Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
 
Commencement Program

MASTER OF CEREMONIES

Garrett Freier

Vice President of Experiential Learning

Processional

Administration, Faculty, Graduates

Welcome

Dr. Paul Alexander

President

Commissioning of the new Undergraduate Dean

Dr. Paul Alexander

President

Opening Prayer

Autumn Shamala

Salutatorian

recognition of first generation graduates

Garrett Freier

Vice President of Experiential Learning

Introduction of Valedictorian

Amy Freier

Chair of the Teacher Education and Exercise Science Department

Valedictory Address

Rachel Naylor

Valedictorian

Introduction of Graduate Speaker

Dr. Carol Alexander

Dean of Graduate School

Graduate Address

Yesenia Mojarro

Special Music

“I Will Sing”

by Phil Barfoot and Cliff Duren

Introduction of Speaker

Dr. Paul Alexander

President

Commencement Address

Dr. Sandra Ogunremi

Dr. Sandra Ogunremi, DHA, is the Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging for
Monument Health. In her role, she oversees Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging initiatives,
Spiritual Care Services, Patient Experiences, Patient Relations, Guest Services, Volunteer Services and Valet Services. She has been with Monument Health since 2008. She is a nationally sought out conference speaker because of her subject matter expertise.

Ogunremi earned a Doctorate in Health Administration from Central Michigan University (CMU) in 2009. She has a Master of Science in Administration from CMU and a Bachelor’s in Pharmacy degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. She is a Certified in Diversity Management with the American Hospital Association’s Institute for Diversity and Health Equity. She is a Cornell Certified Diversity Practitioner and holds several other certifications that enable her to deliver her best.

Rev. Sandra Ogunremi is an Assemblies of God ordained minister and is the published author of the books, “Casting Down Disruptive Imaginations” and “Overcoming Threats, Thoughts and Triggers.”

She has taught throughout the United States, Canada, Africa, and England. She is most fulfilled when being used as a conduit to positively impact lives.

She enjoys adding value and being involved with the communities she serves. As such, she recently fulfilled her term as the Board President of Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity. She is the treasurer at First Assembly of God in Rapid City. She serves as the director of the South Dakota Assemblies of God Women’s Ministry and is a Board of Trustee with Trinity Bible College and Graduate School.

She has been married to Dr. Ayodele Ogunremi, a Board-Certified Nephrologist and Board-Certified Internist, since 1993 and they are blessed with three adult children.

Congregational Worship

Led by Graduating Seniors

Click Here for Song Lyrics

The Warren D. Schlect Teacher of the Year Award

Dr. Paul Alexander

President

Pack Your Bags Recognition

Mary Beth King

Director of Pack Your Bags

Introduction of Degrees

Dr. David Bennett

Director of Accelerate

Awarding of Degrees

Associate of Arts Degrees

Dr. David Bennett and Department Chairs

 

Bachelor of Arts Degrees

Dr. David Bennett and Department Chairs

 

Master of Arts Degrees

Dr. Carol Alexander and Dr. Scott Townsend

 

Click Here to See List of Graduates

President's Award

Dr. Paul Alexander

President

Presenting the Graduating Class of 2023

Dr. David Bennett

Director of Accelerate

Charge to the Graduating Class

Dr. Paul Alexander

President

Commission and Dedication

Rev. Steven Schaible

Chair of the Board of Trustees

Closing and Benediction

Matt Payne

Vice President of Student Services

Please join us for refreshments in the Prayer Center Atrium
Congregational Worship

Firm Foundation (He Won’t)

Christ is my firm foundation
The rock on which I stand
When everything around me is shaken
I’ve never been more glad
That I put my faith in Jesus
‘Cause He’s never let me down
He’s faithful through generations
So why would He fail now
 
He won’t He won’t
 
I’ve still got joy in chaos
I’ve got peace that makes no sense
So I won’t be going under
I’m not held by my own strength
‘Cause I’ve built my life on Jesus
He’s never let me down
He’s faithful in every season
So why would He fail now
 
