JACKSON, Tenn. — July 31, 2023 — Though graduation can be a time of uncertainty about the future, 51社区 graduates should know that God ordains all the seasons of life.
That was the message in the keynote address by Greg Jordan at 51社区鈥檚 July 29 summer commencement ceremony at West Jackson Baptist Church, where 104 students received their degrees.
Jordan recently retired from Union as professor of business law and ethics after serving on the faculty since 2012. He previously practiced law for 30 years.
鈥淪omewhere, somehow, in these ever-beginning and ending seasons, ordinary folks like you and me find ourselves making our way through life,鈥� Jordan said. 鈥淎nd whatever season you find yourself in right now, know that it鈥檚 the exact place God wants you to be.鈥�
Jordan said it鈥檚 natural for college graduates to deal with doubt and questions: 鈥淎m I well enough prepared?鈥� 鈥淲ill I like my work?鈥� 鈥淲ill I find love?鈥� and others. He said he felt the same way at his own college graduation 50 years ago.
Jordan said the seasons and cycles of life themselves are reminders of the presence and power of God 鈥� and that God鈥檚 presence is one of the greatest blessings he offers to his people.
鈥淎nd thankfully, this presence is not dependent on how we feel,鈥� Jordan said. 鈥淲e may feel like we are alone, but we are not. We may feel lost or out of sorts, but God鈥檚 unchanging presence remains.鈥�
The summer commencement ceremony closed out Union鈥檚 2022-2023 academic year, a year in which Union observed its bicentennial. The full service can be seen at .