O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light, What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming, Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight O’er the ramparts we watch’d were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there, O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
ALMA MATER
On the city’s western border Raised against the sky Proudly stands our alma mater As the years go by
Onward ever find us faithful Bind us to Your call JBU, we stand united Christ be over all!
Cherished by thy sons and daughters Mem’ries sweet and long Grace and truth will guide our journey As we sing our song
Onward ever find us faithful Bind us to Your call JBU, we stand united Christ be over all!
Revised 2019
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES
10 a.m. | Saturday, December 21, 2024 | Bill George Arena
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
+PROCESSIONAL
“Pomp and Circumstance”
+NATIONAL ANTHEM
+INVOCATION
INTRODUCTION OF THE SPEAKER
ADDRESS
CONFERRING OF HONORARY DEGREES
Dr Trisha Posey
Dean of Undergraduate Studies
Sir Edward Elgar
Mrs Liesl M Dromi
Department Chair, Music and Theatre
Dr� Charles W� Pollard III President
Mr Saul Pérez Esquivel
Pastor, Iglesia Bautista Cristo es El Camino
President Pollard
Doctor of Humane Letters Saul Pérez Esquivel
Dr Layla Chanquin de Pérez
CONFERRING OF DEGREES
President Pollard
Assisted by Dr. Robert B. Norwood
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Hooding of Master’s Graduates: Soderquist College of Business
Dr. Joe F. Walenciak and Dr. Melanie Peddicord
College of Education and Social and Behavioral Sciences
Dr. Aida I. Ramos, Dr. Christopher E. Hull and Dr. Judy K. Winslett
Mrs� Anne M� Tohme Vice President for Student Development
ALUMNI BOARD
James ’05 and Lindsey Barnes ’05
Seth Eben ’22
Krista Gay ’16
Charles Kennedy ’78
Michael ’19 and Shannon Lane ’18
Doug ’94 and Amy Matayo ’93
Lydia Matthews ’92
Meghan Scholtens ’16
Jim Snyder ’73/’86
John Mark Terry ’71
Julie Wallace ’94
PARENT ASSOCIATION COUNCIL
Mehrdad and Jennifer Akbar
James and Maria Beeman
Jose and Wanda Colón
Wes Engram
David and Jennifer Fields
Luke and Melinda Haak
Chris and Wendy Jones
Eric and Stephanie Kuykendall
Adrion and Elizabeth Martinez
AJ and Sarah Neufeld
Steve and Jodi Richards
Michael and Jamie Shirley
Alex Solís and Mari Durán-Solís
Steve and Desiree Weber
Paul and Gayla Wilson
JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY
Since 1919, John Brown University has been committed to providing a high-quality, distinctly Christian education that prepares the head, heart and hand of each student for a successful, God-honoring life� JBU enrolls over 2,300 students from 37 states and 42 foreign countries. Traditional undergraduate students study more than 60 different majors on the primarily residential campus in Siloam Springs. The online undergraduate studies program enables students to complete a degree in general business, management, marketing, organizational leadership, psychology, general education, general studies and cybersecurity in an accelerated online format. Thirty-two graduate degree programs are available in business, counseling, cybersecurity, education, healthcare administration, higher education, and outdoor program management with classes provided online and at locations in Northwest Arkansas and Little Rock.
Our students are frequently recognized regionally and nationally for academic, athletic and service-related achievements. They are offered prestigious internships with NASA and awarded scholarships from the Korean American Scholarship Foundation and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers� They compete and receive awards across all disciplines, including athletics� For the 14 th year, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, in recognition of JBU’s commitment to implementing the Champions of Character program, named JBU a Five-Star Institution�
John Brown University was named to The Wall Street Journal’s Best Colleges in the U�S� rankings, claiming the highest score of private schools in Arkansas and ranked No. 2 overall in the state. In the 2025 U.S. News Best College Rankings, JBU ranked No. 12 out of 132 regional universities in the South� Within this region, JBU was named No. 20 in Best Value. JBU was recently recognized as a Great College to Work For for the ninth year, receiving Honor Roll status.
