Congratulations, Graduates!

We proudly welcome the Class of 2011 to the ranks of  Watkins alumni! 

During ceremonies at the historic Downtown Presbyterian Church on May 14, which included remarks from president Ellen Meyer and faculty dean John Sullivan, degrees were conferred by board of Trustees chair Samuel E. Stumpf, Jr,. on 65 students in the Photography, Interior Design, Film, Graphic Design and Fine Arts programs.  Internationally-recognized contemporary arts expert Sylvie Forton, editor of Arts Papers magazine, delivered the commencement speech to an over-flow assembly of beaming family and friends.

Jennifer Jean Bonior of Athens, TN, who earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film with a concentration in Directing and Screenwriting, was named winner of the Samuel Watkins Award of Excellence, bestowed upon the student who has achieved the highest cumulative grade point average.  Also graduating summa cum laude was Interior Design major Autumn Chapman Riley of Nashville, TN.