MOUNT VERNON — Learning, service and love. Those three things are what gives life richness and meaning, according to Dr. Mary-Linda Armacost.
Armacost, the speaker at the Mount Vernon Nazarene University’s 42nd commencement, told of those three things during her speech to the 267 who received bachelor’s and master’s degrees on Saturday morning at R.R. Hodges Chapel/Auditorium.
“My wish for you is that you continue the joy of learning, continue the joy of service and know that you have richness in love,” Armacost said.
Armacost, a professor and former college president, spoke of her life in Pakistan with her husband, Peter, the rector of Forman Christian College. She spoke of the rugged beginning they had there, as the windows in her car and house were smashed. And about how they persevered, turning more people into Christians and helping the locals learn to read and write.
“They say if you educate a woman, you educate a family. When we started this tutoring program, we had only two children. Now there are 60,” Armacost said.
Armacost explained how the literacy rate was way below average in Pakistan, and how the graduates of MVNU were blessed to be able to read and write.
“The power of education is the power to see beyond yourself and imagine worlds we cannot see. What a blessing you and I have,” she said.
She then explained to the graduates that what they have learned in class is not the most important thing.
“Let me tell you what you will never forget — the friendships you made, the mentoring and guidance you received. ... That’s what you will remember and that’s what will lead you into life,” she said.
Two hundred and four graduates then received their bachelor degrees from MVNU President Dr. Daniel Martin. Master’s degrees were awarded to 63 graduates prior to special awards being announced. The Service Above Self Awards were issued to Julieanne Meinecke and Jacob Bush. The President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching were given to James Harriman, assistant professor of accounting, and Janice Hendrickx, assistant professor of graphic design.
As he prepared to send the graduates off, Martin asked them find those loved ones and mentors who have helped along the way and express their gratitude to them.
Following the singing of the Alma Mater and the benediction, graduates left the auditorium to find those loved ones and celebrate their degrees.
