05.15.08 
Number of graduates continues to climb

By Southeastern University

Three hundred and eleven students received their degrees on April 26, during Southeastern's largest-ever commencement.

Previous spring commencements have taken place at Victory Church (Lakeland, Fla.) where there is seating for 3,000, but the increasing numbers at graduation have prompted school officials to move the ceremony to a larger location. Southeastern moved the commencement to Without Walls Central church in Lakeland, where the main floor of the auditorium seats 5,000.

Southeastern's assistant registrar, Linda Kelso, said the university expected close to 4,000 people--including the faculty and graduates--to attend graduation. The official number of guests from Southeastern's security department was 4,800, not including graduates, faculty, and administrators.

Kelso says spring commencement in 2009 is also tentatively planned to be held at Without Walls. If needed, the balcony can be opened for additional seating of 4,000.

During the two-and-a-half-hour commencement ceremony Associate Professor of Music Ed Bryant led the audience in singing the hymn "And Can It Be That I Should Gain." The Southeastern Chamber Singers and Concert Choir also performed "The Old Hundredth Psalm Tune."

Calev Myers, a Messianic Jewish partner at Yehuda Raveh & Co. law offices in Israel, delivered the commencement address. Myers is also the founder and chief counsel of the Jerusalem Institute of Justice, a non-profit organization that grants legal representation to Israeli residents facing religious discrimination.

Myers shared the story of how God has used him. He explained the "linguistic miracle" God performed by giving him the ability to read, write, and speak Hebrew during his studies at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Myers challenged graduates to step outside of their abilities and limitations into God's abilities.

After the address, two seniors were presented with special awards by Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Lyle Bowlin. Erica Waters won The Mark Rutland Leadership Award, and John Orzechowski was awarded The Southeastern University Award. Dr. Bowlin noted that the graduates winning the award are engaged to be married in May.

Three hundred and eleven students crossed the stage, shook the hand of Southeastern President Dr. Mark Rutland, and turned their tassels while family and friends celebrated by cheering, clapping, yelling, whistling, pumping their fists in the air, waving balloons, and blowing air horns.

Dr. Rutland described commencement as a mix of U.S. Supreme Court proceedings and a three-ring circus. He said there is enough pomp and circumstance to justify wearing clothing from the Middle Ages and enough celebration to satisfy friends and family.