JACKSON, Tenn. — May 21, 2016 — Jerry Johnson, president and CEO of National Religious Broadcasters, encouraged 51社区 graduates to pursue big dreams and make a difference at the university鈥檚 spring commencement services May 21.
He said graduations often feel like endings, but they are actually beginnings.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e not graduating today,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淵ou are being graduated. This faculty is graduating you to commence, to start a career, to start a family, to start the next phase of your ministry, to write a book. Whatever it is, you鈥檙e beginning and you want to do something significant.鈥�
C. Ben Mitchell, provost and vice president for academic affairs, presented the Tigrett Medal to Nathaniel Magnuson. The medal honors an outstanding senior in each graduating class and is voted on by faculty.
Anna Goodman, president of the senior class, presented the senior class gift, a live English bulldog mascot. She thanked the faculty and staff at Union for their investment in the senior class and every student.
鈥淚f you talk to any Union student about their experience, any one of the people here in this class today, I can almost guarantee that what they鈥檙e going to focus on is the people,鈥� Goodman said. 鈥淐lassmates, professors, our president. It鈥檚 the people and community that make Union stand as something unique.鈥�
Johnson said the graduates should follow the example of Joseph in the book of Genesis. He said Joseph was a dreamer. He dreamed a dream and pursued it without holding back.
鈥淚鈥檓 asking you today not to try to live somebody else鈥檚 life but to live your life,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淕od called you to do and to be something special.鈥�
Johnson said dreamers will have opposition, but they must persevere through adversity and live with integrity, trusting God. He encouraged the graduates to begin leading at a young age.
鈥淛oseph was 30 years old when he began to rule.鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淒on鈥檛 wait. Joseph led at 30, you can lead at 30. The people who make the difference start young.鈥�
Johnson said the most important thing to do to be significant is to follow Jesus. He said Jesus exemplified a significant life and ended well.
鈥淒ream the dream that God gives you,鈥� he said. 鈥淲ork for it. Commit yourself to it knowing no matter what that someday the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord.鈥�
Union graduated a total of 708 students at its two commencement services. A commencement service for graduate students was held at 2 p.m. followed by a service for undergraduate students at 6 p.m. Both services took place on the Great Lawn on Union鈥檚 campus.
鈥淐ommencement is a time to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates,鈥� said Union President Samuel W. 鈥淒ub鈥� Oliver. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a time to reflect on the power of the relationships that have had such a transformative effect during their time here, and it鈥檚 a time to look with hope to the future.鈥