Commencement Spring 2022 — Ceremony A
[MUSIC] >> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WELCOME TO BIOLA'S SPRING 2022 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY. PLEASE JOIN US IN WELCOMING OUR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS AND THE BIOLA BOARD OF TRUSTEES. [MUSIC] >> PLEASE WELCOME THE FACULTY OF BIOLA UNIVERSITY. [Applause] >> AND NOW PLEASE WELCOME YOUR BIOLA UNIVERSITY GRADUATING CLASS OF 2022! [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] >> LET ME JUST CAPTURE THIS REAL QUICK, GRADUATES, ZOOM IT IN A LITTLE BIT, ALL THE WAY THERE, COME ON! [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] INSTAGRAM! LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE CLASS OF 2022! [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] I WANT TO WELCOME YOU ALL TO OUR BIOLA UNIVERSITY LONG-AWAITED SPRING 2022 COMMENTMENT EXERCISES AND GRADUATES, YOU MAY BE SEATED, AND IT IS ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES I WELCOME ALL OF YOU IN THE NAME OF THE LORD. WE'RE HONORED THAT YOU HAVE JOINED US FOR THIS COMMENCEMENT SERVICE.
AND CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2022. YOU ARE THE FIRST GRADUATING CLASS IN THREE YEARS TO HAVE AN UNMASKED FULLY NORMAL CEREMONY, THANKS BE TO GOD! [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] AND YOU WORKED HARD TO MAKE IT TO TODAY. AND I THANK GOD FOR BRINGING YOU TO BIOLA AND I THANK GOD THAT YOU'RE LEAVING! [ LAUGHTER ] AND YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. IT'S TIME. AND I DO WISH YOU GREAT SUCCESS AS YOU RECEIVE YOUR RESPECTIVE DEGREES TODAY. GRADUATES, YOU'VE MADE US PROUD.
EACH OF YOU HAS A STORY TO TELL AND A LIFETIME TO LIVE OUT THE UNIQUE WAY THAT GOD WILL USE YOU AS A FAITHFUL PRESENCE IN THIS WORLD. YOU'VE BEEN STRENGTHENED IN MIND AND CHARACTER THROUGH YOUR ACADEMIC CURRICULAR, CO-CURRICULAR EDUCATION AT BIOLA AND WE'VE BEEN STRENGTHENED BECAUSE OF YOU, WE REALLY HAVE AND I REPRESENT A REALLY GRATEFUL COMMUNITY THAT'S INVESTED IN YOU OVER THESE PAST FEW YEARS AND WE PRAY THAT YOUR EDUCATION FOR MANY OF YOU THROUGH YOUR TERMINAL DEGREES HERE, THAT IT'S RICH AND TIMELESS IN THE VALUES OF GOD'S TRUTH AND HE'S PREPARED YOU FOR YOUR FIELD OF INFLUENCE. EARLIER THIS WEEK, I WALKED THE CHAIRS WHERE YOU'RE SITTING AND KIND OF PUT MY HAND ON EVERY ONE OF THEM, NOT IN ANY KIND OF HOCUS POCUS WAY, BUT I PRAYED OVER THE CHAIRS AND PRAYED OVER YOU TO BE FILLED WITH CHRIST'S LOVE AND IMPACT THE WORLD FOR HIM AND MAY GOD GIVE YOU WISDOM AND FAVOR AND JOY THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE COME WHAT MAY.
AND MANY, MANY HAVE BEEN PREPARING FOR YOU AT BIOLA, AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO STOP. SO AS WE CELEBRATE THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF OUR GRADUATES TODAY, I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO CELEBRATE SOME OF YOU WHO HELPED MAKE THIS HAPPEN. LET ME ASK FIRST OF ALL ARE THERE ANY PARENTS HERE? MOMS OR DADS, STAND UP, BECAUSE THESE GRADUATES WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO YOU. WHERE ARE YOU? STAND UP! [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] THANK YOU, PARENTS. HOW ABOUT SIBLINGS? ANY SIBLINGS ON THE LAWN? STAND UP! THERE WE GO. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] THE BROS AND THE SISTERS.
GRANDPARENTS, ARE YOU OUT THERE? STAND UP IF YOU'RE ABLE TO AS WELL. YOU ALL LOOK SO YOUNG, WOW, LOOK AT THAT. [Applause] AND MAYBE EVEN SPOUSES AND CHILDREN OF OUR GRADUATES, WHERE ARE YOU? [Applause] AND FOR THOSE OF YOU BEHIND THESE GRADUATES WHO ARE HERE AS OUR GUESTS, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE WERE MANY SACRIFICES THAT YOU MADE TO BRING THEM TO THIS GRADUATION DAY AND PARENTS AND FAMILIES, YOU'VE ENTRUSTED THESE STUDENTS TO US. AND MAY TODAY AND THE YEARS TO COME AFFIRM FOR YOU THROUGH THEIR LIVES THE TRUE WORTH OF A BIOLA EDUCATION AND WE HONOR YOU TODAY CELEBRATING WITH US. IF YOU'RE GRADUATING TONIGHT AS A FIRST GENERATION IN YOUR FAMILY TO RECEIVE A COLLEGE DEGREE, PLEASE STAND.
WHERE ARE THE FIRST GEN STUDENTS? STAND UP. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] WAY TO GO FIRST GEN STUDENTS. HOW ABOUT OUR GLOBAL STUDENTS? WHERE ARE YOU? STAND UP, GLOBAL STUDENTS. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] REPRESENTING SO MANY COUNTRIES, CONGRATULATIONS AS WELL. WE MAY HAVE SOME GRADUATING STUDENTS WHO SERVE OR HAVE SERVED IN OUR NATION'S ARMED FORCES. THEY'RE WEARING A BRAIDED RED WHITE AND BLUE CORD TO SIGNIFY THEIR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY.
THOSE AMONG YOU WHO ARE VETERANS OR IN ACTIVE SERVICE IN THE RESERVE OR ANYONE HERE TODAY WHO IS IN THE AUDIENCE WHO HAS SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES, PLEASE STAND UP SO WE CAN THANK YOU AS WELL. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] AND WE CERTAINLY THANK GOD FOR THE BRILLIANT AND DEDICATED FACULTY IN EACH OF OUR NINE SCHOOLS WHO AT THE HEART AND SOUL OF THIS INSTITUTION. STUDENTS YOUR KNOW THEM. THESE ARE THE PROFESSORS WHO INVESTED IN YOUR LIFE, WHO GOT TO KNOW YOU BY NAME, WHO INVESTED IN YOU, YOU CHALLENGED YOU, PROVOKED YOU, LOVED YOU, PRAYED OVER YOU. THESE ARE SCHOLARS AND MENTORS AND TEACHERS AND PRACTITIONERS.
THESE ARE THE PRE-EMINENT FACULTY OF BIOLA UNIVERSITY AND I THINK YOU NEED TO STAND, FACULTY, SO THESE STUDENTS CAN SAY THANK YOU TO YOU. FACULTY MEMBERS, PLEASE STAND. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] WE HAVE TODAY IN THE AUDIENCE AND ON THE STAGE BIOLA UNIVERSITY THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY TRUSTEES, ADMINISTRATORS AND STAFF. IT'S A TESTIMONY TO THE FAITHFUL AND GOOD AND GODLY LEADERSHIP THAT YOU GIVE, SO THANK YOU, MY COLLEAGUES.
I'D LIKE TO THANK OUR AMAZING EVENT STAFF. THIS WAS A HERCULEAN TASK TO TRANSFORM THIS LAWN INTO A COMMENCEMENT ARENA SO RAIN OR SHINE, AND THERE'S A LOT MORE SHINE THAN RAIN HERE IN CALIFORNIA. THIS DEDICATED TEAM HAS WORKED INTO HARD, SO LET'S EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION FOR THE BIOLA FACILITIES GROUNDS VIDEO PRODUCTION, CAMPUS SAFETY, AND OTHERS WHO MADE THIS POSSIBLE. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] AND I'M SO HONORED TO SERVE AMONG THIS INCREDIBLE TEAM OF FACULTY AND STAFF, THIS TALENTED COMMUNITY, AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO A LITTLE BIT OF A PAUSE AT THE END OF THE SEMESTER.
