By Samantha Swindler / Managing Editor

According to tradition, each of the University of the Cumberlands’ 285 graduates on Saturday walked away with a diploma and — at a college known for its Patriots — a new nickel bearing Thomas Jefferson’s image.

“It is our prayer that this nickel from the University’s Alumni Association will serve as a reminder for our graduates to make wise choices, to have faith, to persevere and to believe in possibilities just as did the Founding Fathers of our country and the Founding Fathers of our university,” read the day’s program.

Friends and family crowded into the

O. Wayne Rollins Center Saturday morning to honor those 285 graduates, who follow a long line of former Cumberland students doing work across the globe.

“The sun never sets on the work of Cumberlands alumni,” said Cumberlands President Dr. James H. Taylor. “Among the graduates and former students are two governors of the state of Kentucky, an admiral in the Navy, several military generals, and hundreds of medical doctors and pharmacists and business professional people.”

“Our roots go back over 120 years,” he continued, “and just as in the past, the students we honor today flower for not just a season or two, but for a lifetime.”

Two honorary degrees were also presented during the commencement to folk singer Jean Ritchie and businessman and missionary George HeeKnyung Hong.

Ritchie, 86 years old and a native of Viper, Ky., is best known for her contributions to Appalachian folk music and the revival of the dulcimer. She received a two-year degree in 1944 from then Cumberland College, and went on to University of Kentucky to receive a degree in social work. She left Kentucky to work at the Henry Street Settlement in New York City, which provided health care and other services to the poor. There, she began singing her native hymns and ballads to the people, and word of her informal musical talents spread. She has played on television and radio and around the world. She and her husband live in Port Washington, N.Y.

During Saturday’s commencement, Ritchie commented that she was receiving her fourth honorary degree.

Hong, a native of South Korea, is a naturalized American citizen with more than 23 years experience in facilities management and engineering. Since 1986, he has been the chief executive officer of Meridian Materials Inc., a company with revenues in the millions and 500 employees.

Mr. Hong holds a bachelor of arts in business administration from Yonsei University in Korea, a bachelor of science in environmental engineering from King College in Bristol, Tenn., and a master of business administration in finance from East Tennessee State University. He and his family live in Great Falls, Va.

During 1977 and 1978, Hong traveled the world on mission tours as a member of the Korean Singing Ambassadors with Dr. Billy Kim’s Far East Broadcasting Company. Dr. Kim was also present at the commencement, and honored Hong with a special plaque recognizing his work for “the Christian cause in the Far East.”

University of the Cumberlands awarded 211 bachelor of science degrees, 6 bachelor of music degrees, 22 bachelor of arts degrees, 25 master of arts in teaching degrees, and 21 master of arts in education degrees. Of those, 74 undergraduate and 18 master degrees were given to Tri-Countians.

Dr. Michael Colegrove, who opened the commencement with an invocation, offered both prayer for and advice to the 2009 graduates.

“We pray that this day marks the start of lives that are productive and satisfying,” he said. “We pray that these graduates can use the knowledge gleaned from their studies for the betterment of their lives and the lives of their fellow human beings.”