JACKSON, Tenn. — May 16, 2015 — As she marched in the graduation ceremony, Sandra Williams couldn’t help but reflect on her memories of Union through the years.
Union University’s 190th annual spring commencement on May 16 marked the 50th anniversary of Williams’ graduation from Union in 1965. She taught at Union for more than 20 years before her retirement in 2003, and since then has still been teaching as an adjunct instructor.
“Union has been so very good to me,” Williams said. “I just wanted to celebrate the fact that I’m still able to be at Union and to say that I’m thankful for the many years that I’ve had this kind of relationship with the school.”
To celebrate the occasion, Williams got special permission to march with the faculty in Saturday’s ceremony. Dressed in their academic regalia, the faculty led the way for the 718 students who received their degrees in Oman Arena -- the largest graduation in Union’s history. Because of rain and the large size of the graduating class, the university held two separate ceremonies -- one for graduate and adult studies students and one for undergraduate students.
The event was a family affair for the Crockarells, with father John Crockarell Jr. and son Chip Crockarell each completing their Master of Business Administration degrees. Chip’s fiancée Rachel West also graduated with her bachelor’s degree in family studies.
John Crockarell, an orthopedic surgeon in Memphis, said he wanted to get the degree to learn more about the business and economic side of the medical profession. Graduating with his son was a bonus.
“I’m most proud of him, because it’s really a testament to his work ethic and tenacity,” John said. “As a dad, I think it’s more about that. I enjoyed my experience, and I think it’s an accomplishment and all, but to get to walk with him, it’s more about Chip and his dedication and work ethic than anything.”
Chip Crockarell participated in last year’s spring commencement as an undergraduate student. He continued his Union education with the master’s degree, which he finished in eight months. Chip gave an extra effort to complete his degree when he found out that his father would be graduating as well.
Steve Gaines, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tennessee, and a Union alumnus, delivered the commencement address, challenging graduates to devote themselves to prayer, to the power of God’s Spirit and to the proclamation of the gospel – three traits that characterized the early Christian church in Acts.
“We’re on a downward slope,” Gaines said about the moral and spiritual climate of the day. “You’re graduating in serious days. Serious days require serious Christians.”
Gaines’ daughter Bethany Gaines Golding received her bachelor’s degree in teaching and learning as part of the ceremony.
Union presented the Elizabeth Tigrett Medal to Phillip Richard Kurtzweil, a biochemistry major from Wichita, Kansas. The award honors the mother of Isaac B. Tigrett, a former interim president at Union, as well as a benefactor and trustee. The medal has been awarded since 1912 by vote of the entire Union faculty to an outstanding member of the senior class.
Earlier in the day, Union held a commissioning service for graduates in G.M. Savage Memorial Chapel. Union President Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver encouraged graduates to heed the simple two-word command that Jesus so often repeated: “Follow me.”
“We bless you as you graduate from Union and are praying for you as you courageously and faithfully follow God’s call on your lives,” Oliver said. “And, we hope you will be incredibly successful. But we only want that as you faithfully follow Jesus.”
Oliver said the first step in the Christian life is obedience to those two words.
“And, the whole pathway of the Christian life is traveled in obedience to those two words,” he said. “It’s not complicated. When Jesus says, ‘Follow me,’ he demands submission of the whole being, and from that moment we don’t get ahead of him, we go after him.”