MARYVILLE – Six students from Sevier County were among the approximately 225 undergraduates completing requirements for a bachelor of arts degree and graduating from Maryville College.
Dave Ramsey, personal money management expert, popular nationally syndicated radio and television host and best selling author, was the speaker at commencement, which was held May 17 on the lawn between Sutton Science Center and Anderson Hall.
 Ramsey was also awarded an honorary doctor of finance degree during the evening’s ceremonies.
      In his address, entitled “Hope, Real Hope,” Ramsey described himself as a “regular guy” who remembers what it was like to lose hope.
      To hold on to hope, he urged them to avoid three specific actions in their lives: taking current failures and projecting them into their futures; placing their hope in the wrong things, such as a diploma; and losing perspective. Ramsey said that knowledge, time and a spiritual walk would give graduates perspective.
       “Ultimately, there is one place designed to put your hope,” he continued. “That hope-placing place is the nail-scarred hands of Jesus. When you place your hope there, you will not be let down.”
      Those students from Sevier County earning degrees from the College included:
      From Pigeon Forge: Cecilia Myers, daughter of David and Esmy Myers and a 2005 graduate of Pigeon Forge High School, majored in English Literature.
      From Sevierville: Megan Ayers, daughter of Jeff Ayers of Sevierville and Kathy Ayers of Knoxville and a 2005 graduate of Pigeon Forge High School, majored in business and organization management.
      Jonathan Ball, son of Kyle and Libby Ball and a 2005 graduate of Sevier County High School, majored in business and organization management.
      Justin Helmuth, son of Sharon Helmuth and a 2005 graduate of Gatlinburg-Pittman High School, majored in psychology.
      Camie Manning, daughter of Bobby and Melinda Manning and Barbara Herron of Sevierville and a 2005 graduate of Sevier County High School, majored in child development and learning for teacher licensure.
      From Seymour: Randall Haggard, a 1991 graduate of Tennessee School for the Deaf, majored in child development and learning.  
      Ball graduated with the honor of summa cum laude. Ayers and Manning graduated magna cum laude. Myers graduated cum laude.
      The distinctions are conferred upon students who have completed at least 64 hours at Maryville College and have attained for the full college course a standing between 3.40 and 3.75 (cum laude), 3.75 and 3.95 (magna cum laude) and 3.95 and 4.0 (summa cum laude).

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