On June 20, 2026, representatives from the OTCS Orlando Campus attended Olivet University’s 2026 Commencement Ceremony held at the Riverside Campus. The landmark event celebrated graduates from undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs as they were commissioned for lives of faith, service, and global ministry.
The ceremony, officiated by Academic Dean Dr. Joseph Lee, featured an invocation by Dr. William Wagner and a welcoming address by University President Dr. Jonathan Park. Reflecting on the journey of the graduates, President Park reminded the gathering that “OU has become a living testimony that our Lord Jesus Christ is the resurrection and life,” encouraging the class of 2026 to continue sharing God’s powerful work with the world.
Dr. Merril Smoak of the Zinzendorf School of Doctoral Studies delivered the commencement address, urging graduates to anchor their futures in Proverbs 3:5–6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” Student speaker Enmei Zuo (B.A. in Theology) echoed this call to action, inspiring her peers as she shared, “This graduation is not the end but the beginning—of entering the mission fields to save one more soul.” The ceremony also featured the tradition of gifting an olive tree and the presentation of the inaugural Community Service Award by Board Chairman Dr. Nathanael Tran, concluding with a benediction by Dr. Donald Tinder.
Witnessing the passion, potential, and spiritual devotion of the graduates inspired great hope for the next generation of Christian leaders. During the visit, the Orlando team also participated in the OU Staff Prayer Meeting and Faculty Meeting, receiving spiritual refreshment and renewed alignment for the campus’s local ministry. The Faculty Meeting provided valuable opportunities to exchange practical insights on addressing current challenges in theological education.
The OTCS Orlando Campus expresses its deepest gratitude to the university leadership, faculty, and staff whose faithful preparation and warm hospitality made the commencement gathering deeply meaningful and encouraging for all.