2021 was a special year to honor our BSK graduates for many reasons. It is always a meaningful time each spring as we bless our graduates and send them out after the years they have spent working hard to earn their degrees. However, this year was even more special, as it was the first time our Seminary community has been able to gather in person in a long time. Last year’s graduation was not able to be held in person due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
BSK’s annual commencement ceremony was held on Saturday, May 8 at Calvary Baptist Church in Lexington, KY. The event was held in person and was also live-streamed. BSK honored the following graduates: Kelly Hale, Hannah Moody, Morgan Fritz, Austin Fraley, Todd Weber, Mark Thomas, Scarlette Jasper (2020 graduate), Samuel Bland (Pastoral Care Certificate recipient).
Dr. Rick Landon was also honored at commencement and served as the event’s key note speaker. Dr. Landon is retiring from teaching at BSK after being an adjunct faculty member since the school’s first semester of classes in 2002.
In year’s past, the evening before honoring our graduates at commencement, we hold Graduate’s Chapel where our faculty will individually recognize and honor each graduate and send them off with a blessing. Though Commencement was held in person, in the days beforehand, we held Graduate’s Chapel virtually. As a part of this virtual gathering, our graduates also offered words of gratitude to the BSK Community. One BSK graduate, Todd Weber, said, “I can not express how grateful I am to the BSK community for such a wonderful and enlightening journey.”
Mark Thomas, another 2021 graduate, expressed his gratitude with these words, “The opening of Psalm 111 says, “Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.” BSK staff and administration—no, make that administers. Faculty and fellow students. Alumni and friends and family and all who have encouraged us along this way. I give you thanks with my whole heart.”
Hannah Moody said, “My time here is incomparable to any I have had before. People say their seminary was the best and they had the best experience, but they didn’t come here. They did not come to BSK. As cliche as it is, there are no words to describe my gratefulness and thankfulness to BSK. The staff, faculty, and everyone within this institution is meant to be here. God has brought you here and knew that I would need you. When you come to BSK, you feel like you matter. Like you are worthy. Like you are meant to be here. BSK cares for their people. They have cared for me through these past three years. And I will forever be grateful.”
We are so thankful to our graduates for the time they have spent forming our community and enriching our classes. We pray God’s blessings on them as they continue in their journey!
