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With the reduction of students receiving their
education on campus these last two years, the traditional format of
a morning ceremony for undergraduates and an afternoon seminary
commencement changed to a single ceremony for all class of 2024
graduates. Eighty students were awarded degrees Saturday with many
others graduating in absentia.
LCU alumna Linda Storm performed an organ prelude. “Holy is He” was
performed as the processional with Storm on the organ and Professor
Emeritus of Worship Ministry Jeffrey Colleen on the piano.
The congregational hymn, "Holy, Holy, Holy" was led
by Dr. Darin Akin, Adjunct Professor of Worship Ministry followed by
an invocation given by Janet Shaw, Professor Emeritus of English and
Interdisciplinary Studies.
LCU President Dr. Silas McCormick warmly welcomed
everyone to the graduation ceremony and said May 4 marked the 80th
anniversary of the day the school was established. Dr. McCormick
said that we are here to have a tremendous send off, and is not to
be taken lightly.
The 2024 President’s Distinguished Service Awards were given to Dr.
Brian Messner, LCU Vice President of Academics and Professor of
History and Dr. Teresa Roberts, Vice President of Institutional
Research and Effectiveness and Professor of Ministry and Christian
Formation at Ozark Christian College. Dr. McCormick said both have
assisted in the school’s transition.
This year, Dr. Messner has worked tirelessly on behalf of the LCU
community by addressing the transfer and graduation acceleration
needs of the students. He helped fulfill the school’s obligations to
state, federal and accrediting bodies while devoting considerable
attention to the emotional and spiritual well-being of the students,
faculty and staff during a time of great adversity. Dr. Messner
lives the loyalty, faithfulness and care of a servant leader.
Dr. Roberts has led the efforts of Ozark Christian
College to secure necessary approvals for the continuation of
Lincoln Christian Seminary as Lincoln Seminary at Ozark Christian
College. Dr. Roberts’ work has been marked by selfless perseverance
in helping others. It has also ensured and expanded access to
Restoration Movement graduate theological education, providing a
pathway forward for [LCU’s] non-graduating seminary students, while
helping establish a living legacy for Lincoln Christian Seminary.
Dr. McCormick then introduced speakers Ellie Koranek, an LCU
graduate who was receiving her Master of Divinity and Dr. Mark
Scott, Lead Minister at Park Plaza Christian Church.
Over the past two years, Dr. McCormick said Koranek has led the
small but incredibly faithful band of local students around campus
who have conducted weekly worship gatherings. Dr. McCormick said
this group has made the season of LCU far better than he could have
hoped for because of their deep care for each other and for us (the
faculty and staff).
LCU graduate Dr. Mark Scott has served at Park Plaza Christian
Church since 2021 and has ministered in various churches in Iowa,
Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado since 1972.
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In addition to his ministry in churches, Dr. Scott
has served in higher education for over 40 years. He taught
Preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College in Joplin,
Missouri from 1983 until 2011 and served as the college’s Academic
Dean. Dr. Scott next pursued a ministry position at Mountainview
Christian Church in Highlands Ranch Colorado from 2011 until 2014.
From 2014 until 2021, Dr. Scott returned to Ozark to serve as
Professor of Preaching and New Testament. Dr. Scott also did adjunct
teaching at LCU for several years.
Dr. Scott graduated from Ozark
Christian College in 1976 then earned a Master of Divinity degree
from Lincoln Christian Seminary in 1983 and Doctor of Ministry
degree from Denver Seminary in 2006.
Besides writing for several publications and having a regular column
in the Christian Standard, Dr. Scott has also contributed chapters
to numerous books and written several books. His most recent book is
Letting the Text Win, which he co-authored with Dr. J.K. Jones.
In concluding his remarks, Dr. McCormick reminded
everyone that in Jesus’ earthly ministry, he did not create a
Rabbinical school. Jesus did not even write anything down unless it
was in the dirt, which has long since blown away.
Even so, Dr. McCormick said institutions are terribly important. He
and others worked very hard the past seven months to steward LCU’s
institutional legacy by working to pass along the seminary to Ozark,
passing on portions of the library to Abilene University and
Taviriski Christian Institute and managing to keep a small part of
LCU continuing as Lincoln Christian Institute.
However, Dr. McCormick said none of those things can ever compare to
the legacy that lives in you [the graduates and alumni]. In part,
Dr. McCormick is here today because a family in turmoil found hope
and calm in a church led by an LCU graduate. That story or one like
it can be found all over the globe today and will remain true long
after the institution is gone.
What Dr. McCormick wanted everyone to remember is that adversity is
not an accident, not necessarily the result of poor planning or bad
luck or mistakes. Adversity is a guaranteed part of life, a
guaranteed part of a professional career and a guaranteed part of
ministry.
As the Apostle Paul once said, adversity and suffering make us look
like Jesus and is part of the reason we have authority to speak
about who Jesus is.
When it feels like adversity has cost you more than you can bear to
pay, Dr. McCormick said to remember making disciples starts with us.
That is all the legacy we will ever need.
Following Dr. Scott’s address, joyful students filed
across the stage receiving their diplomas and warm congratulations
for the leadership of Lincoln Christian University.
Once the graduation ceremony ended, graduates celebrated with family
and friends as many gathered both inside and outside the chapel for
family pictures as well as hugs from family, friends, and fellow
students.
Though this was the final graduation ceremony at LCU, the legacy of
the school will continue for years to come.
[Angela Reiners]
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