SWU Celebrate More Than 300 Graduates

Family members and friends joined Southern Wesleyan University faculty and staff in celebrating the achievement of winter graduates Dec. 14 and 15 at Newton Hobson Chapel and Fine Arts Center on the campus in Central.

Students graduating from the university’s traditional program participated in the ceremony Dec. 14, at 3 p.m. There were two separate graduation ceremonies Dec. 15 for students in the adult evening program who earned associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees – a 10 a.m. ceremony for students from the Central, Greenville, Greenwood and Spartanburg locations; and a 3 p.m. ceremony for students from the Columbia, Charleston and North Augusta locations.

The Friday ceremony was dedicated to the memory of Mary Faith Jennings, who passed away earlier that week. She was the widow of long-time Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Lowell Jennings.

“Mrs. Jennings was a faithful supporter of Southern Wesleyan University and her family has a rich heritage with the history of this institution,” said Southern Wesleyan University President Todd Voss. “Their ministry together has affected thousands of lives globally and in the state of South Carolina through Southern Wesleyan University and The Wesleyan Church.”

Voss also called for a moment of silence to pray for families of victims killed in the tragic shootings that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut this past Friday morning.

During the Saturday morning ceremony, Rebecca L. Davis from Greenwood received her Master of Education in Classroom Leadership degree posthumously. Her husband, George Davis, accepted the degree on her behalf. She passed away Sept. 9 after completing her program.

The speaker for the Dec. 14 and 15 graduation ceremonies was Shirley Duncan, director of church relations at Hephzibah Ministries, Macon, Ga. Duncan was once a child at Hephzibah Children’s Home. Today, she travels across the United States and Canada speaking with church congregations and members of The Wesleyan Church about what God continues to do on behalf of children there. Duncan is a 1978 religion graduate of Southern Wesleyan University. Her husband, David, a 1979 religion graduate, serves as chaplain at Hephzibah.

Duncan spoke about her life journey, telling of how she was physically and emotionally abused by her alcoholic stepfather. She also spoke about her living at Hephzibah, as well as life after college and her marriage to David, whom she met at Southern Wesleyan. She shared a testimony of how God sent people to reach out to her, and also how God worked through David’s health challenges, which included a kidney and pancreas transplant.

“I don’t know where I’d be if I didn’t have so many people reaching out and helping me. That’s why I’m here today. Some of you may be surprised why you’re sitting here today. You never dreamed this day would come,” Duncan said. “I pray that the Holy Spirit will empower you with boldness as you step into an exciting new future.” In congratulating the graduates, Duncan urged them to take time to invest in another life.

“You represent a new generation of leaders who will inherit the challenges of a rapidly changing and often troubled world – a world that needs faithful leaders with vision, leaders with integrity,” Voss said. “The world around you needs faithful leaders with vision. You have the opportunity to be change agents in this world, and we challenge you to begin that journey today.”

The university conferred 323 degrees, according to Registrar Rock McCaskill.

Southern Wesleyan University prepares students for leadership and graduate study in such fields as religion, education, music, business, medicine, law and a variety of civic and social service professions. Southern Wesleyan offers degree programs in the areas of business, education and ministry. The university’s main campus is in Central and there are Education Centers across South Carolina, in locations such as Greenville, Columbia, Charleston and North Augusta. Classes are also offered in Spartanburg and Greenwood, and soon online.