JOHNSON CITY (December 10, 2022) – East Tennessee State University celebrated more
than 1,500 members of the Class of 2022 during two Commencement ceremonies held at
the Ballad Health Athletic Center today.
During the morning ceremony, Dr. Cerrone Foster, recipient of the university’s 2022
Distinguished Faculty Award in Teaching, was the keynote speaker. Foster, who was
also a recipient of the 2022 Notable Women of ETSU award, encouraged the graduates
to do big things, do good things and do hard things.
“You navigated the before and after of a pandemic; you navigated the ups and downs
of it, and you learned what it is you need to be successful,” Foster told the graduates.
“You’re going to do big things, good things and hard things … keeping with the ETSU
mission of going out to improve the quality of life in the region that you’re in and
even beyond.”
The morning ceremony also included a special recognition for Dr. Bert C. Bach, retired
ETSU Provost who served more than four decades in higher education in Tennessee. ETSU
President Dr. Brian Noland awarded Bach with an honorary doctorate for his distinguished
career and his outstanding contributions to higher education.
Throughout his career, Bach was a true champion for ETSU, beginning with his service
as Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for the Tennessee Board of Regents and continuing
through his interim presidency of ETSU in 1991-92 and his tenure as Provost and Vice
President for Academic Affairs.
“His lasting imprint on our university – from our programs to our facilities and our
people – is unmistakable,” Noland said.
At the afternoon ceremony, Larry D. Thornton Sr. delivered the commencement address.
Thornton is president and owner of Thornton Enterprises, Inc., a McDonald’s franchisee.
He serves on the board of directors for several organizations and is a well-known
businessman and artist.
In April 2019, he added author to his résumé with his first book “Why Not Win?,” a
reflection on his 50-year journey from the Jim Crow South to America’s boardrooms
and the lessons he learned. The book led to the launch of the Why Not Win Institute,
a leadership and professional development initiative.
Thornton asked graduates to consider three questions: Is this just? Is this honest?
Is this the best that I can do?
“Some of the most pointed, some of the most powerful, some of the most poignant messages
that you will ever deliver or receive will occur without the employment of a single
word,” Thornton told the graduates.
Learn more about ETSU at etsu.edu.