COMMENCEMENT 2016 May 7, 2016 Dear CCU Graduates, Congratulations! Today we are celebrating one of the most significant achievements of your life-graduation from Colorado Christian University. You’ve worked hard and God has blessed your efforts. This is a very, very important milestone for you and your family. On behalf of the trustees, faculty, and staff of CCU, I want to express our admiration for all you have achieved. We are honored to have been part of your experience at CCU and wish God’s richest blessing for you in the future. We look forward with enthusiasm to hearing of your future achievements and will continue to pray for your success. Greetings from the President At this special moment, I’d like to offer a few words of advice: First, take some time right now to think about how you want to invest the next five or ten years of your life. What do you want to learn? What do you want to accomplish? What do you want to see? What sort of relationships do you want to have? I urge you to set specific goals. From time to time, you will want to make changes in your goals, but instead of drifting along, you’ll be making conscious, thoughtful decisions. Strive for excellence in everything you do, work hard, choose your friends wisely, and stay close to your family forever. Most importantly, love Jesus and walk as closely with Him as you can. Please remember to keep in touch with us here at Colorado Christian University. “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” Sincerely, William L. Armstrong Prelude University Wind Ensemble and University Choir Mr. Mark S. Dorn, Coordinator of Instrumental Studies, Professor, School of Music Dr. David Kates, Director of Choral Studies, Instructor of Music, School of Music Processional March University Wind Ensemble and University Choir, “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” by Ludwig van Beethoven, melody from Ninth Symphony, text by Henry van Dyke, arranged by Taras Nahirniak Introductory Remarks The Honorable William L. Armstrong, President Invocation Mr. Gary E. Armstrong, Chairman, Board of Trustees Student Addresses Stephen Thomas Scheffel, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, School of Humanities and Sciences and School of Business and Leadership, College of Undergraduate Studies Kimberly J. Cameron, Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction, Curriculum and Instruction Education Division, College of Adult and Graduate Studies Presentation of Honors Dr. Cherri Parks, Vice President for Academic Affairs, College of Undergraduate Studies Dr. Sarah E. Scherling, Vice President of Academic Administration, College of Adult and Graduate Studies Valedictorian Amalee Mae Bowen, Bachelor of Arts in Social Science, School of Humanities and Sciences, College of Undergraduate Studies Outstanding Seniors - College of Undergraduate Studies Josiah M. Bussing, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Accounting, School of Business and Leadership Wesley Parker Jones, Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts, Elementary Education Licensure, School of Education Michael J. McGraw, Bachelor of Science in Pre-Medical Profession, School of Humanities and Sciences Héctor Hugo Jardón Rodríguez, Bachelor of Arts in Music, School of Music Lindsay Christine Dee, Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, School of Theology and School of Business and Leadership Outstanding Undergraduate Students - College of Adult and Graduate Studies Order of the Program Order the of Joshua Allen Woodworth, Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies, Biblical Studies and Theology Division Jerry Easley, Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management – Project Management, Business and Technology Division Roy David Prosser, Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts, Special Education Generalist Licensure, Curriculum and Instruction Education Division Elizabeth Anne Barnett, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Nursing and Health Sciences Division Acacia Lanae Halte, Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Social Sciences and Humanities Division Outstanding Graduate Students - College of Adult and Graduate Studies Melissa S. Noah, Master of Organizational Leadership, Business and Technology Division Kimberly J. Cameron, Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction, Curriculum and Instruction Education Division Deanie L. Bridge, Master of Arts in Counseling, Social Sciences and Humanities Division p. 2 Honorary Doctorate Recipients Mr. Peter A. Culshaw, Doctor of Humanities Mr. Michael J. Norton, Doctor of Humanities Commencement Address Dr. Robert P. George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence at Princeton University Marshalls Mrs. Sharon Felker, Dean of Students/AVP of Student Programs, College of Undergraduate Studies