JOHNSON CITY – East Tennessee State University will celebrate more than 1,500 members of the Class of 2022 during two Commencement ceremonies held at the Ballad Health Athletic Center on Saturday, Dec. 10.
During the 10 a.m. ceremony, Dr. Cerrone Foster, recipient of the university’s 2022 Distinguished Faculty Award in Teaching, will
be the keynote speaker. Foster is a teaching scientist at ETSU for more than a decade
and in 2022 was named interim director of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities.
She is also the recipient of the 2022 Notable Women of ETSU.
At the 2 p.m. ceremony, Larry D. Thornton Sr. will deliver 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.
Learn more about the Commencement ceremonies at etsu.edu/commencement.