(ELGIN, IL - December 21, 2015) Judson University celebrated as 135 undergraduate and graduate students graduated during the 74th commencement held at two ceremony times on Saturday, Dec. 12. Graduates from the School of Business and Professional Studies (Masters and Adult Undergraduate) received their degrees during the 10 a.m. exercise. Graduates from the School of Art, Design and Architecture, the School of Liberal Arts, Sciences and Education, and the School of Business and Professional Studies (Traditional Undergraduate) received their degrees during the 2 p.m. exercise.

Among those receiving their degrees were Zachary O'Connell from Davenport with a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communications: Graphic Design.

The dynamic keynote speaker for both ceremonies was Bishop Dr. Michael J. Love, senior pastor of Trinity Baptist Community Church International in Crystal Lake, Ill.

During his address, Bishop Love told the new graduates that it is expected that they might be grappling with the weight of three questions today: Who am I? Why am I here, and where am I going?

Yet, he urged them to define their "who-ness" based on God's word and not by external sources.

After reading 2 Cor. 5:17, he advised this excited group to: "Walk in your kingdom identity, and your character will get developed and you will discover how your talents and abilities are being shaped."

If they follow this path, Bishop Love assured them that in the final analysis, they would move from negative "I am" statements that question worthiness or capability to more confident ones that are "reshaped based on who God says you are."

Bishop Love drew from personal experience in ministry. In 1978, he accepted the call to ministry, and in the subsequent years was instrumental in growing Trinity from a home-based Bible study to what is now a 50,000-square-foot campus on more than four acres. It also includes numerous ministry partners locally and abroad.

"When you walk in your purpose, your passion gets inspired and your vision gets increased," said Bishop Love, who holds a bachelor's degree from Randolph-Macon College and a Master of Theology and Doctor of Theology from Emmaus Bible Institute & Seminary.  "Get in touch with who God says you are," he concluded. "Walk with Him, and He will make room for your giftedness."

Several graduates were honored with awards for service and campus leadership.

In the morning exercise, Communications Management and Management and Leadership graduate Angela Lundin of Rockford, Ill., was recognized with the Student Service Award-Adult Professional Studies Undergraduate, which recognizes the graduating adult student who has best exemplified sincerity and dedication to Christ, excellence in academic achievement and promotion of the goals and mission of Judson University. Lundin maintained an exceptional GPA during her three years at Judson; demonstrated leadership skills with cohorts; and she serves as a site leader for the annual community service event, Rockford Sharefest, which has included beautification efforts in downtown Rockford as well as renovations at more than a dozen Rockford Public School buildings.

Master of Business Administration graduate Bernie L. Richardson Jr. of Melrose Park, Ill., received the W. R. Meadows Inc. Award, which is presented to the Master of Business Administration student deemed by the School of Business and Professional Studies dean and faculty to have demonstrated the values that have been foundational to W.R. Meadows success: quality, service, integrity and family. In the MBA program, Bernie learned to more fully integrate his work and faith life, and in the process, became more fully committed to develop his ability to be a man of great faith and service to others.

During the afternoon commencement, Master of Education in Literacy graduate Calvin Braker of West Dundee, Ill., received the Road to Damascus Award, which recognizes a student with the most dramatic transformation in the way he or she embodies literacy education. Braker, it was said, was one who brought significant passion and intentionality to classroom practice.

Psychology graduate Maryjane Reilly of Joliet, Ill., was awarded the Student Service Award-Traditional Undergraduate for her generous spirit, character and leadership. Reilly is no stranger to the Judson campus or its activities, as she has served as a resident assistant in Ohio Hall, led a women's small group, served as manager for the women's volleyball team, a class mentor for GEN 101 and a manager for the Judson Improv team. She is a member of the psychology honor society, Psi Chi; has gone on a post-term mission trip to Peru; and works with her local church as a leader for junior and senior high students.

Marketing, Management and Communication Studies graduate Ethan Adams of Springfield, Ill., received the university's highest recognition for scholarship, the President's Scholar Award. This award honors the graduating senior in the traditional program who has demonstrated distinguished academic achievement in the context of a Christian liberal arts program and adhered consistently to Judson ideals. Adams, who is graduating one semester early with a triple major, has been on the Dean's list every semester, graduated summa cum laude from The Honors Program, completed two internships, a practicum, studied at Oxford University for a semester, and helped to establish a Shark Tank competition on campus and won the entrepreneurial competition as a contestant this past November.

Judson University is a fully accredited, private Christian university of the liberal arts, sciences and professions. Judson offers degrees in more than 65 different majors/minors for traditional, graduate, and adult students. Judson University ranks consistently among the Top Tier of Regional Colleges in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report and was recognized recently as a "Christian College of Distinction" for the 2015-2016 academic year. With an academically challenging environment and encouraging spiritual community, Judson shapes lives that shape the world.

-30-