TONIGHT WE ALSO WELCOME A VERY SPECIAL BIOLA ALUMNA. Dr. PHYLLIS PRINGLE. SHE FINISHED HER UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE 63 YEARS AGO. THE YEAR WAS 1959.
BIOLA HAD JUST COMPLETED ITS MOVE FROM DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES TO THIS LA MIRADA CAMPUS. THE ONLY BILL WAS BUILDING WAS D HALL. THE REST WAS SKETCHY GRASS AND A LOT OF DIRT AND PHYLLIS TOLD ME A LITTLE WHILE AGO HOW DISAPPOINTED SHE WAS, BECAUSE INSTEAD OF WALKING DOWN THE AISLE OF THE BEAUTIFUL 4,000-SEAT CHURCH OF THE OPEN DOOR IN ALL OF ITS REGAL SPLENDOUR, SHE WALKED ON THE GRASS AND THE DIRT OF THIS LAWN. AND SO SHE WAS PART OF THAT HISTORIC BUILDING ON SIXTH AND HOPE STREET AND INSTEAD OF THAT, SHE GRADUATED ON AN UNDEVELOPED FIELD, WHICH IS NOW QUITE DEVELOPED.
WELL, PHYLLIS, LOOK AROUND YOU TODAY. WITH A FULLY BUILT OUT BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS, STATE OF THE STATE-OF-TT FACILITIES, AND Dr. PRINGLE WAS THE FIRST IN HER FAMILY TO GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE, SO FIRST GEN STUDENT, YOU CAN RELATE. SHE WENT ON TO HAVE A GREAT CAREER IN EDUCATION COMPLETING HER PhD. Dr. PHYLLIS, WELCOME HOME TO
BIOLA UNIVERSITY. I'VE INVITED HER TO REDO HER GRADUATION TO MAKE IT MORE MEMORABLE THAN IN 1959 AND I WASN'T EVEN BORN THEN, SO Dr. PHYLLIS, NOT Dr. PHIL, PLEASE STAND SO WE CAN RECOGNIZE YOU ONSTAGE WITH YOUR FRIEND DANITA WHEELER. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] >> Dr. PRINGLE, WE LOVE YOU
AND WE'RE SO GLAD YOU'RE HERE. THIS PAST YEAR HAS GIVEN A LOT OF REASONS TO BE THANKFUL AT BIOLA. COVID IS OVER, I THINK? I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SAY THAT, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN, WE'RE NOT WEARING MASKS. BY AND LARGE.
SOME OF US ARE AND I'M NOT SAYING ANY COMMENTARY THERE, SO YEAH. BUT JUST THE INTELLECTUAL, THE SPIRITUAL, THE COMPASSION ATHLETIC VOCATIONAL ENDEAVORS ACROSS THE DISCIPLINES EXEMPLIFIED IN OUTSTANDING GRADUATES LIKE YOU CONTINUING TO REFLECT THE 114-YEAR TRADITION OF A BIBLICALLY CENTERED EXIST EXALTING ACADEMICALLY ROBUST EDUCATION WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT OUR BEST YEARS ARE YET TO COME AS ARE YOURS. AND THIS WAS A YEAR THAT BEGAN WITH THE OPENING OF OUR REFURBISHED BARDWELL HALL AS A STUNNING NEW HOME FOR OUR VISUAL ARTS IN THE CENTER OF CAMPUS. IT WAS A YEAR WHEN WE WERE DELIGHTED AND CHALLENGED THROUGH THE CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS AND MEDIA HIGHLIGHTING EXCELLENCE IN PERFORMANCES OF MANY KINDS FOR THE GLORY OF GOD. OUR SCHOOL OF CINEMA AND MEDIA ARTS IS RANKED NOW AS OF THIS PAST WEEK IN THE TOP 30 FILM SCHOOLS IN NORTH AMERICA BY VARIETY AND WE'RE RAISING FUNDS FOR A NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART BUILDING THAT WE HOPE TO CONSTRUCT IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS, MEN'S AND WOMEN'S WATER POLO, NEW TEAMS FOR US EARNED POST-SEASON VICTORIES IN THEIR FIRST YEAR OF COMPETITION WITH MULTI-ALL AMERICAN HONORS. PacWest CHAMPIONSHIP FOR WOMEN'S GOLF, THEIR FIRST. MEN'S SOCCER, CROSS-COUNTRY, TENNIS, AND SEVERAL STUDENTS FROM SWIM AND DIVE AL QUALIFIED FOR NCAA POST-SEASON PLAY.
OUR STUDENT ATHLETES WERE ALSO GIVEN THE DISTINGUISHED PRESIDENT'S AWARD. NOT ME, NOT THAT KIND OF PRESIDENT. FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, LANDING BIOLA IN THE TOP FIVE PERFORMING ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS IN THE 300-PLUS SCHOOLS IN ALL OF NCAA DIVISION 2 AND THAT'S AN ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR SURE.
WE ALSO CELEBRATED OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE SCIENCES, EDUCATION, HUMANITIES, SOCIAL SCIENCES, CINEMA, MEDIA ARTS AND MORE AND FANNED THE FLAMES FOR THE CROSS-CULTURAL SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL GLOBALLY FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST. THIS YEAR ALSO BROUGHT MOMENTS OF CHALLENGE AND SADNESS, ESPECIALLY FOR OUR UKRAINIAN STUDENTS IN OUR TALBOT EXTENSION SITE IN KYIV, AFFECTED AND DISPLACED BY A VERY UNJUST WAR. AS WELL AS AN UNDERGRADUATE TENNIS PLAYER FROM UKRAINE HERE ON OUR CAMPUS THIS SEMESTER UNAWARE AT TIMES OF THE WELL-BEING OF HIS FAMILY. LET'S PAUSE FOR A MOMENT TO REFLECT IN PRAYER FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN UKRAINE.
NOW PLEASE JOIN ME IN STANDING FOR THE INVOCATION LED BY Dr. JANE KIM AND REMAIN STANDING FOR THE CONGREGATIONAL HYMN LED BY Dr. SHAWNA STEWART. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] >> PLEASE PRAY WITH ME.
O LORD OUR GOD, YOU ARE VERY GREAT. YOU SET THE EARTH ON ITS FOUNDATIONS. YOU STRETCH OUT THE HEAVENS. YOU CALL FORTH THE STARS BY NAME. WHO IS THERE LIKE YOU AND WHAT IS MAN THAT YOU ARE MINDFUL OF HIM? AND YET YOU HAVE ALSO CALLED BY NAME THESE, OUR GRADUATES, WHOM WE HONOR THIS EVENING.
FROM BEFORE THE CREATION OF THE WORLD, YOU CHOSE THEM AND YOU HAVE KNOWN AND FORMED THEM. AND WE TRUST AND PRAY THAT DURING THEIR TIME AT BIOLA, YOU HAVE STRENGTHENED AND DEEPENED THEIR HEARTS, QUICKENED THEIR SOULS, AND RENEWED THEIR MINDS FOR LOVE OF YOU AND LOVE OF NEIGHBOR. WE GATHER TO TESTIFY TO YOUR GRACE THAT HAS BROUGHT THEM TO THIS MOMENT AND TO COMMISSION THEM FOR YOUR SERVICE. MAY THEY LIVE LIVES WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL AND CALLING THEY HAVE RECEIVED. BRINGING YOUR TRUTH, JUSTICE, LOVE, AND PEACE TO A HURTING WORLD AND MAY YOU GO BEFORE THEM AND MAKE THEIR PATHS STRAIGHT AS THEY TRUST IN YOU. DRAW NEAR AND HEAR THEM WHEN THEY CALL, SUSTAIN THEM BY YOUR LOVE AND GRANT THEM YOUR REST.
