Samford graduates told to seek integrity

Samford University seniors were urged to do their part to help society’s growing need for integrity and to see life clearly during a weekend of graduation activity May 20 and 21.
   
Donald E. Powell, chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and a lifelong Baptist, advised the seniors to understand whatever culture they will enter after they leave Samford. “Flee from a culture of greed,” he said during commencement exercises at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex Arena May 21.  
   
“Look for values of selflessness. We need men and women of integrity,” said Powell, who has led the federal agency that insures bank deposits in America since 2001.
   
His audience included 639 seniors. Another 158 graduated from Samford’s Cumberland School of Law later in the day.
   
At baccalaureate services May 20, Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Drayton Nabers Jr., advised seniors that in order to see life clearly, they need to see reality clearly.
   
To achieve that, he said, “You depend on God, and you also depend on others.” Showing humility, he noted, is vital to seeing life clearly. 
   
“Those who are humble can please God and still be successful. The epitomy of humility was Jesus Christ,” said Nabers, a Yale law school graduate appointed to his post by Gov. Bob Riley in 2004.
   
Nabers also advised the graduates to always have thoughts of gratitude.
   
“You are a chosen generation,” he said, pointing out that they live in a “blessed land” with economic abundance that they did not work for, religious freedom that was given to them and redemption that was given by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
   
Adrienne Caples Watkins of Clay received the President’s Cup for the highest academic average.
   
Ashley Leighanne Floyd of Bowling Green, Ky., formerly of Hartselle, received the Velma Wright Irons Award for the second highest average.
   
Joel S. Davis of Marietta, Ga., and Megan A. Gladden of Hokes Bluff were named co-winners of the John C. Pittman Spirit Award. 
   
The award, named for the longtime Samford trustee, recognizes a graduating senior who most completely exhibits a serious commitment to being a student, a devout commitment to Christ, a regard for one’s body and an involvement in student life.
   
Seven faculty members participated in their final commencement. Retiring this year are: Marion Baur, nursing; Albert Brewer, law; W. James Ellison, law; Lynn Fetherston, library; Thomas Hines, world languages and cultures; David Langum, law; and Marlene Reed, business.
   
Graduates included religion major Jason Haynes of Tallassee, who will continue his studies this fall at Princeton Theological Seminary. 
   
Haynes received a full financial-aid package to pursue a master of divinity degree at the prestigious New Jersey school.
   
This year’s winner of the Samford religion department’s Biblical Languages Award as the best overall student, Haynes is fluent in Greek and Hebrew and has also studied Latin. He hopes to pursue a career in pastoral ministry and eventually earn a doctorate and teach.
   
He and his wife, Miranda Holley Haynes, who received a bachelor of music degree, are members of Elam Baptist Church. (SU)