17 June 2015 | Binfield, Berkshire [Judith Makaniankhondo] On Sunday 14 June, Newbold College of Higher Education welcomed guests from far and near to witness the academic success of 30 students at its 2015 Awards Ceremony. Other guests included the Deputy Mayor and a Councillor from Bracknell Forest Council, alumni, staff, family and friends of the graduands, and the Newbold community. The ceremony also involved the awarding of the rank of Principal Lecturer Emeritus to four retired lecturers.
Newbold’s diversity was reflected through the graduands, who represented seventeen countries. These students have successfully completed their studies in Theology, Religious Studies, Business Studies, and Liberal Arts. Graduating Business student Saskia Heibutzki, said, ‘What I appreciated the most about my time here at Newbold is the joy of being around people from all parts of the globe, learning about the different mentalities and cultures, and making friendships that transcend any cultural differences. I really think this experience will be a bonus in the Business world.’
Also a Newbold alumnus, Pastor Kamal said it was at Newbold that he realised he had the capacity to learn everything. Pastor Kamal commented how independent learning, thinking, and the freedom of choice are encouraged at Newbold – he was even able to choose his own wife! Now, twenty-three years later, pursuing the degree of Reality in the University of Life, he has questioned, challenged, debated, thought, unlearned and learned. Pastor Kamal shared four insights from his personal experience.
Whilst capturing the full attention of the 2015 graduating class Pastor Kamal went to his third point, which was that most of the problems that we face in life are perceptual, and the solution is not doing something differently, but thinking about the problem differently. As he went to his fourth point, Pastor Kamal’s audience were already in awe. So he continued by urging them to see the unknown and the ambiguous as opportunities. He also challenged the graduates to pursue a life with a big ‘why’, one that is biblically based, Christ-centred, Holy Spirit-driven and community-focused, to the glory of God and for the good of His creation.
At the end of the day which was overflowing with happy sentiments, Theology graduate Sebastian Matula, beaming with delight, said ‘during the last three years at Newbold, I have understood what it means to be human: to be a follower of Jesus Christ, to let His love shine through my life and to prepare people for the imminent return of Jesus’.
Dr Baildam said that it was a pleasure and privilege to have been involved in the 2015 Awards Ceremony. ‘To see the joy of accomplishment and achievement on the faces of all our graduating students, their families, and supporters, made all the preparations so worthwhile. I know that some visitors looked on with envy – but just a quick contact with our Admissions Office might ensure that one day they too can be part of a future ceremony’, he added.
Learn more about Newbold at www.newbold.ac.uk, and view photos from the 2015 Awards Ceremony on the Newbold College of Higher Education Facebook Page. [tedNEWS]
Photos by Asun Olivan and Roland Dan.
tedNEWS Staff: Miroslav Pujic, director; Deana Stojkovic, editor
119 St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Herts, AL1 3EY, England
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.ted-adventist.org
tedNEWS is an information bulletin issued by the communication department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Trans-European Division.
You are free to re-print any portion of the bulletin without need for special permission. However, we kindly request that you identify tedNEWS whenever you publish these materials.
