Southwestern Adventist University is pleased to announce that 176 students have completed their degrees for the Spring 2018 Commencement.  The Commencement Address was given by Christopher Morris, a 1997 graduate from Southwestern Adventist University with a BA in Mathematics. Morris is currently the Youth Pastor at the Burleson Seventh-day Adventist Church.

“The challenge I want to lay before you,” said Morris, “as you start a new chapter in your life…from the book 7 Habits for Highly Effective People by Steven Covey, is to begin with the end in mind. What if, in this new adventure, you begin with your desired end in mind.”

Officiating over the graduation ceremony, President Ken Shaw shared, “Graduates you have constructed knowledge through your classes and interaction with faculty and staff, you have grown in spirituality through your personal devotions and a variety of spiritual programming on our campus, and you have reached out to fellow students and the community with your service and acts of kindness. Knowledge, Faith, Service; that is who we are. I am proud of each one of you!”

Before the presentation of the diplomas, Vice President for Academic Administration Dr. Amy Rosenthal shared some unique characteristics of the class, which included two sets of siblings, two couples, one father and son, and two children of Southwestern staff members. The class is made up of 115 women and 61 men. The largest number of graduates is from the Department of Nursing. The class also includes 14 international students representing the countries of Angola, Brazil, Cayman Islands, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

This class is a hard-working class. It is significant that 41 graduates are the first in their family to graduate from college. This class has also actively been involved with the community, with 68% of the graduates participating in community service.

Graduates have been accepted into graduate and doctorate programs at schools around the nation, including Andrews University, Baylor University, Dallas Baptist University, Georgetown University, Loma Linda School of Medicine, Oklahoma University College of Pharmacy, Southwestern Adventist University, Texas Christian University, Texas Women’s University, University of Houston, University of Texas at Arlington, and Walla Walla University.

The service ended with Vice President for Advancement Tami Condon welcoming graduates into the Southwestern Adventist University Alumni Association. Southwestern is proud to support a strong alumni network! Alumni are represented in every state and territory in the U.S. and more than 100 different countries worldwide.

Graduation photos available here.