Weekly Portraits of Calvary Life
Gracia Burnham (Jones CA81) was the Commencement speaker
The biggest and final event of Commencement Week was, of course, the Commencement Exercises. The ceremony took place at Graceway on Saturday, May 6. This year we were delighted to have our very own alumna, Gracia Burnham, deliver the commencement address. She impersonated a flight attendant giving instructions on using the oxygen mask, and she reminded the graduates that, just as with oxygen masks, one cannot give to others what one hasn’t already received. She also spoke about faith using examples from Martin Burnham’s take offs and landings on a mountain airstrip in the Philippines. When the diplomas were presented, thirty-nine graduates received their degrees.
One of my favorite moments during Commencement was when Eiliene Blake walked across the stage to a standing ovation. Mrs. Blake attended Midwest Bible and Missionary Institute (a parent school of Calvary) back in the ‘50s and was just a few credits short of completing her three-year degree when she left school to get married. She has served God faithfully for more than sixty years as a pastor’s wife, missionary teacher, mother, Sunday School teacher, and Bible study leader. However, she always regretted not finishing her degree. At the prompting of her children, we found that Mrs. Blake had already completed enough credits to earn an associate’s degree, and so she made the trip down from Michigan to join the Class of 2017!
Eiliene Blake (Crabdree) received her associate’s degree and a standing ovation.
Sara Klaassen
Alumni Relations Coordinator
Upcoming Calvary Events
June 2 Calvary Golf Tournament
