Fayetteville, NC - Methodist University

29th WINTER COMMENCEMENTWe’re not inKansas anymoreDecember graduates look aheadto the yellow brick road of the future.“We’re not in Kansas anymore.”Addressing Methodist College’s winter graduating class Dec. 14, theRev. Wesley F. Brown ’73 said the events of Sept. 11 were not unlike thetrials faced by Dorothy and her three companionsin The Wizard of Oz.Just as the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and theLion sought and found wisdom, love, and courage,Rev. Brown said many Americans have discovereda lot about community and have openly displayedtheir patriotism, love of family, and faith in God.“Sept. 11 has brought us face to face with ourRev. Wes Brown mortality,” he said. “But character is developedthrough adversity and community.”The associate dean for external relationsat Duke University Divinity School saidhis MethodistC o l l e g eexperienceinspired him toRev. Gentleenter theministry. He saidthe purpose ofhigher education is to teach people howto ask the right questions. “You will havemore choices than many who went beforeyou,” he said. “Step out in faith andtemper it with love. Be faithful. Bethankful. Be generous. Go out andchange the world. Besomeone’s hero. Dosomething commonuncommonly well.Until you’ve seen theGrand Canyon inperson, you can’tappreciate thechallenge of being apilgrim. You are wellpreparedto make adifference.”A winter grad receives degreeand baccalaureate hood.Rev. Brian Gentle, pastor of Haymount United Methodist Church inFayetteville. He entitled his address “Welcome to Fast Company.”“Things are changing rapidly in our world,” he noted. “Even futuristsdon’t know what to expect. . .You students are in a stage of transition.Transitions can be wrenching.”Rev. Gentle urged the seniors before him to follow the example ofScurry, the mouse in Who Moved My Cheese? “The cheese continues to bemoved,” he said. “God calls Christians to be engaged, open, and honest.”Citing Matthew 7:24-28, he said those who build their lives on astrong foundation will be able to weather the storms of life. “We need torealize we are accountable and responsible for our lives,” he added.His final words for the graduating seniors were: “I hope you neverlose your passion and purpose and persistence for living. We need a senseof justice and mercy. Get upset about violence and the concentration ofwealth in a few hands. Each of you is a child of God called to a uniquemission.”In other commencement activities,College President M. Elton Hendricks:—Accepted the flag of Lithuaniafrom graduating senior Loreta Ledaite-Narvàez.—Presented the Sam Edwards Awardto Charles Brigman, denoting his selectionas the outstanding Evening Collegegraduate of 2001.—Awarded an honorary Doctor ofCharles Brigman receivesSam Edwards Award.Divinity degree to Rev. Brown for 20 yearsof exemplary service to the UnitedMethodist Churchand to ministerialeducation.—Conferreddegrees upon 108students (19graduated “inabsentia”).Forty-fourmembers of thewinter class graduatedwith honors, 23 cumlaude, 18 magna cumlaude, and threesumma cum laude.The winter Loreta Ledaite-Narvàez Dr. Wes Brown (center), recipientof an honorary Doctor of Elaine Porter leads theSenior faculty memberbaccalaureate sermonpresents the flag ofDivinity degree, poses after theLithuania.winter graduates.was delivered by theCommencement with friends—Rev. Dr. Bill Lowdermilk (left)and Rev. Dr. William E. Smith.4 Methodist College Today Winter 2001