Graduation 2009: May 9, 2009

Dr. Dino Pedrone, Rev. Vince Griffis, Mr. Chris Seavey

The Class of 2009

Senior Chris Dorais with Rev. Jerry Traister, Chairperson of Board (Class 1967)

Dr. Dino Pedrone, President (Class 1967)

Naomi and her parents from Sri Lanka

(L-R) Daniel Rathmell, Church Relations (Class 1973), his wife, Terry Robertson, Elizabeth Robertson, Mary Knapton (class 1950), Roger Knapton (class 1950), Dr. Dino Pedrone (1967), Terry and Elizabeth's two sons.

Members of the class of 1967 (and adopted 1968 member)
(L-R) Suzanne (Sisson) Griffis (1967), Vincent Griffis (1967), Walter Schlundt (1967), Jerry Traister (1967), Dino Pedrone (1967), and Janice (Weatherbee) Chandler (1968)

Graduation 2009 went very well on Saturday, May 9, 2009. A new group of Alumni have gone out of the halls of our fine college. The Sun never sets on PBTS, PBC, Davis Alumni and it so true in seeing the students that are leaving the college to go out into the world. There were many special events that happened during the ceremony. During the ceremony an award of Trustee Emeritus was awarded to Rev. Gordon Hay (Class 1954). Also a first for Davis College was the conferring of Honorary Doctorates.

The New York State Education Department has authorized Davis College to grant honorary doctorates. The Doctor of Divinity degree is conferred on individuals who have distinguished themselves in Christian ministry and leadership. Their life and service in ministry exemplifies the college's mission of impacting the world for Jesus Christ. Today the college honors two distinguished servants of the Lord with the Doctor of Divinity degree.

The two people that received them were Vincent Griffis and Terry Robertson.

From the program the bios of each:

Vincent W. Griffis spent most of his formative years on the campus of Davis College, graduating from PBTS in 1967. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Calvary Bible College, a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology from Rhode Island College and a Master of Business Administration from Southeastern Massachusetts University. He is presently a doctoral candidate (Ed.D.) at Boston University. Vincent has served as headmaster of the Christian School of Greater Fall River, Massachusetts and was also the director of Rain Forest International School in Cameroon. Currently, he is serving as a Scripture Use Researcher with Wycliffe Bible Translators, examining how much use is made of the vernacular Scriptures in Cameroon. Vincent is married to Suzanne, and they have four children and one grandson. Griffis Hall in the Chatlos Building is named after his father who was a faculty member and administrator at PBTS.

Terry M. Robertson was raised in Alabama where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Samford University in Birmingham. He earned a Master in Religious Education degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He now serves as the Executive Director and Treasurer of the Baptist Convention of New York with offices in East Syracuse, New York. Terry has pastored churches in Alabama, New Jersey and New York and also served as the Director of Missions for Frontier Baptist Association of Buffalo. His passion is the church and reaching the lost with the Gospel message. He is actively involved in. church planting responsibilities in the central New York state region. Terry is married to Elizabeth, and they have three children and one grandson.

After receiving his honorary Doctorate of Divinity the now Dr. Vincent Griffis gave an address to the Graduating Class. He addressed them about the troubles that they will face, but to continue on. He gave wisdom from the Scriptures about the importance of prayer in a believers life. How we don't do it enough, but it is so critical.

After Dr. Griffis spoke the degrees were handed out as a new group of Alumni entered the school history. The ceremony concluded with a prayer of dedication and the singing of the Alma Mater.