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Nazarene Bible College Graduation

Nazarene Bible College - Graduates with Pikes Peak in the background

This was a momentous weekend at NBC, the 41st annual graduation ceremonies for 119 campus and online students. This is the largest graduating class since adding the Bachelors Degree in 1991.

Graduation actually started the previous week, with the Awards Chapel, the Graduate Chapel, and then the Graduate Sending Chapel. Following these was the Graduate Picnic, for which God blessed us with a gorgeous day. We had esteemed chefs: Dr. Harold Graves, President, Dr. Gary Streit, VP for Academic Affairs, Dr. Jay Ott, VP for Campus Academic Services, and Mr. Mike Arrambide, VP for Finance. They graciously grilled hamburgers and hotdogs for 260 graduates and their families. The New Horizons Band delighted all with live Swing/Big Band music.

Next was Convocation on another clear Colorado Springs day. There were nearly 500 in attendance! Each graduate expressed his or her vows of faithfulness to God's commission for them through scripture, poetry, or deeply felt words. The torch ceremony, symbolic of the passing of learning to the next generation of students, was especially inspiring. This year, the torch passed from an Alumnus through the hands of each of the graduates, and then to a freshman from Samoa whose father had graduated 35 years ago! It was a powerful reminder of the generations of torch bearers who have graduated from NBC; graduates who came from all parts of the world to learn, and then have gone back to all parts of the world to carry the uplifting message of salvation. Convocation closed with beautiful music from the NBC Music Ministries Choir led by Dr. Steven Grimo.

Nazarene Bible College - Apostle ceremony

This was a special year for the Call and Response of Apostles. Sixty-seven former NBC Apostles from 20 different states attended the Apostles 35th Anniversary Reunion. In total, there were almost 200 attendees at the Apostles Reunion Luncheon. Gary Haines, evangelist in the Church of the Nazarene and alumnus of NBC, led a moving worship. Then, Jeffrey Fletcher, VP of the Alumni Executive Council, welcomed the graduates into the Alumni Association. To mark the 35th Anniversary, the college released a stunning brochure featuring the stained-glass images of apostles in the Strickland Chapel steeple and NBC's mission of sending out apostles in this generation.

Nazarene Bible College - Dr. Harold Graves

Then, of course, was Commencement. There were 770 present at the Springs First Church of the Nazarene for the ceremony. The ceremony opened with the faculty and graduates processional. Dr. David Graves, General Superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene, presented the Commencement address, "A Life Worth Living." He talked about living meaningful lives through the work of the Spirit in us. Professor Patricia Crane was granted Faculty Emerita status for her 19 years as an English Professor, and Dr. Donald Stelting was granted Academic Dean Emeritus status for his 14 ½ years of service. Following beautiful music by the NBC Music Ministries Choir, the diplomas were awarded. Graduate after graduate crossed the stage, smiling, reveling in their momentous accomplishment, achieved through faith and hard work. Finally, the Choir closed with more uplifting music.

It was a great and historic weekend. There was laughter, music, food, tears of joy, spiritual words, and a transcendent ambiance. No matter where the Lord has led them afterwards, Nazarene Bible College Alumni tell us they remember their time at NBC with fondness, as well as the exceptional graduation ceremonies. This weekend lived up to all of that.

Published: 06/04/2010

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