December 2000 graduates, their families, and Union faculty, staff and administration filled the G.M. Savage Memorial Chapel to overflowing for the Winter Commencement.

Keynote speaker for graduation was Jay Kesler, Chancellor of Taylor University in Upland, Ind.

In his address, Kesler, the former president of Youth for Christ, a worldwide evangelical Christian outreach to young people, encouraged the graduates to take what they have learned from Union and, referring to the biblical analogy of salt, "season the world around you with God's grace and love."

Kesler’s address, “The New Centurions,” was a challenge to the graduates to influence their culture for the Kingdom of God. The author of 23 books including Emotionally Healthy Teenagers, and Restoring a Loving Marriage. Kesler has authored numerous magazine articles for publications including Christianity Today. Kesler was president of Youth for Christ, a worldwide evangelical Christian outreach to young people, from 1973-85, and serve d that organization for a total of 30 years. Following that, he served as president of his alma mater, Taylor University through July of 2000, when he assumed the role of chancellor.

While at Union University, Kesler was awarded an honorary doctor of divinity degree for "extraordinary service to the community, to the University, or to the Church of Jesus Christ."

Union granted approximately 150 undergraduate and graduate degrees at what was the fourth winter graduation to be held at the university. The University Academic Achievement Award, the highest honor bestowed on a Union graduate, was awarded to Alex White, a resident of Jackson, Tenn.