Prelude
COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM
Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10:00 a.m.
Selections
Dr. Sylvia Seok, Organ Accompanist, Division of Music and Theatre
Processional
Welcome
*Invocation
Pomp and Circumstance, Op. 39
Sir Edward Elgar
Dr. Sylvia Seok, Organ
Dr. Jon S. Kulaga
President
Mrs. Leslie Zolman
Associate Vice President
Enrollment Operations and Student Services, IWU-National and Global
Presentation of Presidential Citation
Ms. Shari Turpin
Commencement Address
Living Water: the Pearl of Great Price
Dr. Jon S. Kulaga
Ms. Shari Turpin
Founder and Designer, Pearls by Shari
Presentation of Candidates
Dr. David Davies
Vice President for Academic Affairs, College of Arts and Sciences
Chief Academic Officer
Conferring of Degrees
Ringing of the Bell and Class Response
Dr. Jon S. Kulaga
Mr. Josh Cartwright President
Student Government Association
Special Recognitions
Senior of the Year Professor of the Year
Alumni Induction Ceremony
Indiana Wesleyan University Chorale
“The Lord Bless You and Keep You” by Peter Lutkin
Miss Marlem Romo Vice President Student Government Association
Miss Ally Barkhaus
Indiana Wesleyan University 2022 Alumna
Mr. Davy Chinn Chair, Division of Music and Theatre
Assistant Professor of Music
*Benediction
**Recessional
Dr. Lisa Moore Professor, Division of Music and Theatre
Selections
Dr. Sylvia Seok, Organ
Mace Bearer - Dr. Betsye Robinette, Professor of Psychology
*Audience standing
**Audience remains seated until the recessional has concluded
GRADUATES
ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREE
Lauren Taylor Lamb Biblical Literature
ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE DEGREE
Hud Joseph Dazey General Studies
Denize Gatabazi General Studies
Caiden Lee Lundsford General Studies
Natalie Truex Children and Family Ministries
BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE
David Joshua Amini
Kelsey Beggs
Abigail Reese Beliles
Summa Cum Laude Christian Ministries
Magna Cum Laude Accounting
Summa Cum Laude English/Writing
Elsa Bickett Christian Ministries
Abigail Blair Marketing
Caedmon Tait Bontrager Marketing
Colton Douglas Bradburn Finance
Elijah Phillip Brown
Abigail Burton
~John Wesley Scholar
Drew Steven Busman
Joshua Nathaniel Cartwright
~John Wesley Scholar
James Christing
Summa Cum Laude Christian Ministries
Summa Cum Laude Theatre/Honors Humanities
Cum Laude Finance
Summa Cum Laude Entrepreneurship/Management/Honors Hum
Magna Cum Laude Finance
Trent Colwell Marketing
Isaiah Jordan Courtois Business Administration
Kyle Dahlin
Abigail Dennis
Magna Cum Laude Marketing
Magna Cum Laude Music Therapy
Brian Matthew Doty Business Administration
Jaden Timothy East
Reilly Elizabeth Gaunt
~John Wesley Scholar
Graham Christian Goodfellow
Magna Cum Laude
Summa Cum Laude
Finance/Business Administration
Multimedia Communication/Honors Hum
Finance/Business Administration
Sophia De-Xin Greenwood Entrepreneurship/Marketing
Koryn Greiwe
Mitchel Gunn
~John Wesley Scholar
James Michael Harris
Jordan Hill
Isaiah Quinn Hostetler
Summa Cum Laude Accounting/Marketing
Summa Cum Laude Entrepreneurship/Honors Humanities
Cum Laude Finance
Cum Laude Photography
Summa Cum Laude Accounting
Maleigha Juanita Howard Studio Arts
Karis Renee Hunter
Kaelyn Nichole Johnson
Magna Cum Laude Illustration
Summa Cum Laude Strategic Communication
Amanda Dawn Kouros Business Administration
