Conference students earn diplomas at Goshen College Commencement April 26

 

GOSHEN, Ind. -- Thirty-three Indiana-Michigan Conference students were among the 236 candidates who received diplomas at Goshen College's 111th Annual Commencement April 26.

 

Brittany R. Albrecht, daughter of Tom and Dee Albrecht of Goshen, received a bachelor's degree in art. She is a 2005 graduate of Bethany Christian Schools and attends Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship.

 

Lydette S. Assefa, daughter of Dagne and Carol Weaver Assefa of Indianapolis, received a bachelor's degree with majors in English and history. She is a 2005 graduate of Warren Central High School and attends Shalom Mennonite Church.

 

Sara L. Becker-Hoover, daughter of Merlin and Eileen Becker-Hoover of Goshen, received a bachelor's degree in social work. She is a 2005 graduate of Bethany Christian Schools and attends College Mennonite Church.

 

Paul E. McDougal Boers, son of Arthur Boers and Lorna McDougall of Elkhart, received a bachelor's degree with a major in communication and a minor in music. He is a 2005 graduate of Bethany Christian Schools and attends Prairie Street Mennonite Church.

 

Kaitlin M. Boss, daughter of Krissie Boss of Elkhart, received a bachelor's degree with a major in social work and a minor in American Sign Language. She is a 2005 graduate of Concord High School and attends Sunnyside Mennonite Church.

 

Monica S. Cender, daughter of Norman and Karen Cender of Goshen, received a bachelor's degree in social work. She is a 2005 graduate of Bethany Christian Schools and attends Holdeman Mennonite Church.

 

Rebecca J. Davidhizar, daughter of Roger and Rebecca Plaster of Middlebury, received a bachelor's degree with a major in nursing and a minor in psychology. She is a 2005 graduate of Bethany Christian Schools and attends First Mennonite Church.

 

Jessica A. Fridley, daughter of George and Barbara Fridley of Elkhart, received a bachelor's degree in social work. She is a 2004 graduate of Bethany Christian Schools and attends Fellowship of Hope.

 

Nathan D. Graber, son of Peter and Mary Graber of Elkhart, received a bachelor's degree with a major in history and a minor in Spanish. He is a 2004 graduate of Elkhart Central High School and attends Sunnyside Mennonite Church.

 

Nathan J. Grieser, son of Michael and Elisabeth Grieser of Goshen, received a bachelor's degree in music. He is a 2005 graduate of Bethany Christian Schools and attends East Goshen Mennonite Church.

 

Charity M. Grimes, daughter of Daniel and Brenda Grimes of Goshen, received a bachelor's degree in environmental studies. She is a 2005 graduate of Bethany Christian Schools and attends Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship.

 

Christina M. Histand, daughter of James and Linda Histand of Goshen, received a bachelor's degree with a major in psychology and a minor in Spanish. She is a 2005 graduate of Goshen High School and attends Sunnyside Mennonite Church.

 

Joel A. Horner, son of Carl and Stephanie Horner of Wakarusa, received a bachelor's degree in business. He is a 2005 home school graduate and attends Shore Mennonite Church.

 

Benjamin M. Jacobs, son of Randall and Rachel Jacobs of Goshen, received a bachelor's degree with a major in English and a minor in Bible and religion. He is a 2005 graduate of Goshen High School and attends Assembly Mennonite Church.

 

Aaron D. Keister, son of Gary and Norma Keister of Goshen, received a bachelor's degree with a major in physical education and a minor in business. He is a 2005 graduate of Goshen High School and attends College Mennonite Church.

 

Allison N. Landis, daughter of Douglas and Joy Landis of Mason, received a bachelor's degree in psychology. She is a 2005 graduate of Mason High School and attends MSU Mennonite Fellowship.

 

Andrew Gunden Landis, son of Geoff Landis and Liz Gunden of Goshen, received a bachelor's degree with a major in music and a minor in theater. He is a 2005 graduate of Goshen High School and attends College Mennonite Church.

 

Annerose A. Lederman, daughter of Roland and Betty Leichty of Wakarusa, received a bachelor's degree in nursing. She is a 2005 graduate of Bethany Christian Schools and attends Holdeman Mennonite Church.