WE PRAY THIS IN THE NAME OF OUR SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. AMEN. YOU MAY BE SEATED. >> IF YOU WOULD KINDLY PLEASE STAND FOR THE SINGING OF THE COMMENCEMENT HYMN! IMMORTAL, INVISIBLE, YOU'LL FIND IT IN YOUR PROGRAMS AND THE LYRICS WILL ALSO BE ON THE SCREENS. [MUSIC] >> THANK YOU AND YOU MAY BE SEAT SEATED.
>> THANK YOU, Dr. STEWART. JUST A BRIEF COMMENT THAT I WANT TO MAKE ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE UNIVERSITY IN RECOGNITION OF Dr. DEBORAH TAYLOR, OUR RETIRING PROVOST AND SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT. AFTER 21 YEARS, A FAITHFUL SERVICE TO BIOLA UNIVERSITY AND SEVENS SEVEN AS MY COLLEAGUE AND THE FACULTIES OF PROVOST, Dr.
DEBORAH TAYLOR IS RETIRING FROM THE INSTITUTION WHERE SHE HAS SO CAPABLY LED FOR THESE MANY YEARS. AND WHERE SHE HAS PARTICULARLY LOVED YOU, OUR STUDENTS, AND YOU, OUR FACULTY. SO Dr. TAYLOR, I AM PROFOUNDLY GRATEFUL FOR YOU AND I REPRESENT A UNIVERSITY THAT LIKEWISE IS INDEBTED TO THE LOVE AND CARE AND WISDOM AND EXPERTISE AND DISCERNMENT AND KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU'VE BROUGHT TO THIS ROLE. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE JOIN ME IN THANKING Dr. DEBORAH TAYLOR.
PLEASE STAND SO WE CAN ACKNOWLEDGE YOU. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] >> AND NOW Dr. LUCIANO CID, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION, WELL LOVED BY OUR STUDENTS, WILL READ OUR SCRIPTURE SELECTION, SO PLEASE STAND FOR THE READING OF GOD'S WORD. >> OUR SCRIPTURE READINGS TONIGHT ARE FROM THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW AND THE FIRST EPISTLE OF JOHN. >> AS SOON AS JESUS WAS BAPTIZED, HE WENT UP OUT OF THE WATER. AT THAT MOMENT HEAVEN WS
OPENED, AND HE SAW THE SPIRIT F GOD DESCENDING LIKE A DOVE AND ALIGHTING ON HIM. AND A VOICE FROM HEAVEN SAID, THIS IS MY SON, WHOM I LOVE; WITH HIM I AM WELL PLEASED. DEAR FRIENDS, LET US LOVE ONE ANOTHER, FOR LOVE COMES FROM GOD. EVERYONE WHO LOVES HAS BEEN BORN OF GOD AND KNOWS GOD. WHOEVER DOES NOT LOE
DOES NOT KNOW GOD, BECAUSE GOD IS LOVE. THIS IS HOW GOD SHOWED HIS LOVE AMONG US: HE SENT HIS ONE AND ONLY SON INTO THE WORLD THAT WE MIGHT LIVE THROUGH HIM. THIS IS LOVE: NOT THAT WE LOVED GOD, BUT THAT HE LOVED US AND SENT HIS SON AS AN ATONING SACRIFICE FOR OUR SINS. DEAR FRIENDS, SINCE GOD SO LOVED US, WE ALSO OUGHT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER. NO ONE HAS EVER SEEN
GOD; BUT IF WE LOVE ONE ANOTHE, GOD LIVES IN US AND HIS LOVE IS MADE COMPLETE IN US. YOU MAY BE SEATED. AND NOW WOUD YOU PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING BACK TO THE PODIUM, OUR SPRING 2022 COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER, YOUR UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT, DR. BARRY COREY. YOU KNOW HIM AS D.B.C.!
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] >> LIKE THIS IS REALLY RARE FOR ME. I HAVEN'T SEE YOU AS MUCH AS I WANTED TO, YOU KNOW, THE LAST FEW YEARS, COVID, YOU KNOW. SO GETTING A LITTLE MORE COREY AIR TIME THIS COMMENCEMENT THAN NORMAL. SO IN 15 MINUTES, WE'RE GOING TO START CALLING YOUR NAMES AND GIVING YOU YOUR LONG AWAITED DIPLOMAS, BUT BEFORE WE DO, I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU, GRADUATES, THREE THOUGHTS THROUGH THREE POEMS. EVERYONE ELSE, YOU'RE WELCOME TO EAVESDROP, BUT GRADUATES, THIS IS FOR YOU. SO I GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE WITH ONE OF THOSE DEGREES THAT EVOKED THE OFT-ASKED QUESTION, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THAT MAJOR, AND I DIDN'T KNOW AND MY STORY AFTER GRADUATION WAS HARDLY LINEAR.
IT WAS MORE SERPENTINE, THIS WINDING THIS WAY AND THAT WAY AND FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, I WOUND MY WAY THROUGH MY 20S BEFORE THE ROAD BEGAN TO STRAIGHTEN. UP UNTIL I TURNED 30, I WAS IN AND OUT OF GRADUATE SCHOOL. I WORKED AT A FEW DELIS MAKING MINIMUM WAGE, TOOK A JOB TUTORING LOW-INCOME KIDS, SPENT A YEAR STUDYING IN BANGLADESH TRYING TO FIND MYSELF, I DID STINT WORK IN A SMALL COLLEGE IN PHILLY AND LIVED IN ABOUT EIGHT APARTMENTS. IN THE MID OF MY 20S WHILE WORKING ON A MASTERS DEGREE, I WAS IN A FUNK ABOUT ALL OF MY EDUCATION, BECAUSE I STILL FELT LIKE I WAS AT SEA VOCATIONALLY. SO I WROTE A POEM.
AND I DUG IT OUT FOR YOU TODAY. THIS IS A POEM CIRCA 1986. AND JUST BEAR WITH ME, BECAUSE I HAD TO EMPLOY A LITTLE POETIC LICENSE TO MAKE IT RHYME, SO IT'S NOT COMPLETELY LITERAL OR LITERARY, FOR THAT MATTER AND YOU'LL SEE THAT IN A MINUTE. AND IT GOES LIKE THIS: Ms. LUCAS TOLD ME IN SECOND
GRADE THAT IN TEN YEARS, I'D GRADUATE. I TURNED AND SAID TO MY FRIEND ROB, ALL THIS SCHOOL JUST TO GET A JOB? SIX YEARS LATER IN JUNIOR HIGH, YOU'RE A PRETTY GOOD GUY WHEN YOU GRADUATE FROM VALLEY TECH, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO FOR YOUR PAYCHECK? I THOUGHT HECK, THAT'S COMING UP IN A FEW YEARS. I'LL MAKE A DECISION BEFORE MY PEERS. I PRAYED AND THOUGHT A DOCTOR IS WHAT I'M GOING TO BE.
CHANGED MY MIND THE NEXT YEAR IN BIOLOGY. I LAST THE LOST THE CALLING WHEA C. 1980 CAME, THE BIG YEAR, GOT A CAP AND GOWN BUT NO CAREER. HELLO COLLEGE PUT THE JOB ON HOLD. FOUR MORE YEARS, I WON'T BE TOO OLD. HAD ART APPRECIATION WITH Dr.
GOEBEL, THOUGHT THAT WON'T PUT ANY FOOD ON THE TABLE, SO I MAJORED IN PSYCH STEAD OF LIT. BUT SIGMUND FREUD MAY HAVE BEEN ADEPT, BUT HE DIED IN DEBT AND I WOULD TOO AT THIS SLOW PACE, GOT A COLLEGE LOAN AND AN MUPPIE BRIEF CASE. I GOT THE B.A. WHICH I THINK I
LIKE, BUT WHAT DO YOU DO WITH A DEGREE IN PSYCH? NO JOB AND ALL THIS PRESSURE ON MY HEAD, SO I WENT TO GRADUATE SCHOOL INSTEAD. I HID TWO MORE YEARS BEHIND MY BOOKS. WHEN IT FINALLY COMES, MY THIRD CAP AND GOWN, WHAT FOR THE JOB IS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND? I'LL PROBABLY TRASH MY DIPLOMA, FORGET THE M.A. AND GET A JOB AT CHICK-FIL-A. THAT WAS IT. SO THAT'S MY POEM.