Christopher James Kraynak Finance
Rebecca Cathlene Lagoni Management/Marketing
Katelyn Nicole Lahr
Emily May Lamb
Charles Cole Little
Arielle Colleen Luzadder
Cum Laude Writing
Summa Cum Laude
Cum Laude
Magna Cum Laude
Multimedia Communication
Finance/Appld Spanish and Hispanic Culture
Graphic Design
Derrick Moore Jr. Management
David Mossbarger
~John Wesley Scholar
Cyrus Drew Myers
Magna Cum Laude
Magna Cum Laude
Graphic Design/Honors Humanities
Finance/Business Administration
Grace Elizabeth O'Donnell Music
McKenna O'Donnell
~John Wesley Scholar
Summa Cum Laude Worship Arts/Honors Humanities
Ian Mitchell Ohler
Amilynn Renee Orrell
Cum Laude
Marketing/Sports Management
Magna Cum Laude Music Therapy
Diego Alonso Palma Albornoz Business Administration
Elayna Judith Parandi Horgen
Hattie Elise Peterman
Cum Laude Music
Summa Cum Laude Illustration
Adrick Lamont Phillips Christian Ministries
Aaron Christopher Plummer
~John Wesley Scholar
Evan Patrick Poland
Magna Cum Laude
Finance/Marketing/Honors Humanities
Magna Cum Laude Accounting/Finance
Ryder James Rinaldi Business Administration
Connor Rogers
Magna Cum Laude Finance
Emmanuel Sanchez Illustration
Levi Dale Schuiteman Accounting/Finance
Sydney DaNae Seabeck
Magna Cum Laude
Management/Community Development
Kienna Amara Shank Cum Laude Biblical Literature
Neel Rohan Shields Finance
Natalie Shiels History/Writing
Kara Lynn Simison
Chenoa J.O. Simmonds
Grace Cathryn Smalley
~John Wesley Scholar
Aaron R. Stoller
Alexis Marie Sutton
~John Wesley Scholar
Magna Cum Laude
Marketing/Business Administration
Summa Cum Laude Theatre
Summa Cum Laude
Magna Cum Laude
Graphic Design/Honors Humanities
Finance/Business Administration
Marketing/Management/Honors Hum
Jacob Allen Thompson Management/Marketing
Maxwell Lance Vischer Finance
Ella Imelda Wall
Magna Cum Laude Marketing
Tate Warner Management
Kristen Joy Weaver
Isaac George Wolf
Elaina Nicole Wright
James Samuel LeFebvre
~John Wesley Scholar
Tylynn Nevaeh Beligaño
~John Wesley Scholar
Summa Cum Laude
Marketing/Management
Cum Laude Multimedia Communication
Summa Cum Laude Finance/Management
BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS DEGREE
Summa Cum Laude Fine Art/Honor Humanities
BACHELOR OF MUSIC DEGREE
Magna Cum Laude Music Composition/Honors Humanities
Anna Day Performance
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE
Gabrielle Grace Adams
Magna Cum Laude
Exercise Science/Pre-Health Care Sciences
Cora Grace Anson Worship Arts/Pastoral Ministries
Lily Allison Baggett
Magna Cum Laude General Studies
Sarah Ann Barker Exercise Science
Elizabeth Barrett
~Mary C. Dodd Honors
Hayla Lauren Barton
Summa Cum Laude
Summa Cum Laude
Elementary Education/Exceptional Needs Ed
Biology/Pre-Health Care Sciences
Jessica Barton Elementary Education
~Mary C. Dodd Honors
Cade Josiah Beall
Makenna Grace Beall
Rylie Beatty
Cum Laude English Education
Magna Cum Laude Elementary Education
Magna Cum Laude Community Development/Intercultural Studies
Evan Lee Bennett General Studies
Katherine Joy Bennett
Cum Laude Elementary Education
Colton C. D. Benninghoff General Studies
Emma Paige Berry-Youmans
Michael Allen Biven
Magna Cum Laude Elementary Education
Cum Laude Music Education
Abigail Xiu-yu Blachly
~Luther Lee Scholar
Summa Cum Laude Itnl Relations/Bus Admin/Honors Hum
Hudson Black Cum Laude Sports Management/Marketing
Mackenzie Bloom
