Bush Brothers Chairman Speaks To Carson-Newman University Graduates

Jefferson County Post’s own Jake Depew receives degree from Carson-Newman University President J. Randall O’Brien
Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

Carson-Newman University held its Winter Commencement Undergraduate Ceremony on Friday morning, Dec. 12.

During the service, the University graduated some 60 students before family and friends in Holt Fieldhouse. James Ethier, chairman of the board for Bush Brothers & Company, delivered the commencement address.

Ethier said his family’s enterprise is rooted in integrity, responsibility, trust and commitment. Ethier said it easy to answer questions about the key to being one of America’s most successful food companies for more than a century: “Because we have been willing to change what we do, but not who we are.”

“It is not enough to aspire to be a common man or woman,” he intoned. “We must seek to be uncommon.”

The previous evening, Carson-Newman graduated over 40 graduate students in a ceremony held in the sanctuary of Jefferson City’s First Baptist Church. Dr. Bill Blevins, professor emeritus of counseling and 1959 alumnus, addressed the class.

Carson-Newman University is a private, Christian liberal arts institution. Founded in 1851, Carson-Newman is located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, among the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. The University has over 2,300 students and offers 50 undergraduate majors, as well as bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees.