91福利社 Celebrated more than 800 graduates in two ceremonies on its historic Alumni Lawn鈥攁 commencement for undergraduate students on Friday morning, May 8, and a commencement for graduate students on Saturday morning, May 9.听听

The speaker for the Friday ceremony was President Emeritus of Rhodes College Dr. William E. Troutt. Dr. Troutt became President Emeritus of Rhodes College in 2017 after leading the college as president since 1999. Prior to Rhodes, he served as president of Belmont University for 17 years.听

Characterizing him as a master builder of educational institutions, 91福利社 President, Dr. Evans P. Whitaker, who served with Dr. Troutt at Belmont, said of him, 鈥淢any leaders manage organizations. Dr. Troutt built cultures, planting seeds whose harvest will come for generations.鈥�听

Dr. Troutt urged the 2026 graduates to live their lives guided by a grateful heart.听

鈥淏eginning each day and living each day with a grateful heart will be a game changer鈥攁听game changer for you and everyone you encounter,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou can start every morning simply by giving thanks to God for the day that lies ahead. Focusing on blessings big or small will keep you anchored in God’s goodness. Each day presents countless opportunities to express gratitude and kindness to others.鈥�听

The speaker for the Saturday ceremony was Dr. Hesham Elnakib, Distinguished University Professor of History, Political Science and International Diplomacy at 91福利社. Throughout his career in the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Elnakib has held several senior leadership positions, including serving at the Egyptian Embassy in Washington, D.C. 听

Dr. Elnakib shared with graduates about how, after serving many years as a diplomat working in international relations, diplomacy and global engagement, he found completeness in serving as an ambassador to Jesus Christ. Sharing scripture from the Apostle Paul and the Psalms, Dr. Elnakib urged the 2026 graduates to be on mission to serve others and to choose to live with integrity.听

鈥淪erving others in your work instead of focusing only on yourself… No matter what you do in life, you can live out your mission right where you are. You don鈥檛 have to leave your career to find it. You live it every day by how you treat people, how you lead and the values you choose to stand by, even when it鈥檚not easy,” Dr. Elnakib said. 鈥淵our mission is your compass. Keep your eyes on it, and don鈥檛 let anything pull you away from it.鈥�听

In addition to degrees conferred to Anderson graduates, ceremony highlights included AU Board of Trust Chair Shawn McGee giving the invocation in the Friday ceremony and Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board of Trust Dr. Margaret Wooten in the Saturday ceremony. Associate Professor of Chemistry Dr. Fritz Moise gave the benediction during the Friday ceremony, and Associate Dean of Education in the Graduate Program Julie Smart gave the benediction in the Saturday ceremony.听听

During the Friday ceremony, D鈥橝ndre Hicks, student body president, presented the Class Gift, a black marble emblem to be installed at the Merritt Administration Building, inscribed with the concluding words of the Alma Mater, “We know we love our alma mater, We know the joy of life she brings, Ah but there鈥檚 one thing that only God can know; what Anderson means to me.鈥�听

Former Anderson President Dr. Lee Royce received an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree. Dr. Royce was president from 1995 until 2002, presiding over a period of significant growth in enrollment and the size of the endowment. He was succeeded by President Whitaker, who credited Dr. Royce with turning around the then two-year college during desperate times. 听

Recognizing her sacrificial and outstanding service to Anderson as First Lady alongside her husband, current First Lady Diane Whitaker presented Rhoda Royce with the Annie Dove Denmark Award.听听

In the Saturday ceremony, University Provost Ryan Neal presented posthumous Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership听to Ryan Gaither Karp, who was on track to graduate in May. The degree was presented to his wife Jessica and their three children.听

Ruby Dean and D鈥橝ndre Hicks received the President鈥檚 Award. The Michael Bolles Excellence in Teaching Award was presented to Professor Lauren Imhoff of the South Carolina School of the Arts.听听

Students and faculty from the South Carolina School of the Arts at 91福利社 presented musical selections throughout the ceremonies.听听

The post May Commencement: Celebrating Graduates and Honoring a Former President appeared first on 91福利社.