Magna Cum Laude Elementary Education
Kimberly Boone Exceptional Needs Education
Brooklynn Michelle Bos Biology/Pre-Health Care Sciences
Seth Andrew Bos Cum Laude Strategic Communication
Rebecca Dawn Boyd Environmental Science
Samuel Calvin Bracy Political Science Pre-Law/History
Sarah Elizabeth Lee Brough Psychology
Faith Michelle Brown Elementary Education
Luke Brown General Studies
James Ellis Bryant General Studies
Annelise Bundscho
Magna Cum Laude Psychology
Emilee Burke Psychology/Criminal Justice
Matthew Burns Cum Laude Exercise Science
Stephanie Grace Cain
Leanett Campos-Gonzalez
Chase Alan Cates
Marissa Allison Cates
William R. Cheney
Magna Cum Laude Psychology
Criminal Justice/Appld Spanish and Hispanic Cul
Summa Cum Laude Christian Ministries
Magna Cum Laude Biology/Pre-Health Care Sciences
Magna Cum Laude Strategic Communication/Business Admin
Cooper Chinn Cum Laude Computer Information Systems
Nathan Cole Youth Ministries/Pastoral Ministries
Bryce Joseph Conley Ministerial Leadership
Emily Rachel Cox
Summa Cum Laude Exercise Science
Stephen Mark Cox Business Administration
Chloe Nichole Cronin
Jacquelyn Davenport
Summa Cum Laude Strategic Communication
Summa Cum Laude Psychology
Megan Dedio Social Studies Education
Natalhy Abigail DeLeon
Summa Cum Laude Elementary Education
Jenna DeMichael Cum Laude Math Education
Luke Nathaniel Dennis Cum Laude Pastoral Counseling and Care
Serena Laura Doty Pre-Art Therapy
Claire Elizabeth Dubois Cum Laude Exercise Science
Ethan Dutra Sports Management
Joseph Eastway
Hannah Janelle Elonich
Summa Cum Laude Sports Ministry
Magna Cum Laude Psychology
Gabrielle Juliana Ennis Psychology
Emily Brooke Evans Cum Laude Exercise Science
Alek J. Fehlmann Strategic Communication
Wendy Flatford Psychology
Gabrielle Lusita Fluharty Art Education
Nolan G. Foley Elementary Education
Alec Foster
Jessica Lyn Foster
Summa Cum Laude Biology/Pre-Health Care Sciences
Magna Cum Laude Exercise Science/Pre-Health Care Sciences
Brianne Christine Francis Cum Laude Elementary Education
Elizabeth SiJie Lise Friesen
~John Wesley Scholar
Izak Matthew Furr
Magna Cum Laude
Exercise Science/Honors Humanities
Magna Cum Laude Exercise Science
Anna Elizabeth Furrow Cum Laude Children's Ministry/Pastoral Ministries
Ella Grace Gearhart
Magna Cum Laude Exercise Science/Pre-Health Care Sciences
Carson Joshua Gibson Economics
Esther Grace Gilliam
Grace Elizabeth Goodfellow
~John Wesley Scholar
Summa Cum Laude Psychology
Magna Cum Laude Biology Education/Honors Humanities
Emma Catherine Green Exercise Science
Hailey Jo Green
Exercise Science/Pre-Health Care Sciences
Aubrianna Gremore General Studies
Delanie Gustin
~John Wesley Scholar
Dylan Robert Hagstrom
Summa Cum Laude Community Development/Honors Humanities
Summa Cum Laude
Youth Ministries/Pastoral Ministries
Basil Hampton, Jr. Criminal Justice
Allison Hawk
Isabel Luzmilia Hawks
Summa Cum Laude
Magna Cum Laude
Biology/Pre-Health Care Sciences
Youth Ministries/Pastoral Ministries
Reed Christian Herrick Cum Laude Criminal Justice
Carissa Higinbotham Accounting
Ella Kathleen Hildenbrand Art Education
Gracielinn Deeatta Hill
~John Wesley Scholar
Thomas Ian Hines
Reyna Lenae Hoffman
Taylor Holdridge
Maxwell Holliday
Gabriel Hooper
Chloe Lyn Householter
Jayd Elizabeth Hovey
Evan Kenneth Howard
Cum Laude Exercise Sci/Pre-Health Care Sci/Honor Hum
Cum Laude Christian Ministries
Summa Cum Laude Exercise Science
