345 receive degrees at Union’s December graduation

Union President David S. Dockery (right) presents the Robert E. Craig Service Award to Gary Grisham during the Dec. 11 graduation ceremony. (Photo by Morris Abernathy)

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JACKSON, Tenn. – Dec. 11, 2010– Three hundred forty-five students graduated from Union University Dec. 11 during commencement exercises of the 186th graduating class at West Jackson Baptist Church.

Jon Wallace, president of Azusa Pacific University, was the keynote speaker and encouraged graduates to look to Christ for their identity and purpose in life.

“Your purpose is established in him to present his life and truth to the world,” Wallace said. “Your identity is in Christ, and when people try to pull you away, come back to that.”

Wallace also praised Union University and its president, David S. Dockery.

“Union University has built a remarkable reputation of academic excellence,” Wallace said. “The last 15 years have been, in my opinion, as a president of 10 years at a Christian college, unmatched in any Christian college in America.”

Also as part of the ceremony, Union presented the Robert E. Craig Service Award to Gary Grisham, president of BancorpSouth in Jackson.

The Craig Service Award is named after Union’s 13th president, who led the university for more than two decades and was responsible for reestablishing Union with the churches of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Craig was also responsible for relocating the university campus to north Jackson.

“Gary Grisham has been an effective leader for the city of Jackson, as well as a generous and supportive friend of Union University,” Dockery said. “We are grateful for his leadership and for his service to the Jackson and West Tennessee communities.”

Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - Michael Gray, MBA graduate, along with Dr. Bill Nance, associate dean of McAfee School of Business Administration, help Stacey Miller prepare for the graduation ceremony at West Jackson Baptist Church. - Beth Spain Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - Business administration graduates Kimberly Middleton Sarah Bedwell pose together before receiving their diplomas at West Jackson Baptist Church. - Beth Spain Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - Sarah Bedwel, Amanda Tuzzio, and Kimberly Middleton stand together prior to lining up for graduation at West Jackson Baptist Church. - Beth Spain Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - Graduates pose for a photograph before the 2010 Fall Commencement Services. - Beth Spain Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - James Patterson, associate dean of the School of Theology & Missions, shakes the hand of William Barnett as the students line-up for graduation. - Beth Spain Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - Cory Poston, Christian studies graduate, and James Patterson, associate dean of the School of Theology & Missions, talk with other students from their department before the 2010 Fall Commencement Services. - Beth Spain Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - Michelle Edacherit helps Crystal Lofton, both receiving their master of science in nursing, prepare for graduation. - Beth Spain Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - Katie Shatzer, journalism graduate, walks to her seat at the beginning of the 2010 Fall Commencement Services. - Beth Spain Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - Students walk to their seats as the 2010 Fall Commencement Services begin at West Jackson Baptist Church. - Beth Spain Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - 2010 Fall Commencement Services begin in prayer. - Beth Spain Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - David S. Dockery, president of the university, welcomes family and friends to the 2010 Fall Commencement Services. - Morris Abernathy Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - 345 students wait to receive their diplomas at the 2010 Fall Commencement Services. - Morris Abernathy Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - Stacy Miller and Lainey Miller-Ford, both receive their MBA, sing hymns as graduation begins at West Jackson Baptist Church. - Beth Spain Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - Daniel Styles, junior music education major, and Michael Penny, professor of music, perform a duet at the beginning of the 2010 Fall Commencement Services. - Beth Spain Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - Daniel Styles, junior music education major, plays music as Michael Penny sings Psalm 8 during the 2010 Fall Commencement Services. - Beth Spain Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - Jon Wallace, president of Azusa Pacific University, speaks to students about their purpose and direction during the Fall Commencement Services at West Jackson Baptist Church. - Beth Spain Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - Jon Wallace, president of Azusa Pacific University, was the keynote speaker and encouraged graduates to look to Christ for their identity and purpose in life. - Morris Abernathy Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - Jon Wallace, president of Azusa Pacific University, gives the commencement address during graduation. - Morris Abernathy Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - Jon Wallace, president of Azusa Pacific University, gives the commencement address during graduation. - Morris Abernathy Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - David S. Dockery, president of the university, presents the 2010 fall graduating class. - Morris Abernathy Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - Jana Lawson, TESL major, celebrates receiving her diploma at the 2010 Fall Commencement Services. - Kristi McMurry Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - David S. Dockery, president of the university, congratulates students as he hands them their diploma during the 2010 Fall Commencement Services. - Beth Spain Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - David S. Dockery, president of the university, hands diplomas to the December graduates of Union University. - Morris Abernathy Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - Emily Taylor, nursing graduate, smiles after receiving her diploma at the 2010 Fall Commencement Services. - Kristi McMurry Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - David S. Dockery, president of the university, hands graduates their diplomas as Tim Smith, dean of the school of nursing, calls out the names of December nursing graduates. - Morris Abernathy Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - Tim Smith, dean of the school of nursing, calls the names of December nursing graduates as David S. Dockery, president of the university, hands the graduates their diplomas. - Morris Abernathy Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - David S. Dockery, president of the university, confers degrees to graduates of Union University. - Morris Abernathy Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - David S. Dockery, president of the university, confers degrees to graduates of Union University. - Morris Abernathy Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - Renee Jones, assistant director of recruitment & information technology, receives her MBA at the 2010 Fall Commencement Services. - Kristi McMurry Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - Graduates eagerly open their diploma at the December graduation ceremony at West Jackson Baptist Church. - Beth Spain Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - Graduates eagerly open their diplomas after receiving them at the 2010 Fall Commencement Services. - Beth Spain Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - Students show excitement as the graduation ceremony comes to a close. - Morris Abernathy Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - Graduates Mary Annis, Jordan Buie, and Sara Chinery, sing the Alma Mater at the close of the 2010 Fall Commencement Ceremonies. - Beth Spain Large | X-Large 12/11/10 - David S. Dockery (right), university president, presents the Robert E. Craig Service Award to Gary Grisham during the 2010 Fall Commencement Services. - Morris Abernathy