McKinnon gives last JBU graduation address
Posted on Sunday, May 11, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/hl/News/24414/
John Brown University’s commencement ceremonies for undergraduate students, graduate and professional students on May 3 and 10 held special meaning for hundreds of local students.
The graduates were not alone as they exchanged bittersweet farewells with diplomas in hand.
Like many of the seniors, Campus Pastor Stan McKinnon also took leave of the campus for one final time.
McKinnon was asked by university officials to serve as keynote speaker and delivered commencement addresses at both graduation ceremonies.
“ These speeches were special because they’re the last speeches I’ll give at JBU, ” McKinnon said. “ I honestly love JBU. ”
The dual graduation speeches were something of a good-bye for McKinnon who, after nine years of serving the university as campus pastor, Assistant Professor in Biblical Studies and Associate Dean of Students, has left JBU to accept a position as vicar at Siloam Springs’ Grace Episcopal Church.
McKinnon also served as keynote speaker at commencement ceremonies in 1999 — his first year at the university.
“ Of course I spoke in chapel quite a bit throughout the years but this was only my second time to give the graduation speeches, ” McKinnon said. “ I assume that I was asked because I was leaving the school. ”
Tracy Balzer, JBU director of Christian Formation for the past 11 years, worked closely with McKinnon throughout his time at the local school.
She originally suggested that he apply for the job nearly a decade ago, she said.
“ He usually speaks in chapel and this was a way for him to get to the entire JBU population one last time, ” Balzer said. “ It was really nice closure to his time here at JBU. ”
Balzer, who has been close friends with the McKinnon family for 20 years, isn’t worried about not seeing the former JBU pastor now that he has moved to a position off campus because McKinnon lives in the same neighborhood that she does.
“ My husband and Stan went to seminary together years ago and we’re all very close, ” Balzer said. “ I think the university asking him to do the speeches in his final days of working here was the right thing to do. ”
With his co-workers and family nearby, McKinnon watched as 182 square black graduation caps fluttered to the ground May 3 as John Brown University held its 89 th undergraduate commencement ceremony at the Walton Lifetime Health Complex on campus.
One week later, in the same venue, the caps of 150 graduate and professional study students followed tote.
The graduating classes welcomed local and visiting family and friends to join in the commencement celebrations.
Receptions followed directly after the ceremonies.
On May 2, JBU hosted a senior awards ceremony and celebration that was followed by special baccalaureate services in the Cathedral of the Ozarks featuring speaker Dr. Charles Pollard, JBU president.