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Board of Trustees Chair, Susan Hoblit warmly welcomed
parents and friends of the graduates.
Lincoln College's 22nd President, Dr. David M. Gerlach proudly
greeted all and moved on to give recognition to the college
board of trustees and to teaching faculty.
A number of trustees
and trustee emeriti were present and recognized on stage.
Graduation is a
satisfying day for teachers too.
Following an opening prayer by Rev. Laurie Hill,
President Gerlach introduced student speaker Brighton Robbins.
Robbins graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor's
of Science in Criminal Justice.
Robbins held the distinct honor of being chosen as a Lincoln Academy
Student Laureate representing Lincoln College. She was a member of
Phi Theta Kappa honor society, an NJCAA Academic All American for
two years in volleyball and in softball, a student mentor and worked
in the financial aid office.
She was raised in Lincoln and is the daughter of Mike and Theresa
Robbins.
Robbins began by thanking the college faculty, staff, coaches and
administration for the memories that all students take forward.
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She said that despite growing up in Lincoln, she did not know a lot about
Lincoln College, but after her first visit to the campus decided to do both her
associates and bachelor degrees at LC.
Sounding a bit surprised by her decision to attend Lincoln College, she said,
"Life is funny, sometimes the best option for you is sitting right under your
nose." She said it was on her first visit that she fell in love with the campus,
faculty and staff at the college.
During her time on campus Robbins said she learned not only from classes, but
from friends, classmates, faculty and staff, all of who taught her much in
academia and in life. And, an intro to criminal justice class led her to know
her career path in life.
On this day, Lincoln College President Gerlach would also confer two special
individuals, John Blackburn and Lawrence Thomas, with honorary doctorates.
President Gerlach said, "In recognition of its name and charged status as a
university, Lincoln College awards honorary degrees to individuals whose
accomplishments and character might have been admired by Mr. Lincoln himself.
Details of these two honorees and their speeches are listed separate below this
article.
As an interlude, the Lincoln College Chorale with Peter Miller on music, Brian
Kolosvary and Kyle Plohr as soloists, performed Homeward Bound; which was
followed by a rousing rendition of 'Oh Happy Day" performed by LC Gospel Choir
and Quentin Brackenridge.
Lincoln College Chorale and Quentin Brackenridge performance "Oh happy day!"
brought the crowd alive with some youngsters dancing in the isles and all others
tapping and swaying with joy.
The main event followed, when degrees were conferred on students.
Following singing the Lincoln College Alma Mater, Reverend Laurie Hill closed
with prayer for the graduates and their families.
[Jan Youngquist] |
