FULLERTON, CA: On Saturday, December 12^th, Hope International University celebrated its 100^th commencement ceremony. The fall graduates come from a student body which represents 43 states and over 20 countries. The graduates embody the University’s mission of preparing both professional and volunteer servant leaders to impact the world for Christ. They also demonstrate the University’s expanding commitment to adult learners and international students. These individuals join over 9,000 alumni who carry Hope International University’s legacy of service and ministry to the church and society.

Undergraduate Speaker, Elizabeth Vines (BA ‘15), addressed fellow grads encouraging each to enter their next journey “not as a fresh graduate, but as an educated adult.”

Mary Clausen, Grad Speaker (MFT ‘15), reminded the audience that God adds purpose to our lives, and in finding your purpose you add value to your life as well as those around you.

Pastor Jeff Vines, commencement speaker, has served on the mission field around the world for 20 years, and now serves as Lead Pastor at Christ’s Church of the Valley. Vines gave graduates three key pieces of advice: 1) Direction, not intention will determine your destination, 2) Failure is the gateway to success, 3) Worth is defined by eternity.  In an anecdote in which Vines described playing Monopoly, he concluded that all of the property, financial gain, and luxuries “go back in the box”, just as our earthly treasures do. Vines challenged the graduates to make pleasing God their ultimate goal, because “you cannot fill an eternal void with a temporary fill.”

Founded in 1928, Hope International University marks its 41^st academic year in Fullerton, where the university has maintained a diligent commitment to advance the mission of Christ around the world.

HIU streamed the Fall 2015 Commencement live online. A video archive of the ceremony is now available on demand at http://portal.stretchinternet.com/hiuadmin/portal.htm?eventId=257736&streamType=video