THE INSIDER - SPRING/SUMMER 2023

utilities services, a public school, and many other real life situations and problems that individuals and families living within poverty may face, such as a sick child or not being able to get to work without transportation. By the end of the four “weeks,” participants were running across the room trying to be the first in line, after realizing how limited time really is for those individuals whom this is their everyday life. Most, if not all, participants struggled to even maintain their poverty lifestyle, let alone recover or move themselves out of poverty. The Poverty Simulation afforded an undoubtedly beneficial experiential learning opportunity. The exercise provided Texas College students valuable insight into the real - life struggle of poverty in East Texas. From this knowledge gained through simulated experiences, students will enter the field of social work with a better understanding of the populations that they will futuristically serve. Alongside the Texas College students were Social Work professors Ms. Charlottes Sanders, Ms. LaKeshia Harris, and Ms. Sunny Shepheard as volunteers to help manage and facilitate a multitude of “services” for the simulation, as well as to watch the students at work. 2023 BACCALAUREATE SERVICE To begin the 2023 Commencement Activities, Texas College hosted the 2023 Baccalaureate Service virtually on Friday, May 5. The baccalaureate service, a centuries - old tradition in higher education, affords graduates one final opportunity for spiritual development and fellowship before graduation. Rev. Dr. Jeremy L. Williams served as the Baccalaureate Speaker. As the Dean of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Eighth Episcopal District’s Leadership Training Institute, as well as a scholar of religion and Assistant Professor of New Testament at Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University, Rev. Dr. Williams delivered a powerful and uplifting message to the Class of 2023. To comprehensively celebrate the occasion, additional remarks were provided from Dr. Dwight J. Fennell, President, Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick III, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the Honorable Dr. Shirley McKellar, City of Tyler Councilmember, Dr. Patricia McKenzie, Vice Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Jan Duncan, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Cynthia Marshall - Biggins, Vice President for Student Affairs, Ms. Millicent Rickenbacker, Vice President for Business and Finance, Rev. Dr. Edward Robinson, Associate Professor of History and Religion, as well as performances by the Texas College Choir. To view the 2023 Baccalaureate Service, as well as a digital program order, click the respective button below.

VIEW 2023 BACCALAUREATE SERVICE

VIEW DIGITAL PROGRAM ORDER

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