Trinity Christian College

2011 December Commencement: Photogallery

Trinity Christian College celebrated the graduation of 99 baccalaureate students and Adult Studies students during the Commencement ceremony on Saturday, December 17, 2011.

Families and friends of the graduates gathered in the Ozinga Chapel Auditorium to witness the presentation of the diplomas by Provost Liz Rudenga and to hear Dr. Bill Boerman-Cornell’s Commencement address “The Things You Carry.”

With humor and poignancy, Boerman-Cornell, assistant professor of education, shared the story of his separation from home and family after he graduated from college. Painting a vivid picture of his father over-preparing him for the move and his mother running alongside his van to gush a torrent of last minute advice, Boerman-Cornell said, “The position my parents were in on that day is the position that your professors find themselves in today, myself included. So I am afraid that, for just a couple of minutes today, I am going to shout advice through the open window of your moving van before you pull away.”

His advice, which echoed the principles of the College’s mission statement, was delivered with the insistence of a loving parent, a caring professor. His main points included:

Everything always comes back to our relationship to God and his creation. 

Life is not all about you; it is about how you serve others.  

God loves diversity. You should, too.   

Keep learning!   

Boerman-Cornell closed by saying, “So drive carefully. Take care. Email us when you get there. We are proud of you, and we know that you are going to do amazing things.”

The invocation was delivered by Dr. Mary Webster Moore, assistant professor of education; the song of response and the song of prayer were sung by the Trinity Gospel Choir; and the Commencement litany was led by Adult Studies graduate, Ronald Brown. Alumni greetings were offered by Joyce Schulting ’74, a member of the alumni board, and the benediction was given by Chaplain Willis Van Groningen, Ph. D.