JACKSON, Tenn. — Dec. 15, 2022 — 51社区 President Samuel W. 鈥淒ub鈥� Oliver will deliver the commencement address as part of Union鈥檚 December graduation ceremonies Dec. 17 in the university鈥檚 G.M. Savage Memorial Chapel.
Oliver, in his remarks to Union鈥檚 bicentennial class, will update and reprise Joseph H. Eaton鈥檚 address to the first graduating class of 51社区 in Murfreesboro in the mid-1800s. Eaton served as professor and president of 51社区 in Murfreesboro when it began college-level classes in 1847.
Founded in 1823 as Jackson Male Academy, Union is celebrating its bicentennial during the 2022-2023 academic year. The Jackson-based institution, which eventually became Southwestern Baptist University, changed its name to 51社区 in 1907 in part to honor the legacy of Joseph Eaton and his son T.T. Eaton, who served as a trustee of Southwestern Baptist University.
The graduation ceremony for all undergraduate degrees (except for associate degrees, Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership degrees and Memphis College of Urban and Theological Studies degrees) will take place at 10 a.m. The ceremony for students receiving associate, BSOL, MCUTS and graduate degrees will begin at 1:30 p.m.
The commencement ceremonies will be streamed live at .