BOLIVAR, MO – The Southwest Baptist University spring commencement is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, at 10:00 a.m. on the Merrill Burnidge Memorial Forum on the main campus in Bolivar.  Approximately 400 undergraduate and graduate students will cross the stage and receive their diplomas.

The commencement address will be given by guest speaker Charles Edward Graham.  Graham received an honorary doctorate from SBU during the 2007 Founder’s Day Event for his efforts through Charles Graham Ministries.    Charles Graham Ministries is headquartered in Murrieta, California, where Dr. Graham resides.   Graham shares the Gospel through music. He is a native of Arkansas, born and raised in the southeast part of the state. He is the fifth of thirteen children raised by his parents, Ollie Graham and the late Willie Graham.

Graham attended Southwest Baptist University for two years, and during his second year (1976), he felt God's call to a full-time ministry. He later transferred to Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Missouri, to continue his college education. In 1984 he graduated from Rhema Bible Training Center in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

Graham's music ministry has taken him throughout the United States as well as overseas ministering in several countries including England, Scotland, Wales, Norway, Germany, France, Canada, Israel, Africa and South America. In addition, he has ministered at the governor's mansion in Atlanta, Georgia, and at various prayer breakfasts throughout the United States. Most recently, Graham accepted an invitation by the president of Burundi, Africa, to minister for a week of worship.

God has gifted Graham with the unique ability to minister across denominational, socio-economic and racial lines. He particularly enjoys the opportunity to minister to young people in group settings such as camps and retreats, or one-on-one helping them to develop a more personal relationship with God.

Graham has produced eight recordings, including his latest release, You Amaze Me. His repertoire includes contemporary tunes along with favorite standards appealing to a wide range of ages.

When he is not traveling, he attends New Covenant Fellowship Church. One of his favorite scripture verses of the Bible is Psalm 40:3 (NAS) "And He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many will see and fear, and will trust in the Lord."

In addition to recognizing the graduates, the 2006 Orien B. Hendrex Distinguished Teacher Award and the 2006 Life Beautiful Awards will be presented during the ceremony. The Distinguished Teacher Award is chosen by the current and three previous graduating classes and is presented annually to a faculty member for “outstanding teaching ability and personal guidance.”

Rosalee Mills Appleby, a career missionary to Brazil, established the Life Beautiful Award in 1937. This award is given annually to an outstanding man and woman in the Southwest Baptist University spring graduating class.  These individuals have demonstrated, by their scholarship and character, that they are living a “life beautiful.”  The faculty selects the recipients whose identities remain confidential until the announcement at spring commencement. 

Dr. Dave Bennett, associate professor of evangelism, and Dr. Jennifer Wilson, dean of St. John’s College of Nursing and Health Science at SBU, will also be honored at spring commencement for their retirement. 

For more information about spring commencement, please contact Paula Livingston at 417-328-1807.

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