Greenville University celebrates the Class of 2022
Published: May 16, 2022
Greenville University honored the Class of 2022 during an outdoor ceremony on Hogue Lawn Saturday morning.
Commencement weekend included a choir concert in Whitlock Music Center on Friday, followed by the traditional ivy cutting, and Baccalaureate. GU Professors Eugene Dunkley and Nathan Jenkins gave the farewell address to the graduating class. Their message was entitled “The Opportunity for Faith and Speech to Transform Souls for the Kingdom.” Dunkley, associate professor of biology, also pastors the Coffeen Free Methodist Church. Jenkins serves as assistant professor of business and director of the accounting program.
Friends and family in attendance Saturday morning celebrated 246 students receiving their diplomas, including 76 earning their master’s degrees. The ceremony included choral selections “Song of Triumph” and “Witness” performed by the GU Choir, and Adam Christing, author, motivational speaker, and founder of Clean Comedians, delivered the Commencement address entitled, “Glow in the Dark.” He encouraged students to be “light makers” wherever they go, to laugh, and to launch. He concluded with an illusion on stage including nine graduate volunteers, mixing up envelopes, and ending with pulling out the papers inside the envelopes which spelled out, “Class of 22” (pictured above).
Brian Hartley, GU’s dean of faculty and chief academic officer, announced awards and delivered the benediction in what marks his last Commencement as he plans to retire this summer.
The University recognized several special honorees:
President’s Citation: Emily Hogue, digital media major
The President's Citation is GU's most prestigious academic award which is given each year to a graduating senior who has demonstrated the highest academic achievement in the context of a Christian liberal arts program. To be eligible for the award, the student must have completed a bachelor’s degree program at GU and adhered consistently to the ideals of the institution.
“Emily is a hardworking, inquisitive person who cares about her work and the message it sends. She not only cares about her final product, but cares about the people who she collaborates with. Emily was creative director for The Vista, and her attention to detail, consideration for her team, as well as her focus for her goals left a lasting impression for our future student leaders who worked under her leadership. I imagine in any workplace, Emily will continue to leave a lasting impression with the people she interacts with in the future.”– Digital Media Professor Morgan Gilmore.
The President's Award for Character and Service: Chloe Bauder, worship arts and commercial music double major
This award goes to a graduating senior who demonstrates dedication to a life of Christian character and service, displayed through examples of selflessness, generosity of service, nobility of character, personal integrity, and commitment to their Christian faith. The student is nominated by employees, faculty, and staff.
“Chloe has gone above and beyond as a leader of character and service on the GU campus. In her role in the Pursuit worship bands, she has led many students to a deeper understanding of their own faith; to a faith that centers community and Christ-like service. In the classroom, she acted as a role model for other young women as well as young men, teaching them the value of holy vulnerability and the importance of care for the mental health of others.
Chloe has worked courageously in the face of adversity, especially in her work as an RA and lead RA for two years. Throughout COVID, Chloe was a key student liaison for our department, and was often one of the students who helped us move through that difficult time with programming and for intel on how students were reacting to policies and guidelines. – Johnny Hinton, GU assistant director of residence life and resident director for Hood Hall.
Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year Award: Professor Brian Reinhard
Award winners must exhibit a passion for their discipline, have a strong connection with students, expect excellence from them, show efforts to integrate faith and learning, demonstrate a strong Christian commitment and be active in personal scholarship.
Reinhard, who is retiring this year, served as professor of Spanish in the Department of Languages and Culture for 22 years. He chaired the Department, as well as providing expertise to a number of different committees on campus, particularly those working on accreditation issues.
From student nominations:
“He has made an impact on my life in learning Spanish and cares about each of the students in our class by encouraging us to figure out the word and the proper tense to use. He loves questions and challenges us. He always asks how each student is doing every single class.”
“I’ve chosen Dr. Reinhard because he so obviously fits the criteria for the award, but also because he is retiring after this semester. Losing him as my Spanish professor has highlighted how much joy I’ve had learning from him. Dr. Reinhard took great pains to make the classroom environment a good learning space.”
