Olivet University’s 2011 Spring Convocation was held on Thursday, February 3 at the University Chapel in San Francisco, CA. Students, faculty, and staff gathered to celebrate a new semester which included the welcoming of new students who have enrolled for the Spring semester.
The event began with a procession of Olivet’s faculty and administration. Jubilee College of Music Dean Dr. Merril Smoak led a selection of choral devotions which was followed by an invocation prayer from Dr. Tom Cowley, Dean of Olivet College of Business. University president Dr. William Wagner opened with his personal greetings and introductions for the upcoming semester.
The featured convocation speaker was Dr. John Shouse, a professor from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary and pastor of Tiburon Baptist Church in the nearby city of Tiburon, CA. Dr. Shouse's message focused on Peter's confession in Mark 8. In particular, he encouraged Olivet's foreign students from Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa to take advantage of every opportunity that God presents during their studies at Olivet University.
The ceremony also included a special video presentation featuring various University faculty giving encouragement to students for the upcoming semester. The convocation concluded with Dr. Joseph Ray Tallman, Vice President delivering the benediction, followed by a special reception gathering.