Lee University conferred 507 degrees on Saturday, May 4, during its spring commencement ceremony. Friends, family, and the Lee community gathered as Dr. David Ramirez inspired graduates in Lee’s traditional ceremony, held in the Paul Dana Walker Arena. 

During his commencement address, Ramirez reminded graduates they are loved by God, they have a mission, and that they can change the world. 

“As Lee graduates, we are called to establish relationships between God and the world,” said Ramirez. “We are called and empowered to go into the world and build bridges and not walls, to be door openers, to share God’s message of hope, a message of destiny, a message of tomorrow. You can make a difference!” 

Ramirez has served as Third Assistant General Overseer for the Church of God since being elected to the post in 2016. A native of Chile, he previously served in a number of leadership capacities, including field director for the Church of God in South America, president of South Cone Ministerial Seminary in Buenos Aires, and founder of Seminario Ministerial Sudamericano (SEMISUD) in Quito, Ecuador. 

Since 2016, he has also served as the liaison to the Lee University Board of Directors from the Church of God International Executive Committee. 

Ramirez holds a Doctor of Ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary (Beeson Scholar), a Master of Divinity from the Pentecostal Theological Seminary, and two honorary doctoral degrees recognizing excellence in Christian leadership.  

Of the 507 degrees conferred on Saturday, there were 420 undergraduates and 87 graduate degrees. Of the 87 graduate degrees, eight were doctoral. The spring event is one of three graduation weekends at Lee each year. Lee also holds commencements in July and December.  

Saturday’s ceremony was preceded by a pinning ceremony for nursing grads; a hooding ceremony for recipients of master’s degrees, education specialist degrees, and doctoral degrees; and the Commissioning Service on Friday, which featured several graduating participants including five student speakers sharing their Lee experience. 

For more information, contact the Academic Events Office at [email protected] or visit leeuniversity.edu/academics/graduation-info/. 

To view the events, visit leeu.live.