Commencement | May 9, 2025

“Who is on the Lord’s side? Who will serve the King?” Faculty-staff member Peter Wright played Frances Ridley Havergal’s well-known anthem, and as if in response to the questions it posed, the MBU Class of 2025 marched into the gymnasium for Maranatha’s 56th Commencement Ceremony, held Friday, May 9.

As the final graduates took their places, Dr. David Brown led all assembled in joyful adoration singing Charles Wesley’s triumphant lyrics, “Rejoice, the Lord is King,” whereupon CEO Dr. Matthew Davis gave thanks to the Lord for His mercies which are “new every day,” and for graduates and the lovely day in which to celebrate their accomplishment. He invoked further blessing, asking that commencement would indeed be the beginning of lives well-lived for His honor.

When all were seated, Dr. Davis recognized categories of those present, beginning with the faculty, noting their exemplary leadership and recognizing their invaluable service. He asked parents of graduates (himself included) to stand, followed by grandparents and great-grandparents, noting that there were some in the graduating class who are third-generation graduates. He also led in applause for spouses. In gratitude, he recognized Maranatha Board of Trustees members for the important service they render to the university, specifically acknowledging those who were present.

In advance, he announced the Commencement Offering, which would be taken later, encouraging participation in reaching the goal of $10,000 to purchase furniture for dormitory common areas.

Chancellor Marty Marriott read from 1 Corinthians 15:50-58, a passage which reminds us of the transitory nature of human existence, of “corruptible” bodies subject to disease and eventual death. However, death, as the text affirms, “is [present tense] swallowed up in victory” through Jesus Christ. Knowing this certainty and knowing our labor for the Lord is not in vain, Paul admonishes all believers to be “steadfast, unmovable, abounding” in service to the Lord, an anchoring principle for graduate candidates.

Graduating Bible major and vocalist Joseph Greene reverently sang “In Faith I Follow,” a prayerful affirmation of resolve to entrust future uncertainties to the Lord.

As is customary, President Dr. David Anderson delivered the commencement address, prefacing his remarks by speaking directly to graduates, announcing one critical, final test that they all would be required to take someday, a test that would eclipse all others they had already taken. God has designed a specific, personal task for each of you, he told them, stating that it is one only they can fulfill. The test is to be faithful.

He based elements of the test on 1 Corinthians 16:10-24. The context presents Paul’s parting words of admonition to the Corinthians.  Focusing mainly on imperatives in in verses 13-14, he highlighted five exhortations:

1. “Watch ye”—stay awake, alert

It is the essence of Maranatha. The Lord is coming; be ready for His return, be watching.

2. “Stand fast in the faith”—stand firm, faithful

It cannot be done in your own ability or strength, but in reliance on God.

3. “Quit you like men”—be brave

There is always pressure to compromise; don’t.

4. “Be strong”—be made strong

Note the Greek passive imperative; Allow God to work in and through your life.

5. “Let all things be done with charity”—all your things

Though counter to our self-centered culture and victim mentality, follow Christ’s ultimate example. Be a living demonstration of God’s love to you. Forget about self; “serve God by loving others.”

Following prayer, Dr. Anderson called upon ushers to receive the Commencement Offering. Graduating pianist Timothy De Leon provided a soul-stirring offertory, playing William Runyan’s much-loved melody “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.”

Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Thomas Graham announced those of whom had achieved excellence in scholarship, instructing them to stand by specified grade-point averages ranging from cum laude to summa cum laude. This year’s highest GPA generated a three-way tie. After deliberation, administration decided to award all three. Each had earned a 4.0 grade-point average and was wearing a medallion. The three honorees were:

  • Hannah Hartfelder
  • Hannah Shore
  • Sarah Weiss

He also read the names of those honored for exceptional achievement during Baccalaureate, having them and their parents stand.

Dr. Anderson announced the Founder’s Award recipients, the male and female student most effectively exemplifying the purpose and spirit of Maranatha Baptist University, students who through conviction were involved in the Lord’s work, demonstrating a servant’s heart, dedicated to the local church.

  • Alissa Foerster received the Thelma Melford Cedarholm Founder’s Award.
  • Daniel Sample received the Blaine Myron Cedarholm Founder’s Award.

Deemed Maranatha’s highest award—bestowed on the student who demonstrates academic ability, due diligence, skillful handling of Scripture, desire to serve as a minister of the Gospel, and who best exemplifies qualities of fitness for Gospel ministry—the President’s Award was presented to Andrew Wright.

Dr. Graham returned to the podium for the presentation of graduate candidates, offering an overview of the Class of 2025 which is composed of 205 students from 21 states, 1 territory, and 5 foreign countries, who collectively, in either residential or online programs, have earned 216 certificates or degrees.

Then the long-sought moment for all graduates arrived—conferral of degrees. Dr. Graham announced graduates, calling them to the platform by schools and departments. CEO Dr. Matt Davis handed each graduate the prized certificate or diploma.

In the midst, Dr. Davis invited David and Janean Glass, parents of Hannah Glass, to the platform to posthumously receive their daughter’s diploma for a bachelor’s degree in education, a degree for which Hannah had already earned enough credits before her homegoing last fall. In tribute, he listed her accomplishments, applauded her spirit, and Dr. Thomas Graham presented her mother with a single white rose, representative of Hannah’s honor cord.

A final honorary degree was presented to Mrs. Kathy Jackson, wife of Board Chair Emeritus Dr. Douglas Jackson. Dr. Anderson called both to the platform, noting that in the history of Maranatha, the school has only given an honorary degree to one woman—Mrs. Thelma Cedarholm. He read Dr. Jackson’s tribute of his wife’s faithfulness and work and then read the citation for bestowal of a Doctor of Letters degree on Mrs. Kathy Jackson. In an impromptu but moving speech, she expressed appreciation for their 53-year marriage, clearly directing attention to the fact that she is one with her husband.

At the conclusion of all conferrals, the Heritage Singers merged voices, immersing the crowd with a newer melody of the wistful, familiar text, “Prayer to Jehovah.”

Dr. Anderson offered a dedicatory prayer for graduates, recognizing that the Lord is the only one who can truly bless them, thus commending them to Him who is able to build them up and given then “an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”

Then, to the victorious strains of the university hymn, graduates surged forth from the gymnasium and into the threshold of new quests. In their wake, Dr. Robert Loggans, Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Watertown, offered a benediction, imploring the Lord for graduates to love and honor Him all the days of their lives, thanking Him for who He is, concluding with the oft-repeated blessing from Jude expressing the Lord’s ability to present all His children “faultless” before Him with exceeding joy to His glory.

Exuberant graduates participated in the time-honored tradition of throwing mortarboards skyward and ringing the bell, testifying to all that, as Proverbs 13:19 attests, “the desire accomplished is sweet to the soul!”