Ambassador Andrew Young, who played an integral role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and worked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., addressed graduates and received a standing ovation during the 2025 spring commencement on the historic Alumni Lawn at 91福利社 May 9.听

Introducing Ambassador Young was Dr. Matthew Daniels, distinguished university professor of law, political science and human rights. In 2024, Ambassador Young endorsed the joint initiative of 91福利社 and Good of All that, under Dr. Daniels鈥� leadership, will bring together students from universities across the nation to study and practice the principles of civility, public service and human rights. This program has been named The Ambassador Andrew Young Higher Education Fellowship Program.听

Ambassador Young shared his journey from a childhood growing up in the South during the Great Depression to answering his calling into a lifetime of public service. He shared that he found his purpose early in life by taking on jobs nobody else wanted to do.听

鈥�I figured that’s what the Lord laid out for me and I developed a career literally for the last 75 years where almost everything I’ve done… I have made a phenomenal career out of doing things that nobody else wanted to do,鈥� Young said. 鈥淣obody wanted to work with Martin Luther King.听 People were getting beat up and put in jail… Nobody wanted to answer his mail and there were stacks of mail that people that sent him from all over the world, so his secretary said, 鈥榠f you really want to help Martin Luther King, take some of his mail home with you and try to answer several letters.鈥� All it took was a little will and a little determination and a little faith in myself, but more important, a little faith in God that if this was something that needed doing and there was nobody else鈥攊f 听I did it鈥擨’d be doing the right thing, and that’s sort of the creed of my life.

At 93 years of age, Ambassador Young said he continues to look for ways to impact the world for good. He gave this challenge to the graduating class of 2025: 听

鈥淭here’s a whole world out there looking for people with your potential, with your dedication, with your training,鈥� Young said. 鈥淭he world is really hungering for the leadership that you bring, and so remember, commencement is not the end. Commencement is the beginning, and so this is the beginning of your triumphant life under the power of the Holy Spirit and then the image of the living God.鈥�听

On May 10, the speaker during the Saturday ceremony for graduate students was Dr. Anil Kumar Palla, an entrepreneur and leader in global education who currently serves as the founder and CEO of University HUB, a strategic partner in extending the reach of 91福利社 degree programs worldwide.听

Dr. Palla shared with the commencement audience his journey that began when he became a medical doctor and transformed into the founding of a University Hub, a growing global education technology company. Quoting from the Robert Frost听poem, 鈥淭he Road Not Taken,鈥� Dr. Palla spoke about the many curves in the road he encountered in life, from practicing medicine to studying international business to leading the way in education technology. 听

He shared with the 2025 graduating class five lessons he鈥檚 learned: 听

鈥淓mbrace change, stay curious, keep learning, think globally, and run your own race.鈥� 听

鈥淲e’re entering the world of full uncertainty but also full of promise, so let your values guide you, let your curiosity free听you, and when the road bends, don’t freeze, because that curve in the road might just lead you to your purpose,鈥� Dr. Palla said.听

During the Friday ceremony, honorary degrees were given to Ambassador Young and also Mary Anne Bunton, former chair of the AU Board of Trust who has served on the board for more than 30 years. 听

The President鈥檚 Award was presented to students Leah Duncan, Rosella Stike and Ian Thompson. The President鈥檚 Award is presented to members of the graduating class who best exemplify a balance between campus leadership, citizenship, scholastic accomplishment and Christian commitment. 听

Dr. Carrie Koenigstein of the College of Arts and Sciences received the Michael Boles Excellence in Teaching Award, which is presented to a faculty member whose character, teaching skills and devotion to students are judged to be exemplary. 听

Leah Duncan, 2024-2025 student body president, presented the class gift, which will fund the installation of a black marble 91福利社 Seal prominently placed听in front of the Merritt Administration building. 听

Ceremony highlights also included a welcome and call to order by Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts during both ceremonies. Board of Trust Chair Shawn McGee gave the invocation and Provost Ryan Neal welcomed family and friends of graduates.听Giving the invocation during the Saturday ceremony was Vice President for Christian Life and Senior Minister to the University, Dr. Tracy Jessup. Giving the benediction at the Friday ceremony was Dr. Joe Carol Mitchell-Rogers, retiring professor of art from the South Carolina School of the Arts at 91福利社. Giving the benediction at the Saturday ceremony was Gaidi Burgess, assistant professor of Christian Studies.听

Students from the Department of Music at the South Carolina School of the Arts performed musical selections for each ceremony, including 91福利社鈥檚 Centennial Alma Mater, 鈥淭he Sounds of Anderson.鈥�听

More than 500 graduates received their degrees during spring commencement ceremonies.听

Videos of the and ceremonies can be viewed on the 91福利社 YouTube channel.听

The post Noted Civil Rights Icon, Global Business Leader, Addresses AU Class of 2025 appeared first on 91福利社.

