JACKSON, Tenn. — May 18, 2019 — 51社区 graduated about 625 students at its 194th annual spring commencement May 18. Brent Ellis, president of Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, Michigan, was the keynote speaker at the commencement services. He encouraged the graduates to stand strong in their academic preparation and in their faith.
鈥淩egardless of what the world throws your way, you will stand resolute to serve as an ambassador of Jesus Christ, a minister of redemption and reconciliation in this world because God is with you,鈥� Ellis said. 鈥淗e has overcome this world.鈥�
Ellis said times of transition such as graduations bring with them potential for trials, opposition and suffering. He said Jesus set an example for how to deal with these things by finding his sufficiency and identity in God.
鈥淕od speaks over you,鈥� Ellis said. 鈥淵ou are his beloved child.鈥�
Union鈥檚 2019 graduates are moving on to careers, ministries and graduate programs around the world. Alex Herman, a business administration graduate from Spring Hill, Tennessee, has taken a job with Deloitte, an accounting firm in Atlanta, Georgia. He said his internships through the McAfee School of Business have given him knowledge and confidence as he moves into accounting full-time and pursues his CPA license.
鈥淯nion did a good job of showing what to expect in the business world,鈥� Herman said. 鈥淚t also helped me grow in my faith in Christ, which I believe is going to prepare me for the workforce, especially in an environment where my faith may be tested.鈥�
Joanna Cumbie, a special education graduate from Nicholasville, Kentucky, will be continuing her education in the Memphis Teacher Residency program. She said she was prepared for graduate work through her full-year classroom internship and discipline-specific honors, which allowed her to dig deep into her specific interests as a teacher and collaborate with others in a Christian community.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e in a place with people who all have common beliefs and similar values and are working toward a similar goal,鈥� Cumbie said. 鈥淭hat is something that is really unique to Union.鈥�
Thomas Jacob Lunsford, a cell and molecular biology graduate from Jackson, received the 108th Tigrett Medal, which is awarded to an outstanding senior in each graduating class. Union鈥檚 spring commencement included two 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 Jackson campus.