Anderson University to Host 108th Commencement
May 9, 2026 at Reardon Auditorium
Anderson, Ind. — Anderson University will hold its 108th Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Reardon Auditorium. The ceremony, which will include both Commencement and Baccalaureate events, will begin at 2 p.m.
This will be the first commencement ceremony for Anderson University’s sixth president, Dr. Scott Moats. The university will celebrate graduates who have completed their academic journey and are prepared for lives of faith and service in the church and society.
Dr. Amanda Boys, assistant professor of nursing, will deliver the Commencement address, having been selected by members of the graduating class. The Rev. Dr. David Reames will deliver the Baccalaureate message.
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER: DR. AMANDA BOYS
Dr. Amanda Boys brings more than 20 years of clinical and academic experience to the Commencement stage.
Her nursing career began in Anderson, where she earned her associate degree in nursing from Ivy Tech Community College. She went on to complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Indiana Wesleyan University and a master’s degree in nursing from Georgetown University, where she became a certified nurse midwife and women’s health nurse practitioner. She later earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Georgetown and, most recently, completed a post-master’s certificate in psychiatric-mental health nursing from Johns Hopkins University.
Dr. Boys has served patients across emergency care, operating rooms, and labor and delivery settings. She currently practices with Ascension Medical Group, where she holds triple board certification as a certified nurse-midwife, women’s health nurse practitioner, and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Boys is a contributing author to Varney’s Midwifery, a leading textbook in the field, and has presented research on postpartum depression and anxiety at the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Research Congress in Edinburgh, Scotland.
She joined the faculty at Anderson University in 2023 and is committed to preparing the next generation of nurses through both classroom instruction and hands-on mentorship.
BACCALAUREATE SPEAKER: REV. DR. DAVID REAMES
The Rev. Dr. David Reames has dedicated his life to ministry, missions, and spiritual formation.
A graduate of Anderson University, Dr. Reames earned his Bachelor of Arts, Master of Divinity, and Doctor of Ministry degrees at AU, where he also met his wife, Greta. Together, they have two daughters and three grandchildren.
Dr. Reames has served globally and locally throughout his ministry, including as a missionary in Japan, Korea, and New Zealand. He has also held leadership roles within the Church of God, including serving as vice president for personnel, and has served in pastoral roles across Florida, Ohio, and Indiana.
He currently serves alongside his wife as minister of the chapel at Anderson University’s School of Theology and Christian Ministry, where he invests in students’ and the broader campus community’s spiritual lives.
Dr. Reames’ life and ministry are shaped by a commitment to helping others know Christ and live out their calling with purpose.
HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENT
During the ceremony, Anderson University will confer an honorary degree upon Thomas R. Harbron, professor emeritus of computer science, in recognition of his lasting impact on the institution and the field of computing.
Harbron joined Anderson University in 1961 after earning degrees in electrical engineering from Iowa State University. Over the course of his career, he established the university’s physics department, introduced its first computer science course, and played a foundational role in developing the computer science program.
As director of the computing center, he helped lead the university into the digital age while mentoring generations of students and shaping the future of technology education at AU.
EVENT DETAILS
Commencement will begin at 2 p.m. in Reardon Auditorium. The graduates will process through the Valley and pass through the traditional “honor aisle” of faculty and administration before entering the auditorium for the 2 p.m. ceremony.
Tickets are required for entry into the auditorium. Each graduate was allotted six tickets for guests. Overflow seating will be available in Hartung Hall 101 and does not require a ticket.
The ceremony will also be available via livestream online for those unable to attend in person. Parking is available in campus lots and in the lower-level parking areas at Park Place Church of God.
About Anderson University
Anderson University educates students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 50 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 18 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult, graduate, and online programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized for excellence in business, computer science, cybersecurity, engineering, music, nursing, psychology, social work, and teacher education programs. Established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God, the university remains committed to its Christ-centered mission.
