Methodist University to Celebrate 35th Annual Winter Commencement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DECEMBER 5, 2007
MARIA SIKORYAK-ROBINS
DIRECTOR OF UNIVERSITY PUBLICATIONS

FAYETTEVILLE, NC—Methodist University will celebrate its 35th Annual Winter Commencement ceremony Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007 at 2 p.m. in the March F. Riddle Center. There are 228 candidates for graduation. The University’s Master of Justice Administration (MJA) Program has 13 candidates in its inaugural class and there are ten candidates for graduation from The Professional Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Pinehurst’s® inaugural class.

Shuler

Crisp

The day’s events will begin with a baccalaureate service at 10:30 a.m. in Reeves Auditorium. The Rev. Albert Shuler, a native of Calhoun County, S.C., will deliver the baccalaureate sermon. Schuler earned his bachelor’s degree in French with a minor in religion and philosophy from Claflin University in Orangeburg, S.C. He attended the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Ga., and received his Master of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School. Schuler has held appointments in Wilmington, Fayetteville, Elizabeth City, and Durham, and he currently serves as senior pastor at Jarvis Memorial Church in Greenville, N.C.

This year’s commencement speaker is Dr. Delmas S. Crisp, Jr., vice president for Academic Affairs and dean of the University. Dr. Crisp came to Methodist University in June 2007, having served in the same capacity for six years at Wesleyan College in Macon, Ga. His tenure at Wesleyan College began in 1988 as the chair of the Division of Humanities and Fuller E. Callaway Professor of English. Prior to his time at Wesleyan, Dr. Crisp taught at Southeastern Louisiana from 1968-1988, rising from the rank of instructor of English to associate professor of English and department head.

Dr. Crisp received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. from the University of Southern Mississippi, where he specialized in British Medieval and Renaissance literature and linguistics.

The Methodist University Chorale, directed by Professor Michael Martin, will perform special music, and the Samuel R. Edwards award will be presented to a student in recognition of his or her academic excellence, spiritual development, and community service. The award was established in 1990 to honor Edwards, who served simultaneously as the first registrar, admissions director, director of financial aid, and instructor of physical education. Dr. M. Elton Hendricks, Methodist University president, will receive a flag from Shanelle Olliver of St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

Methodist University is an independent four-year institution of higher education with over 2,100 students from 41 states and 30 countries. Methodist University offers over 70 majors and concentrations, three master’s degree programs, and 19 NCAA III intercollegiate sports. For more information contact the Office of University Relations at (910) 630-7043.