Washington Adventist University Celebrates 103rd Commencement Ceremony

Takoma Park, MD (May 10, 2018)  Washington Adventist University held its 103rd Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 6, 2018 with Richard H. Paul, M.D. as the commencement speaker. Dr. Paul is currently Professor Emeritus in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine.

He has also served as Director of the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Program Director of Fellowship Training, for Los Angeles County at the University of Southern California Medical Center. His work has earned him the Purdue Frederick Award for Excellence in Medical Research presented by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists five different times, including three consecutive years 1974-76, and the Navy Award presented by the Armed Forces District of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist.

Dr. Paul graduated from Columbia Union College with a Bachelor of Arts in 1956. He went on to pursue his Medical degree from Loma Linda University and graduated in 1960.

WAU graduates and their families participated in a series of events, leading up to the Commencement ceremony, starting with the Consecration service on Friday, May 4 where Pastor Marquis Johns of North Philadelphia Seventh-day Adventist Church was the featured speaker. The day also included several departmental award ceremonies, dedications and symposiums.

The Baccalaureate service on Saturday, April 29 featured Chaplain Hyveth Williams, D.Min. of Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary.

The graduating class of 2018 comprised 218 students with 147 Baccalaureate degrees and 72 graduate degrees. The WAU family also celebrated the commencement of Benjamin Stevens Gittens, a guest graduate from the University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music. Benjamin, who plans to teach music, elected to forswear the U of C—CCM commencement which took place during Sabbath hours. His family joined him for the presentation of his diploma by WAU’s president Weymouth Spence.

Following their first full year on campus the REACH Columbia Union Urban Evangelism Center participated in commencement with their inaugural group of graduates. Jessica Quiñones, from Chesapeake Conference, Justine Kline, from Pennsylvania Conference, and Charlique Dobney, and LeShawn Browne of the Allegheny East Conference. The program provides a 15-credit, 12-month hands on training program preparing students for ministry in urban areas.

Washington Adventist University is Montgomery County’s only four-year private college. Part of the Seventh-day Adventist system of higher education, Washington Adventist University has been educating college students since 1904 on a 19-acre campus in suburban Takoma Park, close to the nation’s capital. Approximately 1,100 students of all faiths participate in the university’s nine graduate and 42 undergraduate programs. The 2017 edition of U.S. News & World Report ranked Washington Adventist University among the best regional colleges in the north.

Media Contacts
Emeraude Victorin, 301-576-0193, news@wau.edu