Welcoming the Golden Class of 1969!
We immensely enjoyed hosting twenty-six members of the class of 1969 and twenty-one spouses to the Kentucky campus for our Golden Graduates celebration May 17th & 18th! We celebrated and honored them for the years they have given in service to God, and we were delighted to hear snippets of their stories over the weekend. They are an incredible group of ministers! The weekend provided space for them to reconnect with one another, some for the first time in fifty years, as they shared memories since graduating together in 1969.
Over the weekend, the Golden Graduates and their spouses were honored through meals with President Timothy C. and Mrs. Julie Tennent, Vice-President Jay Mansur, and Alumni Director Tammy Cessna. Friday afternoon’s sunny weather gave the grads a chance for class photos with the John Wesley statue, after which they joined in singing the Asbury fight song “And Can It Be” in the renovated Estes Chapel. Later, they took a trip down memory lane as they toured the Kentucky campus, noting many changes since 1969 as the campus continues to develop. The tour included stops in the Sundo Kim single dorm, Kalas Village family housing, and the Bob & Ellen Stamps Community House. Friday evening they gathered with current graduates and their families for worship in Estes Chapel.
2019 Golden Grads & Spouses with John Wesley
2019 Golden Grads robed and ready to go
The weekend’s festivities culminated in the Golden Graduates joining the Commencement service. They donned their golden robes and hats, processing with the graduating class of 2019. During the ceremony, President Tennent recognized each of our Golden Graduates and their spouses by asking them to stand as he read their names. We were so glad to honor and celebrate with these faithful ministers of the gospel who continue to offer their lives in service to the Kingdom of God.
Welcoming the Golden Graduates in Wilmore continues to be a highlight for the Alumni Office and the entire Asbury community. It is a privilege to host them as they come back “home,” and a blessing to hear how God has been at work in their lives and the lives of those they have served with over the 50 years since they became alumni of Asbury Theological Seminary.
Here are a few highlight photos from the weekend’s festivities:
Great work? Enjoyed seeing ATS classmates a year behind me (1968) Rejoice with them in returning to enjoy your warm welcome and delightful fellowship, good food and campus up-dates and tour. Kay and I enjoyed last year, a most delightful time and wonderful memories revisited. Appreciate much hearing from Dr Tennett how God has and continues to bless and honor ATS for biblical truth and the message of holy liviing. Thanks Alumni for developing this wonderful meaningful program.
It was a tremendous blessing to be honored as a Golden Graduate of Asbury Theological Seminary❗️The alumni office personal treated us like we were Kings and Queens❗️ATS was s great experience in 1969❗️However, we learned that preparing for ministry there in 2019 and the years ahead is even much better than 50 years ago❗️❗️
Many thanks again to all who made the Golden Grad weekend such a significant time for the class of 1969. Not only were we personally honored and acknowledged, but it was also very encouraging to see the ongoing spiritual health and vitality of the seminary in these days and in the years to come!