LWC Caps Off Largest Class in College History

A total of 199 degrees were conferred at 2010 spring commencement, the 91st
commencement ceremony in LWC's 107-year history.

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Members of the second half of Lindsey Wilson College's Class of 2010 were encouraged to "keep reading and keep meeting people who can have a positive impact upon your life" at Saturday morning's spring commencement ceremony.

Lindsey Wilson capped off its largest graduating class in the college's 107-year history at Saturday's spring commencement, held before more than 2,500 people in the college's Biggers Sports Center.

The college awarded a total of 199 undergraduate and graduate degrees at Saturday morning's ceremony. Combined with the degrees awarded at last winter's commencement ceremony, the Lindsey Wilson Class of 2010 was a record 521 students. That's 35 more degrees than were awarded during the 2008-09 school year, the college's previous record class. 

To put Lindsey Wilson's growth in perspective, the college awarded 312 degrees in 2003-04, the last year it held only one commencement ceremony.

At Saturday morning's spring ceremony -- the 91st commencement in the college's history -- LWC Chancellor John B. Begley told the graduates that because of their decision to attend college they will "live in a larger universe."

"You will live in a larger universe because of the time you have spent here," said Begley, who was the college's sixth president from 1978-97.

Begley -- who has seen more than 6,700 people graduate from Lindsey Wilson -- encouraged the graduates to remain committed to a life of learning.

"The things you will also remember about this place are some of the books you have read and some of the people you have met," said Begley, who has been the college's chancellor since 1997. "Keep reading and keep meeting people who can have a positive impact upon your life."

Begley reminded the graduates that they are in elite company -- only 60 percent of Kentucky high school graduates attend college and only 17 percent of Kentucky residents hold at least a bachelor's degree.

"So, I commend you for your achievement," he said. "I hope you realize how important this day is and will think of it as one of the defining moments of your life."

Begley told the graduates "that your investment in higher education will prove to be one of the best investments you will ever make."

He also told the graduates that their success was the result of others who invested in higher education. Collectively, LWC's spring graduates received more than $10.3 million in federal, state and institutional aid during their time at the college. More than $4 million of that aid came directly from Lindsey Wilson, which was made possible from donations from alumni and friends of the college.

"There will be a special place in heaven for people who know the joy of helping a deserving student get a college education," Begley said.

Saturday's commencement ceremony marked two firsts in LWC history. The college graduated its first class from the its master of arts in Christian leadership, and the college also recognized members of the Class of 1960 as inaugural members of the LWC Golden Alumni Society -- alumni who graduated 50 years ago from the college.

Also at Saturday's spring commencement, two individuals received an honorary doctorate from the college: retired higher-education marketing consultant Jeremy Lord of Springfield, Mass., and philanthropist Kendrick McCandless of Campbellsburg, Ky.

Video from the weekend ...
Click here to watch the 2010 spring commencement on the LWC YouTube channel.

Sounds from the weekend ...
Click here to listen to the Lindsey Wilson Singers perform "O Worship the King" at Friday evening's baccalaureate ceremony.
Click here to listen to the Lindsey Wilson Singers perform "Arise and Shine in Splendor," by Heinrich Isaac (1450-1517), at Saturday's commencement ceremony.

Scenes from the weekend ... 
Click here to see scenes from spring commencement weekend.
Click here to see the spring graduates receive their diplomas from LWC President William T. Luckey Jr.
Click here to see scenes from the Senior Banquet.
Click here to see scenes from the baccalaureate service.
Click here to see scenes from the School of Professional Counseling pinning ceremony for its programs on the A.P. White Campus.
Click here to see scenes from John B. Begley's commencement address.
Click here to see scenes from the inaugural Golden Alumni Society celebration.
Click  here to see scenes of the honorary doctorate recipients.
Click here to see members of the Class of 2010 showing Blue Raider pride.