Olivet University Celebrates 2025 Commencement at Riverside Campus

July 01, 2025

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Olivet University marked a significant milestone with its 2025 Commencement Ceremony, held on June 24 at the Riverside campus. This year’s event was especially meaningful as it included the first cohort of second-generation students from the Olivet community. Among them was Sungil Bae, a Bachelor of Arts in Theology graduate, who also delivered the student address on behalf of the Class of 2025.

The ceremony honored graduates across three programs: Bachelor of Arts in Theology, Master of Divinity, and Doctor of Ministry. The graduating class were surrounded by family members, friends, and representatives from churches, fellowships, and parachurch ministries.

Dr. Joseph Lee, Academic Dean, served as Master of Ceremonies. A musical selection was presented by Dr. Merril Smoak of the Zinzendorf School of Doctoral Studies, accompanied by the Olivet University Choir, offering a worship selection that prepared hearts to receive God’s abundant grace. Dr. Donald Tinder, Dean of the Zinzendorf School, delivered the invocation prayer.

Dr. Nate Tran, Chairman of the Board, introduced Dr. William Wagner, Director of the Olivet Institute for Global Strategic Studies and former university president, as the keynote address speaker.  Reflecting on the meaning of “commencement” as the beginning of the next chapter, Dr. Wagner encouraged graduates to model their lives after Jesus Christ. Quoting Luke 2:52, “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man”, he outlined four areas of growth essential for a Christian life: Physical, Academic, Social, and Spiritual, summarized in the acronym PASS.

For physical growth, Dr. Wagner emphasized the importance of maintaining a structured fitness routine to remain strong and ready for God’s work. In terms of academic growth, he encouraged lifelong learning and intellectual sharpness, reminding students that God needs well-informed, theologically grounded minds to engage effectively with the world.

On social growth, Dr. Wagner addressed the isolating effects of modern screen culture and reminded graduates of their calling to build personal relationships and witness for Christ. Lastly, and most importantly, he stressed spiritual growth, urging students to stay rooted in Christ through church fellowship and Scripture.

To conclude his address, Dr. Wagner quoted Sir Winston Churchill’s timeless exhortation: “Never give up. Never give up. Never, ever give up.” He challenged the graduates to persevere in their walk with Christ and strive for a passing grade in their Christian journey.

Graduates then walked across the stage to receive their diplomas from University President Dr. Jonathan Park and Dr. Sarah La Fleur, Dean of Olivet Theological College and Seminary. Online graduates were honored with a commemorative photo slideshow.

Sungil Bae, representing the student body, delivered a heartfelt address reflecting on his four-year journey—a journey he summarized in one word: “Grace.” Using vivid imagery, he described his life as a document “full of coffee stains, crossed-out regrets, rewritten prayers, unexpected chapters, and on the bottom of the page, footnotes called ‘Grace.’”

“God has used every one of my mistakes to teach me, humble me, and guide me,” he shared. Sungil encouraged his fellow graduates to embrace every stage of life, no matter how uncertain: “Don’t think your job right now, or your stage in life, is insignificant. You’re in the process. God sees you. God placed you. God is shaping you.”

He closed his remarks with a charge to write their next chapter with boldness, prayer, and trust, reminding the audience of Olivet University’s founding verse, Psalm 66:16: “Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.”

The ceremony concluded with a benediction from Dr. Joseph Ray Tallman, Director of the Olive Branch Institute for Islamic Understanding, sending off the graduates in prayer and blessing.

The 2025 Commencement was a celebration of God’s amazing grace and power. May this new class step into their respective callings, carrying forward the faith and mission to shape the world.

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