President Bush to Speak at Calvin's 2005 Commencement
U.S. President George W. Bush will be the keynote speaker at the 2005 Commencement ceremony of Calvin College, a distinguished Christian liberal arts institution, on May 21.
U.S. President George W. Bush will be the keynote speaker at the 2005 Commencement ceremony of Calvin College, a distinguished Christian liberal arts institution, on May 21.
This marks the president's second visit to Calvin campus in Grand Rapids, Mich., according to the press release by the Worldwide Faith News. His first visit was in January 2000, when he participated in a nationally broadcasted debate designed for those seeking the Republican nomination for presidency.
College President Gaylen Byker, delighted to learn of the president's acceptance of the invitation, said that his presence will certainly make this a commencement that students, parents, and the Calvin community will remember for years to come.
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"It is a great honor to have the President of the United States speak at Calvin," he said. "By virtue of his position, he is undoubtedly one of
the most influential people in the world.
"We want our students to leave this place challenged and motivated to renew God's world in whatever they do. For our graduates to hear from
President Bush as they prepare to leave Calvin and make a difference in the world is an extraordinary opportunity for them."
Regardless of one's political affiliation, added Byker, the opportunity to hear from the President of the United States is a "singular opportunity."
Byker hopes Calvin campus to be the host to many prominent figures who will shed new light on the students at the largest Christian colleges in North America.
"We invite many speakers to campus because we want our community to meet and hear from important national and world figures," Byker said. "We need to hear and learn from thinkers and leaders whether we agree with them
or not."
Calvin will welcome Jim Wallis, a Christian leader for social change and editor of Sojourners Magazine, to its campus on May 5, who will speak on "God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get
It."
Calvin College is internationally recognized as a center for faith-based liberal arts teaching and scholarship and is affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church in North America.
