Commencement Review
There were over 600 in attendance on a sunny Sat., May 12, 2007, in Everett, WA, for the 53rd Commencement of Puget Sound Christian College.
The foyer was lined with tables, greeting visitors with memorabilia from student's lives, as presented by parents, friends and family. There were baby pictures, high school accomplishments and memoirs that all lead to this pivotal point in each life, college graduation.
Near the beginning of the program, David Ladd, Chairman of the Trustees acknowledged the fact that the school was closing, noting, however, that nothing would distract us from celebrating this graduating class, the third largest class in the history of the school.
Keynote speaker, Dr. C. Robert Wetzel, President of Emmanuel School of Religion, brought words of encouragement and wisdom to the class. He said that no one would have known how appropriate it was for him to speak when he was first asked, but now in this unique setting, he shared that he also graduated from a school that ultimately closed. He used personal example to illustrate the fact that no matter what happens, we can all be thankful for our education, take the finest with us forward.
Dr. Richard Owen led the faculty processional. Chris Laurent, a Junior with the highest grade point average (GPA), led the student processional.
Sharon Cook and Glen Suckow received the President's Award.
Dan & Esther Burris received the Christian Service Award of Merit (see next article)
In a surprise vote by the Trustees, Dr. Mark S. Krause was also awarded a Christian Merit award, marking 24 years of faithful service to PSCC.
The Annual Cutting Away ceremony was filled with hope, laughter, reflection and many hugs.
Steve Edwards included in his "charge" words of a song written by Lindsay Nesheim especially for the graduating class of 2007.
A typical senior gift would have been made to leave a gift behind for students, faculty and staff to enjoy in the coming years. Upon the news of closure, the Seniors changed their gift and provided beautifully framed PSCC all-school picture and a picture of the class of 2007, along with personalized name plates for every faculty and staff member. These gifts were presented during the final chapel on May 4, 2007.
The Class of 2007 remembered fondly how Dr. Mark S. Krause enjoyed ringing the alumni bell each time an alumni would come to speak in chapel. Many times they heard his encouragement to come back and speak so the bell could be rung for them. To commemorate this tradition, and show appreciation for Dr. Krause, the Class of 2007 "abducted" the bell from Dr. Krause's office and had it mounted on a plaque with appropriate words of dedication. They presented the bell to Dr. Krause, asking him to ring it one more time. After all, they waited until they were alumni before presenting it to him.
Mixed with tears of joy and sadness was the day of celebration that David Ladd had encouraged us to focus on. PSCC operated for 57 years, but its impact on the Pacific Northwest, and upon the world will continue for generations.
The foyer was lined with tables, greeting visitors with memorabilia from student's lives, as presented by parents, friends and family. There were baby pictures, high school accomplishments and memoirs that all lead to this pivotal point in each life, college graduation.
Near the beginning of the program, David Ladd, Chairman of the Trustees acknowledged the fact that the school was closing, noting, however, that nothing would distract us from celebrating this graduating class, the third largest class in the history of the school.
Keynote speaker, Dr. C. Robert Wetzel, President of Emmanuel School of Religion, brought words of encouragement and wisdom to the class. He said that no one would have known how appropriate it was for him to speak when he was first asked, but now in this unique setting, he shared that he also graduated from a school that ultimately closed. He used personal example to illustrate the fact that no matter what happens, we can all be thankful for our education, take the finest with us forward.
Dr. Richard Owen led the faculty processional. Chris Laurent, a Junior with the highest grade point average (GPA), led the student processional.
Sharon Cook and Glen Suckow received the President's Award.
Dan & Esther Burris received the Christian Service Award of Merit (see next article)
In a surprise vote by the Trustees, Dr. Mark S. Krause was also awarded a Christian Merit award, marking 24 years of faithful service to PSCC.
The Annual Cutting Away ceremony was filled with hope, laughter, reflection and many hugs.
Steve Edwards included in his "charge" words of a song written by Lindsay Nesheim especially for the graduating class of 2007.
A typical senior gift would have been made to leave a gift behind for students, faculty and staff to enjoy in the coming years. Upon the news of closure, the Seniors changed their gift and provided beautifully framed PSCC all-school picture and a picture of the class of 2007, along with personalized name plates for every faculty and staff member. These gifts were presented during the final chapel on May 4, 2007.
The Class of 2007 remembered fondly how Dr. Mark S. Krause enjoyed ringing the alumni bell each time an alumni would come to speak in chapel. Many times they heard his encouragement to come back and speak so the bell could be rung for them. To commemorate this tradition, and show appreciation for Dr. Krause, the Class of 2007 "abducted" the bell from Dr. Krause's office and had it mounted on a plaque with appropriate words of dedication. They presented the bell to Dr. Krause, asking him to ring it one more time. After all, they waited until they were alumni before presenting it to him.
Mixed with tears of joy and sadness was the day of celebration that David Ladd had encouraged us to focus on. PSCC operated for 57 years, but its impact on the Pacific Northwest, and upon the world will continue for generations.
Dan & Esther Burris receive Christian Service Award of Merit
The Trustees of the College awarded the Christian Service Award of Merit to Daniel L. Burris and Esther B. Burris. The Burrises are honored in recognition of their service to the College, to local congregations in Washington, Oregon, and California, and on the mission field in Zimbabwe and other countries. They have been strong supporters of PSCC for many years, sending children, grandchildren, and many other young people to enroll for training in ministry. Their grandson, Matt Burris, a student at PSCC, and their son, Steve, is a Trustee. Their daughter, Donna (Burris) Stroop, assists the College with its communications.