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Walters State Community College held its 64th commencement with two ceremonies at the Great Smoky Mountains Expo Center in White Pine.

Walters State Community College conferred 824 degrees and certificates during the ceremony for students.

Arnold Bunch, Hamblen County Superintendent of School, addressed the 2023 graduates.

“It’s is a honor to be here with you today and it’s means more to me than you all realize as I was in third grade when Walter State opened. I have watched it grow into the amazing institution it is today,” Bunch said.

Bunch related to students as they anticipate reviving their degree.

“I know many today if you are excited to graduate and ready to get out of here,” he said. “I know the feeling after many graduations.

“The only speaker I remember was President Ronald Regan at my graduation for the United States Air Force Academy. I’m not Ronald Regan so you probably won’t remember anything I have after today.”

Bunch congratulated WSCC President Tony Miksa for being named Community College of the Year by the Tennessee Board of Regents “I have to start to congratulate Dr. Miksa and the faculty here at Walters State,” he said “Garnering recognition from the Tennessee Board of Regents as the number one community college in the state is a remarkable accomplishment. Accomplishing it two years in a row is amazing.

“This recognition is a testament to the quality of the faculty and their instruction capabilities as well as their care a belief for each one of these students.”

Bunch recognized family and friends of graduates for supporting the students.

“To the family members congratulations to each and everyone of you,” Bunch said. “You have supported these graduates in many ways.”

“You may have helped financially, pulled extra work shifts so they could study, watched kids, cooked meals, encouraged them, cheered when they succeeded, loved on them or just prayed for them.

“Some of you may have done that many times to ensure they got here to receive their diploma.”

He explained that without their support the graduates would not be accepting their diplomas.

“Today is not just about the graduate but also for you, congratulations you did it,” he said. “I know I wouldn’t have graduated without the love and support from my family.

“If the graduates are honest they would admit the same that they couldn’t have done it with out you.”

“I want to say thank you on their behalf for supporting these graduates so they could achieve this goal.”

Bunch congratulated the graduates for their commitment to their school work.

“To the graduates we celebrate you,” he said. “You have shown dedication and perseverance.

“You have been challenged and I suspect there were times when you though about giving up.I know I did and to the point that my father told me there were no jobs at the wood working plant if I quit the Air Force Academy.

“But you put the time, energy and effort into successfully completing this journey and have completed your course work.”

Bunch explained how each graduate is prepared to take on life and the challenges they will face.

“Each one of you are full prepared to into the work force or future your education to receive a bachelor’s degree or more.

“Your graduation is really important to you and your family but also critically important to the viability to this community, this state and this Nation.”

Bunch encouraged students to continue learning even if they choose not to further their education.

“Congratulations to each one of you and you should be proud of your accomplishments,” he said. “And while today is milestone I hope that it stays just that a milestone and not an end point.

“I challenge each one of you to continue to learn. I’m a firm believer in continuous learning.

“Yes you now have a degree, but you still have so much to learn. The world and the technology in the world is rapidly changing.

“To be successful in the long run you must stay abreast in your field but also world events in general.”

He explained that they must continue to stay strong against adversity.

“I have a witnessed a lot of talented people give up when they faced a challenge.

“You must have the ability to get knocked down or face challenge multiple times and still get back up.”

“You have already shown perseverance by completing your coursework to receive your degree, but don’t become complacent.”

As his parting words he told graduates that they will determine how much they succeed moving forward.

“Keep pushing forward and stay in the arena,” he said. “How far you reach and what you achieve depends on many factors, but the biggest is you.”