Bryan College December Commencement
New graduates of the School of Adult and Graduate Studies (AGS) and the School of Arts and Sciences celebrated as Bryan College conferred 100 degrees on them, with 12 candidates for the Master of Business Administration degree; two for the Master of Arts degree; eight for the Master of Education degree; 76 for Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Business Administration degrees; and two for the Associate of Science degree. In addition, 18 August graduates walked that night.
During the service Dr. Vaughn Cardona led the audience and graduates in singing “Joy to the World” and Mrs. Kim Keck sang “May the Road Rise Up.” Afterward, commencement speaker Chief Master Sergeant Mark A. Harris (senior enlisted leader for the Tennessee National Guard) spoke to the graduates. CMSgt Harris shared his testimony, a life story of God’s provision, comfort, and healing. He began, “I’d like to say how much I deeply respect and appreciate Bryan College as an institution of higher learning, for providing our community with a Christian worldview education. The mission statement of educating students to become servants of Christ to make a difference in today’s world sets the tone and expectation and standards – not only for the faculty, but also for the students and community.”
CMSgt Harris went on to applaud the Class of 2017 for their perseverance and their ability to overcome life’s obstacles. “Thank you for keeping the course as you accomplished this degree of higher education! I also would push you to not stop now,” he said. “Never stop trying to produce and develop your professional skill sets, your educational background, and your leadership skills. Never stop.” He then pointed out that believers never “graduate” from serving the Lord, then challenged the graduates to go out with the goal of reaching others for Christ.
Bryan College President Stephen D. Livesay remarked, “The fear of the Lord, the Scripture says, is the beginning of wisdom. My congratulations to you! I pray God’s best for you in the days to come.”