December graduates, honored in Dec. 11 ceremony, represent Virginia Wesleyan’s diverse and dynamic learning community
By Leona Baker | Updated December 12, 2011
For the 57 seniors scheduled to complete their graduation requirements at the end of the current semester, the holiday season will be a particularly special one. A ceremony to honor these December graduates was held on Sunday, December 11 at 2 p.m. in the Batten Convocation Center.
These students represent Virginia Wesleyan’s diverse and dynamic learning community. From as far away as California and Texas, they include a variety of majors and some of the College’s best and brightest.
Among them is Amber Grader, a psychology major and Honors and Scholars student from Syracuse, New York, who has a growing list of academic achievements to celebrate along with her diploma. President of Psi Chi honor society and the Psychology Club, Grader’s undergraduate research on the importance of curiosity in problem-solving was accepted for presentation at the Society of Southeastern Social Psychologists Conference that took place recently in Tennessee. She is also working closely on a series of continuing research projects with her adviser, Dr. Rachel Calogero.
Grader’s VWC journey has been academically rewarding but not without personal challenges. She left the College for a brief period and returned home, prompted by the death of a good friend. But, after attending a large state school for a semester, she felt drawn back to Virginia Wesleyan because of the relationships she had developed here and because of the personal attention she received.
“I went to a small high school, so I like the closeness at Virginia Wesleyan,” she explains. “I like the fact that I’ve been able to work with my advisor so closely. She has helped me so much. I’m in her office at least three days a week.”
Grader, who is the first person in her family to get a four-year college degree, is busy putting the finishing touches on applications for graduate school but plans to stay in the area at least through the summer of 2012, when she hopes to complete an internship with Eastern Virginia Medical School.
For December graduate Adam Tobey, the path to a bachelor’s degree was also not a traditional one. Tobey was homeschooled in his hometown of Midlothian, Virginia (outside Richmond) and completed his associate’s degree at a community college before transferring to VWC as a member of the Marlins baseball team at age 18.
He thought he wanted to major in biology and pursue a career in physical therapy until he found himself being led in a different direction—one guided not by the physical but by the spiritual. Two professors in particular helped cement his decision to change his major to religious studies.
“I took one class with Dr. Terry Lindvall then one with Dr. Craig Wansink—and that was it,” remembers Tobey, who is active in Young Life on campus and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in addition to being president of the Honors and Scholars Association.
Tobey’s involvement in the local chapter of Young Life, a non-denominational Christian organization that reaches out to children and teens, has been especially meaningful to him. He plans to continue volunteering with the organization after graduation, and, though attending seminary is definitely in his long-term plans, he’s keeping the rest of his academic and professional options open.
“Right now I’m kind of living on faith. I’m trying to see what God has in store for me. I like it that way; it’s an adventure not to know what lies ahead so I can be surprised when it comes up.”
Virginia Wesleyan College’s December Potential Graduate Reception, in honor of December graduates, took place in the Marlin Grille immediately following the December 11 ceremony.
“This is a perfect opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of these students and enjoy the moment with graduates and their families,” said Dr. Timothy O’Rourke, Vice President for Academic Affairs & Kenneth R. Perry Dean of the College.
The event was sponsored by the Commencement Committee and Alumni Association. December potential graduates may attend the December event and still remain eligible to participate in the May 2012 Commencement.