Mr. Roger Chandler, Vice President of Student Success, College of Adult and Graduate Studies Program Order the of Conferring of Degrees The Honorable William L. Armstrong, President Mr. Dan L. Cohrs, Vice President for Business Affairs/Chief Financial Officer Mr. Jim S. McCormick, Vice President of Student Development, College of Undergraduate Studies Presentation of Master Degree Candidates - College of Adult and Graduate Studies Dr. Mellani J. Day, Dean, Business and Technology Division Dr. Wendy Wendover, Dean, Curriculum and Instruction Education Division Dr. Debra Hudson, Dean, Social Sciences and Humanities Division Presentation of Bachelor and Associate Degree Candidates - College of Adult and Graduate Studies Dr. Earl Waggoner, Dean, Biblical Studies and Theology Division Dr. Mellani J. Day, Dean, Business and Technology Division Dr. Wendy Wendover, Dean, Curriculum and Instruction Education Division Dr. Barbara J. White, Dean, Nursing and Health Sciences Division Dr. Debra Hudson, Dean, Social Sciences and Humanities Division Presentation of Bachelor and Associate Degree Candidates - College of Undergraduate Studies Dr. Gary W. Ewen, Dean, School of Business and Leadership Dr. Debora L. Scheffel, Dean, School of Education Dr. William R. Saxby, Dean, School of Humanities and Sciences Mr. Steven T. Taylor, Dean, School of Music Dr. David S. Kotter, Dean, School of Theology Induction of Candidates into the Alumni Association Mrs. Missy Smith-Shimirak, Director of Alumni and Parent Relations Closing Comments The Honorable William L. Armstrong, President Dedicatory Prayer and Benediction Dr. Margaret A. Fomer, Board of Trustees Recessional University Wind Ensemble and University Choir, “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” arranged by Peter Wilhousky p. 3 Honorary Doctorate Recipients Mr. Peter A. Culshaw Honorary Doctorate Recipient Executive Vice President of Shea Properties Peter is currently Executive Vice President of Shea Properties, a full service real estate development company. He is responsible for Shea’s Colorado operations. Previously, Peter was president of the Denver Technology Center until its sale to the Shea organization in 2006. He emigrated from London, England in 1984 and owned several businesses before joining DTC in 1990. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Urban Land Administration from Portsmouth University, UK, and is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors as well as a Licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Colorado. Peter is Chair of the Denver South Economic Development Partnership and serves on the boards of eight Metropolitan Districts, chairing seven of these. Philanthropically, Peter is first and foremost devoted to children’s causes serving on the Board of Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital Foundation, Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Children’s Diabetes Foundation, Cherry Creek Schools Foundation, Mackintosh Academy School, and Colorado Academy. Amongst Peter’s awards are the Starlight Foundation’s Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year Award (2001), the Denver South Economic Development Partnership Eagle Award for outstanding leadership (2004), and the Children’s Hospital “Tammen Miracles Award” for philanthropy (2006). Peter has been married to Cathy since 1990. They have two daughters: Alexa, 23, and Kelly, 20. Mr. Michael J. Norton Honorary Doctorate Recipient President of the Colorado Freedom Institute Michael J. Norton is president-general counsel of the Colorado Freedom Institute, a non-profit legal organization dedicated to defending the First Amendment religious freedoms guaranteed to Coloradans and other Americans. Norton is also an attorney with Thomas N. Scheffel & Associates, P.C., Denver. After a number of years in the private practice of law, Norton served for five years with Alliance Defending Freedom where he led efforts to prosecute healthcare frauds by abortion providers. He has also successfully represented several Christian organizations in their fight against the Obamacare abortion-pill mandate. In 1988, Norton was appointed United States Attorney for Colorado by President Ronald Reagan. During his five-year term, Norton directed the U.S. Justice Department’s criminal and civil justice priorities in Colorado. Norton earned his J.D. degree in 1968 from American University’s Washington College of Law. He is admitted to all Colorado courts, to several federal district courts, including Colorado, to several United States Courts of Appeals, and to the United States Supreme Court. In 2009, Norton earned a Master of Divinity degree from Denver Seminary. Honorary Doctorate Recipients Recipients Doctorate Honorary Norton is married to Jane Ellen Norton, who served as Colorado’s 46th Lieutenant Governor from 2003 to 2007. The Nortons