At Andrews University’s spring graduation, 256 students were awarded undergraduate degrees and 359 students were awarded graduate degrees. Overall, about 600 students received their degrees in person. The weekend’s events included a Friday Commencement service and vespers service, Baccalaureate services on Sabbath morning and two additional Commencement services on Sunday morning.
On Friday, May 1, Mark Finley, assistant to the president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and president of Hope Lives Evangelistic Ministries, delivered the address “The Essence of True Greatness” at the Commencement service for the College of Education & International Services and the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. He was also recognized with an honorary Doctor of Divinity for his dedication to mentoring young people in evangelistic work and his extensive work in media.
Additionally, Ernestine Finley was recognized with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters for her commitment to providing health education in a sustainable and accessible format for thousands of people. As an author, broadcast evangelist and teacher, she is known worldwide for her wellness ministry.
Alayne Thorpe, who most recently served as dean of the College of Education & International Services and School of Graduate Studies at Andrews and president of Griggs International, was honored at the same service with the President’s Medallion.
On Saturday, May 2, Elden Ramirez, president of the Lake Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, offered the address “What Hath God Wrought Through You” for both the graduate and undergraduate Baccalaureate services.
On Sunday, May 3, Zeno L. Charles-Marcel, director of Health Ministries for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, gave the Commencement address “Required or Desired” for graduates of the College of Health & Human Services and College of Professions.
Patricia Gustin was recognized during the service with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters for her commitment to providing education and support to missionaries and their families. As former director of the Institute of World Mission, Gustin has dedicated her life to mission work, training and expansion.
Bettina Krause, editor of Liberty magazine and associate director of the Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department for the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, delivered the address “Who Do You Think You Are?” at the Commencement service for graduates of the College of Arts & Sciences. She was recognized with an honorary Doctor of Laws for her dedication to sharing the role of religious liberty in both public and private spaces.
Central graduation events are available on the Andrews University YouTube channel.
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