Foley challenges UM graduates to ‘shake the world’

University of Mobile President Mark Foley exhorted the 317 students graduating May 6 to follow Jesus Christ and to face the challenges of the modern world, changing it for the better through their academic preparation and their faith, not only for their own sake but for the sake of future generations. 
   
Graduates were awarded master’s, bachelor’s and associate degrees during the commencement exercises at the Mobile Civic Center.
   
“You must find effective responses to terrorism, grapple with moral disintegration, ensure the quality of the public education system, secure the health of the economic system and define the role of the church,” Foley said. “You’ll shake the world with your vote, your influence and — I hope — your prayer.
   
“May it be said of you that it is not you who changes the world, but it is God Who changes you and through you changes the world around you,” he continued. “May the spirits of wisdom, counsel, strength and knowledge rest upon you. May you always be clothed in fairness and truth.”
   
Roger Willmore, senior pastor of Deerfoot Baptist Church, Trussville, in Birmingham Baptist Association and minister at large for the Stephen Olford Center for Biblical Preaching in Memphis, Tenn., received an honorary doctor of divinity during the ceremonies. 
   
In his address to the graduates, Willmore urged them to stay true to faith in Christ. 
   
“The University of Mobile is training world-class Christians to make a difference in this world,” he said. “My charge, especially to the students, is that you go into the world in which you are about to live and make a difference in that world. Do what you can do, to the glory of Jesus Christ.”
   
During graduation, top honors were awarded to 49 outstanding graduates. The university’s highest honor, the H. Austill Pharr Award, was presented to Kinga Rybarczyk. She was selected by the university faculty as the senior who best exemplifies the attainment of education values consonant with the purpose and objective of the institution. 
   
Rybarczyk, who graduated summa cum laude, received a bachelor of science in accounting with a concentration in industry government. She was awarded the School of Business Award and the area award in accounting.
   
Laura Jean Schrock, summa cum laude, received the Annie Boyd Parker Weaver Auxiliary Award for the female senior who best exemplifies the outstanding qualities of character, leadership and service. 
   
Schrock, who graduated with a bachelor of arts in English, received the Alumni Award in recognition of her 4.0 grade point average, as well as the School of Arts and Sciences Award.
   
Scott Alan Wilson received the University of Mobile Regents Award for the male senior who best exemplifies the outstanding qualities of character, leadership and service. Wilson graduated with an associate degree in nursing.
   
Sadie Parker DuPont, magna cum laude, received the President’s Leadership Award, presented to the nontraditional student who best exemplifies both Christian leadership and academic excellence. 
   
DuPont, who graduated with a bachelor of science in organizational administration and leadership, also received the Alumni Award.
   
The William K. Weaver Honorary Fellows Graduate Award was presented to Stephen Mart Hasley, honors, master of business administration. 
   
The William K. Weaver Honorary Fellows Undergraduate Award was presented to Martin Bradley Smith, bachelor of science in computer information systems. 
   
Smith also received the area award in computer information systems. (UM)