Ambassador听Young听has earned worldwide recognition as a pioneer in and champion of civil and human rights. His lifelong dedication to service is illustrated by his extensive leadership experience of more than 65 years, serving as a member of Congress, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, mayor of Atlanta, and ordained minister, among other positions.

Last year,听Ambassador Young听endorsed the joint initiative of 91福利社 and Good of All鈥攁 global human rights organization founded by AU Distinguished University Professor of Law, Political Science and Human Rights Dr. Matt Daniels鈥攖hat will bring together students from universities across the nation to study and practice the principles of civility, public service and human rights. This program has been named The Ambassador听Andrew听Young Higher Education Fellowship Program, as a reminder to participants to embody the character, service and legacy of its distinguished namesake.

91福利社 is celebrating the achievements of the Class of 2025 during two graduation ceremonies and a doctoral hooding ceremony. Ambassador Young will speak at the undergraduate commencement on Friday, May 9 on AU鈥檚 Alumni Lawn beginning at 9 a.m. A doctoral hooding ceremony takes place later that day at 5:30 p.m. in the G. Ross Anderson Jr. Student Center Theater.

Graduate students will receive their diplomas on Saturday, May 10 at 10 a.m., also on Alumni Lawn. The keynote speaker for that ceremony is Dr. Anil Kumar Palla, an entrepreneur and leader in global education who currently serves as the founder and CEO of University HUB, a strategic 91福利社 partner.

More About Andrew J. Young

During the 1960s,听Ambassador Young听was a key strategist and negotiator during civil rights campaigns that led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Appointed as an Ambassador to the United Nations in 1977,听Young听negotiated an end to white-minority rule in Namibia and Zimbabwe and brought President Carter’s emphasis on human rights to international diplomacy efforts. As two-term Mayor of Atlanta,听Young听brought in over 1,100 businesses, over 70 billion in foreign direct investments and generated over a million jobs.

Ambassador听Young听has received honorary degrees from more than 100 universities and colleges in the U.S. and abroad and has received various awards, including an Emmy Lifetime Achievement award in 2011 and the Dan Sweat Award in 2017.听His portrait also became part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery.

Ambassador听Young听also serves on several boards, including, but not limited to, the Martin Luther King Center for Non-Violent Social Change, Morehouse College,听Andrew听Young听School of Policy Studies at Georgia State and Americas Mart. In 2003, he and his wife Carolyn McClain听Young听founded the听Andrew听J.听Young听Foundation to support and promote education, health, leadership and human rights in the U.S., Africa, and the Caribbean.听Young听currently serves as the Chairman of the听Andrew听J.听Young听Foundation.

In 2012,听Young听retired from GoodWorks International, LLC, after well over a decade of facilitating sustainable economic development in the business sectors of the Caribbean and Africa.听Young was born in 1932 in New Orleans, and he currently lives in Atlanta with his wife, Carolyn McClain. He is also a father of three daughters and one son, a grandfather of nine and a great grandfather of two.

The post Civil Rights Icon and Former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young to Deliver Keynote Address at Spring Commencement appeared first on 91福利社.

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

The post Winter Commencement: Celebrating the Class of 2024 appeared first on 91福利社.

Ceremony 1 鈥� 10 a.m.听

College of Arts and Sciences
College of Christian Studies
College of Engineering
College of Health Professions
School of Interior Design
Center for Cybersecurity听

Ceremony 2 鈥� 4p.m.听

College of Business
College of Education
International Graduate School
School of Public Service & Administration
South Carolina School of the Arts
Center for Leadership & Organizations听

The commencement speaker for both ceremonies is Dr. Tim McKnight of the 91福利社 College of Christian Studies. Dr. McKnight is faculty chair and associate professor of Missions and Youth Ministry and has been on the 91福利社 faculty since 2013.听听

Dr. 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. He has written numerous books on student ministry and is founding pastor of a church plant, Mosaic Church of Anderson. Dr. McKnight is also a member of Clayton King Ministries speaking team. Dr. McKnight served as a U.S. Army Chaplain in the Kentucky Army National Guard, deploying on Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Enduring Freedom. He is a recipient of the Kentucky Army National Guard Distinguished Service Medal. He and his wife Angela鈥檚 children are all either current students or alumni of 91福利社.听

Full details about the 91福利社 commencement ceremonies can be found online at andersonuniversity.edu/winter-commencement-graduation.听

The post 91福利社 to Celebrate 2024 Winter Graduates December 13 appeared first on 91福利社.

