Moody’s Commencement Season

20 May, 2019
Education
Students singing in graduation regalia.

Moody Bible Institute concluded its 133th academic year with three commencement ceremonies in May—one in Michigan (May 11) and two in Chicago (May 18). A fourth ceremony will take place in Spokane, Washington, on June 22.

More than 800 students took part in the commencement ceremonies, including 611 undergraduate and 180 seminary students in May, as well as 15 who will participate from Moody Aviation in Spokane. Of the total number, 171 undergraduate students and 23 graduate students are represented by Moody’s distance learning programs.

“It was a deeply moving experience to participate in my first commencement season as president of Moody,” said Dr. Mark Jobe, who began his tenure as president during the Spring semester. “My prayer for each graduate is that as they join the tens of thousands of Moody alumni serving around the world they will take their ministry-focused training in the area of their life’s calling and be an agent for Gospel-focused transformation in a world that needs hope of Jesus Christ.”

Moody commencement began at Moody Theological Seminary in Plymouth, Michigan. Dr. Jobe (MBI ’84, MTS ’98), who is also an alum of both the undergraduate school and seminary, addressed the graduates, who had worked toward such degrees as the MA in Biblical Studies, MA in Counseling Psychology, MA in Spiritual Formation and Discipleship, Master of Theological Studies, and Master of Divinity.

In Chicago on the following Saturday, Dr. Ed Stetzer, Billy Graham chair and executive director of the Billy Graham Center for Evangelism at Wheaton College, gave the commencement address to graduates of Moody Bible Institute and Moody Theological Seminary. He is also host of Moody Radio’s nationally-syndicated program, Ed Stetzer Live. The undergraduate school ceremony was held in The Moody Church, while commencement for seminary was held in Torrey-Gray Auditorium. The degrees pursued range from Biblical Studies and Communications to Pre-Counseling and TESOL.

An honorary doctorate was awarded to Gregory R. Thornton ’81, Moody’s senior vice president of Media. “Recognizing Greg for his life’s work in this way was an honor,” said Randy Fairfax, chair of Moody’s Board of Trustees. “His prayerful commitment to advancing the Word of God through his role with Moody’s media ministries, as well as service in the local church and other para-church ministries around the world in such a Christ-like manner is an example for others to follow.” He added, “I also can’t express enough Moody’s gratitude for his serving as interim president. He is a humble, gracious man and I pray that the Lord gives him many more years to bear fruit for the Kingdom.”

Retiring Faculty 

Several retiring faculty were recognized with words of appreciation and a standing ovation.

  • Professor Stephen Clark, program head of applied linguistics, has taught at Moody since 1999. He received the 2019 Faculty Citation Award from the Alumni Association.
  • Michael McDuffee, professor of theology for undergraduate and seminary students, taught at Moody since 1994. He has also been greatly involved as a professor in the Study Abroad program.
  • Professor Greg Heller, professor of Missionary Aviation Technology in Spokane, served as a pilot/mechanic and program manager with Mission Aviation Fellowship before joining Moody Aviation in 2013.
  • John M. Koessler, professor of applied theology and church ministries, has taught pastoral studies at Moody since 1994. An award-winning author of several books, including his latest, Practicing the Present: The Neglected Art of Living in the Now (Moody Publishers), he’s also the general editor of The Moody Handbook of Preaching and continues to write a monthly column in Today in the Word.
  • Terry W. Strandt, chair of music and media arts, has taught applied voice and related courses as well as music history for 34 years. Dr. Strandt has also directed comprehensive church music programs in several Chicagoland churches and has mentored dozens of college students in the process.

“I am incredibly grateful to the Lord for these professors who have served well and helped make Moody Bible Institute the world’s most influential Bible college,” said Dr. John Jelinek, Moody’s interim provost and vice president of Moody Theological Seminary. “Under their teaching and leadership, countless students have grown in their relationship with the Lord and learned how to biblically meet the demands of the day in order to make an impact for Christ. Everyone in the Moody family thanks them for their commitment to the students, Jesus Christ, and the Word of God.”

Commencement in Spokane 

Moody Aviation will hold a commissioning ceremony for 15 students in Missionary Aviation Technology—nine who majored in Flight and six in Maintenance. Dr. Mark Jobe will give the address in the advanced training hanger on Felts Field in Spokane on June 22.

For more information about Moody Bible Institute’s undergraduate school and seminary programs, please visit www.moody.edu.