Spring Commencement celebrates graduates, Robert Reedy Bryan Society inductees

Carson-Newman University announced three inductees into the fourth class of the Robert Reedy Bryan Society. The recognition took place during C-N’s May 2 Spring Undergraduate Commencement, which awarded degrees to 241 graduates and featured a commencement address by speaker Dr. Tom Elliff, former president of the International Mission Board. Friday’s undergraduate and graduate ceremonies celebrate Carson-Newman graduates representing 32 states and 19 countries.

The University also presented Gladys Sheets Clay with an Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree. Clay became C-N’s first full-time black faculty member in the early 90s. An inspiration to many, she is celebrated for her dedication to seeing students succeed.

Those inducted into the Robert Reedy Bryan Society were Dr. Ross Brummett, Dr. Kitty Coffey, and the late Ken Sparks. Named after the University’s second and sixth president, the society honors the dedicated and selfless service of retired faculty, staff and others whose service to the University is exceptional and meritorious. Click here to read their full stories.

Dr. C. Ross Brummett

Dr. Ross Brummett’s love for students and the Carson-Newman community is highlighted throughout his 33-year career with the University. Regardless of what function he served during his tenure at Mossy Creek, he understood that it was the connection with people that mattered most. This was evident from his time as a professor to his service as an administrator and all his roles in between. In fact, there were very few areas on campus that he did not direct or with which he was not involved. Over the years, he garnered respect from his peers and developed a reputation of being a valuable mentor to students through advising. A graduate of a small, Christian liberal arts college himself, he knew the difference such a place could make- and he embraced it.

Dr. Kitty R. Coffey

There is arguably no one within the Carson-Newman community who has a greater following than Dr. Kitty Coffey. There’s a reason for that. It is the result of 53 years spent in higher education, with 42 years of that invested in Carson-Newman’s Family and Consumer Sciences Department. Building on the program’s past successes, she grew the department. With that, she also grew a culture. Her faculty, students, alumni and University, benefited from her commitment. Her supporters grew in numbers, becoming more than well-wishers, but staunch advocates. The University often tapped into her leadership whenever it needed to put its best foot forward. Carson-Newman did this knowing that what she oversaw would be done with indisputable excellence and carried out with precise detail. And though she oversaw many efforts, she always graciously gave credit to those around her.


Ken Sparks (posthumous) Impressive numbers, stats and records surround the 37-year career of the late Eagles’ Head Football Coach Ken Sparks. They include: five NAIA national titles, three Division II National Championship appearances and 21 South Atlantic Conference titles. When he retired in 2016, he was the fifth all-time winningest coach in all of college football. But for those who truly knew him, such stats and records were secondary to the coach’s greater mission. One that led him to serve the University in multiple roles. His desire to live out and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with his players, coaches and others around him, led him to serve in many roles during his C-N career: fundraiser, relationship builder, advocate, encourager and for many young men wearing the Orange and Blue uniform, a father-figure.