Former Baptist World Alliance (BWA) President Billy Kim urged Samford University graduates to make the right choice and to rely on the power of prayer during commencement exercises May 19.
“Life is made up of choices,” said Kim, chairman of the Far East Broadcasting Company of Korea. “The choice we make determines the quality of time and life that is worth or not worth living.”
Kim, whose radio network broadcasts Christian programming in 140 languages, asked the students to choose to follow Jesus.
“If you choose Christ, you’ll never go wrong,” he said.
He spoke to an audience of more than 5,000 in Samford’s Pete Hanna Center. Graduates from Samford’s largest school, the Howard College of Arts and Sciences, received diplomas, along with seniors from the School of the Arts and Orlean Bullard Beeson School of Education and Professional Studies.
The program capped a series of graduation events that included commencements May 18 for Samford’s Brock School of Business, Cumberland School of Law, Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing and McWhorter School of Pharmacy. Beeson Divinity School held its commencement and consecration service May 9. A total of about 880 seniors received degrees.
Kim, who began his Christian ministry by founding a church in Seoul, Korea, in 1960, stressed the power of prayer.
“Prayer is the key to solving all of life’s problems,” he said. “In this world, we encounter many difficult obstacles. I believe that if we have a life of prayer we will overcome whatever troubles we might face. Prayer can change your life, your family and this nation. It is time for God to heal this great nation.”
In addition to diplomas to seniors, Samford awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters to Korean business and civic leader D.K. Lee, a former president of Rotary International, for his “humanitarian and civic work.” Lee is chair of Bubang Techron Company, a leading manufacturer of consumer household appliances, and is chairman of the Community Chest of Korea.
This year’s top student award winners were: Kara Lynn Peal, of Dallas, Ga., the President’s Cup for the highest academic average; Hannah Michelle McSween, of Knoxville, Tenn., Velma Wright Irons Award for the second highest average; and Caroline S. Noland, of Boiling Springs, S.C., and Andrew Lewis Toney, of Collierville, Tenn., the John C. Pittman Spirit Award.
Senior Riley Westmoreland, president of the Student Government Association, gave the farewell address on behalf of her classmates, urging them to stay close to Samford as alumni.
Eight retiring faculty members were introduced at programs for their respective schools. They are: English professors Nancy Whitt and Rod Davis; sociology professor Robin Roberts; music professor Bill Strickland; pharmacy professor Robert Schrimsher; and nursing professors Judy Bourrand, Barbara Money and Judith Vinzant. Dean of academic services and registrar Paul Aucoin will also retire in the fall.
BWA President John V. Upton Jr., who also is executive director of the Baptist General Association of Virginia and the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, spoke at the Beeson commencement.
Upton advised the 17 new Beeson graduates to not forget who they are — that to do so would “make a mess” for themselves and those around them. He also said that while there is no way to know where a ministry is headed, “I assure you that a hand will nudge you at the right moment, in the right direction.”
In keeping with a long-standing Beeson practice, each graduate received a copy of the Holy Scriptures along with their diploma. This year, a like number of Bibles were provided to members of the Quechua tribe in Peru, which has several ties with the divinity school.
(SU)
Share with others: