By Brian Tyson
BIG SANDY--Lester C. Blank Jr., dean of the Haggard School of Theology at Azusa Pacific University, admonished Ambassador University's graduating class to be agents of change as he delivered the keynote address at Ambassador's 1996 graduation exercises May 20.
University President Russell K. Duke conferred 108 associate of arts degrees and 172 bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees to students from more than 30 countries.
Using Mark 8:34-39 as the basis of his message, Dr. Blank used an analogy of placing foundational stones to build a high road to reach the future.
Emphasizing relationships, modeling Christ's character, community service and responsibility, Dr. Blank encouraged the graduates to be change agents.
"The future has already begun," he said, adding that it is critical in this day of relativism to seek achievement while not becoming addicted to position and power.
As the founding dean of the C.P. Haggard School of Theology, Dr. Blank is noted for his concentration in religious higher education that emphasizes both academic excellence and practical ministry preparation.
During commencement exercises, Chairman Joseph Tkach presented awards to the following students: Sharon Stewart, Leon Ettinger Music Award; Eric Murdock and Kim Fricke, Sportsmanship Award; Angie Fuessel, Shari Lee Seltzer Award; Carl Patillo, Russel Shiver Award; Kim Fricke and Shoshana Paige, Academic Excellence Award; and Kim Fricke, Brad Marshall, Shoshana Paige and Todd Woods, Herbert W. Armstrong Achievement Award.
"Now it is time to focus our vision on the future," said Russell K. Duke, who was inaugurated as Ambassador University's sixth president May 17. Mr. Tkach presided over the ceremony, which took place in the university's Field House auditorium.
"Today we celebrate Ambassador," Dr. Duke said in his inaugural message, a message that challenged Ambassador to recast its role in academia.
Dr. Duke's vision for higher education included a need to provide a safe haven for the education of today's youths.
"Faced with a world captivated by tobacco, alcohol, drugs and sensuality, university students [need] a greater sense of responsibility to God, to family, to one another, to ideals greater than self interest," Dr. Duke said.
He also identified excessive careerism and lack of community as immediate challenges that must be addressed by today's universities. Dr. Duke emphasized that a liberal arts education, such as offered at Ambassador, provides the framework for logical thinking and communication skills that are necessary to be successful.
Dr. Duke added that the university is a proud member of the East Texas community and extends its hand in Christian fellowship.
"We are here as Ambassadors, seeking ... an environment of academic freedom to plumb the depths of the meaning of life," Dr. Duke said.
Dr. Duke has served at Ambassador since 1984 and was chair of the Theology Department for five years until becoming president. He earned a Ph.D. in practical theology from the Union Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio, a master's degree from the University of Texas at Tyler, and master's and bachelor's degrees from Ambassador.
Dr. Duke is an ordained minister and pastored congregations in Topeka, Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri, before joining Ambassador.
Before the inauguration ceremony Hendrik "Hank" Hanegraaff, president of the Christian Research Institute (CRI) and host of CRI's Bible Answer Man radio program, conducted a lecture titled "Back to Basics: Essentials of Christianity."
His message focused on preparing Christians to communicate what they believe, why they believe it, and where non-Christians and pseudo-Christians deviate from historic Christianity.
Mr. Hanegraaff is the author of several books: Christianity in Crisis; Personal Witness Training: Your Handle on the Great Commission; and Memory Dynamics: Your Untapped Resource for Spiritual Growth.
Other activities of the day included a luncheon for visiting university presidents, board members and guests; campus tours; and a reception after the inauguration.
Mr. Tkach, who was making his fourth visit to Big Sandy as chairman of the board of regents, conducted a board of regents meeting, gave a sermon at worship services May 18 and delivered the keynote address at a regional conference for ministers and AU faculty May 22 and 23.
Daniel Hinge, a senior from Youngstown, Ohio, was named the 1996-97 recipient of the Verna Parish scholarship for senior English majors.
The award was established in 1995 by Verna Parish, who served as chair of the Ambassador English Department from 1981 until she retired in 1989.
Daniel will also serve as president of Sigma Tau Delta, the Ambassador chapter of the international English honor society.
Brenda Germano, director of the Center for Distance Learning, was named to the International Who's Who of Professional Management.
BUILDING BONDS--Russell K. Duke (left), Ambassador president, and Lester C. Blank Jr., founding dean of the Haggard School of Theology at Azusa Pacific University, after Ambassador University commencement exercises. [Photos by Mike Bedford]
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