Academy of Art University Graduation

For some years I have been offering the Invocation and Benediction at our San Francisco Academy of Art University. It's a rewarding experience to see the giant strides that this institution of higher learning has achieved in the past six years that I have known it.

I was delighted to meet Bill Russell and Jim Brown, who received Honorary Doctorates of Humane Letters, and share the stage with them and with Dr. Lisa Stephens, President of the University, and the dozens of dedicated professors, who teach more than 10,000 students.

The graduation itself was preceded by a PowerPoint art display produced this past year--an amazing testimonial of the excellent art program.

The deportment of the students, as usual was respectful and attentive. When I was first invited to give the Invocation and Benediction I was a bit fearful of college students, having myself been present at many graduations where a bit of chaos reigned. What would happen with artists, enrolled from diverse ethnic, cultural and social backgrounds when it came time to pray? They are true ladies and gentlemen. They even laughed at my jokes, which preceded the final Benediction!