Graduates Challenged to Use Their Gifts
Encouraged to make a difference by using their gifts and talents to glorify God, 281 North Greenville University students had their degrees conferred during Spring Commencement ceremonies on May 5 at Melvin and Dollie Younts Stadium on NGU’s Tigerville campus.
“The only chance we have to give a glimpse of glory to God on this Earth is to do something through him that causes people to ask ‘why,’” said Furman Men’s Basketball Coach
Bob Richey (’06), who graduated summa cum laude, delivered the university’s commencement address.
“If you play it safe, you’ll never get there. This world needs people with conviction. We need courage. We need believers. We’re equipped to go make a difference because of the gifts God has given us, and he’s begging us to use them,” he said.
A processional led by Faculty Marshal Dr. Gerald Roe, retiring professor of intercultural studies, opened the ceremonies. Following a welcome by NGU President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr., Dr. Brian Spearman (’00, ’10, ’14), chairman of the university’s Board of Trustees, delivered the invocation.
With graduating students seated on the football field and family and friends packing the home stands of the stadium, the evening ceremony capped the academic year. Concluding with a fireworks display, the event was the culmination of a four-year journey for bachelor’s degree students who saw Covid-19 sweep around the world during their freshman year.
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“Congratulations to each of you on achieving this significant academic milestone,” said President Fant. “It is our prayer that today’s commencement will also be a commissioning as we send you out to be transformational leaders for church and society.”
Richey has been at the helm of the Furman men’s basketball program for six years, guiding the Paladins to a 139-54 overall record. His team made headlines in March when the Paladins knocked off Virginia in the opening round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament
“I made a convicted decision to chase a dream while I was at North Greenville,” he said. “I wanted to coach. I had a decent GPA and I had a lot of people telling me to continue to pursue academia, go to grad school, or just do something normal. I just remember making that scary decision on campus, but I knew I wanted to utilize my gifts to impact people.”
“We are created for a purpose,” Richey said. “We’re not to be ships in the harbor. We have to go through the storm and the turbulent waters to endure and show God’s glory.”
Following Richey’s address to the graduates, diplomas were presented to the graduates by the deans from NGU’s five academic colleges.
Graduates Joseph Wall Noyes and Caroline June Nelms led the singing of the Alma Mater. Ansley Welchel (’00), instructor of communication at NGU, delivered the benediction.❚
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