JACKSON, Tenn. — July 30, 2022 — Union University graduated 96 students during its summer commencement ceremony on July 30 at West Jackson Baptist Church. Ann Singleton, associate provost and dean for instruction at Union University, was the keynote speaker.
Singleton spoke about the surprises in life — both good and bad — that will ultimately reveal God’s goodness and purpose in the graduates’ lives. She asked Union graduates the question, “Are you willing to be surprised?”
“I don’t know what your career path is, but what we all have in common is we all, at times, need to be surprised,” Singleton said. “We will continue planning and making our list to minimize these kinds of days, but we want to be open to receiving a surprise from God.”
Singleton closed by quoting Isaiah 43:19, “Behold, I am going to do something new. Now it will spring up; will you not be aware of it?”
Candice Greshaw, 2022 Union graduate of organizational leadership, put her degree on pause 15 years ago to start a family and raise her four children. Then, after learning about her employer’s tuition reimbursement program, she wanted to refocus on growing her career and creating a legacy for her family.
Wanting to pursue a degree through the lens of Christian values is what led Greshaw to Union University’s School of Adult and Professional Studies. She said she thanks God for the people in her life who pushed her to come this far.
“My course instructors have been some of the most encouraging and grace-filled people I have had the opportunity to meet,” Greshaw said. “Those were the moments that confirmed Union was the best place I could have chosen, and I thank God for that.”
Greshaw knows her degree in organizational leadership will equip her to continue growing in her career, but she said she prays it will ultimately be an encouragement to her children.
“I hope this will help show [my children] that when they set their mind to something good, they can press on to accomplish their goal — no matter how difficult it gets,” Greshaw said. “There were many times I did not think I could do this, but my [Union] professors were always ready with an encouraging word that gave me exactly what I needed to push through.”
To watch Union’s summer commencement ceremony, visit livestream.com/uu/commencement.