Spring 2015 Graduation Weekend Events
A full weekend of celebrations and special speakers
Andrews University’s Spring Commencement is scheduled for the weekend of May 1–3, 2015. Graduation weekend events begin Friday evening with the Consecration Service in Pioneer Memorial Church and will continue with the Baccalaureate church services, Sabbath afternoon certification and dedication services, Sabbath Vespers, the President’s Reception and finally, three commencement services on Sunday, May 3.
Susan P. Zork, assistant professor of religion, will offer the Consecration address titled, “Where Conventional Wisdom Fails” on Friday, May 1, at 8 p.m.
On Saturday, May 2, Juan R. Prestol-Puesán will present the Baccalaureate address titled, “Who Do You Say That I Am?” He will speak for both services at 9 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. at Pioneer Memorial Church.
Prestol-Puesán is undertreasurer for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and a lifelong financial officer of the Seventh-day Adventist Church with more than four decades of experience. He was educated in Antillean Adventist University, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, and Andrews University, and will receive his PhD in leadership from Andrews University this weekend. His current responsibilities include providing financial leadership to educational institutions, publishing houses, and church entities, as well as mentoring many Adventist financial leaders in the United States of America and abroad.
Additional departmental services are planned for Friday, May 1, and Saturday, May 2. The School of Business Administration will have an Ethics Oath Ceremony in Garber Auditorium of Chan Shun Hall on Friday at 11 a.m. The Teacher Dedication Service will be at 5 p.m. on Friday in the chapel of Andrews Academy. On Saturday, May 2, many departmental recognition services are scheduled. At 4 p.m., the Seminary Dedication Service will take place in the Seminary Chapel and the Department of Nursing Pinning will be held in Pioneer Memorial Church. The Department of Religion & Biblical Languages Senior Dedication is in Newbold Auditorium of Buller Hall at 5 p.m. At 5:30 p.m. the Department of Social Work Recognition Service will be in the University Towers Auditorium. The Department of Public Health & Wellness Dedication Service and Reception is at 6 p.m. in the lobby of the Howard Performing Arts Center. The Open House for Architecture Graduates will also take place at 6 p.m. in the School of Architecture, Art & Design Resource Center.
A Sabbath Vespers tribute to parents, faculty and students will be held at Pioneer Memorial Church at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 2. Immediately after vespers (approximately 9:15 p.m.), the President’s Reception for graduates and their families will take place in the Great Lakes Room at the Campus Center.
On Sunday, May 3, Humberto M. Rasi, Special Projects, Department of Education, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, will be the speaker for the first and third Commencement services at 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. His address is titled, “On the Road to Success.” Rasi will be the candidate for an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, which will be presented during the 8:30 a.m. service. at Pioneer Memorial Church.
Rasi has supported the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church for almost 60 years as teacher, author, editor and educational administrator. Born and educated in Argentina, he completed a doctoral degree in Latin American literature and history at Stanford University in 1971. During 1975–76 he participated in a postdoctoral seminar at Johns Hopkins University where he focused on the work of Hispanic writers Miguel de Unamuno and Jorge Luis Borges.
Martin Doblmeier, founder and president of Journey Films, will present “Through the Lens of Faith” for the 11 a.m. service for the College of Arts & Sciences. He is also the candidate for an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.
Journey Films is a film and television production company in Alexandria, Virginia with a focus on religion, faith and spirituality. Doblmeier holds degrees in religious studies, broadcast journalism, and an honorary doctorate in Fine Arts. He has received an Emmy and is a three-time winner at the U.S./International Film Festival and a six-time winner of the prestigious Gabriel Award for best film on a topic of religion in America.
Commencement seating is by ticket only. A live streaming link will be provided at andrews.edu/graduation on the day of Commencement, Sunday, May 3. For more information and/or a full schedule of events, visit andrews.edu/graduation.
