Baccalaureate
Friday, May 1, 2026 6:00 p.m.
Baccalaureate Ceremony
Prelude
Processional
Graduating seniors from the Division of Music & Theatre
Tylynn Beligaño, Flute
Ms. Debbie Myers, Piano
“His Presence: Mvt. 1”
Original Composition
Elayna Parandi-Horgen, Voice
Dr. Todd Williams, Piano
“Almost like Being in Love” from Brigadoon
Frederick Loewe, music
Alan Jay Lerner, lyrics
Katie Ousley, Piano
Toccata, Op. 11 in E flat minor
Aram Khachaturian
Honors Brass Quintet
Led by Briana Blankenship
Welcome Dr. Jon S. Kulaga
President
*Invocation
Special Music
Mr. Tony and Mrs. Christy Parandi
IWU Staff & Parents of 2026 Graduate
IWU Chorale
“Rahab’s Cry”
Words & Music by Emery Rewa (‘28)
Corporate Worship Led by students from the Division of Music and Theatre
Address Dr. Jeffrey Tabone
Director of Programs & Student Formation, John Wesley Honors College
*Audience standing
**Audience remains seated during the Commissioning of Graduates
Commissioning of Dr. Andrea Summers
Graduates Dean of Spiritual Formation, Campus Pastor
Prayer of Blessing
*Benediction
**Recessional Honors Brass Quintet Led by Briana Blankenship
Mace Bearer
*Audience Stands
**Audience remains seated until the recessional has concluded
Dr. Stephen Conrad
Professor of Biology, School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
*Audience standing
**Audience remains seated until the recessional is complete
Commissioning of Graduates
Leader: Graduates, dearly beloved children of God, it is hard for us to watch you prepare to leave this place. Yet we know there is a time for every purpose under heaven. And we know that currently the world that you enter needs what you carry with you: the Joy of Salvation, the Spirit of Truth as revealed in Scripture and the Motions of Grace.
Graduating Seniors: We carry with us the Cross of Christ.
Leader: And do you understand what it means to carry His Cross?
Graduating Seniors: It means that all we do, filled with His grace and enlightened by the Truth of God’s Word, we do as grateful servants of Jesus.
Leader: It means that without complaining or tiring, you must pursue your vocations with energy and discipline, practice your professions with purpose and integrity, serve your families, your churches, your colleagues, your friends and your enemies with the humility, in accordance with the light of God’s Word, and the love of God’s Son, our Savior, Jesus.
Graduating Seniors: We understand what it means and pledge to carry the Cross of Christ.
Leader: It means that you must dedicate yourselves to accomplishing all that is good in your communities, with God’s Word as the standard and guide, you must promote peace and justice, you must fight against cruelty and greed, you must advance healing and hope wherever you move in the world.
Graduating seniors: It means that all we do, we do as grateful servants of Jesus.
Leader: We will thank our God for you and always remember you with joy, confident that the God who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ. Carry His Cross. Hold out the Word of Life. Carry His Light into the World.
All: Thanks be to God.
Prayer of Blessing
Leader: Dear Father,
On behalf of these who will be graduating, I thank You for the blessings that You have showered upon them during their years at Indiana Wesleyan University. I thank You Lord for the support and prayers of parents and friends, for the patience and devotion of professors who have often gone beyond the call of duty to serve their students, and for the lifelong friendships that have been formed with fellow classmates and roommates.
Help these whom You love so dearly and deeply to:
Walk in step with Your Word; As they live life - In Christ; Through the power of the Holy Spirit; To the praise and honor of God the Father;
As they leave the familiarity of this campus, remind them again that worship does not only take place in a special building, on a special day, but any place and every day as they offer themselves as a living sacrifice, wholly devoted to You.
Graduating Seniors: Dear Father,
Help us who are graduating to recognize that You have called believers to help others to find their way into Your kingdom.
Use our hurts and struggles to better understand the hurts and pains of others.
Help us to love all people unconditionally.
Help us to communicate the Truth of Scripture winsomely.
Help us to touch the lives of others for their good, and Your honor.
Leader: O, Lord, use these, who are graduating tomorrow, to build their families, communities and cultures, to expand Your Kingdom, on earth, as it is in heaven - and bring You alone, all the glory.
2026 Baccalaureate Speaker
Dr. Jeffrey Tabone serves as Director of Programs & Student Formation in the John Wesley Honors College and as Assistant Professor of Honors Humanities.
With over 15 years of experience in Christian higher education, Dr. Tabone has developed a strong track record as a student affairs professional, professor, and scholar of faith and learning. Whether contributing to university-wide collaborations, implementing student engagement initiatives, or addressing the individual needs of a student, he strives to be a holistic thinker and bridge-builder across campus.
Having experienced firsthand as a student, student-affairs professional, and educator, just how impactful Christian liberal learning can be for intellectual and spiritual development, Jeff is an enthusiastic advocate for IWU’s mission and grateful for the opportunities he has had to support and learn alongside such great students. He sees the IWU learning community to be an ideal environment for students to be holistically formed as inquisitive and thoughtful Christians.
About IWU
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 one of the largest institutions in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) and the largest private university in the state of Indiana.
IWU has 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, preprofessional, and professional major fields.
Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University: With more than 400 Master of Arts in Ministry, Master of Divinity, and Doctor of Ministry students, the first seminary of The Wesleyan Church is impacting congregations throughout the country. The Master of Divinity program provides on-the-job ministry training in an onsite and online innovative format. The accredited Spanish Master of Divinity program offers courses primarily online
Division Receptions
DeVoe Division of Business Senior Reception
Immediately following Baccalaureate
Jones/Leedy/Bedford Banquet Rooms, Barnes Student Center
Behavioral Sciences Graduate Reception
Immediately following Baccalaureate Henry West Banquet Room, Barnes Student Center
School of STEM Senior Reception
Preceding Baccalaureate 4:30-5:30pm Ott Hall 1st floor Atrium
Division of Social Sciences Senior Reception
Preceding Baccalaureate 4:00-5:00pm Maxwell 201, Social Sciences Office Suite
Pre-Licensure Nursing Pinning Ceremony
Preceding Baccalaureate 2:00-3:00pm Phillippe Performing Arts Center
Pre-Licensure Nursing Pinning Ceremony Reception
Preceding Baccalaureate 3:00-4:00pm Piazza, Barnes Student Center
JWHC Prayer and Commissioning Service
Saturday, May 2nd at 8:00am
Williams Prayer Chapel
Modern Language, Literature & Communication Graduate Reception
Immediately following 10:00 a.m. Commencement 12:00-1:00pm
Elder Hall Lobby
School of Theology and Ministry Consecration Service
Preceding Baccalaureate 3:30pm
College Wesleyan Church
School of Teacher Education Commissioning Ceremony
Preceding Baccalaureate 1:00pm
Baker Recital Hall, Phillippee Performing Arts Center
Division of Art + Design Graduate Luncheon
Preceding Baccalaureate 12:00pm
Beard Art Center Lobby
Division of Music & Theatre Senior Reception
Immediately following 10:00am Commencement
Phillippe Performing Arts Center Room 120
Indiana Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered academic community committed to changing the world by developing students in character, scholarship and leadership.