An estimated 1,500 people filled the Tabor Student Center Gymnasium on Saturday for the college’s 105th commencement.

The 107 Hillsboro campus graduates and 64 Wichita and online graduates were among the largest graduating classes in school history. Fourteen states and six countries were represented.

Graduates Marissa Vix and Matthew Wiebe received Professor Fran Jabara Leadership Awards of $1,000, presented by President Jules Glanzer.

Norman Ewert, Wheaton College professor emeritus and Tabor alumnus, delivered a commencement address.

“You may think you’ve taken your last exam or written your last paper,” Ewert said, “but your education is now just beginning. You’ve acquired the tools to learn and the hard work is now ahead. Be prepared to learn from the unexpected.

“We need a whole generation of young Christians to dedicate their lives to faithfully living out their faith. You folks are best equipped to address the challenges facing us in the world going forward.”

Glanzer said graduation was a shared experience.

“Parents, students and even faculty look forward to this day when they see the fruit of their sacrifice, work and influence,” Glanzer said. “There are so many mixed emotions. It is a day of celebration and saying goodbye.”