Tabor College graduates 156 seniors years ago
One hundred fifty-six Tabor College seniors received diplomas Saturday during the 96th commencement ceremony.
Tabor College Wichita class representative Brian Woods, Wichita, provided the invocation, followed by a welcome from president Larry Nikkel.
For the fourth consecutive year, the Professor Fran Jabara Leadership Award was given. Julie Beam, Hillsboro, and Erica Hemmert, WaKeeney, received a cash award and plaque in honor of their leadership skills demonstrated not only during their time as Tabor College students, but for their potential leadership capabilities.
After the presentation of the leadership award, Tabor College Hillsboro class representative James Onijala, Wichita, delivered his senior address.
Building upon the belief that "to have self-confidence is to lack self-consciousness," Onijala told his fellow graduates that "when you go out into the 'real world' remember that you must have confidence, and with that confidence you must have humility because confidence without humility is cockiness. Confidence will allow you to have the boldness to do anything you want to do."
Following his address was an anthem provided by the Tabor College Concert Choir, under the direction of Dr. Bradley D. Vogel.
Cathy Steele, the second Tabor College Wichita class representative, then gave her address.
"It has been a very long journey for me," said Steele, a native of Goddard, whose quest for a bachelor's degree in nursing began in 1979. Twenty-five years later, after having children and paying off mortgages, the time came for Steele to finish her degree.
"Thanks to TCW for the opportunity to put the past behind us and strive forward to improve ourselves, our profession, and the community we will serve.
"Tabor College Wichita is the perfect program for the adult, non-traditional worker. Besides research and stats, I have learned how to give Christ-centered, research-based nursing care. I have also learned that you're never too old to learn."
President Larry Nikkel then introduced the guest speaker, Dr. Phill Kline, the 41st Attorney General in Kansas history.
"There is a God who ordained you from the beginning," he said, referring to the morning's Scripture reading of John 1:1. Keep reading, said Kline, and "it says. 'Through him all things were made.' We are created in his image. It reveals something about our nature, for God did what? He created.
"You are also creators. You're creating hopes, dreams, families, careers, and relationships. The only question that faces you as you move forward is, 'Will you create of God, or will you create not of God?' The pages that you write shall be recorded for eternity."
The graduating class was then presented and diplomas were given. Local graduates included:
Bachelor of arts
Julia L. Beam, Hillsboro, biology; Grant Michael Brubacher, Hillsboro, business administration-accounting, finance and management; Risa DaNae Fadenrecht, Hillsboro, English; Layne Curtis Frick, Durham, elementary education; Justin Wayne Friesen, Hillsboro, health and physical education-sport management.
Carson Aden Greenhaw, Hillsboro, elementary education; Jillian Dawn Hein, Hillsboro, psychology; Jesse Ben Janzen, Hillsboro, elementary education; Shannon Lee Kroeker, Hillsboro, business administration-management; Jeremy Charles Loewen, Hillsboro, business administration-management.
Jennifer Proffitt, Hillsboro, business administration-management; Sara Elizabeth Ratzlaff, Goessel, elementary education; Christina Marie Regier, Hillsboro, communications-organizational communication;
Jonathan Dale Regier, Hillsboro, international studies, biblical and religious studies; Benjamin Tobias Schmidt, Hillsboro, philosophy, biblical and religious studies; Sara Christine Thiessen, Hillsboro, elementary education.
Bachelor of science
Jessey Jay Hiebert, Hillsboro, management and organizational development; Kelly Lynn Schlehuber, Hillsboro, business administration.
Associate of arts
Alexis Lynn Koop, Hillsboro, liberal arts.