Summa Cum Laude Computer Science/Data Science
Cum Laude Sports Management/Business Administration
Magna Cum Laude Political Science/History
Magna Cum Laude Biology
Summa Cum Laude Human Communication Studies
Magna Cum Laude Data Science
Cole Arthur Hughes Youth Ministries/Pastoral Ministries
Jessica Marie Ickes
Amani Johnson
~Luther Lee Scholar
Eva Joldersma
Ryan Paul Junod
Magna Cum Laude Psychology
Cum Laude Biology/Pre-Health Care Sciences/Honors Hum
Summa Cum Laude Exercise Science/Pre-Health Care Sciences
Magna Cum Laude Computer Science
Bright Kari Sports Management
Clifford Derek Kelley II Christian Ministries
Micah Noelle Kelly
Summa Cum Laude Spanish Education
Jacob M. Kenney Art Education
Aidan Robert Kenny Exercise Science
Alexa Marie Kerley
Cum Laude Exercise Science
Laura G. Kiefer General Studies
Alyssa Michelle Knapp
Alexis Grace Koorndyk
~John Wesley Scholar
Victoria Hope Koorndyk
Ruby Wei Ying Kramer
Benjamin Ryan Kuehner
Matthew Clay Lacy
Magna Cum Laude Exercise Science/Pre-Health Care Sciences
Summa Cum Laude
Pastoral Counseling and Care/Honors Hum
Summa Cum Laude Math Education
Cum Laude Biology
Magna Cum Laude
Computer Science/Math Interdisciplinary
Cum Laude English Education
Alexys Mischell Rayven Langdon Psychology
Alexandra Lloyd Biology/Pre-Health Care Sciences
Dallas Lowe General Studies
Isabelle Lucas
Olivia Eve Lucas
Dayessi Luis Ruiz
Cum Laude Strategic Communication
Magna Cum Laude Chemistry
Cum Laude Criminal Justice
Caden Michael Mack Ministerial Leadership
Lydia Joy Marcum
Joshua Aaron Martin
Summa Cum Laude Biochemistry
Magna Cum Laude Christian Ministries
Kaley Grace Martin Psychology
Breanna McBay Psychology
Jordan McCoin Political Science/Economics
Paige Nicole McSeveney
Cum Laude Pastoral Counseling and Care
Wade Ryan Melanson Social Studies Education
Kaya Lyn Miedema
Everett Noah Caine Milbourn
Carter Alexander Miller
Vera Pauline Miller
Cum Laude Math Education
Magna Cum Laude Christian Ministries
Cum Laude Biochemistry
Summa Cum Laude Elementary Education
Benjamin Robert Miner Youth Ministries/Pastoral Ministries
Ethan Edward Bruce Moore Criminal Justice
Jackson Charles Mott Exercise Science
Jadyn Mucher
Haley Elizabeth Newton
Summa Cum Laude Elementary Education
Magna Cum Laude Elementary Education
Maggie O'Brien Exercise Science
Alexandria Grace Llorens Ohler
Maria Juacaba Oliveira
Kalyne Oliver
Madison Osborne
Samantha Ruth Osborne
Katelyn Grace Ousley
~John Wesley Scholar
Keona Indigo Owens
Magna Cum Laude Community Development/Intercultural Studies
Cum Laude Sports Management
Summa Cum Laude
Biology/Pre-Health Care Sciences
Summa Cum Laude Elementary Education
Cum Laude
Summa Cum Laude
Elementary Education/Exceptional Needs Ed
Music Education/Honors Humanities
Cum Laude Elementary Education
Samuel J. Pietz Psychology
Lauren Ashley Powers Cum Laude Biology/Pre-Health Care Sciences
Karly Lynn Puckett
Magna Cum Laude Psychology
Lily Rader Cum Laude Elementary Education
Myles Isaac Reeves Sports Management
Thomas Elijah Ricks Exercise Science
Alexus Nicole Robinson Sports Management
Sarah Romano
Magna Cum Laude Elementary Education
Marlem Nohemi Romo Criminal Justice/Psychology
Mateo Ruffin Environmental Science
Liana Rye Christian Worship/Marketing
Anna Samuelson
~John Wesley Scholar
Lillian Schackow
Magna Cum Laude Exercise Science/Honors Humanities
Summa Cum Laude Elementary Education/Exceptional Needs Ed