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] BY THE WAY, THAT POEM WAS WRITTEN ON A BAD DAY! AND SUFFICE IT TO SAY THAT YOUR COLLEGE EDUCATION IS FAR MORE THAN A TICKET TO GET A JOB. SURE, IT'S ABOUT CAREER READINESS AND I'M ALL FOR THAT, BUT IT'S FAR MORE THAN THAT. AND I DON'T NEED TO TELL YOU THIS BECAUSE YOU KNOW AND YOU GET OLDER, YOU'RE GOING TO INCREASINGLY KNOW THIS. AND THAT IS THERE IS GOING TO BE IN YOUR LIFE MOMENTS WHEN YOU SENSE MORE AND MORE THE ABIDING WORTH OF YOUR BIOLA EDUCATION. AND I'LL PRAY THAT YOU SEE MORE AND MORE HOW MUCH YOU HAVE BEEN TRANSFORMED AT BIOLA IN WAYS THAT HAVE PREPARED YOU FOR FAR MORE THAN A CAREER. AND I DON'T KNOW IF DEAN DOHERTY IS HERE FROM OUR ROSE MEAD SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY, BUT OUR SON SAM IS GRADUATING TOMORROW NIGHT WITH A PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE, SO IT'S ALL COOL.
AND BY THE WAY, I FINALLY DID GET A JOB, SO THERE YOU GO. SO GRADUATES, YOUR JOURNEY MAY BE MORE LINEAR OR MAYBE LIKE MY LIFE, IT MAY BE MORE SERPENTINE. AND THE TRUTH IS YOUR ROAD WILL CURVE AND BEND NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU PLAN. NO MATTER HOW SPECIFIC YOUR MAJOR, NO MATTER HOW YOU FEEL LIKE YOU DO OR DON'T HAVE THINGS TOGETHER, BUT NO MATTER HOW WINDING IT IS, GOD WILL REDEEM YOUR ZIG-ZAGGED ROADS.
HE PROMISED THAT IN ISAIAH. I WILL GO BEFORE YOU AND MAKE THE CROOKED ROAD STRAIGHT. I DIDN'T REALLY SEE IT THEN HOW MY WANDERING JOURNEY WOULD LEAD HE TO WHERE ME TO WHERE I AM TODAY BUT IT DID.
EVEN IN ALL MY UPS AND DOWNS, MY TWISTS AND TURNS, MY FAILURES AND FUMBLES, AND I TELL YOU THIS, GRADUATES, TO REMIND YOU YOUR LIFE WILL NOT BE WIDE-OPEN ROADS. YOU PLAN AND YOUR PREPARE AND YOU DO YOUR BEST, BUT THE PATH WILL SNAKE IN WAYS YOU DIDN'T SEE COMING. YOU ALL HAVE YOUR CROOKED ROAD STORIES AND SOME OF THEM MAYBE TONIGHT ARE REAL AND RAW. LEADING BIOLA THROUGH COVID WAS ONE OF THOSE CURVES FOR ME.
AND GOING TO BIOLA THROUGH COVID WAS ONE OF THOSE CORNERS FOR YOU. FOR OUR TALBOT STUDENTS IN KYIV, SHELTERING IN UKRAINE BUNKERS AS THEIR NATION IS UNDER SIEGE, TODAY IS ONE OF THOSE CURVES FOR THEM. BUT GOD MAKES CROOKED ROADS STRAIGHT. THIS IS THE FIRST TRUTH I WANT YOU TO HEAR THROUGH THE LINES OF MY QUITE CORNY POEM. NOW THE SECOND POEM FOR YOU, AND ITS TRUTH. IT'S NOT MY POEM, IT WAS WRITTEN BY GEORGE HERBERT, THE BRITISH POET WHO DIED ALMOST 400 YEARS AGO.
HIS POEM CALLED "THE CALLER." IT BEGINS WITH ANGUISH OVER HOW DISAPPOINTING HIS LIFE SEEMS TO BE AND HE HOLLERS OUT HIS OPENING WORDS, SMACKING HIS HAND AGAINST A BOARD OR A PULPIT BECAUSE HE WAS A PREACHER SAYING, I STRUCK THE BOARD AND CRIED NO MORE! I STRUCK THE BOARD AND CRIED, NO MORE! HE HAD ENOUGH, REACHING ONE OF THOSE "NO MORE" MOMENTS IN HIS LIFE, THIS POET STRUGGLING WITH RELIGION AND ANGER AND WITH DOUBT AND WHAT SEEMS TO BE THIS FRUITLESS SEASON OF HIS LIFE. HE THINKS IT'S TIME FOR HIM TO NOW GO MAKE IT ON HIS OWN TERMS AND NOT ON GOD'S TERMS. AND HIS FRUSTRATION THROUGHOUT THE POEM CRESCENDOS AS THE POEM GOES ON WITH HIS LONGING TO BE IN CONTROL.
BUT WHEN WE COME TO THE CLOSING LINES, HE HEARS A VOICE AND IT'S A VOICE OF A LOVING GOD BECKONING HIM IN THE MIDST OF HIS DESPAIR AND HERE'S' THE LAST LINE OF THE POEM. BUT AS I RAVED AND GREW MORE FIERCE AND WILD WITH EVERY WORD, I THOUGHT I HEARD ONE CALLING, CHILD! AND I REPLIED, MY LORD? GOD'S GRACE GENTLY COMFORTS THE ANGUISHED WITH ONE SIMPLE AND SETTLING WORD AND THAT WORD IS CHILD. A SINGLE WORD CALMS THE RAGE AND THAT WORD SUMS UP THE RADICAL AND BOUNDLESS GRACE OF GOD, THE TRUTH IS, GRADUATES, AS THE CHRIST REDEEMED, YOU ARE LOVED BY GOD FAR MORE THAN YOU CAN EVER IMAGINE.
I WAS THINKING ABOUT THIS THE OTHER DAY READING ABOUT THE BAPTISM OF JESUS, THAT IMMERSION MOMENT IS ACTUALLY HIS COMMENCEMENT MOMENT, COMMENCING INTO SOMETHING NEW AS JESUS WAS STEPPING OUT OF HIS YEARS OF PREPARATION IN GALILEE AND THE MOMENT JESUS WAS BAPTIZED, HE CAME UP OUT OF THE WATER AND HEAVEN OPENED AND THE SPIRIT OF GOD DESCENDED LIKE A DOVE ALIGHTING ON HIM. AND DRIPPING WET AND AT THE THRESHOLD OF THE NEXT STAGE OF HIS LIFE, JESUS GETS HIS COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS. IT'S A VOICE FROM HEAVEN SPEAKING: THIS IS MY SON WHOM I LOVE AND WITH HIM, I AM WELL PLEASED. THIS HAS TO BE AMONG THE MOST REVOLUTIONARY COMMENCEMENT ADDRESSES OF ALL TIME. 12 WORDS: YOU'RE MY CHILD WHOM I LOVE.
WITH HIM, I AM WELL PLEASED. TAKE THAT, GRADUATES, FOR YOU. YOU'RE MY CHILD, GOD SAYS, WHOM I LOVE, AND WITH YOU, I AM SO PLEASED.
THESE ARE YOUR WORDS, CHILDREN OF GOD, BUT AS MANY AS RECEIVED HIM, THE GOSPEL OF JOHN SAYS TO THEM HE GAVE THE RIGHT TO BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD EVEN TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN HIS NAME OR PAUL WRITES THAT THE LORD SAYS, AND I WILL BE A FATHER TO YOU AND YOU SHALL BE SONS AND DAUGHTERS TO ME. AS YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD AND YOU ARE, THEN THOSE COMMENCEMENT WORDS A LOVING FATHER GAVE JESUS ARE COMMENCEMENT WORDS OVER YOU TODAY. YOU'RE MY CHILD WHOM I LOVE AND WITH YOU, I AM WELL PLEASED.
