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Winter Commencement, Dec. 4, 2007

Asbury Seminary recently celebrated our eighth winter commencement on Dec. 4, 2007. Masters level degrees were conferred to over 70 graduates in the fields of Biblical Studies, Christian Education, Christian Leadership, Christian Ministries, Counseling, Intercultural Studies, Pastoral Counseling, Theological Studies, World Mission & Evangelism, Youth Ministry and Master of Divinity. Three candidates received a Doctor of Ministry. Two candidates received their PhD degrees in Missiology.

Dr. Bill Pannell from Fuller Theological Seminary delivered the address to the graduates.

Dr. Pannell spoke regarding trusting God through the journey, "God will get me to the place of His appointed choosing and will get me there on time."

William Pannell joined Fuller in 1974 as assistant professor of evangelism. A gifted preacher and professor of homiletics, Pannell has nurtured several generations of Fuller students from the classroom to the pulpit. He currently serves on the board of Taylor University in Indiana and is the author of numerous articles and books, including The Coming Race War; A Cry for Reconciliation (1993); Evangelism from the Bottom Up (1992); and My Friend, the Enemy (1968).

An honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred to Dr. Diana L. Swoope. Swoop was selected by Asbury Seminary to receive an honorary degree due to her outstanding ministerial service and allowing God to use her in the furtherance of His Kingdom.

Dr. Diana L. Swoope is an ordained minister with the Church of God, Anderson, Indiana. She has served on the staff of the Arlington Church of God in Akron, Ohio since 1981. In 1990, Pastor Swoope was the first female elected as president of the National Inspirational Youth Convention of the Church of God, which began in 1938 and has a constituency of more than 5,000 members.

Dr. Swoope has been the founder or impetus behind the creation of several programs for her church and the community. She was instrumental in implementing the EVE program, a rites of passage course for young women ages 9 to 16. She founded the Summer Educational Employment Program, which helped hundreds of youth to secure summer employment in Akron area businesses for more than fifteen years. Dr. Swoope co-founded the Arlington Christian Academy, a chartered elementary school that enrolls students from kindergarten through the eighth grade. She has served as its Principal since 1988. Students from this Academy have excelled in Honors and Advanced Placement classes in high school, and have earned academic scholarships to college.

She and her husband Lawrence Allen reside in Copley, Ohio, along with their three children, Alecia, Allen, and Andreco.