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Trinity Western University recently celebrated the graduation of its Class of 2021 in a special virtual ceremony.

Photo courtesy Trinity Western University Richmond

TWU grads guided by faith

By Don Fennell

Published 12:55 PDT, Mon May 17, 2021

Last Updated: 4:23 PDT, Mon May 17, 2021

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Challenging people in ways most never imagined, the global COVID-19 pandemic has also demanded that students be more resilient than ever.

For the 774 Trinity Western University (TWU) students whose graduation milestone was marked by an online ceremony earlier this month, their strength is guided by faith.

“TWU welcomes the integration of faith and learning, and provides students opportunities for whole person development,” says Rebecca Swaim, executive director of the Christian university’s Richmond locations. “Particularly during times of challenge, we are inclined to consider what anchors us and propels us forward. As such, we continue to create intentional space in virtual classrooms and group discussions for students to consider the role faith can play.”

Dr. Chen Liu, director of MBA programs at the largest liberal arts university in the country, adds: “Students are encouraged to seek God’s plan, wisdom, and guidance. As Malachi 3:6 says, ‘I the Lord do not change, so you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.’ (The) pandemic is unfortunate but also humbles people.”

Liu says 15 months into the pandemic, students have demonstrated resilience, resourcefulness and compassion—all great characteristics for team players and successful organizational leaders.

“On the practical side, our students have learned a lot about how to work in a virtual team, with members from various time zones and cultural backgrounds,” she says.

Muxi Guo, a 2021 graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership, says while this has been a difficult time for everyone with many focusing on uncertainties and social isolation, it’s also presented the opportunity for personal reflection.

“People have more time to be alone, and sometimes doing nothing is more sharpening than doing something,” Guo reasons. “More specifically, the pandemic period is an optimal time to figure out one’s ego through self-reflection.”

A second-year student in TWU’s Masters of Business Administration program, Bruce Guan enrolled prior to the pandemic. He says having online courses saves him commuting time and provides flexibility to do other things such as taking the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam.

“The greatest asset I (have) learned from this unique period is patience,” he says. “What I usually do is stay in my room and finish my daily routine. My level 1 CFA exam was cancelled twice in 2020 due to COVID-19, and the only thing I could was to be patient.”

While tomorrow’s world will surely look different, those who persevere will have opportunities to lead and succeed. To help its graduating students realize their potentials, TWU sought to recognize and honour each graduate this year with gift boxes which included a book about how to build one’s life after graduation.

The book—Five for Your First Five—by Dr. Allison McWilliams helps graduates focus on several key areas in life, and encourages them to reflect on their values, personal relationships and self-management.