GOD DOESN'T SAY YOU ARE A DAUGHTER. HE SAYS YOU'RE MY DAUGHTER. AND GOD SAYS YOU GIVE HIM PLEASURE.
NOT BECAUSE OF WHAT GOOD YOU'VE DONE OR WHAT GOOD YOU'LL DO. YOU GIVE HIM PLEASURE BECAUSE YOU'RE HIS CHILD. AND YOU GIVE HIM PLEASURE DESPITE WHATNOT SO GOOD YOU'VE DONE OR WHATNOT SO GOOD YOU MIGHT DO. YOU GIVE HIM PLEASURE SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU ARE HIS DAUGHTER AND YOU, GRADUATE, ARE HIS SON. AND HIS PLEASURE IN YOU COMES FROM HIS GRACE, IN THE YOUR PERFORMANCE OR WHAT YOU PERCEIVE TO BE YOUR FAILURE, SO DON'T GLOATIVE YOUR SUCCESSES OR WALLOW IN YOUR SETBACKS. GRADUATES, YOU ARE ENOUGH IN CHRIST.
AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO PROVE TO ANYONE YOUR DIGNITY AND WORTH IN GOD'S EYES. GEORGE HERBERT THE CALLER, BUT AS I RAVED AND GREW MORE FIERCE AND WILD WITH EVERY WORD, I THOUGHT I HEARD ONE CALLING, CHILD, AND I REPLIED, MY LORD! YOU, SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF GOD, THE REDEEMED, ARE ENOUGH IN CHRIST, SO HEAR HIM AS HE CALLS YOU CHILD. AND NOW I LEAVE YOU WITH ONE FINAL TRUTH. ALSO COMING FROM A THIRD POEM. RICHARD WILBUR WROTE THIS IN THE MID-1950S, IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITES.
HE'S A POET OF GREAT CHRISTIAN FAITH. HE DIED ONLY FOUR-AND-A-HALF YEARS AGO. THE POEM IS CALLED "LOVE CALLS US TO THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD." A LINE TAKEN FROM AUGUSTIN'S CONFESSIONS AND PICTURE THE SETTING, IT'S SET IN THE CITY IN THE 1950S AND EARLY IN THE MORNING IN A TENEMENT BUILDING WITH A POET LYING IN HIS BED AND HE SEES OUTSIDE HIS OPEN BEDROOM WINDOW, FRESH LAUNDRY CLOTHES PINNED TO CLOSE LINES. HE'S HALF DREAMING THAT THESE BLEACHED WHITE BLOUSES ON CLOTHESLINES ARE HOVERING ANGELS.
AND THEN AS HE AWAKES, HE REALIZES THEY AREN'T ANGELS OUTSIDE THE WINDOW. IT'S JUST SOME NEIGHBOR'S LAUNDRY BLOWING IN THE WIND. AND RUBBING THE SLEEP OUT OF HIS EYES, THE MOMENT COMES WHEN HE RECKONS WITH THE FACT THAT HE HAS TO HAUL HIS TIRED SELF OUT OF BED AND HERE'S HOW WILBUR PUTS IT. AS THE SUN ACKNOWLEDGES WITH A WARM LOOK THE WORLD'S HUNKS AND COLORS, THE SOUL DESCENDS ONCE MORE IN BITTER LOVE.
HE REALIZES IT'S TIME TO LUG HIS SLEEPY SELF DOWN THE STAIRS AND GET OUT INTO THE WORLD OF LAUNDRY, NOT LAUNDRY FLOATING ANGEL-LIKE ON CLOTHESLINES BUT LAUNDRY ON THE BACKS OF SINNERS. IT'S A POEM OF DESCENT, TRANSITION, A POEM OF COMMENCEMENT. IT'S TIME TO GET UP. AND ACCEPT EVEN IN BITTER LOVE, THE POET SAYS, THAT WE ARE CALLED TO THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD. AND THAT LOVE CALLS US TO THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD.
HE KNOWS THIS IS THE NAME OF THE POEM, IT'S NOT WORK THAT CALLS US TO THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD, IT'S NOT GUILT, OBLIGATION, IT'S LOVE. THE SCRIPTURE REMINDS US LONG BEFORE THESE POEMS, IT'S LOVE THAT CALLS US TO THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD. THE BIBLE SAYS THIS, AND I SAY TO YOU, CLASS OF 2022, DEAR FRIENDS, LET US LOVE ONE ANOTHER, FOR LOVE COMES FROM GOD. DEAR FRIENDS, SINCE GOD SO LOVED, WE ALSO OUGHT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER. AND BECAUSE YOU ARE LOVED BY GOD'S GRACE AND BECAUSE HE CALLS YOU CHILD, TAKE THAT GRACE, GRADUATES, TO A WORLD THAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED BY THE LOVE OF CHRIST.
GRADUATES, YOU MAY BE, LIKE I WAS, NOT SURE WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO BE TEN YEARS FROM NOW LET ALONE TEN WEEKS. BUT WHEREVER YOU GO, TAKE GRACE WITH YOU, BECAUSE YOU ARE A BELOVED CHILD OF GOD OF A LOVING FATHER WHO TAKES DELIGHT IN YOU. THREE POEMS, THREE TRUTHS, ON THIS, THE 6TH DAY OF MAY IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 2022. TRUTH NUMBER ONE: LIFE WILL BE FILLED WITH WINDING ROADS, AND EVEN ROADS WIND WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'VE GOT THINGS FIGURED OUT.
BUT GOD MAKES CROOKED ROADS STRAIGHT AND YOU'LL DISCOVER AS YOUR YEARS PASS, AS YOU TRUST IN THE LORD, THAT THE ROAD IS A LOT STRAIGHTER IN THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR THAN IT SEEMS IN THE WINDSHIELD. TRUTH NUMBER TWO: YOU ARE SO BELOVED. BY A GRACIOUS GOD. AND YOU GIVE HIM PLEASURE, BECAUSE YOU ARE HIS CHILD.
GRACE MEANS THAT THERE'S NOTHING THAT YOU CAN DO TO MAKE GOD LOVE YOU MORE. AND THERE'S NOTHING THAT YOU CAN DO TO MAKE GOD LOVE YOU LESS. YOU ARE THAT LOVED BY GOD, YOUR FATHER. REMEMBER GEORGE HERBERT'S CLOSING WORDS, BUT AS I RAVED AND GREW MORE FIERCE AND WILD WITH EVERY WORD, I THOUGHT I HEARD ONE CALLING, CHILD. AND I REPLIED, MY LORD. AND TRUTH NUMBER 3: AT A PROFOUND GRATITUDE FOR BEING SAVED BY GRACE, MAKE GOD'S GRACE ALIVE THROUGH YOU AS YOU LOVE THOSE GOD PLACES IN YOUR PATH, TWISTING AT IT MIGHT BE.
AND AS YOU GO FROM HERE AND YOU'RE GOING TO MISS SO MUCH ABOUT BIOLA AND WE WILL MISS SO MUCH ABOUT YOU, REMEMBER WILBUR'S POEM AND AUGUSTIN'S WORDS. THAT LOVE CALLS YOU TO THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD. AS REDEEMED BY GRACE. SHARE THAT GRACE SO THAT OTHERS WILL BE SAVED BY GRACE. SO LEAVING BIOLA TODAY, HERE'S AN IDEA.
AS YOUR NAME IS CALLED IN A FEW MINUTES AND YOU RECEIVE YOUR DEGREE, DON'T JUST HEAR YOUR NAME CONNECTED TO PhD OR BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, BUT WHEN YOU HEAR YOUR NAME CALLED, THINK THIS, BRENTON LEE, MY SON WHO I LOVE AND IN WHOM I'M WELL PLEASED. NATALIE CORTEZ, MY DAUGHTER WHO I LOVE AND IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED. PUT YOUR NAME THERE, CHILD OF GOD. AND IT'S TIME TO GO NOW FOR THE CONFERRAL OF YOUR DEGREES. GOD BLESS YOU, CLASS OF 2022. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] I WOULD NOW LIKE TO INTRODUCE THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, MR. MIKE MAPLES, WHO
WILL PREPARE FOR THE CONFERRAL OF DEGREES. PLEASE WELCOME MR. MAPLE FOLLOWED BY PROVOST AND SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, Dr. DEBORAH
TAYLOR. >> THE MISSION AT BIOLA UNIVERSITY IS BIBLICALLY CENTERED EDUCATION, SCHOLARSHIP AND SERVICE. EQUIPPING MEN AND WOMEN IN MIND AND CHARACTER TO IMPACT THE WORLD FOR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THESE COMMITTED CHRISTIAN STUDENTS WHO HAVE COME TO BIOLA FOR THIS REASON.
