TV journalists speaks to Tabor grads
"It really is a bright day for faculty and staff," said Tabor College president Larry Nikkel. "This is what it's all about."
Although it was a bright day for personnel to see their students graduate, Nikkel said, it was a bright day for the students as well as they prepared to receive their diplomas during commencement exercises Saturday, May 24.
Robert Echternach, Tabor College Wichita senior class representative from Arkansas City, began the ceremony with the invocation.
This was the first year the Professor Fran Jabara Leadership Award was given. Landon Fulmer, Buhler, and Shawna Stutzman, Lititz, Pa., received a cash award and plaque in honor of their leadership skills, not only demonstrated during their time as Tabor College students, but for their potential leadership capabilities.
After the presentation of the leadership award, Tabor College Hillsboro senior class representative Ernest Nortey, Winnipeg, Manitoba, delivered his senior address.
"Today is a day I have seen down the path of a small journey," he said. "Today I stand before you a different person because of Tabor College."
Because of his Tabor experience, he said, he has gained a new understanding of life and now realizes that the Lord places everyone on this path of life.
"Tabor has opened my mind to many aspects of life, of community based on the love for the Lord," Nortey said.
He also advised his fellow graduates that every day they will be faced with new circumstances, and that they should look for the best in each situation and take advantage of them.
And, in conclusion, Nortey said, "Be patient with the Lord's time because we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I encourage you to branch out and form a new community."
Michael Allred, the second Tabor College Wichita senior class representative from Wichita, delivered his senior address.
"Today two campuses come together to celebrate one achievement," he said.
Prompted by Allred, his classmates and audience thanked and applauded the faculty, staff, family and friends for their support given over the years.
For the Scripture reading, Stutzman read Jeremiah 29:11-13.
Larry Hatteberg, a well-known broadcast journalist from KAKE-TV in Wichita, then provided the commencement address.
"I wish I knew what I would tell you that you'd remember," he said.
He wished to find a sound bite that all graduates would remember after the ceremony ended.
In the world of television reality shows, he said, "You are the producers."
Hatteberg reminisced about a high-school graduation he had attended where the speaker spoke of the evils of the world.
But, he said, "I believe God knew exactly what he was doing when he created his own reality show. There is evil out there, but never let it destroy your future.
"Every person you will meet will be a teacher," he continued. "All you have to do is listen to them."
As he told the stories of a man in his mid-eighties who was his wife's caregiver and an Auburn, woman who had 60 pictures of foster kids on her refrigerator, to a Donovan County man who literally lived in a hole in the ground and a 2003 Tabor College graduate, Misty Collins of Wichita, who interned at KAKE-TV this past year, he said they were all teachers because he learned life lessons from every one of them.
"None of us survive this life alone," said Hatteberg.
And, as he concluded his address, he told the graduates, "My hope is that your reality show goes into reruns."
