Anderson University Celebrated more than 800 graduates in two ceremonies on its historic Alumni Lawn—a commencement for undergraduate students on Friday morning, May 8, and a commencement for graduate students on Saturday morning, May 9.
The speaker for the Friday ceremony was President Emeritus of Rhodes College Dr. William E. Troutt. Dr. Troutt became President Emeritus of Rhodes College in 2017 after leading the college as president since 1999. Prior to Rhodes, he served as president of Belmont University for 17 years.
Characterizing him as a master builder of educational institutions, Anderson University President, Dr. Evans P. Whitaker, who served with Dr. Troutt at Belmont, said of him, “Many leaders manage organizations. Dr. Troutt built cultures, planting seeds whose harvest will come for generations.”
Dr. Troutt urged the 2026 graduates to live their lives guided by a grateful heart.
“Beginning each day and living each day with a grateful heart will be a game changer—a game changer for you and everyone you encounter,” he said. “You can start every morning simply by giving thanks to God for the day that lies ahead. Focusing on blessings big or small will keep you anchored in God’s goodness. Each day presents countless opportunities to express gratitude and kindness to others.”
The speaker for the Saturday ceremony was Dr. Hesham Elnakib, Distinguished University Professor of History, Political Science and International Diplomacy at Anderson University. Throughout his career in the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Elnakib has held several senior leadership positions, including serving at the Egyptian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Elnakib shared with graduates about how, after serving many years as a diplomat working in international relations, diplomacy and global engagement, he found completeness in serving as an ambassador to Jesus Christ. Sharing scripture from the Apostle Paul and the Psalms, Dr. Elnakib urged the 2026 graduates to be on mission to serve others and to choose to live with integrity.
“Serving others in your work instead of focusing only on yourself… No matter what you do in life, you can live out your mission right where you are. You don’t have to leave your career to find it. You live it every day by how you treat people, how you lead and the values you choose to stand by, even when it’snot easy,” Dr. Elnakib said. “Your mission is your compass. Keep your eyes on it, and don’t let anything pull you away from it.”
In addition to degrees conferred to Anderson graduates, ceremony highlights included AU Board of Trust Chair Shawn McGee giving the invocation in the Friday ceremony and Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board of Trust Dr. Margaret Wooten in the Saturday ceremony. Associate Professor of Chemistry Dr. Fritz Moise gave the benediction during the Friday ceremony, and Associate Dean of Education in the Graduate Program Julie Smart gave the benediction in the Saturday ceremony.
During the Friday ceremony, D’Andre Hicks, student body president, presented the Class Gift, a black marble emblem to be installed at the Merritt Administration Building, inscribed with the concluding words of the Alma Mater, “We know we love our alma mater, We know the joy of life she brings, Ah but there’s one thing that only God can know; what Anderson means to me.”
Former Anderson President Dr. Lee Royce received an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree. Dr. Royce was president from 1995 until 2002, presiding over a period of significant growth in enrollment and the size of the endowment. He was succeeded by President Whitaker, who credited Dr. Royce with turning around the then two-year college during desperate times.
Recognizing her sacrificial and outstanding service to Anderson as First Lady alongside her husband, current First Lady Diane Whitaker presented Rhoda Royce with the Annie Dove Denmark Award.
In the Saturday ceremony, University Provost Ryan Neal presented posthumous Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership to Ryan Gaither Karp, who was on track to graduate in May. The degree was presented to his wife Jessica and their three children.
Ruby Dean and D’Andre Hicks received the President’s Award. The Michael Bolles Excellence in Teaching Award was presented to Professor Lauren Imhoff of the South Carolina School of the Arts.
Students and faculty from the South Carolina School of the Arts at Anderson University presented musical selections throughout the ceremonies.
