Southern Wesleyan celebrates more than 300 graduates

Students graduating from the university’s traditional program participated in the ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 8, at 3 p.m. There were two separate graduation ceremonies on Saturday, Dec. 10, for students graduating from the university’s Adult and Graduate Studies programs. The 10 a.m. ceremony on Dec. 10 was for students earning associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees from the Central, Greenville, Greenwood and Spartanburg locations. The 3 p.m. ceremony on Dec. 10 was for students earning associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees from the Columbia, Charleston and North Augusta locations.

The speaker for the Dec. 8 and 10 graduation ceremonies was Dr. Lawrence Clayton, a member of the University of Alabama faculty and also Southern Wesleyan’s board of visitors.

“Education never stops. Once you stop learning you really stop living,” Clayton said. Citing his motorcycle accident as a teachable moment, Clayton urged the new graduates to draw on the Holy Spirit to be overcomers and achievers. He urged them to pursue their God-given talents and realize the promise of Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Clayton has been on the faculty of the University of Alabama since 1972, where he directed the Latin American Studies Program and chaired the Department of History. He earned a bachelor of arts degree at Duke University and a master of arts degree and Ph.D. at Tulane University. From 1964-1966 he served as an officer in the U.S. Navy on the USS Donner, cruising both in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean with the 6th Fleet.

During the Ceremony, Clayton received an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree, presented by Dr. Todd Voss, president of Southern Wesleyan.

Addressing new graduates for the first time at Southern Wesleyan, President Todd Voss said, “You represent a new generation of leaders who will inherit the challenges of a rapidly changing and often troubled world. The world around you needs faithful leaders with vision. You have the opportunity to be change agents.”

The university conferred 330 degrees, according to Registrar Rock McCaskill.

Diplomas were awarded posthumously to Cliff Green, who was enrolled in the Music Education program and died Sept. 22; Betty Walker, who was enrolled in the Master of Ministry program and died July 8; and John Wood, who was enrolled in the Master of Business Administration program and died July 9. Green’s diploma was presented to his wife, Shauna; Walker’s diploma was presented to her husband, Bob; and Wood’s diploma was presented to his father, Rev. Pete Wood.