IT IS NOW A DISTINCT PRIVILEGE IF US TO PRESENT THESE DIPLOMAS TO THOSE WHO HAVE FINISHED THEIR COURSE AND HAVE DEMONSTRATED SUSTAINED INTELLECTUAL GROWTH AND CHRISTIAN COMMITMENT. GRADUATES, ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, I CONGRATULATE YOU AND PRAY GOD'S BEST FOR EACH OF YOU AS YOU SEEK TO GLORIFY THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IN THE DAYS AND YEARS TO COME, CONGRATULATIONS. [Applause] >> AND THIS EVENING'S CEREMONY, WE HONOR STUDENTS BOTH UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE WHO ARE RECEIVING THEIR DEGREES FROM THE COOK SCHOOL OF INTERCULTURAL STUDIES! [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] FROM THE SCHOOL OF CINEMA AND MEDIA ARTS! [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] FROM OUR SCHOOL OF EDUCATION! [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] AND FROM OUR SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES! [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] AND THE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND HEALTH. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] I'M SO GLAD YOU'RE SO EXCITED! THE GRADUATES -- SO THIS IS WHAT WILL HAPPEN.
THE SCHOOL DEANS WILL COME FORWARD AND ASK YOU TO STAND ACCORDING TO YOUR SCHOOLS AND THEN I WILL PRESENT THEM TO THE PRESIDENT FOR THE CONFERRAL OF YOUR DEGREES. THE GRADUATES WILL THEN PROCEED TO THE PLATFORM AND THEY WILL BE PRESENTED WITH DIPLOMAS, YOUR NAME WILL BE ANNOUNCED, AND THEN A FACULTY MEMBER FROM YOUR DEPARTMENT WILL SPEAK THAT OUT AND THEN YOU WILL EXIT THE STAGE. SO I STAND HERE WITH MIXED EMOTIONS TONIGHT AS I ADDRESS YOU GRADUATES FOR MY FINAL TIME AS PROVOST. PARTICIPATING IN THIS COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY EACH SEMESTER FROM THE PROCESSIONAL TO THE RECESSIONAL, FROM HEARING EACH OF YOU NAMES BE READ AND HEARING PEOPLE CHEER FOR YOU AND KNOWING THAT EACH OF YOUR JOURNEYS HAVE BEEN ARDUOUS AND YET UNIQUE. AND THEN VICARIOUSLY JUST PARTICIPATING IN THE JOY OF YOUR FAMILIES THAT WE CAN JUST FEEL RADIATING FROM THE GRASS.
THIS HAS BEEN A TRUE HIGHLIGHT EVERY YEAR FOR ME. I PERSONALLY CAME TO BIOLA AS A SHY 17-YEAR-OLD GIRL ABOUT 48 YEARS AGO AND I NEVER IMAGINED THAT I WOULD HAVE A CAREER IN EDUCATION, BILLION BECOME A SCHE AND THEN BE DRAWN BACK TO BIOLA TO BECOME A FACULTY LEADER AND THEN ADMINISTRATOR AND PROVOST AND SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF THIS GREAT UNIVERSITY. I WOULD SAY ALONG WITH WHAT PRESIDENT COREY JUST SHARED, MY JOURNEY SINCE GRADUATION HAS CERTAINLY HAD MANY UNEXPECTED TWISTS AND TURNS BUT GOD HAS BEEN FAITHFUL EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.
IN THE MOMENTS WHEN YOUR POST-BIOLA JOURNEY LOOKS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN WHAT YOU THOUGHT IT WOULD BE, JUST REMEMBER YOUR LOVING FATHER'S HAND IS UPON YOU. HE WILL GUIDE YOU, HE WILL DIRECT YOU, AND USE YOU TO SHINE BRIGHTLY IN THIS WORLD THAT NEEDS OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. SO CONGRATULATIONS, EACH OF YOU, AND NOW THE ACADEMIC DEANS WILL PRESENT THE CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES.
[Applause] WILL THE CANDIDATES FOR BACCALAUREATE AND POST-BACCALAUREATE DEGREES IN THE COOK SCHOOL OF INTERCULTURAL STUDIES PLEASE RISE. [Applause] GRADUATES, THE COOK FACULTY AND STAFF CON GRANOLA LATE YOU ON THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF YOUR STUDIES. TODAY WE REJOICE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES. THE COOK SCHOOL EXISTS TO EQUIP STUDENTS TO COMMUNICATE, LIVE, AND WORK EFFECTIVELY IN CULTURALLY DIVERSE CONTEXTS, TO MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL PEOPLES AND IMPACT THE WORLD FOR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
OUR CULTURALLY COMPETENT GRADUATES ENGAGE IN CHRIST'S REDEMPTIVE WORK IN A RAPIDLY GLOBALIZING WORLD. WHATEVER YOUR SPECIFIC INTERCULTURAL CALLING, MISSION WORK, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, TEACHING, BUSINESS, OR OTHER LEADERSHIP ROLES, WE ENCOURAGE YOU AND KNOW THAT GOD IS WITH YOU. GRADUATES, THE WORLD DESPERATELY NEEDS THE GOSPEL MESSAGE AND CHRISTIANS WILLING TO BRING THAT MESSAGE BOTH DOMESTICALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY WITH SENSITIVITY AND CULTURAL HUMILITY. NOW GO IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT INTO THE WORK TO WHICH YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED.
PLEASE BE SEATED. [Applause] >> WILL THE CANDIDATES FOR BACCALAUREATE DEGREES IN THE SCHOOL OF CINEMA AND MEDIA ARTS PLEASE STAND? [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] AT BIOLA'S SCHOOL OF CINEMA AND MEDIA ARTS, OUR GRADUATES ARE CHARGED WITH IMPRESSING AND IMPACTING THE MEDIA INDUSTRY AND THE WORLD THROUGH IT BY YOUR SKILLS, YOUR STORIES, AND THROUGH YOUR LIVES. AS YOU STEP FORWARD, YOU ARE COMMISSIONED TO ENGAGE AND INSPIRE THOSE AROUND YOU AS YOU PROVIDE HOPE TO A WORLD THAT NEEDS TO HEAR AND SEE GOD'S LOVE THROUGH YOU. THE MEDIA PROVIDES THE MEANS TO TAKE YOUR STORIES, YOUR MESSAGES OF HOPE LOCALLY, NATIONALLY, AND GLOBALLY. SO LET YOUR VOICES BE HEARD. OUR PRAYER FOR YOU IS ONE OF GRATITUDE FOR ALLOWING US TO HELP YOU ON THIS PART OF YOUR JOURNEY AND ONE OF ENCOURAGEMENT.
AS A BIOLA FAMILY, WE ARE PROUD TO STAND ALONGSIDE YOU AS YOU ENTER THIS NEXT CHAPTER OF YOUR LIVES. WE'LL ALWAYS BE HERE FOR YOU AND BE VERY EXCITED TO WITNESS HOW GOD IS ABOUT TO UNFOLD YOUR JOURNEY, YOUR ROLE IN HIS AMAZING STORY. NEVER FORGET THAT GOD'S STAGE IS ALL AROUND YOU EVERY DAY. SO CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GRADUATES, FAMILIES, AND FRIENDS. PLEASE BE SEATED. [Applause] >> WILL THE CANDIDATES FOR THE BACCALAUREATE AND POST-BACCALAUREATE DEGREES IN THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION PLEASE RISE.
