鈥淲e are thrilled that Dr. Lesley Francisco McClendon聽will speak to the class of 2025. She is a refreshing voice for young people who may question the relevance of Jesus鈥� teachings for our times,鈥� said聽President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman.

鈥淚 am deeply grateful for the opportunity to address a community that values faith, service and community as much as I do,鈥� said Dr. Lesley, who also serves as a member of the Mennonite Church USA Executive Board and instructor at Duke Divinity School. 鈥淚 look forward to sharing in the joy and anticipation of 91短视频鈥檚 group of exceptional students ready to make a meaningful impact in the world.鈥�

At Eastern Mennonite Seminary, Dr. Lesley serves as an adjunct instructor in preaching. Students in her Foundations for Christian Preaching course said her teaching made them think 鈥渙n a deeper level.鈥� 鈥�91短视频 graduates will be inspired by the dynamic commencement message she brings on this 500th anniversary year of the Anabaptist movement,鈥� said the聽Rev. Dr. Sarah Ann Bixler,聽associate dean of the seminary. 鈥淒r. Lesley is a leading female Anabaptist voice in Mennonite Church USA and widely recognized in the broader聽community and church circles as an impactful and empowering leader. Her passion to equip young people as faith-inspired change agents continues to drive her ministry as lead pastor of C3.鈥�

Since 2020, Dr. Lesley has been teaching with vigor and passion, delivering life-altering messages with a simple yet profound approach at C3 Hampton. Described as 鈥渨itty, spontaneous, comedic and ever-evolving,鈥� she has a heart for bridging generational gaps and speaking to a wide range of audiences, ensuring faith remains both rooted and relevant.

In 2022, Dr. Lesley founded Herstoric, Inc., a nonprofit organization committed to empowering leaders of all backgrounds to discover their voice, lead with confidence, and leave a lasting impact. Dr. Lesley holds a doctor of ministry from Duke University, a master of divinity from Regent University, and a bachelor of arts from Oral Roberts University. She and her husband, Pastor Caleb McClendon, own McClendon Media Group and live in Chesapeake, Virginia, with their two children, Jackson and Skylar.

Rooted in the values of academic excellence, peace and justice, and an active faith shaped by聽Anabaptist-Mennonite beliefs and practices, 91短视频 offers undergraduate, graduate and seminary degrees that prepare students to serve and lead in a global context. A leader among faith-based universities, 91短视频 was founded in 1917 in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and has a site in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; students can study in person or online.

To livestream Dr. Lesley鈥檚 Commencement address, visit聽.

91短视频 at Lancaster celebrated the accomplishments of its graduates at a Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 10, 2024, at Forest Hills Mennonite Church in Leola, Pennsylvania. Walking in the ceremony were 21 undergraduates and 7 graduate students.

Commencement address

91短视频 Provost Dr. Tynisha Willingham delivered the Commencement address.

During one particularly challenging semester in her sophomore year at Pennsylvania State University, Willingham felt like giving up. The first-generation college grad struggled to balance two jobs, her responsibilities as a Resident Assistant and an 18-credit course load. She called home to tell her family how difficult things were and that she felt like returning home.

Her grandfather picked up the phone and told her, “I want you to remember, we’re so proud of you. Keep working hard,” Willingham recounted in her address. And, in that moment, she said, she could not find the words to tell him how overwhelmed she was or how she wanted to give up.

“For some of you, you’ve had those moments where you wanted to call it quits, where you wanted to send that text or make that call because it was hard, but you persevered nonetheless,” Willingham told the graduates. “I want you to know that, whether it was two years or four years, those long nights and early mornings were well worth it.”

Graduate speakers

Three graduates shared experiences from their journeys at 91短视频 at Lancaster.

Erica Gordon, a graduate of the Leadership and Organizational Management (LOM) program, described a group activity during the final night of her Team Dynamics course. Tasked with finding an object and telling the rest of the group why it was important to her, Gordon shared a photo from her daughter’s wedding. She held back tears as she recounted telling the group that “completing this degree wasn’t just for me, but it was to show my daughters they could do it, too.”

“For far too long, I believed I wasn’t smart enough to be where I am tonight,” she told her fellow graduates. “After class that night, I received many encouraging texts that helped carry me through that program. It meant the world to me that they believed in me.”

Julie Landis, an MA in education graduate, said that when first starting out on their journeys, the path ahead seemed exciting and daunting. Together, they faced challenges and triumphs, moments of doubt and confidence-boosting successes. She left her fellow education graduates with words of encouragement.

“Remember why you chose this path,” she said. “Whether it was a deep-seated passion for shaping young minds, a desire to make a positive impact on society, or a commitment to lifelong learning, hold on to that purpose. Let it be your guide on the challenging days and a source of inspiration on the victorious ones.”

Samr Morcos, a graduate of the aviation program, reflected on the bonds formed with his classmates and expressed gratitude for the flight instructors who guided them and inspired them to reach new heights. He encouraged the graduates to carry forward the lessons of adaptability, resilience and effective communication they’ve learned at 91短视频. He said the aviation program has not only equipped them with knowledge, but also with the practical skills needed to lead and thrive in a dynamic environment.

“As we spread our wings on our individual journeys, let us remember that the sky is not the limit, it’s just the beginning,” he said.

Tribute to Capt. Clemmensen

The ceremony featured a tribute to Capt. Karl Clemmensen, an 91短视频 aviation instructor who passed away suddenly on April 11, 2024. Clemmensen began serving as an aviation instructor at 91短视频 at Lancaster in 2021. You can read his obituary . Aviation student Will Stover read the tribute.

