Lincoln Christian University commissions 195 grads to “Live your mission!”

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[May 22, 2015]  LINCOLN - On Saturday, May 16, 2015, Lincoln Christian University’s Earl C. Hargrove Chapel was filled with friends and family of graduates for the 70th annual Commencement Ceremonies. At the 10:00 a.m. ceremony 124 undergraduate degrees were conferred and at 1:00 p.m. 71 graduate degrees were conferred.

Each commencement began with a time of worship and celebration.

Recently inaugurated President Dr. Don Green welcomed everyone by noting this year’s celebration of the school's 70th year of service. After welcoming the 50 year alumni from the class of 1965, and all family members, siblings, spouses, and friends of the graduates, President Green congratulated the class of 2015, calling them “one in two million.”

Dr. Green began quoting from a recent New York Times article by Mark Bauerlein, “What’s the point of a professor?” Green stated, “In the coming weeks, two million Americans will earn a bachelor’s degree and either join the work force or head to graduate school. They will be joyous that day, and they will remember fondly the school’s they attended. But as this unique chapter of life closes and they reflect on campus events, one primary part of higher education will fall low on the ladder of meaningful contacts: the professors.” President Green said that LCU’s professors touch their students’ lives, and he then told the students “you are equipped for the future.”

President Green alluded to another article that noted many college educated people have learned to be sheep, be a student, jump through hoops, and take tests and [students] are often adrift in how to creatively and critically think. He said that [professors at] LCU teach students “how to think” not “what to think” and leave them with values for life.

Introducing keynote speaker Eddie Lowen, Lead Minister of West Side Christian Church in Springfield, Illinois, Green referenced Lowen’s long and effective ministry as a servant leader who sees beyond his congregation and is a friend to LCU. As the program noted, “It is timely for Mr. Lowen from this treasured partner church, to deliver the commencement address as we conclude our 70th anniversary year. It was Mr. Ernest Laughlin, LCU board member from 1946-1963 and senior minister of West Side Christian Church, who delivered the first commencement address at Lincoln Christian.”

Green noted that the West Side Church has given nearly three quarters of a million dollars to the school over the years and “has sent more than 100 students to LCU to prepare for Christian service.”

Lowen began his message by recalling that during a recent trip to India his daughter texted this -- that some of her schoolmates were also in India, and one of the students there died. He declared that death clarifies everything. At that point, all that mattered was whether she believed that Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

Lowen noted that it was a heavy way to start a message, but stated that this is not a destination, but an intersection or checkpoint. He wanted the graduates to walk away with three words: “Listen to Him.”

For his scripture reference, Lowen used Matthew 17, where Jesus took Peter, James, and John up to the mountain—an experience that would help Peter experience the truth about Jesus.

Lowen noted that in Matthew 16, Jesus had asked Peter, “Who do people say that I am?” and Peter answered well.

Asking the questions, “what is your conviction about his identity” and “do you grasp what it means,” Lowen recalled that on his wedding day, he did not realize how marriage would transform him and that mothers do not realize how children will transform them.

As Lowen discussed the passage in Matthew 17, he explained that after Peter, James, and John fell asleep, the three awoke to see Jesus “glowing” with clothes “whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them” and then watched Moses and Elijah appear and begin talking with Jesus.

Lowen said that Peter, not sure how to grasp the situation, offered to make shelters for Jesus, Elijah and Moses; observing that while some learn by listening, Peter learned by saying the wrong things. Lowen said he identifies with Peter and does not always grasp Jesus’ importance.

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For the parents of graduates, Lowen pointed out that if Jesus does not get the best of enthusiasm, “you’re missing who he is.” Lowen said that when Jesus was “transfigured,” (in the passage from Matthew), a voice from the clouds said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!"

Lowen declared “Now is the time for you to apply that understanding—Listen to Him.”

After Lowen noted that bad times often befell those who did not listen to God, he asked the graduates who know a lot about Jesus already, “Are you listening to Him?”

Lowen says he graduated with some who stopped listening and now they are at a point where they did not imagine themselves. As Lowen asserted, many voices tell us to trust ourselves and take pride in ourselves and many want us to listen, but Jesus says his sheep know his voice, and Lowen says to make sure that describes us. Lowen exhorted everyone that if exhausted by life and you can only listen to one voice, listen to Him, for someday when you die every other voice will be silent and your heart will break if you have listened to all the other voices.

Lowen concluded his message with a passage from Numbers 24:26, “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

After Lowen’s message, Dr. Silas McCormick, LCU interim Chief Academic Officer, and Dr. Shane Wood, Academic Dean of the School of Adult and Graduate Studies, conferred degrees to each graduate individually. President Green declared that the degrees are tools which will enable graduates to better serve Christ and his kingdom throughout the world. As they handed out diplomas, McCormick and Wood also mentioned each student’s plans and special awards or honors.

As graduates exited the stage, Lynn Laughlin, Special Assistant to the President and Associate Vice President of Alumni Services, presented graduates with an alumni pin, a first year membership card, and a letter from the Alumni Association.

As the school has done for several years due to space and time constraints, a 1:00 p.m. ceremony was held to confer degrees to graduates of the Hargrove School of Adult Graduate Studies and Lincoln Christian Seminary. After a brief time of congregational worship and a message from Eddie Lowen, those conferring degrees were Dr. Wood along with Dr. Trevor Cochell, Assistant Professor and Director of Bible and Theology Studies; Dr. Dinelle Frankland, Academic Dean, Lincoln Christian Seminary; and Dr. Robert Rea, Professor of Church History/Historical Theology.

Dr. Rochelle Scheuermann, Assistant Professor and Director of Intercultural Studies, presented the Hargrove School graduates bookmarks embossed with the LCU logo and the words “Live Your Mission” to “remind them that worshiping God is the heart of their education and living their mission in the world is the hands of it.”

After the graduate students descended the platform, Dr. Nolan Thomas, Associate Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Dr. Barney Wells, Associate Professor and Director of Doctor of Ministry Program, conducted the foot washing ceremony and each grad was presented a towel. This practice began over 20 years ago and, according to Wayne 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 message impressed on the graduates of LCU classes of 2015, was to go out into the world and “Live your mission!”

[Angela Reiners]

 

 

 

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