The CARC Celebrates Member Institutions' Graduations

RICHMOND, Va., May 8, 2024 – As commencement ceremonies are held throughout Virginia, Commonwealth Alliance for Rural Colleges member institutions are collectively graduating 1095 students. After beginning their studies at Appalachian School of Law, Averett University, Bluefield University, Eastern Mennonite University, and Ferrum College in the bleak, COVID-19 ravaged days of 2020, members of the class of 2024 are celebrating their achievements in what is for many of them their first traditional graduation ceremony.

CARC institutions awarded over 854 bachelor’s and 241 graduate and professional degrees in fields such as health care, business, criminal justice, law, nursing, computer science, aeronautics and more. Eastern Mennonite University’s Maggie Garber-McClary was the first to graduate with a degree in Music and Peacebuilding, the only such program in the country.

Graduates received messages from leaders across the business and political spectrum, including Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) Managing Director, Federal Government Affairs and Associate General Counsel Kevin Carson at Appalachian School of Law; retired NASA pioneer whose leadership salvaged the James Webb Space Telescope program Dr. Gregory L. Robinson at Averett University; the first minority Executive Director of the Baptist General Association of Virginia Dr. Wayne D. Faison and Pastor of Regional & Global Networks Dr. Allen Jessee at Bluefield University; business leader, philanthropist, and advocate for international students and Diversity Equity and Inclusion causes Jose Koshy at Eastern Mennonite University, and Lt. Governor of Virginia the Hon. Winsome Earle-Sears at Ferrum College.

The successful conclusion of students’ studies, however, is not the only cause for celebration. In addition to graduation, Ferrum College inaugurated its 13th President, Dr. Mirta Martin on Saturday, May 4th. Martin, who began serving as interim president on January 2, 2023, before being confirmed as president in September seized the opportunity to reaffirm her commitment to school.

“It is with profound gratitude, humility, and a deep sense of responsibility that I stand before you today as the newly invested 13th president of Ferrum College.  I am honored to have the extraordinary privilege to lead this institution into the next chapter of its distinguished history,” Dr. Martin said.

Bluefield University held two commencements this spring, separating the graduate and undergraduate ceremonies for the first time. Having dual ceremonies, however, was not the only new development in Bluefield’s graduations. Both ceremonies were led for the first time by Bluefield University Provost and Interim President Dr. Michael Salmeier, as Bluefield bids adieu to Dr. David Olive, who led the institute for 17 years. In a positive development for healthcare in the region, Bluefield also graduated its first class of on-campus Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree recipients.

Averett University also held its graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 4th, honoring a diverse group of more than 200 graduates ranging in age from 19 to 66, 14 of whom are veterans, and 19 international students representing 11 foreign nations.

As Eastern Mennonite University students walked across the stage on Sunday, May 5th, 10 of them bore the honor of being Cords of Distinction Honorees. These students were nominated by faculty, staff, administrators, and fellow students for their impact on the university and student life, fostering EMU’s positive image, community contributions, and the embodiment of EMU’s values of Christian discipleship, community, service, and peacebuilding. The full list of recipients and nominees can be viewed here.

Appalachian School of Law will celebrate its silver jubilee as 39 students graduate in the school’s 25th anniversary commencement on Saturday, May 11th.