Luke Edward Schlatter Criminal Justice
Katherine Grace Shane
Summa Cum Laude Exercise Science
Vance Sheppert General Studies
Gage Slagor Elementary Education/Exceptional Needs Ed
Connor D. Smith Sports Management
Noel Mykel Smith General Studies
Mark Snowden Exercise Science
Innocenzo Richard Solano
Paige Ann Spenard
Summa Cum Laude Sports Management/Business Administration
Magna Cum Laude Psychology
Sara Sprunger Biology Education
Alyssa Stevens Cum Laude Youth Ministries
Megan Elise Stevens Youth Ministries/Pastoral Ministries
Sarah Irene Stewart Cum Laude Elementary Education
Evan Stoller Computer Science
Caitlyn Stone Cum Laude Math Education
Cierra Stroud Biology
Zoe Renee Stroud Pastoral Care and Counseling/Pastoral Min
Isaac Fernando Suer Psychology
Wesley David Sussenbach Physics
Madison Sue Swan Sports Management
Eden Swartz
Braden Sweet
Courtney Lynn Thomas
Lucas Oren Thomas
~Luther Lee Scholar
Kylie Elizabeth Towle
Cum Laude Strategic Communication
Summa Cum Laude Psychology
Summa Cum Laude Exercise Science/Pre-Health Care Sciences
Magna Cum Laude Biology/Pre-Health Care Science/Honors Hum
Summa Cum Laude Biology
Guzman Trigo Calvo International Relations/Business Administration
Kyawnai Tun Sports Management
Faith Vander Laan
Anna Vie
Magna Cum Laude Strategic Communication
Summa Cum Laude Children and Family Ministries/Pastoral Min
Gregory Steven Vineyard Environmental Science
Wyatt William Wakeman Psychology
Abigail Irene Wallace
Andrew J. Waple
Magna Cum Laude Psychology
Summa Cum Laude Social Studies Education
Hunter James Wasnich Exercise Science
Sarah An Weber Cum Laude Biology/Honors Humanities
~John Wesley Scholar
Ethan White
~John Wesley Scholar
Magna Cum Laude Biochemistry/Pre-Healthcare Sci/Honors Hum
Jackson Wolfe Ministerial Leadership
Conner Woods Social Studies Education
Emma Jane Wright Elementary Education
Morgan Paige Yeater Exercise Science/Pre-Health Care Sciences
Michael Alexander Zolman
Magna Cum Laude Youth Ministries/Pastoral Ministries
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING DEGREE
Adriano Menezes Sinval Candido, Jr. Engineering
Anthony Joseph Cheesebourough, Jr. Engineering
Micah DeVries Engineering
Brianna Nichols
Magna Cum Laude Engineering
Ofu Shadrach Oduma
Magna Cum Laude Engineering
Thomas Edward Ott Engineering
Autumn Helena Smith Engineering
Nick Wiley
Magna Cum Laude Engineering
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING DEGREE
Grace Anne Blickley Cum Laude Nursing
Kristin Renee Bribiesca Cum Laude Nursing
Megan Tate Brown
Summa Cum Laude Nursing
Faith Caroline Carlson Nursing
Madison Margaret Carner
Addison Elaine Coates
Summa Cum Laude Nursing
Magna Cum Laude Nursing
Carissa-Anne Cook Cum Laude Nursing
~Mary C. Dodd Honors
Ainsley Rose Dale
Magna Cum Laude Nursing
Elisabeth Kay Degenhart Cum Laude Nursing
Hannah Marie Diesel
~John Wesley Scholar
Nursing/Honors Humanities
Mia Grace Doorn Cum Laude Nursing
Abigail Faith Doyle Cum Laude Nursing
Whitney Grace Earl Cum Laude Nursing
Katelyn Marie Eash
Summa Cum Laude Nursing
Caleigh Marie Ellet Cum Laude Nursing
Esther Grace Fielder Nursing
Cadence Lee Fields Nursing
Naomi Joy Fischbach Nursing
Emma Christine Foreman Nursing
Jamie Lin Gentis Nursing
Karlie George
Magna Cum Laude Nursing
Casey Elizabeth Glodfelter Nursing
Sarah Kaylyn Harmelink Nursing
Deja Rose Hodgens Nursing
Karlee Elizabeth Hulbert
Summa Cum Laude Nursing
