Congratulations Goshen College graduates. You made it through four years of college that has prepared you well for your next adventures.
On Sunday, 205 graduates will reach for their diplomas, shake a few hands and then pose for photos with friends and family. Then the graduates will be off to wedge themselves into careers or perhaps undertake further education. We hope they remember there is more to life than those pursuits.
WHEN THEY FLY away to the four corners of the globe, we think the new GC graduates will carry fond memories of their time in Goshen.
And we are just not using an empty phrase when we refer to the four corners of the globe. This year’s graduating class represents 21 states and 11 countries. Goshen College has always attracted students from far and wide. With its ties to the Mennonite denominations of Christianity, there is no wonder in that. The Mennonite Church has an extensive presence worldwide and some of the young people in the church pick Goshen as the place to learn more about their chosen fields, and ultimately themselves. Of course students from other denominations also enroll at GC.
A TREAT for the graduates Sunday will be listening to singer/songwriter Carrie Newcomer. Newcomer will be the commencement speaker. She is a 1980 GC graduate and has released 15 solo CDs. She has also authored the book “A Permeable Life.”
Helping to shape her life and songs was her time on Study-Service Term as a teacher in Costa Rica. SST, as GC students call it, is required of every student. The program’s goal is to get students out into the world where they mix with, and help others. SST is a wonderful opportunity for GC students to interact with other cultures and learn there is more to the world than the classrooms along South Main Street.
THIS YEAR’S COMMENCEMENT at Goshen College will be the 118th such ceremony. We don’t know how many graduates there have been over those many years, but we do know Goshen College alumni have helped shaped Elkhart County and the Goshen community in many positive ways.
For a small liberal arts college nestled on the south side of a small Midwestern city, the school and its graduates have shown they can influence the world.
For the 205 happy graduates we recommend they enjoy commencement day to the fullest with family and friends — take some selfies, enjoy the graduation cake and open the cards. Then, on Monday morning, it will be time to get involved and make a difference.
