SBU graduates 225 in winter commencement
BOLIVAR –The Southwest Baptist University winter commencement was held Dec. 14 in the Jane and Ken Meyer Wellness and Sports Center on the Bolivar campus.
More than 225 undergraduate and graduate students received their degrees during the ceremony. One bachelor’s degree was granted posthumously to Sgt. Kris Edwin Beasley.
The invocation was led by SBU Trustee Rick Hedger, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Neosho. The commencement address was given by Gerald Davidson, newly elected president of the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC).
Davidson was elected MBC president at its annual meeting in October at Tan-Tar-A, Osage Beach. This is his second term as president of the Convention, having served in 1990-1991. Davidson began his service as senior pastor at First Baptist Church, Arnold,, in 1976. In 2001, the church celebrated its 50th anniversary in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of Davidson’s pastorate. In 2006, Pastor Davidson retired as senior pastor and was named pastor emeritus.
He also served as first vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention from 2004 through 2005.