Dan Carlton, pastor of Culpeper Baptist Church and vice-chair of the Averett University Board of Trustees, will speak to more than 220 graduates at Averett’s Spring Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 4. The ceremony, which begins at 10 a.m., will be held at the University’s E. Stuart James Grant Athletic and Convocation Center at the North Campus, 707 Mt. Cross Rd. in Danville.
Averett University will graduate 224 students between the Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS), IDEAL and traditional programs this commencement. Of those 224 students, 177 will be walking across the stage on May 4. A little over one-third of the graduates completed their degrees within the GPS program, two students through the IDEAL program and the rest traditional. Among the graduates, 18 are veterans and four are international students from Norway, England, Finland and Ireland. The graduates range in age from 20 to 67.
Honorary speaker Carlton is originally from Richmond, Va. He received his bachelor’s degree in church ministries and sociology from Averett and his Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He then went on to complete his Doctor of Ministry in renewal of the church for mission at Palmer Theological Seminary. Carlton has been a pastor for 26 years, and he currently serves as the pastor of Culpeper Baptist Church in Culpeper, Va. He met his wife, Emily, while a student at Averett, and they have three children, Frances – a senior at Averett – and Allie and Will.
Carlton has served as a member of the Averett University Board of Trustees since 2004, and is currently serving as vice-chair. He also serves on the boards of LifeSpire of Virginia, Smart Beginnings Rappahannock, the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce and Culpeper Youth.
Throughout his career, he has worked to build partnerships in the communities he has served, including Together We Bake in Alexandria, Va., a comprehensive workforce training and personal development program for women in need of a second chance. Currently, Culpeper Baptist Church hosts five churches and multiple non-profit organizations to help the residents of Culpeper. During Carlton’s tenure, Culpeper Baptist has restored the Schantz pipe organ, and recently completed a $700,000 renovation with the Child Development Center.
Editor’s note: Please be aware that construction crews on Mt. Cross Road continue to work around the entrance to North Campus, and the road is temporarily downsized to one lane each way. This is expected to cause some traffic delays the morning of Commencement, so graduates, their guests and all attendees will need to use extra caution and allow plenty of time to arrive. Please remain vigilant while traveling in the area, and look for someone directing traffic that morning.
