JACKSON, Tenn. — Dec. 14, 2019 — Two hundred eighty-seven students graduated from Union University during two fall commencement services Dec. 14 at West Jackson Baptist Church, where Gary Carter delivered the commencement address.
Carter retired earlier this year as Union’s senior vice president for business and financial services after 28 years and currently serves as special assistant to the president. His address was entitled, “Goad Forth.”
Carter spoke on the life of Saul of Tarsus, whose name was later changed to Paul, a persecutor of the early church who later became a believer. Carter read from Acts 26:12-14, where Paul was imprisoned and had the opportunity to share his testimony.
Verse 14 reads, “And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’”
Carter explained that a “goad” is a long, slender piece of stick sharpened on one end that a farmer used in training a young ox to prod, give direction and keep it in line. In this passage of Scripture, he said, it seems it is used as a metaphor.
“Goads are for our good,” he said. “They are in our lives to benefit us, to guide us and give us direction, so that God’s plan can be fulfilled in our lives.”
Why did Jesus make this statement to Paul, Carter asked? The simple answer is because Saul was acting like a stubborn ox that was kicking against the goads by refusing God’s direction and guidance. The three main goads that God used in Saul’s life, Carter said, were the Word of God, the Holy Spirit and the early believers themselves.
Carter spoke of the people God has used as a goad in his own personal life, including teachers, coaches, family and colleagues. Carter encouraged graduates to think of the people who have been “goads” in their lives and take time to thank them. He also challenged graduates to be a goad in the hand of a mighty God to influence their families, coworkers, fellow church members and community.
“There are probably a thousand ways to be a goad in God’s hand,” Carter said. “We just need to submit ourselves to him so we that can be used for his kingdom purposes.”
Maylissa Charmant of Burlington, Massachusetts, was one of the graduates who received her degree, as well as the academic excellence medal in nursing. Charmant was part of the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and had previously received a biology degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Throughout Union’s rigorous 15-month program, Charmant maintained a 4.0 GPA, which she said she accomplished through the support of her family and friends, discipline, sacrifice and a lot of studying. Charmant is thankful for professors like Christina Davis, assistant professor of nursing, who supported students both inside and outside the classroom.
“Nursing in general is hard, but if you’re dedicated and you use the resources that they give you and you keep that line of communication open with your professors, you will succeed,” Charmant said. “You just have to put in that extra effort and it’ll be worth it. This was the best decision I have ever made.”
Sallie Norman of Henderson, Kentucky, graduated with a music education degree. Norman became convinced that Union was the right place for her after she and her mother, who is also a teacher, made a campus visit and met with faculty like Ann Singleton, university professor of special education. They knew they wanted Sallie to learn in an environment from people like Singleton.
“This is just a really special place that I am so thankful for, and I definitely would not be who I am today if I did not have Union in my life,” Norman said. “I’m very thankful for it and all that it’s given me the last four and a half years.”
Union’s undergraduate ceremony was held in the morning, with the ceremony for associate, Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and graduate degrees in the afternoon.