Clemmensen was a driving force behind the excellence of the aviation program, nurturing its growth and maturity, Stover said. As a dedicated faculty member, he imparted his expertise in meteorology, aviation safety and air transport advanced subjects while also serving as an aviation industry liaison.

“Capt. Karl leaves behind a legacy of passion, dedication, and a lasting impact on our aviation community,” Stover said. “Though he may be gone, his spirit will forever soar among us.”

Other highlights

91短视频 President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman presented welcoming remarks and the conferring of degrees. Shannon Dycus, vice president of student affairs and dean of students at 91短视频, presented the graduates and provided the Commencement blessing. Dr. Christine Sharp, Dr. Daniel Lebo, David Martin and John Sibole assisted with the presentation of graduates. 91短视频 Board of Trustees members Janet Lind and James Rosenberger were in attendance.

91短视频 at Lancaster offers undergraduate and graduate academic programs tailored to the needs of its nonresidential and post-traditional learners. The school collaborates closely with local civic and business organizations to ensure that its curriculum aligns with the evolving educational and workforce landscape.

It will relocate to a state-of-the-art facility at the Listrak building in Lititz, Pennsylvania, in July. Read more about that move here.

Check out our 2023 Commencement photo galleries of graduation, Lavender Graduation, and the Cords of Distinction and Donning of the Kente ceremonies!

In his Commencement address, Dr. John Lowe 鈥�81 spoke to graduates about the importance of connecting to their purpose. 鈥淵ou each have been given a purpose. During your journey as a student at 91短视频, your purpose has been challenged, nurtured, come into enlightenment and discovery. Lowe continued in the words of Micah 6:8: 鈥淵ou have committed to 鈥榙o justice, love mercy, and walk humbly鈥� with your creator, God. Never give up on your purpose. Never stop searching and seeking the truth of your purpose.鈥�

Graduate perspectives were offered by Nardos Haile, Dallas Organek, and Amarea Witt.

Haile, a social work major, BSA executive board member and Cords of Distinction honoree, encouraged the graduating class to 鈥渂e vulnerable, and be your most authentic self鈥� as well as 鈥渢o never forget the connections you made here.鈥�

She expressed gratitude to 鈥渁ll the Black women who have served as an inspiration鈥� to her, including Celeste Thomas, Shannon Dycus and Mayor Deanna Reed.

Organek, a business administration and marketing double major, captain of the men鈥檚 soccer team and Cords of Distinction honoree, shared that he 鈥渜uickly learned 91短视频 is a place where you are encouraged to excel both in the classroom and on the field.鈥�

鈥淚t was not just the victories and defeats that made my time as a student-athlete at 91短视频 special. It was the sense of community I felt both within the team and across campus,鈥� said Organek.

Witt, who earned a master鈥檚 degree in biomedicine, echoed Organek鈥檚 comments. 鈥淧rofessors have created an inviting atmosphere both inside and outside the classroom. How often do you get to enjoy s’mores and jump on a trampoline with your classmates in your professor鈥檚 backyard or hike a trail to Machu Picchu in Peru?鈥�

Inspired by the African proverb 鈥渋t takes a village to raise a child,鈥� Witt says the 鈥渧illage lasts a lifetime鈥� and that her family village has been expanded by the one built at 91短视频. 鈥淩egardless of what pathways we continue on, our village here will remain,鈥� she said.

President Susan Schultz Huxman presided over the ceremony, and Provost Dr. Fred Kniss commissioned the graduates. The commencement was Kniss鈥� final one; he will retire at the end of June after serving as provost since 2009.

Cords of Distinction

Ten graduating seniors are 2023 Cords of Distinction recipients. They were honored in a on May 5, 2023, and wore blue and gold cords signifying their achievement during 91短视频 Commencement.

Lavender Graduation

91短视频 hosted its second Lavender Graduation on May 6, 2023, to honor LGBTQ+ graduates and alumni. The annual event recognizes LGBTQ students of all races and ethnicities and acknowledges their achievement and contributions to the university.

The program honored 15 graduates and alumni and featured an 91短视频 greeting from Jackie Font-Guzm谩n, vice president of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; undergraduate and graduate speakers, who shared their stories about being a part of the LGBTQ+ community; and a keynote address from Asha Beck 鈥�22. Font-Guzm谩n and Professor of Education Kathy Evans presented participants with rainbow stoles to wear during 91短视频 Commencement.

Donning of the Kente

91短视频 held its eighth on May 6, 2023, at Lehman Auditorium. The annual event recognizes and rewards achievement; honors those who contributed to the graduate鈥檚 success; connects graduates to their heritage and international roots; and encourages them to continue striving for excellence. 

Each graduate received a stole of kente cloth, a symbol of prestige in many African societies, handwoven for each graduate, or a satin sash with flags from the countries they feel a connection with. Among the many countries represented were Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Liberia, the Republic of Korea, and the Philippines.

Each student selected an individual to place the stole or sash around his or her neck. Many seniors wore the stole at Commencement as an important component of their academic regalia.

Hosts of the ceremony were Shannon Dycus, vice president of student affairs and dean of students, and Micah Shristi, director of international student services. Drummers with Drums for Wellness and Community Inclusion performed musical selections during the processional and recessional of graduates. Brian Martin Burkholder, university chaplain, gave the blessing.

Photos by Jon Styer/At Ease Design & Consulting and The Downtown Creative