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graduated 325 students with associates, bachelors and masters
degrees during the spring 2000 commencement ceremony at Oman Arena
May 22, 2000. |
Jackson, Tenn. – With tears of joy and smiles from ear to ear,
325 more students took their places in the Union alumni family after
commencement exercises were held Saturday, May 22. Due to inclement
weather, graduation was held indoors at the Oman Arena in Jackson but did
not dampen the excitement and festivities felt by all.
With December graduates totaling at 125 and 155 more students expected
to graduate in August, the 600 or so students making up the class of 2000
makes this the largest class graduated in Union history, according to
Union president David S. Dockery, who congratulated the graduates at a
special luncheon held in their honor Friday afternoon.
"Many of you started here at Union at the same time that I
did," said Dockery. "This class has been characterized by
leadership and excellence every step of the way and we thank God for
you."
Many new Union graduates looked at the weeks leading up to graduation with
different emotions.
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| Celeste Gholston
celebrates with a hug after the graduation ceremony. |
"There are a lot of mixed feelings the week before," said
Michael Norton who received his degree in music. "You dread it and
then you look forward to it - today was the first time that I sang the
alma mater where I had the realization I was a graduate - and it made me
really proud to sing it."
Irina Kaznina is an international student from Moscow, Russia who
already had a degree from a Russian university before transferring to
Union almost three years ago to work towards her degree in teaching
English as a second language.
"It's been really sad because as I get ready to go back to Russia,
I realize I've made a lot of great friends here, but I know there are a
lot of friends back home too," said Kaznina during a reception held
for the graduates on Saturday. "Union has been a great cultural
experience and I'll always remember the warmth and kindness of the people
- without them, I wouldn't have made it."
 |
| Senior Class President Ken Barker
and Faculty Member of the
Year David Gushee lead the graduation procession. |
Jonathan Crook, who will use his bachelor of arts degree to pursue a
career in screenwriting, agreed.
"The full force of my leaving Union really didn't hit me until I
had finished my last final. It's a scary time to think that one chapter's
ending while another's beginning. I'll never forget the people I've gotten
to know here and the deep friendships that have been formed. It's been a
great experience," said Crook.
Students aren't the only ones who anticipate graduation. Faculty
members, also, feel relief, happiness, and pride in the students they have
been able to mentor.
"I'm pleased that my students have succeeded, hopeful for all of
the possibilities ahead of them and relieved that we've made it through
one more year," said Dr. Georgia Wellborn, professor of music at
Union. "Graduation is a little different at Christian universities,
and I really enjoy the Christian emphasis that is made - I think it makes
a big difference for the graduates."
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| George Brushaber,
president of Bethel College and Seminary in St. Paul, Minn.
addresses the class of 2000 during the commencement ceremony. |
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