Southwestern commencement Sunday

About 128 Southwestern Adventist University candidates for graduation will begin the next step in their life at commencement exercises at 10 a.m. Sunday in the Leiske-Pultar Gymnasium as year 119 in the university's history comes to a close. Early years did not always produce graduates.
The commencement speaker is Adventist Health System Executive Vice President Terry Shaw. His address is titled “What Do You Value?”
The senior class response will be given by class president Giselle Ortiz.
According to registrar/admissions and records director Robert Gardner, the final number of candidates was uncertain at press time because university officials were still tabulating final grades.
Those marching include some graduates from August and December 2011, plus those who finished classes Wednesday, SWAU assistant registrar Jason Kowarsch said. The total number of graduates was not available at press time Wednesday.   
The three-day graduation ceremonies for the Southwestern Class of 2012 begin Friday and conclude with the awarding of diplomas on Sunday. The public is invited to attend all graduation events; however, “first access” passes were assigned to the graduates for distribution to their parents. Those without passes will be admitted after 9:30 a.m. Overflow seating will be available in Wharton Auditorium at the Mabee Center.
Graduation events begin with Senior Consecration at 8 p.m. Friday in the Keene Adventist Church with speaker Jonathan Henderson, senior pastor of the Grand Advent Church in Oakland, Calif. A reception for graduates' parents is held following this event in the Chan Shun Centennial Library.
On Saturday, Leiske-Pultar will host Sabbath School at 10 a.m. and Baccalaureate at 11:30 a.m.
Karl Wilcox, associate professor of English, will present the lesson study, followed by the Baccalaureate address by Dan Jackson, president of the North American Division.
Other Saturday events include:
• 3 p.m.: Business department recognition and reception Pechero Hall, Room No. 126.
• 4 p.m.: Education and psychology dedication at Wharton Auditorium.
• 5:30 p.m.: Nurses' Pinning Ceremony at the Keene Adventist Church.
• 7:30 p.m.: University Singers Showcase Concert in the Chan Shun Centennial Library.
Following Sunday's commencement exercise, the Southwestern Alumni Association will sponsor a reception for graduates, parents and friends on the lawn between the Committee of 100 Cafeteria and Pechero Hall.