Hayden Matthew Isaacs Nursing
Claire Elise Kaercher Cum Laude Nursing
Jenna Elizabeth Knepp Nursing
Megan Elizabeth Knox
Magna Cum Laude Nursing
Megan Kooistra Nursing
Alexandra Lauren Langford
Magna Cum Laude Nursing
Alaina Irene Linnemeier Nursing
Ella Sage Maas
Kyrah Elizabeth Maas
Summa Cum Laude Nursing
Magna Cum Laude Nursing
Madison Develia Marr Nursing
Madeline Marie Martin
Kelsey Lynn McGuire
Magna Cum Laude Nursing
Summa Cum Laude Nursing
Katherine Joy McKay Nursing
Grace Menne Cum Laude
~John Wesley Scholar
Mackenzie McKnight Minney
Nursing/Honors Humanities
Nursing/Appld Spanish and Hispanic Culture
Jenna Lynn Moss Nursing
Marissa Nicole Mullins
Cadence Faith Notter
Kaylee Michelle Owens
Magna Cum Laude Nursing
Magna Cum Laude Nursing
Magna Cum Laude Nursing
Brian Michael Parache Nursing
Emma Nicole Perez Nursing
McKenzie Ann Pieronski Nursing
Abbigail Porter
~Mary C. Dodd Honors
Emily Grace Prasil
Magna Cum Laude Nursing
Magna Cum Laude Nursing
Chloe Noelle Rhodenizer Nursing
Evyn Nancy Rivers Cum Laude
~John Wesley Scholar
Nursing/Honors Humanities
Frank Siboniyo Nursing
Kaelyn Grace Sikkema
Isaac Jenson Smith
Ava Elise Snyder
Sophia Mae Sommers
Magna Cum Laude Nursing
Cum Laude Nursing
Magna Cum Laude Nursing
Summa Cum Laude Nursing
Jake Edward Stone Cum Laude Nursing
Lydia Elaine Strong
Magna Cum Laude Nursing
Hadessah Ann Vandaveer Cum Laude Nursing
Elaina Vander Veen Cum Laude Nursing
Leeda Maxine Vander Veen Cum Laude Nursing/Appld Spanish and Hispanic Culture
Luke J. VanTol Nursing
Eden Elizabeth Walton Cum Laude Nursing
Madelynn Renee Welker
Magna Cum Laude Nursing
Mekayla Sarah Wheeler Nursing
Emily Ruth Winters Nursing
Emma Lee Witter Nursing
BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK DEGREE
Caedmon Christopher Barksdale Social Work
Abigail Bentley
Lianna May Corley
Summa Cum Laude Social Work
Summa Cum Laude Social Work
Nevaeh Angel Goodman Cum Laude Social Work
Alexis Martha Gunn Social Work
~Mary C. Dodd Honors
Jenna Krcmarik Social Work
Katelyn Olivia Landa Social Work
Elijah Mack Social Work
Ava Catherine Rich
~John Wesley Scholar
Summa Cum Laude Social Work/Honors Humanities
Jessica Liana Sanchez Social Work
Hannah Grace Smith
Hope Elizabeth Stephenson
Cum Laude Social Work
Summa Cum Laude Social Work
Azmae Lynn Turner Social Work
Emily Van Luchene
Summa Cum Laude Social Work
Anna Elisabeth Bennett Yoder Cum Laude Social Work
Each student listed has successfully completed or soon will complete all University requirements for their respective degrees.
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
Ms. Shari Turpin
Shari Turpin is the designer and founder of Pearls by Shari. Located in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Pearls by Shari has grown into an internationally recognized luxury jewelry brand with multiple locations and is featured in Neiman Marcus. Shari is known worldwide as an award-winning South Sea pearl buyer who sources and curates some of the rarest pearls available today.
Shari began her walk with Christ at age sixteen, and her life’s work has unfolded as a journey of faith — learning to trust God through uncertainty, opportunity, and growth. Her story began humbly as a homeschooling mother creating handmade jewelry and selling her designs door-to-door. Over the past 25 years, that small beginning has grown into a global brand built on excellence, perseverance, and purpose.
