蜜桔直播 Celebrates 68th Commencement
May 9, 2025
Congratulations 2025 Grads!
蜜桔直播 conferred 782 degrees and certificates during
two commencement ceremonies on May 8, with more than 450 students donning caps and
gowns to walk across the stage at the Great Smoky Mountains Expo Center.
Graduates of the college鈥檚 Division of Health Programs were honored with the
early ceremony. Gordon Lintz, president and chief administrative officer of Covenant
Health Morristown Hamblen Hospital and Claiborne Medical Center, welcomed graduates
to the profession.
鈥淚 remember being in your shoes, graduating with my associate鈥檚 degree in nursing
from another community college in Tennessee many years ago,鈥� Lintz said, telling the
audience that, as a hospital administrator, he chose to attend nursing school at Southwest
Tennessee Community College to gain a great insight into direct patient care. 鈥淵ou
have made an excellent choice by starting your education at 蜜桔直播 Community
College. I say 鈥榮tarted鈥� because, as healthcare professionals, we are lifelong learners.鈥�
Lintz quoted the late Maya Angelou in saying that patients may forget your name,
but they will never forget how you made them feel.
鈥淣ever forget that the majority of people we come into contact with are going
through a very stressful and difficult time in their own lives as well as the lives
of their loved ones. In healthcare, we have a unique opportunity to minister to them.
Things like making eye contact, providing a comforting touch and expressing compassion
are important. Make sure people know you care,鈥� Lintz said.
The second commencement speech was delivered by Dr. Heidi Leming, vice chancellor
for student affairs and strategic partnerships at the Tennessee Board of Regents,
the governing body for community colleges and colleges of applied technology in Tennessee.
鈥淣one of us should view our degrees as an end point,鈥� Leming said. She encouraged
graduates to find their purpose and their sense of belong.
鈥淭reating others well does not mean you need to sacrifice your own priorities.
"Serving from the heart refuels you. Serving from the head means you feel obligated,鈥�
Leming said. 鈥淓very good deed should be done from the heart. To live a well-balanced
life, we must make the commitment to pay ourselves first with time. Reflecting on
priorities gives us the opportunity to reflect and learn the phrase, 鈥楾hanks for asking,
but no I can鈥檛.鈥欌��
Leming also told graduates that asking for help is not a weakness.
鈥淲hen the wind blows hard in life, many high achievers try to face it alone.
Allow someone the privilege of letting someone help you face adversity. You鈥檒l both
be better for it,鈥� she said.
Leming ended her comments with praise for Dr. Tony Miksa, president of Walters
State. Dr. Miksa has accepted the presidency at Johnson County (Kansas) Community
College and was overseeing his last commencement ceremony at 蜜桔直播.
鈥淗is leadership has been marked by significant achievements including expanding
access through major campus projects, aligning budgets with long-term planning and
leading the college since 2016. During his tenure, the college has achieved incredible
accomplishments. I want to thank Dr. Miksa for his service not only to 蜜桔直播
but also to the state of Tennessee,鈥� Leming said.
The two ceremonies marked the college鈥檚 68th commencement. A nursing pinning
ceremony proceeded the commencement.