Commencement

Of the 267 persons on the graduation program May 6:

• 68 completed last December
• 128 completed in May
• 71 plan completion in summer
• 3 received master's degrees (campus)
• 99 were campus students receiving bachelor's degrees
• 165 were professional studies students receiving bachelor's degrees
• 5 students received two degrees and were listed twice on the program.
  (So if someone tells you they thought 272 students graduated, it means they counted every name and didn't discard the five duplicates.)

(Statistics courtesy of Benn Gibson, vice president for student services and compiler of campus minutiae.)

We are the class of 2000.

We serve to enrich the campus community, as we are not just a cross-section of the nation, but of the world.

We are grateful...

                                We have heart...

                                       We are actively involved.

And now, here we are, and the edge of tomorrow is just a blink away. For many of us, we are unsure of what the future holds. But we rest on this assurance from Jeremiah:

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

To my fellow graduates, I pray that the "Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace."

Quote excerpted from remarks by Jeana Clark Senior Class President.

 

It is appropriate to celebrate our achievement today. Fellow graduates, we leave here today with increased knowledge, a greater capacity for discipline, renewed determination, and a better understanding of what it takes to be successful in life..

With our achievements come several opportunities:

• To teach what we have learned.
• To promote good will and righteousness.
• And finally, to appreciate, protect and defend the freedoms we enjoy in America that are too often taken for granted.

Fellow graduates, today the torch is being passed to each and every one of us. How will we carry the torch? I hope each of us will resolve to carry it high and proud, leaving the next generation with an outstanding example to build upon.

Quote excerpted from remarks by Dave Shank Professional Studies Center