He won’t He won’t
He won’t fail
He won’t fail 
 
(Oh) Rain came and wind blew
But my house was built on You
(And) I’m safe with You
I’m going to make it through
(REPEAT)
 
Yeah I’m going to make it through
‘Cause I’m standing strong on You
Yeah I’m going to make it through
‘Cause my house is built on You
 
Christ is my firm foundation
The rock on which I stand
When everything around me is shaken
I’ve never been more glad
That I put my faith in Jesus
‘Cause He’s never let me down
He’s faithful through generations
So why would He fail now
 
He won’t He won’t
He won’t fail
He won’t fail no He won’t
 
CCLI Song # 7188203
Austin Davis | Chandler Moore | Cody Carnes
© 2021
 

Names

You are the medicine
The only cure for everything I feel within
Redeeming what was lost and all that could have been
Oh this is a healing kind of love
 
You are the Truest Friend
Staying through the night when I was at my end
Comforting my heart till it was light again
Oh this is a faithful kind of love
 
Everlasting Father
Prince of peace
Immanuel God with us
You’re here with me
Wonderful Counselor
The government is resting on Your shoulders
 
You are the Final Word
You alone decide when every page will turn
So I will trust Your timing I will rest secure
Oh this is the steady kind of love
 
Everlasting Father
Prince of peace
Immanuel God with us
You’re here with me
Wonderful Counselor
The government is resting on Your shoulders
 
Your Names say it all
They say it all
I stand in awe of You
 
Everlasting Father
Prince of peace
Immanuel God with us
You’re here with me
Wonderful Counselor
The government is resting on Your shoulders
 
CCLI Song # 7171645
Amanda Lindsey Cook | Jason Ingram | Tiffany Hudson
© All Essential Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
 
Graduates

Pack Your Bags

Leidy Bochman

Christopher Diephuis

Amy Etue

Hanna Jacob

Michaela Kleppinger

Kyli Ladd

Alexander Lawhead

Isaiah Longhenry

Angela Mergen

Jaydon Palsma

Luke Pederson

Bianca Philbeck

Madison Spenser

Jocelyn Steffensen

Associate of Arts Biblical Studies

Dillon Erickson

Rachael Reul

Associate of Arts Biblical Studies and Associate of Arts Church Ministries

Jacob Reul

Associate of Arts Business Administration

Joe Erlien

Associate of Arts General Studies

Emma Gessinger

Bachelor of Arts Biblical Studies

Valerie Carey, Cum Laude

Aaron Miller

Jonathan Skaar

Rebecca Sundholm, Summa Cum Laude

Bachelor of Arts Biblical Studies and Bachelor of Arts Psychology (dual degree awarded through vanguard university)

Jessica Danzl, Summa Cum Laude

Autumn Shamala, Salutatorian, Summa Cum Laude

Bachelor of Arts Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts Biblical Studies

Aleksander Gibson

Joshua Stoughton

Bachelor of Arts Elementary Education and Bachelor of Arts Biblical Studies

Jennifer Busch

Bethany Riggan

Bachelor of Arts Exercise Science and Bachelor of Arts Biblical Studies

Khalil Bolden

Coltan Page

Bachelor of Arts English Education and Bachelor of Arts Biblical Studies

Acacia White, Summa Cum Laude

Bachelor of Arts Intercultural Studies and Bachelor of Arts Biblical Studies

Rachel Naylor, Summa Cum Laude, Valedictorian, Sigma Chi Pi

Breonna Rance, Summa Cum Laude

Abbigail Wadholm, Magna Cum Laude

Colton Waldie, Summa Cum Laude

Bachelor of Arts International Entrepreneurship and Bachelor of Arts Biblical Studies

