ABBOTSFORD, B.C.
CBC commencement speaker Kathleen Doll. PHOTO courtesy of CBC.
Columbia Bible College held its 80th commencement ceremony Apr. 23, 2016, at Abbotsford (B.C.) Pentecostal Assembly. The large graduating class was awarded 48 certificates, 32 diplomas and 49 BAs.
Commencement speaker Kathleen Doll, associate dean of students, challenged the typical graduation advice to live your dreams and change the world. “While these words are true,” she said, “I hope, as graduates of Columbia Bible College, you might stop and consider that these words aren’t enough to convey the full story ahead of you. They lack the context of the Spirit’s leading, the inevitable roadblocks along the way, and the sacrifice required to pursue vision.”
Instead she offered five encouragements: stay humble, know Whose you are, let God be God, try again, and celebrate the wins.
Special honours were awarded to the following:
Valedictorian
Micah Funk (BA, biblical studies)
Delta Epsilon Chi award
Monica Isaak (BA, biblical studies)
Julia McDougall (BA, worship arts)
Bria Magra (BA, youth work)
Governor General’s award
Julia McDougall (BA, worship arts)
Benjamin Janzen was honoured as alumnus of the year. In addition to his work in the construction industry, Janzen has spent his life serving: church planting in Prince George, B.C.; serving City Mission in Vancouver; building a Bible school in Borneo, Indonesia; operating a restaurant in Surrey, B.C., that welcomed troubled teens; to serving as deacon, elder and board member in churches and nonprofits.
Professor emeritus status was conferred on Gary Yamasaki, biblical studies, New Testament, who completes his teaching at Columbia this spring. Yamasaki will remain on campus as Writer in Residence for the next two years.
