JACKSON, Tenn. — July 30, 2022 — 51社区 graduated 96 students during its summer commencement ceremony on July 30 at West Jackson Baptist Church. Ann Singleton, associate provost and dean for instruction at 51社区, was the keynote speaker.
Singleton spoke about the surprises in life 鈥� both good and bad 鈥� that will ultimately reveal God鈥檚 goodness and purpose in the graduates鈥� lives. She asked Union graduates the question, 鈥淎re you willing to be surprised?鈥�
鈥淚 don鈥檛 know what your career path is, but what we all have in common is we all, at times, need to be surprised,鈥� Singleton said. 鈥淲e will continue planning and making our list to minimize these kinds of days, but we want to be open to receiving a surprise from God.鈥�
Singleton closed by quoting Isaiah 43:19, 鈥淏ehold, I am going to do something new. Now it will spring up; will you not be aware of it?鈥�
Candice Greshaw, 2022 Union graduate of organizational leadership, put her degree on pause 15 years ago to start a family and raise her four children. Then, after learning about her employer鈥檚 tuition reimbursement program, she wanted to refocus on growing her career and creating a legacy for her family.
Wanting to pursue a degree through the lens of Christian values is what led Greshaw to 51社区鈥檚 School of Adult and Professional Studies. She said she thanks God for the people in her life who pushed her to come this far.
鈥淢y course instructors have been some of the most encouraging and grace-filled people I have had the opportunity to meet,鈥� Greshaw said. 鈥淭hose were the moments that confirmed Union was the best place I could have chosen, and I thank God for that.鈥�
Greshaw knows her degree in organizational leadership will equip her to continue growing in her career, but she said she prays it will ultimately be an encouragement to her children.
鈥淚 hope this will help show [my children] that when they set their mind to something good, they can press on to accomplish their goal 鈥� no matter how difficult it gets,鈥� Greshaw said. 鈥淭here were many times I did not think I could do this, but my [Union] professors were always ready with an encouraging word that gave me exactly what I needed to push through.鈥�
To watch Union鈥檚 summer commencement ceremony, visit .