Issue: Summer 2014 | Posted: June 2, 2014

1050 U.U. Drive

Spring commencement includes 630 graduates

Spring commencement 2014 at Oman Arena

Dr. Gregory Thornbury, president of The King's College, returns to Union to give the commencement address entitled, "One Last Time: Solidarity."

William Murray, engineering graduate from Chaguanas, Trinidad, embraces David S. Dockery after blowing his horn in celebration on stage after being awarded his degree.

Tigrett Medal winner Grace Morriss

Wet conditions and cool temperatures forced Union’s 189th annual spring commencement indoors to Jackson’s Oman Arena, where David S. Dockery conferred his final degrees as president.

He has presided at 50 graduation events during the spring, summer and fall of his 18-year tenure. At some point during the May ceremony, Dockery handed out his 15,000th degree, a figure that represents about 70 percent of all living Union alumni.

“We are grateful for the difference that each one will make for the cause of Christ and his kingdom in the days to come,” Dockery said.

Greg Thornbury, president of The King’s College in New York City, delivered the commencement address, encouraging the graduates to stand in solidarity with their fellow believers in Christ—a theme he emphasized during his years as Union’s dean of the School of Theology and Missions.

“This campus been through an awful lot this year,” Thornbury said. “There have been harrowing moments of deep sorrow, confusion and uncertainty. But this campus, anchored by this senior class, rallied together.”

As part of the ceremony, Union presented degrees posthumously to Leighton Williams and Olivia Greenlee, two Union students who died during the 2013–2014 academic year. The graduating class rose in unison as each woman’s name was read.

Union also presented the Elizabeth Tigrett Medal to Grace Morriss, an engineering major from Flower Mound, Texas. 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.