More than awards and rankings, however, JBU values students’ academic, spiritual and personal development as they prepare for the future�
Challenging Academics – Head
Through JBU’s liberal arts core curriculum and studies in their major field, students learn to reason and work. They learn to be critical thinkers while understanding a breadth of subjects. At the same time, students gain the knowledge and skills needed to engage culture, take their places
JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY
in the world of work and become successful in their calling. Labs, study abroad programs, internships and projects provide experiential learning opportunities and help prepare students to enter the workplace or graduate school. Small classes allow students to have more hands-on training with faculty who continue to learn as well, taking opportunities to teach abroad for a semester as part of the Fulbright Scholar Program or leading ongoing research projects�
Christ-Centered Community – Heart
Since its founding, JBU has nourished the spiritual life of faculty, staff and students in an interdenominational, evangelical setting Today, those in the JBU community actively encourage one another to integrate faith, learning, work and life in ways that transform themselves and others. Students on campus participate in outreach ministries, Bible studies, accountability groups, service projects and other activities that foster spiritual growth and practical application of biblical truth. Chapel services are held two times a week for traditional undergraduates and feature dynamic worship and renowned speakers. JBU also leads mission trips in the United States and abroad that empower students to use their talents, apply their knowledge and demonstrate compassion to those in need.
Relevant Training – Hand
While at JBU, students gain valuable hands-on professional skills that equip them to serve and work in their future careers. Graduate counseling students develop the skills of a counselor or therapist in the Community Counseling Clinic under the direct supervision of JBU faculty and licensed supervisors. Nursing students learn to be compassionate medical professionals JBU professors have real-world experiences in their fields and use such experiences to bring greater relevance to classroom studies. Professors understand and equip students with the necessary skills to become successfully and gainfully employed. JBU’s residential campus environment and extracurricular activities provide learning opportunities as students interact with peers and mentors, practice leadership skills, discover their gifts, grow spiritually and develop personal skills for life.
JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY
Desde el año 1919, John Brown University (JBU) se ha comprometido a proveer una educación cristiana de primera calidad que prepare la mente, el corazón y las manos de cada uno de los estudiantes para una vida exitosa que honra a Dios� JBU matricula a más de 2.300 estudiantes de 37 estados y de 42 países. Los estudiantes tradicionales de pregrado tienen la oportunidad de estudiar más de 60 especializaciones diferentes en la sede principal situada en la ciudad de Siloam Springs El programa de estudios de pregrado en línea permite a los estudiantes un título en negocios generales, administración, marketing, liderazgo organizacional, psicología, educación generales, estudios generales o ciberseguridad en un formato acelerado. Treinta y dos programas de posgrado disponibles en negocios, asesoramiento, ciberseguridad, educación, administración sanitaria, educación superior y gestión de programas al aire libre, con clases impartidas en línea y en centros de Northwest Arkansas y Little Rock.
Nuestros estudiantes son frecuentemente reconocidos regional y nacionalmente por sus logros relacionados con la academia, los deportes y el servicio. Se les busca para prestigiosas prácticas en la NASA y se les conceden becas de la Korean American Scholarship Foundation y del Instituto de Ingenieros Eléctricos y Electrónicos. Nuestros estudiantes compiten y reciben premios en todas las disciplinas, incluyendo los deportes� Para el decimocuarto año, la Asociación Nacional de Deportes Intercolegiales, en reconocimiento al compromiso de JBU con el programa de “Campeones de carácter”, ha nombrado a JBU como una “Institución Cinco Estrellas�”
John Brown University fue nombrada en el ranking de las mejores universidades del Wall Street Journal en los Estados Unidos, reclamando la puntuación más alta de las escuelas privadas en Arkansas y ocupando el número 2 en general en el estado. En el ranking de U.S. News Best College de 2025, JBU ocupó el puesto número 12 de 132 universidades regionales en el sur. Dentro de esta región, JBU fue nombrado número 20 en Mejor Valor. JBU fue recientemente reconocido como un Gran Colegio para trabajar por noveno año, recibiendo el estatus de Honor Roll.
Más que premios y clasificaciones, JBU valora el desarrollo académico, espiritual y personal de los estudiantes mientras éstos se preparan para el futuro
Desafiando la academia – La mente
A través del currículo central de artes liberales de JBU y de estudios en sus áreas de especialización, los estudiantes aprenden a razonar y a trabajar. Ellos aprenden a pensar críticamente al mismo tiempo que ensanchan su conocimiento de muchos temas. Igualmente, los estudiantes obtienen el conocimiento y las destrezas necesarias para hacer parte de la cultura, ganar un puesto en el
JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY
mundo del trabajo y ser exitosos en su llamado a servir. Los laboratorios, los programas de estudios internacionales, las prácticas y los diferentes proyectos proveen a los estudiantes con oportunidades de aprendizaje experiencial y los prepara para entrar al lugar de trabajo o a los estudios de postgrado� Las clases pequeñas les permiten a los estudiantes tener más entrenamiento práctico con el profesorado, quienes también continúan aprendiendo, y quienes sacan mucho provecho de las oportunidades de enseñar en el exterior por un semestre como parte del programa becario Fulbright o dirigiendo sus propios proyectos investigativos.
