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Davis Urges Students to Shed Fear at Baccalaureate

Posted by Rachael Wilbur
Susannah Davis (’93) was the speaker at the 2019 Baccalaureate Ceremony. Her speech revolved around Mark 5:36 and the story of Jesus’ teachings on ridding yourself from fear and trusting in faith.

Speaking before a crowded Chapel hall, President Schrum said, “The Baccalaureate is a chance to reflect together and in private on your years here at Emory & Henry. It is a chance to thank the divine presence that brought us all here together.” The ceremony began with prayer and hymnals from the E&H Chamber Choir and an introduction from Rev. Sharon Wright, College Chaplain, to the 2019 Baccalaureate speaker Susannah Davis, ’92. “Susannah was one of the leaders here on campus. She always had her arms open wide with an attitude of welcome to all!”

Susannah Davis grew up in Warrenton, Ga., and graduated from Emory & Henry College in 1992 and attended the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. After graduating from Candler, she was ordained in the United Methodist Church and served churches and agencies in the North Georgia Conference for the following 11 years before receiving a call to start a new church with the Church of Christ in 2006. She now serves on the E&H Alumni Board.

“This is the rhythm of life. Moving and shaking and dancing all to the tune of trying to figure this life out,” Susannah said of her time here at the College. “If we just try and move forward, everything is gonna work out! Until it doesn’t.” Davis talked during her speech about how many things in life are out of our control and how it can be hard to believe that everything is going to work out. The lesson revolved around Mark 5:36 in the Bible. “Do not fear, only believe. That is what Jesus told us. We can decide to be terrified or we can decide to believe that everything will be okay.”

“We are not alone, no matter where we’re going or where we have been,” Davis said in resolution. “You will feel out of control and you will be out of control, but you will not be alone.” Davis’ speech ended with an acoustic set of The Wood Song by the Indigo Girls, performed with current students Ashelyn Walters and Ron Miller and professor of Chemistry Jamie Ferguson. 

  • Rev. Susannah M. Davis, ’92, speaks during the Baccalaureate Ceremony.
    Rev. Susannah M. Davis, ’92, speaks during the Baccalaureate Ceremony.
We are not alone, no matter where we’re going or where we have been.
-Susannah Davis (’93)

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