At the heart of Shari’s message is the story behind the pearl itself: formed through adversity and transformed into something luminous and enduring. Through her speaking, she encourages others to trust God’s timing, steward their gifts faithfully, and embrace the refining seasons that shape both character and calling.
ACADEMIC HONORS
Academic honors are awarded to baccalaureate graduates who have obtained a certain level of achievement not only in their course work at Indiana Wesleyan University but also throughout their higher education. To be eligible for honors, a graduate must have completed a minimum of 60 graded hours, 40 of which must be in residence at Indiana Wesleyan. All grades transcripted and applied toward the degree are included in figuring a composite gradepoint average for honors: 3.5-3.69 Cum Laude; 3.7-3.89 Magna Cum Laude; 3.9-4.0 Summa Cum Laude.
HONOR SOCIETY RECOGNITIONS
Phi Alpha – Eta Theta Iota Chapter, International Honor Society in Social Work - Cords are intertwined blue and gold.
Pi Gamma Mu – Pi Gamma Mu, Indiana Zeta Chapter, International Honor Society in Social Sciences - Cords are intertwined blue and white.
Sigma Delta Pi – Chi Iota Chapter, National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society - Cords are bright Spanish gold and red tied together.
Sigma Tau Delta – International Honor Society in English - Cords are rich cardinal red and black double strand.
Sigma Theta Tau - Eta Chi Chapter, International Honor Society of Nursing - Cords are intertwined lavender and white.
JOHN WESLEY HONORS COLLEGE
The John Wesley Honors College is an intensive community of liberal learning, established to model and enrich IWU’s pursuit of excellence in scholarship, spiritual formation, and servant leadership.
John Wesley Scholars - Cords are gray and red intertwined.
Luther Lee Scholars - Cords are gold and red intertwined.
Mary C. Dodd Honors Students - Single red cord.
MILITARY RECOGNITION CORDS
Graduates and faculty who are veterans or active members of the United States Military or National Guard are recognized with a red, white, and blue cord.
THE BELL
When the University was founded, The Bell was hung in the John Wesley Administration Building. It continues to represent a visual and audible symbol of the history of the University. The ringing of the bell at Academic Convocation and Graduation celebrates the beginning and ending of our students’ time as members of the IWU campus community.
THE ACADEMIC REGALIA
The academic regalia worn on formal occasions in American colleges and universities is rooted in the medieval traditions of the great thirteenth century universities of EuropeParis, Bologna, Cambridge, and Oxford. The use of gowns, caps, and hoods reminds us of the honorable antecedents of academic life. They link the clerical dignity and importance of teaching and scholarship in the past to the vibrant life of the university in the present and are emblems of a purposeful future for university graduates.
In 1895, American universities agreed on a uniform system of academic dress. This code was revised in 1932 by the American Council on Education, but the various and distinctive local university traditions of more recent years have added great color and a variety of styles to the academic procession. The academic story is usually told in the distinctive style and color of gown, cap, and hood.
The Gown: The flowing black habit of the medieval cleric has become the normative black academic robe. It once gave warmth to the wearer in unheated monastery buildings of stone. The robe for the bachelor’s degree is usually plain with pointed sleeves. The robe for the master’s degree has long closed sleeves with a slit at the arm. The doctor’s robe has full bell sleeves with a facing of velvet on the front and velvet chevrons on the sleeve. The velvet is either black or in the color representing the appropriate academic discipline.
Robe colors other than black are the colors of the sponsoring university. The President’s robe is gray and decorated with a red panel and four chevrons on the sleeves representing the office of the president. The medallion worn by the President is a replica of the University seal and is made of sterling silver with a gold overlay.
The Cap: Most caps are in the traditional pattern of the square “mortarboard” set on the monk’s skull cap. The tassel is either black, color of the sponsoring university or in the color of the academic discipline. Doctors’ caps usually have a tassel of gold and vary from the traditional square to a velvet in three, four, or eight points.
The Hood: Originally a true hood for covering the head in wind and weather, the academic hood is now the colorful story of the scholar’s academic life. The hood is faced with velvet of a color representing the academic discipline. The trim and lining, often with a chevron in a second color inside the hood, is the color of the sponsoring university.
