Local pastor to speak at Judson's commencement

Local pastor the Rev. Nathaniel Edmond will speak at Judson University's Fall 2010 commencement Saturday, Dec. 11.

Fall commencement will be held at the Robert D. Lindner Fitness Center, 1151 N. State St. in Elgin.

Edmond was ordained in the ministry in 1995 and joined Second Baptist Church of Elgin as their pastor in 2000.

Edmond received his bachelor's degree from Xavier University in Louisiana and is a graduate of the Executive Management Program from Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y.

He also has extensive training in theology/religion and philosophy, and has completed the young pastoral training classes at the National Baptist Sunday School Congress. Edmond is also a certified counselor who has extensive experience in family, marriage and teen counseling.

Edmond has served in numerous leadership positions within community organizations such as the board of trustees for Judson University; the Board of Governors for Xavier University of Louisiana; the board of directors for the National Association for Sickle Cell Disease; and president of Jaycees.

In 2009, Edmond received the Paul Harris Fellow Award from the Rotary Club of Elgin; the Partner of Peace Award from the Community Crisis Center for Domestic Violence; and the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Boys and Girls Club of Elgin. On Feb. 16, the Black Student Association of Elgin Community College District 509 awarded Edmond the “Lasting Impact Award” for his contributions to the college.

One hundred fifty-two students will graduate at Judson University's 63rd biannual commencement. One hundred fourteen students will graduate with a bachelor of arts. Thirty-eight will graduate with a master's degree, among them 24 graduates from Judson's master of education in literacy program.