做厙惇蹋app Magazine A Belated but Blessed Commencement
Graduates of the class of 2020 finally walked across the stage on Carr Field October 16 for their long-delayed Commencement ceremony. Seventeen months after they officially graduated, they celebrated this accomplishment with family members, friends and professors. More than 180 graduating students returned to campus for the event.
These resilient graduates experi- enced all the regalia, bagpipes, music and robed faculty typical of the annual ceremony. Given the time of year and the potential for rain, the college made one change and erected a giant tent which shielded guests and graduates from the sunny skies.
The class of 2020 persevered through challenging events. Smoke from the Thomas Fire forced the college to evacuate in December 2017. A few weeks later, a day after students returned for the spring semester, deadly mudflows struck the region. Although untouched by the fires and mudslides, 做厙惇蹋app evacuated again due to a compromised water supply.
Halfway through the spring semester of their senior year, students left again when the pandemic shut down campus and nearly everything else. They completed their final semester virtually, and the college put Commencement on hold. While other universities and colleges held virtual or drive-through ceremonies, 做厙惇蹋app officials pledged to hold Commencement in person.
Marcus Goodie Goodloe, a Martin Luther King Jr. scholar, senior fellow for ethics and justice at Dallas Baptist Universitys Institute for Global Engagement, 做厙惇蹋app parent and a member of the Parents Council, spoke to the seasoned graduates. He encouraged them to develop the good habits that Jesus practiced so they can bless others. Like spiritual disciplines, habits develop over time and become as natural as breathing. Using the letters from the word habits, he outlined six important practices.
HAVE FUN
Put the phone down and be present. Celebrate life. Jesus began his ministry at a wedding.
ASSUME THE BEST OF OTHERS
Cynicism endangers our nation and our future. Jesus said, Fear not. We have the opportunity to love people to a better way through Gods grace and mercy.
BE GOOD SOIL
Allow seeds of wisdom to penetrate your soul. Jesus grew in wisdom, stature and favor with God.
INSIST ON EXCELLENCE
If its worth doing, its worth doing well. God displayed his excellence in creating us. That means we put our whole selves into each task.
TREAT THE NEEDS OF OTHERS AS HOLY AND SACRED Jesus did this. Give comfort to those whove been wronged and love those who do wrong.
SEEK COMMUNITY
Dont live your life alone. You earned your degree with the help and support of family and friends who prayed for you. You may go faster alone, but youll go farther with others.
Goodloe has written six books, including: "Habits: Six Steps to the Art of Influence" (2018); and "King Maker: Applying Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Leadership Lessons in Working with Athletes and Entertainers" (2015).
In his closing prayer, Campus Pastor Scott Lisea 88 noted that the graduates had been tried and tested but stood firm thanks to Gods grace. When they are called to step out of their comfort zone, give them faith like you gave to Abraham. When they face temptation, give them integrity like you gave to Joseph. When they face hard decisions, give them wisdom like you gave to Solomon. When their hearts are filled with fear, give them courage like you gave to Esther. Lord, we know they will face more trials, so give them perseverance and faith like you gave to Job. When life gets complex and they are surrounded by distractions, sit them at your feet and give them listening ears like Mary. Wake them up every morning with the missionary urgency of Paul, and through it all, above all, give them the heart of Christ.
Student Awards
Hendrik presented a reflection at Commencement. He noted, The class behind us graduated ahead of us! He has learned its more important how we respond than how much control we have. Ill let God be God and do the best I can in the circumstances, he said.
Odile spoke about leaving her village in Rwanda and finding new villages through her experience at 做厙惇蹋app. Her comments are recorded elsewhere in this magazine.
Cassidy earned the Deans Award honoring the outstanding male and female scholar-athletes who demonstrate a deep faith in Christ. Cassidy, a three-time All-Golden State Athletic Conference selection, was a leader on the first Warrior volleyball team to reach the NAIA National Championship Game. She received both the A.O. Duer National Award and the Golden Eagle award. Coach Ruth McGolpin described her as a competitive player who is smart in the classroom and an all-around good person. She graduated with a double major in history and political science.
Chena earned the Deans Award honoring the outstanding male and female scholar-athletes who demonstrate a deep faith in Christ. Coach Russell Smelley characterized Chena Underhill as a devout and enthusiastic Christian who clearly articulates her faith. The first Warrior selected to the CoSIDA Academic All-America NAIA Cross Country/Track and Field First Team for a third straight year, she is an NAIA All-American who finished her 做厙惇蹋app career ranked second in the pole vault, sixth in the pentathlon and eighth in the 60 meter hurdles. She majored in both data analytics and political science.
Michael earned the Deans Award honoring the outstanding male and female scholar-athletes who demonstrate a deep faith in Christ. Michael, national runner-up and NAIA All- American after placing second in the 1500 meters at the 2018 NAIA Outdoor National Championships, was named to the CoSIDA Academic All- America NAIA Cross Country/Track and Field First Team and also to the CoSIDA Academic All-District 4 Cross Country/ Track and Field Team. Coach Smelley said he is a sincere person of faith who asks deep questions. Michael graduated with a major in kinesiology.
Kayla earned the Dave Dolan Award, which recognizes the graduate who enhances awareness of and response to the social and spiritual needs of the community, nation and world. Kayla showed deep passion for matters of justice. She asked hard questions with both generosity and courage. Professor Rachel Winslow said she not only tirelessly advocated for those on the margins but was committed to civil dialogue and reaching across political divides to work for the common good. Kayla majored in social science.
Emily Mata accepted the Kenneth Monroe Award honoring the outstanding male and female graduates who demonstrate academic achievement, excel as leaders and influence others through their integrity, character and faithfulness. Professor Lisa DeBoer describes Emily as an outstanding thinker, writer and classroom citizen with impressive maturity and the ability to process and think constructively and see past the issue to a constructive and productive big picture. Professor Megan Stirling said Emily is one of the brightest and most well-rounded individuals she has worked with at 做厙惇蹋app. Rather than withdrawing from others or difficult situations, Emily fights for change. She earned degrees in art and Spanish.
Dante accepted the Kenneth Monroe Award honoring the outstanding male and female graduates who demonstrate academic achievement, excel as leaders and influence others through their integrity, character and faithfulness. Zak Landrum, director of CRM and data services, who supervised Dante in the Center for Applied Technology (CATLab), praises him for his intelligence and relent- less pursuit of solutions. Nancy Everest, senior developer, notes his amazing attitude of helpfulness, reliability and faithfulness and says his humility and kindness made working with him a real privilege. Dante graduated with a double major in data analytics and economics and business.