ISP & OMD Senior Recognition Ceremony

Sponsored by Student Development

Purpose

In the Wheaton College community Covenant, all members pledge to “pursue unity and embrace ethnic diversity as part of God’s design for humanity” and to “practice racial reconciliation as one of his redemptive purposes in Christ.” The Christ-Centered Diversity Commitment also affirms racial and ethnic diversity “as part of God’s eternal design for humanity.” The College took an essential step toward fulfilling those commitments in May 2021 by hosting the first annual senior recognition ceremony for global and U.S. students supported by ISP (International Student Programs) and the OMD (Office of Multicultural Development).

The Apostle Paul describes God’s vision to connect the people groups created to bear his image through the atoning work of Jesus Christ as one body with many parts. This senior recognition ceremony seeks to honor all parts of Christ’s body that bear His image at Wheaton College, including those who are fewer in number on our campus. Being fewer in number often creates unique challenges for students from diverse cultural contexts, requiring commitment to persist to graduation. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:24-26, “But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.”

The ISP & OMD Senior Recognition Ceremony creates an opportunity to affirm God’s image in these students and their families and to acknowledge their unique challenges at the College as well as to express appreciation for their commitment. All faculty, staff, and families on campus for Commencement Weekend are warmly invited. The ceremony is an opportunity to rejoice together for what God has done for and through the OMD and ISP and the U.S. and global racial minority community as well as missionary/third culture (MK/TCK) senior students and their families during their time at Wheaton.

The ISP & OMD Senior Recognition Ceremony occurs during Commencement Weekend and is not an alternative Commencement. Participating in the ceremony is optional.