Mars Hill University’s historic first graduation since attaining university status took place Dec. 20. The institution conferred bachelor’s degrees on 91 August and December graduates, and honorary doctorates on two long-time faculty members in a ceremony in Moore Auditorium on the campus. The most common majors for the graduates were education (elementary, middle, integrated, special), business (administration, management) and history.
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Keynote speaker for the evening was David Smith, honorary trustee of Mars Hill University and pastor of First Baptist Church of Lenoir. Using a text from Ecclesiastes, Smith reminded the graduates that “To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.”
Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Mars Hill College, and a doctorate of divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is a former missionary, and a former trustee and campus minister at Mars Hill College. He lives in Lenoir with his wife, Janice.
The university bestowed honorary doctorates on Bob and Rachel Chapman, a husband and wife who, between them, gave 89 years of service to Mars Hill before their retirement in 1991. Rachel Chapman was a business professor for her entire 45-year career. Bob Chapman served as the assistant registrar from 1947 until 1957, and as the college registrar from 1957 until 1991. During those years, he was also a professor of business. In all, he gave 44 years of service to the college.
The Chapmans continue to be active in the life of the university, and helped found the Retired Faculty/Staff Association. Bob served as the organization’s founding president. The Chapmans also maintain the Chapman Rose Garden, near Pittman Dining Hall on the campus.
Three of the students who graduated – Chris Ammons of Mars Hill; Lacey Bradley of Fletcher; and Greg Lancaster of Gastonia – were recipients of the first bachelor of science in criminal justice degrees issued by Mars Hill. Until this academic year, the institution offered minors and concentrations in criminal justice, but it now offers a full major.
Student speakers for the graduation were J. Brady Adcock, a business administration major from Pfafftown, and Tabbatha Ayers Garland, a social work major in the adult and graduate studies program from Burnsville. The invocation was given by Joo Kyung “Esther” Kim, a chemistry major from Thessaloniki, Greece.
Special music for the graduation was provided by Sarah Emily Richardson, a musical theatre major from Apex.