Grace College and Seminary’s annual commencement ceremony took place on Saturday, May 12, in the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center on the Grace College campus in Winona Lake, Ind.
The 2019 Commencement honored 485 students, including 287 bachelor’s degree graduates, 100 master’s degree graduates, 15 doctoral degree graduates, and eight associate degree graduates.
Each year, Grace’s residential graduates select a faculty member to deliver the commencement address. This year, Dr. Roger Bingham, associate professor of business, was chosen. Dr. Bingham spoke on leaving a legacy and “making your dash count.” Bingham implored students to begin “by doing two things: leading others and loving others.” Bingham said leadership comes from influence, and influence from investing in other people.
Two graduates also addressed the 2019 Grace College and Seminary commencement. Noah Hicks represented the undergraduate student body, while Jamie Briscoe spoke on behalf of the adult, graduate, and seminary students.
Grace College president, Dr. Bill Katip, selected retiring men’s basketball coach Jim Kessler to carry the ceremonial mace. Kessler also received a special recognition for his 42 years of service to Grace College as faculty and coach.
Among those participating in commencement exercises at Grace College and Theological Seminary on Saturday, May 4, 2019, were these men and women who, at their enrollment, indicated an affiliation with the Charis Fellowship (Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches). We congratulate these individuals:
- Spencer Elijah Blocher
- Scott Christopher Brown
- Shane Michael Bullick
- Ethan Eldon Bunce
- Brandon Wesley Burns
- Mateah Eileen Cole
- Emily Mae Culp
- Ericka Ann DeBoest
- Christine Madison Glenn
- Kurt Joseph Hamlin
- Abbey Rose Hartwiger
- Rosalyn M. Hickerson
- Ethan Cameron Horst
- Joseph Robert Jackson
- Rebecca Tremayne Kovatch
- Cameron Greg Maxwell
- Asia Raye Miles
- Pamela Alexis Miller
- Brigit Jean Obregon Nemitz
- Emily Rose Pedersen
- Shelby Rae Perry
- Daniel James Renner
- Jonathan Thomas Schram
- David Leroy Stacy
- Thomas Nathanael Throgmorton
- Christopher Kyle Watson
- Jeremy Thomas Welling
- Joel Michael Zook
Feature photo: Ericka Ann DeBoest with her parents, Rick and Jamie DeBoest, and her siblings (left to right), Megan, Donovan, and Melissa.