James Turner
Staff Writer
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The Christian Faculty Network and United Campus Ministries Association will be hosting a nondenominational Christian baccalaureate service in Wrather Auditorium on May 10, from 7-8 p.m.

Winfield Rose, professor of political science, is coordinating the event.

“Having a baccalaureate service at graduating time is an old tradition,” Rose said. “It is a religious service to thank God for the people graduating and to ask his blessings on them in the future. One way or another, it tells the graduates they have two choices in life and it urges them to follow a godly path.”

Rose said the event will be similar to a traditional worship, but will be centered around the graduates and their achievements.

Todd Broker, director of the Center of Economic Education, is the president of the local chapter of the Christian Faculty Network. He partnered with Rose to plan the event.

“It takes a lot of time and effort to agree upon event details, secure a location, create an event itinerary, invite a speaker, market the event to the appropriate audience, etc.,” Broker said. “Many other preparations have also been made, but they have been mostly done by Dr. Rose.”

John Dale, retired minister with the Glendale Road Church of Christ and an adjunct professor for the department of organizational communication, was the speaker at the baccalaureate last year and plans to attend this year.

Dale said the service was nice last year, and he’s glad that they planned another one.

Keith Inman, senior pastor at the First Baptist Church of Murray, will be the speaker this year.

“I was honored to be asked to speak as I spent 28 years connected to the university campus through my previous vocation as campus minister, almost 13 of those here at Murray State,” Inman said. “I have visited campuses in many parts of the country and I am energized by university students.”

Inman said he has great respect for those involved with bringing the baccalaureate tradition back.

This will be the first Christian baccalaureate service since 1973.

“My hope is that this service will gain traction and receive support and encouragement from the Christian community both on campus and in the Murray community,” Inman said.

Everyone is welcome to attend the event, which will celebrate both past and coming graduates. Admission is free, and religious affiliation is not required.