• Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • About
  • Home

Pathway

Missouri Baptist Convention's Official News Journal

  • Missouri
    • MBC
    • Churches
    • Institutions & Agencies
    • Policy
    • Disaster Relief
  • National
    • SBC Annual Meeting
    • NAMB
    • SBC
    • Churches
    • Policy
    • Society & Culture
  • Global
    • Missions
    • Multicultural
  • Columnists
    • Wes Fowler
    • Ben Hawkins
    • Pat Lamb
    • Rhonda Rhea
    • Rob Phillips
  • Ethics
    • Life
    • Liberty
    • Family
  • Faith
    • Apologetics
    • Religions
    • Evangelism
    • Missions
    • Bible Study & Devotion
  • E-Edition

More results...

BOLIVAR – Graduates celebrate during the undergraduate commencement ceremony at Southwest Baptist University here, May 19. SBU photo.

SBU confers 631 diplomas during C. Pat Taylor’s final commencement as president

May 24, 2018 By The Pathway

BOLIVAR – Southwest Baptist University conferred 220 undergraduate and 280 graduate degrees during two ceremonies Saturday, May 19, on the Bolivar campus. Another 131 degrees were conferred Thursday, May 17, in Springfield, to graduates of the Mercy College of Nursing and Health Sciences of SBU.

“We are pleased that we can honor our graduates and worship God during this time of celebration,” said Dr. C. Pat Taylor, president of SBU. “Commencement is the most important academic event for any university. It is a time when we celebrate the success of our graduates and their accomplishments. It is a time when we, as a university, recognize that we have completed our primary objective; and our primary objective is graduating students.”

Taylor, who has served as SBU president since coming to Bolivar in October 1996 and who retires this fall, was greeted with a chant of “C. Pat! C. Pat! C.Pat!” from the 2018 graduates.

“I always enjoy the chant of ‘C.Pat!’” Taylor said. “It’s been a great 22 years and I cannot think of a better group to graduate with, so I’m happy to be graduating with the 2018 class.”

During the graduate programs ceremony, and his final as SBU president, Taylor reiterated that commencement is his favorite time of the year, and shared his final commencement thoughts for the graduates from the heart.

“We make choices every day,” Taylor told students. “One of the choices we make every day is how do we spend our time. God gives you a gift of 24 hours in a day. I challenge you to use your time wisely; it is a gift. Every day is a gift from God.

He told the graduates to be kind every day, to choose humility and to have a thankful heart. He closed with one of his favorite verses, Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” 

Comments

Featured Videos

Lick Creek Fellowship - A Story of Cooperation

A declining rural church faced closure after years of dwindling attendance and aging members. But after the doors closed, a small group stepped in to build something fresh from its legacy. Watch this video to hear this story of cooperation and new life.

Find More Videos

Trending

  • Eight resolutions proposed for 2025 SBC Annual Meeting

  • IMB trustees appoint new missionaries, elect first woman chair

  • Missouri lawmakers approve bill allowing school chaplains

  • Tornado strikes St. Louis, Missouri Baptists quick to respond

  • Southern Baptists to vote on Business and Financial Plan that emphasizes trustee governance

  • Amendment on role of women in pastoral ministry fails to achieve 2/3 vote

Ethics

Supreme Court unanimously sides with Catholic Charities in religious liberty case

Timothy Cockes

The U.S. Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that a Catholic benevolent ministry qualifies for a tax exemption granted to churches.

Pro-life, pro-adoption bill awaits Missouri governor’s signature

Timothy Faber

More Ethics Stories

Missouri

SBU to host higher ed panel at 2025 SBC annual meeting

Southwest Baptist University

Southwest Baptist University will be hosting an expert panel of higher education leaders at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Dallas to discuss the value of and challenges facing Christian colleges and universities.

Copyright © 2025 · The Pathway