1st commencement ceremony as Lincoln Christian University
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[May 18, 2010]
On Saturday, Lincoln Christian
University conducted its first commencement ceremonies under its new
name. The Class of 2010 is the 65th graduating class from Lincoln
Christian. One hundred twenty-eight graduates participated in the 10
a.m. ceremony for the schools of Undergraduate Studies and Adult and
Graduate Studies. At 1 p.m., 57 graduate students participated in
the ceremony for the LCU Seminary.
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Dr. Gene Harker, an Illinois native and Lincoln Christian alumnus,
delivered the commencement address. Harker holds a Ph.D. in
counseling psychology and a medical degree from the University of
Illinois and currently holds a faculty position at the Indiana
University School of Medicine. Speaking on "Love Never Fails,"
Harker's address compared life in Lincoln when he was a student in
the '70s to the life that awaits 2010 graduates. In summarizing his
thoughts, Harker said, "I applaud you for your investment in
education, for it will determine your future. … When you serve, you
are blessed."President Keith Ray added, "Do what we trained you
to do. Live your mission."
In addition to the new name, there were several other significant
events to recognize.
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The Seminary graduated its first five students to earn Doctor of
Ministry degrees: Joseph D. Harvey of Longmont, Colo.; Kari
MacKenzie of Brownsburg, Ind.; Michael MacKenzie of Beach Point,
Prince Edward Island, Canada; Ezekiel Mbwilo of Dodoma, Tanzania;
and Lana West of Jacksonville.
Each master's graduate of the Seminary received a towel after
receiving his or her diploma and hood and descending from the
platform. The "giving of the towel" is unique to Lincoln Christian
University graduates. The practice began 20 years ago at the
initiation of Dr. Wayne Shaw, dean emeritus. According to Shaw,
"This towel signifies that when our students graduate, it is not for
arrogance, honor or prestige, but so that they might go out and wash
the feet of the world. That is what we are about." The five
graduates who received their Doctor of Ministry also received a
basin after receiving their diploma and hood. The "giving of the
basin" reinforces the symbolism behind the "giving of the towel."
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Among LCU's Seminary graduates were two native Haitians. Evens
Sanon and Alein Telcine were both finishing up their final semester
of Seminary when they heard the news of the earthquake that hit
their home country in January. Both plan to return to Haiti in the
near future.
Special guests included 11 of the 24 living members of the LBI
Class of 1960 who celebrated their 50th anniversary reunion this
weekend. The family of S. Edward Tesh was recognized by the
President's Distinguished Service Award in his honor.
Lincoln Christian University changed its name from Lincoln
Christian College and Seminary in September 2009. LCU is accredited
by the Higher Learning Commission,
a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and
Schools; the Commission on Accreditation of the
Association for Biblical Higher
Education; and the Association of
Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. The
university's three schools -- the Seminary, the School of
Undergraduate Studies, and the School of Adult and Graduate Studies
-- share a mission to nurture and equip Christians with a biblical
worldview to serve and lead in the church and the world.
[Text from file received from
Lincoln Christian University]
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