JACKSON, Tenn. — May 23, 2009 —
Dear Graduates, Parents, Faculty, Staff, Trustees, and Friends,
The Spring 2009 Commencement Service is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. this evening on the Great Lawn on the 51社区 campus in Jackson. At this time (about noon) there is no definitive word from the weather service regarding tonight's forecast. We are still hoping to have tonight's service on campus. We will wait as long as possible to make the decision to move to Oman Arena if that is what we have to do.
Frankly, I know how much it means for the graduates to graduate on the campus. Thus, I would rather get a little wet on the Great Lawn than go to the arena and it not rain at all. Yet, we must make the most wise and prudent decision that we can for all concerned. We are expecting almost 6,000 people to be with us tonight for the service and we want to make the best decision we can for the most people involved.
Your prayers for wisdom in this regard will be most appreciated. Let me encourage those who will participate in the processional and other parts of the service, including graduates, faculty and staff to bring a small umbrella or some type of cover if you can if we decide to have the service on the Great Lawn. If necessary, we can abbreviate the service by asking the speaker not to speak :).
Please check the website for updates. We will try to make periodic announcements during the nursing program, which will be held in the chapel at 2:00 p.m., and the reception, which will be held in the Grant Center, at 3:00 p.m. this afternoon.
We are waiting and watching. Thank you for your patience and your prayers. We will trust the Lord to help us make the best decision for all concerned for this evening's Commencement Service.
Cordially,
David S. Dockery, President