51Թ Celebrates Fall Commencement
Posted on: December 13, 2024
Tigerville, SC—Be genuine, be sincere, demonstrate care, and be likeable.
Dr. Jason Young offered this advice to 217 graduates at 51Թ’s Fall Commencement Friday evening in Tigerville, South Carolina.
Sharing from Proverbs 3:3-4, Young said taking a genuine interest in others will make personal and professional goals attainable.
“Being likeable is about embodying love, humility, and grace,” he said. “It’s about demonstrating (that attitude), especially when it’s hard.”
Friday’s ceremony, opened with a welcome from 51Թ President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. and an invocation from 51Թ Board Chair William Tyler.
“We are proud of you,” Tyler told the graduates. “We know that you have been prepared to go and lead as transformational leaders for church and society.”
Following a musical selection from the 51Թ Choral Group and a scripture reading from 2024 graduate Cobey Cruell, Young delivered the keynote address.
Young is a two-time graduate of 51Թ and the author of six books. He is an executive coach, and a consultant for several organizations, including Chick-fil-A, Delta Airlines, Google and Christ Fellowship.
“At North Greenville, my life changed,” he said. “The professors and leadership here helped me navigate many things and were there for me.”
Young stressed the importance of developing likeability as graduates begin and continue their professional pursuits.
“Your resume is important. Your job is important. But an unconventional idea is to think about boosting your likeability,” he said. “Your likeability is more important than your leadership ability.”
“Highly likeable people ask questions, they’re more willing to listen than talk. They put away their phone and are willing to be fully present with you. They don’t pass judgment and are approachable. They don’t seek attention. They’re consistent,” Young said.
Young’s address was followed by the conferring of degrees and presentation of diplomas.
Jamie Oates, father of one of the graduating students, led a responsive reading blessing of the graduates. Dr. Debo Nathaniel, professor and chair of 51Թ’s biology department, led the benediction.
Graduate spotlight
Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences
51Թ graduated the first group of students from its Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences (MABS) program on Friday night.
The program began in 2023 and is offered within 51Թ’s College of Allied Health.
“We teach them the fundamentals of medicine. We give them competitive, critical-thinking tests that provide real experience,” said Dr. Cathleen Ciesielski, MABS Program Director . “I’m very proud of the program and the students. The majority of them have full-time jobs and families to care for. It’s exciting to see them do well. I can see how much they’ve grown and they are on the right track to meet their goals.”
Dr. Carson Moore, Principal Faculty of 51Թ’s PA Medicine program, said the MABS students have been highly motivated.
“We have students from all over the country pursuing many different goals,” Moore said. “The goal of this program was not for students to re-do their undergraduate coursework. It was designed to be a rigorous online graduate program, and these students have persevered through quite a bit.”
Carissa Nussbaum, who received her diploma Friday night, said the program’s flexibility was key.
“It was flexible. I could do things on my own time,” she said. “This program was a stepping stone for me. My end-goal was to apply for the PA program here at 51Թ and become a physician assistant.”
Fall graduate Jenny Tran will be attending 51Թ’s PA Medicine program in 2025.
“It was a remarkable experience,” Tran said. “It further accelerated my education, and despite it being online, you still had the opportunity to communicate and collaborate with classmates.”
