Jefferson City’s Noah Cassell receives his BS degree in Business Administration from Carson-Newman President Charles A. Fowler during the University’s Winter Commencement.

Carson-Newman University celebrated some 380 graduates during its Winter Commencement on Friday, Dec. 9. Families gathered at the Sevierville Convention Center to watch their students receive their degrees.

Dr. Carolyn Bishop, president of the Consortium for Global Education (CGE), delivered the commencement address. The CGE supports 40 private accredited universities representing over 7,000 full-time faculty members.

In her address to graduates Bishop spoke on the importance of “being connected” and “being cooperative” as skills needed for a successful life. She cited examples from around the world that when such skills were pursued, accomplishments followed.

While acknowledging the global challenges that await them, Bishop encouraged the graduates to take heart. “Learn to recognize the lessons of social media and the news that may promote impossibility and negativity, yet realize you have the skills to cross any desert and direct access to the Author and Creator who really can control and give you success in your global future.”