Five grads honored in TBC commencement

By AMY DAVIS
Tennessee Bible College

COOKEVILLE — Caps and gowns, smiles and flashing cameras were aplenty on the evening of Friday, June 12, at Tennessee Bible College as family and friends of the school's five newest graduates gathered for the 2009 commencement ceremony.

The graduates include David Hill of Cookeville (master of arts in Christian Doctrine and Apologetics); Mark Day, formerly of Indianapolis, Ind. (bachelor's degree in religious education); Helen Wang and Midea Liao, both of Wuhan, China (bachelor's degree in religious education); and Joshua Brown of Bowling Green, Ky. (two-year diploma).

"Graduation night 2009 was excellent," said TBC President Malcolm Hill. "The graduates were excited that they had completed their work, and the professors were thrilled at the good work they had done while at TBC."

Graduate David Hill, who earned a master of arts degree in Christian Doctrine and Apologetics, completed his course work while additionally serving as TBC's director of public relations and missions. He has been a full-time staff member since 1990.

New grads
Tennessee Bible College in Cookeville honored five new graduates during commencement exercises on June 12. Gathering for the occasion are, in front, from left, Malcolm Hill, TBC president; Glenn B. Ramsey, TBC vice president; and, in back, Kerry Duke, dean; graduates Joshua Brown, two-year diploma; Mark Day, Midea Liao and Helen Wang, bachelor's degree in religious education; David Hill, director of public relations and missions, master of arts in Christian Doctrine and Apologetics; and Paul Wilmoth, assistant to the TBC president.

"I'm happy to now be an alumnus of TBC," he said. "To have worked for the college and then to graduate from one of the programs is really encouraging. I've enjoyed the experience and the work, and I believe this degree equips me to do more things in the future. Like any education, it opens doors."

Hill is also a 1986 graduate of Tennessee Technological University, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in business management. Prior to that, he attended David Lipscomb University.

In addition to his work at TBC, he serves as an elder, Bible class teacher and song leader at Northeast Church of Christ in Cookeville. He also preaches by appointment, participates in gospel meetings, speaks in lectureships, preaches and teaches in mission campaigns in the U.S. and abroad, serves on the TBC board of trustees and is a longtime Cookeville Breakfast Rotary Club member and past president. He is the son of Malcolm and Billie Hill of Cookeville. He and his wife, Lisa, have two children, Mallory, a business major at TTU, and Pate, a sophomore at Cookeville High School.

Mark Day, a native of Indianapolis, Ind., graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in religious education. Up until June, he served as TBC's assistant to the dean in Distance Learning as well as video production assistant.

He earned his two-year diploma in 1997 and has also completed course work at Tennessee Technological University. He preached at Midway Church of Christ in Van Buren County for more than three years before recently accepting a position as associate minister at Flatwoods Church of Christ in Flatwoods, Ky.

"I'm really excited about it," Day said of his new work in Kentucky. "I haven't worked full-time with a congregation before, but that's what I came to TBC for. I've certainly learned a lot, and I'm ready to get to the work."

He added, "I've enjoyed my time at TBC. The courses are great, and all the teachers really help you. Plus, being here has afforded me a lot of opportunities. I've been able to work in a lot of different areas and search out what I really want to do."

Day is the son of Anita Page of Indianapolis and a 2004 graduate of Whiteland Community High School in Indiana. He is married to the former Alissa Wheeler.

Graduates Helen Wang and Midea Liao of Wuhan, China, each received a bachelor's degree in religious education. Both came to TBC in January 2007.

Wang, daughter of Jinxi Wang and Xian Zhangbing of Ezhou City, China, also holds a degree from Wuhan Institute College in China, where she graduated in 2004. Before pursuing her Bible education in Cookeville, she worked in business but says she plans to change occupations upon her return to China.

"I want to go back to China and help the church, and I'm praying God will help me find a job I can do and also have time for the work of the church," she said.

She added, "In the years I've been here at Tennessee Bible College I've gained a lot of Bible knowledge. I'm excited to be graduating but also a little upset to leave. I've enjoyed it here. The weather is good, and the people are really nice. I'm thankful to TBC for giving me the chance to stay here."

Liao, daughter of Guanghao Liao and Qunxiang Deng of China, graduates cum laude from TBC. She is also a 2005 graduate of South-Central University for Nationalities in Wuhan, China. Like Wang, Liao plans to switch careers back home. She would like to teach English and math in a Chinese private school while also focusing on her work in the church.

She said of her time at TBC, "I have learned a lot, and from a spiritual standpoint I can tell I'm growing. I'm thankful for the people here, my sisters and brothers in the church. It's hard to say goodbye, but the word of God needs to be scattered. When I go back to China, I will be able to share the gospel with other people."

Two-year diploma recipient Joshua Brown of Bowling Green, Ky., said he plans to return to TBC in the fall and complete the bachelor degree program. Brown, who came to TBC in the fall of 2007, is the son of Michael and Brenda Brown of Bowling Green and a 2001 graduate of Greenwood High School in Bowling Green. He plans to become a minister in the church of Christ.

He said, "TBC has definitely prepared me for a future in preaching. I have gained information and knowledge that I didn't have two years ago."

This year's graduation exercise marked the 21st for TBC, the first being in 1982. Since then, a total of 91 have graduated from all programs. TBC now has alumni in 15 states and three foreign countries.

Malcolm Hill said, "Seeing young people complete their education is the greatest thrill one can have as a teacher. What you're doing is adding another building block to society, hopefully to make it better and stronger."

Tennessee Bible College, located at 1616 McCulley Road in Cookeville, was established in 1975 and is authorized by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to award the bachelor's degree in religious education, master's and doctorate degrees in theology, and a two-year diploma. Distance learning courses are available. Beginning in September, free tuition is being offered to qualified on-campus students. For more information, call (931)526-2616.