JT
Jessie Thacker-King
  • Education
  • Class of 2011
  • Imboden, AR

Jessie Sue Thacker-King Graduates from William Woods University

2011 Jan 14

Jessie Sue Thacker-King of Imboden, Ark., graduated in December from William Woods University with a master of education degree. Thacker-King is a graduate of University of South Florida and special education teacher at Highland School District. Thacker-King is the wife of Stephen King and the mother of Gary Woodruff, Melidna Hill, Steven Woodruff, Mike King and Will King. Thacker-King is the daughter of Gerald Thacker and Marie Wombles of Smithville, Ark. Grandparents are Jack and Grace Thacker.

William Woods University celebrated the largest December commencement in its history, and graduates heard an inspiring speech from Charles E. Kruse, president of the Missouri Farm Bureau. A total of 491 December graduates were conferred degrees. Another 158 graduates whose degrees were conferred in August were eligible to participate in the winter ceremony.

Kruse told the graduates that to become successful they should live and work "the Woods Way."

"When I first heard about the Woods Way, I was intrigued. I have observed that it is not just a slogan. I have learned that it does mean a lot. It says a lot about the culture of this university, the caring of the faculty and the closeness of the student body," Kruse said.

During her remarks later in the evening, WWU President Dr. Jahnae H. Barnett also spoke of "the Woods Way."

"At William Woods, the Woods Way is the way in which we live, learn and play. It is our small town campus, with big school opportunities. It is our knowledgeable faculty who impart their wisdom and experiences.

"It is our support of athletic teams and theatrical performances. It is eating in our dining hall and attending LEAD events. It is walking across our beautiful campus. But, most importantly, it is our way of succeeding," Barnett said.

In introducing Kruse, Barnett praised the Missouri Farm Bureau president for his many accomplishments and noted that they are both from Southeast Missouri and they were classmates and friends as undergraduates at Arkansas State University.

"But Charles Kruse is so much more than a friend and so much more than a farmer. He is a well-respected, savvy businessman, with a lot of knowledge to impart on all of us," Barnett said.

Kruse told the graduates, "You can accomplish a great deal if you have a lot of people helping you. I'm thankful that I learned a long time ago that by yourself you can accomplish little. But if you have people around you who are supporting you, helping you and willing to work with you, the sky's the limit in terms of what you can do and accomplish."

He noted that many of the graduates obtained degrees by attending programs offered by William Woods throughout the state, and he recognized Barnett for her efforts in making education accessible. For many students, he said, it is the only possible way they could graduate.

"Many of you came to Fulton at this campus to study and for some of you William Woods came to you," he said.

In addition to Fulton, graduates of WWU's Graduate and Professional Studies program attended classes in Blue Springs, Cadet. California, Cape Girardeau, Carrollton, Caruthersville, Chillicothe, Columbia, Doniphan, El Dorado Springs, Festus, Hannibal, Independence, Ironton, Jefferson City, Joplin, Kahoka, Kansas City, Kennett, Kirksville, Lake Ozark, Lee's Summit, Mexico, Milan, Moberly, Mount Vernon, Mountain View, Neosho, New Madrid, Osage Beach, Perryville, Poplar Bluff, Rolla, Sedalia, Springfield, Summersville, Union, Warrenton, Wellsville and West Plains, as well as Paragould and Williford, Ark.

Kruse said all of the graduates have reason to be proud. To earn a degree, he said, takes dedication, persistence and commitment.

"A degree is something you have earned and it can never be taken away from you," Kruse said. "When you walk across this stage to receive your diploma tonight, no one will ever be able to take that away from you. You worked for it. You earned it. You own it."

He added, "You reached a plateau tonight. And as we all know, with each plateau you achieve in life, greater opportunities exist."

William Woods University is an independent, professions-oriented, liberal arts-based institution serving the educational needs of both men and women. William Woods has an enrollment of about 3,800 students, and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in a variety of disciplines in both campus and outreach settings,

The 180-acre main campus is located in the mid-Missouri community of Fulton. Since its founding in 1870, the mission of William Woods has been to provide a quality education while ensuring the development of the individual.