WINNIPEG ' April 30, 2006, Booth College marked its 24th graduation exercises with the largest graduating class of its history with sixty graduates.

Graduates received certificates in the areas of Christian Studies, Liberal Arts, Discipleship/Urban Mission, Chaplaincy/Spiritual Care, Management; three and four year Bachelor of Arts degrees in the areas of Biblical & Theological Studies, Christian Studies, Social & Behavioural Studies and Christian Ministries and a four year Bachelor of Social Work degree.

Graduation weekend is always a time of celebration for the Booth College community. It is a time to give praise to God for His continued blessings on the work of Booth College and to honour the graduates.

To begin the weekend, Booth College was pleased to dedicate and officially open the new John Fairbank Memorial Library. The newly constructed library, located on the top floor of a heritage building in downtown Winnipeg, is a short walk from the Booth College campus. Through the generous support of the Fairbank family, and The Salvation Army, students are now enjoying the spacious sunlit facility, housing over 53,000 books, journals and other materials.

Graduands and guests from Winnipeg and around the globe attended the Saturday evening graduation and awards banquet. Dr Len Williams brought an inspirational devotional message. Friends of the college were given special recognition for their award donations and award recipients were acknowledged by the Director of Development, Major Douglas Smith. Staff and Faculty were acknowledged for their years of service as gifts were presented to Bonnie Bryant, social work department chair for ten years; and Meagan Morash, director of library services, Brigitte Warkentin, admissions counsellor, and Rachelle Aime, hospitality services manager for five years.

The baccalaureate service Sunday morning was attended by graduands, their families, faculty, staff and friends in the Booth College Clifford Hetherington Chapel. The guest speaker for the weekend was Commissioner Hasse Kjellgren, territorial commander of the Sweden and Latvia Territory. During the service graduates Major Andrew Morgan (Toronto) and Daniel Omalola (Nigeria) shared reflections about their time at Booth College. Each gave thanks to God for their time of educational preparation at Booth College.

The graduation exercises on Sunday, April 30, at Elim Chapel blended together an Army spirit with the ceremony of an academic celebration. Dr Jonathan Raymond presided over the occasion and welcomed representatives of several post-secondary institutions in Winnipeg. The Honourable Harry Schellenberg, MLA for Rossmere, brought greetings on behalf of the provincial government.

Valedictorian speaker, BSW Graduate Betty Good spoke of how blessed the class of 2006 was to have the opportunity to study at a college that provides Christian education and personal growth to a wide variety of students from various countries, stages of life, and places of service. She shared that their mission, now as graduates, was to make a difference by bringing the kingdom of God to a world in need. 'God has strengthened and equipped us during our time of study, and promises to continue the journey with us as we use our skills and knowledge to bring honor and glory to Him through faithful service.'

One highlight of the graduation was the conferral of two honorary doctorates. Dr Marjory Kerr, chair of the Board of Trustees, presented Dr Len Williams for the degree of Doctor of Civil Law (DCL). Colonel Glen Shepherd, vice chair of the Board of Trustees, presented Dr Roger Green for the degree of Doctor of Divinity (DD). Commissioner M Christine MacMillan, chancellor of Booth College, hooded each of them.

Dr Jonathan Raymond, president and vice-chancellor, conferred 28 degrees, and presented 34 certificates to the graduating class. Included were the first recipients of the Certificate in Management, the Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) in Christian Ministries (USA Eastern Territory Post-SFOT Degree Completion Program) and the Bachelor of Arts (General) in Social and Behavioural Sciences.

Special guest Commissioner Hasse Kjellgren delivered the graduation address. He encouraged the graduating class to continue to ask questions and to seek knowledge as they move beyond their studies into various kinds of work.

The celebration was brought to a close with a reception and open house at the College in honour of the graduating class of 2006.

For more information about Booth College visit our web site at www.boothcollege.ca