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Commencement Schedule Includes Address by Rev. Bob Edgar

Robert W. Edgar

Eastern Mennonite University will hold its 88th annual commencement exercises 1 p.m. Sunday, Apr. 30, on the front lawn of campus, weather permitting.

President Loren E. Swartzendruber will confer 405 degrees - 314 undergraduate, 87 graduate, two associate degrees and two graduate certificates - on members of the graduating class of 2005. Last year, EMU awarded 380 degrees.

Robert W. Edgar, general secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, will give the commencement address on the theme, "Becoming the Leaders We Have Been Waiting For!"

Rev. Edgar took office on Jan. 1, 2000, as the 50-year-old organization began to reshape its life and mission. Under his leadership, the Council is focusing its energies on major initiatives in overcoming poverty, protecting the environment, fostering interfaith understanding and building international peace.

Edgar served eight years in the U.S. House of Representatives, followed by a 12-year tenure as president of Claremont School of Theology. An ordained United Methodist elder, Edgar has also been pastor of several congregations, a college chaplain, a candidate for the U.S. Senate and finance director for Paul Simon’s presidential campaign in 1988.

The commencement speaker completed his undergraduate work at Lycoming College, Williamsport, Pa., and earned a master of divinity degree from the Theological School of Drew University, Madison, N.J. He holds four honorary doctoral degrees.

Edgar was principal speaker at an interdenominational conference, "God, Democracy and U.S. Power," held Sept. 23-25, 2004 and co-sponsored by EMU and neighboring Bridgewater College.

Graduates' perspectives will be given by Dustin J. Galyon, Sterling, Kan., and Aerlande P. Wontamo, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Veronica Perez, Harrisonburg, representing the Adult Degree Completion Program; and Joseph S. Schmidt, Crozet, Va., representing the master of business administration program.

Mark Metzler Sawin

The seniors have selected Mark Metzler Sawin, assistant professor of history at EMU, to give the university baccalaureate address at 7 p.m. Saturday, Apr. 29, in Lehman Auditorium. He will speak on "Wandering, Wondering: An Eclectic Guide to 'walking humbly with your God.'" Dr. Sawin, who joined the faculty in 2001, has a B.A. degree from Goshen (Ind.) College and earned M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from The University of Texas at Austin.

Undergraduate senior class co-presidents Luella M. Kauffman, Lancaster, Pa., and Greg N. Lamb, Harrisonburg, will give the class salutation.

EMU music students will give a short concert in Lehman Auditorium immediately following the baccalaureate service.

President and Mrs. Swartzendruber will host a reception for the graduates and their families at 9 p.m. Apr. 29 in the Campus Center Greeting Hall.

In case of rain, commencement exercises will be held in the Yoder Arena of University Commons, which can accommodate 3,600 people. An announcement to that effect will be made by 11 a.m. that day on WEMC, 91.7 FM, and other area radio stations.

— article by: Jim Bishop; posted March 28, 2006