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] THE VISION OF THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION IS TO EQUIP A GENERATION OF INFLUENTIAL EDUCATORS WHO ARE FOCUSED ON GOD'S CALLING UTILIZING THEIR STRENGTHS, GIFTS, AND SCHOLARSHIP TO MEET THE NEEDS OF DIVERSE STUDENTS AND TO ADVANCE THE KINGDOM OF GOD. AS EDUCATORS, YOU HAVE THE DISTINCT PRIVILEGE TO DAILY MODEL THE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE OF CHRIST, THE DEPENDABILITY OF HIS PRESENCE AND THE RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF TRUTH. THROUGH THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT, YOU CAN BRING STABILITY TO STUDENTS' LIVES AND A SAFE HAVEN OF HOPE AND COMMUNITY IN TIMES OF TURMOIL AND ATROCITY. BE HIS LIGHT AND BE HIS LOVE AND LIVE THE GOSPEL MESSAGE EVERY TIME YOU ENTER THE HOLY PORTAL OF YOUR CLASSROOM AND SERVE SOULS MADE IN HIS IMAGE. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU FAITHFULLY SERVE IN PUBLIC, PRIVATE, MISSION, AND HOME SCHOOLS HERE AND AROUND THE WORLD. CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES! [Applause] YOU MAY BE SEATED.
>> WILL THE CANDIDATES FOR BACCALAUREATE DEGREES IN THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES PLEASE STAND UP. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] SEEKING A CHRIST-CENTERED VISION OF HUMAN FLOURISHING GUIDED BY FACULTY COMMITTED TO FAITH IN THE CLASSROOM AND OUT OF IT, YOU HAVE QUESTIONED, ASKED WHAT IT IS TO BE HUMAN, HOW WE THINK, WHY WE CREATE THE WORLD AS WE DO. TO UNDERSTAND OUR HUMAN FRAILTY THROUGH THE LENS OF EPISTEMIC HUMILITY, TO REVIEW AND RESIST REPEATING LESSONS OF HUMAN HISTORY THAT SHOW OUR GREATEST PITFALLS AND TO DISCOVER THE HORIZONS OF OUR GREATEST POTENTIAL, TO GIVE VOICE TO YOUR OWN STORY AND THAT OF OTHERS. TO DO JUSTICE AND TO BRING FORTH BEAUTY, TO BETTER SEEK, SEE, AND SAY THAT WHICH IS TRUE, GOOD, AND BEAUTIFUL. THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TOGETHER.
CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES OF THE CLASS OF 2022! [Applause] AND PLEASE BE SEATED. >> WILL THE CANDIDATES FOR BACCALAUREATE AND POST-BACCALAUREATE DEGREES IN THE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND HEALTH PLEASE RISE. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] OUR SCHOOL VISION IS TO EQUIP A NEW GENERATION OF ETHICALLY THOUGHTFUL PROFESSIONALS IN THE SCIENCES AND HEALTH CARE WHO ARE GROUNDED IN A CHRISTIAN WORLD VIEW, EDUCATED IN AN ACADEMICALLY RIGOROUS ENVIRONMENT, READY TO ASSUME POSITIONS OF LEADERSHIP AND ABLE TO PROVIDE THE CLEAR MORAL VISION THE WORLD DESPERATELY NEEDS. YOU ARE THIS NEW GENERATION. GO NOW AND TAKE UP POSITIONS OF LEADERSHIP.
GO NOW AND PROVIDE THE WORLD WITH THE CLEAR MORAL VISION IT NEEDS. GO NOW AND DISCOVER, INNOVATE, AND HEAL. CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WONDERFUL ACHIEVEMENT. MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU AS YOU IMPACT THE WORLD FOR OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. YOU MAY BE SEATED. [Applause] >> PRESIDENT COREY, ON BEHALF OF THE FACULTY OF BIOLA UNIVERSITY, I PRESENT TO YOU THESE CANDIDATES WHO HAVE FULFILLED ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE DEGREES.
WILL ALL THE CANDIDATES PLEASE RISE. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] >> AND SO IT IS BY VIRTUE OF THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, I CONFER UPON YOU, GRADUATES OF BIOLA UNIVERSITY, YOUR RESPECTIVE DEGREES WITH AL THE ATTENDANT HONORS, RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES PERTAINING THERETO. CONGRATULATIONS, YOU HAVE GRADUATED FROM BIOLA UNIVERSITY. UNDERGRADUATES, YOU MAY NOW TURN YOUR TASSEL. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] MAY GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU USE THIS EDUCATION TO SERVE OTHERS AND TO INFLUENCE THIS WORLD WITH THE ARROW MA OF JESUS. LET'S GIVE IT UP ONE MORE TIME FOR THE CLASS OF 2022.
PLEASE BE SEATED AND NOW AS WE PREPARE TO PRESENT THE DIPLOMAS, ENJOY THIS PERFORMANCE BY BIOLA'S UNIVERSITY'S CHORALE, HIS AYE, DONE BY STACEY GIBBS, COMPLETED ESPECIALLY FOR THE BIOLA UNIVERSITY CHORALE, ENJOY. WHY SHOULD I FEEL DISCOURAGED WHY SHOULD THE SHADOWS COME ♪ AND WHY SHOULD MY HEART FEEL LONELY ♪ ♪ AND LONG FOR HEAVEN AND HOME ♪ WHEN JESUS IS MY PORTION ♪ ♪ A CONSTANT FRIEND IS HE ♪ ♪ HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW ♪ ♪ AND I KNOW HE WATCHES OVER ME ♪ ♪ HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW ♪ ♪ I KNOW HE WATCHES ME ♪ ♪ LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED ♪ ♪ HIS TENDER WORD I HEAR ♪ ♪ AND RESTING ON HIS GOODNESS ♪ ♪ I LOSE MY DOUBTS AND FEARS ♪ ♪ HOW THE BY THE PATH HE LEADETH ♪ BUT ONE STEP I MAY SEE ♪ ♪ HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW ♪ ♪ AND I KNOW HE WATCHES OVER ME ♪ ♪ AND I SING BECAUSE I'M HAPPY ♪ I SING BECAUSE I'M FREE ♪ ♪ HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW ♪ ♪ AND I KNOW HE WATCHES ME ♪ ♪ SO I SING BECAUSE I'M HAPPY ♪ ♪ AND I CHOOSE TO SING BECAUSE I'M FREE ♪ ♪ AND I KNOW HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW ♪ ♪ AND I KNOW HE WATCHES ME ♪ [MUSIC] ♪ OH, HE WATCHES, WATCHES OVER ME ♪ OH HE WATCHES, WATCHES OVER ME HE WATCHES, HE WATCHES OVER ME HE WATCHES, HE WATCHES OVER ME HE WATCHES, HE WATCHES OVER ME HE WATCHES, HE WATCHES OVER ME HE WATCHES, HE WATCHES OVER ME HE WATCHES, HE WATCHES OVER ME ♪ HE WILL, HE WILL, HE WILL ♪ ♪ HE WILL ♪ ♪ I KNOW HE WILL ♪ ♪ HE WILL ♪ ♪ HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW ♪ ♪ AND I KNOW HE WATCHES OVER ME ♪ [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] >> RECEIVING THE DEGREE, DOCTOR OF ENTER CULTURAL STUDIES ... [ READING GRADUATE NAMES ] >> RECEIVING THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS AND INTERCULTURAL STUDIES ... [ READING GRADUATE NAMES ] >> GRADUATING WITH A BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ANTHROPOLOGY. [ READING GRADUATE NAMES ] >> GRADUATING WITH A BACHELOR OF ARTS IN INTERCULTURAL STUDIES. [ READING GRADUATE NAMES ] >> GRADUATING WITH A BACHELOR OF ARTS IN CINEMA AND MEDIA ARTS.
[ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] >> GRADUATING WITH A MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATION. [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] >> GRADUATING WITH A DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES. [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] >> GRADUATING WITH A MASTERS SCIENCE IN CURRICULUM INSTRUCTION AND PUBLICATION. [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] >> GRADUATING WITH A MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION. [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] >> GRADUATING SUMMA CUM LAUDE WITH A BACHELOR OF ARTS IN LIBERAL STUDIES ELEMENTARY EDUCATION.
