JACKSON, Tenn. — Aug. 9, 2005 — More than 250 51社区 students received degrees Saturday, Aug. 8, as part of Union鈥檚 summer graduation ceremony at West Jackson Baptist Church.
The 254 graduates bring Union鈥檚 total number of graduates for the 2004-2005 academic year to 918, the highest total ever for the university.
鈥淭his special ceremony was a fitting conclusion to a record-breaking year,鈥� 51社区 President David S. Dockery said.
He told the graduates, 鈥淲e pray that today鈥檚 recognition will encourage you toward a lifetime of service and achievement.鈥�
Most of the graduates were from the School of Education and Human Studies, with master鈥檚 degrees in education or education specialist degrees. In addition, 22 students received their doctor of education degrees.
Carolyn Bishop, president and international director of the Consortium for Global Education in Marietta, Ga., brought the commencement address. Bishop encouraged graduates to be willing to compete globally, but to temper such competition with a spirit of cooperation.
鈥淥ur world will not survive with countries crossing the finish line one by one,鈥� Bishop said. 鈥淲e must finish as nations together.鈥