Concord graduates 18

Winnipeg

The annual Concord College commencement exercises took place at Elmwood MB Church in Winnipeg on Sunday afternoon, April 20. Five students graduated with the four-year Bachelor of Christian Studies degree, six with the four-year Bachelor of Church Music degree and seven with two-year diplomas or one-year certificates in Foundational Studies.

James Pankratz, leaving the office of president after nine years (the longest presidency in the MBBC/Concord's history), challenged graduates in his address "Living in the Real World". "Invest yourselves fully with the community of people who are not simply living in the real world, but who are making the world real. They are the church. You will know who they are because they will have the marks of Jesus--self-sacrifice and forgiveness. Those should be your distinguishing marks as well".

As their valedictorian, the graduates chose Deanne Reist from Ontario, a student leader who greatly contributed to the lives of students and to the college. Reist challenged her peers to understand that "change is a constant", and they needed to take on the responsibility of being positive agents for change. "We have seen the face of God and have felt the touch of God on our lives . . . It is not enough to be touched ourselves; that is only part of the transformation God seeks to work in us. We need to seek to play an active role in the transformation of others by extending the mercy and grace that we ourselves have received".

Prayers of blessing were spoken for the graduates by parents Rainer and Anne Wohlgemut and music professor Linda Schwartz Trivett.

Entrance awards, bursaries and scholarships totalling $32,400 were announced by Dean Gerry Ediger, with a strong appreciation expressed to donors and contributors.

Board chair Al Doerksen paid tribute to James Pankratz, thanking him for his dedication to the college and his committed leadership during years of considerable transition. Pankratz will be on leave from Concord for two years, after which he hopes to return to teach in the new Federation of Mennonite Colleges. The audience affirmed Pankratz with a standing ovation.

Pankratz paid tribute to colleague John Martens who will be leaving the College after 22 years of service in the Music Department. A standing ovation expressed the gratitude of the audience for John's outstanding contribution. The variety of grad weekend activities collectively emerged as a rich celebration of excellence in education, of quality relationships among students and staff, and above all, a celebration of the transformation of lives by the Spirit of God.

Dan Block

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