With tears in his eyes, Eden Lawson explained to Westmont graduates Saturday morning that the best things in life sometimes come from those things that are unexpected.
“Our college years were a unique timeline of unexpected moments, and, while difficult, it has made being here with you all unexpectedly beautiful,” Lawson said. “I spent most of my life believing the best would come from planning ahead and having it all together, but surprisingly, the most authentic moments came from unforeseen experiences or conversations.”
Lawson was part of a high school graduating class in 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and then he began college with online and outdoor classes at Westmont three months later.
“For most of us, this is our first real graduation, so this feels like it has been eight years coming,” Lawson said.
Hundreds of people gathered at Thorrington Field Saturday to celebrate the Class of 2024.
The spectacular ceremony featured prayer, music, speeches and awards bestowed open exceptional students.
The 2024 class scripture for the private Christian university was Zechariah 4:6, which states, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.”
It was the theme of the day, and Lawson and the other speakers focused on its message.
Lawson frequently choked up while giving his speech.
“My life was changed by the unexpected stories of close friends, the unexpected doubt that comes with faith, and the unexpected outcomes of saying yes to curiosity,” Lawson said. “We will face many expectations in the future.”
He told the graduating class that they will have a choice when facing these circumstances. He said one choice could be to live in a world of hurry, corner offices and “the lie that we are enough once our job tells us we are enough.”
“Or we can rest in the truth that no matter where each of us takes place in this world, if we live unexpectedly, that will be just enough,” Lawson said.
Westmont President Gayle Beebe welcomed the crowd.
“With joy and expectation, I express our commitment, on behalf of the full Westmont community, to pray for you as you continue to discern God’s calling throughout your lives,” Beebe said.
“May we all continue to see God’s image in others. May we dedicate ourselves anew to be available to God’s purposes and to join the restorative work of churches and communities. May we remain grateful for the love of a God whose faithfulness is great and whose compassions never fail.”
The commencement speaker was Richard Pointer, who taught history at Westmont from 1994 to 2020.
He told a story about how his retirement in 2020 was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but then worse when he found out he had liver disease.
“I came to the very brink of eternity several times before a transplant team at UCLA inserted a new liver into my body, allowing me to be here today,” Pointer said.
Pointer urged the crowd to think more about where they have been than where they are going. The stories they remember and tell about themselves, he said, shape their future.
“Forgetting the past is like turning our most intimate teacher against us,” Pointer said.
Pointer also told the audience to show grace, and through grace, they will find joy.
“Each new day of one’s life, no matter how many days that might be, comes to be seen and portrayed as a gift of grace,” Pointer said. “Nothing has been done to merit it. It simply comes as a good gift from the giver of life. My role is to accept it with gratitude and humility, likewise with our learning, past, present and future.”
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