Butler Delivers Commencement Address to Bethel Class of 2026

McKENZIE (May 9, 2026) — Bethel University honored 343 graduates during its Spring Commencement ceremony on Saturday morning at the Rosemary and Harry L. Crisp II Arena. The event featured a keynote address by President Emeritus Walter Butler, who returned to his home campus to share reflections on life, mistakes, and the importance of finding one’s own path.

Butler, who retired as Bethel’s president in late 2023, brought decades of public service experience to the podium. His career includes serving 16 years as Carroll County Trustee, a tenure as Carroll County Mayor, and roles as State Commissioner of Personnel and State Parks under Governor Don Sundquist. Butler’s journey took him from local government to the state capitol before he transitioned to Bethel’s business office and eventually the executive office.

During his speech, Butler struck a relatable tone, admitting that even with his extensive background, he is “still not sure what I want to be when I grow up.” He reminded the Class of 2026 that life after graduation does not come with a syllabus, which can be “overwhelming at times” but also “exciting” because it allows graduates to define success on their own terms.

A major theme of the address was the value of errors in the growth process. “You are going to make mistakes,” Butler noted, sharing a humorous anecdote about an email error where he forgot to “insert the name” before hitting send. “Mistakes are part of the process... that’s how you learn. That’s how you grow.”

Butler urged graduates not to compare themselves to the curated successes seen on social media. “What you don’t see in social media is their setbacks, their doubts, and the moments where they’re just as unsure as you and I are,” he said. He emphasized that “different doesn’t mean wrong; different means it’s your time.”

In closing, Butler challenged the new alumni to be a source of support for others. He humorously noted that simply being the person in a group project who responds to messages “will set you apart.” He concluded by encouraging the graduates to “try things, work hard, and stay grounded” as they figure out their next steps, one mistake at a time.

Class of 2026 by the Numbers

• College of Arts & Sciences: 151 graduates, the majority of whom (92) are receiving Bachelor of Science degrees.

• College of Professional Studies: 82 graduates will receive degrees, including 65 Bachelor of Science candidates.

• College of Health Sciences: 63 graduates will enter the workforce, including 50 candidates for the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) and 13 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) recipients.

• Graduate Programs: 47 advanced degrees will be conferred, including 32 Master of Business Administration (MBA).

The event was presided over by current Bethel President Perry Moulds, PhD, who officially conferred the degrees. The ceremony opened with an invocation by Rev. Anne Hames, DMin, and each candidate for degrees was announced by Dr. Joe Hames, provost, as the candidate crossed the elevated platform.

Following the commencement address and the conferring of degrees, C. Scott Shepherd, DWS, led the graduates in the university’s Alma Mater before a final benediction closed the morning’s festivities.

About Bethel University

Bethel University, located in McKenzie, Tennessee, is a Christian institution committed to academic excellence and personal growth. Offering a diverse range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, Bethel equips students to lead with purpose and impact in their communities and beyond.