University of Tennessee Athletics
UT Celebrates December Graduates
December 09, 2016 | General
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The University of Tennessee celebrated 17 student-athletes expected to walk during Fall Commencement on Friday with a pre-graduation reception at the Thornton Athletics Student Life Center.
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Dave Hart and Senior Associate Athletics Director and Assistant Provost Joe Scogin congratulated the graduates and their families on successful academic careers and their contributions to University.
"It's nice to see everything come to fruition," football senior Dylan Wiesman said. "Knowing all of the work that I have put in, seeing something come from it and seeing that I'm going places with it, it's nice and it's reassuring. I'm planning on going to either pharmacy school or PA school or somewhere in the medical field."
Football senior Cameron Sutton spoke about what earning his degree means to him.
"It's very important, not just for myself, but for everyone that has invested in me, my family and my friends," Sutton said. "I have family members who have graduated from college, but a lot who haven't. I'm doing it for my family and it's an honor and a blessing. It's something that can't be taken away from you."
Volleyball senior Bridgette Villano expressed her thanks for the academic counselors and staff of the Thornton Athletics Student Life Center who aid Tennessee's student-athletes in their academic pursuits.
"Thornton has been a big part of my life here at UT," Villano said. "They are always there for tutors or mentors or just for help with resumes or career building. Without them, I don't think that I would have the grades that I have today."
Former Tennessee baseball player Blake Forsythe left Rocky Top in 2010 as a junior after he was selected in the third round of Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the New York Mets. After a six-year professional career, Forsythe returned to Tennessee to earn his degree in mechanical engineering.
"I made that choice to come back," Forsythe said. "With the help of the RAC (Renewing Academic Commitment) program - I can't thank them enough - I'm more than grateful to have their support behind what I've been able to accomplish here."
Below is a list of the expected December graduates.
Football
Kenny Bynum - Master of Science - Sport Management
Malik Foreman - Sport Management
Brett Kendrick - Sport Management
Joe Stocstill - Management - Marketing Collateral
Cameron Sutton - Communication Studies
Dylan Wiesman - Kinesiology
Men's Golf
Michael Nagy - Marketing - Supply Chain Management Collateral
Soccer
Anna McClung - Public Relations
Swimming & Diving
Harper Bruens - Therapeutic Recreation
Jimmy Dagley - Mechanical Engineering
Lauren Driscoll - Therapeutic Recreation
Track & Field
Wesley Edwards - Communications Studies
Volleyball
Bridgette Villano - Political Science
Renewing Academic Commitment (RAC)/Baseball
Blake Forsythe - Mechanical Engineering
Nick Hernandez - Sport Management
Khayyan Norfork - Sport Management (Summer 2016 Graduate, walking in Fall Commencement)
Jonathan Youngblood - Plant Sciences - Turfgrass Science & Management
