Greetings from UTS! I'd like to let everyone know about our upcoming 26th Commencement Exercises, Saturday, June 22, 2002, starting at 2 p.m.

We will have as a special guest the Rev. Chung Hwan Kwak, who will receive an Honorary Doctorate and present an address. In honor of this, we have distributed invitations for clergy from throughout the New York ­ New Jersey area. Clergy are invited to wear their clerical robes, march in the procession and sit in a reserved area.

We are graduating only 23 students this year, because in the fall of 2000 we had a very small new class‹only 18 people. At that time, many of us believed that UTS would be moving and hence closing at Barrytown. Therefore, very few people decided to begin their course as students. In hindsight, those people who came that fall we intrepid, faithful souls. They committed themselves to UTS based upon Father's love and their own vision. In that regard, this is a very historical graduating class. Their faith is being vindicated.

After the Commencement Exercises will come the traditional photo gathering in the circle. It will be enhanced by nearby exhibits. The movement in Camaroon, led by National Messiah couple Mike and Wiveka Lamson, will present a major exhibit covering their various activities. UTS will also put on an exhibit, and I have invited other organizations to grab this opportunity to share their works. These exhibits will be situated just north of the circle, on the grass outside the auditorium (former dojang).

Continuing north will take one to the reception area. We will have varieties of finger food, including veggies, chips, fruits, etc. We are asking for a donation from those staying for the reception. The reception program will feature a professor's remarks, inspiration from Tessa Hodson-Thonett, our Admissions Director, and remarks representing the alumni by Mr. Jim Borer, who recently was elected to the Board of Trustees. Entertainment and various presentations will round out the reception program.

Another interesting feature of the day will be an opening ceremony for a labyrinth. Gillian and Chris Corcoran have created a large labyrinth on the third field north of the main building. A labyrinth is a path that follows an ancient circular pattern, moving the user toward the center, out again, in again, out again, until one covers all four quadrants and reaches the center point. At that point, one may pray and meditate for a while, and then proceed on the same path out of the labyrinth. These figures are to be found in European cathedrals, and labyrinths are becoming popular with more and more American Christians, who are making them on their church grounds and gardens.

While at UTS, you will see the major banner now hanging in the chapel apse, with lighting it is very striking. You will also have a chance to see the Jan Parker painting of Noah's ark, which we are framing out. As providence would have it, Jan's paintings depicting providential history, that once hung in the New Yorker, ended up in Dr. Shawn Byrne's barn. These paintings are huge, and we have decided, with Jan's permission, to hang some of them, but one at a time. Noah's ark will be up by graduation time‹where, we haven't decided yet.

The banners, paintings and labyrinth are examples of UTS' development, innovation and adding value to what God and True Parents have given us. But most important is our development of education, making it relate to the needs and interests of our members and the providence. We are in the midst of exciting discussions with education leaders outside UTS about program innovations we can make in order to bring the world and school closer together, and equip graduates with the heart and skills God can use in their lives.

For those who can attend Commencement this year, we welcome you. If you need accommodations, please let me know, but realize that we are pretty maxed out for space so you may need to stay in a local hotel, or with friends. By the way, the restoration of two dorms is scheduled for this summer, to turn them into private rooms with phone and high-speed internet. We are now‹and this is for local folks‹starting our community discussions on a facilities master plan. It will take place this Sunday, June 3, from 1:30 to 3:30 in Lecture Hall 2, and all interested in the conversation are invited.

Last week we had a visit from alumni Takashige Sakozono ('77), the man who came up with the idea of catching carp in the lagoon using a tennis net. It was great to walk with him on Father's trail; I've never seen anyone hug a rock before! He hadn't been here since graduation, and his heart was so uplifted. I encourage all alumni to visit, and make rock hugging a new UTS alumni tradition!

For those who are too far away, we thank you for your prayers and positive vibrations (hey, I'm in a new age mood, what with the labyrinth and all).

With gratitude, and please enjoy the picture of Mr. and Mrs. Sakozono.

Tyler Hendricks

 Download entire page and pages related to it in ZIP format
Table of Contents
Copyright Information
Tparents Home