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Providence Christian College celebrated its first commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 2, at 10 AM. The event was held in Albers Chapel at Ontario Christian School, 2 miles west of Providence’s campus. Fourteen seniors crossed the stage to a standing ovation, recognized by constituents, parents, faculty, and fellow students alike as true pioneers.
Outgoing college president Jim Den Ouden, set to retire at the end of June, presided over what he later called “a monumental event showing God's faithfulness to our college.” In his introductory remarks he cited the famous first meeting held in November, 2001, around Geoff Vanden Heuvel’s kitchen table to discuss the possibility of a Reformed Christian college in the Los Angeles area.
As Mr. Vanden Heuvel explains, “One of the tasks that Jim and I had was to come up with someone to write a program for the college. I called Jack Fennema out of the blue and got to the point—I said, it’s on the kitchen table, and what I need someone to do is to write a roadmap to get this from the kitchen table to the graduation of the first class. So in many ways, commencement was the completion of the beginning of the college. I think everyone there was struck and moved by the amazing thing God has created.”
Academic Dean Russ Reeves added, “These fourteen seniors have worked hard, and more than just academically. In many ways, significantly for the students and their future careers, they are the true founders.”
The commencement address was given by Joel Belz, founder and long-time columnist for World Magazine. He spoke encouragingly, often looking directly at the seniors who sat to his left.
No matter what your calling, said Mr. Belz, it will help to be a person who looks deeply into the things around you, who is able to explain what you see, and who has a shepherd-like compassion for people who aren’t able to see as clearly. He stressed the importance of balancing truth and love, saying that our God is a two-handed God—with one hand he points to the truth, and with the other he embraces your shoulder to help you through life.
Graduating senior Elijah Villafana had this to say: “The commencement address given by Joel Belz was highly appropriate to us as PCC's first inaugural class. The speech reminded us of the overarching mission of being ‘firmly grounded and fully engaged.’ Armed with our Providence education and our Christian faith, we were challenged to be outspoken community leaders that seek cultural change so that God may be glorified.”
At the end of the service, Mr. Vanden Heuvel called President Den Ouden forward in order to recognize his four years of faithful service as the school’s president. During a second standing ovation, Den Ouden did not respond verbally but merely pointed his index finger upward in an indication of whom should receive the credit.
Dr. Derek Halvorson will become the College’s second president on July 1.
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