MOBILE, Ala. – The University of Mobile continued the Great Commission Tradition on August 13 by welcoming new students with the President’s Commissioning.
As new students and their families gathered on the Great Commission Lawn on the UM campus, President Lonnie Burnett delivered a charge to students.
Burnett elaborated on the Christ-centered university’s theme, “Know and Be Known.” He said “Know” refers to:
- Know Yourself – Personal Knowledge (2 Corinthians 13:5)
- Know your Field – Professional Knowledge (Proverbs 1:5)
- Know your Calling – Purposeful Knowledge (2 Timothy 2:20-21)
- Know your God – Providential Knowledge (Proverbs 9:10)
“Be Known” refers to:
- Be Known for your Excellence (Colossians 3:23)
- Be Known for your Faith (1 Thessalonians 1:8)
- Be Known for your Love (John 13:35)
- Be Known for your Devotion (1 Corinthians 8:3)
“You’re committing yourselves to recognize that God has a purpose for your life, and we each must strive to complete that purpose,” Burnett said.
The President’s Commissioning is the first step in the university’s two-part Great Commission Tradition. Incoming students touch the globe to symbolize the student’s commitment to open up to intellectual and spiritual development during their time at UM. Students also touch the globe after graduation to symbolize they are being sent into the world to fulfill their professional calling.
At the conclusion of the President’s Commissioning ceremony, parents, faculty and staff lined the walkway of the Great Commission Lawn and cheered for students as they touched the globe and gathered on the steps of Weaver Hall for a class photo.
This event also signaled the beginning of Ram Rush, UM’s welcome week and new student orientation. Ram Rush helps students learn about the school, find a local church and get connected with current students. New students build relationships with each other during Ram Rush with events like Goodwill Gala, concerts, game nights, worship nights and more. For more information on Ram Rush, please visit umobile.edu/ramrush.
For more information on the University of Mobile, please visit umobile.edu or call Enrollment Services at 251.442.2222.
About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences institution with a vision of higher education for a higher purpose, founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions through rigorous academic preparation and spiritual transformation. Core values are: Christ-Centered, Academically-Focused, Student-Devoted and Distinctively-Driven. The university offers on-campus and online bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.
For more information about the University of Mobile, visit the website at www.umobile.edu or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
Zac Douglas is the marketing communications specialist for the University of Mobile. He graduated from the University of Mississippi in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in integrated marketing and communications. As marketing communications specialist, Zac is responsible for writing and strategizing content about the university, assisting with media relations, and handling other marketing and communications projects. He is an active member at Cottage Hill Baptist Church and enjoys spending his time surfing, skating and climbing.