JACKSON, Tenn. — July 31, 2017 — Looking to the book of Proverbs can yield wisdom to help guide graduates throughout their lives.
That was the message from Walton Padelford to the graduate and adult studies students who graduated from 51社区 July 29 during the university鈥檚 summer commencement ceremony. One hundred thirteen students received their degrees during the service, which marked the end of the 2016-2017 academic year at 51社区.
Padelford, who retired in May as the Porter Family Professor of Business and Economics after teaching at Union for 37 years, said graduates will throughout their lives encounter the pathway of wisdom and the pathway of folly. He encouraged them to stay off the pathway of folly and walk in wisdom.
"Sometimes in decision making the path is not clear,鈥� Padelford said. 鈥淲e try to plan in the best way possible, but sometimes the way is simply not evident. At this point, we need to trust God and decide -- trust that he has our best interest in mind.鈥�
Padelford said the book of Proverbs has much to say about hard work, about proper speech and about living a faithful life. He commended the book to the graduates and also suggested they spend time with wise people if they want to grow in wisdom themselves.
Union President Samuel W. 鈥淒ub鈥� Oliver said the commencement ceremony was a time to celebrate the accomplishments of graduates and reflect on the power of the relationships that have been transformative during their time at Union.
"For as long as communities have existed, significant passages have been marked with ceremony and celebration,鈥� Oliver said. 鈥淪uch is the tradition for colleges and universities as each graduates its students and sends them out for service and leadership in the world.鈥