Mar 20, 2013 3 min read

WAYNESBURG – Waynesburg University celebrated the 163rd anniversary of its charter by the commonwealth of Pennsylvania Tuesday during a celebration in the university’s Roberts Chapel.

Introduced by Waynesburg University President Timothy R. Thyreen, the Rev. Robert Crilley, a 1956 graduate of Waynesburg College and former senior minister of the Fort Street Presbyterian Church in Detroit, Mich., served as the Charter Day speaker.

Crilley began his Charter Day Convocation address, titled “Giving Praise through Faith, Learning and Serving,” with the expression that he wanted to praise God for what Waynesburg University has done for his mind, his faith and his purpose in life.

He described a deep commitment to Waynesburg, beginning even before his freshman year when he worked as a handyman for past Waynesburg College President Dr. Paul R. Stewart. Crilley went on to explain his passion for the college that stemmed from many learning opportunities from some of Waynesburg’s best known and most influential leaders, including current President Timothy R. Thyreen.

“I am grateful for the immense amount of spiritual oil (Thyreen) has added to the lamp of this university,” Crilley said. “The flame of Jesus Christ glows brightly today, and will do so for generations to come, because of his inspired and dedicated leadership.”

He praised the work that Waynesburg’s students have accomplished over time through faith, learning and service.

“If faith and learning are the user names of Waynesburg University, then service has got to be its password,” Crilley said. “Service is in the very DNA of this place.”

In his final message to the students, alumni, faculty and staff members and friends of the university, Crilley urged his audience to have faith in the Lord and in His plans.

“This world has become too dangerous a place for anything but peace, and too small a place for anything but love,” Crilley said. “And should you find yourself facing a high mountain, don’t you be afraid of it. Move it by faith, tunnel through it with love, climb over it with prayer, but leave it behind you until, as the old hymn puts it, “at last His face you see.”

In addition to Crilley’s address, Charter Day included a formal procession of faculty and special recognition of the 44 seniors in the Bonner Scholar, Honors Academy, Leadership Scholar and Stover Scholar programs at Waynesburg University.

The senior Waynesburg University students from Washington and Greene counties who were honored include:

• Brittney Bell, an elementary education major from Clarksville

• Travis Fife, a history major from Washington

• Evan Kephart, a religious and philosophy major from Washington

• Andrea Siciliano, a history major from Finleyville Daryn Wilkerson, a pre-physical therapy major from Donora

• Kurt Bonnet, a business management major from Eighty Four

• Rachel Reppert, a sociology major from Waynesburg

• Julia Warzinski, an early childhood and special education major from Venetia

• Zachary Mason, a history major from Waynesburg

• Zander Shashura, a business management major from Fredericktown