One can identify the academic discipline by the color of the velvet face trim on the hood:
Arts, Letters, Humanities
Commerce, Accountancy, Business
Economics Education Engineering
Fine
Journalism
Law
Library
Occupational
Oratory
Physical
Physical
Public
Public
Social
INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
Indiana Wesleyan University is an evangelical Christian comprehensive university of The Wesleyan Church, which has its world headquarters in Indianapolis. The University was founded in 1920 and is committed to liberal arts and professional education.
With a current enrollment of nearly 15,000 students, IWU is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 15 Regional Universities in the Midwest. IWU is the largest institution in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) and the largest private university in the state of Indiana.
IWU is organized into three Principal Academic Units:
• The College of Adult and Professional Studies: Providing educational opportunities for working adults across the world through online instruction and regionally through instruction at locations in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio, the College of Adult and Professional Studies serves approximately 12,000 students, with cutting edge undergraduate and graduate programs relevant to today’s workplace.
• The College of Arts and Sciences: Founded on a traditional, residential educational model enriched by innovative instructional programs, the College of Arts and Sciences serves approximately 2,100 students in both undergraduate and graduate programs in over 80 liberal arts, pre-professional, and professional major fields.
• Wesley Seminary: As the first seminary of The Wesleyan Church, Wesley Seminary serves more than 600 students, nearly 500 graduate students and over 100 undergraduates. The Seminary’s graduate programs are shaping leaders who impact congregations throughout the country. The innovative Master of Divinity program offers on-the-job ministry training both onsite and online, and provides an accredited Spanish Master of Divinity program, with most coursework completed online. In addition to its graduate offerings, the Seminary supports undergraduate students pursuing ministry preparation and theological education.
During the past three decades, new construction and renovation have transformed IWU’s Marion campus into a low-debt, modern, student-focused facility. The addition of Ott Hall of Sciences and Nursing provides additional research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate faculty and students, includes an enlarged and enhanced simulation lab, and contains classrooms and labs for a variety of Health Sciences and Nursing needs.
IWU also offers adult and professional studies programs online and at regional sites in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. The College of Adult and Professional Studies offers a vast number of online programs for students across the world. Additionally, each education center is equipped with state-of-the-art classrooms, computers, electronic library access, and study rooms. Additional partnerships across the country provide further physical locations for students of these programs.
The University’s mission is to change the world by developing students in character, scholarship, and leadership. IWU employs a well-credentialed faculty that annually receives national and international recognition for teaching, research, and creative performance. Many hold national leadership positions in their respective fields.
IWU’s Center for Life Calling and Career earned a national reputation for excellence rooted in groundbreaking research and innovative application. These entities provide counseling, testing, and mentoring at key transition points during the college experience to help students identify their unique sense of calling, purpose, and career fit.
IWU’s John Wesley Honors College, which is recognized as a national leader in collegiate honors education, attracts students each year who have graduated at the very top of their high school classes and have scored in the highest percentiles nationally in SAT and ACT scores. IWU faculty members have received awards from Fulbright, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the National Student Advocate.
Indiana Wesleyan University has 22 intercollegiate sports teams and participates in the Crossroads League (CL), the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA), the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC), and the Mid-South Conference (MSC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Recent teams have competed in national championships in Women’s Volleyball, Men’s and Women’s Cross Country, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Football, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving, Competitive Cheer, Softball, Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Men’s and Women’s Track and Field, Men’s and Women’s Tennis, and Esports.
INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY MACE
The mace, a stylized modification of an ancient war club, serves as the symbol of jurisdiction and authority based on moral and intellectual leadership of the university, administration, and faculty. The Indiana Wesleyan University mace is hand-carved of cherry in a triangular design. The headpiece contains the current university seal, accompanied by carvings of the original seal of Marion College and the Administration Building entrance.
PHOTO INFORMATION
A professional photographer will take individual photos of all graduates as they cross the stage. Students will be given an opportunity to purchase prints by mail within a couple of weeks following the ceremony.
To avoid confusion with the procession of graduates, we ask that you take any pictures from your seats. Thank you. If you have any questions, an usher will be glad to assist you.