JACKSON, Tenn. — Dec. 17, 2007 — A complex and diverse world needs the commitment and contributions that alumni of Christian colleges like 51社区 can offer, Deborah Wilds told Union graduates Dec. 15.
鈥淚n his sovereignty, God has just the proper place for each of us,鈥� Wilds said. 鈥淎nd it is through prayer and seeking His face through Jesus Christ that gives us the proper discernment to recognize that place.
鈥淎s Christian college graduates, you have been uniquely equipped to integrate biblical truth, intellectual capital and professional skills to live in a complex and increasingly diverse world.鈥�
Wilds is president and chief operating officer of the College Success Foundation, an organization that provides scholarships and mentoring to low-income, high-potential students. She was the keynote speaker for the fall commencement services of the 183rd graduation class from 51社区, where 263 students received their degrees at West Jackson Baptist Church.
It was Union鈥檚 largest December graduation ever, and included the first group of graduates from Union鈥檚 Master of Christian Studies program 鈥� Richard Vaughan Bragg, Randall Anthony Kellough, Robert C. Maxwell and Stephanie Brown Morris.
As part of the ceremony, Union President David S. Dockery presented the Robert E. Craig Service Award to Thad and Alicia Smotherman, from Arlington, Texas.
The award is named after Union鈥檚 13th president, who led the university for more than two decades and was responsible for reestablishing Union with the churches of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Craig was also responsible for relocating the university campus to north Jackson.
The Smothermans serve on Union鈥檚 Board of Regents, and for the past 10 years have hosted and supported Union鈥檚 alumni work in Texas. Alicia, a 1963 Union graduate, is a physician. Thad is an investor who is a leader in several business and health care-related operations.
鈥淭had and Alicia Smotherman are terrific people who have offered incredible support for the work of 51社区 over the past decade,鈥� Dockery said.
鈥淭heir efforts to enhance our alumni work with Union alums in Texas, their support for prospective students in that area and their service on the Union Board of Regents have all been beneficial for the university.
鈥淲e particularly want to thank them for their wise counsel and encouragement in the startup of the nurse anesthesia program at Union. They are most worthy recipients of this year鈥檚 Craig Service Award.鈥�
Union also presented an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree to Stephen C. Reynolds, president and CEO of Baptist Memorial Health Care of Memphis. In September, BMHC made a $1 million donation to the health care programs at Union.
鈥淪tephen Reynolds has given outstanding leadership to the work of Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis for many years,鈥� Dockery said. 鈥淲e are thrilled to recognize his leadership in the world of health care, to acknowledge his partnership in the work of Tennessee Baptists and to thank him for his support of our new pharmacy program.鈥�
In her address, Wilds told graduates that there are many challenges awaiting them. Society has no shortage of needs, she said, but there is a shortage of people with the long-term commitment to address some of society鈥檚 problems 鈥� such as racial injustice.
Wilds said that even after more than 50 years since the Brown v. Board of Education decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, educational and economic opportunities are still largely contingent upon race and ethnicity.
鈥淥ur God is a God of equity. Our God is a God of justice,鈥� Wilds said. 鈥淎s Christians, we should be at the forefront of efforts to bring about racial justice, healing and reconciliation in our nation.鈥�
To do that, Wilds encouraged graduates to follow the example of Jesus鈥� life of service to others.
鈥淥ur Lord鈥檚 message was utterly simple, but completely profound,鈥� she said.