The 357 members of the University of Mobile (UM) Class of 2009 accomplished one goal May 9 — each walked across the stage and received an associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degree and a handshake from UM President Mark Foley.
But that is just the beginning of a lifetime of accomplishments for UM graduates, according to commencement speaker Mike Gottfried, ESPN college football game analyst, former NCAA head football coach, and founder and director of Team Focus.
“You set a goal and you made it. Now you have to set more goals,” he challenged graduates.
Gottfried encouraged graduates to have a passion for what they do in life.
“I want you to be like Jesus — be world changers,” he said.
Foley seconded the challenge.
“You have accomplished much, but there is so much ahead. Now go change the world,” Foley said.
UM presented awards to outstanding graduates during the ceremony at the Mobile Civic Center.
Receiving the H. Austill Pharr Award, the highest honor given by the university, was Nicholas J. “Nick” Lynch of Arab. The Pharr Award is presented each year by vote of the faculty to the graduating student who best exemplifies the characteristics of scholarship, citizenship and Christian character and service.
Lynch graduated with a double major, receiving a bachelor of arts in theology and in social sciences with secondary education certification. He was nominated for UM’s top award by faculty from both the school of education and the school of Christian studies.
School of Christian studies faculty praised Lynch as “a man of sterling integrity, stable and a self-starter who sees his work through to the end. He is kind and holds the confidence of his fellow students.”
School of education faculty said the 23-year-old is a role model for young people and “a truly remarkable man.”
Lynch was born with Craniofacial Syndrome, which includes deformities of facial features that also affect his eyesight and hearing. He made the President’s List every semester at UM, graduated summa cum laude with a 4.0 grade point average and is a member of four academic honor societies. He also received the Alumni Award and the Area Award in social science. He served as president of the university’s Ministerial Association, participated in Campus Ministry retreat teams and preached at Baptist churches in south Alabama during UM Days.
Currently part-time college and youth pastor at Crawford Baptist Church, Mobile, Lynch said he is considering entering seminary in the fall. The education degree offers him options for bivocational ministry in the future, he said.
Lynch said he uses his differences as a motivational tool to succeed. “I’m not supposed to be able to do this,” he said. “That’s what the world tells me. I use it as a motivating factor, that with God’s help, I can do this. I can overcome this.”
He said his biggest challenge is communicating. “I look different. I sound different. The fear of communication, of speaking to people, of them getting used to my voice and how I speak — God is pulling me out of my comfort zone and placing me in a position where I have to overcome that,” he said. (UM)
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