An audience of more than 3,600 got caught up in the celebrative spirit, with sustained applause and cheers punctuating the two-hour ceremony.

91短视频 President Loren E. Swartzendruber presented diplomas to the 380 members of the 91短视频 class of 2005 that included 317 undergraduates; 60 persons awarded master’s degrees in Conflict Transformation, counseling, education and business administration; and three graduate certificate recipients.

Commencement speaker John L. McCullough, president and CEO of Church World Service, the oldest and largest ecumenical humanitarian organization in the world, used the familiar Robert Frost poem, “The Road Not Taken,” as a springboard for his address on choosing life’s direction.

“The road taken is a statement about values and traditions,” McCullough said. “It defines priorities and brings into focus those things about which one may feel a sense of urgency.

“When you step off this campus, you will immediately set foot on a path reflective of your commitment to mold a quality of humanity consistent with what you fundamentally believe to be both noble and just,” he told the graduating class. “But doing so requires that one must also be clear about that which is ignoble and fundamentally unfair,” he added.

Citing statistics on the unprecedented disparity in the world today between rich and poor, the 80 countries and regions of the world that are presently at war and the staggering demands on agencies and programs that seek to meet overwhelming human need, McCullough challenged the graduates to “find your public voice and . . . choose a path where your gifts are used to improve the quality of our common humanity.

“If you choose the road of solidarity among the poor, then be more than just a presence – be an outspoken and courageous witness for the dignity and rights of the poor,” he said. “If you choose to walk among those of wealth, then use your privilege to be a lightening road for justice and real social change.”

“Two roads that set out from any common point, if traveled far enough into the horizon, must eventually intersect once again,” the speaker said. “This convergence must be about the reconciliation of those who hunger with those whose tables overflow with abundance; it must be about the meeting of those in poverty with those having more than enough to share.

“This is the transformation that is required, and we look to this early graduating class of the early 21st century to help us reach the mark,” McCullough concluded.

Joseph W. Mast, professor of computer science at 91短视频, offered a prayer of blessing to close the commencement. Dr. Mast plans to retire this year after 37 years of teaching.

During the baccalaureate service Saturday night, senior class officers presented a check for $5,000 to Susan M. Godshall, 91短视频 board chair. The gift will be used to purchase lighting for the sidewalk along Northlawn residence hall, reconstruct barbecue pits and build picnic tables for the hill overlooking campus. Class members gave $2,500, which was matched by a gift from a local donor.

The undergraduate class included three students – Jason D. Garber, Hutchinson, Kan.; Rachel E. Medley, Harrisonburg; and Davi R. Soesilo, Indonesia – who received degrees in three majors, an unusual achievement. All three earned academic honors.

91短视频 will confer 380 degrees – 317 undergraduate, 60 graduate and 3 graduate certificates – on members of the graduating class of 2005. Last year, 91短视频 awarded 406 degrees.

John L. McCullough, executive director and CEO of Church World Service

John L. McCullough, executive director and CEO of Church World Service, will give the commencement address on the topic, “Beyond the Conspiracy of Silence.”

Rev. McCullough has headed CWS, the oldest and largest ecumenical humanitarian organization in the world, since 2000. Before this, he was associate general secretary for the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries.

A graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana and Boston University School of Theology, McCullough is an ordained elder in the Southern New England Conference of the United Methodist Church. He sees his personal mission as “Preparing leaders for church and society, serving the needs of humanity and working for global justice.”

CWS has provided major funding to 91短视频’s in support of its , which provides training programs for religious leaders and caregivers who work in areas affected by trauma.

Graduates’ perspectives will be given by Timothy W. Baldwin of New Providence, Pa., representing the , and Merwyn E. DeMello, India/Kenya, representing the Conflict Transformation Program.

Herman H. (Herm) Weaver, Jr., associate professor of psychology at 91短视频

The seniors have selected Herman H. (Herm) Weaver, Jr., associate professor of at 91短视频, to give the university baccalaureate address at 7 p.m. Saturday, Apr. 30, in Lehman Auditorium. Dr. Weaver, an 91短视频 faculty member since 1992, plans to leave his teaching position at the close of the school year.

An 91短视频 graduate, he earned an M.S.Ed. degree from the University of Akron (Ohio) and a Ph.D. degree from The Union Institute.

Undergraduate senior class co-presidents Lindsay E. Martin, Salem, Ore., and Jared T. Stoltzfus, Harrisonburg, will give the class salutation.

91短视频 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. 30 in the Campus Center Greeting Hall.

In case of rain, commencement exercises will be held in the main 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 , and other area radio stations.