For immediate release
May 12, 2003

One of the largest classes in Abilene Christian Unversity's history - 476 seniors - graduated Saturday, as Moody Coliseum overflowed with friends and family during undergraduate commencement.

Earlier, 69 master's degrees and two doctoral degrees had been awarded during Graduate Commencement at in Cullen Auditorium.

Standing room only was the phrase of the day, as about 100 graduation attendees were re-directed to Cullen Auditorium to watch the ceremony via video feed.

Dr. Charles Trevathan, instructor of sociology and social work and associate general counsel, delivered the charge to the class of 2003, encouraging them to follow the university's theme of "Change the World" and to remain strong in their faith.

"I pray that you have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back," Trevathan said. "May you stay in the embrace of the strong and gentle arms of the Lord and let Him comfort and protect you."

Dr. Royce Money, president, and Dr. Dwayne VanRheenen, provost, initiated the hooding of the graduates where a person of each senior's choice symbolically draped a cowl over the neck of the senior.

Traditionally, the person hooding the senior was a parent, grandparent, spouse or fiance.

Awards were presented, including the Board of Trustees awards for the honor and recognition the recipients have brought ACU through their achievements, character and devotion.  The May 2003 recipients were Jennifer Cooke, youth and family major from Abilene; Peter Kiganya, electronic media major from Nairobi; Dusty Bennett, interdisciplinary major from Plains; and Adrienne Harper, theatre major from Abilene.

Dean Adams Achievement awards were presented to students who overcame some type of obstacle to achieve their ACU education.  Recipients included Kobi Kathleen Johnson, English major from Wheat Ridge, Colo.; Misty Mays, exercise science major from Abilene; Sunoj James, marketing major from Abilene; Elliott Pittman, criminal justice major from Austin, and Kristy Williams, psychology major from Abilene.

Thirteen seniors were honored with Alpha Chi awards for perfect 4.0 grade point averages:

• Jed Arnold, accounting major from Bulverde

• Leanne Cannon, human communication major from Brooks AFB

• Kristin Cooke, communication disorders major from Huntsville, Ala.

• Leah McCoy, nutrition and dietetics major from Wichita Falls

• Jennifer Rich, communication disorders major from Kerrville

• Brittany Scraggs, marketing major from Abilene

• Bethany Stewart, finance major from Palestine

• Melissa Travis, physics major from Franklin, Tenn.

• Meagan Tunstall, industrial psychology major from Houston

• Shea Weaver, theatre major from Henderson

• Heather White, communication disorders major from Grandview

• Elizabeth Wright, social work major from Cullman, Ala.

• Heather Wright, biology major from Boulder, Colo.

Awards were also presented Friday night at Senior Dinner including the B Sherrod Scholarship awards for the overall contribution to the university, which includes a $500 scholarship for graduate school.  The May 2003 recipients were Alex Organ, theatre major from Cypress, and Kara Rideout, communication disorders major from Abilene.

The Honor Man and Honor Woman awards were presented to students who exemplified character, scholarship and were recognized as the example of an ideal student.  Honor Man was James Jonathan Grubbs, electronic media major from Tullahoma, Tenn., and Honor Woman was Melissa Weaver, biology major from Belton.