Evangel University to graduate 426 on May 2
April 23, 2008
Contact: Paul K. Logsdon, Director of Public Relations and Publications, 417-865-2815, Ext. 7292
Springfield, Mo. — Four-hundred-twenty-six students will participate in Evangel University’s 50th Commencement ceremony at 9:30 a.m., Friday, May 2. The ceremony will be held in the James River Assembly of God auditorium.
Nearly 4,000 family and friends will be present to celebrate with the second-largest graduating class in Evangel’s history.
“Our guests have been advised to arrive early,” said Evangel spokesman Paul K. Logsdon. “Traffic can back up for 45 minutes on the roads leading to James River for graduation, so we encourage people to arrive early and enjoy a cup of coffee from their in-house Starbucks.”
Dr. George O. Wood, general superintendent of the Assemblies of God, will give the address. Dr. Wood is a 1962 graduate of Evangel.
Evangel enrolls nearly 2,000 students from all 50 states and abroad, and offers more than 85 academic programs that are on the cutting edge of today’s professional fields.
The following degrees will be awarded:
- 7 Associate of Arts
- 82 Bachelor of Arts
- 94 Bachelor of Business Administration
- 1 Bachelor of Fine Arts
- 9 Bachelor of Music
- 185 Bachelor of Science
- 13 Bachelor of Social Work
- 1 Master of Arts
- 9 Master of Education
- 7 Master of Organizational Leadership
- 18 Master of Science
Founded in 1955, Evangel is the national Assemblies of God university of arts, sciences and professions.
Dr. Robert H. Spence succeeded Dr. Ashcroft as president in 1974. Spence is the longest-tenured college president in the state of Missouri, and one of the longest-tenured in the nation.
Evangel is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, the National Association of Schools of Music, and the Council on Social Work Education.
For more information, call Paul K. Logsdon at (417) 865-2811 ext. 7292.
Dr. George O. Wood
Biography of Dr. Wood
Dr. George O. Wood was elected chief executive officer of the Assemblies of God at the 52nd General Council in August 2007. As general superintendent of the Assemblies of God, USA, part of the largest Pentecostal denomination in the world, he is a member of the denomination’s Executive Leadership Team and Executive Presbytery. The church has more than 12,300 congregations in the United States with some 2.8 million members and adherents.
Prior to his present position, Wood served the church as its general secretary for 14 years. He was assistant superintendent of the Southern California District from 1988-93. He pastored Newport-Mesa Christian Center in Costa Mesa, Calif., for 17 years. During his tenure, the church experienced significant growth, relocated and constructed new facilities, and gave $1 million to world missions in the last biennium of his pastorate.
The son of missionary parents to China and Tibet, Wood holds a doctoral degree in pastoral theology from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif., and a juris doctorate from Western State University College of Law in Fullerton, Calif. He also is an attorney and a member of the California State Bar.
Wood did his undergraduate work at Evangel University (College) in Springfield, Mo., and served the college in several capacities including that of director of spiritual life and student life from 1965-71. He was ordained by the Southern Missouri District in 1967.
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