ABC
The
SEGway News
Volume 1, Number 34
Serving South East Grant County
A Good News Ventures publication
May 25-31, 2017
Taylor hands out 24,000th diploma, honors Habecker
by Linda Taylor
For most of Grant Coun-
ty, it was just another rainy
Saturday that threatened
thunderstorms, but for 426
students and over a thou-
sand family members and
friends, Saturday, May 20,
was filled with celebration,
joy, laughter, and tears as
Taylor conferred degrees
and said goodbye to the
graduating class of 2017.
Taylor’s new president,
Lowell Haines, offered the
welcome and invocation.
Samuel M. Moore, senior
class president, also wel-
comed his fellow graduates.
Jessica E. Schulte gave
the senior address. Board of
Trustee member Richard W.
Gygi introduced Schulte—
describing how he had first
met her when she was in
sixth grade and had planted
the idea of her one day at-
tending Taylor. Gygi com-
mitted to praying regularly
for her, having her name
inside his Bible. Schulte,
now from Brentwood, Ten-
nessee, graduates with hon-
ors with a major in Theatre
Arts. She described the
strong power of relation-
ships in believers’ lives.
Dr. Jeff Groeling, vice
provost, offered special fac-
ulty recognitions to: Ron
Benbow (mathematics, 28
years); Ken Boyd (univer-
sity instructional designer,
six years); Faye Checho-
wich (faculty member, dean
of faculty development,
director of Bedi Center
for Teaching and Learn-
ing Excellence, 28 years);
Lee Erickson (economics,
38 years); Roger Jenkinson
(geography, 52 years—the
longest-serving
faculty
member in Taylor history);
Mary Muchiri (English, 16
years); Mike Saunier (com-
munication, nine years);
Don Taylor (kinesiology, 26
years).
Taylor’s former first lady,
Marylou Habecker, received
an honorary degree in rec-
ognition of her service to
Taylor University. Habeck-
er graduated from Taylor in
1968 and holds a master’s
degree in education from
Ball State University focus-
ing on the needs of gifted
children. In introducing
her, Taylor provost Dr. Jef-
frey Moshier, described her
actions of prayer, disciple-
ship, teaching and encour-
agement, noting that she
was “renowned for hospi-
tality.” Habecker explained
that she simply was doing
what she loves. In accept-
ing the degree, Habecker
reminded the students that
our purpose as believers is
to love and our calling is to
serve.
Commencement speaker
Chris Holtmann graduated
from Taylor in 1994 with a
degree in psychology and
received his master’s in ath-
letic administration from
Ball State (2000). He cur-
rently serves as head coach
for the Butler Bulldogs bas-
ketball team. The 2016-17
season included a 25-9 re-
cord, leading the team to the
Sweet 16 for the first time
since 2011. Using his expe-
rience in basketball coach-
ing, Holtmann encouraged
the graduates to pursue ex-
cellence in their calling and
resist making comparisons;
to manage all the disap-
pointments that will inevi-
tably come in life; and to
share and give, which will
lead to their greatest fulfill-
ments. “This world needs
people of faith who do their
job well and pursue excel-
lence,” he said.
During the conferral of
degrees, Taylor’s 24,000th
graduate crossed the stage.
The honor went to Wilson
Hunter Alexander, summa
cum laude graduate in so-
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Photo by Jim Garringer
During the conferral of degrees, Taylor’s 24,000th graduate crossed the stage. The honor went to Wilson Hunter Alexander,
summa cum laude graduate in social studies, education, and Spanish, from Wichita, Kansas
cial studies, education, and
Spanish, from Wichita,
Kansas.
After the 426th name was
read, President Haines ad-
vanced to the podium. At
that moment, a thunderbolt
cracked, shaking the build-
ing. Haines didn’t miss a
beat, noting the well-timed
thunderclap and telling the
audience, “Well, Someone
is very pleased with this
graduating class!”
The Taylor University
class of 2017 represents 31
states in the United States
and 21 foreign countries.
Photo by Jim Garringer
Former Taylor first lady Ma-
rylou Habecker received an
honorary doctorate Saturday
at the commencement.
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