Prior to the 59th Commencement, many of the College’s departments recognized graduates by honoring their accomplishments both in and out of the classroom.

The faculty selected Jamie Ruda as the 2005 Distinguished Graduate. An honors graduate (BS, Ministry: Intercultural Studies, magna cum laude), Ruda was selected for exemplifying the award's four goals for students: being an informed citizen, a competent Christian thinker, an effective communicator and spiritually mature.

Stephen Leckvold was presented with two academic honors including the Student Life Leadership Award recognizing his outstanding leadership as an ASB officer. He was also given the Ministries Department’s Outstanding Bible Scholar Award.

Other ministry department students who were recognized included: Nicholas Coleman (BS, Ministry; Biblical Studies, cum laude), the Dr. John Balyo Award for Preaching; Amy Bertolini (BS, Women’s Ministry, Summa cum laude), Excellence in Ministry; and Rebecca Radford (BS, Women’s Ministry), Outstanding Women’s Ministry.

Beth Rausch (BS, Education: Math, cum laude) earned the Teacher Education Program’s “Committee Choice” award for displaying a passion and above-average competence for teaching and commitment to making a difference in the world for Jesus Christ.

The Business Department’s Joshua Barnabus Award went to Ben Morris (BS, Business Administration, Accounting and Finance) for modeling the biblical leadership qualities of Joshua and the encouragement abilities of Barnabus.

Darren Forrest (BS, Computer Science, summa cum laude) was named the Blaise Pascal Distinguished Student of Science by the Math and Sciences Division for demonstrating exceptional qualities in academics, attitude, and spiritual integrity.

Both of the Music Department’s the academic achievement and the performance achievement awards for excellence and musicianship were presented to Jennifer Wanner (BS, Music Performance, Summa cum laude).

Emily Valco (BS, Biblical Studies), earned the English Communications department’s award for journalistic creativity and excellence. She has been a writer for the campus newspaper, Hilltop News.

The Adult Studies Division selected four students for superior project work and servant leadership: The Outstanding Independent Study Project, Jennifer Werden-Gillaspie; Outstanding Management and Communication Project Thesis, Robert King (BS, Business Administration); Servant-Leader Award (Family Studies), Allison Bradley (BA, Psychology); Servant-Leader Award (Management and Communication), Joany Haws (BS, Business Administration).

Adult Studies includes students in the degree completion program who study online or in classrooms.