The two honorees are nationally significant wildlife artist Sandy Scott, whose sculptures are on display on the 91福利社 campus; and the late Irvin Cauthen, a local businessman and philanthropist.听

鈥淢s. Scott and Mr. Cauthen represent the best in all of us, two people who have given their talent, treasure and time to make the world a better place,鈥� said 91福利社 President Evans P. Whitaker. 鈥�91福利社 is deeply honored to highlight their personal achievements and recognize them as cherished members of the AU family.鈥�听

About Sandy Scott听听

Surrounded by mountains, lakes and streams in her Wyoming and Canadian lake country studios, Sandy Scott is an avid outdoorswoman and licensed pilot, living the life she depicts in her work. She is the daughter of an Oklahoma rancher and was trained at the Kansas City Art Institute. Early in life, she worked as an animation background artist for the motion picture industry and as a commercial artist. She has lived in the West most of her adult life and, when not in the studio, travels the world in search of art and adventure. She can be found afield with her beloved Brittany Spaniel and her business partner and best friend, Trish Smith.听

A fellow of the National Sculpture Society and member of the National Arts Club, her work is in many important collections and museums, including the Gilcrease Museum, the National Museum of Wildlife Art, the National Cowboy Museum, the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum, R.W. Norton Museum, Brookgreen Gardens and the Briscoe Museum. The William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum and the U.S. Military Academy West Point are among the many hosts of her public and private commissions and installations.听

The Briscoe Museum recently awarded Sandy the Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement. She also received major awards from the National Sculpture Society in recent years, including the Marilyn Newmark Memorial Award for Realistic Sculpture in the Classical Tradition and the Agop Agopoff Memorial Prize for Classical Sculpture. She is also the recipient of the Society of Animal Artists Award of Excellence. Scott was awarded the Cyrus Dallin Award for Best Sculpture at the Eiteljorg Museum’s 2019 Quest for the West Art Show.听

About Irvin Cauthen (September 23, 1933 鈥� January 14, 2024) 听

Irvin Cauthen always felt a calling to community service and outreach. Most of this stems from his upbringing in Winter Haven, Florida, where he was born and reared in his parents鈥� general store. The store provided the local community with needed services and products, such as groceries, gas and livestock. The doors were always open, even during the Great Depression. Mr. Cauthen learned first-hand from his parents about goodwill and kindness to others. It was not uncommon for credit to be extended, terms adjusted and debts forgiven to ensure that families could provide for themselves in times of uncertainty.听

A graduate with a double major in business and engineering from Georgia Tech, Irvin would start his career as an engineer. He was hired by NASA immediately after leaving college, and he worked in Cape Canaveral at the Space Center, dealing with rocket designs and propulsion systems. After some time, he felt a call to return to his roots and enter the convenience store business. He joined a partnership to open Quick Way Stores, which quickly spread across the southeast.听

Mr. Cauthen later moved to the Carolinas, where, in the late 1970s he started Plez U Food Stores. At one time, there were close to 20 stores across the Upstate region of South Carolina. He employed thousands of people over the years and made it a point to have a caring relationship with all his employees. Memories of 鈥減enny candy鈥� and cherry Icees have been synonymous with the Plez U stores over the decades.听

An annual supporter of 91福利社 for decades, Mr. Cauthen started a charitable fund through the Foothills Community Foundation in the early 2000s to support educational and charitable organizations, including 91福利社. In 2006, he joined the foundation’s board and served continuously until 2019, when he was unanimously elected Board member Emeritus.听

Irvin cherished spending time with his wife, Jorene, to whom he was married for 66 years, his two children, four grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. He was a longtime active member of the Kiwanis Club and Anderson鈥檚 First Baptist Church.听

Although Irvin passed away earlier this year, his faith, actions, and character provide a template for those who feel called to go above and beyond by serving others. He is a model American entrepreneur, churchman, family man, and community benefactor. His grandson, Mr. Brian Cauthen, received the posthumous degree on behalf of his beloved grandfather and the entire Cauthen family.听

Brian is also a member of the 91福利社 Board of Regents that, along with the Board of Trust, chart the University鈥檚 future and pursue its vision of being one of the nation鈥檚 premier comprehensive Christian universities.听

听

The post 91福利社 Awards Honorary Degrees During Saturday Commencement appeared first on 91福利社.

