There are 46 students who graduated from Steinbach Bible College on Saturday.

President Rob Reimer says there were also eight students who graduated from the pilot program Activate and the graduating class as a whole was larger than last year, which he notes is very exciting. Of the 46 students, Reimer adds 10 are first year students, 14 are second year, 19 are third year and 3 are fourth year graduates.

Valedictorian Andrew Friesen (Photo credit: SBC)Reimer notes there are a number of things that make this graduating class special; the first being his youngest son, Joel, is among the graduates. 

"Obviously having my son graduate is a big part of it, being able to see him through his years here at SBC. It's one of those great privileges I have, that I get to hand out a degree to him, congratulate him and wish him well as the president but also as a father," says Reimer. "Also, one of the characters that I think really shines through is this is an incredibly generous group of people. That's really impressed me with this group, the generosity they have with finances, time and just emotional energy when people are hurting."

Reimer adds valedictorian Andrew Friesen has been appreciated throughout his three years as a musician and student leader. Friesen says he is honoured to have been chosen to represent his class, and agrees, this class has been an exceptionally generous group of individuals.

"The generosity has definitely been something that impacted me personally. Last semester we had an accident with my guitar and it broke," recalls Friesen. "The whole school, in particular a lot of the graduating students, contributed significant amounts of money to hlep pay for a new one. It was quite spectacular and very heart warming. That's something that has really made this graduating class dear to my heart, but also in year's past just the sense of unity and fellowship I have with these people. Now that we're all graduating together it's just a real privilege to have met such awesome people."

Friesen says he hopes each individual continues living with a generous spirit and being a light wherever they are.

"Final encouragement for the students," notes Reimer. "This year's theme was Embrace The Call and each one of these students, I think, would tell you they embraced that call as they decided to come to SBC. My encouragement to them would be to seek God's call with that same fervor they did while contemplating, should I come, shouldn't I, should I come back for another year. Go forth, they'll be tons of opportunities, don't hold back, and give it your full."