The academic achievements of the class of 2012 were honoured at Trinity Western University’s 50th Anniversary Commencement ceremony on April 28, 2012. Joined by their families and friends, along with TWU staff and faculty, 366 students, including 21 adult degree completion students, walked across the stage to receive their diplomas.
For TWU’s 50th anniversary, the Commencement was held at the Langley Events Centre, where the Spartans hockey, basketball and volleyball teams play. Due to the larger space, rather than two or three services, TWU held one ceremony in front of a full house. Graduates commemorated the occasion with special 50th anniversary pendants attached to their caps.
The Honorable Stockwell Day gave the Commencement Address. He encouraged the graduates to “meditate on God’s written word,” and reassured them of God's providence in the face of trials. “There’s going to be times that you will face things that you weren’t trained for—when you’re simply going to have to stand and it will appear unreasonable," he said. "At those times, if you’re faithful, and hang on to the written word, you will see God open things up.”
Accompanied on the violin by her daughter Hannah, pianist Stephanie Chung performed a stirring rendition of Amazing Grace. A Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa, was conferred on Stephanie Chung, and a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, was conferred on Stockwell Day.
All three TWU President’s participated in the ceremony: President Emeritus, Calvin B. Hanson, M.A., who served from 1962 to 1974, President Emeritus, Neil Snider, Ph.D., who served from 1974 to 2006, and President Jonathan S. Raymond, Ph.D., who was appointed in 2006.
A number of former faculty were in attendance. John A. Anonby, Ph.D., James D. Cunningham, Ed.D., Benno W. Friesen, MA, John H. Redekop, Ph.D., David Twiest, MA, M.R.E., Jack Van Dyke, Ph.D., and Richard Walters, MA, processed with the faculty. David Rushton, Ed.D. played the piano during the ceremony, and many others sat in the audience.
Valedictorian, Caleb Jannai de Putter, who graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Biology, addressed the graduates. Together with graduate Cabree Brumbo, who received her Bachelor of Arts in Communications, he also received the Citizenship Award.
Another significant milestone, TWU celebrated its first Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting graduate, Karyn Guenther. The program was launched in 2010.
Check out TWU’s Facebook photo gallery for more photos of the event.