Dr. Rick Warren Challenged Gordon Graduates to Invest Their Lives In The Eternal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 17, 2008

MEDIA CONTACT:
Cyndi McMahon
Office of College Communications
978.867.4236

WENHAM, MA-Today Gordon College celebrated its 116th Commencement with College President R. Judson Carlberg presiding. More than 320 bachelor's degrees were presented at the ceremony which took place outside on the quad in front of roughly 2,000 audience members.

Special guest speaker Dr. Rick Warren, acclaimed author of The Purpose Driven Life, challenged graduating seniors to be responsible for the experiences they have gained in and out of the classroom. He said students should invest their lives in things that will last such as God's Word and human relationships. "It's not the duration of your life that matters, it's the donation."

Dr. Warren also encouraged graduating seniors to understand God's purpose and identity for their lives. He explained, "You are not an accident…nothing in life will make sense until you get that."  Dr. Warren added, "If your heart is beating, God has a plan for your life."

Other highlights of the ceremony included the presentation of two distinguished faculty awards by Gordon Provost Mark L. Sargent. Tanya Butler, associate professor of Visual Arts, was presented with the Junior Distinguished Faculty Award for her successful teaching performance, scholarly and professional endeavors, and service to the College and community. Jeff Miller, professor of Theatre Arts, received the Senior Distinguished Faculty Award for his gestures of collegiality and his dedication and service at Gordon.

Earlier in the morning a special interview took place with R. Judson Carlberg and Rick Warren and a second interview between Jan Carlberg and Kay Warren. Audio recordings of the interviews will be available Monday, May 19, on Gordon's iTunesU site at www.gordon.edu/itunes.

The graduate Commencement ceremony also took place today in the A. J. Gordon Memorial Chapel where 46 master's degrees in education and music education were presented. Commencement weekend also included an evening Baccalaureate Service on Friday, May 16, that featured a special address by senior pastor at Congregación León de Judá in Roxbury, Massachusetts, Dr. Roberto Miranda.

For additional information on the 116th Commencement weekend at Gordon College contact Cyndi McMahon at [email protected]

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Gordon College is a Christian college of the liberal arts and sciences on Boston's North Shore. The college offers majors in 37 fields and has graduate programs in education and music education. Leading the way in Christian college merit, Gordon is nationally ranked for its excellence in academics and its role in character building. These achievements recognize Gordon as one of the nation's top Christian colleges.

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