December 7, 2012 (Jackson) - Belhaven University will honor its graduating adult and graduate students on Saturday, December 15, 2012. The Belhaven commencement ceremony in Jackson will start at 9:30 a.m. in Thalia Mara Hall, 255 East Pascagoula Street. Belhaven will welcome Dr. Dolphus Weary as the commencement speaker for this semester ceremony.
Dr. Weary devoted his life to Christian community development in Mississippi. Currently, he serves part-time as the President of Rural Education and Leadership (R.E.A.L.) Christian Foundation, A foundation connecting Economic and Technical Resources with Rural Christian Ministries. He also works part-time as the major fundraiser for Mission Mississippi, a racial reconciliation ministry that encourages unity within the Body of Christ. Hebegan serving as the executive director of Mission Mississippi in 1998 and named president in 2005.
In 1969 Dr. Weary became one of the first black students to graduate from the all-white Los Angeles Baptist College with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology. In 1971, he received a Masters of Religious Education Degree (M.R.E.) from Los Angeles Baptist Seminary and a Masters in Educational Administration (M. Ed) from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Dr. Weary then returned to Mississippi to work with Mendenhall Ministries, a multi-faceted Christian Community Development ministry, where he served from 1971 through 1997. In 1973, he was ordained to the ministry, and in 1997, he received a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) from Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS.
He serves on the board of Belhaven University, World Vision, Intervarsity, and the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. He has received four honorary Doctoral Degrees including one from Belhaven University and he received the distinguished Meritorious Leadership Award from Tougaloo College.
Dolphus and his wife Rosie are the parents of three children: Danita, who lives in Natchez, MS; Ryan, who graduated from Belhaven University in 2009; and Reggie, who went home to be with the Lord in June of 2004.
Belhaven University stands among select Christian colleges and universities and has been repeatedly named one of “America’s 100 Best College Buys." The University offers 30 academic majors across a full spectrum of disciplines as well as a variety of graduate programs. In addition, Belhaven has achieved the distinction of being among only 30 universities nationally accredited in each of the major arts – music, theatre, visual art and dance. All programs are taught from a Christian worldview perspective and are guided by the mission to prepare students academically and spiritually to serve Christ Jesus in their careers, in human relationships, and in the world of ideas.
Belhaven University serves over 3,700 students offering undergraduate and graduate degrees on its residential campus, an online degree program, and graduate and adult degree programs in Jackson, Memphis, Orlando, Houston, Chattanooga, and Atlanta.