In this interesting day and time when the Zoom app commands our fleeting chance to see one another outside of our individual family unit, the virtual reality is that such online celebrations are increasingly commonplace. Even for such huge traditional in-place parties like college commencement.
This weekend, in response to restrictions on large group gatherings related to the current pandemic, Andrews University has postponed their traditional spring graduation services. However, in the meantime, Virtual Commencement and Celebration of Graduates services will take place from Friday May 1st through Sunday, May 3rd, 2020.
A schedule for the weekend is being continually updated as events are confirmed, and you can get the most up-to-date information by clicking the link below. All events will take place in Eastern Daylight Time. Here’s the link: http://andrews.edu/graduation/schedule
The weekend’s central events begin Friday evening at 7 pm with the Cultural Graduation Stoles Celebration—a program that will be livestreamed at this link: http://andrews.edu/livestream
Later on Friday evening at 9 pm, New Life Fellowship will host a Special Service for Graduates, with Jannel Monroe, Administrative Pastor of New Life Fellowship as the featured speaker. That service will be live on the New Life Facebook page at this link: http://facebook.com/NewLifeAU
Celebrations will continue on Saturday morning at 11:45 am with the baccalaureate service at Pioneer Memorial Church, broadcast from andrews.edu/livestream, the PMC Facebook page (facebook.com/pioneermemorialchurch), and pmchurch.org. Dwight Nelson, lead pastor of PMC, will deliver the address.
One Place Fellowship will include a special recognition for graduates. One Place’s virtual service, with speaker Matt Durante, administrative pastor for One Place Fellowship, will be livestreamed from their Facebook page at 11:45 am at this link: http://facebook.com/oneplacefellowship
On Saturday afternoon, various colleges, schools and departments have arranged their own celebratory services. You can consult the online schedule for a complete listing at the link previously posted in the third paragraph of this story.
The weekend’s events will conclude with Virtual Commencement services on Sunday, May 3rd. Each service will include a greeting and invocation from the dean of the college/Seminary, and President Luxton will share her remarks. Following will be a musical selection provided by a virtual choir and orchestra from the Department of Music, a slideshow of graduates, an alumni welcome, a dedicatory prayer and a benediction.
The first Virtual Commencement Service will occur at 10 am for graduates of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. The other services will follow at 11 am, 12 noon, 1 pm and 2 pm respectively for graduates of the College of Education & International Services, College of Health & Human Services, College of Professions and College of Arts & Sciences. Each of these virtual services will be streamed at http://andrews.edu/livestream
The graduation website will continue to be updated with service information as it becomes available, so be sure to check the schedule periodically for updates.
Founded in 1874, Andrews University is the flagship institution of higher education for the Seventh-day Adventist Church and offers more than 160 areas of study, including advanced degrees. Its main campus is in Berrien Springs, but the University also provides instruction at colleges and universities in more than 25 countries around the world.
Hannah Gallant, University Communication student writer contributed to this report, and the photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market is courtesy of Darren Heslop, University Communication staff photographer.
