JACKSON, Tenn. — May 11, 2022 — Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska will deliver the commencement address as part of 51社区鈥檚 spring graduation ceremonies May 21 on the Great Lawn.
A fifth-generation Nebraskan, Sasse graduated from Harvard University and earned his doctorate in American history at Yale University. He served as president for five years at Midland University, transforming the college into one of the nation鈥檚 fastest-growing schools in just three years. Sasse was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014 and re-elected in 2020.
He is a member of the intelligence, judiciary, finance and budget committees. Sasse is also the author of two books, 鈥淭hem鈥� and 鈥淭he Vanishing American Adult.鈥�
Sasse鈥檚 pastor, Kyle McClellan at Grace Church in Fremont, Nebraska, is the father of graduating Union senior Gabrielle McClellan.
鈥淪en. Sasse has been a powerful advocate for religious freedom and the First Amendment during his time in the Senate, and he is someone who understands and values the importance of Christian higher education,鈥� Union President Samuel W. 鈥淒ub鈥� Oliver said. 鈥淲e are delighted to welcome him to campus and look forward to hearing from him as we celebrate our graduating class.鈥�
The ceremony for graduate and adult studies students, including MCUTS, BSOL and associate degrees, will begin at 2 p.m. The ceremony for all undergraduates (excluding BSOL students) will begin at 6 p.m. Both ceremonies will take place on Union鈥檚 Great Lawn and will be shown live at .