Walter Wangerin Jr., master storyteller and theologian, to speak at 2004 Goshen College Commencement April 25

Wangerin will deliver the commencement address to Goshen College's 2004 graduates at 3 p.m. April 25 in the Roman Gingerich Recreation-Fitness Center during the 106th commencement. His presentation, titled "'For the sake of ten': Saving the world from destruction," will highlight the commencement ceremony in which 211 students will receive Goshen College diplomas.

Wangerin has been captivating both reading and listening audiences for two decades. He is the author of more than 20 spiritual and widely-acclaimed books for children and adults, including fiction, nonfiction and devotional material. As the Jochum Professor, Wangerin is writer-in-residence at Valparaiso (Ind.) University since 1991. He has been the speaker for the Lutheran Vespers since 1994.

Many have also discovered that Wangerin's storytelling gift transcends the printed page. He belongs in the tradition of oral storytellers who have captured the imaginations of people of all ages, through all the ages. His stories, reflections, meditations and life experiences find God in common things and proclaim Christ in our lives.

Among Wangerin's books are the novels "The Book of Sorrows" (Harper & Row, 1985), "The Book of the Dun Cow" (Harper & Row, 1978), "The Book of God: The Bible as Novel" (Zondervan, 1996) and "Paul: A Novel" (Zondervan, 2001). Included among his children’s books are "Mary's First Christmas" (Zondervan, 1998), "Angels and All Children" (Augsburg Fortress, 2002) and "Peter's First Easter" (Zondervan, 2000). He has received the New York Times' Best Children's Book of the Year, The American Book Award and the Gold Medallion Book Award, among others.

Wangerin graduated from Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, Ind. He received his master's degree from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, and his master's of divinity from Christ Seminary-Seminex in St. Louis, Mo.

Schedule of weekend commencement activities:

Saturday, April 24

      1:30 p.m.                    Senior Nurses' Pinning Ceremony, College Mennonite Church

      2-5 p.m.                       Informal departmental receptions

      5-6 p.m.                       Dinner available for graduates, guests and faculty, Westlawn Dining Hall

      7:30 p.m.                    Senior Class Program, Music Center

      8:45-10:30 p.m.     Reception for graduates and their families, Music Center lobby and courtyard

Sunday, April 25

      11 a.m.             Baccalaureate Service, College Mennonite Church

      3 p.m.                106th Annual Commencement, Roman Gingerich Recreation Fitness Center

 

Goshen College, established in 1894, is a four-year residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college's Christ-centered core values -- passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership -- prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron's Best Buys in Education, "Colleges of Distinction," Kaplan's "Most Interesting Colleges" guide and U.S.News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges" edition, which named Goshen a "least debt college." Visit www.goshen.edu.

Editors: For more information, contact News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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