Regent Commencement 2016

This past Saturday, family and friends gathered on the Regent University campus to recognize the graduating class of 2016.  Dr. Pat Robertson, founder and chancellor of Regent, presided over the ceremony.

Dr. Robertson addressed the audience: “I think back to the words that was given to Joshua as he was preparing to go into the promised land: ‘And God said to him, Be strong and very courageous, for the Lord your God will go with you whithersoever you go.’”

The keynote speaker was retired Lieutenant General William G. “Jerry” Boykin, a highly decorated officer and war veteran.

He told the graduates, “You have to be on a quest for learning, and you’ve got to study history.  There’s an old proverb that says if you dwell in the past you lose an eye.  If you forget the past you lose both eyes.  And that’s exactly what we’re in jeopardy of having if we forget our past.  And I would encourage you to study history and know what made America great.”

Known for excellence, Regent offers nearly 100 degree programs and concentrations in its seven graduate schools and undergraduate program.  It has one of the top ranked online bachelor’s programs in the country.  In all, 1,500 students earned their degrees this year.

That included three ROTC graduates, who were commissioned as officers to serve in the United States Military - two in the Army, and one in the Marines.
 
Graduating with a law degree, Kathleen Knudsen addressed her fellow students: “For many of us earning our respective degrees is a dream come true.  And today we celebrate that.  But more than the celebration of the degree programs, we celebrate the goodness and the faithfulness of God.  We celebrate His calling upon our lives.”

Regent University students represent over 25 countries.  Together, they are fulfilling Regent’s mission of Christian leadership to change the world.    

Dr. Robertson said to the graduates, “My charge to you today is be strong.  Be very courageous, because the Author of all life, the Creator of the heavens and the earth is with you.  God Almighty will be with you.  He’ll be with you in the dark days, He’ll be with you in the sunny days.  He’ll be with you in joy, He’ll be with you in pain.  Wherever you go, though you go through the fire, He will be with you.  Congratulations to the largest graduating class in the history of this institution.  God bless all of you.  And now you may flip your tassels!”