 

Andrew D. Mark, son of Jeff Mark of Bristol and Kathy Mark of Goshen, received a bachelor's degree with majors in molecular biology/ biochemistry and business. He is a 2004 graduate of Bethany Christian Schools and attends Kern Road Mennonite Church.

 

Benjamin I. Martin, son of Mike and Susan Martin of Wakarusa, received a bachelor's degree with a major in business and a minor in environmental studies. He is a 2005 graduate of Bethany Christian Schools and attends Olive Mennonite Church.

 

Michael L. Martin, son of Linford and Elaine Martin on Middlebury, received a bachelor's degree with a major in communication and a minor in graphic design. He is a 2005 graduate of Bethany Christian Schools and attends First Mennonite Church.

 

Vilma Rosario-Varela Padilla, Goshen, received a bachelor's degree with a major in Spanish and a minor in conflict studies. She attends Iglesia del Buen Pastor.

 

Luke D. Penner, son of Milbert and Ruth Penner of Indianapolis, received a bachelor's degree in social work. He is a 2004 graduate of Bethany Christian Schools, Goshen, and attends Shalom Mennonite Church.

 

Leah R. Roth, daughter of John and Ruth Roth of Goshen, received a bachelor's degree in nursing. She is a 2005 graduate of Bethany Christian Schools and attends Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship.

 

Landon J. Rupp, son of Russ and Rita Rupp of Wakarusa, received a bachelor's degree with a major in accounting and a minor in business. He is a 2003 graduate of NorthWood High School and attends Yellow Creek Mennonite Church.

 

Emily E. Shantz, daughter of Steven and Kathryn Shantz of Goshen, received a bachelor's degree with a major in art and a minor in writing. She is a 2005 graduate of Bethany Christian Schools and attends Assembly Mennonite Church.

 

Benjamin J. Shenk, son of Dale and Karen Shenk of Goshen, received a bachelor's degree with a major in physics and a minor in mathematics. He is a 2005 graduate of Bethany Christian Schools and attends Sunnyside Mennonite Church.

 

Jesse S. Shoemaker, son of Ron Shoemaker and Pat Springer Shoemaker of Goshen, received a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary with concentrations in international studies, music and Bible and religion. 

He is a 2002 graduate of Concord High School and attends Sunnyside Mennonite Church.

 

Leslee S. Smucker, daughter of Gregory and Barbara Smucker of Goshen, received a bachelor's degree with a major in music and a minor in art. She is a 2005 graduate of Bethany Christian Schools and attends Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship.

 

Laura J. Stoesz, daughter of Randall and Ellen Stoesz of Indianapolis, received a bachelor's degree in English. She is a 2005 graduate of Pike High School and attends First Mennonite Church.

 

Ellen M. Wagner, daughter of William Wagner of Engadine, received a bachelor's degree in nursing. She is a 2005 graduate of Engadine High School and attends Wildwood Mennonite Church.

 

Sampson D. Woelk, son of Frank and Mollie Woelk of Newport, Wash., received a bachelor's degree in Bible and religion. He is a 1997 graduate of Newport High School and attends East Goshen Mennonite Church.

 

Tyler J. Yoder, son of John and Martha Yoder of Goshen, received a bachelor's degree with a major in Bible and religion and a minor in peace and justice studies. He is a 2005 graduate of Goshen High School and attends Sunnyside Mennonite Church.

 

Dr. Stephen Ainlay, a native of Goshen and 1973 Goshen College graduate, presented the commencement address. He is president of Union College (Schenectady, N.Y.), a sociologist by training and has a distinguished record as a scholar, teacher and administrator. 

 

Commencement was held at 3 p.m. in the college's Roman Gingerich Recreation- Fitness Center on Sunday, April 26, 2009, following an 11 a.m. Baccalaureate service in the Church-Chapel, with President James Brenneman preaching.

 

Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college's Christ-centered core values -- passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership -- prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron's Best Buys in Education, "Colleges of Distinction," "Making a Difference College Guide" and U.S.News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges" edition, which named Goshen a "least debt college." Visit www.goshen.edu.