Spring Commencement Weekend

from SNU Magazine - Summer 2022

ALUMNI BOARD RESTRUCTURING

ACHIEVEMENT. CELEBRATION. GATHERING.

TOLLYA (STROUD) SPINDLE ‘92

THE WEEKEND OF MAY 13-14 brought wonderful celebrations back to the Bethany campus of Southern Nazarene University. Herrick Auditorium was a busy place Friday, May 13, beginning with the Honors Recognition Ceremony. This event gives departments an opportunity to honor their graduates with special recognition and to present students with cords to be worn with their regalia. Early that afternoon, Herrick was filled with those attending the School of Nursing Pinning Ceremony. It was a meaningful time as Nursing graduates were recognized for their academic achievements and completion of requirements. The “blessing of the hands” was an especially poignant moment as each graduate knelt at the Herrick altars offering their hands to be anointed with oil and prayer as they leave SNU to serve in clinics and hospitals bringing healing to their patients.

The School of Theology held its Commissioning and Sending Service at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene on Friday afternoon. This service was a time of Scripture reading, liturgies, and prayer. Each graduate was commissioned for ministry service and prayed over individually by one of their professors.

That evening, Herrick was filled once again with traditional students and their families as the Baccalaureate service took place featuring an inspiring message from Dr. Blair Spindle, University Pastor/Dean of the Chapel. He challenged the graduates to embrace the grace of Jesus as they move into the next chapter of their lives. One highlight of the Baccalaureate service was the presentation of the President’s Award to Ms. Kennedy Scott and Mr. Alexandre Da Silva. Kennedy is a Bio-Chemistry major from Coronado, CA. Alex is a Sports Management/Theology major from Atibaia, Brazil. The President’s Award is the highest award given to members of the graduating class in the College of Undergraduate Studies. Each year, both a female and male student are recognized by the faculty, staff, and administration with this award based on their Christian example, scholarship, appreciation of learning, loyalty and cooperation, service, and leadership. The 10 finalists embody the SNU motto of Character, Culture, Christ, and are leaving a lasting legacy at SNU.

After Baccalaureate, the graduates followed the Faculty Marshalls to the Lamp of Learning on the campus mall where they were met by their professors for one of SNU’s oldest traditions, the Ivy Ring Ceremony. Graduates are joined to each other by holding an unbroken chain of ivy, symbolizing the unity of purpose shared by the Class of 2022 through their years at SNU. Faculty from their areas of study cut the ivy, which signifies their parting from SNU as they continue to find ways to serve God and others with the knowledge they received at SNU. Officers from the graduating Senior Class offered prayer and read scriptures and led the group in the singing of the alma mater.

On Saturday, May 14 the Sawyer Center filled twice for the 119th Commencement ceremonies. The morning service celebrated the accomplishments of our College of Undergraduate Studies graduates while the afternoon service celebrated our College of Professional and Graduate Studies. In total, 342 May 2022 degrees were conferred, including the second graduating cohort of SNU’s Doctor of Education program with 7 doctoral degrees.

The commencement address was delivered by Dr. Kevin Lewis, an SNU graduate from the Class of 1991 who went on to graduate from medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Lewis is currently serving as Regional President of SSM Health Medical Group based in OKC. His daughter, Kiersten, graduated with her classmates in the morning ceremony. His speech was filled with inspiration for the graduates as he reminded them of their individuality and uniqueness and challenged them to impact their world.

During the morning ceremony, an honorary doctorate was awarded to Rev. Jim Hill. Jim has been in pastoral ministry for 41 years, having served churches in Alabama, Texas, Ohio, and Oklahoma. Among many designations, he has served on the Board of Trustees at SNU for 15 years.

Front row: SHARON ROBERTSON SMITH, CHERYL MAULDIN SHERRICK, RICK HALL, KATHERINE FALKNER HERMANCE, TERRY HERMANCE, LINDA ARNDTS MILLER, CATHI MOORE MOUNT Back row: J. D. PARKHURST, KEN HATHAWAY, DUANE SRADER , JIM DOROUGH, BRADLEY WARKENTINE, BILL CATES

Also honored as “Golden Grads” were 13 graduates from the Class of 1972. These special alumni celebrated this 50 year milestone by participating in the morning commencement ceremony followed by a luncheon. There were many stories shared of the faithfulness of God as they reminisced on their time at Bethany Nazarene College (now SNU).

Over the course of the two days in May there were many cheers and lots of applause as friends, family, SNU faculty, staff and administration celebrated with the graduates. These graduates have shown exceptional strength to complete their degrees amidst the challenges of the pandemic. Congratulations SNU Class of 2022!