Suffolk News-Herald

The 11th annual commencement exercises were held recently for Virginia University of Lynchburg students-Suffolk site in Pleasant Union Baptist Church.

The address was given by the Rev. Dr. Horace Rice, vice-president for Academic Affairs of the university.

Music was performed by the SIMA Revival Choir under the direction of Darlene Davis-Lee and Elder Viola Parker.

The Rev. Dr. Naomi P. Chambers, director of the Suffolk site, said, &uot;I give all honor and praise to God for the seminary being a part of the Suffolk community.&uot;

Those graduating were as follows: Patricia Norman, Michael Claude Sr., James Young, Thomas Turner, Howard LeMelle, William Bellamy, Clarence Holeman, Jessie Lewis, Patricia Powell, Laverne Knight, Martha Mills, Robert Wilkins, and Katherine Davis.

On May 10, the Suffolk graduates joined other graduates on the campus of Virginia University of Lynchburg for the 113 commencement in Humbles Hall Auditorium with President Ralph Reavis, presiding. The Rev. Dr. Vaurice T. Chambers, a Suffolk site instructor, was the musician for the graduation, and the commencement address was given by the Congressman Bobby Rush, who is also pastor of Community Christian Church in Chicago, Ill.

Thirteen students from Suffolk received certificates in the ministry and one received the Bachelor of Religious Studies.

Minister Patricia Powell and Thomas Turner of Suffolk received certificates for the highest grade point averages.

As of April 9, the university is now a candidate for national accreditation by the Trans-national Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS). This means that the university is in compliance with the accrediting organization’s standards and criteria and that it provides quality instruction and student services.

&uot;I encourage those who have a desire to study theology of God and equip themselves for greater service to register now for the fall semester by calling me at 934-0191 or 934-8175,&uot; said Chambers.