Andrew College’s Commencement festivities began on Saturday, May 4 with a traditional Baccalaureate program. Held at the Cuthbert United Methodist Church, Elder Larry D. Murphy, pastor of Cuthbert’s True Light Seventh Day Church delivered the keynote message.

Elder Murphy’s message focused on the light of God, beginning with Creation and ending with the Sermon on the Mount. He told graduating students that “God created you for a purpose—to reflect the light He placed in you.” He said that students would be faced with all kinds of challenges throughout their lives, but that “if you’ve been seasoned by God, you can pop back up when you’re down.” Elder Murphy ended his enlightening message by saying, “Graduates, stand up and let your light shine.” 

Graduates then came together for Commencement in the afternoon in the Jinks Physical Education Complex. An overflowing crowd of approximately 800 gathered to watch 80 graduates receive their Associate of Arts, Associate Degree in Nursing or Associate of Science degrees in a ceremony marked by pomp and circumstance peppered with congratulatory cheers, whistling and clapping.

Robin Rau, CEO of the Hospital Authority of Miller County, gave the Commencement address. She spoke about life’s journeys and where they might lead one. “Every decision you make helps to form who you are and who you shall become,” Rau commented. She implored students that no matter how difficult the road traveled may be for them, that they remember that someone is nudging them along the way and that at the end of their path, they would come to realize the meaning of their life.

Special awards were given at Commencement. Andrew College Class of 2002 graduate Phillip Latimer, assistant professor of biology, received the United Methodist Church Exemplary Teacher Award. The Andy Award for Scholarship, which recognizes a variety of student achievements both on and off campus, was given to Megan Carlson of Jefferson, GA. Megan graduated with a GPA of 4.0

Especially notable about this year’s graduation, was the awarding of the Associate Degree in Nursing. The nursing program, started two years ago, graduated its first class of nursing students. Twenty-seven students received their diplomas. A nurse pinning ceremony attended by over 400 students, their families and friends, was held on the evening of Friday, May 3.