Fall commencement celebrates MSU’s newest graduates

Morehead State University honored nearly 600 graduates at ceremonies on Dec. 11. 

Graduates celebrated this milestone of academic achievement with family, friends and the MSU community, including congratulations from MSU President Dr. Jay Morgan. Provost Dr. Antony Norman welcomed graduates into the MSU Alumni Association. 

The morning ceremony recognized graduates of the Ernst and Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education and College of Science graduates, and the afternoon ceremony celebrated graduates of the Elmer R. Smith College of Business and Technology and Caudill College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences graduates. 

Dalton Cole Lewis (Class of 2021) of Sterling, Virginia, served as commencement speaker representing the College of Science and Anthony Kyle Gibson (Class of 2021) of Ashland served as commencement speaker representing the Caudill College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. 

ROTC student Katherine Faye Boyd (Class of 2021) of Lexington was commissioned as a second lieutenant during the ceremony; the oath was administered by Major Jonathan Gensley.   

Lewis is the son of Steve and Celesta Lewis. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physics – Mechanical Engineering Area and was an offensive lineman for Eagle Football. He made the Pioneer Football League Honor Roll and received the MSU Sledgehammer Award for Toughness in 2019.   

He plans to attend Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh in Spring 2022 to study mechanical engineering. His career goals are to work as a mechanical engineer in the automotive or heavy machinery industry.     

"Success is not always the outcome we wanted or envisioned, but what it does mean is that we see the results of our efforts we put into the struggles and progress we have,” Lewis said. “Here we are today, being commended for our learning and accomplishing what many do not. We can always learn more, push a little bit further and ask more questions. We must cultivate the mind throughout our lives by being curious and having the grit to see through what we started.” 

Gibson is the son of Anthony and Kimberly Gibson, and Pam Welch and served in the United States Marine Corps. He graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work degree and earned an associate degree from Ashland Community and Technical College, transferring to MSU in 2019. He made the Dean’s List every semester, maintaining a 3.93 GPA.  

He and his wife, Courtney, have four children: Jasmine, Braxton, Kevin and Gabriel. He also coaches wrestling at the Ashland Area Wrestling Club, where he works with kids aged 4 to 7. He will pursue a Master of Social Work degree at the University of Kentucky and gain dual licensures to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor.    

“Einstein said that imagination is a preview to life’s coming attractions. Imagination, therefore, is everything. Every one of us have imagined today at some point in the past, and here we are today in the present celebrating with our loved ones,” Gibson said. “Let us walk across the stage with our heads held high, for we have earned the privilege of being an MSU alumni!” 

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