WILSON, N.C. — April 23, 2024 — Elizabeth Hudson, Editor in Chief at “Our State,” will deliver the keynote address at the 123rd annual commencement exercises of Barton College, scheduled for Saturday, May 17, on center campus at 10:30 a.m. Dr. Douglas N. Searcy will preside over his tenth commencement program as president of Barton College. Dr. Kevin N. Pennington, vice president for academic affairs, will present the 2025 Class of 275 undergraduate and graduate students.
Participating in this year’s commencement ceremony will be students who completed their baccalaureate degree requirements in December 2024 and May 2025, as well as undergraduate candidates who expect to fulfill requirements over the summer. Also participating will be graduates of the Master of Business Administration in Strategic Leadership, Master of School Administration, Master of Science in Criminal Justice, and the Master of Science in Kinesiology degree programs.
The three highest honors presented to Barton students: the Coggins Cup, the Hilley Cup, and the Hemby Leadership Cup, will be awarded. The Coggins Cup is presented annually to the student voted best all-around by the Barton faculty and staff. The Hilley Cup is presented annually to the graduating senior with the highest cumulative grade point average. The Hemby Leadership Cup is presented to the graduating senior, who in the estimation of the College community (including students, faculty and staff) has demonstrated outstanding leadership throughout a career at Barton College.
The Lincoln Financial Excellence in Teaching Fund Faculty Member of the Year awards will also be presented. The awards, given annually to two faculty members, include a cash stipend for international study.
Amy Denton (class of 1994), president of the Barton College Alumni Association and its Alumni Board, will bring greetings to graduating seniors on behalf of the Alumni Association.
Commencement Week activities will include the Hooding Ceremony for Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice Sciences graduates from the School of Education and Social Sciences, Master of Science in Kinesiology graduates from the School of Health Sciences, and Master of School Administration graduates from the School of Education and Social Sciences. Licensure graduates from the School of Education and Social Sciences will also receive their certificates at this time. This ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 15, at 5 p.m. in Wilson Gym.
The Hooding Ceremony for Master of Business Administration in Strategic Leadership graduates from the School of Business and Innovation will take place on Friday, May 16, at 5:30 p.m. in Wilson Gymnasium.
The Nurses Pinning Ceremony for Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates from the School of Health Sciences will be held on Friday, May 16, at 7:30 p.m. in Wilson Gymnasium. RN to BSN degree graduates will also be recognized during this ceremony.
The Baccalaureate Service is scheduled for Friday, May 16, at 4 p.m. in Howard Chapel. Chaplain Alysun Skinner will officiate, with the Reverend Dr. Della Owens delivering the Baccalaureate message. The service will feature scripture readings, musical selections by Barton students, and a performance by guest musician Casey Childers.
About the Commencement Speaker —
Elizabeth Hudson serves as the Editor in Chief of “Our State” magazine. A native of North Carolina, Hudson holds a B.A. in English from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She started her publishing career in 1997 at “Our State” magazine, first answering phones in the circulation department and later transitioning to the editorial team. After holding various editorial positions, she was appointed editor in chief of the 90-year-old publication in 2009.
Under Hudson’s leadership, the magazine has seen exceptional growth in addition to being honored with multiple awards. In 2011 and 2012, “Our State” won consecutive Gold Eddies for “Best Issue” of a regional magazine from “FOLIO:” magazine. The Gold Eddie award is a prestigious honor, recognizing excellence in editorial quality and creativity for magazine issues published during a given year.
Hudson has received numerous awards for her work, including the 2014 Ethel N. Fortner Writer and Community Award, the 2016 Charles Kuralt Award, and induction into the North Caroliniana Society in 2019. She also accepted the 2019 Alumni Award from her alma mater, the University of North Carolina Greensboro. In 2021, she was honored with the Book Award of Excellence from the North Carolina Society of Historians for her book “Silver Linings.”
Through her 20 years with the magazine, Hudson has discovered the best barbecue joints and the state’s most photographed waterfalls. She’s walked the same sand on the Outer Banks where pirates once roamed, and she knows just the right amount of milk to make the perfect bowl of southern snow cream. Her stories are woven from these experiences, drawing from a deep love and knowledge of the place she calls home.
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