Schedule of today's ceremony
Processional
SPU Orchestra
Directed By Christopher T.F. Hanson, PhD
Assistant Professor of Music Education; Director of Music Education and Orchestral Activities
Welcome
Pete C. Menjares, PhD
Interim President
Hymn: Great Is Thy Faithfulness*
By Thomas O. Chisholm; music by William M. Runyan
SPU Chorus
Led by Ryan Ellis, DMA, Assistant Professor of Music;
Director of Choral Music
SPU Orchestra
Directed by Christopher T.F. Hanson, PhD
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.
Refrain
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
Refrain
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Refrain
Used by permission: CCLI #18723.
Invocation*
Melani Plett, PhD
Professor and Chair of Electrical Engineering
and Computer Engineering; Director of
Engineering and Computer Science Programs
Parent of 2023 Graduate Alyssa Plett
Scripture Reading
Philippians 1:9–11
Michael Paulus, DMin, MLIS
Assistant Provost for Educational Technology;
Dean of the Library; Associate Professor of Information Studies
Parent of 2023 Graduate Junia Paulus
2023 President’s Citation Award
Introductory Remarks
Cynthia Price, PhD
Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
Announcement of the 2023 President’s Citation Award Recipient
Andrew Ryder, PhD
Co-Interim Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Professor of Theatre Education
Commencement Address
“Living on Purpose for God’s Purposes”
Phyllis Sortor
Class of ’64, Director of Schools for Africa;
2023 Alumna of the Year
Awarding of Degrees
Dean Kato
Chair, SPU Board of Trustees
Pete C. Menjares, PhD
Interim President
Presentation of Candidates for Degrees
Les Steele, PhD
Interim Chief Academic Officer
Alma Mater*
SPU Chorus
Led by Ryan Ellis, DMA
SPU Orchestra
Directed by Christopher T.F. Hanson, PhD
Lyrics:
Midst the mountains of the Westland,
near the ocean blue,
Beacon light that shineth ever
is our SPU.
Join the chorus, waft it onward,
until all shall view.
Standing true amid all others,
dear old SPU.
Benediction*
Brian Gill, PhD
Professor of Mathematics
Parent of 2023 Graduate Julia Gill
Recessional*
SPU Orchestra
Directed by Christopher T.F. Hanson, PhD
After the ceremony: The audience is requested to be seated while the platform party, faculty members, and graduates recess.
Families and friends: Please exit T-Mobile Park and meet your graduate just south of the ballpark at the plaza adjacent to the Mariner”s Parking Garage. Look for the maroon balloons.
*Please stand.