Under a gentle fall of rain, the graduates gathered for one the most important events of their academic career, Spring Commencement. After many years of effort and study, they waited in nervous anticipation to receive their long-awaited diplomas.
Attendees hurried into Shortess Chapel out of the rain to find their seats. The chapel was filled to the brim with excited family members, friends, and peers ready to celebrate the moment with the graduates.
The familiar sound of the processional played as the professors and graduates strode into the chapel in their robes. The commencement speaker was Dr. Philip Dearborn, president of the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE). As the congregation hymn finished, Dr. Dearborn stepped out from the faculty to address graduates before they received their diplomas.
“Graduates, you have arrived. This is it,” Dr. Dearborn started. “The focus is on you today. We celebrate the grit, the late nights, the ‘please help me pass this test prayers,’ and the faith journey that brought you here.”
Holding up a towel, Dr. Dearborn reminded the graduates that in whatever field they entered, they were meant to represent Christ by serving in leadership. He used Jesus’ washing of the disciples feet in John 13 as the example of what Christian leadership is like. Dr. Dearborn stated that “serving others crushes pride.”
All the education graduates received during their time at CIU can be used for the service of others if they keep Christ at the center of their lives. He ended the message by reminding all that “real leadership doesn’t shout, it serves, and it loves.”
As the graduates stepped up one by one to receive their diplomas, those in attendance cheered and clapped with gusto. Many yelled out “that’s my roommate,” or “that’s my wife,” or even “you go girl!”
Afterwards, the graduates milled about around the chapel and under the tent walkway, happily greeting friends and family and taking photos with their peers.
One of the graduates, Avery Long, received her master’s in education after doing the accelerated five-year program. When asked what her favorite thing was about her time at CIU, she said “the best thing has been the community.” As fellow students crowded around to congratulate their friends, it was easy to see what she meant.
Lisa Harrill graduated with a doctorate in Intercultural Studies and visited campus for the first time recently. She said “I appreciate so much CIU’s care for third culture kids. The library has books about them and what I wrote my dissertation about.”
While some eagerly awaited this day, others felt that it was bittersweet. Rachel Gaynier, a graduate from the nursing program, said, “it feels unreal, like it can’t be over.”
Although their time at CIU is over, almost 350 new graduates are going back out into the community with a deeper understanding of their field and the Bible. Now, they have the chance to take Dr. Dearborn’s words and put them into practice by representing Christ through servant leadership.
View the commencement ceremony on CIU’s Facebook page.
Higher learning. Deeper faith. A Christ-centered community on campus and online. Request Info | Apply | Give
