Graduation will be a historic day this year at Western Baptist College with undergraduate degrees presented to a record 189 graduates on May 7, at 10 a.m., in the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center. It will also be the final Western Baptist commencement as the school officially changes its name to Corban College that same day.

College President Reno Hoff will be the keynote speaker and will preside over the 59th Commencement.

The majority of the undergraduate degrees (27) will be awarded by the Education Department. Other degrees awarded include: Ministry (Bible-Theology), 22; Business, 17; Interdisciplinary Studies, 16; Psychology, 12; English, 11; Human Performance, 4, and Music, 4.

The Adult Studies Division's Degree Completion Program will graduate 56 students including 32 with Family Studies (Psychology) and 24 Management and Communication (Business) degrees.

Last October, the College’s Board of Trustees approved the new name choosing Corban--a biblical word meaning “a gift dedicated to God.”  As Corban College, the institution will continue to stand as an organization whose people and purpose remain dedicated to God.  Hoff says the changes represent another milestone in the college’s 70-year history.

“Changing our name, opening the new performing arts center, and adding the new residence hall last August all make the 2004-05 academic year one to remember,” Hoff says. “Through it all we remain dedicated to our mission as a comprehensive college for all Christians who consider their personal and professional lives a ministry and who want to make a difference in the world.”

This milestone marks the college’s fourth name change since it was founded in 1935 as the Phoenix Bible Institute in Arizona. As an accredited, Christian college, Corban offers 45 majors and programs of study.