Missionary Thomas Randall invited to speak at Judson commencement

Submitted by Judson University

Judson University recently announced that Judson alumni Thomas Randall will be the keynote speaker for this spring’s commencement ceremonies, scheduled for 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, April 28, in the Lindner Fitness Center, 1151 N. State St., Elgin.

Randall is a missionary, athlete, and speaker currently serving as a director for World Harvest Ministries and as chaplain to the Professional Golfers Association of America Champions Tour.

Randall graduated from Judson College with a degree in human relations in 1976. As a Judson student athlete, Randall lettered in four sports (basketball, soccer, cross country, golf) and was named a four-time unanimous All-Conference basketball player setting seven school records, four conference records, and two national records. Judson named him Alumnus of the Year in 1981 and he was honored again in 1998 with an honorary doctoral degree, and he was inducted into Judson’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003.

Randall now has 36 years of missionary experience and with his wife, Karen. Through his role as both a missionary and athlete, he has played over 2,000 international basketball games around the world and took the opportunity to share the gospel. He has coached and directed 105 different teams and 1,100 short-term missionaries during his time as a missionary in the Philippines. His half-time unicycle and juggling show has been performed in Olympic stadiums, on the Wide World of Sports television series in Australia, and in palaces, prisons, universities, military bases, and leper colonies around the globe. The couple live in Edmond, Okla., where Randall continues his role as director of World Harvest Ministries. He also directs Sankey Samaritan Orphanage, home to 50 children in Lucena, Philippines. He also works with the Rizal Re-Creation Camp in Rizal, Philippines where 30,000 children and adults each year can hear about Christ in a camp setting.

In February 2000, he began work as chaplain for the PGA Champions Tour, traveling to each tournament where he holds Bible studies for players, caddies, officials and their families.

At the 10 a.m. commencement ceremony, 109 students will graduate from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the School of Leadership and Business, with four in absentia. Legacy Alumni that graduated from Judson College 40 or 45 years ago will gather for the 10 a.m. service, where they will be recognized and awarded a Judson University diploma.

Eight members of the Class of 1967, including the senior class president of the very first class to start and finish at Judson, will be in attendance. Seven members of the Class of 1972 will be recognized, including alumnus Bob Pleticha, who won the International Powerlifting Association’s World Championship.

At the 2 p.m. ceremony, 70 students will graduate from the School of Art, Design and Architecture, and the School of Education, with one in absentia. For information, visit www.JudsonU.edu.