Dr. Richard Kyle delivers keynote address at Commencement
Members of the Tabor College band provided a pre-commencement concert. They also played the traditional "Pomp and Circumstance" march and the recessional for the ceremony.
6
Tabor College's 103rd graduating class, the largest in its history, marched through Joel H. Wiens Stadium on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at commencement. In all, 127 Bachelors of Arts, 11 Master of Business Administration, 13 Bachelor of Science, 42 Bachelor of Science in Nursing and 1 Associate of Arts degrees were presented. The band, under the direction of Mr. Daniel Baldwin, opened the event with a concert and the traditional Pomp and Circumstance processional. Representing the school of Adult and Graduate studies, Anna Reid provided the invocation. Michael Klaassen was the speaker representing the Tabor College Hillsboro class, while Leilani Schenkel spoke on behalf of the class from Tabor College Wichita. Tynan Honn, president of the senior class, gave the graduating class response. President Dr. Jules Glanzer presented the Professor Fran Jabara Leadership Award. It was given to Becky Steketee and Michael Klaassen, both of Hillsboro. They each received a $1,000 stipend and a plaque in honor of their leadership skills demonstrated not only during their time as Tabor College students, but for their potential leadership capabilities. The commencement address was given by Dr. Richard Kyle, long time history professor who is retiring at the close of the school year. His address was titled “It’s the beginning, not the end.” Kyle, a professor of History and Religion at Tabor College, is retiring after teaching for 41 years. A prolific author and scholar, he is a favorite with students. He shared, in typical Dr. Kyle style, wit and wisdom for the graduating class. “In a few minutes you will be college graduates and whether you realize it or not you will have had a leg up on such famous college dropouts as Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and Larry Ellison. You will have an advantage over many people in the work force, so take advantage of it. Yes, the tassel will be worth the hassle,” Kyle advised. “Tabor College’s mission is to prepare people for a life of learning, work and service for Christ and His
Dr. Richard Kyle, Tabor College professor of religion and history, provided the Commencement address. His remarks were titled, “It’s the beginning, not the end.” Kyle retired at the end of the school term after 43 years of service to the school.
kingdom. Commence means to begin, not to end. Thus this commencement marks the beginning of many aspects of your life. And given Tabor’s mission statement I want to point out three areas that hopefully you have been introduced to during your years at Tabor College. It is my hope and prayer that you will build on this foundation. There are many aspects of your years at Tabor College and I could have selected other areas to mention. A short list would include athletics, social events, and cultural activities such as music and drama. But that would take too long. So I have selected three points. Keep on Learning. Keep Growing Spiritually and Keep Thinking Globally.” He closed with the words of Arie Pencovici: ‘Graduation is only a concept. In real life every day you graduate. Graduation is a process that goes on until the last day of your life. If you can grasp that, you’ll make a difference.’ The graduating class was presented their diplomas by Dr. Jules Glanzer and the Tabor College Alumni Association, represented by Dr. Allen Hiebert, member of the class of 1963, and Marlene Fast, Director of Alumni and Parent Relations, handed each graduate a Bible as they exited the stage.