Comunidad centrada en Cristo
– El corazón
Desde su fundación, JBU ha enriquecido la vida espiritual del profesorado, de los empleados y de los estudiantes en un ambiente evangélico sin denominación específica. Hoy en día, todos los miembros en la comunidad de JBU se motivan los unos a los otros de manera activa para integrar su fe, su aprendizaje, su trabajo y su vida en modos que los transformen no sólo a ellos sino también a la comunidad en general� Los estudiantes pueden participar en ministerios comunitarios, estudios bíblicos, grupos de ayuda y otras actividades que buscan el crecimiento espiritual y la aplicación práctica de la Verdad de la que nos habla la Biblia. Los servicios de capilla (Chapel) se llevan a cabo dos veces a la semana para los estudiantes tradicionales de pregrado y nos presenta a grupos dinámicos de adoración y a oradores de renombrada reputación. A través del año, JBU también lidera viajes de misión en los Estados Unidos y en el exterior lo cual les permite a nuestros estudiantes el ejercitar sus talentos, aplicar su conocimiento y demostrar compasión�
Entrenamiento y servicio relevante – Las manos
Durante sus estudios en JBU, los estudiantes ganan habilidades profesionales invaluables que los preparan para servir y trabajar en sus futuras carreras. Los estudiantes del programa graduado de consejería desarrollan destrezas de consejero o terapista en la clínica de JBU, CARE, bajo la supervisión del profesorado de JBU y de supervisores licenciados� Los profesores de JBU cuentan con una vasta experiencia en sus campos de trabajo y usan tales experiencias para enriquecer el trabajo dentro del salón de clases. Los profesores entienden y preparan a sus estudiantes con las habilidades necesarias para encontrar trabajos que les garanticen el éxito profesional.
El ambiente residencial de JBU y sus actividades extracurriculares proveen oportunidades de aprendizaje para que los estudiantes interactúen con los otros estudiantes y con sus mentores, practiquen sus habilidades de liderazgo, descubran sus talentos, crezcan espiritualmente y desarrollen destrezas personales para la vida�
DIRECTIONS TO RECEPTION FOLLOWING 10:00 a.m. COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
HUTCHESON HALL
BROADHURST ST W. VALLEY DR.
WALTON LIFETIME HEALTH COMPLEX
BALZER TECH CENTER
BERRY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
HEALTH EDUCATION BUILDING
WIND TURBINE
PEER-ANDRUS STUDIO AND PROJECT BARN THE QUAD
BELL SCIENCE HALL
ANGEL OF VISION
SIMMONS GREAT HALL
KRESGE DINING HALL
WALKER STUDENT CENTER
BILL GEORGE ARENA
PARKING BUILDINGS AND LANDMARKS PATH TO SIMMONS GREAT HALL ROADS WALKWAYS
J. ALVIN DORM
CLOCK TOWER
FOUNTAINFLAGPOLES
CATHEDRAL OF THE OZARKS
The distance from Bill George Arena to Simmons Great Hall is approximately 350 yards.
ACADEMIC REGALIA
From medieval practice, academic dress has three items: gown, cap, and hood.
The gown traditionally is black. The bachelor’s gown has pointed sleeves while those of the master’s are oblong. The doctor’s gown is distinguished by bell-shaped sleeves and three velvet stripes.
For all degrees, the mortarboard is the traditional cap. The tassel may be gold for a doctor, or the color may indicate the field of study.
The academic hood is the identifying symbol of the degree. Its length indicates which degree it represents; three feet for the bachelor, three and one-half feet for the master, and four for the doctor. The lining displays the colors of the college or university which awarded the degree. The color of the velvet facing indicates the field of study. The most frequently seen colors are white for the arts, drab for business, light blue for education, orange for engineering, purple for law, pink for music, dark blue for philosophy, yellow for science, and scarlet for theology.
ORDER OF PROCESSION
The platform party is followed by the faculty; prospective graduates follow the faculty. Professors Emeriti lead the faculty as a symbol of their diligent service and faithful commitment in establishing the basis of the present education programs of John Brown University.
Present faculty are positioned according to the length of service at the university. Those with greatest longevity proceed first.
