Another fantastic college year has just ended. Many of us on the faculty believe this has been one of the best years ever in the history of Ambassador College!
On Friday, May 17, we held our annual Commencement Exercises. This year, as last year, graduation ceremonies took place in the beautiful Ambassador Auditorium, which seats over 1,200.
This year we gave out tickets to the faculty, ministers and wives on the Ministerial Refreshing Program, and graduates' guests (relatives or close friends) to attend graduation in the Auditorium. The previous year, some of the parents of those graduating did not have seats in the Auditorium. To make certain this did not happen again, each graduate was given tickets for his or her guests.
We knew, however, from last year's graduation exercises, that we would have an overflow crowd, so we had the entire program relayed by video to the Imperial Gymnasium, where several hundred viewed the proceedings on a large screen.
Regrettably, Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong could not take part in the Commencement Exercises this year. (As you all know, he was away on another important trip to Europe and the Mideast.) In his stead, Dr. Herman L. Hoeh gave the Commencement Address, titled "The New Lost Generation." In his inspiring address, Dr. Hoeh explained how the new generation (from the mid-60s onward) has grown up without the right family connections. As a result, many young people have turned to alcohol and drug abuse simply because there have not been the proper bonds between them and their parents. Many parents have not spent much time with their children, loving, teaching, training and encouraging them. In all too many cases, these children have had very little contact with their parents. As Dr. Hoeh pointed out, this abysmal failure of parents in general has spawned a generation of children who do not understand what it is like to have a well-knit family. Dr. Hoeh gave a similar address at the Big Sandy Commencement Exercises on the Wednesday preceding our Friday graduation.
Mr. Joel Meeker, Student Body President, gave the Discourse before Dr. Hoeh's Commencement Address. His very fine address was titled, "Ich Dien" (I serve)!
I heard many of the people who attended the Commencement Exercises comment to the effect that they were inspired and very impressed. Overall, I felt everything was well-organized and went very smoothly.
This year, we conferred a total of 227 degrees! First the 44 Associate of Arts and the 39 Associate of Science degrees were conferred. Then we conferred the 144 Bachelor of Arts degrees. My hand was a bit sore after shaking hands with 227 graduates!
We were happy that we could invite all of the ministers and their wives who were attending the Ministerial Refreshing Program to attend the very enjoyable end-of-year activities in Pasadena. This included Ambassador's annual Field Day on Wednesday — at which seven new all-time A.C. records were set — followed by a pizza party. Then on Thursday, the annual Graduation Ball was hosted by the Junior Class — the soon-to-be seniors of the 1985-86 college year. They provided the best entertainment program I have ever seen, which everyone thoroughly enjoyed.
We are eagerly looking forward to the return of Mr. Armstrong and his party from their present trip. From what we have heard, all has gone well — with a number of important meetings having taken place. Unfortunately, some of us ministers who usually go out to greet him upon his return will not be able to do so because of traveling to outlying churches for Pentecost weekend. We ministers at Headquarters always look forward to our visits to the local church areas scattered over the U.S., and pray that our visits are always encouraging, inspiring and edifying in every way.
Thank you for your continued loyal support of God's College!
AMBASSADOR COLLEGE UPDATE (Pasadena Campus)
Worldwide Church of God