Graduation Is In the Air!

After four years of sweat, tears, and all-nighters, the hard work of Oakwood University’s 2010 senior class is now finally about to pay off. Instead of meeting with their advisors to make sure they will be taking the right classes for the next semester, the Class of 2010 is anxiously finishing up the final assignments, turning in their graduation clearance forms, having their Financial Aid Exit interviews, and proudly purchasing their long-awaited caps and gowns.

The anticipated number of graduating seniors is 312, approximately 10 of whom are students in the LEAP (adult education) program. Among the 212 are husband and wife duo Pastor Isaac Ibarra, Sr., and his wife, Damarys Lozada-Ibarra, who is employed at Oakwood’s Student Accounts Department.  Newlyweds Joshua and Rebecca Champion will be walking down another aisle – this time to receive their university degrees. Despite a near-death car accident six months ago, Business major Justin Bowers will be able to graduate and march with his class.

After rehearsal on Thursday, May 6, the Senior Class and President and Mrs. Baker will continue the tradition of planting a tree to add to the beauty of our campus.  Also on Thursday, the Nursing Department’s Nurses Pinning Ceremony begins at 4:00 p.m.  Consecration will take place Friday, May 7, at 8:00 p.m. at the Oakwood University Church Sanctuary; the speaker will be Pastor Andrea Trusty-King. On Saturday, May 8 at 10:45 a.m., the baccalaureate ceremony will take place in the Von Braun Center, Main Arena, with Pastor Charles Wesley Knight as the speaker.  That evening at 8:00, commencement exercises will conclude at the Von Braun Center, Main Arena, featuring a charge to the class by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen of Jamaica, West Indies.

Graduating seniors are counting the days and hours until they—once and for all—complete the course laid out for them here at Oakwood University. Senior Communications major Jasmine Jenkins reflects, “I am extremely excited about closing this chapter of my life and starting a new one.” The coming days ahead for these soon-to-be college graduates will be filled with laughter, joy, and good memories to last a lifetime.

Congratulations to the senior class of 2010.  May God continue to shower you with many blessings!

—Ashley Batiste, student writer for the Office of Public Relations.