On Tuesday, September 8, faculty and staff gathered with hundreds of students at Olivet University Chapel at for Fall Convocation 2009.  The ceremony also featured a presidential installation ceremony for Dr. William Lyle Wagner, the new president of Olivet University.
 
The exercises commenced with a procession of academic leaders into the Chapel.  Musical selections and choral devotions from the Jubilee College of Music interspersed the evening’s events. 

Former President Dr. David James Randolph opened the ceremony with a warm welcome and words of encouragement for Olivet’s new president.  Dr. Randolph, who will continue to serve the University as Distinguished Professor of Theology, was presented with a certificate and cards by the University community expressing appreciation for his successful term of service following his remarks. 

Chairman of the Board of Trustees Rev. Andrew Lin administered the Presidential Oath to Dr. Wagner, describing him as a “visionary leader” and exhorting him to serve faithfully. He also presented Dr. Wagner with a commemorative plaque in his honor on behalf of the Trustees of Olivet University.

In his Convocation Address that followed, Dr. Wagner described his vision for the University.  Quoting from Thomas Friedman's book "The World is Flat," Dr. Wagner described how technological advancements in travel and communications have made the world a smaller, “flatter” place by bringing people closer together.  He continued by exhorting Olivet to use this opportunity to fulfill its mission to preach the Gospel globally and change the world through Christian mission.

“Like the apostles, we at Olivet have been called to preach to the ends of the earth," Dr. Wagner explained. "The world has never seen a period of time like this before -- a time when God will allow unimaginable things to happen through Olivet.”

Immediately following the ceremony guests enjoyed a special reception at the executive offices of Olivet University to celebrate the occasion.  Convocation guests shared happy reflections about the program, and commented on their hopes for the new semester and Dr. Wagner’s presidency.

"It was such a graceful ceremony and I am looking forward to a hopeful new semester at Olivet," said Andrea Madambashi, a first year student at Olivet Institute of Technology "We're so excited to have Dr. Wagner as our new president," she added. 

President Dr. William Wagner has served Olivet University as a professor and Dean of Olivet Theological College & Seminary (OTCS), and more recently as the University's Academic Dean. A renowned mission strategist, a career missionary, and a small church pastor, Dr. Wagner received his Doctor of Missiology degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1977 and his Doctor of Theology degree from the University of South Africa in 1990.