Two hundred students celebrated reaching a major milestone in their lives Saturday as they earned degrees from Tusculum College.

Thirty-four students earned master of arts in education degrees; 81 students earned bachelor of arts degrees and 85 students earned bachelor of science in organizational management degrees during the spring commencement ceremony at the college. Family and friends of the graduates filled the Alpine Arena inside the Niswonger Commons almost to capacity, and the warm, cloudless day provided the perfect backdrop a as many congregated outside afterwards to congratulate the graduates.

Campus Chaplain Dr. Stephen Weisz encouraged the graduates to "welcome friendly enemies" into their lives during his baccalaureate sermon.

"We are not living in easy times," Dr. Weisz told the graduates, commenting about a weakened economy, a tighter job market and greater competition for acceptance into graduate school. "In light of these circumstances, I would encourage you graduating today to look to God in faith for your future."

Dr. Weisz told the graduates that life will present difficulties and challenging circumstances, but these should be welcomed as "friendly enemies" that can ultimately benefit an individual.

These friendly enemies include criticism, people that irritate, failure, and pain and suffering, he said.

"Don't let these friendly enemies discourage you," he instructed the graduates. "They may benefit you as much of those who adore you."

"It never will be easy to deal with difficulties and problems that arise in life, but if we welcome these friendly enemies, we will succeed," he concluded.

Prior to Dr. Weisz's sermon, Dr. Travis Adams, pastor of The Presbyterian Church in Blairsville, Ga., read Ecclesiastes 3: 1-11 and prayed for God's blessing and direction for the graduates for the future. Dr. Adams thanked Dr. Weisz for the opportunity to participate in the ceremony, which was special for his family as his son, Collin, earned a bachelor of arts degree during commencement.

The degrees were conferred by Tusculum President Dr. Dolphus E. Henry, who also presided over the ceremony, and Dr. Jonathan Franz, provost and academic vice president at Tusculum.

The ceremony featured music by bagpipers Jon Shell and Will Clark, vocalist Jill Jones, and organist James Winfree.

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