|
According to Union president David S. Dockery, the 600 or so students who graduated in December, May and August make the class of 2000 the largest class graduated in Union history. Many new Union graduates looked at the weeks leading up to graduation with different emotions. "There are a lot of mixed feelings the week before," said Michael Norton who received his degree in music. "You dread it and then you look forward to it. Today was the first time that I sang the alma mater where I had the realization I was a graduate � and it made me really proud to sing it." Irina Kaznina is an international student from Moscow, Russia who already had a degree from a Russian university before transfer-ring to Union almost three years ago to work toward her degree in teaching English as a second language. "It抯 been really sad because as I get ready to go back to Russia, I realize I抳e made a lot of great friends here, but I know there are a lot of friends back home too," said Kaznina during a reception held for the graduates on Saturday. "Union has been a great cultural experience and I抣l always remember the warmth and kindness of the people � without them, I wouldn抰 have made it." Jonathan Crook, who will use his bachelor of arts degree to pursue a career in screenwriting, agreed. "The full force of my leaving Union really didn抰 hit me until I had finished my last final. It抯 a scary time to think that one chapter抯 ending while another抯 beginning. I抣l never forget the people I抳e gotten to know here and the deep friendships that have been formed. It抯 been a great experience," said Crook. Students aren抰 the only ones who anticipate graduation. Faculty members also feel relief, happiness, and pride in the students they have been able to mentor. "I抦 pleased that my students have succeeded, hopeful for all of the possibilities ahead of them and relieved that we抳e made it through one more year," said Dr. Georgia Wellborn, professor of music at Union. "Graduation is a little different at Christian universities, and I really enjoy the Christian emphasis that is made � I think it makes a big difference for the graduates." |