The University of Mobile will honor more than 300 graduates during commencement Saturday (May 9), on the Dr. Fred and Sue Lackey Great Commission Lawn on campus. Guests are advised to arrive early as the ceremony will begin promptly at 9 a.m.
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Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, will deliver the commencement address. UM President Charles Smith will present several prestigious awards, including the Alumni of the Year to an outstanding alumnus of the Christian university and the Weaver Awards to the outstanding male and female graduates of the Class of 2026.
Commencement speaker
Lance has served as executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions since 1998. He leads the SBOM staff in assisting approximately 1 million Alabama Baptists in more than 3,200 churches with Great Commission ministries. Previously, he served as a pastor for 29 years, including 15 years at First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Lance recently announced his retirement effective Jan. 31, 2027.
He holds a bachelor of arts in religion and speech from Samford University, a master of divinity in biblical studies and pastoral ministries and a doctor of education in pastoral counseling and preaching, both from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He has been awarded a doctor of divinity from Judson College and a doctor of humane letters from Samford University.
Lance and his wife, Pam, are members of First Baptist Church Prattville. They have two daughters and four grandchildren.
Graduation details
For graduation details and to watch a live-stream of the ceremony, go to umobile.edu/graduation. Candidates for graduation should arrive by 7:30 a.m. at Martin Hall. Handicap parking will be available at Martin Hall with Bedsole Commons parking lot reserved as a drop-off zone.
Please watch for weather updates on official University of Mobile social media accounts and at umoble.edu/graduation. Notification of any changes to graduation due to inclement weather will be sent by UM Rave Alert.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Kathy Dean and originally published by the University of Mobile.
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