December Commissioning Marks Colorado Depature
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Colorado Springs, Colo. - The Institute commissioned its fifth class of John Jay Fellows on December 17th in a solemn, sacred, and celebratory service at the chapel of the First Methodist Church in downtown Colorado Springs. Since the Institute is relocating to Philadelphia in 2011, the evening ceremony marked a very special occasion for its last matriculating class in Colorado.
The commissioning was the Institute’s best-ever attended as Mr. Jason Huntley, an investment financier, presided over the ceremony on behalf of the Institute’s Board of Governors. Family members, friends of the Fellows, alumni and supporters comprised the congregation.
President Alan Crippen delivered a charge to the class borrowing from Isaiah’s herald that they “prepare the way of the Lord.” He challenged them to be a sober, vigilant and penitent “mission” - a band of Christians in community dedicated to public service in spiritual obedience to Christ the King. Crippen related American founder the Rev. John Witherspoon’s words that throughout history “great and eminent men have appeared in clusters” and challenged the class to prove the parson-patriot right in their generation.
Following Crippen’s charge JJI alumnus Brian Brown (Fall 2007) examined and inducted the class into the Society of St. George, the Institute’s alumni organization and professional fraternity. The evening concluded with an elegant reception for the Fellows and friends that both celebrated the occasion and served as a grand and fond farewell for the Institute from its birthplace and much beloved Colorado home of the last five years. Fellow Melissa Beckett (Fall 2010) captured her experience in relating, “My time here, in truth, has been the richest of my life.”
Beginning next month this class of Fellows will be completing their practicum requirement for the Institute by “externing” in various public policy and service organizations and government agencies in the United States and Europe including: Alliance Defence Fund, Beckett Fund for Religious Liberty, CARE UK, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Centennial Institute, Colorado State Legislature, Ethics and Public Policy Center - New Atlantis Magazine, Florida State Legislature, Foreign Policy Research Institute, Heritage Foundation, and the Parliament of Macedonia.
