The largest graduating class will celebrate and reflect on their academic accomplishments during Cedarville University’s 128th commencement on Saturday, May 4. This class of 995 graduates is comprised of 846 undergraduate and 149 graduate students, and it represents a 4.6% increase from last year’s class.

Like in the past two years, Cedarville will hold two ceremonies, one at 10 a.m. and the second at 2 p.m.Both ceremonies will be in the Doden Field House. Dr. Thomas White, president of Cedarville University, will provide the commencement address for both ceremonies.

"We thank God for the opportunity to invest in these students during their 1,000 days on campus, and we can't wait to see what God does through them in the coming years," said Dr. Thomas White, president. "They stand ready to make a difference for Christ and to love others well."

The morning commencement ceremony will grant degrees to undergraduate and graduate students in the schools of allied health, education, engineering and computer science, nursing, pharmacy, psychology and social work.

Undergraduate and graduate students in the schools and departments of art, design, and theatre; biblical and theological studies;business;communication; English, literature and modern languages;history and government;interdisciplinary studies;music and worship; and scienceand mathematics will receive their degrees in the afternoon ceremony. Cedarville offers master’s degrees in business, nursing and aMaster of Divinity from the school of biblical and theologicalstudies, as well asdoctoral nursing and pharmacy degrees.

As seniors prepare to graduate, they often reflect on howthey have been shaped by Cedarville University. Graduating nursing student Carolyn Sutherlandis preparing to take her education to Alaska to serve at a hospital and prepare for her future in missions.

Sutherland was raised in Ecuador and Australia as the daughter of Christian missionaries. She grew up in a close-knit householdwhere the Sutherlands,who were always ready to move around the world, found stability in their relationships with each other.

When the time came for Sutherland to attend college,she chose Cedarville University, the same universityher brother, Jonathan, was studying mechanical engineering.“I am ultimately thankful for the transition away from family because it allowed me to fully rely on God for my joy and comfort,” reflected Sutherland. “I found a loving and supportive community at Cedarville thatmakesCedarville my home away from home.”Sutherlandbuilt relationshipsthatwillcontinue beyondgraduation.

Cedarville helped Sutherland gain independence and has also given her confidence for the future. In July, Sutherland will travel to Alaska to bring healing to bodies and souls. Beyond that, she will rely on the lessons she learned at Cedarville, that God is her only constant,as she looks forward to spreading the Gospel wherever the future leads.