JACKSON, Tenn. — May 6, 2023 — When she began her college search while in high school, Kirbi Cochran originally wanted a bigger, state-school experience.
鈥淎nd then the Lord really kind of transformed my heart,鈥� she said.
Cochran, an intercultural studies and journalism double major from Alexandria, La., was one of 495 51社区 students to receive their degrees May 6 during two commencement ceremonies on the university鈥檚 Great Lawn. It was Union鈥檚 198th annual spring commencement, and this year鈥檚 class was the bicentennial class for the university, which began in 1823.
The university has observed its bicentennial during the entire 2022-2023 academic year, with a concluding bicentennial celebration event May 5 prior to Saturday鈥檚 graduation activities 鈥� a dinner for the graduating class and a concert and worship service in G.M. Savage Memorial Chapel with Anthem Lights.
Cochran is heading to Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, Tenn., following graduation, where she will serve as a ministry resident for the next two years, working with the church鈥檚 women鈥檚 ministry. She said her Union experience was greater than she ever imagined it would be.
鈥淯nion has been a place that has allowed me to grow as a leader and has challenged me in my faith,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat was something that was very important to me when I was looking at colleges. The reason I chose to go to Union and not a state school was that I wanted a place that would challenge and grow my faith and not try to take it apart. 鈥淯nion has definitely done that, and it鈥檚 given me a lot of spaces to be a leader in my faith and to disciple others.鈥�
Another Union graduate, Steve Williams, is staying closer to campus. He begins later this month as an enrollment counselor for Union. The business administration major from Memphis, Tenn., hopes to recruit other students to give them the same transformative experience that he had.
鈥淭hese past four years have been absolutely amazing,鈥� Williams said. 鈥淚 have definitely enjoyed my time here at Union, growing as a leader, as a believer in Christ and as a person who goes out and serves the community.鈥�
Anna Moss, a Christian studies major from Bells, Tenn., received the 113th Tigrett Medal, which is awarded to an outstanding senior in each graduating class, during Saturday鈥檚 ceremony.
In his commencement address, 51社区 President Samuel W. 鈥淒ub鈥� Oliver told graduates they should seek the good of others and not their own glory and recognition.
鈥淏e not so ambitious to engrave your names high upon the walls of the temple of fame, as to write them on the tablets of human hearts,鈥� Oliver said. 鈥淚f you make it your object to improve the minds and hearts of others, you will leave memorials that shall defy the wasting of time, and will outlive the proudest earthly structures.
鈥淟ive to enlighten, bless and share the transforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and you will be held in everlasting remembrance.鈥�
Oliver鈥檚 address was a version of Joseph H. Eaton鈥檚 remarks 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.
The institution founded in 1823 as Jackson Male Academy eventually became Southwestern Baptist University, which 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.
鈥淔rom a small-town academy to one of the nation鈥檚 premier Christian universities, the story of 51社区 is one of faith, Christian commitment and dedication to excellence,鈥� Oliver said. 鈥淎s we are celebrating the bicentennial of the founding of Union, we have been looking back, remembering God鈥檚 faithfulness and goodness. Graduates, I want to encourage you to do that as well.鈥�
Oliver told graduates their education is not complete, even though they have finished a college degree.
鈥淵ou have only placed your feet on the threshold of the great temple of truth and been enabled to catch, now and then, a glimpse of the massiveness of its architecture, the proportion and variety of its columns, the gorgeous splendor of its furniture and the surpassing beauty and symmetry of its workmanship,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou have been pursuing your studies here for several years, not for the purpose of accumulating ideas and obtaining treasures of knowledge, but to fit your mind to wield effectually the truths and principles you have acquired and may hereafter acquire.鈥�
Learning, Oliver said, is an unending pursuit that widens knowledge and broadens intelligence throughout life. God has given his creatures minds to be used, and Oliver told graduates not to let theirs lie dormant but to keep them bright by constant polishing.
The Union president encouraged graduates to use their lives to do good, to bless mankind and to reflect the image of the God who created them.
鈥淪eek not to become great. Let greatness follow you,鈥� Oliver said. 鈥淵our lot is cast in eventful times, in an age of the world鈥檚 history when vast achievements are accomplished, and in a country where the greatest opportunities are afforded. In this busy and enterprising age, you are to do your part.鈥