1999, v40, n4 - Methodist University

27TH WINTER GRADUATIONCelebrate your accomplishments and thank those who helped you.Continue to learn and ask yourself at the end of each day, "Did I make adifference?"That was the message given to Methodist's winter graduates Dee. 17.The speaker was Dr. A. Hope Williams, president of the North CarolinaAssociation of Independent Colleges andUniversities.Dr. Williams said new technology and newjob requirements will force workers in the newmillennium to continue learning throughouttheir lifetimes. She also observed that the liberalarts foundation and the values received atMethodist College should enable its graduatesto adapt and make wise decisions.The speaker challenged the 120 degreecandidates to remember those who had helpedthem succeed at Methodist and those who hadDr. Williamssupported the College over the last 40 years. "Do what you can to helpthe College continue to grow and remain strong, so others can be helpedthe same way you have been," she said.Quoting from advice given by the late Terry Sanford, the first chairmanof the Methodist College Board of Trustees, Dr.Williams challenged the graduating seniors tomake a diffirence in the lives of others."Be unwilling to settle for less than your bestand expect the same of others," she said. "Asyou go forward, make every day count and countevery day a blessing."In the morning baccalaureate sermon, the Rev.Rodney G. Hamm of Burlington, NC, urgedmembers of the winter class to look beyond life'spacifiers or "golden calves"-material goodstoa life based on God's commandments.Rev. HammHis sermon was based on Deuteronomy 30: 15-20, in which Mosestells the people ofIsraei that choosing God means choosing an abundantand everlasting life. "We are called to live like the godhead-Father, Sonand Holy Ghost-in perfect harmony," he said.Citing modern examples of misplaced values and bigotry, as well asrecent professions of religious faith by political and entertainment figures,Hamm urged Methodist's latest degree candidates to choose God and alife of faith and to seek an answer to the question, "How can we getalong?"In other commencement activities:-College President Elton Hendricks awarded an honorary Doctor ofDiviniry degree to the Rev. Rodney Hamm for 25 years of exemplaryservice as a minister in the North Carolina Conference of the UnitedMethodist Church.-Jose Hodgson presented the flag of his native Nicaragua to theCollege.-Tracy Kassell received the Sam Edwards Award, denoting her selectionas the outstanding Evening College graduate in the Class of '99.-Akinfemiwa Akintewe, an Army ROTC cadet, took the Oath ofAllegiance and was commissioneda second lieutenant.Clockwise: Tracy Kassel receives the Sam EdwardsAward. Jose Hodgson presents the flag of Nicaragua.Methodist's newest graduates file through the honorcordon.3 Methodist CollegeToday