Longtime professor of English Dr. Bob Hanley opened each ceremony with the ringing of the University Bell. Anderson County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn officially opened the Friday morning ceremony and Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts opened the Saturday morning ceremony. Giving the invocation at both ceremonies was 91福利社 Board of Trust Chair Mary Anne Bunton.听

Commencement Address听

The Commencement speaker at both ceremonies was South Carolina Baptist Convention Executive Director-Treasurer Dr. Tony Wolfe.听听

Dr. Wolfe鈥檚 message to the graduates focused on four words: Commence, Forward, Depth and Change.听听

Commence:听

鈥�Here today, right now, you are beginning something. This is not an end, this is a start. Something here right now in you and through you is being commenced,鈥� Dr. Wolfe said.听

Forward:听听

鈥淎 quick glance in the rearview hopefully will remind you of some very meaningful and sweet moments and for some a quick glance in that rearview is going to remind you of some very painful moments and some very challenging days, but good or bad, there is nothing behind you worth holding on to at the expense of what God has ahead of you . So lean in, live forward,鈥� Dr. Wolfe said.听

Depth:听听

鈥淜nowledge and talent will get you a good paycheck, but depth of biblical faith and character and purpose will afford you treasure no ledger can count,鈥� Dr. Wolfe said.听

Change:听

鈥淚f you’re to leverage your life for something that matters,听 if you’re going to rise to your time and make a difference in your world, don’t just do change, be change. Be the change the world desperately needs to see,鈥� Dr. Wolfe said.听

Honoring Achievement听

During the Friday ceremony, President Whitaker recognized recipients of the President鈥檚 Award, which is given to members of the graduating class who are examples of balance between campus leadership, citizenship, scholastic accomplishment, Christian commitment and concern for fellow students. The recipients were Isaiah Custodio and Hudson Taylor.听

University Provost Dr. Ryan Neal presented the Michael Boles Excellence in Teaching Award to Associate Professor of History Dr. Lynneth Miller Renberg. The award is given to a faculty member whose character, teaching skills and devotion to his or her students and his or her academic discipline are judged to be exemplary.听听

An honorary degree was presented during the Friday ceremony to Chris Brown of Charlotte, North Carolina. Brown, who is a worship leader at Elevation Church, is also a songwriter and founding member of Elevation Worship, which is led by Pastor Steven Furtick. Elevation Worship鈥檚 music is sung in churches across America and has been recognized with Billboard Music Awards, GMA Dove Awards and a Grammy Award.听

Accepting the honorary doctorate, Brown recalled how he and his wife met and fell in love at Anderson. He praised his music professors and others for the impact they had on his life and ministry.听

鈥�I really am incredibly grateful for my time here and the investment that was made in me… I feel like I got such a great sense of what it means to have dedication and commitment to your craft and your gift, and also even deeper than that what it means to steward well what God’s placed inside of us, and so I just want to say 鈥榯hank you鈥�,” Brown said.听听

During the Saturday ceremony, an honorary degree was presented to artist Sandy Scott. Scott has worked as an animation background artist for the motion picture industry and also as a commercial artist. She is a fellow of the National Sculpture Society and member of the National Arts Club. Her work can be found in many important collections and museums across the nation. In South Carolina, Scott鈥檚 nature-inspired sculpture can be found at Brookgreen Gardens; also, she听created the sculpture for the Peace Fountain, located on the 91福利社 campus.听Scott听sculpted the听bronze Trojan head that听will sit on a black granite pedestal prominently located at the entrance to the AU football fieldhouse鈥攁 sight that will greet fans on gameday weekends. 听

Outgoing Student Government Association President Jack Cummings presented the Senior Class Gift, a check which will fund the pedestal. Funds for the sculpture were provided by the Class of 2022. 听

An honorary degree was also presented posthumously to late area business leader Irvin Cauthen. Cauthen began his career as an engineer for NASA, working at Cape Canaveral. Cauthen had grown up in his family鈥檚 general store and decided to return to his roots, so he entered the convenience store business. In the Carolinas, he started Plez U, a chain of convenience stores located across Upstate South Carolina. Cauthen started a charitable fund through the Foothills Community Foundation to support charities and educational institutions. Accepting the degree on Mr. Cauthen鈥檚 behalf was his grandson, Brian Cauthen, who serves on the 91福利社 Board of Regents. 听