Skyler Bennyhoff, Summa Cum Laude

Paige Danzl, Summa Cum Laude

Bachelor of Arts Pastoral Ministry and Bachelor of Arts Biblical Studies

Liberty Flores

Sierra Hampton, Summa Cum Laude, Delta Epsilon Chi

Ian Robinson

Bachelor of Arts Pastoral Ministry, Bachelor of Arts Worship Ministry, and Bachelor of Arts Biblical Studies

Blake Hedrick

Bachelor of Arts Children's Ministry and Bachelor of Arts Biblical Studies

Sarah Stoughton, Summa Cum Laude, Sigma Chi Pi

Levi Titus

Bachelor of Arts Youth Ministry and Bachelor of Arts Biblical Studies

Austin Molan

Bachelor of Arts Worship Ministry, Bachelor of Arts Youth Ministry, and Bachelor of Arts Biblical Studies

Luke Jacob, Summa Cum Laude, Delta Epsilon Chi

Master of Arts Chaplaincy

Timothy Hammye

Master of Arts Global Theology

Jennifer Nogueira-Schillinger, Degree Earned with Merit

Aaron Phoenix, Degree Earned with Merit

Abigail Townsend, Degree Earned with Distinction

Master of Arts Missional Leadership

John Baker, Degree Earned with Merit

Michelle Bear

Andrew Christie, Degree Earned with Distinction

Keith Culer, Degree Earned with Distinction

Craig Duvel, Degree Earned with Distinction

Tshala Katshunga, Degree Earned with Merit

Hope Mayes, Degree Earned with Merit

Blake Mendel, Degree Earned with Distinction

Pieter Pretorius

Makenzie Robertson, Degree Earned with Merit

Dennis Solomon, Degree Earned with Distinction

Gregory Stevens, Degree Earned with Distinction

Tori Troen, Degree Earned with Distinction

Marthinus Venter, Degree Earned with Distinction

Terran Williams

Master of Arts Rural Ministries

David Bright, Degree Earned with Distinction

Benjamin Hart, Degree Earned with Distinction

Mark Hoffman, Degree Earned with Distinction

Master of Arts World Religions

Yesenia Mojarro De Roufail, Degree Earned with Distinction

Melissa Hennessy, Degree Earned with Distinction

Graduates

The history of academic dress dates to the medieval European universities of the 14th century. The gown style varies with the degree held: Bachelor, Master, or Doctorate. The cap or hood colors and style vary by the degree type and university where the faculty member was granted the award. 

Undergraduate

Gold: Summa Cum Laude, “with highest honors,” 3.80 GPA and above

Silver: Magna Cum Laude, “with high honors,” 3.65-3.79 GPA

White: Cum Laude, “with honors,” 3.50-3.64 GPA 

First Generation: A first-generation graduate is someone who grew up in a home where the parent(s) and/or grandparent(s) has not completed a Bachelor’s Degree.

Graduate

Gold: Distinction

Silver: Merit

A first-generation graduate is someone who grew up in a home where the parent(s) and/or grandparent(s) has not completed a Bachelor’s Degree.

This recognition is reserved for Bachelor Degree students only. 

The Honor Society of the Association for Biblical Higher Education recognizes graduating seniors who have distinguished themselves by: Intellectual Achievement (GPA 3.30 or higher), Christian Character, and Leadership Ability. Three Greek words, (dokimos en Xhristos), found in Romans 16:10, are translated “approved in Christ,” and begin with the three Greek letters delta epsilon chi, and thus the name and meaning of the ABHE Honor. 

The name of this honor society shall be Sigma Chi Pi, meaning “Diligent Christian Leader,” taken from Romans 12:8, “…one who leads, with diligence” (NKJV). The purpose of the Sigma Chi Pi honor society is to encourage and honor outstanding academic scholarship, approved Christian character, and Christian leadership demonstrated by graduates of postsecondary schools endorsed by The Alliance for Higher Education of the Assemblies of God. Qualifications include: (1) a scholastic average of no less than 3.0 GPA, (2) approved Christian character, and (3) diligent servant leadership.