College of the Ozarks holds Baccalaureate for graduating seniors on Sunday, April 30

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — The College of the Ozarks held a Baccalaureate Service at Williams Memorial Chapel, followed by a luncheon in The Howell W. Keeter Athletic Complex on Sunday, April 30. The graduating seniors also participated in one of the College’s long-standing traditions, the catwalk, which was made even more memorable with addition of a symbolic walk through The Empty Cross™ on campus.

For the first time in the College’s history, the Baccalaureate Service was held as a separate event from the Commencement Ceremony. Dr. Brad Johnson, president of College of the Ozarks, delivered remarks to the graduating seniors. The service took place during the regular chapel service time, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. During the luncheon, each member of the graduating class took time to write on stones — positive memories or notes about the impact the College has made on them.

“The decision to move the Baccalaureate Service to the Sunday preceding Commencement has been a success,” said Dr. Eric Bolger, dean of the College. “The student-led service was a celebration of God and His grace and favor on the graduating seniors. The breaking of bread together afterward and the walk through The Empty Cross™ further celebrated the success of the graduates and the fellowship they share in Christ.”

The Catwalk

After the luncheon, the seniors assembled outside the gymnasium and walked along the sidewalks of campus and up the hill to the Gates of Opportunity for a symbolic finish to their time at College of the Ozarks. Each student walked through The Empty Cross™, a symbol of the Christian faith, and placed his or her stone at the foot of the Cross.

As students enter as freshmen, they participate in their first catwalk, starting from the Gates of Opportunity and heading into the direction of the gymnasium, to symbolize the beginning of their journey as College students. As seniors, they walk back from the gymnasium towards the Gates of Opportunity, to symbolize their run at College of the Ozarks is finished, and to call to mind what they are bringing with them into the world when they leave the gates.