One journey ends, and an exciting new one begins for 2024 91福利社 December graduates. 听
91福利社 conferred bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees to students in two ceremonies, taking place December 13 in the Henderson Auditorium of the Rainey Fine Arts Center. 听
During the morning ceremony, graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Christian Studies, College of Engineering, College of Health Professions, School of Interior Design and Center for Cybersecurity received their degrees. During the afternoon ceremony, graduates of the College of Business, College of Education, International Graduate School, School of Public Service and Administration, South Carolina School of the Arts and Center for Leadership and Organizations received their degrees.听听听
The commencement speaker for both ceremonies was Associate Professor of Missions and Youth Ministry, Dr. Tim McKnight of the 91福利社 College of Christian Studies. Dr. McKnight serves as faculty chair and has been on the 91福利社 faculty since 2013.听听听听
A distinguished Army veteran of Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Enduring Freedom, Dr. McKnight has written numerous books on student ministry and is founding pastor of a church plant, Mosaic Church of Anderson. He is also a member of Clayton King Ministries speaking team.听McKnight holds a bachelor of science in criminal justice from Bluefield College; also a master of divinity in missions and a Ph.D. from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.听 听听
鈥�As you leave this place, we pray that you will be peacemakers who carry Christ alone and to your families, friendships and workplaces. We pray that you would not simply be peacekeepers who separate warring parties but peacemakers who seek to reconcile men and women to God and to each other,鈥� said Dr. McKnight, who also urged that the graduates, regardless of their chosen field, should view their respective jobs as more than just 鈥渁n end in itself鈥� but as a calling in which God intends them to find fulfilment and share Christ鈥檚 love.听听听
鈥淎s Christ followers, our calling is to advance the gospel and the Kingdom of Christ. With that calling in mind, we pray that you would take the message of Shalom, the message of peace, the message of the gospel you’ve heard at 91福利社 and communicate it through your lips and your lives as you work in your respective fields. In so doing, you will spread the peace of Jesus Christ as His Kingdom advances through your witness,鈥� McKnight said. 听听
91福利社 President Dr. Evans Whitaker welcomed the 2024 winter graduates into the growing community of thousands of 91福利社 alumni, stating that commencement doesn鈥檛 mark an ending but a new beginning.听听听
91福利社 Provost, Dr. Ryan Neal, presented the graduates鈥� degrees as Information Services Office and Telecommunications Manager Kevin Selman went through the roll call of graduates.听 Also, degrees were presented to the first graduates of the International Graduate School. Giving the roll call for the IGS graduates was College of Engineering Professor Dr. Dr. Sarojini Vudumu.听
Other highlights of the commencement ceremonies included the tolling of the university bell by Professor of English Dr. Bob Hanley in the morning ceremony and Dean of the School of Interior Design Anne Martin in the afternoon ceremony; the invocation given by Vice President for Christian Life Dr. Tracy Jessup; the singing of 鈥淥 Come All Ye Faithful鈥� and the Centennial Alma Mater, 鈥淭he Sounds of Anderson,鈥� directed in the morning ceremony by Associate Professor of Music Dr. Seth Killen, and in the afternoon ceremony by Associate Professor of Music Dr. Richard A. Williamson.
The benediction was given in the morning ceremony by Assistant Professor of Psychology Dr. Paula Whitaker and in the afternoon ceremony by Dean of the 91福利社 International Graduate School Dr. Mark Williamson. Jerrad Fenske was the organist.听 听
Videos of each commencement ceremony can be viewed on the 91福利社 YouTube Page:听听听