children up to third grade.

“When I was closing in on what specific age group I wanted to teach, I knew that I would like to teach the younger kids,” she said.

Chris Buttrey of Fairview, Tenn., received his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences during the afternoon ceremony.

New MTSU graduate Charly Baltzer of Franklin, Tenn., right, talks about her achievement as fellow grad Chris Buttrey of Fairview, Tenn., listens. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

“Being an older student, graduating is big for my family and me,” said Buttrey, who was following in the footsteps of his father, Harold Buttrey, who graduated from MTSU in 1972. “He’s very proud.”

Chris Buttrey said he’s been working two jobs, one in loss prevention and one in retail, while attending college.

“It took me three years, from start to finish to graduate,” he said, adding that he averaged about 19 credit hours per semester.

Psychology major Charly Baltzer of Franklin, Tenn., graduated with honors with a 3.749 GPA from the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences. She said graduating gives her “freedom” and added that the day for her was “overwhelming.”

“It was hard work,” Baltzer said of her achievement.

Daniel, Buttrey and Baltzer were three of 1,960 students receiving degrees during MTSU’s fall 2012 commencement ceremonies.

Mark Emkes, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration, told the afternoon graduates that integrity, caring, leadership and determination will always be the keys to their success.

Mark Emkes, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration, speaks to graduates at MTSU’s fall 2012 afternoon acommencement ceremony. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

“Regardless of your field of study, you will all be leaders,” the former chairman and CEO of Bridgestone Americas Holding Inc. said. “It took me a few years to realize it … but life isn’t all that complicated.

“You need integrity. Integrity is about doing what you say you’re going to do … and respecting all people. We have complete control over our character, values and integrity.

“Leadership is about creating the right environment so people will want to help you get things done. Leaders hold people up; they don’t hold people down.”

Candidates from the College of Graduate Studies, Basic and Applied Sciences, Jennings A. Jones College of Business and the College of Education received their degrees in the morning ceremony.

Degrees were conferred on candidates in the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, College of Mass Communication and the University College in the afternoon.

You can see more photos from MTSU’s fall 2012 commencement ceremonies below and at http://tinyurl.com/MTfall12grad. You also can watch a video of the day’s events below.

Soon-to-be graduates lighten the mood and the wait inside a Murphy Center gymnasium Dec. 15 before the fall 2012 morning commencement ceremony begins. (MTSU photo by Classic Photography)

Members of MTSU’s ROTC Cadet Color Guard present the colors to help launch the fall 2012 morning commencement ceremony. (MTSU photo by Classic Photography)

A University Honors graduate acknowledges suporters in the crowd as he and his fellow students file into Murphy Center for the fall 2012 afternoon commencement ceremony. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)