[ READING GRADUATE NAMES] >> GRADUATING SUMMA CUM LAUDE. [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] >> PROUD TO INTRODUCE THE STUDENTS GRADUATING WITH A BACHELOR OF ARTS IN INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES TO MEET OUR RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD WITH NEW WAYS OF SEEING, THINKING, AND DOING. [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] >> GRADUATING WITH A BACHELOR OF ARTS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE. [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] >> GRADUATING WITH A BACHELOR OF ARTS IN SOCIOLOGY. [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] >> GRADUATING WITH A BACHELOR'S OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED PHYSICS.
[ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] >> GRADUATING WITH A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOCHEMISTRY. [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] >> GRADUATING WITH A BACHELOR IN SCIENCE IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES. [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] >> GRADUATING WITH A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE. [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] >> THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS ARE GRADUATING WITH A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING PHYSICS FROM BIOLA UNIVERSITY IN COOPERATION WITH AN ENGINEERING PROGRAM FROM ANOTHER UNIVERSITY.
[ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES ] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES ] >> GRADUATING WITH A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HEALTH SCIENCES. [ READING GRADUATE NAMES ] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES ] >> GRADUATING WITH A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HUMAN BIOLOGY. [ READING GRADUATE NAMES ] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES ] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES ] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES ] >> GRADUATING WITH A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN KINESIOLOGY. [ READING GRADUATE NAMES ] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES ] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES ] >> GRADUATING WITH A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN MATHEMATICS. [ READING GRADUATE NAMES ] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES ] >> GRADUATING WITH A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING. [ READING GRADUATE NAMES ] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES ] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES ] [ READING GRADUATE NAMES ] >> GRADUATEING SUMMA CUM LAUDE WITH A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PHYSICS.
[ READING GRADUATE NAMES ] >> GRADUATING WITH A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH. [ READING GRADUATE NAMES ] >> WELL, THERE YOU HAVE, THE CLASS OF 2022! [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] SO BIOLA UNIVERSITY GRADUATES CLASS OF 2022, YOU HAVE REACHED THIS MILESTONE IN YOUR EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY. IT'S A JOURNEY THAT'S BEEN BOTH EXHILARATE AND EXHAUSTING.
IT'S A JOURNEY THAT'S TAKEN YOU TO NEW HEIGHTS AND MAYBE EVEN SOME NEW DEPTHS. IT'S A JOURNEY THAT HAS MADE YOU QUESTION AND STRUGGLE IN WAYS YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE ANTICIPATED BEFORE, BUT IT IS A JOURNEY THAT IS OVER! IT'S DONE! SO AS YOU DEPART FROM HERE, YOU'LL BE JOINING A COMMUNITY OF BIOLA ALUMNI MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR THE GOOD, FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST. AND I TRUST THAT BIOLA HAS IMPRESSED UPON YOU THAT YOU MUST BE ABLE TO TAKE ON THE CHALLENGES OF OUR WORLD SERIOUSLY.
YOU MUST BE A LIGHT WHERE THERE'S DARKNESS AND A HOPE WHERE THERE'S DESPAIR. A STEWARD OF KINDNESS IN A WORLD OF HOSTILITY. YOU MUST BE WHAT THE PROPHET ISAIAH CALLED THE REPAIRERS OF THE BREACH, SO I CHARGE YOU, GRADUATES, TO BE AMBASSADORS OF CHRIST, UPHOLDING THE BIBLICAL VALUES OF TRUTH AND INTEGRITY AND SACRIFICE AND JUSTICE AND COMPASSION.
I CHALLENGE YOU TO LIVE SELFLESSLY, I CHALLENGE YOU TO DEFINE YOURSELF NOT IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU DO OR WHAT YOUR IMPACT WILL BE OR WHAT YOUR LEGACY MIGHT STAND FOR, BUT I CHALLENGE YOU TO DEFINE YOURSELF IN JESUS AND IT'S IN HIS NAME I COMMISSION YOU NOW AND BEAR THE MARK OF THE GOSPEL IN YOUR LIFE POINTING OTHERS TO CHRIST'S AMAZING GRACE, SO GO NOW, SO I'M GOING TO ASK THE GRADUATES TO ONCE MORE PLEASE STAND UP. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] AND I'M GOING TO READ YOU A CHARGE AND I WANT YOU TO RESPOND WITH JUST TWO WORDS AT THE END OF THIS CHARGE BY JUST SAYING THE WORDS "WE WILL." SO GRADUATES OF THE BIOLA UNIVERSITY CLASS OF 2022, AS GOD HAS CALLED YOU, WILL YOU COMMIT TO BE A LIGHT TO THE WORLD? >> WE WILL! >> WOW. AND TO THE AUDIENCE, THOSE BEHIND AND BESIDE THESE GRADUATES ARE SURROUNDED BY YOU, A COMPANY OF WITNESSES, THE THRONGS OF GUESTS CELEBRATING WITH THEM TODAY. TO THOSE OF YOU HERE, I ASK YOU TO FOLLOW MY CHARGE BY ALSO SAYING THE WORDS, WE WILL.
SO TO THOSE WHO HAVE SUPPORTED THESE STUDENTS IN THEIR JOURNEYS, I ASK YOU, WILL YOU JOIN ME IN PRAYING FOR AND ENCOURAGING THOSE YOU KNOW IN THIS CLASS OF 2022 AS THEY GRADUATE FROM BIOLA UNIVERSITY TODAY? >> WE WILL! >> OKAY. YOU'RE COVERED, GRADUATES. SO BIOLA UNIVERSITY CLASS OF 2022, IT'S TIME TO GO NOW. NOT JUST TO YOUR CELEBRATIONS, BUT IT'S TIME TO GO IN THE SPIRIT OF THE ONE WHO CALLS YOU DISCIPLE, TO A WORLD THAT NEEDS YOU, THE LOVE YOU EMBODY, THE GRACE YOU RADIATE, THE CONVICTIONS YOU BEAR, THE COURAGE YOU'LL MUSTER, THE WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE YOU POSSESS. GO NOW TO THE NEXT LEG OF YOUR JOURNEY WITH THE HOPE AND KNOWLEDGE THAT INDEED TO LIVE IS CHRIST. SO PLEASE, EVERYONE, JOIN ME IN STANDING AS OUR BOARD CHAIR, MRE THE BENEDICTION.
>> LET'S PRAY. LORD, BEFORE YOU IS THE CLASS OF 2022. THEY LEAVE HERE WITH THEIR SAILS FILLED WITH HOPE AND AMBITION. THEY'RE EQUIPPED WITH A BIBLICAL WORLD VIEW AND ROOTED IN GROWING CHARACTER. WE ASK THAT YOU FAN THE FLAMES OF THEIR GIFTEDNESS AND THEIR DREAMS. MAY THEIR PRESENCE BE FELT AS Dr. COREY OFTEN ARTICULATES IN
THE PUBLIC SQUARE, THE CLASSROOM, THE POLITICAL ARENA, IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA, BEHIND THE CAMERA, IN THE COFFEE SHOPS AND THE CONCERT HALLS, IN THE LABORATORIES OF RESEARCH, IN THE HOSPITAL ROOMS OF HELP. MAY THEY LEAD IN THE BROOMS BOAS AND THE CHURCHES AND THE LIVING ROOMS. WE DO NOT ASK THAT THEIR LIFE BE EASY BUT IT WOULD BE RICH IN RELATIONSHIPS, DEEP IN MEANING, AND INVIGORATING IN PURPOSE. MAY THEY ALWAYS SENSE YOUR PRESENCE, YOUR POWER, YOUR GUIDANCE, YOUR FORGIVENESS, AND EVEN YOUR DELIGHT. AMEN.
PLEASE REMAIN SEATED AS THE RECESSIONAL FINISHES UP. [MUSIC]
2022-05-11 11:28
