Greenville College 121st Commencement

Published: April 13, 2021

Orange and black banners hung above the entry of Ruby E. Dare Library, and more banners lined the walkby H.J. Long Gymnasium to welcome graduates, their friends and families to Greenville College's 121st Commencement. On May 25 and 26, the College conferred degrees on 377 students.

Lesley Burbridge '89 delivered the commencement address at both ceremonies. She shared lessons she had learned from a variety of influential people in her life, many of whom were connected to Greenville College. From her father, Hank '60, she learned the importance of "going to the gate". He met her at the airport gate each time she came home, teaching Lesley the importance of meeting people where they are, reaching their individual needs. From her mother, Pat (Scittine) '59, and the rest of her family descended from Maria Mannoia, Lesley learned about the importance of a personal relationship with Christ.

While co-leading the Agape Festival during her junior year at GC, Lesley discovered her passions and strengths. She spent five years after graduation working for Youth With a Mission, promoting Christian concerts around the world. Since then, she has continued to thrive in the music industry, from handling publicity at Word Records to running her own marketing business in Nashville. Lesley is now Vice President of Rogers and Cowan in Los Angeles, headingthe Faith & Family Entertainment Department. Throughout her career, Lesley sought ways to incorporate the goals of "going to the gate" and making herself available to serve God. She challenged graduates to do the same, living their "one life" to make an impact on the world around them.

During Sunday's commencement program, Associate Professor of Communication Veronica Ross received the W. Richard Stephens Outstanding Faculty Award, accompanied by a $1,000 check. Graduating senior Hannah Groves received the President's Citation in recognition of her high academic achievements.

Of the College's 377 graduates, 206 earned traditional undergraduate degrees, 63 earned undergraduate degrees through Greenville College's Organizational Leadership program, and 21 earned undergraduate degrees through the Undergraduate Teaching Partnership (UTEP) program. Degrees were also conferred on 87 graduate students. Of these, 16 received master's degrees in management practices, and 71 received master's degrees in education.