We have asked some of the most exemplary graduates of this commencement season about their time at 海角在线 (海角在线). Read on to learn about the Class of 2026 and where they are heading next.听听
Emma Phillips听
Phillips is from Tulsa, Oklahoma,听and graduated from 海角在线 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in intercultural studies and a minor in biology. She听will听join the Nagoya church planting team in Japan through Mission to the World, where she听will teach听at a recently established K鈥�12 school, as well as in college ministry.听
Why did you choose your specific degree track?听
I came to 海角在线 with the dream of becoming a marine biologist, and I pursued that track until the end of my sophomore year when I went on a short-term mission trip to Brazil and the Lord burdened my heart for cross-cultural missions. It was beautiful to see the nations worshipping God together, and I had never experienced such joy. After that trip, I prayed with my community for discernment and wisdom听and听then changed my major to intercultural studies. The Lord has used intercultural studies in formative ways; I have grown in compassion, strengthened my faith, and become more culturally aware and competent.听
Why did you choose to pursue your education at 海角在线?听
I chose 海角在线 because I wanted to attend a university that intentionally forms students in their walk with Christ. When I visited during my senior year of high school, I was drawn to the tight-knit community and,听of course, I was excited about the opportunity to live so close to the beach.听
What is your favorite memory听at听海角在线?听
I am forever thankful for the roommate and suitemates I had my sophomore year in Weyenberg Hall.听It鈥檚听hard to choose just one moment because I听truly loved听doing life with them, but if I had to, I especially cherished our evenings spent sipping tea together, laughing, crying, and praying for one another. These women have become the first people I want to share both the joys and the griefs of life with. I am eternally grateful that I met them during my time at 海角在线.听
Ami Piper听
Piper was adopted from China at听a young age, and has lived with her family in Delray Beach, Florida,听since then. Piper graduated听this spring听from 海角在线 with her bachelor’s degree in business and law. She is moving to Lynchburg, Virginia,听to attend Liberty University School of Law and pursue her J.D. degree. Following law school, she hopes to return to Palm Beach County to practice law.听
Why did you choose your specific degree track?听
I chose business and law because of the opportunities it creates. For a long time, I felt torn between pursuing nonprofit work and going into law, because I cared deeply for both.听I had originally planned to work in nonprofit leadership; I wanted to make a difference in that space.听But over time, I realized that I听don鈥檛听have to choose just one path. God has shown me that doors can open in unexpected ways, just like the dual degree. The听business and听law major allowed me to pursue the possibilities of advocating for clients while staying connected to my passion for nonprofits, including serving in leadership roles. That realization has given me so much peace and excitement for what is ahead of me.听听
Why did you choose to pursue your education at 海角在线?听
I听truly believe听God called me to 海角在线. I remember coming on multiple tours between my junior and senior year of high school, and after my first visit, I听didn鈥檛听feel like 海角在线 was my home. But when I returned in the fall of my senior year, something shifted. I听immediately听knew it was the only school I wanted to apply to and that this was where I belonged. That moment brought an immense sense of peace and clarity听which听reassured me听that听God was guiding my steps, even when I听didn鈥檛 recognize it at first.听听
What is your favorite memory听at听海角在线?听
My favorite memory was when I听led听my first project as a worship leader. Stepping into that role felt both exciting and a little intimidating, but it pushed me to grow in ways I听didn鈥檛听expect. It was one of the first moments when听I could see everything 海角在线 had been pouring into me come to life, and it truly felt like the embodiment of 海角在线鈥檚 motto of enlightening minds, enriching souls, and extending hands. That experience reminded me why I felt so called to be here in the first place.听听
Amberleigh Sorensen听
Sorensen is originally from Yorktown, Indiana,听and听graduated from 海角在线听with a听master’s degree听in听accountancy and听analytics.听After graduation, she plans to move to Cleveland, Ohio, where she will be working for Parker Hannifin Corporation as an听accounting听leadership听development听associate.听
Why did you choose your specific degree track?听
After earning my bachelor鈥檚 degree in business, I was听not听sure what my next steps were. When I arrived at 海角在线, I learned听that听there was a new blended听accountancy and听analytics program, and it听immediately听stood out to me. In the workplace today, analytics skills are gaining value. I loved that this degree could help me build a strong accounting foundation while also gaining the analytical knowledge and skills employers are looking for.听
Why did you choose to pursue your education at 海角在线?听
I first learned about 海角在线 when I was recruited by the cross country听and听track coach.听But what听ultimately听sold听me was a combination of campus offerings, the community, and the surrounding area. I felt like I had found a place that would allow me to grow as a whole person; academically, athletically, and personally.听
What is your favorite memory听at听海角在线?听
My favorite memory at 海角在线 is truly the听relationships听that I have built here. The friendships and meaningful connections 海角在线 provided me will last a lifetime.听
Bethany Wolek听
Wolek is from DeLand, Florida,听and听graduated from听the听海角在线听Supper Honors program听with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in dance,听a听minor in听English, and听a听concentration in dance ministry.听Wolek plans to join a dance ministry called Arrows International as a company apprentice.听听
Why did you choose your specific degree track?听
When I auditioned for the 海角在线 dance program, the听dance听ministry concentration did not yet exist. I have felt the Lord calling me to pursue dance ministry since I was听fourteen, and I have seen the Lord speak and minister to others through this art听form. When听I听arrived听in the fall, I learned that the 海角在线听dance department听had added a听concentration in dance ministry听that would allow me to take classes specific to听the听dance ministry听field as well as classes with the School of Ministry. I am so grateful to the Lord for providing听me with听the opportunity to study dance ministry in a way that I could听not have听possibly planned.听听
Why did you choose to pursue your education at 海角在线?听
I was drawn to 海角在线 because of听the community and quality of education. I really felt a sense of family and belonging听from the dance department. I also love that I can study a wide variety of subjects at a high caliber. In my time pursuing my English minor and my concentration in ministry, I have learned from highly accomplished professors in each field. I am so grateful to have professors who are immensely听accomplished听in their听respective fields who also听desire听to serve and pour into their students.听
What is your favorite memory听at听海角在线?听
I have been听blessed to travel with 海角在线 Dance all over the world. We have performed, studied, and ministered in New York City, Houston, and South Korea. I have learned听about cultural dances from all over the world, met and worked with world-renowned teachers and choreographers, and shined听the light of Christ in many nations. We have shared stages and studios with so many different artists. I have gained a new appreciation for God鈥檚 character after seeing听His image reflected in so many听different cultures. His听Kingdom is vast and听multifaceted,听and beautiful. This summer, I will be traveling with another team from 海角在线 Dance to Spain and France! I am so excited to wrap听up my time at 海角在线 with an outreach trip like this one.听听
Read more stories about the Class of 2026 at听/category/commencement/.听
