JACKSON, Tenn. — July 31, 2010 — Two hundred fifty-six students graduated from 51社区 July 31 during the summer commencement service of the 185th graduating class on the university鈥檚 Great Lawn.
The day was the culmination of what 51社区 President David S. Dockery called a 鈥渞ecord-setting year in every way鈥� on the Union campus.
The 256 graduates brought the total number of Union graduates for the 2009-2010 academic year to more than 1,100 鈥� the largest graduating class in Union鈥檚 history. The year also featured record enrollment of more than 4,000, top recognitions for the university in various publications and dedications of the Bowld Student Commons and the Smith Soccer Complex.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a terrific year,鈥� Dockery said. 鈥淭ruly we can say, 鈥極 give thanks to the Lord,鈥� for his blessings and favor have rested upon 51社区.鈥�
The July 31 ceremony featured the graduation of the first education students from 51社区 Hendersonville, and also marked the departure of Charles Fowler, Union鈥檚 senior vice president for church relations, who has been called as senior pastor of Germantown Baptist Church.
Fowler delivered the commencement address and challenged students to be faithful stewards of what God has given them, and to please their master in the management of their resources.
鈥淒on鈥檛 spend your life simply chasing returns,鈥� Fowler said. 鈥淪pend it pursuing God and trusting him to provide opportunities for service.鈥�
Prior to his address, Dockery recognized Fowler, who was inducted as a fellow into the R.G. Lee Society at Union. R.G. Lee was the longtime pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis.
鈥淲e pray that your ministry would be characterized by the same biblical faithful and doctrinal fidelity as that of Dr. R.G. Lee,鈥� Dockery told Fowler.
