BPC Celebrates 118th Commencement with First Nursing and Seminary Graduates
Courtesy of Brewton-Parker College
Brewton-Parker College (BPC) proudly celebrated the academic accomplishments of its graduating class at a historical commencement ceremony on April 17, 2024.
The ceremony, attended by esteemed faculty, proud families, and distinguished guests, was a significant moment for the college. Not only was it a celebration of a milestone in the graduates’ lives, but it also announced the completion of degrees of our first nursing cohort and the first master’s level graduates from both the online and Spanish programs through Temple Baptist Theological Seminary (TBTS).
“We are immensely proud of the remarkable achievements of our graduates,” said Dr. Steven Echols, President of Brewton- Parker College. “The spiritual and academic growth displayed in our students and throughout the campus is a testament to the great things God is doing at Brewton-Parker College.”
Valedictorian and B.S. in Nursing graduate Madison Hope Byrd delivered a speech to her fellow graduates, encouraging them to continue in the perseverance, courage, and principles that were instilled in them at BPC into their next phase of life. As one of the nine nursing graduates, Byrd has endured a rigorous program that has equipped her with the knowledge and experience needed to embrace the impending challenges of healthcare.
Starting its developmental journey in 2018, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing from BPC has emerged as a beacon of excellence, preparing competent and compassionate students through prioritized experiential learning, hands-on laboratory practice, simulation exercises, and real-world clinical components. Placing a focus on servant leadership, this program provides opportunities for training that will benefit the community and produce professionals who will be ambassadors for Christ in the medical field.
Dr. Debbie Bryerly, Director of Nursing, comments on the first cohort’s accomplishments, “I am so proud to celebrate our first graduating cohort of nursing students! Their growth and passion for patient care have been exciting to watch. They are ready to make a profound difference in the lives of their patients. I am excited to see what the future holds for them.”
In addition, the college was proud to honor a milestone for Temple Baptist Theological Seminary. This academic year’s completion marked the graduation of BPC’s first master’s-level students. TBTS is a division of BPC that provides graduate-level biblical, theological, and ministry education and training for pastors, ministers, and others who wish to be prepared to serve Christ in their local churches and through other ministries. As an exclusively online program, the courses are tailored to fit the busy schedules of pastors, staff ministers, bi-vocational ministers, and lay persons who may be unable to leave the ministry field and pursue education full-time. Chad Cofield, the first graduate of TBTS and fulltime pastor of First Baptist Church of Soperton, is one of many who have committed to furthering their education to grow spiritually and professionally for their current and future work in ministry.
In response to the graduate’s achievements, Dr. Mark Gregory, Dean of TBTS, commented, “We celebrate the accomplishments of the first Temple Baptist Theological Seminary graduates. To be a part of the journey of our first seminary graduates has been an honor and a joy. They have worked hard to deepen their knowledge of the scriptures and sharpen their ministry skills. With these first graduating students, we are fulfilling our mission as a seminary and as a college.”
This year’s Commencement marked incredible accomplishments for the college. These blessings are a testament to God’s work as BPC strives to fulfill its mission of seeing students' lives transformed both academically and spiritually for His glory.
Brewton-Parker College is the only accredited four-year Christian college south of Macon and north of Jacksonville, FL. As a comprehensive Georgia Baptist institution, Brewton-Parker College provides liberal arts and professional programs in a learning community of shared Christian values. Through the application of biblical truth in scholarship and a co-curricular focus on character, servant leadership, and cultural engagement, the college strives to provide a transformational experience that equips the whole student for lifelong learning and service in Christ.
Visit Brewton-Parker College online at www.bpc. edu.
L to R: 2024 Nursing Graduates Leslie Smith, Payton Blanchett, Jennifer Gregory, Leah Henry, Breanne Stanley, Kara Bedingfield, Madison Byrd, Jarrod Holmes, and Patrick Stevenson.
Madison Byrd, Valedictorian and Nursing graduate, addressesthe 2024 graduating class.
(L to R): First Row: Seminary Graduates Thomas Bowers, Joshua Boyett, Second Row: Dr. Dustin Hutto, Dr. Byron Edens, Dr. Mark Gregory, Third Row: Dr. Jerry Ray, Dr. Billy Puckett, Dr. Michael Steinmetz, and Dr. Steven F. Echols. Not pictured: graduate Chad Cofield, Justin Russell, and Eric Geyer.