鈥淚 would attribute a lot of my grandfather鈥檚 vision and legacy to the standard that he set for himself. That standard was done on a professional level for his businesses. It was done on a spiritual level and it was done to make sure that his legacy going forward would be carried on,鈥� Brian Cauthen said. 鈥淲ith that in mind for the class of 2024, I would encourage you all to carry on the standard of excellence that you’ve learned through AU.鈥�听

In his closing remarks, President Whitaker said, 鈥淒o nothing less than raise the standards of our society. Show the world the best of what you have shown us. Show the world what it means to be a distinguished graduate of 91福利社… Hold the truth of what you have attained, then you will be ready for whatever life has in store for you鈥攁 joy to the Lord Jesus Christ who walks beside you and a delight to God the father who created you. And one final thing鈥攍ong live your dear alma mater. Long live Anderson.鈥�听

Music for the ceremonies was performed by faculty and students from the South Carolina School of the Arts at 91福利社, including a song written by honorary doctorate recipient and alumnus Chris Brown. The commencement choir was conducted by Dr. Richard Williamson.听听

Giving the benediction for the Friday ceremony was Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity Dr. Kerry Elson and during the Saturday ceremony Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Dr. Stephen Ojo.听听

There was also a Baccalaureate service Friday afternoon, with Pastor Wes Church of First Baptist Church of Columbia speaking.听

Videos of the and ceremonies can be viewed on the 91福利社 YouTube page.听

The Saturday Commencement ceremony took place at NewSpring Church in Anderson.听

The post 91福利社 celebrates more than 600 graduates in its May Commencement ceremonies appeared first on 91福利社.

Winner of multiple GMA Dove Awards, two鈥疊illboard Music Awards鈥痑nd a Grammy, Brown is a worship leader at Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina and has written popular contemporary Christian songs such as 鈥淕raves Into Gardens,鈥� 鈥淧raise,鈥� 鈥淛ireh,鈥� 鈥淪ame God鈥� and 鈥淥 Come to the Altar.鈥�听

“My years at Anderson were some of the most formative, fun and unforgettable of my life. I never imagined the path God would put our family on after graduating, but I鈥檓 grateful beyond words that He loves exceeding our expectations with how He works in and through us.”听

Several of Elevation Worship’s albums, like鈥�CAN YOU IMAGINE?鈥痑苍诲鈥�Old Church Basement, peaked at #1 on the U.S. Christian charts. With Elevation Worship, he has collaborated with numerous bands and artists, including Maverick City Music, Brandon Lake, Kari Jobe, and Hillsong Worship.听

鈥�91福利社 is enormously proud of Chris, who has served honorably as an ambassador for 91福利社,鈥� said AU President Evans P. Whitaker. 鈥淗e is just one example of the thousands of men and women who have used their 91福利社 education to make an impact on our world for the cause of Christ and of Christian higher education.鈥澨�听

Chris and his wife, Beth, live in Charlotte with their two children. Chris and Beth are both proud alumni of 91福利社, Class of 2004. Chris earned a degree in vocal performance, where his passion for ministry and worship leading merged.听

This year, Chris Brown lent an original song for 91福利社鈥檚 use in promoting the University. That video can be seen .听听

According to Niche.com, The South Carolina School of the Arts, a University-based performance conservatory, includes the top (#1) music program in South Carolina.听

The post Elevation Worship鈥檚 Chris Brown to Receive Honorary Doctorate at 91福利社 Spring Commencement appeared first on 91福利社.

We thought it would be interesting to examine the tradition of leading the processional with a horse and rider.听

University commencements are as varied as academic institutions themselves. With roots steeped in medieval Europe, commencements can seem anachronistic in contemporary culture, especially those that hype up the event with all the trappings of an illustrious, stately, and almost magical event. Faculty and graduates don regalia designed in the 14th century and updated four centuries later at Oxford and Cambridge. Since the 1800s, commencements haven’t changed that much. We believe that’s a good thing.听

