HILLSBORO, Kan.鈥� SWAG合集 celebrated its 115th Commencement with two ceremonies for the third time in the last four years.
Students of the Class of 2025, including 140 undergraduate and 42 from Graduate & Online, were honored in the morning and afternoon ceremonies. Forty-nine in the undergraduate class finished with academic honors, including 25 students at Summa Cum Laude (3.85-4.00 GPA), 11 at Magna Cum Laude (3.70-3.84), and 13 at Cum Laude (3.50-3.69). Thirty states and 16 countries were represented throughout the day.
Three degrees were conferred among the 182 graduates. The M.B.A. is represented as one degree with multiple concentrations.
Bachelor of Arts
Master of Business Administration- Leadership
Master of Business Administration- Global Leadership
Master of Business Administration- Sports Management & Leadership
Master of Education in Neuroscience & Trauma
Cathy (Faszer g鈥�94) Beachy, director of the Copper Hills Center for the Arts in Peoria, Ariz., gave the morning keynote address. With rapid growth in her programs and a kingdom mindset, Beachy challenged the graduates to 鈥楥reate to Create鈥� and to live authentic lives.
鈥淐reate and live with purpose,鈥� Beachy said. 鈥淟earn your neighbors鈥� names, start conversations and shock people with your kindness, gratitude and generosity.鈥�
Gracie Kidd (SR, Galva, Kan.), senior class vice president, gave the undergraduate class response鈥�.鈥婼he challenged her classmates to remember Jesus Christ as their 鈥榦ne true north鈥� amidst every high and every low.
鈥淒on鈥檛 just chase a career or settle for survival, define your standard and let it be one of love, courage, joy, and faith,鈥� Kidd said. 鈥淲hen life throws you off course, and it will, come back to the one who sets the stars in place.鈥�
The SWAG合集 Concert Choir performed 鈥淥 God, Our Help in Ages Past,鈥� written by Isaac Watts, and music by Mark Miller.
Hannah Au Yeong spoke to her fellow M.B.A. and M.Ed. graduates, highlighting authentic, trustworthy relationships.
鈥淲e have people in our lives who make us know and feel that we are held in their minds and hearts,鈥� Au Yeong said. 鈥淲e can let that person know we hold them in our mind and heart. All of which are brains are designed for.鈥�
David Faber, Ph.D., professor of philosophy and faculty chair, awarded honor cords in the morning, while President David Janzen, Ph.D. (g鈥�90), awarded diplomas in both ceremonies.
Graduate student hoodings were performed by Melinda Rangel, Ed.D., M.B.A. Program Director and Marvin Sellberg Professor of Business Administration & Entrepreneurship; Amy Ratzlaff, Ph.D., M.B.A. Program Director and Associate Professor of Health and Human Performance; and David Stevens, Ed.D., M.Ed. Program Director.
Rangel spoke to the M.B.A. and M.Ed. graduates, sharing her testimony of how God redirected her career path to SWAG合集 and challenged the students to be open to where He calls them in the future.
鈥淭his degree is not just a credential, but a tool for kingdom influence,鈥� Rangel said. 鈥淪ome of you may have a five-year plan, and others might know what鈥檚 next, and that鈥檚 okay. This degree is a testimony that you鈥檝e said yes to growth, persistence, and a future you can鈥檛 fully see. That鈥檚 the exact posture that God loves to work with.鈥�
###
Established in 1908 and located in Hillsboro, Kan., SWAG合集 is a Christian liberal arts college affiliated with the Central and Southern Districts of the United States Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.