One of the hallmarks of President Evans Whitaker’s tenure has been the creation of numerous meaningful traditions that make the AU experience exceedingly rich for graduates and their families. Things like the Matriculation Ceremony and Archway Walk symbolize the freshman class’s entry to the University, and four years later, the last thing the senior class does is walk through the Boulevard archway into the world to symbolize their momentous exit as newly minted graduates. Another is Fall Convocation with sounds of bagpipers and choir singing Michael W. Smith’s听Ancient Words, and the choir and orchestra performing the most beautiful and large arrangement of听Amazing Grace. And, of course, the Centennial Alma Mater by legendary band leader and two-time Grammy award winner, Johnny Mann (a.k.a. The original voice of Theodore the Chipmunk) is yet another indispensable tradition.听

A student of the history of higher education, Whitaker was aware of a social construct called the “institutional saga” developed in 1972 by Burton R. Clark. Taking decades to develop, an institutional saga is something of a narrative of the historical adventures, accomplishments, practices, and culture that serve to bond people together who have shared common history and tradition.听

As Anderson has grown and refined to become a leading comprehensive university in the United States, President Whitaker knew it was important to continue to develop the institution’s saga, building on Anderson’s history, and creating new institutional substance during our time.听

“Commencement at Anderson was fine just as it was back in the very early 2000s, but I didn’t think it was as special as it could be,” Whitaker said. “So, I began tinkering with it”, he added.听听

Attaining a college degree is a huge accomplishment for students and their families. President Whitaker tells us that he wanted it to be something more than a common college commencement. In his words, “It should be a spectacular event from beginning to end. When it’s over, we want graduates and their families to say to themselves, ‘Wow, that was unique, amazing, thought provoking, emotionally moving, and fun.”听

So Whitaker approached Payne to see if he had a horse suitable to lead the ceremony鈥檚 processional.听

He saw Silver and the rest is history, as they say.听

Horses in a procession symbolize dignity and grace, serenity, and peace, but they are also revered symbols of power, strength, and freedom, making their presence in a dream important and evocative, representing the dreamer’s capacity to face challenges and overcome obstacles in life, something we hope for all our graduates.听听

A horse was just what was needed to set the tone and the expectation for the unexpected, the president thought to himself.听

Owner/rider Bill Payne, a riding instructor at Penn鈥檚 Woods Stable near Anderson, estimates Silver to be approximately 20-25 years old. He has led the procession of graduates for much of the past 18 years, with a couple of exceptions, such as inclement weather and a different horse ridden by an alumna one year. Payne also had a stand-in ride Silver on one occasion.听

Payne became familiar with 91福利社 from his days of involvement with an equestrian team that was briefly in existence. He still looks forward to donning his formal “mourning wear” complete with top hat and tails, then mounting Silver for this important ride.听

Payne also notes that Silver has an understudy, another horse whose name is Liam. Of course, not all horses are suited to the privilege of leading a commencement processional. Payne explains that a horse must have a temperament that suits them to riding in a ceremony where there鈥檚 pomp and circumstance and crowds lining Anderson鈥檚 Boulevard.听听

The week prior to commencement, Payne is busy prepping Silver, grooming him for commencement weekend.听听

On that important day, Silver leads in hundreds of faculty, and hundreds of graduates. He’s followed by a pristinely preserved 1932 Packard limousine carrying the commencement speaker, the Board of Trust Chairman, and the President. Academic deans come next bearing the flags of their colleges, followed by the full-time faculty. Finally, the seniors follow their faculty. Processional music is something classical and serious. At the archway, Silver and Paine turn to face the seniors as they enter the archway from Boulevard. At the end of the ceremony, modern jazzy music is played as the platform party, faculty and graduates exit Alumni Lawn and proceed through the archway for the last time as undergraduates.听

Will Silver continue to lead the processional?听听

Well, as with any animals advancing in years, Silver鈥檚 health isn鈥檛 what it used to be. Payne explains that he has a form of a melanoma, a cancer that is thankfully not as severe in a horse as it would be in a human; however, the disease can still advance, so future commencement appearances are yet to be determined. When Silver is no longer able to lead commencement, however, President Whitaker is determined the tradition will continue. “Traditions are important in collegiate life,” Whitaker says. In this case, Silver set the standard, and his successors will just have to come to understand they’re following in his large footsteps to continue to make AU Commencement stately, moving, and “over-the-top special” for everyone in attendance.听

The post Silver and Gold: Silver the Horse is Part of AU Commencement Tradition appeared first on 91福利社.

The post Winter Commencement: Celebrating the Class of 2023 appeared first on 91福利社.